Vol. 5 Chapter 12: Taking Action

Chapter 12: Taking Action

"Li Yuanfeng's information has been found," Xiaomi reported quickly. "His last known activity was renting a house in Le Ping City, but he moved out the next day, which coincides with the appearance of Fear King Dark River that night."

"So, this Li Yuanfeng is likely to be Fear King Dark River?" Bing Bing shivered, pulling her scarf tighter around her neck.

"It's possible. Can we track their movements?" Lao Hu asked Xiaomi.

Xiaomi shook his head. "These mask bearers initially showed up on surveillance but quickly vanished. Even when they reappear briefly, they soon disappear again, making it hard to pinpoint their locations."

"So, the mask might also enhance intelligence." Lao Hu nodded, holding a piece of black ice shard. He handed it to Bing Bing to freeze further, trying to sense any thoughts within it.

"I can't extract anything," Lao Hu said, tossing the shard aside. "It only contains basic conscious reactions. We'll store it and analyze it later if we get the chance."

"What should we do now?" Xiaomi asked. "We've lost track of their locations."

"For now, we rest. From the information we have, a mask war is inevitable, and they'll surface soon enough. Remember, our goal isn't just the mask war but understanding what's really happening in Le Ping City and preventing another evil god summoning event."

"What's happening? Isn't it just a mask war?" Xiaomi questioned.

"That's just the surface. There are deeper issues," Lao Hu coughed, "like where the Shadow Clan comes from. I don't believe such a powerful organization could hide in our country for so long."

"And why choose Le Ping City for this ritual?" Lao Hu sighed. "Sending only the three of us here shows the enormous pressure from above, even on the Countermeasure Bureau. I doubt anyone else is coming here from within the country."

"Unless they're already connected to this place. The mask war might not be about becoming a god but summoning that entity again," Lao Hu speculated.

"Also, the Black Wind incident—evidence we collected contained traces of divine power, likely a desperate attack by an evil god priest. This complicates things further."

"Who forced the priest to such desperation? And while it seems Li Yuanfeng is Fear King, there might be others pulling the strings," Lao Hu mused, then asked Xiaomi, "Is the surveillance network set up?"

"Yes, and I've stored all current information securely in several locations as planned," Xiaomi confirmed.

"Wait, Xiaomi. I have a task for you regarding Fear King," Lao Hu said, eyes gleaming with thought.

Meanwhile, Lu Li stood by the riverbank, holding an oil-paper umbrella, watching the flowing river and feeling the legend factors converging in his heart. The legendary ability was about to be born any day now.

His soul and mental power were at a bottleneck, poised for transformation but unable to break through. The Shadow's transformation seemed halted, awaiting Lu Li's final step.

"News from the Shadow Assassin—the Countermeasure Bureau found traces of Fu Bin," Lu Li noted, narrowing his eyes at the river. The bureau was more capable than he'd anticipated, quickly uncovering Fu Bin's tracks.

"Some kind of detection ability? They must have learned quite a bit," Lu Li acknowledged, receiving another piece of information and secretly communicating with the six masks, manipulating shadow magic to add certain elements.

On the rooftop of the highest building in Le Ping Middle School, Li Yuanfeng stood with the Shadow Demon manifesting behind him. Surveillance cameras, removed after the Black Wind incident, had not been reinstalled due to summer break.

"Are you sure you don't want me to unseal your mask's concealment and find the other mask bearers?" the Shadow Demon asked.

"No need. Since Fear King's proclamation that night, I'm the prime suspect. Any meeting with them would lead to interrogation and distrust," Li Yuanfeng replied with a smile. "It's better to stay hidden, out of their sight, making it more convenient for us."

"Who'll make the first move? Definitely Fear King. He's the strongest now. Once he deems the other hosts strong enough or 'fat' enough, he'll act. It won't be long," the Shadow Demon remarked.

Time passed, and the city returned to an eerie calm. The only notable event was the warrant for Fu Bin and Luo Yan, revealing them as the culprits behind the serial murders—Fu Bin, a recent high school graduate, sparking widespread media analysis about education and social environment.

Lu Li noticed a drop in legend factors on his computer, understanding the Countermeasure Bureau's move to divert attention from Fear King. Watching the programs about education issues, Lu Li realized their intention to probe Fear King's proclamation.

"If that's the case, let's get started," he muttered, his oil-paper umbrella darkening. The river's mist rose, and Fear King Dark River would soon reappear.