31: Blackhorn Storm, Shadow Layout

The sky of the Black-Corner Region was always shrouded in a layer of hazy mist, and even the sunlight that reached here felt exceptionally cold. Lin Chen stood at the top of the tallest clock tower in Black Seal City, his black cloak fluttering in the wind, overlooking the entirety of this city of chaos.

“It’s finally here…”

Lin Chen took a deep breath, the air thick with the smell of blood and rust. On his left wrist, the Hall of Souls brand glowed faintly, as if reminding him of something. Since the battle in the Poisonous Miasma Valley, he had been traveling for seven consecutive days, finally arriving at this crucial stage from the original story.

“Based on my calculations, Xiao Yan should still be on his way.” Lin Chen stroked his chin, a glimmer of light flashing in his eyes, “However, the people from the Hall of Souls have already arrived.”

His gaze locked onto an unremarkable grey building in the west of the city. On the surface, it was a medicinal ingredients shop, but in reality, it held hidden secrets. Just now, he had personally witnessed three Dou Master experts sneaking into it, and the aura emanating from one of them was identical to that of the Hall of Souls envoy he had encountered in the Poisonous Miasma Valley.

“Let’s go take a look.”

Lin Chen’s figure seemed to melt into the air, and in a few leaps, he arrived near the target building. He pressed himself against the wall, Shadow Erosion Dou Qi forming a thin film over his body, perfectly concealing all his auras.

“…

…The plan must be brought forward…”

“…Jia Nan Academy…”

“…Fallen Heart Flame…”

Fragmented conversations came through the ventilation shaft. Lin Chen raised an eyebrow, his right index finger lightly tapping the wall. A wisp of Shadow Erosion Dou Qi silently seeped in, forming a miniature sensory network inside the room.

The scene inside immediately became clear in his mind: five black-clad figures sat around a stone table, with a map spread out on it. The leader was a sinister-looking old man with a silver skull badge pinned to his chest.

“At the auction three days from now, we must ensure that item is acquired.” The old man tapped a certain spot on the map, “This is the key to opening the inner courtyard’s barrier.”

“Sir, your subordinate is worried…” A younger Hall of Souls envoy hesitated.

“Worried about what?” The old man’s eyes turned cold.

“I heard… the Disciple of the Medicine Venerable will also participate in this auction…”

A silence fell over the room. The old man’s face was so gloomy it could drip water: “Xiao Yan? Hmph, perfect for settling old and new scores! Protector Wu’s grudge must be repaid with his Soul!”

Lin Chen withdrew his senses, a cold sneer playing on his lips. As he expected, the Hall of Souls had already laid out a net, waiting for Xiao Yan to walk into it. However…

“This gives me room to maneuver.”

He silently departed, heading straight for the largest intelligence exchange in the city. Half an hour later, Lin Chen looked with satisfaction at the intelligence he had just bought at a high price:

“Black Ink Auction’s finale item: a seventh-grade Medicinal Pill, the Yin and Yang Profound Dragon Pill, and… a mysterious incomplete map.”

“As expected.” A glint flashed in Lin Chen’s eyes. This was precisely what Xiao Yan was destined to obtain in the original story, so it seemed the plot's general direction hadn't changed. He quickly formulated a plan in his mind: he needed to ensure Xiao Yan obtained these crucial items, while also allowing the Hall of Souls’s plan to proceed smoothly…

Only this way could he maximize his benefits amidst the chaos.

As night fell, Lin Chen changed into ordinary mercenary attire and blended into the city’s largest tavern, “Blood Wolf Howl.” This place was a mixed bag, perfect for gathering information.

“…Have you heard? Blood Sect’s Young Sect Master Fan Ling was killed a few days ago!”

“Shh! Keep your voice down, do you want to die? They say it was done by a kid carrying a black ruler…”

“…Many new faces have appeared in the city recently; I think something big is about to happen…”

Lin Chen silently drank his cheap ale, his ears catching every useful piece of information. Suddenly, the tavern door was pushed open with a bang, and a team of fully armed guards escorted a purple-clad woman inside.

“It’s people from Eight Gates!”

“That’s… Young Miss Yuan Li, Lord Yuan Yi’s daughter!”

Lin Chen narrowed his eyes. Eight Gates, the actual controllers of Black Seal City, and its Sect Leader Yuan Yi was even a Battle Emperor expert. For this Young Miss to appear in such a place at this time…

His guess was quickly confirmed. Yuan Li walked directly to a private room on the second floor, and through the reflection in the window, Lin Chen clearly saw that someone was already waiting in the private room—it was the Hall of Souls old man from earlier today!

“Interesting…”

Lin Chen paid his bill without a change in expression and left. After exiting the tavern, he immediately changed direction and headed towards a slum on the outskirts of the city. After several twists and turns, he stopped in front of a dilapidated wooden house.

Following three long and two short knocks, the wooden door creaked open slightly.

“Password.” A hoarse voice came from behind the door.

“The shadow always follows the darkness,” Lin Chen whispered.

The door opened completely, and a hunchbacked old man vigilantly scanned his surroundings, confirming no one was following before letting Lin Chen in. The house was a world of its own; the underground secret room was brightly lit, and more than a dozen black-clad figures were busy working.

“Sir!” Upon seeing Lin Chen, everyone immediately saluted.

These were the secret agents Lin Chen had planted in the Black-Corner Region in advance. Ever since leaving the Jia Ma Empire, he had set up informants in various key cities, all for this day.

“The situation has changed.” Lin Chen got straight to the point, “The Hall of Souls and Eight Gates have already colluded; the auction is a trap.”

He quickly assigned tasks: some people were to continue monitoring the Hall of Souls’s movements; others were to disguise themselves as ordinary buyers and blend into the auction; most importantly…

“Find this young man.” Lin Chen took out a portrait, which depicted Xiao Yan’s appearance, “Notify me immediately upon discovery, but under no circumstances should you alarm him.”

Everyone took their orders and left. Lin Chen remained alone in the secret room, taking out a jade box from his storage ring. Upon opening it, a completely black Medicinal Pill lay quietly inside, its surface entwined with blood-colored patterns.

“A fifth-grade Medicinal Pill, the Heart Devouring Pill…” Lin Chen murmured to himself, “I hope I don’t have to use you.”

This was a sinister item he had found in Elder Scorpion Mountain’s storage ring; the user would die from a heart explosion three days later, yet experience no abnormalities during that time. It was originally used by the Myriad Scorpion Gate to control traitors, and now…

“Perhaps it can serve a special purpose.”

Three days passed in a flash. On the day of the auction, the entire Black Seal City was heavily guarded. Lin Chen arrived at the auction house early, taking an inconspicuous seat as an ordinary merchant.

The venue gradually filled up. Lin Chen’s gaze swept across the VIP area, and sure enough, he saw Yuan Li’s figure. Beside her sat a black-robed person; although he deliberately restrained his aura, Lin Chen immediately recognized him as the Hall of Souls old man.

“Indeed…”

Suddenly, there was a commotion at the entrance of the venue. Lin Chen’s heart skipped a beat, and he saw a black-robed young man carrying a giant ruler walk in under everyone’s gaze, followed by a masked green-clad woman.

“Xiao Yan… and Gu Xun'er…”

Lin Chen immediately lowered his head, simultaneously activating Shadow Erosion Dou Qi to completely alter his own aura. He did not want to confront this Son of Destiny yet, especially in front of the Young Miss of the ancient clan.

The auction officially began. Lin Chen did not make a move for the first few items, until…

“…Next is one of the highlight items of this auction!” The host unveiled the red cloth, “A seventh-grade Medicinal Pill, the Yin and Yang Profound Dragon Pill!”

The entire hall was in an uproar. Lin Chen noticed Xiao Yan’s body noticeably leaning forward, a determined glint in his eyes. The bidding quickly became heated, and when the price soared to eight hundred thousand gold coins, only Xiao Yan and a mysterious person in the VIP area remained in contention.

“One million!” Xiao Yan gritted his teeth and bid.

The hall fell silent. The host was about to bring down the hammer when Yuan Li’s voice suddenly came from the VIP area: “One million two hundred thousand.”

Xiao Yan’s face turned ugly. Just as he was about to raise the price again, a waiter quietly walked up to him and handed him a note. After reading it, Xiao Yan’s expression became strange, and he ultimately chose to give up.

Lin Chen’s lips curved into a slight smile. The note read: “This pill has a problem; the finale incomplete map is the key.” The signature was — “An old acquaintance.”

The auction continued. When the final item—that incomplete map—appeared, Lin Chen finally made his move. He deliberately bid against Xiao Yan, raising the price to an astonishing height before suddenly giving up.

“Three million for the third time! Sold!”

Xiao Yan successfully bid for the incomplete map, but his face was not good. Lin Chen knew this was because he had almost exhausted all his funds. However, soon, Xiao Yan would realize that the value of this incomplete map far exceeded his imagination.

As the crowd dispersed, Lin Chen noticed that the people from the Hall of Souls were quietly following Xiao Yan. He calmly blended into the crowd, simultaneously sending signals to his secret agents.

The plan was going smoothly. When Xiao Yan and his companion reached a secluded alley, they were suddenly ambushed by five black-clad figures. Just as the battle was most intense, Lin Chen’s arranged people, pretending to pass by, “accidentally” helped, successfully allowing Xiao Yan to escape.

“Thank you for your help, gentlemen.” Xiao Yan cupped his fists in gratitude, but his eyes held a wary look.

“No need for thanks.” The leader of the black-clad figures said as per Lin Chen’s instructions, “We were also entrusted by someone. Also, be careful of Eight Gates; they are colluding with the Hall of Souls.”

Xiao Yan’s pupils contracted: “You are…”

The black-clad figures left with a meaningful smile and quickly departed. Lin Chen watched this scene with satisfaction from the shadows. The seed had been planted, and next…

His gaze turned towards the auction house. The Hall of Souls old man was walking out in a rage, clearly displeased with the failure of the plan. Lin Chen silently followed him.

Opportunity always favors the prepared.

That night, in a luxurious mansion in Black Seal City, the Hall of Souls old man was in a furious rage.

“Useless! A bunch of useless people! You can’t even catch a mere Great Dou Master!”

The subordinates kneeling on the ground trembled. Suddenly, the old man’s roar stopped abruptly, and he sharply turned to look out the window: “Who?!”

There was no response. But the next second, the door opened silently. The old man’s Dou Qi surged, but he froze when he saw who had arrived.

“Young Miss Yuan Li? So late…”

His words remained unfinished. Because “Yuan Li’s” figure suddenly distorted, transforming into a black shadow that instantly closed in. The old man felt a chill in his chest, and looking down, a pitch-black short blade had already pierced his heart.

“You…” The old man’s eyes widened, looking incredulously at Lin Chen, who was gradually revealing his true appearance.

“Goodnight, Sir.” Lin Chen leaned close to his ear and whispered, “Say hello to Protector Wu for me.”

With the eruption of Shadow Erosion Dou Qi, the old man’s body rapidly shriveled. Lin Chen skillfully took his storage ring and Hall of Souls token, then stuffed a Heart Devouring Pill into the corpse’s mouth.

After doing all this, he looked in the direction of Jia Nan Academy, muttering softly:

“The stage is set, and now… it’s time for the protagonist to appear.”