Chapter 498 - 345: Joining Hands

Chapter 498: Chapter 345: Joining Hands

The air was filled with the distinct smell of scorched metal.

The blind man slowly sheathed his sword. The movement was incredibly fluid, as if the blade was an extension of his own body.

"I’m the one who killed those resistance soldiers on the roadside." The man’s tone was flat, as if he were talking about squashing a few ants.

Wu Liangchen smiled and nodded. "I saw. It was a clean and efficient job."

The blind youth didn’t respond to the compliment. His unfocused eyes "gazed" at Wu Liangchen, sensing the Qi and Blood within the other man’s body—as potent as a blazing furnace, yet restrained to the absolute limit.

"Your bladesmanship is very unique. It doesn’t seem to be an Alliance style."

"Right back at you." Wu Liangchen was noncommittal, asking in return, "And who are you? Why are you here?"

"My name is Jian Yi." The blind youth spoke two words, paused, and then added, "The ’Yi’ for ’one.’"

Jian Yi...

Wu Liangchen’s heart stirred.

’What a simple and brutish name. So arrogant!’

’But perhaps only that kind of world-scorning spirit could forge such pure, such ultimate Swordsmanship.’

"As for why I’m here..." Jian Yi’s head turned slightly toward Black Stone Town. "This town isn’t peaceful. It hasn’t been quiet since last night. It looks like the resistance is planning something big."

At this, he seemed to think of something and turned his "gaze" back to Wu Liangchen.

"So their target is you?"

"Yes." Wu Liangchen didn’t hide it, giving a brief account of his encounter on the train.

Jian Yi didn’t ask any more questions, but a faint trace of curiosity appeared on his emotionless face.

"You’re also from outside the Alliance?"

This time it was Wu Liangchen’s turn to be a little surprised. He didn’t answer directly, asking instead, "It seems you’re not a native of the Alliance either?"

Jian Yi smiled.

When this cold, stubborn man smiled, it carried a hint of innocence rarely seen in the Alliance.

"That’s right. I think it’s been over a year since I arrived, but I’ve never gotten used to life here."

Wu Liangchen smiled too. "Me neither."

Though they had only just met and had even fought, the two suddenly felt a sense of mutual appreciation, like kindred spirits.

Just then, the sound of helicopter rotors could be faintly heard in the distance. For a nation like the Alliance with its strict no-fly zones, low-altitude helicopters had become the military’s preferred choice.

"It seems these people have gone to great lengths to deal with you," Jian Yi said faintly.

Wu Liangchen just smiled and said nothing.

"Let’s go. I’ll accompany you to Black Stone Town and meet these people."

Now it was Wu Liangchen’s turn to be astonished. "Why?"

Although they had a good impression of each other, Wu Liangchen didn’t think he was so charismatic that someone he’d just met would be willing to walk into a life-or-death situation with him.

"It’s on my way." Jian Yi’s answer was simple and direct. "Besides, this resistance scum is an eyesore."

’That reason... is certainly practical.’

After taking a long, hard look at this Jian Yi, Wu Liangchen suddenly broke into a smile.

"Alright, then I thank you!"

Then he activated his earpiece and said, "Ling’Er, come on over."

A moment later, Song Ling’Er, who had been hiding in the tall grass in the distance, hurried over.

When she saw the blind man, she couldn’t help but feel a little nervous.

Wu Liangchen made a simple introduction: "This is Jian Yi. We’ll be traveling together for now."

Song Ling’Er nodded without a word, merely tightening her grip on the gun in her hands.

Jian Yi paid Song Ling’Er no mind at all and simply turned and walked away.

Despite his blindness, he moved with extreme speed through the narrow forest path.

Wu Liangchen followed close behind, and the three of them headed straight for Black Stone Town.

Meanwhile, in the conference room of the underground base, the atmosphere was lively.

A giant screen was split into dozens of smaller windows, displaying real-time surveillance footage from all the main roads in Black Stone Town.

Advanced thermal imaging, sonar detection, micro-drones... all formed a surveillance network so tight it was suffocating.

Seated at the conference table were several figures—the same people from last night’s meeting at the secret base. The one in charge was still the tall man.

Right now, he was staring at the screen with a playful smirk on his face.

And he had every reason to be confident. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

For this ambush, they had mobilized nearly all the elite forces from nearby bases and even deployed experimental weapons specifically designed to counter powerful martial artists.

It was no exaggeration to say that the entirety of Black Stone Town had been turned into a gigantic death trap for Wu Liangchen.

As a result, the atmosphere in the conference room was very relaxed. These people were even in the mood to joke around.

"How long do you think this Wu Liangchen will last if he shows up?"

"I’d say five minutes, tops."

"Five minutes? Are you underestimating the anti-materiel sniper cannon or the high-energy particle gun? I say three minutes, max."

"Wanna make a bet?"

"Sure. Let’s not go too crazy. How about a hundred thousand Alliance Points, just for fun?"

"Deal!"

The men laughed and joked as they made their bet.

Just then, the reconnaissance drone sent an alert.

"Warning. Target has appeared. Distance: three kilometers."

Everyone in the conference room looked up at the screen, and then froze.

Because there was unexpectedly another person in the video feed.

"Who’s that?"

"No idea."

"He looks kind of weird. Are his eyes... is he blind?"

"Blind?" Someone scoffed. "He dares to come here while dragging along dead weight? He’s really courting death."

At that moment, however, the man in charge sensed something was off. He said in a grave voice, "Don’t get careless. This Wu Liangchen is not to be underestimated."

The conference room fell silent.