The Heavenly Serpent Gang, having operated in Dark Blood City for years, naturally had secured all vantage points around their headquarters that could be used for sniping. However, this was based on the range of the Dawn handheld steel cannon produced by the Empire’s Blackstone Heavy Industries, which was essentially the most powerful single-person weapon available within the city. The Heavenly Serpent was primarily concerned with gang wars; as for adventurers, mercenaries, and hunters, no matter how formidable, they were not considered a threat. Dark Blood City had its own rules, and any large-scale disturbances would attract military intervention.
Yet, the Heavenly Serpent was now being sniped from an impossible location, twice the distance they had deemed safe.
What kind of firearm could hit and severely wound the Heavenly Serpent from such a great distance? It should be noted that the power and accuracy of force bullets significantly decrease with increased range, unlike ordinary sniper rifles.
Most of those present had started as street thugs, born and raised in slums, and had cultivated to their current levels through various experiences. They were more familiar with cleavers and daggers than sophisticated sniper rifles. Many carried guns for show, and in Dark Blood City, there were multiple places where firearms were prohibited. While military-issued weapons were prestigious, homemade guns with sufficient firepower were also acceptable. But a weapon with a range of over a kilometer was unheard of, let alone seen, by the Heavenly Serpent’s subordinates.
Another question arose: who could have fired such a shot?
The answer was straightforward. Most people had already guessed.
Only the special shooters trained by the Imperial Army, who had been nurtured with extensive resources, could achieve such a hit from that distance!
Such a marksman would have to be at least a lieutenant colonel!
Those who had risen from the bottom of society and self-taught themselves, relying on talent and hard work, might achieve remarkable results in areas like force, combat, or assassination, but becoming a long-range sniper was extremely difficult.
The Heavenly Serpent now understood the reason for the unusual expressions of his subordinates and why the Wild Bee had left the Heavenly Serpent Gang at this time.
Qian Ye, that seemingly underage young boy, who had his Golden Rose stolen by the Heavenly Serpent and was then targeted for elimination, was likely a special marksman of the main imperial army! In the strictly hierarchical empire, such a figure did not appear out of thin air; he must have connections with powerful military forces.
The Heavenly Serpent’s mouth filled with a bitter taste, and his heart was filled with an indescribable feeling. It was a special kind of resentment.
This resentment was directed towards Qian Ye, and also towards the high-ranking individual who had suggested forcing Yu Yingnan into the Death Arena. If it weren’t for that, he would never have encountered Qian Ye. Had Qian Ye revealed even a hint of his military background earlier, the Heavenly Serpent would never have dared to rob him.
The Heavenly Serpent suddenly remembered a nearly forgotten piece of information. He had heard something about the Yu family’s origins, which led him to believe that as long as he stayed within the rules, he didn’t need to fear the Hunter Family. But now, why had Qian Ye, who might have military backing, appeared?
Turning his not-too-complicated mind, the Heavenly Serpent felt a chill run down his spine. Whether or not he was being used as a pawn, he was now in a perilous situation.
The Empire and the dark races had been at war for over a thousand years, and the military was full of talented individuals. Any officer with a shoulder badge could easily sweep away gangs like theirs. A special marksman like Qian Ye was even more terrifying. With just one gun in hand, he could turn a kilometer radius into a death zone!
The Heavenly Serpent could already imagine his future, always on high alert, not daring to leave home, not daring to show his face, or even appear by a window. He could only sleep in rooms without windows! And what about others? Even if Qian Ye could only fire once a day, who knew who his target would be?
Fei Niao’s forehead was drenched in cold sweat. He subtly moved two steps away from the window, recalling clearly that Qian Ye had promised not to spare him.
Seeing the state of his subordinates, the Heavenly Serpent felt a sense of despondency and said heavily, “Speak your minds. It’s time to talk.”
The group exchanged glances, finally pushing the elder forward. He said, “Leader, we cannot fight the imperial army unless… unless the big man behind you is willing to speak up for us.”
Everyone knew the elder’s last words were pointless.
The Heavenly Serpent gave a bitter smile and said slowly, “Revoke the extermination order immediately. Let everyone stay inside for now. Tomorrow morning, I will personally visit the Second Master. That’s all. You may go.”
The top members of the Heavenly Serpent Gang left in silence, leaving only the leader and the elder. The elder, a mere Level 2 warrior, was a brother who had struggled with the Heavenly Serpent since their early days and was more willing to speak his mind.
The Heavenly Serpent looked at him and sighed, “We are old.”
The elder was taken aback and quickly replied, “No! Once we pass this crisis, the Heavenly Serpent Gang will rise again!”
The Heavenly Serpent’s expression gradually brightened, and he smiled, “You’re right! This is just a minor setback. We built our foundation, and we can rise again!”
The two former brothers left the room, but the Heavenly Serpent, looking at the elder’s back, had a hidden intention to kill. Yes, the words of the big man were effective, but they came at a price. To avoid being a scapegoat, he had to prove his worth.
Qian Ye was approaching the Heavenly Serpent Gang’s headquarters along the planned route when he noticed a fleeting figure in the distance. He recognized it as the Wild Bee. Qian Ye didn’t know that the Wild Bee had left the Heavenly Serpent Gang, but even if he did, it wouldn’t stop him from killing him.
Qian Ye turned and silently entered a parallel alley, keeping an eye on the Wild Bee’s direction. The Wild Bee seemed preoccupied, walking briskly. Soon, the Nan Tang District was left behind, and the road ahead became open, though the surroundings grew sparse.
This was a neglected area between the slums, Nan Tang District, and Dong Hu District, also a thriving underground black market. Every night, over ten corpses would be found. However, during the storm that swept through the Rock Territory, the expeditionary army had strictly enforced order, making this place unusually quiet.
Qian Ye saw the Wild Bee enter the Dong Hu District through the gap between two buildings. He prepared to turn at the next intersection, where he would be within fifty meters of the Wild Bee.
But after taking two steps, Qian Ye abruptly stopped, his figure rising smoothly. He placed his hand on the low wall and flipped gracefully onto the roof, blending into the night.
In a nearby bar, several young mercenaries, drunk and staggering, emerged. They sang off-key songs and shouted boastful claims, occasionally raising their bottles to drink.
Qian Ye spotted a familiar figure among them. Though his build was more robust and his face different, Qian Ye recognized Wei Potian, the most promising genius from Xiangyang’s exam site, selected by the Broken Winged Angels. Indeed, he was exceptionally talented, breaking through to the third level shortly after joining, and now seemed to have ignited his fourth node.
Watching Wei Potian stumble and grab a companion, Qian Ye recalled the missed military contest and the three promises Wei Potian made after losing to him, including the silver bullet he had crafted and later stepped into the mud.
Now, Qian Ye was immune to pure silver, and the past seemed distant. But he couldn’t reveal himself, knowing his name was likely listed as deceased in the military archives.
Since saving the novice Red Scorpion, Qian Ye had realized that the Eternal Night Continent was a task area for elite units and had often wondered if he would meet his old comrades. But he never expected to see Wei Potian in Dark Blood City.
This scion of a prominent family, a rising star in the elite corps, didn’t appear here without reason. In reality, though the young men seemed drunk, their footsteps were steady, and their force condensed, none weaker than Level 4 warriors. These were Broken Winged Angels, whose strength was overwhelming compared to average adventurers or mercenaries.
Qian Ye watched the seemingly drunk young men walk and play. The Broken Winged Angels, with their disguises, were not here for a vacation.
Suddenly, a light mist appeared ahead, blocking their path. Wei Potian and his wrestling companion continued to pretend to be drunk, but the others noticed the change and stood ready.
From the mist, a tall, slender man emerged, wearing a metal mask and holding a two-meter-long sword, surrounded by a black aura. His presence was almost invincible, and black flames rose around him, reaching several meters high.
Even Wei Potian, with his rough nerves, sensed the danger and stared at the mysterious man.
The man stopped in front of the young men, emitting a hoarse, deep laugh. “Little ones of the Broken Winged Angels, you are brave, but your luck is not so good.”
Wei Potian’s face paled under the pressure, his bones creaking. The other young warriors fared worse, with one of them already bleeding from the nose.
The mist did not affect Qian Ye’s dark vision. Watching from a distance, he was shocked. Force manifestation! The mysterious man was a war general-level powerhouse!
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