Chapter 327: Stalemate

Heimu listened absentmindedly to the exchange between Walter and Qingque.

Xing's attention was clearly drawn to another stall by the roadside selling Mingou Cake, and his golden eyes glittered.

(Winterwood over there…)

Heimu's primary consciousness had long, via a hidden link, been immersed in controlling the Insect Armor Assassin and in the ultra‑abstract "tug‑of‑war" with Huan Long.

She could feel the back‑and‑forth battle between herself and Huan Long taking place inside countless citizens.

Even odds, stalemate.

(This can't go on… Huan Long's level is higher after all; even constrained, its endurance is strong. I need a more proactive control…)

She maintained the listening posture of the Black Tower while communicating with the system deep in her consciousness.

【Heimu】: System, assess the current situation. I need more power to break the deadlock. Regarding the reward for the Substitute Huan Long Role Task, that 3% Repair Degree—can I advance‑draw part of it?

The system's reply was virtually instantaneous, logically clear:

【System】: Application accepted. Task "Substitute Huan Long Role Task" current completion evaluated. Meets staged‑achievement advance‑draw clause. Advanceable proportion: 50%. After advance, the task completion reward will be reduced accordingly. Confirm?

【Heimu】: Confirm. Half is fine.

A warm current, or rather a deeper sense of wholeness, silently flowed into Heimu's core.

The "Repair Degree" value hovering in her consciousness began to shift, then steadied.

42%.

Though only a slight increase, for Heimu at this moment it was like rain after a long drought.

She could perceive every inch of the Insect Armor Assassin's structure more clearly, and summon the power contained in the fragments more precisely.

(Enough.)

She pretended to nod at Qingque's introduction, while actually concentrating all her spirit.

Dongmu City, the purple Light Orb hovering on the Insect Armor Assassin's blade tip suddenly erupted with an almost blinding deep‑purple radiance!

An undeniable force, like a tsunami centered on it, swept across every place where Huan Long's power was in a stalemate!

Dongmu City·Streets and alleys

"Uhh… ahhh—!!!"

In an instant, throughout Dongmu City, countless citizens writhing in pain, their faces pallid, enduring the "sit‑up" torment of that thing inside them, simultaneously felt an irresistible "torrent"!

That thing that had been lodged in a delicate spot seemed seized by an invisible giant hand, then… without hesitation it was thrust violently toward that exit!

Pfft—!!!!

(Millions of voices should be playing here)

Liberation, shame, pain, and some oddly light sound rang simultaneously in every corner of Dongmu City.

The air seemed to freeze for a moment.

Immediately after, a death‑like silence.

Then, an overwhelming wave of… smell swept in.

It was the scent of metabolism, mixed with bits of tissue and the uncontrolled byproducts of humans in extreme distress—a composite odor beyond words.

It instantly replaced all previous aromas, becoming the main theme of Dongmu City tonight.

Weber was straining to support the pallid Yuanban Shichen, Ailisi Feier watched anxiously beside him, while Saber and Rider kept watch around.

Shi Chen only felt an unstoppable surge of power erupt from within, a place stretched to its limit could no longer hold—

His body suddenly stiffened, the last hint of color on his face drained away, pupils dilated, and a "ho" sound escaped his throat like a leak.

Pfft—!

The unreserved sound, accompanied by a tangible touch and the ensuing smell, shattered the awkward silence of the alley.

Weber froze, feeling the body of Mr. Shi Chen he was supporting go rigid in an instant, and then… the fabric near his hips that his arm touched conveyed a subtle change of moisture and warmth… plus that scent rushing straight to his nose…

Ailisi Feier covered her mouth in surprise.

Saber silently turned her head to the other side, her shoulder twitching imperceptibly.

Rider widened her eyes, then abruptly turned her head, letting out a thunderous cough as if choked.

Shi Chen lowered his head extremely slowly.

He saw the back of his expensive western trousers, where a hole already existed; now the color deepened, the area expanded, and even… an unmistakable "appendage" with a dubious hue and shape was slowly detaching from the fabric, obeying gravity, trailing a viscous tether as it fell to the ground…

Pat.

A slight yet thunder‑like thud.

Time seemed to stall again.

Shi Chen's face shifted from white to blue, then to black.

He smiled.

At first it was a low "hoho" sound forced from deep in his throat, then the noise grew louder, turning into an uncontrollable giggle that echoed through the silent alley, sounding especially harsh and eerie.

"Hehe… haha… hahahaha…!"

As he laughed, the laughter suddenly halted, as if cut by an invisible pair of scissors.

The blackness on his face vanished instantly, leaving only a dead‑gray calm of total surrender.

Then, using the last of his strength, he violently broke free from Weber's support, his gaze hollow, bearing a near‑"heroic" resolve, and slammed his head into the hard brick wall beside him!

"Father!!" Rin and Sakura screamed!

"Hey! Wait!"

Rider, quick‑eyed and swift, lunged forward in a single stride, using her broad shoulder and arm to block Shi Chen firmly!

Weber also reacted, hurriedly embracing him again.

"Let go of me! Let me die! Let me die—!!!"

Shi Chen was stopped, that dead‑gray calm shattered instantly, turning into utter madness!

He struggles, roars, his face swelling crimson from extreme shame and Despair, tears and snot burst out uncontrollably, mixing with the dust from the earlier fight, his image completely shattered, "Yuanban Family's face… my dignity… all… all… ahhh!! Kill me! You kill me!!"

Just at this chaotic moment—

Tap, tap, tap.

Steady footsteps approached from afar.

A figure dressed in a Black Priest Robe, whose cuffs seemed stained with some unknown blemish, but whose face bore a solemn expression almost like "pitying the world", appeared at the alley entrance.

It is Yan Feng Qili.

He sees the scene in the alley—Yuanban Shichen, tightly blocked by Rider and Weber, looking like a mad demon; the undeniable "evidence" spread on the ground; the complex scent lingering in the air; and beside them, Ailisi Feier with varying expressions, Saber, and two crying girls.

There is not the slightest surprise on Yan Feng Qili's face.

He steps forward steadily, his gaze sweeping over everyone, finally landing on the frenzied Shi Chen; his brows slightly furrowed, speaking in a tone that could be called "righteous and solemn", filled with a "sense of holy mission", he says:

"Teacher."

That word "Teacher", like cold water poured over his head, makes Shi Chen's frenzied roar abruptly cease.

He whirls his head sharply, his bloodshot eyes fixed rigidly on Yan Feng Qili, the gaze mixing shock with deep‑seated hatred.

"You... you... renegade! Traitor! How dare you appear?! I will kill you—!!!"