The reason was simple: the boss was dead, and they didn't know what to do.

Gu Jianlin paid them no attention, merely casting his gaze toward the distant explosion amidst the clusters of containers, frowning slightly.

His Life Perception had picked up three life rhythms inside the vehicle.

Lu Zicheng, Chen Qing, and a parrot.

"Something's off. According to the Ether Association's operational protocols, tasks involving targets as critical as the Yan family should never be carried out by just one captain and one deputy captain. At the very least, there should be a considerable number of captain-level operatives, along with one or two at Fifth Rank. What in the world is going on?" Gu Jianlin's pupils contracted as a thought struck him.

The likelihood was high—the Ether Association's other combat forces were preoccupied elsewhere.

Only Lu Zicheng and Chen Qing had managed to pursue them here.

And with the blatant recklessness of ramming the car just moments ago, it probably meant their emotions had taken over!

At that moment, his phone regained communication, and several messages streamed in through the Deep Space Network.

The audio began to play automatically:

"Xiao Gu, it's me, Lu Zicheng."

"By the time you hear this message, I should already be on my way to carry out a mission. This might be our farewell—or perhaps our final goodbye. I'm sorry. I once made a promise at Professor Gu's grave to take care of you on his behalf, to protect you as you grew up, to help you lift the curse, and to clear your father's name."

"Now, I'm afraid there's no longer a chance for that. After all, you've earned the recognition of the King of Qing, and you no longer need me. My sister and your father were teammates, so even if I'm no longer here, she'll help watch over you for me. Although she initially didn't want you to join the Association, it was actually to spare you from the Judgement Court's disdain."

"My sister may seem unreliable, but you can trust her. After Professor Gu passed away, she's been silently keeping an eye on you, and if not for her cover, your father's students wouldn't have escaped unharmed."

"There are many bad people in this world, but there are many more good ones. An extra me makes no difference, and one less me won't matter. So I've decided to do something I've always wanted to do, but never could."

"Eight years ago, my mentor, Meng Hebo, codenamed Nightmare Master, betrayed the Association during the first localization of Qilin Immortal Palace. As the leader of that operation, Nightmare Master trapped five hundred twenty-four people at the bottom of the sea, using the Immortal Palace's power to slaughter them, thereby achieving his promotion."

"It was an exceedingly cruel blood sacrifice, with only three survivors. One of them was very important to me."

"Her name was Mu Shishi—the eldest daughter of Uncle Mu, and my fiancée. When we found her, she was already undergoing deformation. Left with no alternatives, Uncle Mu and I had to kill her with our own hands."

"Nightmare Master, while being hunted down, fell into a dimensional rift. Uncle Mu, your father, and members of the Night Watchers all tracked him, but to no avail. We thought he was dead, but eight years later, he resurfaced."

"For the past eight years, I've been haunted by the same nightmare, night and day: I killed the girl I loved most with my own hands, and I wailed on the shore while holding her lifeless body. She was my fiancée—she was killed, and I couldn't even avenge her."

"But today, no matter what, I need to end this nightmare. If I can kill Nightmare Master, I'll be able to face Shishi. And if I fail, at least I can go see her."

"If there's one person in this world who would understand my decision, I think that person must be you. Because you've felt the same pain—the loss of the most important person in your life."

"A person feels too lonely. Perhaps dying with her wouldn't be so bad."

"Xiao Gu, your talent surpasses mine, even your father's back in his prime. Though the road ahead will be fraught with difficulties, I believe you'll overcome them step by step. Crush those bastards—don't let them twist right and wrong."

"Good luck. I'll always be watching over you."

The recording abruptly ended, cut off by the deafening roar of thunder.

Gu Jianlin silently stared at the now-dark screen of his phone, the captain's voice seeming to linger in the solemn stillness.

Although he was currently surrounded by a group of people.

His mind flashed with a fleeting spark of inspiration.

Eight years ago.

The initial survey of Qilin Immortal Palace.

Nightmare Master's betrayal, the promotion through a blood sacrifice, the fall into the dimensional rift.

Uncle Mu's abrupt descent and inexplicable amnesia during the mission.

Fu Qingxuan, serving as a Night Watcher, being afflicted by the Soul Loss Gu during the operation.

Finally, the craving Nightmare Master displayed for the Qilin Wedge after the Blood Moon Slaughter Incident.

Everything was connected!

——Nightmare Master!

"Captain..."

Gu Jianlin's gaze drifted far off to the battlefield, his eyes shimmering with ghost fire that spread and burned.

"Don't move. Raise your hands and lower your weapon!"

A mercenary said in a tense voice, "You have the Golden Card. We won't kill you, but you'll have to come with us to meet Mr. Liu for questioning."

The former secretary stepped forward, her face turning ashen upon seeing the boss's corpse. "The boss is dead... This is bad, really bad. Kill him—hurry up and kill him! Then go support the clients immediately! If this deal falls apart, the company is going to suffer huge losses!"

The bodyguards instantly raised their weapons, aiming at the young man before them.

In that instant, a pale ghost fire ignited abruptly on Gu Jianlin's forehead. His sclera was swallowed by pitch-black darkness, as deep and hollow as a black hole—eerie and terrifying.