Chapter 1328 - 1018: Bait

Chapter 1328: Chapter 1018: Bait

"But what’s the point of doing this?"

After receiving the message from the other end that everything was going smoothly, Raymond asked, "I mean, we’ve created results, we’ve won a victory, and we’ve caused destruction, but it seems to provide little help to the current circumstances."

"Raise your arm a little."

Huai Shi, holding an electric drill, was dismantling the bulletproof ceramic plate attached to the outer layer of his sternum. Amidst flying sparks, a numbered casing was detached from him.

He said, "On one hand, it’s to gather some resources; on the other hand, it’s to stir up some commotion to attract attention. Let people know that I’m outside."

Raymond frowned, "With the hatred pointer and blacklist in place, will He Di really believe it?"

"Whether he believes it or not doesn’t matter; the key is that someone believes it, that’s enough."

Huai Shi placed the dismantled instrument from the metal skeleton aside, allowing Raymond to return to factory settings as much as possible, avoiding unnecessary interference during advancement.

After completing all this, he slowly asked, "Do you think when the news of Huai Shi appearing in other parts of Hell spreads, will the locals still be willing to let a clown squat in their backyard?"

"You want them to have internal conflicts?"

Raymond suddenly understood but couldn’t help but doubt, "Is this possible?"

"Of course, it’s unrealistic to become fat in one step, but the first step only needs to sow the seed of distrust — our opponents have never truly stood together."

Huai Shi said, "Hell is not the Current Circumstances; there are no rules here.

No universally applicable rules across all depths; no constant thing to provide guarantees, so everything is measured through power — this means that besides deterrence, the parties cannot stand on equal ground to view issues, and communication is destined to be futile.

No, when the communicative aspect of language is weakened, deception actually increases... Trust cannot exist because sometimes the cost of betrayal is too low."

Under the illumination of the shadowless lamp, Huai Shi’s expression became subtle:

"Would you dare to trust a clown?"

.

.

Projection from the Endless Sea appeared before He Di.

"Huai Shi has appeared in my jurisdiction."

Blue Eyes said, "According to reports from others, a total of six supply teams have been attacked."

"Impossible."

He Di replied decisively, "The hatred pointer hasn’t changed at all, I’m sure he’s still within our blockade."

Blue Eyes said, "But the fact is as such; we’ve found traces of his Source Armament at the scene, unique territory-wide. He Di, you miscalculated. He has already caused harm to us."

He Di remained silent, reviewing the distant messages, his expression gradually taking on a grim hue.

After a long while, he slowly shook his head, "No, on the contrary, he’s trying to hide something."

"Evidence?"

"Six supply teams? Four camps? One transit station?"

He Di went through the loss report, sneering: "Perhaps to some it’s a loss, but to him, not even a minor scuffle.

Blue Eyes, you don’t understand him; someone like him would never be satisfied with mere troublemaking, on the contrary, his nature is infatuated with massive destruction, regardless of where he goes, chaos and doom will always follow.

Just a little loss would barely count as an appetizer to him. Such a person would never be satisfied with a mere disturbance task —

He’s testing us, looking for opportunities, then staking it all.

Including these, all possibly part of his plot to lure the tiger away from the mountain."

He answered coldly, "I will not remove the blockade around the depths, Blue Eyes, nor will I allow him to leave the encirclement."

"What if that’s his purpose?"

Blue Eyes suddenly asked, "What if he doesn’t want you to remove the blockade, He Di, what then?

He Di, we’ve handed the manpower in the rear to you to ensure the greatest possible stability in the rear, not for the sake of Huai Shi’s head.

If he determines himself to be hidden under your nose, then by tethering countless opponents and your entire focus, his mission succeeds.

The rest can naturally be left for his companions to resolve."

He Di remained unmoved, "I stand by my judgment."

Blue Eyes nodded, not angered, having fulfilled the duty of a reminder, he merely gazed deeply at his newly minted colleague, telling him:

"Then I will await your results."

Projection dissipated.

In the prolonged silence, He Di remained expressionless.

From Blue Eyes’ words, it was evident that many people were dissatisfied with his efficiency, or rather, mocked his startled reaction, with not a few contemplating using this to make trouble.

Those guys, they have absolutely no idea what kind of opponent they’re dealing with.

He Di pondered, issuing a command through the water mirror for a contraction of the encirclement.

When necessary, forcibly blockade this piece of Hell.

Although a hurried action lacks prudence and may cause others to doubt whether the Withered King he represents has intentions of annexing other forces under the guise of preparation during the war among realms, but at this moment, there’s no room for attitudes from other aspects.

The urgent matter is to extinguish all unexpected factors in the bud —

And just as he issued the order, low footsteps echoed from outside the room.

Along with restrained hostility.

After the door was pushed open, the Bull-headed Warrior outside indifferently conveyed the master’s command to the guest who had overstayed.

"Clown, the master says your prey isn’t here."

He said, "You should leave."

Not only him, but behind him, in the courtyard outside, and even in the deepest parts of the city palace, there were those subtle malicious gazes.

In the brief silence, He Di suppressed the anger in his chest and nodded stiffly.

"I understand, please report to the City Lord, I will leave shortly."

"No, it’s now, immediately."

The Bull-headed Warrior stepped forward, telling him, "Mr. Zim doesn’t like delays."

"..."

He Di looked indifferently at the envoy in front of him, the Bull-headed Warrior also touched the longsword at his waist, and they stared at each other. After a long silence, He Di slowly nodded.

"Alright."

It was less a courtesy than an enforced departure.

In the midst of large numbers of fully armed Hell Swarm, He Di expressionlessly stepped onto the path of departure.

Just before leaving the city gates, on the broad street, they passed by another solemn team heading towards the palace. At the front of the team, accompanied by the envoy of the City Lord, the Dog-headed Man in magnificent robes turned back to look at He Di.

He nodded slightly, as if greeting him.

Feeling the bewildered and sharp gaze, he grinned, showing a smile.

Hello, goodbye.

.

.

Half an hour earlier, Huai Shi received news from the Ravens scattered everywhere that the Hell Swarm was gathering and converging on He Di’s location in the city. He turned back and instructed Raymond, "Inform Mr. Foster, they can return, the sooner the better."

As he spoke, he pressed the button on the table.

The operation began.

"Then, I wish you all the best."

Old Professor Anton had already donned a full set of protective gear. At this moment, he picked up his helmet, fix it onto his face like an astronaut about to launch, waved goodbye, then clumsily climbed down the ladder into the deepest part of the dungeon, into the dug-out shelter.

In the next few hours, he would stay there alone, waiting for a signal from Huai Shi.

Meanwhile, as ordered by Huai Shi, those Hell Creatures who had been resurrected after brainwashing began their actions all over the city.

They circumvented the most heavily guarded city defenses and key positions, spreading out in all directions.

A Rat-man wearing an iron helmet swaggered into the cafeteria. Amid a nauseating strange smell in the air, the huge iron pot bubbled with unbled innards and all sorts of messy things.

Just like that, it casually tossed a cloth bag into the iron pot and walked away. During the whole process, no one paid any attention.

In the pitch-black sewer, patches of wild grass and strange flowers emerged from the sewage and cold mud, silently poking out their heads. Countless strains and spores spread in the air filled with rot, carrying malice along.

More swarms gradually gathered towards the foundry workshop beneath the volcano. Under the firelight of the huge furnace, eerie smiles appeared.

Closing eyes, feeling the Iron crows gradually taking their positions, Huai Shi transformed back into the appearance of a Dog-headed Man.

"Finally, it’s time for the biggest bait."

Huai Shi carefully donned himself with gold, silver jewels, and solemn attire, turning back to ask Raymond, "How do I look in this getup?"

"More like a Dog-headed Man than a Dog-headed Man."

Raymond said sincerely, "Just like the best of the dogs."

"Thank you."

Huai Shi patted the Bull-headed Man’s shoulder, sincerely praised, "You’re not bad either!"

"..."

Thus, disguised, they walked out from the other end of the market, leading a dignified procession, openly heading down the street.

Just like any envoy from afar, swaggeringly passing through the inner city’s gates and layers of blockade, heading towards the sinister palace beside the volcano.

To meet the City Lord.

After the Bull-headed Guards carefully searched them, Huai Shi strode forward, dragging his cumbersome robes, into the grand hall.

"Luo Su?"

On the throne, Zim, enormous like a mountain of flesh, chewed on the Wing Snake’s tenderloin and bones, mockingly said to the stooped subordinate beside the throne, "Ha, this name sounds like an Old Turtle!"

Immediately, a burst of laughter echoed throughout the hall.

Those hideous monsters lowered their heads, looking down at the Dog-headed Man crawling on the ground, trembling, without concealing their malice and appetite.

Under the throne, the Snake-faced High Priest glanced at the gift list presented by the envoy, slightly touched, submitted to his master.

At times like these, a fat sheep that could present so many Source Crystals as gifts was indeed rare.

Thanks to the face-saving gifts, the atmosphere in the hall slightly eased.

And when the envoy Luo Su conveyed his master’s will to Zim, the atmosphere became increasingly enthusiastic.

"Fifty thousand pieces of Enchanted Armor, components for three thousand Heavy Crossbows, sixteen Blades of Resentful Bones?"

Zim browsed through the order in his hand, slightly moved, finally shifted his gaze from the food to the smug Dog-headed Man: "Such a large order that needs to be fulfilled urgently isn’t easy."

You must know, ahead of you are the Believers of the Rotting Dragon and the Giants of the Thunder Sea, compared to them, what does your master amount to?"

"Compared to my master, what is that pile of rotting flesh and the misshapen dwarf?"

The envoy sneered beneath the steps: "Next, permit me to introduce to everyone: The savior of all Dog-headed Men, the eternal master of Steel Hell, the end of all things, the incarnation of annihilation, the sacred and glorious Ruler!"

Saying this, the Dog-headed Man whipped his tongue, raised his arms, fervently shouted:

——The End Dragon·Bahamut!