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墨書 Inktalez
Mao Ba's eyes flickered as he looked around, his expression clearly showing signs of unease. He stepped closer to Li Mu, lowering his voice to a near whisper, almost urgent. "The recent situation is too unusual. Assassins have been dispatched frequently, and several, like you, have received tasks from unnamed employers—far more than usual. These employers are extremely mysterious in both background and methods. I don't know why... but I feel everything is heading in a strange direction."
Mao Ba paused for a moment, as if struggling with whether to reveal what he was about to say next. He took a deep breath and continued, "I suspect... the Dark Council knows something and may even be involved behind the scenes. The higher-ups of the Twilight Alliance cannot possibly overlook such changes; the abnormal volume of commissions and the sudden appearance of anonymous employers do not seem coincidental. I believe this must be related to them."
Li Mu furrowed his brows at this, disbelief crossing his face. He looked at Mao Ba, who was usually calm and rarely swayed by circumstances, yet today appeared anxious and hinted at a conspiracy involving the Dark Council. After a moment of silence, he lowered his voice and countered, "Could it be that you're overthinking this? The Dark Council is a high-level organization within the Twilight Alliance; these covert operations... wouldn't pose any real threat to them, right? The existence of anonymous employers isn't new; why do you feel this time is particularly different?"
Mao Ba's expression darkened, his eyes reflecting suppressed anxiety and an underlying sense of dread. He tilted his head slightly as if organizing his thoughts before lowering his voice further, making his tone more serious. "Anonymous employers are indeed common, but this time it's different—these tasks' types and scales have exceeded normal boundaries. Some even target key figures and special assets among different factions; the purpose seems not just to hire assassins for a task but to gradually draw out some larger movement. The Dark Council has long manipulated the balance of various forces from the shadows, but the current situation makes me feel they might be planning an unprecedented operation... and we may have unknowingly become pawns."
Li Mu listened quietly, a deep contemplation beginning to form in his eyes. Mao Ba's words echoed in his ears, each one carrying a chilling warning that instilled a sense of pressure within him. He understood that such statements from Mao Ba were not made lightly.
Nodding slightly, Li Mu revealed a thoughtful expression. He had indeed noticed that the recent series of assassination incidents and acts of sabotage were too blatant, even brazenly so, causing widespread panic throughout Shadow City. News reports continuously broadcast these unsettling events, instilling fear rather than security among the citizens. Every street and building seemed shrouded in an impending shadow of collapse.
Yet Li Mu still harbored some hesitation; while things were unusual, it was difficult to discern the true intentions behind them. He spoke softly, "However... this doesn't prove anything. Perhaps it's just some accidental friction between certain forces that will settle down after a while. We can observe for a bit longer; maybe the situation will change."
Mao Ba shook his head slightly, fixing a determined gaze on Li Mu before speaking in a somber tone. "No, this situation is not simple. There are too many unexplained aspects in the intelligence; I must investigate thoroughly. These arrangements are too obscure for me to risk ignoring." At this point, he glanced at the Financial Card in Li Mu's hand and emphasized, "Keep that Financial Card safe; don't lose it under any circumstances. It's not an ordinary reward; its significance may be greater than you realize."
After saying this, Mao Ba took a small step back, watching Li Mu from the shadows with caution and offering one last reminder before turning to blend into the darkness. Li Mu watched as his figure receded into the night until it vanished completely before shifting his gaze back. The Financial Card glimmered with a dark blue light under the street lamps, plunging him into brief contemplation. This conversation stirred an undercurrent of unease within him—Mao Ba's determination, the peculiar arrangements surrounding this task, and the significance of the Financial Card all seemed like hidden clues pulling him toward deeper mysteries.
As the night breeze gently swept by, Li Mu carefully tucked the card into his pocket and gazed up at Shadow City's night sky. The alertness within him lingered like an unshakeable darkness. He knew that this world was far more perilous than he had imagined and that he might be stepping closer to an unpredictable storm.
A few days later, just as Li Mu was preparing to leave home, his communicator beeped with an incoming call from an unfamiliar voice. The voice was soft and calm, carrying an unexpected warmth; however, as Li Mu listened, he felt an ominous premonition.
"Mr. Phantom, I will be responsible for your task coordination from now on; my code name is Er Qi." The voice bore a hint of a faint smile but was chillingly composed.
Li Mu furrowed his brow slightly and asked in a low voice, "What about Mao Ba?"
There was a brief pause on the other end before the response came, casual yet chilling: "Mao Ba is dead. He died in a car accident."
Li Mu's heart sank sharply, disbelief gripping him as he tightened his hold on the communicator, suppressing the anger in his voice. "What did you say? I want to confirm this news. Let me see him one last time."
Er Qi maintained that soft tone, devoid of any tremor. "I'm sorry, but it's too late. Mao Ba's body has already been cremated. You won't be able to see him again."
The cold brevity of that response tightened Li Mu's chest, unable to contain the fury rising within him. It felt as if something heavy was pressing down on him, making it hard to breathe. He couldn't believe such a coincidental "accident" could occur; someone like Mao Ba, a broker in their line of work, wouldn't just casually die in a car crash without leaving a trace.
Suppressing his anger, Li Mu countered quietly, "Do you realize how absurd this is? This doesn't sound like an accident at all; it feels more like someone—"
"Mr. Phantom, you should know the rules of this trade better than I do," Er Qi interrupted him, her voice still calm but laced with an imperceptible chill. "Who knows when something like this might happen? In our line of work, accidents can occur at any moment."
Li Mu's grip on the communicator trembled slightly as his anger flared hotter with Er Qi's indifferent words. He understood that this was no simple car accident; there had to be deeper reasons behind Mao Ba's death. Past connections, recent conversations, and that meeting under Biyu Bridge flashed through his mind, hinting at an unknown web of conspiracy.
"If there were any respect left, you should at least let me see him one last time," Li Mu said in a lowered voice, his tone icy and resolute.
But Er Qi remained unmoved, letting out a light laugh as if everything was inconsequential. "Mr. Phantom, this is the reality of our industry. I'm just your new liaison; why are you so concerned about someone from the past?"
As her words fell away, the crisp sound of the call disconnecting echoed in Li Mu's ears, a harsh response that cut deeply. He clenched the communicator tightly, Mao Ba's voice and that night’s warning reverberating in his mind. A coldness settled in Li Mu’s heart; he knew he had been drawn into this game and would not let go easily.
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