Psychic Master

Several bamboo leaves struck the Blood Demon Wolf at once, knocking it off balance as it tried to flee. It barely managed to steady itself. Blood seeped from between its teeth, showing just how badly the blow had hurt it.

With the Blood Demon Wolf retreating, many of the other monsters began to withdraw as well.

Seeing that the base had successfully weathered the Beast Tide, the two people hiding in the forest were less than pleased.

"That stupid wolf. I didn't expect it to be not only stupid but such a coward, too. It should've been able to avoid that hit. Still, this works out. The only one who posed a threat to us can't interfere anymore. Let's go. We'll take them on together," said the woman who had appeared on the battlefield earlier.

"Sounds good. It's about time we made our entrance," the man of the pair said with a laugh.

The two slowly walked out of the woods and approached Gao Zheng and the others, who were still clearing the battlefield and had yet to return to the base.

The classic black-and-white masks on their faces immediately reminded everyone of the Black and White Clown organization.

The man was dressed just like Black and White Clown Number Sixteen. The woman's mask had the opposite colors, but since they were together, both of them were likely members of the Black and White Clown. It was unclear what the proportions of black and white signified.

Gao Zheng and the others stopped clearing the battlefield, gathered together, and watched the pair approach at an unhurried pace.

The man who had spoken first—Black and White Clown Number Sixteen—clapped as he said, "Congratulations! Congratulations on weathering the Beast Tide once again. Looks like you'll be able to rest easy for a while."

"Enough with the nonsense. Say what you came to say," He Qishun said irritably from the side.

Number Sixteen rested one hand at his waist and gestured toward the woman beside him with the other. "Allow me to introduce her. This is Number Five of the Black and White Clown. Like you, she's an Advanced Battle General—and one of the few Psychic Masters in our organization."

As everyone looked at the woman, they felt a powerful force slam into them, as if something had struck them hard in the forehead.

At the words "Psychic Master," Lin Chenxing felt a stronger sense of familiarity. Remembering Zhang Xiaoyang's reaction earlier, he understood and murmured, "Psychic Master? An Illusionist?"

Though spoken softly, his words were perfectly audible to the Martial Artists. The others were somewhat surprised. They hadn't expected anyone to know information that could only be obtained in a place where communication was still available. Was it a coincidence? the woman wondered.

Number Five clapped and spoke slowly. "I didn't expect any of you to be so well-informed. You're making me more and more interested. You're the young man who tried to stop me earlier, aren't you? You're quite strong." Her gaze passed over everyone before settling on Gao Zheng. She also glanced at He Qishun with interest, then continued, "And you must be Gao Zheng, the leading figure of the Xingyan Group, Chairman Gao. Would you be interested in doing business with me? A deal that concerns whether your entire base can continue to exist."

Gao Zheng's expression shifted from caution to anger. Number Five's words made it clear she thought of them as playthings she could manipulate at will. He didn't know what a Psychic Master or an Illusionist could do, but he knew the pair hadn't come with good intentions—and they were clearly confident in their abilities.

While Gao Zheng was still studying the two and wondering what they were relying on, He Qishun stepped forward. "Aren't you two a little too confident? You're relying on this so-called Psychic Master ability, right? From what you've said, I can only assume it's like the ability one of our people has to control objects. But that doesn't make you invincible. So an Illusionist uses illusions? You influence people with your mind—is that it? I doubt that kind of ability is enough to deal with us, young lady. Given your experience, I don't think you can create illusions convincing enough to keep us from telling what's real."

Number Five merely smiled. Beneath her mask, her eyes suddenly opened wide.

In that instant, He Qishun realized that everything he had just said—and all the mental preparation he had made—had become useless. It was as if he had fallen into a bottomless abyss, his consciousness sinking uncontrollably.

Unable to think...

Unable to breathe...

That was what He Qishun felt. He knew that the moment he touched the bottom of the abyss would be the moment he died.

Seeing He Qishun's face suddenly turn pale, his eyes bulge and the veins on his face stand out, Gao Zheng and the others realized that he had fallen into the very illusion he had just mentioned.

Number Five said cheerfully, "So, Director Gao, have you decided whether you'll do this deal with me?"

Gao Zheng clenched his fists, wanting to attack at once, but he was worried about He Qishun's condition. He gritted his teeth and said, "Then, Miss Number Five, what does this deal entail?"

Number Five pursed her lips in a smile. "That's more like it. Here's the deal: all you Martial Artists have to leave for the Taihang Mountains starting now. Once I see that you've all gone, I'll release this man—He Qishun, was it? Director He?"

It was revenge for their failure to seize the base earlier. Everyone understood. But sending all of them to the Taihang Mountains was practically a death sentence.

"That's impossible! I'm not going to live in the mountains!" one Martial Artist shouted.

After he spoke, many of the other Martial Artists began murmuring among themselves.

"Looks like you can't make decisions for everyone, Director Gao." Number Five rested a finger lightly against her cheek, pretending to ponder. Then she smiled. "In that case, you're no use to me!"

With that, she stared straight at Gao Zheng, and in an instant, he too fell into an illusion.

Looking at the two men who had lost consciousness before her, Number Five sounded delighted. "So who's in charge now? You, or you?"

Finally, she pointed at Lin Chenxing. "You're probably the strongest among them, and you know the term 'Illusionist,' too. You must be the one, then. Go on, make a decision. Otherwise, I'll have to send you in there to keep them company."

Lin Chenxing didn't know what to do. He hesitated, but as he looked at Gao Zheng and He Qishun, his resolve began to shift toward giving in.

Just as he was about to speak, Number Five had already grown impatient. "You've taken so long and still haven't decided. You're no use to me either. Go join them."

With that, she immediately used the illusion she was so proud of on Lin Chenxing.