Sweet Agony X Confrontation X A Stopgap

Inside the container dwelling, lead blocks, wooden dummy stakes, various potions, and mountains of monster meat were all neatly arranged.

Iron Wall is always efficient, and in just one day, everything Jiang Ye had assigned was prepared.

The lead weights, already bound together on the ground, gleamed with a cold, hard metallic luster. A sturdy wooden dummy stood in the corner of the room, its surface covered with rough, polished marks.

On the side, wooden trays were neatly arranged with potions for stimulating tolerance training, and large chunks of dark red monster meat were stacked on a wooden shelf next to them, the faint aroma of fat slowly spreading through the room.

Jiang Ye looked at the complete supplies in front of him and, without delay, immediately began training according to the Zoldyck Family's basic assassination system.

The first thing to do is to train physical fitness through weight training.

Lead weights were firmly bound to his limbs, and the heavy weight dropped downwards. With each step he took, his bones and muscles had to endure pressure far exceeding what he usually experienced.

After just a few laps of jogging, lactic acid began to accumulate rapidly in my limbs, and my muscles felt like they were being pierced by countless fine needles, with soreness and stinging pain spreading throughout my body.

Jiang Ye clenched his teeth, adjusted his breathing to the assassin's exclusive rhythm recorded in the system, and kept running laps slowly and steadily until his limbs were shaking so badly that he could hardly stand before he stopped.

Next came the wooden dummy combat training.

Fists, elbows, and knees struck the rough wooden dummy in turn.

With each collision, the recoil force flowed upwards along the joints, quickly turning the knuckles red and hot, and causing a dull ache in the skin beneath.

Zoldyck Family training does not emphasize brute force; it focuses on precise strikes to vital points on the human body.

Jiang Ye repeated the striking angle over and over again, letting the dull pain from the recoil gnaw at his wrists and elbows, refining the trajectory of his strikes time and time again.

Endurance-testing followed immediately.

Gently apply the prepared, low-irritant medication to the skin of your arms and neck.

The moment the medicine touched the skin, a burning sensation suddenly exploded, as if countless tiny flames were scorching the surface of the flesh, causing numbness and itching, as if they wanted to burrow into the flesh.

This is a basic course for training the body to resist toxins and external stimuli, allowing the body to gradually adapt to pain and the erosion of foreign objects.

Jiang Ye remained unfazed, letting the burning sensation spread, maintaining the flames evenly covering his body, and slowly using his qi to cushion the damage, enduring the excruciating discomfort.

Then came the training in patience and breath-holding stealth.

Jiang Ye found a dark corner in the house, maintained a crouching, stealthy posture, and forcibly suppressed his breathing.

As required by the system, continuously slow your heartbeat and suppress your breathing to the lowest possible level.

My chest felt suffocated, as if a huge rock was pressing down on it. Waves of dizziness from lack of oxygen surged into my mind, my temples throbbed wildly, and the blood in my body seemed to be screaming to break free of its Binding Vow.

He clenched his teeth tightly, relying on the energy and blood in his body to hold on, enduring the suffocating torment second by second.

I don't know how much time passed, but the entire training session was completed.

Every part of my body was aching; my arms, thighs, and fists were all filled with a dull, tired pain.

But Jiang Ye's mind was exceptionally clear.

In the past, he relied solely on his own unorthodox methods of cultivation. Although he could become stronger, he often failed to maintain proper balance, and a slight misstep would cause him to overexert his physical body, leaving hidden injuries.

However, the Zoldyck Family training method, honed over generations, is completely different. Every load is pushed to the limit of the body, yet sufficient energy is reserved for buffering and protection.

While both systems exploit the body's potential, this one nourishes and refines the physical body instead of brutally overdrawing and destroying it.

The benefits of training increase exponentially, without leaving irreversible damage to the body.

Feeling the sore yet fulfilling sensation deep within his muscles, Jiang Ye slowly smiled faintly.

Just then, footsteps sounded outside the door, followed by a soft knock.

Thump, thump.

The door was pushed open, Gray Beak walked in from outside.

He, who was usually so composed, now had his brows furrowed, his face showing an undisguised distress and a conflicted expression.

"Alliance Leader."

Gray Beak spoke, his tone somewhat grave.

"I have indeed found the sealed compartment you described."

"That's a large, reinforced cargo container left over from years ago. The steel plates are thick, and the sound insulation is excellent, making it perfect as a place for cultivation."

He paused here, his tone turning somber.

"But... that area was just occupied by Grey Elder's men."

Jiang Ye raised an eyebrow slightly and listened quietly.

"His men over there spread the word that Elder Grey Elder's order was personally given, and that area has been designated as the elder's temporary territory, and no one is allowed to enter."

Gray Beak man moved his lips, but didn't finish the sentence.

Including the Rust Remains Alliance.

Both of them knew the meaning behind those words.

Grey Elder's move was clearly a deliberate attempt to restrain him.

Although District 13 is currently in a buffer period between the two sides, it has blocked the key venues that he needs, avoiding direct combat while creating obstacles for the Rust Remains Alliance at every turn.

Jiang Ye's smile faded, and his expression returned to calm.

"Bring me the clothes."

Upon hearing this, Gray Beak immediately handed over the coat he had been holding in his arms.

Jiang Ye reached out and took the coat, put it on, and straightened his collar.

"Lead the way, let's go take a look."

"Leader, Grey Elder's men are all stationed there. If we force our way in..."

Gray Beak reminded him in a low voice.

I know what I'm doing.

Jiang Ye interrupted calmly.

Gray Beak said no more and turned to lead the way.

The two walked through the Rust Remains Alliance's camp, heading deeper into the wasteland.

Before long, the massive reinforced container came into view.

The container's outer shell was made of thick alloy steel plates. The cargo compartment was huge and spacious on all sides. A dozen bodyguards dressed in uniform black were scattered around the perimeter, standing at attention and all wearing weapons at their waists.

Seeing Jiang Ye and Gray Beak approach, the group of bodyguards showed no fear whatsoever, not even a hint of retreat, and stepped forward in unison to firmly block the entrance.

The leader had a cold expression and spoke with a condescending and forceful tone.

"This place is under the control of Elder Grey Elder. By order of the elder, no one is allowed to approach. Please leave."

"Even the leader of the Rust Remains Alliance is no exception."

Jiang Ye calmly swept his gaze over the group of bodyguards blocking the door.

"Get out of the way now, and you might have a chance to live."

As soon as he finished speaking, the bodyguards in black flew into a rage, their hands gripping the pistols at their waists, ready to pounce and attack.

"Stop."

An aged yet calm voice came from the shadows on the side of the container.

Everyone stopped moving at the same time and looked in the direction of the sound.

The Grey Elder, dressed in a long gray robe and with his gray hair combed back, slowly emerged from the shadows.

His old eyes, as bright as burning charcoal, fell on Jiang Ye, a faint smile on his face, but the smile didn't reach his eyes at all.

"Rust Remains Alliance, why get so angry?"

When the Grey Elder spoke, his tone was polite, but his words were sharp and shrewd.

"Every piece of land in District 13 is under the jurisdiction of the Council of Elders."

"I requisitioned an abandoned cabin, following the proper procedures, and now the Rust Remains Alliance is going to turn on my people?"

Jiang Ye met his gaze and responded with neither humility nor arrogance.

"Rules are made by people."

"Now that the Rust Remains Alliance is based here, this wasteland is already within my sphere of influence."

"If the elders need a venue, they can simply send someone to negotiate. Sending troops to block it off would be rather undignified."

The two stood in front of the container door, their words seemingly calm, exchanging probing and pressure with each other, yet neither dared to completely break off the pretense of civility.

Grey Elder has not yet completed the entire coronation process of the Council of Elders and does not want to immediately engage in a direct conflict with the Rust Remains Alliance has already established a firm foothold.

Jiang Ye, on the other hand, was preoccupied with the Exorcism Ritual and did not want to be drawn into a large-scale battle and waste his energy before the ritual began.

A brief silence fell over the air as the wind whipped up dust from the waste area and blew past the two men.

After a long while, the Grey Elder sighed slowly.

"Never mind."

He waved his hand.

"Since the Rust Remains Alliance needs it, I'll let you use this cabin for the time being."

After he finished speaking, his face gradually darkened, all the feigned gentleness vanished, and a gloomy look spread across his face.

But remember, it's only temporary.

Having said that, the Grey Elder said no more and waved his hand.

The group of bodyguards in black all holstered their pistols and followed him, forming a line and turning to leave the area.

Watching the figures of Grey Elder and his group gradually disappear into the end of the scrap metal pile, Gray Beak let out a long, suppressed sigh.

Jiang Ye stood still, looking in the direction where Grey Elder had left, and understood what was going on.

The Grey Elder's concession today is merely a temporary measure.

He was patiently waiting for the right opportunity. Once he had firmly secured his position as a formal elder of District 13, that would be the day he began his purge.

However, Jiang Ye doesn't have the mind to focus all his attention on Grey Elder right now.

The ceremony to subdue the Nue is the most important thing right now.

"Let's go in."

Jiang Ye strode forward, heading straight for the heavy container door.

The cabin was spacious, and the steel plates completely isolated it from outside noise, making it airtight and perfectly meeting all the requirements of the Exorcism Ritual.

Jiang Ye walked to the center of the cabin and slowly sat down cross-legged.

Close your eyes and calm your mind.

The aura quietly began to operate, all the Aura Nodes in the body closed, the breath returned to complete stillness, and the internal energy of the body rapidly recovered and became abundant.

At the same time, the thin wrapping spread all over the body, gradually relieving the soreness left over from the training and repairing the fatigue and damage to the muscles.

Time passed slowly, and the internal energy within his body gradually filled up, while the soreness and swelling in his physical body subsided.

Everything is prepared and ready.

Jiang Ye opened his eyes and turned to look at Gray Beak waiting outside the cabin door.

"Pass down the order to clear all unrelated personnel within a one-kilometer radius."

"No one is allowed to approach this compartment until the ceremony is over."

"No one is allowed to enter, regardless of any noise coming from inside."

"Clear!"

Gray Beak solemnly clasped his hands in acceptance of the order, turned around and quickly retreated. The heavy container door then slowly closed with a loud bang, completely shutting out the outside light.

In the large, enclosed cabin, Jiang Ye was left all alone.

He slowly raised his hands, backs of his hands facing outwards, his two thumbs hooked together, and the remaining fingers spread out, mimicking the outline of a bird's wings.

A bird's shadow was cast onto the shadow on the inner wall of the steel plate.

The pent-up energy within him flowed down his arms and into his fingertips.

Jiang Ye's deep voice echoed softly within the sealed cabin.

"Nue!"