Chapter 526: Section 313: Silver Fox Mask
Soon, the City Lord ascended to the third floor of the Mage Tower with the Dragon-man youth.
This was the core level of the Mage Tower.
Each Mage Tower, due to differing constructions, had the core level situated on different floors. Generally, the topmost level of a Mage Tower served as the observation and detection level, and the basement housed the energy level.
However, there were instances where, to evade targeted attacks from enemies, the core level was placed in the basement.
On the third floor, the City Lord introduced both parties to the Dragon-man youth and the Tower Master, once again stating his purpose: to investigate the identity of a mysterious assassin.
En route, the City Lord had already communicated his intentions to the Tower Master.
As they approached the Mage Tower, both the City Lord and the Dragon-man youth underwent detection by the tower. During this process, they were surrounded by several Alchemy Puppets and stood still on the spot.
After passing through this security check, they entered the main gate and proceeded to the first level.
There, a specialized device for detecting lies was present. The City Lord communicated with the Tower Master, answering key questions.
Only after answering correctly could they proceed further.
The entry procedure into the Mage Tower was very strict.
This was to prevent enemies proficient in disguise from first detaining the City Lord and then impersonating him to infiltrate the Mage Tower and sabotage the defense core of Snowbird Port from within.
“I have already prepared the relevant Magic Imagery, City Lord,” the Tower Master said, managing the Magic Image through his mind.
The next moment, a three-dimensional, hovering Magic Image materialized before the Dragon-man youth, depicting a previous scene at the dock.
In the image, the ships of the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps had patrols, with the Triangular Love Ship having the most.
Scouting-type Alchemy Puppets were positioned on the masts, ship’s sides, and nearby buildings at the dock.
The Dragon-man youth quickly saw himself disembarking, entering a carriage, and leaving the dock.
“The assassin has started moving. He started from this building,” the Tower Master paused the Magic Image and gestured towards the City Lord and Dragon-man youth.
Following the direction of his outstretched hand, they noticed a faintly transparent humanoid outline, leaping out from a window above.
The Dragon-man youth immediately asked, “Since you had already discovered his trail, why didn’t you act immediately as soon as he showed signs of movement?”
The Tower Master, with a stern face, shook his head and replied, “This is an initially processed image. At the time, there were no abnormal detections by the Mage Tower. The fact that we can now infer the current movements of the assassin involves sophisticated alchemy technique. I won’t elaborate here, please continue watching.”
The Magic Image continued to play.
The semi-transparent humanoid shape, representing the mysterious person, effortlessly breached the dock defenses, clinging to the ship’s hull, swung over the railing, and landed on the deck of the Triangular Love Ship.
After passing by a patrolling team, he entered the forecastle.
Upon witnessing this, the pupils of the Dragon-man youth narrowed imperceptibly.
However, not long after, the mysterious assassin emerged from the forecastle and headed towards the Captain’s quarters at the stern.
Subsequently, he left the Captain’s quarters and was momentarily stopped by the patrol team at the ship stairwell; waiting briefly, he then moved down to the next deck level via the ship stairwell.
“The opponent has entered the ship, and the Mage Tower can’t detect much from inside. I’ll speed up the footage somewhat,” the Tower Master increased the speed of the Magic Image playback.
Shortly after, the Dragon-man youth witnessed the piercing alarm sound on the Triangular Love Ship, prompting the mercenaries to spring into action.
Zong Ge and Menshi, leading their men, rushed into the ship’s hold.
In a moment, the ship’s hull ruptured in an explosion. Accompanied by the explosion, flying debris, and smoke, a hole appeared in the ship’s structure.
A figure leaped out through the thick smoke, jumping out of the breach.
But as he ascended into midair, he was immediately shot down.
The one who fired the cannon was none other than Chi Lai.
Encouraged by Gang Lie, the Water Pigmen dove into the sea, churning the surface with their hunt for the assassin.
The leader of the Water Pigmen surfaced, clutching a corpse, and shouted loudly.
However, Zong Ge issued an order to continue searching for the assassin.
Several scout-type Alchemy Puppets carrying Alchemy Bombs had just flown out of the Triangular Love Ship when the Mage Tower suddenly emitted Decomposition Light, successfully disintegrating the Alchemy Bombs.
“Damn it, I must make him pay!” the Dragon-man youth, having witnessed the mysterious assassin’s actions again, could not help but snort in anger, clenching his fists in fury.
The City Lord patted his shoulder, offering comfort.
The Dragon-man youth took a deep breath and slightly bowed to the City Lord as a gesture of gratitude for the Mage Tower’s assistance.
The Magic Image finally paused on the mysterious assassin reappearing, stationed in a corner of the docks, looking back at the moment when the Alchemy Bomb was disintegrated.
The Dragon-man youth still couldn’t see the real face of the assassin, just a humanoid, translucent outline.
But unlike before, the assassin now held a longbow and a harpoon in his hands.
Even the Golden Level darts in his pocket were revealed in clear detail.
The Tower Master of the Mage Tower explained in advance, “This is also a result of post-processing; at the time, we discovered nothing.”
“The related alchemy technique is named — Breath Calculation Method.”
“We know that everything has its own breath. Life has a Life Breath, Fighting Energy has a Fighting Energy Breath, and weapons and equipment also have their respective breaths.”
“There are no two identical leaves in this world, so every breath is unique. Even if two leaves are infinitely similar, their breaths will have extremely small differences.”
“To use these breaths to deduce the owner’s other information is what we call the Breath Calculation Method.”
“The above is merely the basic principle of this alchemy technique; the true content is too specialized and extensive for me to explain.”
The City Lord of Snowbird Port nodded. He looked at the Dragon-man youth and further explained, “The Golden Level equipment I sold to you, they aren’t actually mine. They come from various sources and were registered long ago in the Ice Sculpture Kingdom.”
“Thus, their breaths are all recorded.”
“This post-event analysis allows the Mage Tower to reproduce their exact locations through these breaths.”
The Dragon-man youth furrowed his brow, keenly catching the key point, “So, you’re saying that the Mage Tower was able to analyze the assassin’s outline and physique because of his Life Breath?”
“If that’s the case, can we reveal his true face?”
The Tower Master of the Mage Tower nodded, “Hua Tang has committed many crimes in the Ice Sculpture Kingdom.”
“Consequently, a lot of his breath has lingered.”
“The Tower Spirit is currently comparing these breaths.”
“This humanoid translucent outline is precisely because of this.”
“Just now, while I was receiving both of you, the Tower Spirit was continuously working on the Breath Calculation. I believe it has now achieved new results.”
With that, the Magic Image before everyone gradually began to change.
Under the watchful eyes of the Dragon-man youth, the face of that translucent humanoid outline slowly turned into…
A Silver Fox Mask.