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“Yellow Bird?”
Mu’en glanced at the figure not far away and couldn’t help but frown.
The figure was completely shrouded in a large black cloak, making it impossible to see any features, but Mu’en still vaguely sensed a familiar feeling from him.
This feeling wasn’t new; it had appeared before in that black shop. It was quite strange—was he running into acquaintances during a visit to the black market?
However, Mu’en quickly dismissed the thought, as the chances of meeting acquaintances in such a place were too low. It was probably just his illusion, after all, intuition could be quite unreliable.
“This gentleman…”
Mu’en glanced at the figure’s chest:
“Sir, when you mention ‘yellow bird,’ what do you mean?”
The figure suddenly shuddered, his hand hidden under the cloak clenched and then relaxed, and for some reason, his tone was no longer as friendly.
“Hmph, still pretending to be clueless? You’re hiding here, aren’t you just waiting for those guys to come out with dog brains, to pick up the scraps?”
“I’m indeed waiting for them to fight, but I have no intention of picking up scraps.”
Mu’en said:
“When there are many people, it’s difficult to grab the scraps.”
“You’re lying.”
The figure pointed around, where many shadows flickered by, saying, “Look around; these people know better than anyone that the scraps are hard to grab, but did any of them give up? No, they all think they ought to give it a try; if they succeed, it’s a huge profit!”
“Oh? Are you implying that…”
“So, my friend, I find you somewhat familiar, as if I’ve seen you somewhere…”
The figure rubbed his hands excitedly: “And your strength doesn’t seem weak either; being in the late stage of the second tier can lead to a killing spree in a place like Down City. How about we team up and pull off a major score?”
“Familiar?”
Mu’en laughed: “That sense of familiarity is quite unreliable, and how do I know you’re not trying to trick me?”
“We can set up a contract.”
The figure took out a golden sheet, “Divine Contract; once signed, it cannot be violated. We team up first, and when we secure the Dragon’s Blood, we go our separate ways based on our own abilities. Wouldn’t that be delightful?”
“Is that so? It’s quite tempting.”
Mu’en nodded but still refused:
“Sorry, but I don’t plan to take action.”
“Are you planning to wait? Can’t you see? This stalemate atmosphere needs someone to break the deadlock, otherwise, chaos won’t ensue. Are you really pinning your hopes on those cowards?”
The figure stomped in frustration:
“Playing a dirty game, the most important thing is timing; you must be patient when waiting and never hesitate when it’s time to strike! The time is now, what are you waiting for?”
“Who said I was going to play dirty?”
Mu’en chuckled: “You’re mistaken.”
“What do you mean mistaken? You’re not here to play dirty; you’re here to watch a show? Then I suggest you walk a bit further; the visibility in this riverbank fog isn’t very good.”
“Not exactly watching a show; I have other methods.”
“Other methods?”
The figure paused for a moment and then scoffed disdainfully: “I see, you plan to wait until the end, right? Hmmm, quite the final yellow bird. I’ve seen plenty of people like you, lacking any courage, thinking they can swoop in at the last moment and claim everything, but ending up with nothing.”
As he spoke, the figure lowered his gaze as if he had discovered something, exclaiming: “I see, you’re just a fledgling who’s just come to the black market? Which noble young master is here looking for excitement? That makes sense. Kid, this place is dangerous without enough experience—you’d be better off going home and lifting a maid’s skirt!”
The figure’s tone carried the weight of an experienced senior advising him.
But Mu’en paid it no mind, merely following the figure’s gaze downward.
In the gentle breeze by the riverside, the delicate cuffs of his garment showed off elegant gold thread—those who mingled in Down City wouldn’t have such luxurious sleeves.
It seems I’ll need to change my clothes inside as well.
Mu’en tucked his sleeve back into the black cloak and smiled:
“Since that’s the case, I suggest this gentleman give up.”
“Oh? Why?”
“Because the Dragon’s Blood is definitely mine.”
“…Pfft.”
The figure froze for a moment and then couldn’t help but laugh mockingly.
“That kind of unfounded arrogance reminds me of someone annoying; although that person seems to have changed recently, they’re still quite irritating.”
“Never mind, since you feel that way, I won’t persuade you further; one more person or one less person doesn’t affect me much. Just stay here and watch.”
The figure waved his hand, turning away confidently, like a hidden powerful figure standing with his hands behind his back, looking down upon the hazy city under the night:
“Just watch how I showcase my skills amidst this chaos, achieving victory and securing the Dragon’s Blood, while you can only hide aside, biting your handkerchief and regretting silently! Hahahaha…”
As he spoke, the figure leaped into the riverbank’s fog, moving gracefully like a black fish.
“I just feel like this person…”
Watching the figure gradually disappear, Mu’en rubbed his chin and pondered:
“He’s such a whiny one.”
“Could it be he’s really a gay guy…”
Mu’en shivered, hurriedly turned around, and left in the opposite direction.
As Mu’en said himself, he indeed wanted to be that yellow bird, but who said the way to be a yellow bird had to be by playing dirty?
Mu’en arrived on the bridge and removed his black cloak.
This bridge was the largest tower bridge on the ancient Rhine River and a vital hub connecting the upper and lower cities.
On the bridge, patrolmen rode horses and conducted patrols every day.
Mu’en adjusted his slightly rumpled fine collar that had been compressed by the black cloak and walked toward the direction from which the sound of hooves came through the fog.
“Stop! This bridge is closed to traffic at night.”
The patrolman on the tall horse looked down from above, glaring at Mu’en.
But upon seeing Mu’en’s expensive attire, he quickly changed his demeanor, dismounted, and bowed respectfully:
“This young master, have you encountered any trouble at this late hour?”
“I want to see your superior.”
Mu’en took out the family emblem and waved it in front of him:
“The very top one.”
…
…
In the alley, the standoff continued.
The three leaders of the gangs vigilantly stared at each other, unwilling to take a step back.
The lure of the Dragon’s Blood was too great for them.
This equated to a heaven-sent opportunity, and no one wanted to miss out.
Thus, as time passed, they felt more and more gazes gathering around them.
Wandering wild dogs had gathered nearby, poised to pounce, waiting for these three most ferocious wolf packs in Down City to determine the victor, and they would hold a feast on their corpses.
Under such high pressure, everyone in the alley tightly gripped their weapons, strings in their minds taut.
“This won’t do…”
The most anxious Lorenzo’s thoughts raced, realizing that the one holding the Dragon’s Blood would be the most disadvantaged in this situation.
He began to contemplate whether to join forces with the Rat Gang to deal with the blocking thugs from the Hyena Gang first.
After all, the Hyena Gang was currently the weakest side, and as long as he teamed up with the Rat Gang, almost no one could handle them without the Hyena Gang’s interference.
At most, he would give the Rat Gang five drops of Dragon’s Blood; in contrast to having none and being blamed by the Lord, that would be the most bearable outcome.
A great fool becomes one, it is what it is; for the eternal life promised by the Lord, what grievances can a man not endure?
Thinking this, Lorenzo turned to Sam:
“Sam, how about we…”
Before he could finish speaking, he abruptly stopped, his expression changing dramatically.
He heard the sound of a bowstring snapping, clear in the stillness of the night!
Before his brain could process it, he felt a sharp pain in his arm.
A piercing arrow cut through the air, crashing violently against his magic armor, sending sparks flying.
Although it merely left a negligible scratch, it was enough to fill Lorenzo’s brain with fury in an instant.
He immediately drew his long knife, pointing it at the gnome-like silhouette, his eyes red with anger, roaring:
“Sam, you despicable coward!”
“No, it wasn’t me…”
Sam’s color changed instantly.
“I didn’t give any orders…”
But he hadn’t finished speaking when he suddenly felt something flying towards him.
He instinctively dodged to the side, and the object that flew by directly smashed into one of his subordinates beside him, instantly causing blood to flow everywhere.
It was indeed a spiked mace!
In all of Down City, besides crude thugs like the Hyena Gang, who else would use such a disgraceful weapon?
“Schurz!”
Sam roared, “Are you seeking death?”
“I didn’t!”
Schurz had just shown a hint of confusion when suddenly a figure dashed out from behind Lorenzo’s elite, bringing down a saber directly.
Schurz’s hair stood on end; although he was old, he had mixed in Down City for quite a while. He quickly reacted by stepping back while raising his staff to block.
Seeing the clear mark left on his beloved golden silver staff by the saber, his reason instantly gave way to rage.
“Lorenzo!”
The roar echoed through the night sky.
Though the three of them instinctively sensed something amiss in that fleeting moment, the tense atmosphere and suppressed pressure rendered any commands unnecessary.
Like a powder keg, once the fuse was ignited, it would naturally explode!
Watching their leader come under attack, the elites, thugs, and rats whose tension had almost snapped couldn’t hold back any longer and directly commenced swinging their swords and weapons, pulling the triggers!
Chaos immediately erupted!
The glint of knives, the shadows of arrows, splattering blood, and the roars of thugs instantly turned the quiet alley into a raucous scene.
“Something’s wrong, very wrong!”
Having just slain a charging thug with a cut, Lorenzo finally calmed down. He realized someone was trying to stir up this muddy water, because the person who just rushed out from his side, he didn’t recognize at all!
However, when he tried to locate that silhouette, he couldn’t find a trace in the chaos, which was too disordered, and amidst this turmoil, a drifting voice sounded from who knows where.
“Charge! Whoever grabs the Dragon’s Blood gets to keep it!”
Lorenzo’s expression changed. He hid the metal container in his embrace, wanting to escape quickly under the cover of his subordinates, but another voice cried out beside him.
“Lorenzo is here!”
