155: Chapter 155 Leaving Alone

[Tang Zheng: The [Hunting] talent that Ming Xiucheng has always publicly claimed to possess is the ability to track targets via their aura. In reality, that is merely 'tracking'; he has hidden its truly terrifying aspect—'Slaying'.

He can place a Slaying Mark on a target within a certain range. He can place one mark per day and use it to sense the target's location at any time.

The more times a single target is marked, the stronger the sensing becomes. When the marks reach 10, they can be converted into a Death Mark. With just a thought, Ming Xiucheng can trigger an instant death effect.

Instant Death Effect: If the target's Rank is not higher than Ming Xiucheng's, they die instantly; if their Rank is higher than Ming Xiucheng's, they lose a massive amount of health points, equivalent to 1.5 to 2 times Ming Xiucheng's total health points.]

[Tang Zheng: Many of Ming Xiucheng's rivals died under this ability, and no one knew why until much later, when someone used a high-level inspection skill and exposed it.]

Reading this, Chu Xuan only felt that this skill was truly impossible to guard against. He just didn't know if the other team members had been marked...

[Tang Zheng: Ming Xiucheng marked a large number of Specters with extraordinary potential and used various means to either hinder other team members from Hunting them or secretly let them go, just waiting for those Specters to grow so he could harvest them. The Night Demon was undoubtedly the one he placed the most hope in.

In the original timeline, Ming Xiucheng triggered the Death Mark, easily Slaying the Night Demon that had promoted to an S-rank Specter. He directly reached Rank 10 and, during the Early Stage of the subversion of order, took the Opportunity to step into the next phase. His strength was on par with an S-rank Specter, and from then on, he remained in the top tier of human combat power.

As for Qin Qing, it was after Ming Xiucheng slew the Night Demon that she gradually noticed something was wrong. After investigating, she learned the truth and confronted Ming Xiucheng.

Ming Xiucheng did not deny it, explaining that he did this for the future of humanity. Qin Qing could not accept this fact. After a period of depression, she relinquished her status as a Night Watcher and left Haicheng. Later, she proactively went to a large Dark Place to slay Specters and ultimately never came out again.]

[Tang Zheng: Of course, that was the original timeline. In the current timeline, the Night Demon has never appeared again. It might have been killed by Ming Xiucheng already, or perhaps it fled to another city, or maybe it was killed in Haicheng by the future you.]

Chu Xuan sighed inwardly.

This Ming Xiucheng was quite a ruthless character, and he had indeed utilized the [Hunting] talent to its absolute limit.

At the same time, Chu Xuan understood that Tang Zheng's request to pass a message to Qin Qing wasn't to imply there was a mole in the team, but simply to prevent Qin Qing from getting stuck in a dead end and doing something rash.

So, was Han Cheng's death a coincidence, or was it because he stood in the way and might have affected the Night Demon's promotion, leading to his murder by Ming Xiucheng?

Just like Qin Qing.

Since Ming Xiucheng could come to slay and harvest the Night Demon right after its successful promotion, it showed he had been watching all along. It was impossible for him not to know Qin Qing was inside.

But in fact, if not for the variables of Chu Xuan and Tang Zheng, Qin Qing would most likely have died in there.

At this moment, another message arrived.

[Tang Zheng: There was another reason I had you join the Night Watchers: on the way to the capital on June 19th to participate in the Seed Project, you will enter a Dark Place. There is an Opportunity there that is very important to me. If you can enter, you might also gain some benefits. But looking at things now, you should hurry up and leave Haicheng.]

Chu Xuan thought for a moment: [Do you think that mysterious powerhouse I fought could be Ming Xiucheng?]

[Tang Zheng: The possibility is likely not high, because he has no reason to move against you.

During his time as the Night Watcher captain in Haicheng, Ming Xiucheng was an extremist who used any means necessary in pursuit of power. According to him, it was to combat Specters more effectively, and sacrificing a small number of people for the sake of all humanity was inevitable.

Initially, many people looked down on these words, but he did indeed later protect many humans from the mouths of Specters. Now, he already has loyal followers who highly praise his original methods.]

[Chu Xuan: What if he knows through some special means that there is an S-rank Specter inside my body?]

[Tang Zheng: If that's the case, then there really would be a reason to move against you. But he would likely secretly place 10 marks on you first, and then find a way to let the Specter completely take over your body. Regardless of whether that would work, he shouldn't rashly act ahead of time.]

Chu Xuan's heart sank.

In this way, things became somewhat blurred and complicated.

Who exactly was that mysterious powerhouse?

Chu Xuan did not stop suspecting Ming Xiucheng because of this.

[Tang Zheng: The future you has attacked again, calling himself Chu Huan. He's truly hateful; knowing that my talent's time limit is running out today, he's started to get arrogant.]

Chu Xuan's mouth twitched: [You two have been trying to kill each other like this for three years?]

[Tang Zheng: To be precise, it's been two years and eleven months, because this monster was only born on June 20th and only found me next month... If there's anything else, let's talk later. I need to concentrate my spirit, otherwise I might really kick the bucket.]

Chu Xuan checked his phone; it was already 3:40. Ten minutes had passed. He immediately stood up to pack his gear.

Regardless, it was better to leave Haicheng first.

Originally, he had wanted to take Tang Zheng with him, but [Future Tang Zheng] hadn't met with an accident and even mentioned that there was a very important Opportunity for him on June 19th.

It was best not to interfere rashly; otherwise, if the other party missed the Opportunity and their strength increased too slowly, leading to an early death, that would be bad.

"This is a dreamscape; I'll first try to see if I can leave alone."

A layer of haze always remained in Chu Xuan's heart.

He packed his backpack, stowed the ghost-forbidden lamp and the demon-subduing pestle, and quietly opened the window. Without alerting anyone, he leaped down from the fifth floor and landed on the lawn.

"From here to the capital takes about two hours by plane and about four hours by high-speed rail. But it's not even 4:00 AM yet, so planes and high-speed rails are temporarily suspended. I'll try leaving Haicheng by car first..."

Chu Xuan calculated as he reached the outside of the residential area. He was just about to run to a nearby bar entrance to see if there were any taxis when he ran into an acquaintance.

"Young man, where are you headed?"

"There aren't many ride-hailing cars at this hour. Hop in, I'll run the meter for you!"

Chu Xuan's lips curled up, and he immediately walked over.

Master Zhu, the driver, had clearly recognized Chu Xuan by now. Knowing this was the boss who had previously given him a thousand-yuan fare directly, a look of joy appeared on his face.

Thump!

Chu Xuan had already gotten in and closed the door.

"Drive. To the capital."

Master Zhu was stunned for a moment and repeated the question: "Boss, what did you say? I didn't hear you wrong, did I..."

Before he could finish, a crisp and pleasant female voice rang out: "WeChat payment received: five thousand yuan!"

"Go to the capital immediately. Round-trip tolls and gas will be four thousand at most. When we arrive, I'll give you another twenty-five thousand!" Chu Xuan said flatly. Nothing was more enticing than throwing money around.

Sure enough, hearing Chu Xuan's words, Master Zhu acted as if he had been injected with a stimulant and shouted loudly, "You got it!"

Vroom—

The car engine roared as it sped toward the outskirts of Haicheng.

Chu Xuan gazed at the scenery rapidly receding outside the window, his expression unreadable: "I hope the situation isn't as bad as I think..."