Mission Complete! Tying Up Loose Ends!

The intelligence underling forced himself to answer, "We couldn't find anything. He registered at Heroes' Hall under an alias, codename The Flash. His listed rank was a level fifty-two Soul King, and everything else was blank. The mission he accepted was to escort Old Chen's caravan to Black Wind Valley. He should still be on the road. If there were no delays, he'll arrive in two days."

Sha Tongtian turned around, his gaze icy.

"Iron Wolf."

"Yes, Big Brother." Iron Wolf rose to his feet.

"Take a few capable men to Black Wind Valley. That kid wears a mask, so he'll be easy to recognize. Don't rush to make a move once you get there. First, find out his background. See whether he has accomplices or some force backing him. If he's alone, find an opportunity to take him down."

"Understood."

"If you can capture him alive, do so. Anyone who can pierce Third Brother's Rock Armor Technique in one strike must be hiding plenty of secrets. I want to know where he came from, what his soul skills are, and exactly what his lightning-attribute martial soul is. If you truly can't take him alive, kill him on the spot. But don't let word get out. I don't want any unnecessary complications."

Iron Wolf nodded, turned, and strode out. He picked five Soul Kings to follow him, and they soon disappeared through the headquarters entrance.

Sha Tongtian stood in the hall, looking out at the gray, overcast sky. A cold glint flashed through his triangular eyes.

He had a feeling that this "The Flash" was not simple.

But no matter how tough a bone he was, Sha Tongtian would gnaw it down.

Three days later, Black Wind Valley.

Though it was called a valley, Black Wind Valley was actually a basin surrounded by low hills. Its terrain was relatively flat, and quite a few people lived there. It was the largest rest stop at the western end of the Nether Wasteland.

After crossing the wasteland, most merchants and travelers stopped here to rest and resupply before continuing west or turning back.

Huang Yun's caravan arrived at Black Wind Valley on schedule by the evening of the third day.

By the time they entered the valley, the sky had already darkened. Several dim soul guide lamps burned on either side of the entrance, illuminating a dusty dirt road.

Quite a few merchant caravans and lone travelers moved along the road, making the place even livelier than Blackstone City.

Boss Chen let out a sigh of relief. Once they passed through the entrance, his entire body visibly relaxed. "We're here, we're here. We finally made it. You've all worked hard. I'm treating everyone to lodging and dinner tonight. We'll hand over the goods tomorrow."

Tie Shan laughed twice, removed the greatsword from his back, and planted it in the ground. Rolling his sore shoulders, he said, "At last, we can get a good night's sleep."

The caravan stopped in front of an inn called Guest's Inn.

The inn was two stories tall and built along the street. The sign above its entrance had faded somewhat from the wind and sand, but the interior was brightly lit, and many people could be seen sitting inside through the windows.

Huang Yun jumped down from beside the carriage, his eyes habitually sweeping over the surroundings.

His Lightning Falcon Eyes swept lightly across the area, taking in every detail of the street.

Then he saw it.

One of the street-facing windows on the inn's second floor was half-open. A man in a black robe sat inside.

Most of the man's face was hidden in shadow, but Huang Yun caught one detail. The man was toying with a bronze token, and half a wolf-head pattern could faintly be seen along its edge.

The Sand Wolf Gang's insignia.

Huang Yun withdrew his gaze without changing expression and followed Tie Shan into the inn.

After entering, he swiftly whispered into Tie Shan and Liu Ying's ears, "There's someone from the Sand Wolf Gang upstairs watching us."

Tie Shan's expression shifted slightly, and his steps paused for an instant. But he quickly returned to normal, grinning as he loudly called for the waiter to bring food.

Liu Ying calmly glanced toward the stairs, then sat down as if nothing had happened.

Huang Yun took a seat in the corner, poured himself a cup of water, and began turning things over in his mind.

The appearance of a Sand Wolf Gang member in Black Wind Valley meant that they had tracked down their movements.

But only one had come, and he had not acted. That meant he was keeping watch, waiting for the rest of their people to arrive before making a move.

Huang Yun was not panicked. Instead, a trace of anticipation rose in his heart.

However many came, he would kill them all.

Huang Yun set down his cup and lightly tapped the edge of the table twice with his fingers.

Tie Shan sat across from him, seemingly ordering food from the waiter, but his voice was extremely low. "How many?"

"Just one, by the second-floor window." Huang Yun's tone was calm. "He's probably only here to scout the place. Their main force hasn't arrived yet."

Liu Ying took a sip from his teacup, his gaze sweeping across the diners in the main hall. "Are you sure he's from the Sand Wolf Gang?"

"The wolf-head token. It's the same style as the one hanging from that bald guy's waist before."

Tie Shan cursed under his breath, clenching and unclenching his fists.

He glanced at Huang Yun and lowered his voice. "Boss, the Sand Wolf Gang has a lot of influence in the Nether Wasteland. Their leader, Sha Tongtian, is a Soul Saint, and he has three or four Soul Emperors under him. You killed Iron Baldy this time, so they definitely won't let this go."

Huang Yun picked up a bite of food, put it into his mouth, chewed twice, and swallowed. Then he said unhurriedly, "Then I won't let them find me."

Tie Shan froze. "What do you mean?"

"They only sent one person to watch us, which means their main force is still on the way. Tonight, I'll deal with that scout. Tomorrow morning, you continue on as usual while I take another route and move alone. The Sand Wolf Gang is looking for me. They won't make things difficult for a merchant caravan running goods."

Tie Shan opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, then swallowed the words.

After a moment of silence, Liu Ying nodded. "That could work."

"But you'll be alone..." Tie Shan frowned.

"I'm more convenient on my own." Huang Yun cut him off, his tone leaving no room for argument. "You'd only get in my way if you followed me."

Tie Shan fell silent.

That night, once darkness had fully descended, the lights of Guest's Inn gradually went out. The street was empty, with only the wind sweeping sand and dust into little whirlwinds across the stone road.

Huang Yun climbed out through his room window and landed soundlessly in the shadows of the inn's back alley.

Keeping close to the wall, he moved quickly. After turning two corners, he reached the side wall of a low building across the street.

That black-robed scout was staying in a second-floor room facing the street. The oil lamp in the window was still lit, and a silhouette was cast against the paper window.

Huang Yun did not use any soul skills. Relying solely on his physical speed and the cover of night, he pushed off the wall and lightly flipped onto the second-floor windowsill.

He pressed his ear close and listened to the sounds inside. There was no conversation, only the footsteps of a single person pacing back and forth.

His Lightning Falcon Eyes peered through a gap in the window paper and saw clearly inside.

The black-robed man sat at the table, still holding that wolf-head token. His expression was somewhat irritated, as though he had grown impatient from waiting.

Huang Yun hooked his fingers over the windowsill and gave it a gentle push. The window slid open without a sound, and he drifted into the room like a falling leaf.

The black-robed man heard the sound and abruptly turned his head.

His mouth had only opened halfway, and before he could make a sound, Huang Yun's hand had already covered his mouth and nose. His other hand formed into a blade, Raikiri gathered at his fingertips, and a black arc of lightning flashed before precisely piercing the black-robed man's heart from behind.

With a muffled groan, the black-robed man's body stiffened. His pupils rapidly lost focus, and his entire body went limp.