70: Seth

After reaching an agreement with the cloth shop owner, Bai Yao’s lips curved into a satisfied arc.

Next time, as long as she brought some finished products, she could stock the shelves directly.

"It was a pleasure working with you."

Bai Yao extended her fair hand and lightly shook hands with the Bear Clan boss.

Walking out of the cloth shop, Bai Yao felt that her commercial territory had finally taken a step forward.

The three of them quickly ate some simple food at a street stall and prepared to return to the Tribe before the sky completely darkened.

However, Lin's expression was somewhat distracted.

The scene of unexpectedly encountering his father's former subordinate in the market earlier surged and impacted his defenses again.

Xuan Mo deliberately slowed his pace, walking parallel to Bai Yao and Lin.

"Something is wrong. Along the way, the aura of that damned scorpion has been appearing and disappearing like a maggot attached to a bone."

"While you were in the shop just now, I followed the trail and discovered he wasn't a lone wolf; he had an accomplice who was extremely skilled at concealing their presence."

"They used some kind of high-level Concealment Secret Technique. Their aura was erratic, and several times when I approached, they escaped using strange substitutes or the Cicada Shedding its Shell Evasion Technique."

"It seems like they are testing us, or perhaps... waiting for the right moment."

Hearing this, Bai Yao frowned.

She had personally experienced Lu Sha’s cunning and vindictiveness. Having such an enemy lurking in The Shadows sent shivers down her spine.

Xuan Mo snorted coldly, and a trace of killing intent flashed in his snake eyes:

"Lu Sha's rank itself isn't top-tier, but he is full of tricks and proficient in various Sinister Secret Arts, especially skilled at escaping and preserving his life. If we don't uproot him soon, he will surely become a major hidden danger."

Most importantly, the Severe Winter was approaching, and the Bloodline Power within him had begun to stir restlessly. In a few more days, he would inevitably fall into deep slumber.

If that scorpion hadn't been dealt with by then... Bai Yao would lose her strongest protector and be exposed to danger.

Carrying this hidden worry, the three of them quickened their pace back.

While passing through an alley in a secluded area, Xuan Mo suddenly paused. "This time, there's no mistake. Such a dense aura—it's that scorpion. He's nearby."

He sternly instructed Lin, "Protect Yao Yao. Don't leave her side."

Before his voice faded, Xuan Mo's figure, like a phantom black lightning bolt, instantly vanished into the deep shadows of the alley entrance.

Meanwhile, in another dark, damp, narrow alley.

Lu Sha carried a barely noticeable trace of fear: "Getting close to that Female always feels wrong. There's a suffocating sensation... like being stared at by a higher-ranking existence."

He recalled the terrifying Pressure from the seaside last time and still felt lingering fear.

He felt it would be safer for him to lure away that snake.

"Change of plans. I'll go lure away that damned snake; his main target is me. You go and tie up that Female. Be quick."

Beside him, a tall figure stood silently, their face covered by an expressionless Metal Mask.

Hearing Lu Sha's words, the gaze beneath the mask turned towards him, carrying silent doubt.

Lu Sha said impatiently, "that snake's strength is unfathomable. Only my Life-Preserving Secret Art has a slight chance of stalling him and getting away."

"Now, only a low-strength Beastman is left beside that Female. It will be easy for you to subdue him and take the Female."

The Shadow finally nodded, and then his figure dissolved like smoke, silently merging into the darkness.

On the other side, Xuan Mo had just chased for two streets when his heart suddenly sank.

"Luring the Tiger Away from the Mountain!"

He abandoned the pursuit without hesitation, turning back at an even faster speed.

And at this moment, in the secluded alley where Bai Yao and Lin were located.

A sudden change occurred!

A figure full of explosive power darted out without warning, heading straight for Bai Yao.

"Yao Yao, watch out!"

Lin's reaction was instantaneous; almost instinctively, he forcefully pushed Bai Yao behind him to a safe spot, let out a low growl, and met the attack with a punch.

"Bang!"

Fist and claw met, producing a dull collision sound.

Lin felt a surging immense force transmit through him. His entire arm was numb from the shock, and he retreated several steps before barely managing to steady himself.

The opponent, however, merely swayed slightly.

Lin's heart sank. The newcomer's skill was superior to his, and their moves were vicious and seasoned. Every strike aimed for a vital point, filled with the murderous aura forged on the battlefield.

This was definitely not an ordinary Wandering Beastman; they were more like an experienced Professional Assassin.

Within a few moves, Lin had completely fallen into a disadvantage, only managing to maneuver barely by relying on the agility of the Wolf Clan. Several bloody marks already adorned his body.

"Help! Help!"

Bai Yao desperately cried out for help, but found the alley was eerily silent. The scattered residents seemed to have vanished, and her cries were like a stone sinking into the sea.

Seeing Lin's stubborn resistance, The Shadow flashed a hint of impatience in his eyes, feinted a move to force Lin back, and then, swift as lightning, headed straight for Bai Yao again.

"Don't you dare!"

Lin's eyes were bloodshot. He threw himself forward recklessly, using his back to forcefully block The Shadow's strike aimed at Bai Yao.

"Pfft!"

The heavy palm strike landed squarely on Lin's back. He distinctly heard the sound of his sternum cracking.

Excruciating pain instantly swept through his body. A sweetness rose in his throat, and a mouthful of fresh blood spurted out as his body uncontrollably pitched forward.

In the chaos of falling, Lin's hand instinctively scrabbled around, trying to grab onto something for support, and with a "rip,"

he unintentionally tore off the menacing mask covering the opponent's face.

The mask fell away, revealing the weather-beaten face of a middle-aged Male.

When Lin clearly saw the face under the hazy moonlight, he was completely stunned, murmuring a title sealed deep within his memory:

"Second Uncle Sai...?"

The Shadow, who was preparing to deliver a final blow to finish off Lin, trembled violently the moment he heard that address.

The hand he was about to strike with froze stiffly in mid-air. How many years had it been since anyone called him that name?

Lin seized the opportunity to use his last bit of strength to push him away, asking with difficulty while gasping for breath, "Second Uncle Sai... D-don't you recognize me? I am Little Lin..."

The Shadow's hands began to tremble uncontrollably. "You are... Young Master? You're still alive?"

Just then, Xuan Mo returned. Seeing Lin severely injured and spitting blood, he was about to deliver a fatal blow to The Shadow.

"Xuan Mo, wait."

Bai Yao quickly spoke up to stop him. She had been nervously observing the situation—did they know each other?

The Shadow seemed oblivious to Xuan Mo's killing intent, staggering back two steps. Looking at the dazzling fresh blood on Lin's lips, his eyes filled with endless remorse and pain.

The next moment, under the astonished gazes of the group, this expert who had been full of murderous intent just moments ago, dropped directly to one knee with a "thud."

"Young Master, your Criminal Subordinate Sethi... deserves ten thousand deaths for attacking you."

Lin endured the pain and struggled forward, trying to help him up:

"Second Uncle Sai, get up quickly. What exactly is going on? Why are you here? And why did you try to assassinate us?"

Sethi was overwhelmed with shame. "Young Master, this place is unsafe for long. The City of Ten Thousand Evils' Spies are everywhere. We must immediately find a safe Private Room to talk in detail!"

A quarter of an hour later, the four appeared in a Private Room that Xuan Mo had confirmed was discreet.

Sethi knelt before Lin again. "Young Master, this mission was a death order personally issued by the City Lord of the City of Ten Thousand Evils. He wants to take the beast crystal of the Snake Clan powerhouse beside you, and he ordered us to kidnap Miss Bai Yao as a hostage to coerce him."

Bai Yao gasped, subconsciously looking at Xuan Mo.

She hadn't expected that her existence would become the weakness the enemy used against Xuan Mo.

Sethi said with guilt, "And you, Young Master, you have been guarding this Female... According to Lou Qi's order, we were to eliminate you as well, to prevent future trouble."

Lin's expression changed abruptly, while Xuan Mo narrowed his golden eyes. Lou Qi's name had been etched into their Kill List.

Sethi raised his head. "Young Master, I concealed my name and identity, enduring humiliation for many years to infiltrate the City of Ten Thousand Evils. I did this to secretly investigate your whereabouts and seek an opportunity for revenge. May the beast god witness, I have finally found you."

His gaze swept over Xuan Mo and Bai Yao, finally settling on Lin.

"Young Master, it is time for some buried truths to see the light of day—regarding the sudden Rebellion that year, and the true cause of the Old Master's death..."

"Throughout these years, all of us have been deceived!"