Chapter 614: Section 401: Beneath the Glory, Shadows Pervade
Flower Skirt Island.
Shuang Tu had established a medical facility here. The facility occupied a vast area, featuring four small buildings and a central garden with a fountain.
Normally, he would not diagnose patients himself. Under his command, there was a multitude of Druid Apprentices acting as physicians, pharmacists, and other roles. These people were the main force in providing treatment.
Among the four buildings, the largest one was the main treatment building.
Two buildings were designated for patient reception. The last one served as Shuang Tu’s personal residence, research lab, and private greenhouse.
Being a Silver Level leader of the Human Race, he was currently in a high-end ward.
When he slowly opened his eyes, he heard Shuang Tu’s voice, “You’re awake?”
The pupils of the Human Race leader shrank slightly, and after coming to his senses, he began to subtly survey his surroundings.
The ward was simply furnished, the equipment minimal, and it was brightly lit. From the open window, one could see the hillside outside. Under the bright sunshine, the hill was covered with lush grass and decorated with countless wildflowers swaying in the breeze, vibrant and splendorous.
This place was indeed an excellent spot for recuperation; the natural beauty alone could lighten one’s mood.
Shuang Tu stood by the window, leaning against the wall, a smile on his face, staring at the Human Race leader.
He introduced himself, “This is Flower Skirt Island, I am Shuang Tu, a Snow Elf Druid.”
The Human Race leader then looked at Shuang Tu, noting his Snow Elf appearance—tall and thin, handsome features, with white hair and eyebrows.
The Human Race leader’s mind quickly flashed with information regarding Flower Skirt Island.
The island of Flower Skirt wasn’t large; it was a small island.
Originally a deserted island, it was transformed after a Legendary Druid settled here.
Even now, long after the Legendary Druid had departed, her influence endured, ensuring the special status of Flower Skirt Island.
Flower Skirt Island was a neutral island, the environment crafted by the Legendary Druid, ensuring eternal spring. The freezing winds from the icy ocean waters were kept at bay. Year-round, the lush grass and a myriad of blooming flowers filled the island with vibrant life.
The inhabitants of Flower Skirt Island were diverse. There were mercenaries, pirates, many races, but mostly Druids.
The main reason attracting Druids to settle here was, of course, the presence of the Legendary Druid. She transformed the natural environment, which greatly enlightened Druids in their practice.
There were also rumors that the Legendary Druid had left behind a legacy, hidden somewhere on Flower Skirt Island, waiting for the destined.
The Human Race leader looked at Shuang Tu, voicing his confusion, “I should be on a ship at sea, how did I end up on Flower Skirt Island? Can you enlighten me, Lord Shuang Tu?”
The Human Race leader’s mind was filled with questions, yet he wasn’t flustered.
He realized he had received good medical care and also felt clear goodwill emanating from Shuang Tu.
“And my companions?” the Human Race leader asked next. Ice Eagle and Spring Boxer were key to his secret mission.
Shuang Tu shrugged slightly, “In fact, I am one of your companions, ‘Snowflake.'”
The Human Race leader suddenly heard his own code name, his heart trembled, but he feigned ignorance on his face as if he hadn’t heard clearly, “What?”
His demeanor was perfectly confused, yet laced with a hint of uncertainty, with no reaction to the word “Snowflake.” He was baffled by Shuang Tu’s address and also wondered if he had misheard.
A broader smile crept across Shuang Tu’s face.
Next, he demonstrated his identity through his actions.
The Human Race leader watched as Shuang Tu extended the back of his right hand toward him.
On the originally smooth back of the hand, a tattoo gradually became visible.
It was a black sun, and within it was a dagger depicted in white lines.
The Human Race leader was momentarily taken aback, the confusion and uncertainty vanished from his face, replaced by a serious and earnest expression.
He stared intently at Shuang Tu and then slowly extended the back of his own hand.
On his hand, a similar tattoo also gradually surfaced.
The Human Race leader said in a low tone, “Beneath the glory.”
Shuang Tu immediately replied with the next line, “The shadow pervades.”
The Human Race leader exhaled a breath of relief.
Shuang Tu continued, “Snowflake, my code name is ‘Physician,’ and I’m in charge of this base on Flower Skirt Island.”
“Flower Skirt Island is one of the most famous neutral islands in the waters around the Ice Sculpture Kingdom. Every year, many mercenaries, pirates, and others come here for medical treatment.”
“The organization has positioned me here.”
“Not long ago, I received orders from above to be ready to provide you with assistance at any time.”
“Unexpectedly, this morning, we detected your life signal. It was Ice Eagle who brought you here for treatment.”
The Human Race leader had now relaxed.
The tattoo was the emblem of their organization and a powerful means of verifying one’s identity.
It was a piece of advanced human alchemy, exceptional and at the forefront of worldwide Alchemy.
The tattoo could reveal identity, facilitate short-distance secret communications, and indicate vital information over long distances.
It was precisely this last capability that allowed the Lijian family to precisely capture the exact coordinates of the Divine Wind Pirate Group, leading to two ambushes.
And no matter how thoroughly Feng Lian and others searched, they never found any trace of alchemy within the Human Race leader’s body.
The greatest advantage of this Alchemy technique lay in its secrecy!
At least, the Human Race leader had never encountered anyone who had been able to reveal his identity through the tattoo.
The reason he quickly trusted Shuang Tu was also due to the secret training he had received before.
In some urgent moments, members of an organization who have never met need to gain each other’s trust within a very short time and then pass on intelligence.
The tattoos and secret signs had all matched, and the Human Race leader had to quickly trust the person before him.
After successfully verifying his identity, Shuang Tu immediately asked, “What happened after you boarded the Divine Wind Pirates’ ship?”
The Human Race leader told him about the subsequent events concisely: two ambushes. The protectors were discovered and executed.
“In the second ambush, I was injured and passed out,” he continued. “When I came to, I found myself here with you.”
This answer was somewhat unexpected for Shuang Tu, “I thought you got injured and passed out on purpose, to clear yourself of any suspicion.”
The Human Race leader managed a wry smile, “This time it was very dangerous, I almost died under Mian licang’s attack.”
Shuang Tu offered consolation, “But you’ve also gained a blessing in disguise. When they were bringing you and other injured here for treatment, Ice Eagle personally instructed me to pay special attention to two people, one of whom was you.”
“You’ve already gained Ice Eagle’s trust, keep it up, and maybe you’ll be able to pinpoint Anqiu’s exact location.”
Yet the Human Race leader shook his head, his tone pessimistic, “If it were that easy, the organization would have already found out where Anqiu is by now. Ice Eagle is taking special care of me because in the current Saber Gang, only I can understand his intentions and help him rebuild the Saber Gang to the fullest extent.”
“And this is something that Xiong Ju or Spring Boxer can’t give him.”
The Human Race leader had a clear and definite understanding of his own situation and role.
He confessed to Shuang Tu bluntly, “To tell you the truth, I’m not very confident about the next steps of the operation. I think there’s a high chance that Ice Eagle won’t take me to Anqiu. I can’t complete this task on my own. I need more reinforcements!”
Shuang Tu nodded slightly, “There’s already one additional person.”
The Human Race leader’s face lit up with delight for a moment, “Oh? Who is it? How strong are they?”
But in the next moment, he frowned, analyzing the situation with distress, “Given the current situation, it’s difficult to insert someone new.”
That’s when Shuang Tu began to inform him about Lan Zao.
Upon hearing this, the Human Race leader’s expression turned dark as water, and lowering his voice in annoyance, he exclaimed, “Are you joking?”
“Is this newcomer, who isn’t even a member of our organization, supposed to be my reinforcement?”
“This kind of help could get me killed!”
“Not to mention causing the failure of the mission—who will be responsible for that?!”
Shuang Tu sighed, “Didn’t you just say it yourself? Under the current situation, we can’t insert more operatives. There are too few people left in the Saber Gang, we can’t muddy the waters.”
“Can you calm down for a moment?”
“I believe it’s better to have him than not.”
“Your protectors are already dead, so why not use this new person as your cover—it’s better than wasting resources.”
“Besides, this isn’t a discussion, it’s an order!”
“I have two Magic Images here that you need to see.”
The first Magic Image that Shuang Tu showed the Human Race leader was the scene of the Saber Gang’s escape from the docks of Snowbird Port.
Of course, the focus of the image was Lan Zao.
The process by which Lan Zao accidentally gained Ice Eagle’s trust was replayed before the Human Race leader.
“This guy is an idiot, and he’s also unlucky,” the Human Race leader commented speechlessly after watching, “I can hardly believe that such a person is my reinforcement!”
“I’d say he’s a lucky fellow!” Shuang Tu shrugged, “Did you know his Bloodline has awakened?”
The Human Race leader nodded. He was aware of that situation.
Shuang Tu continued, “I’ve checked him out. The condition of his Bloodline Awakening is very good. His Bloodline Concentration is high and the characteristics of his Bloodline are very clear.”
“He is likely to possess the Fish Bladder Bloodline, and with further training, he could reach Silver Level.”
The Human Race leader was taken aback.
Knowing that Lan Zao might reach the same Life Level as himself, his view of this Bronze Level individual immediately underwent a subtle change.
“It seems his fortune is indeed not bad… but only if he manages to survive to the end.”
Shuang Tu then showed him the second Magic Image.
There were three characters in the Magic Image: the City Lord of Snowbird Port, Long Fu, and Pharmacist Yao Ma.
They all signed a contract and gave orders to their subordinates.
The general intent of the City Lord of Snowbird Port was: Lan Zao was an accident. Develop him, use him, complete the mission. Ensure his safety to the best extent possible without conflicting with the mission.
“It seems the leader has other plans for the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps!” After pondering for a moment, the Human Race leader looked up at Shuang Tu again, “Have you found any information about the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps? Who is the arms dealer behind them?”
Shuang Tu shook his head slightly, “We’ve been investigating. Without a doubt, the arms dealer behind them has hidden very well. We haven’t even found out how they communicate!”
“The timing of Pharmacist Yao Ma’s appearance is very strange. She suddenly appeared on the ship of the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps. Her timely appearance shows that the arms dealer behind them is well aware of the situation of the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps.”
“That clue is worthless,” the Human Race leader shook his head, “Our analysis suggests that Pharmacist Yao Ma must have been with the group from the start, just hiding her presence.”
“If I were the arms dealer, it’s only natural to hide a card or two like Pharmacist Yao Ma within the vanguard sent to open the market. It’s very normal!”
Here, the Human Race leader sighed, “I won’t have direct contact with that person.”
“I need to continue to hide my identity.”
“And I need you to recruit him as my cover.”
“Moreover, during this process, I need to covertly observe. I need to see more of this partner’s behavior, to understand his personality and habits.”
“Of course,” Shuang Tu agreed without hesitation. “Based on my observations, the Bloodline Awakening in his body has stabilized and is nearing its end. He will wake up before long.”