A Message X News X Illumi

Jiang Ye slowly opened his eyes and unconsciously looked down at his shoulder.

The penetrating wound in my left shoulder became inflamed during the night. Thick pus and blood stuck the bandage to the skin and flesh, and any movement caused numbness in my entire arm.

He grimaced and tore off the bandage. The edges of the wound were an abnormal dark red. Fortunately, the Toad's mucus was still there, so the toxins had not spread into his internal organs.

Iron Wall lifted the curtain and came in carrying a bowl of dark, murky medicine. Seeing that he was awake, his pace quickened noticeably.

"Leader, Gray Beak got some anti-inflammatory medicine from the black market. It's ridiculously expensive, but it works."

Jiang Ye took it and smelled it. The smell was so strong that he frowned, but he still tilted his head back and gulped it down.

The bitter taste burned from the back of his tongue all the way to his stomach. He smacked his lips and handed the bowl back.

How long did I sleep?

It's been almost a day.

Iron Wall squatted down beside him, his rough face unusually solemn.

"Gray Beak and Shattered Eye are keeping things under wraps outside, but they can't keep them under wraps for long."

Jiang Ye nodded, not in a hurry to ask.

He knew in his heart that the battle was over yesterday, but the aftereffects were only just beginning to take effect.

Nubia's retreat is only temporary. Since that old Grey Elder sent armored guards to the Central City to deliver a message, the Ten Dons will make their move sooner or later.

But the most important thing right now isn't these things, it's himself.

His energy was depleted, Max Elephant to be restless in the shadows, like a thunderbolt that could explode at any moment.

Yesterday on the battlefield, he declared that the next time the Max Elephant, they would be truly defeated, and no one could be present.

Once you've said it, you have to do it.

"Bring Gray Beak to see me."

Iron Wall responded and got up to leave.

A short while later, Gray Beak lifted the curtain and came in. His eyes were sunken, and there was a dirty gauze on his cheekbone. It looked like he hadn't been idle yesterday either.

"Alliance Leader."

Two things.

Jiang Ye leaned against the container wall, his voice still a little hoarse.

First, find a piece of land.

"It's big enough, hard enough, and spacious enough—more than three times the size of the flat ground where we subdued the Toad."

"Clear the area within 500 meters. When I was subduing the Max Elephant, not even a mouse could be allowed in."

Gray Beak frowned slightly.

"Three times bigger... There aren't many places like this in the District 13's wasteland. We'll have to look north, near the old industrial area, there might be a suitable one."

"Go find them, and hurry."

"Yes."

"And the second one?"

Jiang Ye tilted his head and looked at him.

"You said yesterday that someone in Central City was spreading rumors that things had changed in District 13?"

Gray Beak nodded.

It spread very quickly.

"Starting yesterday afternoon, several underground intelligence points in Central City were discussing this matter."

"Some say the Rust Remains Alliance has allied itself with the Phantom Troupe, some say Chrollo Lucilfer personally intervened to help us fend off the Dawn Society, and others say..."

He paused for a moment, carefully choosing his words.

"Say what?"

"They say you made a deal with Chrollo, and half of District 13 has already been allocated to the Phantom Troupe."

Jiang Ye actually smiled after hearing this.

"The prediction was quite accurate."

Gray Beak was taken aback.

"Leader, you can't just accept that so easily..."

"I didn't admit it."

Jiang Ye waved his hand.

"But there's no intention to deny it."

"Chrollo did indeed ask for half of District 13's territory, and I've agreed to that."

"How and when he takes it is his business."

"Right now, I need time. With his reputation hanging in the air, Grey Elder and the Ten Dons will have to think twice before they make a move against me."

Gray Beak was silent for a few seconds, then slowly nodded.

In Meteor City, it's not shameful to leverage existing trends; it's shameful not to.

He understands this principle.

"Go and do it."

Gray Beak got up to leave, and just as the curtain was half-lifted, Shattered Eye strode in from outside, his expression not quite right.

"Leader, news has come from the northern outpost."

Jiang Ye looked up at him.

"Someone entered District 13, coming from the direction of the old industrial area in the north."

"He was alone, without any attendants, and instead of taking the main roads of the Central City, he took a roundabout route around the outskirts of the wasteland."

Who is it?

Shattered Eye swallowed hard.

The people at the checkpoint didn't recognize him, but they said that person... didn't look like a living person.

"Black hair, pale face, and completely black eyes."

Jiang Ye's expression remained unchanged, but his fingers, resting on his knees, unconsciously tightened.

Illumi Zoldyck Family.

Where is he?

"We've passed the north checkpoint and are heading towards the camp. The people at the checkpoint didn't dare stop us."

"We couldn't stop them."

Jiang Ye stood up from his bunk, moved his injured left shoulder, and his mouth twitched in pain.

"Please come in."

"No, I'll go to the door to meet you myself."

Iron Wall and Shattered Eye were both stunned.

"Leader, your injury..."

"He won't die."

Jiang Ye put on his coat and glanced back at Iron Wall.

"When the Zoldyck Family come to District 13, they're either there to kill someone or to discuss business."

"No matter which one it is, it's not appropriate to make people wait at the door for too long."

Iron Wall opened his mouth, but only managed to utter one sentence.

"I'll follow."

"What ever."

Camp entrance.

Illumi Zoldyck Family stood beneath the makeshift gatehouse made of scrap metal and old steel frames, his long black hair reaching his waist, and his dark casual jacket spotless.

He was as quiet as a doll without electricity; his completely black eyes, unfocused in the dim light, gave the impression that he was observing everything.

When Jiang Ye walked over, Irmmi's gaze fell on him and paused for a moment.

You're injured.

His tone was flat, completely devoid of any emotion.

"I got into a fight with the Dawn Society yesterday, just minor injuries."

Jiang Ye stopped three steps away from him, not in a hurry to invite him in.

"You arrived faster than I expected."

"The patriarch sent me."

Jiang Ye's eyebrows twitched slightly.

Silva Zoldyck Family?

"Let's go inside and talk."

He stepped aside to make way.

Without hesitation, Illumi stepped inside, her steps as light as if she were walking on water.

Iron Wall followed half a step behind Jiang Ye, his muscles taut, his hand never leaving the hilt of the sword at his waist.

In the meeting room converted from a shipping container, Jiang Ye poured Yi Er a glass of water and sat down first.

Illumi sat down opposite him, picked up her glass, glanced at it, but didn't drink.

"The head of the family is aware of the deal."