Chapter 141: Tailless Snake Mother, A Sudden Grand Curtain Opens

"Point A, Point B, all hazards cleared."

Yuan Zheng used a ballpoint pen to cross out two yellow-marked "criminal nests" on the map.

He sat in the lobby lounge of a high-end hotel, several team members spontaneously gathering around, forming a cluster.

"I believe you all understand, this is my last time participating in a Patrol Department assistance mission, and also my last chance to strike for a second-tier certificate."

The other team members' expressions turned serious, their faces solemn. Don't look at Qin Shi taking it lightly; actually, the temporary certificate quotas specially issued by the Patrol Department are very rare.

The permanent population of the entire Taian Urban Circle is roughly around eighteen million, yet it only has seventeen thousand of them.

Outsiders trying to obtain qualification approval through normal channels is already extremely difficult.

First, one must be politically reliable, tracing back three generations, with no criminal records allowed.

Second, one must produce guarantee documents from a big company or a legitimate unit.

Finally, personal conditions must meet the standard.

So the Patrol Department's external positions mostly come from security companies or affiliated organizations.

Lone wolves operating single-handedly often find it hard to obtain one, being screened out from the very beginning.

Many professionals who walk the Martial Artist Path value this certificate so highly.

Most importantly, of course, it carries "official nature" and can serve as a protective talisman.

Occasionally committing minor offenses that cause no great harm, or stepping on the line in gray areas and getting caught by a small pigtail.

Law enforcement personnel usually regard them as "our own people" and are willing to show leniency.

Additionally, there is the gold content.

If a wealthy person wants to choose a security company, the first standard is the number of certified holders within.

After all, "Patrol Department Strictly Selected" is more reliable!

If certified holders are few, on one hand it represents lack of strength, unable to shoulder great tasks; on the other hand it shows they lack official background, with a rather weak foundation.

Shield Hand Jiang Hao, carrying a wide and thick shield, said:

"Brother Yuan, rest assured! We take money to handle affairs; since you want to upgrade your certificate, we will definitely give it our all, no slacking!"

Their team has clear division of labor.

There are Shield Hands responsible for drawing fire, Breakers who cut in on the flanks, and medics in the rear providing medicines and implementing rapid rescue.

"Brother Yuan, we know you want to take a gamble, get a second-tier certificate, and go to Center City."

Breaker Zhou Xiaogang, wielding double refined-steel short axes, also chimed in:

"Brother Yuan, you know my character! I dare not say I'll give up this life, but I guarantee to block danger in front of you!"

Yuan Zheng is in his forties, of middle-aged appearance, not tall in stature, with spirited eyes, looking like a steady person.

His palms are very broad, covered with layers of calluses, especially at the tiger's mouth, like coarse sand, rough and coarse.

"In any case, I thank you all first."

Yuan Zheng did not say much more; before forming the team, the situation had already been explained clearly.

His physical potential ceiling has been reached; even taking many stimulating medicines or high-grade energy liquids, it is difficult to promote mortal body vitality and increase life force. To touch the threshold of the professional level, he must enter the next transformation stage.

"The Original Energy Company in Center City has extended an olive branch to me. If I can hold a second-tier certificate, I can join as an executive and participate in defense missions. Then, higher-specification resource lists will be open to me, perhaps there is a chance to climb higher."

Yuan Zheng lowered his head in deep thought. A "lone cultivator" like him, without background support, is destined to never receive official favor; relying on connections, he can only depend on a big company.

The Original Energy Company in Center City rose at a considerable speed; although it encountered several bumps during expansion, because of the helmsman's outstanding performance, it finally pulled through.

It counts as a very good way out.

"Fang Xin of the Snake Mother Gang is a very troublesome bio-esper."

Yuan Zheng began to arrange tactics. The so-called "bio-esper" is a professional who knows how to manipulate energy to strengthen the body. It belongs to a branch domain of the Esper System.

Put plainly, it means casting buffs on oneself, such as "Blood Boil," "Super Absorption," etc., making oneself possess infinite strength, hidden and stealthy. Those slightly more skilled will also master attack techniques like "Atmospheric Electric Waves" and "Electric Energy Surge."

"Although the Snake Mother Gang is third-rate, Fang Xin's personal talent in the Secret Sect is indeed very high. If not born in Hengzhou, he should be able to have a broader future. The Patrol Department attaches great importance to him, listing him as a red wanted target, a 3A-grade threat."

Rumor has it Fang Xin is contacting deeper-level creatures of the Netherworld. In this Heng Jian Operation, several strong squads all regard him as the number one elimination target.

Yuan Zheng shared the information he knew with his teammates, simply marking with pen and paper:

"From the means he has shown in the past, he at least masters three expert-level skills: 'Blood Heat,' 'Poison Bite,' 'Limb Paralysis.'"

"So we must fight quickly and decisively, one strike fatal! If delayed by Fang Xin, plus his home-field advantage, the failure rate is extremely high, and we can only be forced to retreat."

The Esper System and Mechanical System, the two major paths, habitually collectively refer to knowledge, experience, and personal specialties as "skills."

And they are divided into "Basic," "Advanced," "Expert," "Master," "Divine Spirit."

Three expert skills are enough for Fang Xin to run rampant in the Forbidden Zone where no professional-level existence exists.

Shield Hand Jiang Hao asked:

"Is it like our past cooperation? Let Gangzi break through and attract attention, while Brother Yuan and I charge head-on. Brother Yuan is responsible for the main attack and killing, I tank damage and clear the mobs. Xiao Lan provides support."

Yuan Zheng nodded; he did not formulate too complex a plan.

Dealing with espers, a quick slash to cut the tangled hemp is the first choice.

"Seize it, seize it, don't let other squads snatch it first! As far as I know, there are still several others eyeing the Snake Mother Gang, thinking to earn a sum of merit!"

Zhou Xiaogang wiped his long spear. Inside the Forbidden Zone, kinetic weapons cannot be used normally; only this most simple and primitive cold weapon is equipped.

"This is a potion to increase mental resistance; you all take it."

As the medic of the team, Xu Lan distributed the packaged potions made into patches.

The esper's greatest nemesis is none other than the Silent Force Field; second is the Martial Artist whose "Divine Will" is exceptionally overbearing.

Especially in the Ancient Era, everyone walked the Old Martial Arts path. Those monsters who broke the Spirit Gate and Great Limit at a young age, with Divine Will residing in the Inner Landscape, can be called esper killers.

Of course, if precautions are taken beforehand, taking medicines that increase mental resistance can also achieve a blocking effect.

Yuan Zheng led the squad members to continue advancing deeper. After rushing about three or five li, they saw a slaughterhouse factory.

By this time the sky had already grown somewhat dark, facilitating their concealment. The large gate that could allow two trucks to enter side by side was tightly closed, not even leaving a person to keep watch on the wind.

This made Yuan Zheng detect a trace of unusual smell; he exchanged a glance with Jiang Hao, and the latter said:

"Brother Yuan, it's possible someone got there first."

Yuan Zheng's heart gave a "thump," yet he still suppressed his restless emotions and sent Zhou Xiaogang, whose body technique was the most flexible, to go check.

"Wait for my news."

Zhou Xiaogang stowed his retractable long spear, disassembling it into two short weapons; his body clung to the wall like a gecko, quickly scaling the towering perimeter wall and infiltrating the factory building.

Time passed minute by minute; the slaughterhouse was like a giant beast that swallowed sound, not transmitting any movement.

"Brother Yuan..."

Jiang Hao couldn't stay calm and spoke hesitantly:

"With Gangzi's ability, it shouldn't be that he couldn't even send a message before being caught."

Yuan Zheng's gaze was bright and piercing, staring at the brightly lit factory building, his mind indecisive:

"Xiao Lan, if I haven't withdrawn in five minutes, you run immediately! Report the intelligence to the Patrol Department!"

He still had to take a gamble; he couldn't just watch Zhou Xiaogang fall into the Forbidden Zone.

"Take the medicine!"

Xu Lan reminded.

Yuan Zheng and Jiang Hao each applied the cool-to-the-touch patches to the temples on both sides of their foreheads — the place most susceptible to spiritual influence.

Then they chewed up a few pills that made their lips and teeth turn bitter, using this method to remind themselves to maintain concentration.

After completing preparations, Yuan Zheng and Jiang Hao charged into the slaughterhouse one after the other.

Inside the huge factory no living human traces could be seen; besides the semi-automated mechanized facilities operating as usual, animals to be slaughtered needed to be hung on the iron rails, below were platforms receiving cut raw meat and viscera, and in the past those workers stood on both sides performing operations.

Immediately after, Yuan Zheng's pupils contracted sharply; he and Jiang Hao saw a cruel scene they would never forget.

The automatically conveying iron rail hooks hung one naked, incessantly bleeding human body after another!

They were still alive!

From their wide-straining eyes and gazes filled with fear, Yuan Zheng judged that these people were still alive!

But for some unknown reason, they simply could not speak, letting themselves be suspended like livestock.

"Brother Yuan look, isn't that Lao Luo?"

Jiang Hao suddenly cried out in alarm.

Yuan Zheng looked in the direction of his pointing finger and instantly sucked in a breath of cold air:

"Luo Dawei of Squad Six! How could he..."

A great chill rose in Yuan Zheng's heart; after careful identification, he discovered these blood-drenched human bodies were mostly the team members participating in the Heng Jian Operation this time, while a small portion, judging by their attire, looked like Snake Mother Gang members.

"Brother Yuan, do you think Gangzi might also..."

Jiang Hao's voice had not yet fallen when the tap-tap sound of leather shoes stepping on the ground rang out; a man in a black suit appeared in his and Yuan Zheng's line of sight.

He was about thirty years old, his features regular, his complexion fair and clean; if he wore a pair of glasses he would have even more of a scholarly air.

The only thing destroying the temperament of his whole face was those greenish-oily pupils, and the rhombus-shaped imprint branded on his forehead.

"Fang Xin!"

Yuan Zheng stared at Zhou Xiaogang being dragged like a dead dog, killing intent erupting in his eyes.

"More people coming. Today is really exceptionally lively."

The black-suited man called "Fang Xin" grinned and said.

"I know you, a somewhat famous security expert of the Taian Urban Circle, Yuan... what was the rest?"

He casually kicked Zhou Xiaogang, whose whole body's bones seemed shattered, and asked gently:

"Hey, tell me, Yuan what?"

Zhou Xiaogang stretched his neck, looked toward his teammates, and suddenly summoned the last shred of strength to shout:

"Run! He is Holy Embryo middle stage!"

Holy, Embryo, Middle, Stage.

The moment these four words came out.

Yuan Zheng and Jiang Hao felt their hair stand on end; in a ghost place like the Forbidden Zone with such a high-level electronic blockade, how could it be possible to cultivate the spirit to the Holy Embryo middle stage?

Boom!

With a boom they shattered the air, tacitly retreating violently backward!

If Entry into Samadhi is merely contacting spiritual cultivation, equal to familiarizing oneself with water nature.

Then Holy Embryo equals rowing a boat out to sea, hoisting sails and breaking waves, truly roaming in the Netherworld.

It is the combination of spirit and energy, interfering with matter, manipulating changes.

Placed in the Ancient Era, that would be a successful Qi Refining Scholar who can breathe water and fire, command thunder and lightning.

Simply put, it is a Mage who has completed class change.

For Amateur Level people like Yuan Zheng and Jiang Hao who haven't even touched the prototype of a Life Force Field Domain, there is zero hope of victory.

"Since you've come."

Fang Xin's body surface manifested ring after ring of very shallow radiance, like a deep green nether color, fluttering in the wind.

Raising a hand and pointing, the atmosphere suddenly burst open, as if two small snakes condensed out of thin air, like lightning racing, striking at the two people who were about to vault over the high wall in a split second.

In a flash, swift and fierce beyond compare, completely exceeding the movement speed of body technique!

Yuan Zheng, soaring in mid-air, felt his heart pound wildly, suddenly sank downward, plummeting urgently to avoid the Qi Snake.

Bang!

That twisted snake-like mass of atmosphere struck the concrete wall face and violently blasted out a fist-sized crater!

But Jiang Hao didn't have such keen perception; he was struck squarely, his shoulder blossoming with blood, his face turning cyan like a stiff corpse, crashing straight onto the ground.

"Poison Bite! A near-master-level Skill!"

Yuan Zheng was shocked inside; he didn't understand how Fang Xin had silently cultivated to the Saint Embryo Stage.

Without sufficient resources and a suitable environment, an Esper should find every step difficult!

"Rigid thinking, Yuan... can you tell me first, what exactly is your name?"

The diamond-shaped mark on Fang Xin's forehead hummed and vibrated; he raised his fingers again, several Qi Snakes condensing, like barracudas swimming in the deep sea, pouncing on Jiang Hao, who lay paralyzed and unable to move.

"I've already joined the Secret Sect, how could I still rely on my own bitter cultivation? If I had this perseverance and determination, why would I worship the Spirit!"

Yuan Zheng leaned against the eight-meter-high warning Wall, knowing he had lost his chance to escape.

"You're of the Sacrificial Faction, you're sacrificing Vassal Creatures of the Netherworld!"

He looked at the diamond-shaped mark on Fang Xin's forehead that resembled snake scales, as if he had suddenly understood.

"Finally grew a brain. Yuan... are you going to tell me your name or not!"

Fang Xin walked closer while saying:

"If you weren't carrying out this broken operation, I could barely hold back from leaving the Forbidden Zone to go hunting outside."

The Snake Mother Feast is still far off; if it isn't completed, I'll be the one punished.

Fortunately, you've delivered yourselves to my doorstep!"

Fang Xin licked his lips; his internal organ tissues seemed to have Aberrated, even his tongue was a forked tongue.

"A Saint Embryo Stage Spiritual Cultivator wants to run amok in the Taian Urban Circle? That's too arrogant!"

Yuan Zheng mobilized his Flesh Vitality, preparing for a fight to the death.

"I know Taian has experts, but I'm not completely unprepared. Not long ago I took a job; someone in Center City paid a high price to kill a High School Student... heh, the reward included a ticket to leave Hengzhou."

Fang Xin's laugh was sharp and thin; he walked very slowly, as if trying to create fear to the greatest extent:

"Deliberately stalling for time with me, right? Wanting your last companion to escape? Surprised? How would I know? I really like playing little tricks with you, and then bursting your beautiful dreams at the end."

Yuan Zheng's eyes showed despair; although they had all perished in the Forbidden Zone, it would inevitably cause a huge stir and alertness in the Patrol Department.

But by then, Fang Xin would surely have completed the so-called "Snake Mother Feast" and escaped cleanly; an undiscovered Saint Embryo Stage cultivator could hide without any pressure.

No wonder this guy didn't kill everyone, just paralyzed their limbs and hung them on Iron Hooks like meat pigs.

On one hand worried about alerting the Patrol Department, on the other hand probably because the feast hadn't started yet, and these "main dishes" of ours hadn't been served yet!

"Alright. Enjoy the feeling of becoming food."

Fang Xin extended both hands; ten Qi Snakes hissed, floating in midair, surrounding Yuan Zheng completely.

Just as he was about to capture him, with a loud bang, the tightly closed metal gate was smashed through.

The white-haired man, covered in blood and in a sorry state, crawled in on all fours.

The sudden uninvited guest stunned Fang Xin, who then revealed a satisfied smile:

"Today is truly a good day! A sumptuous feast delivers itself to my door!"

The white-haired man Jiang Zaiyue was about to curse loudly, but seeing the diamond-shaped mark on the other's forehead, his pupils shrank:

"Tailless Snake Mother! Secret Sect madman!"

Damn it.

Just escaped that kid's clutches, and now walked into a wolf's den!

(Chapter End)