Dual-Line Mission

"Who?"

In an instant, a cold flash flew in through the window like a shooting star. With a sharp clang, it embedded itself viciously in the wall.

It was a throwing knife no larger than a small dagger, with a note tied to it.

Lin Nan frowned and stepped forward to take down the note.

[Meet at dusk in the Black Camphor Forest south of the city.]

The signature was a black alchemical emblem.

"It's the Blessed Life Cult!"

Expressionless, Lin Nan tore the note apart, lit the oil lamp, and burned it to ashes.

The Black Camphor Forest was a dense woodland at the boundary between the city's southern district and the outskirts, sparsely populated.

At dusk.

Following the instructions on the note, Lin Nan arrived at the edge of the forest.

A man in gray cloth robes, with a black lotus embroidered on his chest, had been waiting there for some time.

Beside him stood a bald, honest-looking middle-aged man.

They were none other than Blessed Life Cult Elder Lai Quan and Huang Hou, the man who had inducted Lin Nan into the cult that day.

"Elder Lai, it has been a long time. I've missed you dearly. I went back to the cult's base so many times recently, but I never managed to see you!"

Lin Nan spoke with a heartbroken expression.

The corner of Lai Quan's mouth twitched. He hurriedly coughed twice and changed the subject. "Brother Zhong Jing, we received an order from the Cult Master. The cult has assigned you a major role."

A major role?

Lin Nan's heart tightened, but he put on a fanatical expression.

"The cult finally has a mission for me?"

"As a newly promoted inner disciple of the White Snake Martial School, you're preparing to take part in this year's Laba Festival competition, correct?"

"That's right!"

A smile tugged at Lai Quan's lips. "During the winter martial arts tournament in Black Dragon Outer City, every martial school and gang in the city will participate. I've received word that the top three contestants may enter the courtyard where the Outer City Commandant resides."

"That commandant recently led troops against our cult in three battles and suffered minor injuries. She has gone into hiding, and we have been unable to locate her."

"Therefore, your task is simple: place among the top three in the martial arts competition."

That really is simple.

Lin Nan grumbled inwardly.

"...Afterward, use your status as one of the top three to get close to the commandant."

"And then?"

"And then, we will make our move."

A mysterious smile appeared on Lai Quan's face. He raised his hand, revealing a talisman stamped with a black lotus.

"You only need to tear this talisman apart, and our people will arrive immediately."

"Elder, you are wise!"

White Snake Martial School.

By the time Lin Nan returned to his quarters, the sun had already set, leaving the entire room pitch-black.

Liu Feng had rarely been staying at the martial school recently. Lin Nan had heard that he had gone home for special training ahead of the Laba Festival competition.

For disciples from wealthy families in the outer city, a top-three finish was also a chance to turn their fate around.

Sizzle!

Lin Nan struck a firestarter and lit the oil lamp.

In the glow of the flame, an oval face with ordinary features but exceptionally fair skin suddenly appeared in the room.

"Holy shit!"

Lin Nan jumped in shock and nearly struck out with his palm.

"Lady Li, could you give me some warning before coming over next time?!"

"I heard from Elder Yu that you received a mission from the Blessed Life Cult, so I rushed here."

Li Nianru looked aggrieved. "I waited for you for a full hour. You should know I've been very busy lately."

"Busy with what?" Lin Nan asked curiously.

"Don't even mention it. My family is forcing me to go on blind dates." Li Nianru looked troubled.

"Those two old fogeys in my family are always worried I won't get married. They keep forcing me to attend this banquet and that banquet. It's driving me crazy."

"May I ask how old you are this year, Lady Li?"

"I am twenty-eight."

So she's a middle-aged leftover woman...

Lin Nan immediately understood. Then, with righteous indignation, he said, "Lady Li is in the prime of her youth and clearly a peerless beauty. Your parents are being far too hasty!"

"You really think so?" Li Nianru's eyes lit up.

"Of course. Everyone knows I never lie."

"Ah, you really do know how to talk! No wonder I think so highly of you."

Li Nianru was delighted upon hearing that and patted Lin Nan on the shoulder.

"Alright, let's get to the point. What did the Blessed Life Cult ask you to do?" Li Nianru quickly composed herself.

Lin Nan briefly recounted his conversation with Lai Quan in the Black Camphor Forest.

"The commandant?" Li Nianru frowned. "They have actually grown bold enough to do this. Outer City Commandant Fu Lin is Elder Fu's niece."

"Elder Fu's niece?" Lin Nan was startled as well.

From Li Nianru, he learned that the inner city was mainly controlled by four great families.

They were the Qin, Mo, Fu, and Li Families, corresponding to the four elders of the Inner City Lord's Manor.

Black Dragon City had no deputy city lord. Every elder possessed authority comparable to that of a deputy city lord and was an actual wielder of power in the inner city.

And now, the Blessed Life Cult actually wanted to make a move against the Fu Family. They were truly audacious.

"The Blessed Life Cult wants to use you to approach the commandant. In that case..." Li Nianru said calmly.

"Conversely, this is our only chance to infiltrate the Blessed Life Cult's main headquarters."

"From now on, follow their script."

"Enter the competition as usual. Do everything you can to place in the top three, approach Commandant Fu, and cooperate fully with the act. Do not reveal the slightest flaw until you enter their main headquarters..."

"And then?"

"And then, it doesn't matter. I'll make my move."

"..."

Li Nianru took out a translucent ink-black jade pendant and stuffed it into Lin Nan's hand.

"Follow this lead and infiltrate the Blessed Life Cult's main headquarters. Find the girls they have imprisoned, then crush this jade pendant. I will definitely reach their headquarters within half an hour."

After assigning the mission, Li Nianru left.

Lin Nan sat on the bed, holding the ink-black jade pendant in his left hand and gripping the black lotus talisman in his right, lost in silence for a long while.

"You're really putting me in a difficult position."

The next day, the sky began to lighten with the pale glow of dawn.

The annual Laba Festival had begun.

In the plaza of Black Dragon Outer City, eight square arenas had been erected early in the morning. Many citizens had already gathered around them, singing and dancing below the platforms.

In past Laba Festival competitions, countless disciples from poor families had risen to prominence. The top three gained the chance to enter the inner city and change their destinies.

Those ranked in the top ten could be chosen by wealthy merchants to become chief guards, or become true disciples of martial schools and hall masters of gangs. At the very least, they could live the rest of their lives without worry.

Of course, opportunities came with risks. Quite a few inner disciples had been sabotaged during competitions, suffering hidden injuries that affected their martial progress.

Even so, countless disciples were still eager to try.

Why did they practice martial arts? Wasn't it all so that one day, they could rise above the rest?

Martial arts, money, meat, women... all kinds of resources!

Around the arenas, inner disciples in martial arts uniforms of vermilion, green, black, white, and other colors stood in orderly lines with belts around their waists, drawing lots for their groups with solemn expressions.

Lin Nan, Liu Feng, and Yu Qianqian stood in line together.

Compared to the two of them, who looked tense, Lin Nan appeared far calmer.

"Arena Three!" Liu Feng exclaimed after drawing his lot.

"I got Eight!" Yu Qianqian waved the bamboo slip in her hand.

When it was Lin Nan's turn, he walked to the side of the field and casually drew one.

"Arena Two."

"What a pity. So close, just so close to drawing you."

At that moment, a voice filled with regret and hatred sounded behind Lin Nan.

Lin Nan turned around.

Zhong Jing, whom he had not seen for many days, stood behind him. He had grown noticeably taller and sturdier, and a savage grin covered his face. In his hand was a bamboo slip that read:

"Arena Three."