Chapter 527: Section 314: Departing from the Harbor
Seeing the Silver Fox Mask on the mysterious person’s face, the Dragon-man youth couldn’t help but take a deep breath.
He had previously collected intelligence about Hua Tang, which included content about the Silver Fox Mask.
Hua Tang would always wear a Silver Fox Mask when committing crimes.
According to the intelligence, the Silver Fox Mask was a rather powerful disguise tool.
This had also become one of Hua Tang’s distinctive traits.
The Dragon-man youth continued to observe, but the Magic Image suddenly stopped.
The youth immediately turned his gaze to the Tower Master of the Mage Tower, silently inquiring.
The Mage Tower Master shook his head, “It seems this is all the Tower Spirit was able to deduce.”
The Dragon-man youth said disappointedly, “So, the result is just deducing the existence of a Silver Fox Mask?”
The Tower Master explained, “Hua Tang is very cunning. He knows the Breath Calculation Method, so every time he acts, he uses methods to either conceal or confuse his own breath. This is also one of the reasons the Ice Sculpture Kingdom, despite using its full national effort to catch him, has been unsuccessful.”
“So, trying to use the Breath Calculation Method to deduce him has great limitations.”
“There have been many times when officials used this method to deduce, and they only ended up with a Silver Fox Mask.”
“Because this mask is Hua Tang’s outermost layer of disguise, its breath cannot be additionally concealed if it is to function normally.”
“If it were concealed, it would undoubtedly be superfluous and counterproductive, actually impacting the mask’s effectiveness.”
The Dragon-man youth furrowed his brows, turned toward the City Lord of Snowbird Port, and asked, “If that’s the case, can we confirm that he is Hua Tang?”
“With such evidence, can’t we seek assistance from the Ice Sculpture Kingdom and obtain robust reinforcements?”
The City Lord of Snowbird Port let out a deep sigh and said helplessly, “This evidence is too flimsy to garner help from the upper echelons.”
“This may just be Hua Tang’s craftiness.”
“Because there have been similar instances before, someone wearing a Silver Fox Mask, impersonating Hua Tang to commit crimes.”
“Having collected intelligence on Hua Tang, you should know that there have been many such impersonation incidents.”
“There were even several occasions when officials thought they had captured and killed Hua Tang. However, the real Hua Tang would commit crimes again, causing great embarrassment to the officials.”
The Dragon-man youth fell into silence.
The City Lord of Snowbird Port continued, “According to intelligence, when Hua Tang acts, he likes to wear a white robe adorned with brightly-colored, blossoming flowers. His eyes are a bright, pink color. He acts ostentatiously, which differs from the mysterious person who attacked your corps.”
“With all these doubts existing, it’s even less likely we’ll get the support.”
The Dragon-man youth’s frown deepened, “If I were Hua Tang and had a secret connection with Teng Donglang, naturally I would make some changes when taking action against my group. In this way, even if discovered, the secret connection between Teng Donglang and Hua Tang would not be exposed.”
“In my view, these differences are rather clear proof of his identity!”
The City Lord looked at him earnestly, “Long Fu squad leader, to be honest, from my personal stance, it is also difficult for me to immediately seek assistance.”
“Before a suspected Hua Tang criminal causes more harm, if I rashly request help, it would be a stain on my political record.”
“My governing ability would also be questioned by the upper levels.”
The Dragon-man youth fell silent again.
The City Lord of Snowbird Port spoke quite candidly.
The Dragon-man youth also heard the undertones in the City Lord’s words.
The Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps were outsiders, and even with the loss of two Mages, it wasn’t a significant matter for the Ice Sculpture Kingdom.
It was just a trivial little matter!
Before their own critical interests were affected, they had no real motivation to help outsiders, to confront “Hua Tang.”
Especially since this “Hua Tang’s” identity was still in doubt.
The Dragon-man youth clenched his teeth, subconsciously balled up his fist, then helplessly relaxed it.
He looked toward the Mage Tower Master, his gaze brimming with hope, “Now that we have discovered this mysterious person, is it possible to track his current location?”
The Mage Tower Master shook his head, spreading his hands, “We’ve failed. We’ve tried many times already; the opponent clearly came prepared, and we can’t track him!”
The Mage Tower Master pointed at the Magic Image before them, “This is already the limit of what we can do.”
The City Lord said, “In fact, if the mysterious assassin had left enough clues for us to track him, we would have to be even more cautious. Because it could very well be a trap set by the opponent.”
“If it is Hua Tang, he is not alone in Snowbird Port; behind him stands the entire Saber Gang!”
The Dragon-man youth heard this and finally looked up and sighed, his sigh filled with bewilderment and helplessness, “What to do? Our precautions are ineffective against a powerhouse like Hua Tang. He could infiltrate our ship freely, anytime and anywhere.”
“All of our lives are in danger.”
“Even without taking action, a powerful assassin exerts an immense pressure on us!”
The City Lord of Snowbird Port mused, “Long Fu squad leader, in truth, your corps has already performed exceedingly well.”
“You managed to drive him out.”
“If the opponent is Hua Tang, this is already quite an impressive achievement.”
“Keep in mind that the entire Ice Sculpture Kingdom has no good solution for Hua Tang.”
“However,” the City Lord said, changing the tone of the conversation, “under the current situation, we are not without our retaliatory measures.”
“Do you remember the invitation I once extended to you?”
“The reason Hua Tang acted against you was to defend Teng Donglang’s Saber Gang.”
“There must be deep financial ties between them—I guess that, at the very least, Saber Gang has provided Hua Tang with a lot of information.”
“We can’t catch Hua Tang, nor can we guard against Hua Tang. But Hua Tang’s weakness is right under our eyes, isn’t it?”
The City Lord looked at the Dragon-man youth meaningfully: “Unremitting defense has no future. Sometimes an attack is the best defense!”
The Dragon-man youth’s face showed hesitation.
The Mage Tower Master next to him spoke with a serious and earnest attitude: “Long Fu squad leader, please believe in our sincerity!”
“All this time, the City Lord has been enduring in silence, constantly gathering evidence of the Saber Gang’s crimes.”
“Previously, they even dared to interfere with a valiant duel, exposing their greatest vulnerability, and it is also the best opportunity we’ve been waiting for all these years!”
“The Saber Gang is truly a cancer of Snowbird Port, and eliminating them is for everyone’s good! It is an absolutely righteous act!”
“The mysterious assassin suspected of being Hua Tang who attacked your corps and killed two of your mages is Saber Gang’s retaliation, as well as a severe warning to the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps!”
“But this kind of retaliation also proves their weakness.”
“We must join forces and confront terror with courage. Only by bringing such extremely vicious enemies to the edge of the blade can we make them understand that evil cannot suppress righteousness!”
The Dragon-man youth’s face displayed even greater hesitation.
After a long pause, he finally said, “This matter is of great significance, and I need to consider it carefully!”
“It’s about time for me to return to my ship. It’s best if I personally oversee the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps right now.”
The City Lord patted the Dragon-man youth on the shoulder: “Think it over carefully. I’ll accompany you to the dock. My presence would also serve as a deterrent to the assassins.”
“But I can’t guarantee how effective that will be.”
The Dragon-man youth quickly expressed his gratitude.
On the carriage ride back to the dock, the City Lord of Snowbird Port reiterated the various evils and crimes of the Saber Gang to the Dragon-man youth, urging him to collaborate.
The Dragon-man youth only deferred, saying he needed to think it over.
By the time they got back to the dock, the leadership of the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps was ready to welcome the City Lord’s grand arrival.
The Dragon-man youth led the City Lord of Snowbird Port onto the Triangular Love Ship and into the captain’s quarters.
As the Dragon-man youth offered tea to the City Lord, he suddenly said, “I’ve thought it over, City Lord.”
“I’m sorry, but I might have to disappoint your expectations.”
Upon hearing this, the City Lord’s expression immediately grew somber.
The Dragon-man youth earnestly said, “The Saber Gang is a local tyrant of Snowbird Port, and we are just a small mercenary group, no match for Teng Donglang.”
“It doesn’t matter if the person who came this time was from Hua Tang or not; this assassination attempt shows our weakness. Faced with a powerful assassin, we had almost no power to fight back.”
“The only two mages in my group have fallen because of this.”
“Such a loss is too devastating!”
“It also made me deeply realize the vast difference in strength between our enemies and us.”
“It would be very unwise to continue directly confronting the Saber Gang.”
“Since you are here, City Lord, I’ll speak frankly. My group now wishes to apply to leave the port, to leave this place.”
“Of course, our transactions will continue and will not end because of this.”
“It’s just that we need to discuss the locations and times of the next two handovers.”
City Lord’s face looked as still as water.
He had a deep background and a very assertive character.
This was evident from the time he invited the Dragon-man youth.
He first sent an invitation letter, then, when he heard that the Dragon-man youth feigned illness and did not show, he directly sent a set of Golden Level potions. Later, he even announced he would personally visit the Dragon-man youth.
Knowing the determination of the City Lord of Snowbird Port, the Dragon-man youth had no choice but to accept the invitation and take the initiative to go to the City Lord’s mansion.
Though the City Lord was enthusiastic during the banquet and reached a deal with the Dragon-man youth, his main purpose was to obtain the most legitimate reason to deal with the Saber Gang and to make the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps the sharpest weapon against the Saber Gang.
He never abandoned this purpose from the beginning to the end.
Upon hearing about the mysterious assassin’s attack on the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps, after the Dragon-man youth actively requested assistance, he immediately led the Dragon-man youth to Mage Tower to investigate the Magic Image.
Such behavior was still for his own purposes, and he had been trying to convince the Dragon-man youth to reach a close cooperation with him against the Saber Gang.
Ps: Pneumonia; I was discharged from the hospital a few days ago and am currently on medication. I’ll have a follow-up appointment in a week, and I aim for stable updates this month!