Chapter 42: The Decree of Annihilation

"It's you!" Upon seeing Qian Ye, Yuning was both startled and overjoyed.

"What are you up to?" Qian Ye inquired, observing her outfit.

Yuning gritted her teeth and said, "I'm going to fight the Celestial Serpent Gang's scoundrels!"

Qian Ye chuckled helplessly. "You're going to your death."

"I am not afraid of death," Yuning replied coldly.

"But we all hope you stay alive."

Upon hearing this, Yuning felt a strange unease and, for some reason, dared not look at Qian Ye. Her gaze involuntarily drifted to the side.

Qian Ye took the shotgun from her hands, examined it, and said, "It looks powerful, a good piece of equipment. If you don't mind, I'll borrow it for a few days."

"What do you intend to do?"

Before Yuning could finish, Qian Ye covered her mouth with his finger.

"This is my battle, and I have no attachments. I do as I please. But you can't! Your former comrades' families are waiting for you to protect and care for them. What will they do if you die? What about your younger brother?" After saying this, Qian Ye forcefully took the bag containing the shotgun shells from her, slung it over his shoulder, and turned to leave.

"Wait!" Yuning called out, pulling out a clip and stuffing it into Qian Ye's hand. "These are three primal energy rounds. That's all I have now, but I'll get friends to support you soon."

"I prefer to act alone. Besides, if you do nothing, it might be better. Thanks for this!" Qian Ye waved the clip at her and disappeared into the night.

Yuning watched Qian Ye's retreating figure, feeling lost for the first time.

She didn't know whether she should rush out to help him or heed his words and stay put, doing nothing. She also realized that even if she did nothing, the Celestial Serpent Gang would still need to deploy many men to monitor her. Perhaps that was what Qian Ye meant.

In the darkness, Qian Ye began to jog, darting through streets, alleys, and low-rise houses. Finally, with a sudden change of direction and acceleration, he shook off the gang's spies and returned to his dwelling, where he slept soundly.

Perhaps the gang never expected Qian Ye to return home, so they hadn't bothered to check, allowing him a full night's sleep.

When the alarm clock chimed six, the cacophonous ring woke Qian Ye. Surprised by the undisturbed rest, he felt rejuvenated like a lone wolf, ready to hunt for days and nights on end.

He tidied up his room, even finding time to stick a fake beard on his face, and then slipped out through a window between the kitchen and the wall.

Just as Qian Ye exited the window, the front door was kicked open, and a sharp voice yelled, "Search inside! Don't let that little bastard escape!"

Shaking his head at the delayed response, Qian Ye leaped over the wall and vanished into the pre-dawn gloom of Dark Blood City.

Dark Blood City was a sprawling behemoth, with its districts arranged around four perpetual towers. The sky was crisscrossed with pipelines, and the streets were as complex as a maze. The west and north districts, home to the expeditionary forces and nobles, were relatively clean and orderly. The east and south districts, sandwiched by a slum, were teeming with gangs and a mix of riffraff.

Even with tens of thousands of members, the Celestial Serpent Gang couldn't control the chaotic environment. Since their withdrawal from the Hunter's Den, they had spread their men across the city gates and key thoroughfares, but the gang had never taken Qian Ye's resistance seriously. Hunters were adept at stealth, and if Qian Ye slipped away unnoticed, it would take much more effort to track him down.

A while later, in a dim, dilapidated tavern, Qian Ye sat in a corner, his face hidden in the shadows.

This kind of tavern was a favorite among the lower class. Small but well-stocked with alcohol and women, it was most importantly cheap. For a few dozen copper coins, one could sit with a large cup of homemade rice wine for the whole day. Jobless ruffians often gathered here to gossip and find work. Thus, it was also a hub for rumors, where news spread quickly.

The air reeked of cheap tobacco, inexpensive perfumes, and freshly cooked food. Amid the noise, Qian Ye closed his eyes, slowly channeling his warrior's decision, and waited patiently.

As dusk fell again, Qian Ye's ears caught the needed information.

"Hey, buddy, did you hear? Big news! The Celestial Serpent Gang has issued a kill order on a one-star hunter named Qian Ye! Anyone who brings his head will get a hundred gold coins, and accurate information on his whereabouts will earn ten gold coins!"

"Good heavens, a hundred gold coins!"

This number sent the entire tavern into a frenzy, surpassing the imagination of most patrons. Most had no idea how to spend such an amount, leading to a flurry of suggestions. However, the advisors were just as clueless, and the debate quickly turned into a brawl over imaginary gold.

Amid the chaos, Qian Ye slipped out of the tavern. He looked up at the starry sky, a faint smile playing on his lips.

A kill order? This was exactly what Qian Ye had been waiting for.

Clearly, the Celestial Serpent Gang was growing anxious after losing his trail for a day. They were certain Qian Ye hadn't left the city, and the high bounty was to flush him out.

For Qian Ye, the kill order held another meaning. Now he had a solid reason to unleash his fury.

The Celestial Serpent Gang itself wasn't worth such caution, but being the third-largest gang in Dark Blood City suggested they had influential backers. Elder Brother could make the gang withdraw from the Hunter's Den, but he might not be able to shield Qian Ye from those behind the scenes.

However, the current conflict was solely between Qian Ye and the Celestial Serpent Gang.

Qian Ye wandered aimlessly through the labyrinthine streets, without any specific destination.

As he passed a narrow alley, a group of Celestial Serpent Gang members approached. Qian Ye stopped in the middle of the street, waiting for them. The men froze, and when they recognized him, they were almost too shocked to believe their eyes!

"Is this... that kid?" one asked hesitantly.

The leader shouted, "Of course it's him! Stop gawking, get him!"

Drawing their blades, they lunged at Qian Ye, screaming.

Two gunshots echoed, and two thugs flew backward, their bodies mangled. At close range, the shotgun's power was nearly unstoppable.

Qian Ye dodged the blades, deftly loaded two shells into the gun, and fired again, sending two more flying.

Calmly, Qian Ye opened the chamber, ejected the spent shells, reloaded, and aimed at the last two gang members.

Trembling under the barrel, they fell to their knees, pleading for mercy.

Qian Ye said, "Earning gold isn't so easy, is it?"

The two men exchanged glances, unsure how to respond. They knew that a wrong answer could mean instant death.

Qian Ye slowly holstered the shotgun. "Deliver a message: Any member of the Celestial Serpent Gang who dares to patrol the streets will be killed on sight. Get out of here!"

The two men fled as fast as they could.

Nightfall brought new life to Dark Blood City, especially to the underground businesses that thrived in the dark. In this city, with its perpetually open gates, one could always find places to spend their money.

Qian Ye continued his aimless stroll, encountering Celestial Serpent Gang members several times. His face, barely altered by the fake beard, was easily recognized.

That night, the gang members showed how crazy they could be for a hundred gold coins. Qian Ye, in turn, demonstrated the vast gap between a Red Scorpion warrior and a common thug.

Gunfire frequently broke the silence, mostly from the disorganized gang. Qian Ye's shots, steady and deep, like the beats of a bass drum, resonated through the hearts of the people. Each beat claimed a life.

Unconsciously, Qian Ye found himself on Copper Street.

Not far away, the neon sign of Ya's Gun Shop glowed eerily green.

Qian Ye pushed open the door. The old man, Ya, was still polishing gun parts, head down.

Leaning on the counter, Qian Ye lit a cigarette. "I'm back."

Ya glanced up, his serene demeanor cracking upon seeing Qian Ye.

"First things first, I never take back a sale!" Ya growled.

Qian Ye offered him a cigarette. "Should I call you... Grandpa Ya?"

Ya sniffed the smoke, surprised. "Military-grade stimulants? Let me see... indeed, top-notch stuff! You actually got this!"

Ya lit the cigarette, inhaling deeply. Holding his breath, his face flushed red before he sighed, "Wonderful! It's been ages since I've tasted this."

Qian Ye said nothing, placing the entire pack on the counter and sliding it to Ya.

Ya hesitated, then took the pack. "Regardless, I never take back a sale!"

"I'm not returning the assault rifle. It suits me well."