Novel Full Chapter 55: Tailing: So They Were the Target
Chapter 55: Chapter 55: Tailing: So They Were the Target
“The crow has left the nest.”
It was a dreary, rainy day. Su Chen was still getting used to his newly promoted body when he received a message from Hu Xiang.
It meant that Pan Yu had broken his usual point-A-to-point-B routine today.
A sharp glint flashed in Su Chen’s eyes. His first thought was that Pan Yu might be coming after him, but he quickly dismissed the idea.
Inside the Inspectorate, even if Pan Yu did make a move, he wouldn’t be able to escape.
’Is he… going to rendezvous with someone?’ Su Chen wondered. He replied to the message: “Report his position at all times.”
He glanced out the window. The raindrops were getting smaller and the flashes of lightning were diminishing, which only made the night seem more oppressive, as if the sky itself was about to collapse.
Su Chen slipped the Shadow-avoiding Robe on under his clothes and fastened the Mimic Mask, pinching his face a little to adjust it.
Though it was late, this was the Inspectorate Headquarters, so it remained brightly lit with many people moving about. Su Chen mixed in with them and quickly vanished from sight.
…
“This guy… is he heading to the Outer City?”
Hu Xiang was also wearing a Shadow-avoiding Robe, and sparse raindrops pattered against it.
He held a black telescope. The intricate carvings on its metal casing shimmered faintly. In his view, a blurry red silhouette moved through the shadows.
He didn’t dare get too close; he could only track Pan Yu’s position using the telescope.
Fortunately, his target wasn’t moving too fast through the city. About half an hour later, Su Chen met up with him at a corner.
“Little brother, this guy is definitely up to something,” Hu Xiang said, handing the telescope to him. “Sneaking out in the middle of the night… If it weren’t for this gadget, I never would have spotted him.”
[Imaging Telescope (Tier Two): Allows the user to see scenes invisible to the naked eye via its “Shadow Painting Carving”.]
’It’s actually a Tier Two Item, and an Engraved Weapon at that.’
Su Chen was quite surprised as he took the telescope.
Engraved Weapons required an Engraver to meticulously carve them, imbuing items with strange abilities through some inexplicable principle.
“I borrowed that from the City Patrol Guard, so don’t you go breaking it.” Hu Xiang warned, seeing Su Chen turning it over in his hands. A flicker of suspicion crossed his eyes. ’Why does Su Chen feel… different again?’
Su Chen raised it to his eye and, sure enough, saw the distinct red silhouette.
“Where is he going? Is he meeting someone?” Hu Xiang guessed.
“Not sure. Let’s just follow him for now and see,” Su Chen replied, uncertain himself. The two of them followed cautiously.
At this hour, with the light rain still falling, there weren’t many people on the streets.
They followed Pan Yu further and further away from the Inner City. The surrounding buildings gradually became plainer, and Pan Yu’s pace slowed as if he were trying to get his bearings.
Su Chen asked hesitantly, “Where are we?”
“The West District… Hmm, near the Da Liang River…” The two of them were hidden on a rooftop. Hu Xiang looked around, his voice uncertain.
’That name… why does it sound so familiar?’ A spark seemed to flash through Su Chen’s mind. “Old Han!”
This was near Han Da’s house! He’d mentioned it last time they chatted.
Su Chen suddenly realized this and everything clicked into place.
’If Pan Yu wants to find out what happened the night Qi Chuan died, and why the Deceitful Artifact is empty…’
’He wouldn’t be the first choice. Zhao Xiong and the others would be the perfect targets.’
’Their strength is low, and they don’t draw much attention.’
’As long as he can confirm they were at the scene the night Qi Chuan died, he can just grab them and interrogate them. He’s bound to get something.’
Su Chen’s expression tightened. He quickly looked down and sent a series of messages, then turned to ask Hu Xiang, “Does Pan Yu live in the wealthy district?”
“Not exactly. It’s a bit out of the way, but it’s still a villa. What are you planning?” Hu Xiang asked with a frown.
…
“No one’s here?”
In the silent room, with the curtains drawn tight, Pan Yu’s figure emerged from the shadows.
A short, black dagger twirled ceaselessly in his hand, but his gaze was fixed on the empty bedroom before him. His brow furrowed.
“Today’s his day off. Where could he have gone?”
…
“Little brother, are you sure this is the mission Inspector General Yuan gave you?”
Hu Xiang’s cheek twitched as he watched Su Chen tap and prod at the surface of Pan Yu’s safe, looking like he wanted to pocket the whole thing.
“It’s a covert investigation. Isn’t this normal?” Su Chen retorted, looking up. “Otherwise, what did you think this was?”
Hu Xiang opened his mouth to speak but hesitated. Su Chen, however, just asked, “Is everything in place?”
“The main door, all the corners of the first-floor living room… I’ve placed everything you wanted. When you had me buy all this stuff, did you plan for a day like this all along?”
Hu Xiang’s expression was complicated. He finally voiced what was on his mind: “This is breaking and entering… plus murder, isn’t it?”
He had a growing feeling that something was wrong, but it was too late to back out now.
“Wrong…” Su Chen shook his head. “Whether it is or not is for the Inspectorate to decide. I’m from the Inspectorate, so if I say it isn’t, then it isn’t.”
Hu Xiang was dumbfounded.
…
As the night deepened past its midpoint, the whole of Southwind City grew even quieter.
“Did he go out to have fun? It’s raining today, where could he go? It’s not like he has a lover.”
Pan Yu wasn’t in a good mood after making a fruitless trip in the middle of the night. The round trip on foot took too long, so he hadn’t stayed at Han Da’s house for very long.
After waiting for an hour or two and seeing no sign of Han Da returning, he had headed back.
’Forget it. I’ll pick someone else tomorrow. That Zhou Li girl should be a good choice. I hear she’s quite close to Su Chen; she might know more.’
Squeezing through the shadow in the door crack, Pan Yu’s body gradually materialized. The darkness around him made him give a subconscious, dry cough.
His target today was Han Da. Since that failed, he didn’t rush off to anyone else’s house. Being too hasty could easily lead to problems.
’Besides, she’s one of the ’flowers’ of the Patrol Department. I might as well enjoy myself…’ Pan Yu thought as he walked forward, his steps still silent.
He hadn’t originally wanted to go after her. She was already a Tier One Professional, and making a move on her would be a bit riskier.
But his disappointment at returning empty-handed today had piqued his interest.
But suddenly, he froze. The voice-activated lights hadn’t turned on.
’Broken?’ he thought instinctively, but a chill ran down his spine.
A speck of crimson light appeared in the darkness, striking without any warning.
Hu Xiang, crouched behind the sofa, had been holding his breath, building up power for a long time. His timing was perfect.
His profession was Flame Spear Master, and he was at Tier Two Middle. He specialized in frontal combat and possessed a unique trait: his combat power would jump a level as long as he wielded a spear-type weapon of a corresponding Tier.
The muscles in his arms tensed. Hu Xiang was already in position, gripping the long spear in his hand. Flames coiled around it—a killing blow!
A sharp, ear-piercing whistle cut through the air as a wave of scorching heat washed over him.
“Who’s there!”
Pan Yu’s pupils contracted. He was terrified, but years of experience had made his Shadow Concealment Ability instinctual, and he subconsciously tried to escape into the shadows.
BUZZ—
The next moment, light sources all around the room abruptly switched on. The pitch-black living room was instantly flooded with light, and the shadow at his feet vanished.
His Shadow Concealment Ability had failed. He could only stand frozen in place!
That split-second delay had cost him the best opportunity to defend himself.
PSHHHT!
The spear shaft plunged into his body. Excruciating pain instantly shot through his nerves, but it also ignited the hidden ferocity within him.