Chapter 95
But now it seems... things are getting a bit complicated.
The ninjas behind them were still in hot pursuit.
If someone wants to kill, they will never leave anyone alive to witness the assassination, regardless of who the target is—meaning that the person being hunted now is not just one person, but two.
Chen Ce was confident he could hold his own against Jie in a head-on confrontation, but surviving the Shadow Assassin's blade would be a different story...
"Back to back, watch out for any shadows, and don't let go of each other's hands."
Chen Ce held the greatsword in his right hand and gripped Samira's hand tightly with his left. The latter did not resist.
The ghostly black shadow attacked again. Chen Ce dodged while questioning the other party. "Zed, what deal did you make with Glick?"
"..." The ninja still did not answer, but continued to unleash his killing moves, determined to kill the two of them on the spot.
"Glick might be using you, Zed," Chen Ce continued to persuade him. "He might want to use you to do something detrimental to Ionia."
Unfortunately, the only response he received was a shadow dart.
After yet another surprise attack, Zed finally uttered a few words in a low voice. "You are the one who is detrimental to Ionia... Noxus must die..."
No sooner had she finished speaking than a shadowy figure leaped out of the darkness like a living being and launched a frenzied attack on Samira.
Chen Ce suddenly realized that something was wrong.
But now is not the time to think about it too much.
He quickly pulled his left arm forcefully, dragging Samira's soft body in front of him, and then used his greatsword to block the shadow clone's attack.
However, Zed has more than one shadow clone.
After a strange energy fluctuation, several more shadow clones emerged from the shadows all around.
Meanwhile, the true form of the calamity is drawing ever closer.
Faced with this situation, Chen Ce finally gave up his last shred of hope.
"Jie, do you know why I said 'unexpected gain' when I saw you...?"
A darker and more brutal energy than shadow magic suddenly filled the air, and the aura of death even overshadowed the terror of the shadow clones.
"I had hoped that my understanding of you could avert a fierce battle, or even turn enemies into friends, and work together to find the fraudster who deceived both you and me... But now it seems I must prove the weight of my words with something."
Zed's shadow clone was still approaching, but his real body cautiously retreated into the shadows—his combat instincts were always accurate. He sensed a hint of danger.
That terrifying aura of death... seemed to emanate from another world...
The aura of the Death Realm within Chen Ce erupted completely, and the Gate of the Underworld connecting the material realm and the Death Realm was about to open.
He raised his hand towards the eerie black shadow, and [Realm of Death] began to brew.
Jie's unease intensified with the eruption of the Death Realm energy.
But just then--
"Chen Ce! I'm here to help you!"
A rough voice suddenly rang out, followed by a sharp longsword piercing the shadows.
Jie raised an eyebrow, and his figure instantly swapped positions with one of the shadow clones.
Chen Ce's use of [Realm of Death] was also interrupted by this sudden change.
Looking closely, one could see a middle-aged, burly man leading a small squad of the Resistance Army charging towards them—it was Morse, the Second Legion Commander.
"Chen Ce, are you alright?!"
After successfully "forcing back" the calamity, Morse immediately ran to Chen Ce's side with concern, his face full of worry.
"I've been looking for you the whole time but couldn't find you. I never imagined something like this would happen... Thank goodness you're alright!"
"Hmm..." Chen Ce nodded, then turned to look at the Resistance Army squad that was charging towards them.
Each of them was equipped with the best gear and the best weapons.
"This is the elite squad you were originally supposed to lead," Morse said, as if he had guessed what the other was thinking. "I came to find you when I couldn't wait for you at the agreed time, so this is just perfect."
As he spoke, he swung his sword again at Jie, who was not far away.
This elite squad of nearly a hundred men immediately charged towards the shadowy figure.
"..." Jie hesitated for a moment, but ultimately chose to retreat into the shadows for the time being.
He was certainly not afraid of these ordinary people.
He was still somewhat wary of the strange energy that Chen Ce had just unleashed.
One person is already difficult to deal with, let alone so many troublesome minions – after all, assassins are best at assassination, not direct combat.
"Running away already? What a coward." Morse spat disdainfully on his shadow. "That trick sounds like something from Order of the Shadow... Did you offend someone from Order of the Shadow?"
Chen Ce shook his head and remained silent.
Morse suddenly slapped his forehead and remembered someone. "Glick!"
Back in the bright, safe house, Morse immediately invited Chen Ce and Samira, whom he didn't know, to sit down.
The sizable elite squad then formed a comprehensive perimeter around the safe house.
"The Order of the Shadow guys are all very troublesome. Given their vengeful nature, there will probably be a next time."
As Morse poured water for the two of them, he said with a worried expression:
"You'll be leading an elite squad to the front lines soon. It wouldn't be good if that guy pulled some tricks then..."
"That's true." Chen Ce nodded, but didn't drink the water that the other person pushed in front of him.
Samira remained silent and made no move.
"How about we deal with the immediate problem first?" Morse suggested. "The situation at the front is optimistic, but we need to be vigilant about the rear. Why don't we stay here and deal with that Order of the Shadow guy?"
"Is there no one else in this military camp?" Chen Ce asked casually.
"Yes, that's why I'm afraid he'll come back and stab us in the back."
"Hmm... that's fine too."
"By the way, Ce," Morse peeked out of the safe house again, seemingly afraid that Jie might suddenly return. "That guy didn't hurt you with magic, did he? I remember you said before that you didn't have any way to defend against magical attacks."
"Indeed, fortunately their attacks are all physical." Chen Ce replied with a smile, "Thank you for your concern, and thank you for remembering my weakness, Commander Morse."
"Hey, what are you saying? We've been fighting side by side for years, old friends—no matter what position you hold in the future, you'll always be a member of my Second Legion, Seventh Squad."
"I am truly grateful for your guidance and mentorship over the years," Chen Ce said sincerely.
"No, no, no, if you keep doing this, you're not treating me like a friend anymore." Morse feigned displeasure and put on a stern face. "These official words are fine to say in public, but you're doing this in private? Hmm?"
"Haha, then I'll just have to do whatever I want."
"Be more casual about it, and don't keep thinking about the favor I did you by taking you into the Resistance Army."
"Are you reminding me that I should give you a gift...?"
"Hey, hey, hey, I didn't say that."
The two burst into laughter again, the atmosphere so cheerful it was almost unlike a war.
After a moment, Chen Ce gradually steered the conversation back on track. "By the way, I'd like to see the battle reports from the front lines."
"Pretty optimistic, no need to look anymore." Morse waved his hand with a smile, "I've already reviewed them all for you."
"Hmm... but I'd like to know about Stardora and the leader."
"They're all fine, nothing's wrong."
"Let me see, I'm still a little curious." Chen Ce smiled again.
Morse remained silent for a moment.
Then, he let out an even more relaxed laugh, "Good, good... I knew you had a good relationship with the leader; you can't stand not knowing about her for even a minute."
"You're joking," Chen Ce said with a smile, extending his hand.
Morse didn't hesitate and readily took the battle report from his pocket and handed it over.
But just as the other party was about to open the battle report, he said softly in a complicated tone, "Ce, you still doubt me after all..."
Chen Ce paused slightly in his movements, but did not reply.
"Even though Glick's assassins have already made their move against you, you've remained highly vigilant and haven't jumped to conclusions, which is excellent," Morse continued. "It seems I haven't misjudged you all along... ever since you joined my Second Legion."
Chen Ce unfolded half of the battle report, which had been folded into a quarter, and sighed softly.
"Commander Morse... why don't we go to the front lines together and see the battle situation for ourselves?"
"No, Ce." Morse smiled and shook his head.
"I also miss the old days—back when I was just a squad leader." Chen Ce's tone gradually softened.
"It's come to an end, isn't it? This war is about to be concluded, Ce."
"Yes."
"Glick has no intention of continuing the performance."
"I know, after all, it's all coming to an end."
"Well, it wouldn't be interesting to keep doing this... This all seems a bit rushed, but I think you should have been prepared." Morse sighed softly, then got up and walked towards the door.
Chen Ce silently watched that figure's retreating figure, and many thoughts that had already been sorted out resurfaced once again.
From the initial annihilation of the Seventh Squad, to the "accident" in Dragonspine Canyon, to the attack he suffered before the Battle of Placidium Plains, the erroneous intelligence in the Wuju Strait, and Yasuo's subsequent transfer... and finally to everything that has happened today.
Everything was planned in advance.
"To learn everything at the last minute is no different from knowing nothing at all."
Morse walked slowly out of the safe house, his tall figure stretched long by the magical glow.
"You failed to foresee anything in advance, or even if you foresaw part of it, you didn't take any countermeasures... This time you were negligent, Ce."
"Is that so?" Chen Ce sighed, then slowly opened the battle report in his hand.
The Second Legion Cavalry Regiment has failed to arrive in time, resulting in our flank being encircled. Requesting reinforcements!
[The Second Legion Infantry Regiment failed to launch their attack on time, leaving the First Legion's main battlefront besieged. Requesting reinforcements!]
[Second Legion...]
There wasn't much to see after that.
"It's a fait accompli, Ce." Morse glanced back one last time. "Whether it's the battlefield or you."
With that, he waved his hand gently, and the entire elite squad "guarding" the door began to unleash their magic.
They weren't elite soldiers at all. They were all Black Mage.
Chen Ce's fatal weakness is magic attacks.
Everyone knows that.
Faced with such a tight encirclement, Chen Ce sighed again.
But he showed no sign of panic.
"To be honest, I didn't confirm everything until the very last moment, but..."
"This does not mean that I did nothing before."
"Mr. Morse ..."
Chapter 103 Syndra: Chen Ce isn't here, let's enjoy a little fun.
"Where is the Second Legion?!"
Seeing the increasingly critical situation at the front, even Irelia couldn't help but utter an angry rebuke.
"Why haven't they launched their planned surprise attack on the enemy's flank?! Where are the cavalry?! Where are the archers?! What are they doing?!"
The front lines were in crisis because the plan failed to proceed as scheduled. The First Legion's cavalry regiments were isolated and without support, and the Third Legion's infantry regiments were almost surrounded. The Noxus army cut through the battlefield with remarkable ease.
More and more Black Mage joined the battle under the protection of heavy shield soldiers, bombarding the Ionia Resistance Army with power that defied mortal comprehension. Terrifying screams mixed with the sound of flesh melting echoed across the entire plain.
The situation is very bad.