"Armsmaster."
As the two words left Han Meng’s lips, the gun in Chen Ling’s hand suddenly flew away—snatched midair and instantly reversed into Han Meng’s grip!
It happened so fast that even Chen Ling was caught off guard. He stared blankly at his now-empty palm, confusion flickering behind the mask...
What kind of skill was that?
"It seems you’re not very familiar with the [Judgment] path either," Han Meng said coolly, gripping the gun with one hand and leveling it at the crimson-robed figure before him. His eyes narrowed. "The second-tier skill of the [Judgment] path, [Armsmaster], grants mastery over all weapons within reach. Trying to intimidate me with a gun... was a mistake."
Bracing himself against the ground, Han Meng swayed unsteadily as he rose to his feet. His face was still pale, but he looked far better than before.
His gun remained trained on Chen Ling as he continued, "No matter which faction you belong to, since you saved me, I won’t make things difficult for you... Take off the mask, and I’ll let you leave."
The barrel pointed squarely at the black mask, its crimson smile staring back at Han Meng with eerie stillness. There was no sign of compliance.
"Let me leave?" The red-robed figure let out a derisive chuckle. "Are all you enforcers this arrogant?"
Han Meng frowned slightly and glanced down—only to freeze in place.
At some point, the "gun" he had pointed at Chen Ling had transformed into a smooth, yellow banana. Meanwhile, the red-robed figure leisurely raised his other hand, pressing Han Meng’s actual gun against his forehead.
"[Armsmaster]? Impressive, is it?"
[Audience Expectation Points +5]
The black mask pressed so close to Han Meng’s face that its exaggerated crimson grin seemed to mock him outright. All traces of amusement vanished from Chen Ling’s voice, replaced by a lethally cold edge, "This will be the last time you provoke me. Do not test my patience... Enforcer."
With that, he shoved the gun back into Han Meng’s holster.
That’s right—he returned the gun.
For the first time, a flicker of solemnity crossed Han Meng’s eyes. To him, Chen Ling’s action was nothing short of a taunt: Even if I give it back, what can you do?
The gesture completely extinguished any thought of further resistance from Han Meng. In truth, his use of [Armsmaster] had served two purposes: to regain control of the situation and to probe the red-robed man’s capabilities. But the abilities the other had displayed defied all of Han Meng’s expectations.
Among the divine paths Han Meng knew, none possessed such bizarre skills—further confirming his earlier suspicion that this man was a Fusionist.
The red-robed figure was clearly angered by his probing. If Han Meng pushed further, the outcome would be unpredictable... Under these circumstances, maintaining this fragile truce while quietly gathering information was the wisest course of action.
"Is this your Calamity’s ability?" Han Meng asked calmly, as though nothing had happened, still refusing to be cowed. "To fuse with such a powerful Calamity without suffering mental corruption or physical distortion... How did you manage it?"
"You talk too much, Enforcer," Chen Ling replied flatly.
Han Meng took the hint and fell silent.
Chen Ling had no intention of letting Han Meng pry into his secrets. With that single rebuke, he cut off further inquiry, then flicked his wide sleeve and turned to walk toward the horizon, leaving behind only an enigmatic silhouette.
Han Meng watched him for a moment before striding after him.
"Why are you following me?" Chen Ling tilted his head slightly, his icy voice emanating from beneath the black mask.
"Humans traveling through the Gray Realm attract swarms of Calamities. You’re the only source of color here—staying close to you is the only way to keep them at bay." Han Meng’s expression remained impassive. "Now that I’ve survived, there’s no need to rush off and die."
Humans get swarmed in the Gray Realm? Since when?
Chen Ling filed the information away. Now that he thought about it, not a single Calamity had approached him since he entered this place...
Of course, he didn’t buy Han Meng’s excuse for a second. A man like Han Meng would never cling to someone else out of sheer survival instinct. His pursuit was undoubtedly still driven by the desire to uncover Chen Ling’s identity.
Another battle of wits and acting, then...
Chen Ling sighed inwardly. He’d only meant to save Han Meng on a whim—he hadn’t expected the aftermath to be this troublesome.
"Suit yourself," Chen Ling replied indifferently.
Perhaps because of their earlier exchange, Han Meng stayed utterly silent this time, walking quietly a step behind him. The atmosphere grew stiff.
After several minutes, Chen Ling finally broke the silence, "What do you think of this place?"
"Which place?"
Chen Ling pointed downward.
"The Gray Realm?" Han Meng’s gaze swept across their surroundings. After a pause, he answered, "Dull. Oppressive... and dangerous."
"It is oppressive... though you get used to it after a while." Chen Ling nodded slightly. The black mask tilted upward, its twin crimson eyes fixed on the leaden clouds overhead. "How does it compare to your Aurora Domain?"
Han Meng’s pulse quickened. The red-robed man’s words made it sound like he’d been living in the Gray Realm for a long time... Though that made sense. Fusionist were outcasts, unwelcome in human domains. Staying in the Gray Realm was likely his only option.
"The Aurora Domain..." A shadow of complexity passed through Han Meng’s eyes. "The Gray Realm is still better."
"Oh?"
"Calamities are dangerous, but compared to the human heart? They fall short."
"That doesn’t sound like something an enforcer should say."
"To me, being an enforcer is a duty—not a title." Han Meng shook his head. "I say what I think. They can’t control that."
The black mask turned to study him intently. "Sounds like you’re not satisfied with the enforcer system."
"Perhaps not."
"Then why not leave?"
"Leave? To where?" Han Meng’s eyes narrowed. "The other domains are too far, and none may be better than the Aurora Domain... Unless you’re suggesting I join malignant organizations like the Crimson Sky Cult or the Twilight Society?"
"Who decides what’s good or evil?" Chen Ling countered calmly. "Do you truly believe enforcers represent righteousness?"
Han Meng stared at Chen Ling’s back for a long moment before replying slowly, "So... you’re with the Twilight Society."
Behind the mask, Chen Ling’s pupils constricted.
He controlled his body perfectly, not allowing his gait to falter for even a second as he continued walking at the same unhurried pace.
"And what makes you say that?"