Chapter 60: They Are the Main Course

Hearing Lin Yu’s words, the golden monkey blinked in surprise, then fell into thought, as if truly understanding his meaning.

He Jingfeng also looked startled and couldn’t help saying, “Brother Lin, you mean…?”

Lin Yu smiled. “These monkeys have all absorbed Qi; their spirits have awakened. In ancient times, they’d have been considered demons.”

“Such refined monkeys, left here, would be a waste. Come with me—I might even help you advance further someday.”

“As for my sect’s base—I do have one. When I have time, I’ll certainly invite you to visit.”

Saying this, he turned back to the golden monkey before him and saw its eyes darting restlessly—he knew it was convinced.

This was only natural, for in the golden monkey’s eyes, Lin Yu did not look like an ordinary human.

The aura radiating from him blotted out sky and earth, covering the entire valley and bringing the local Qi formation under his control, causing the monkeys within it to instinctively revere him.

After a moment’s thought, the golden monkey suddenly raised its head, grabbed Lin Yu’s sleeve, and chattered incessantly, as if urging him to follow.

“...You want me to help your kind?”

Lin Yu laughed. “Then follow me!”

With that, he stepped forward, hands in his pockets, walking toward the valley ahead.

He Jingfeng hesitated, then said, “Brother Lin, we came here in haste—I haven’t done any disguise yet. If you don’t mind, I’d like to conceal myself, in case someone recognizes me.”

Lin Yu was about to say he had a way to alter his appearance, but then changed his mind—he decided it would be a good chance to see this Saint-class assassin’s methods.

So he nodded and smiled. “No problem.”

With permission granted, He Jingfeng immediately stepped into an eerie gait, his figure slowly vanishing within Qi-light.

Yet even so, Lin Yu still held his position locked, though a flicker of surprise crossed his gaze.

“...What technique is this?”

He Jingfeng answered honestly. “Ghost Step, which erases one’s presence, and Illusion Body Barrier, which hides one’s form.”

Lin Yu raised an eyebrow. “Illusion Body Barrier is a Tang Sect technique—you know it too?”

He Jingfeng shook his head. “Not the full technique—just the basic introductory methods.”

“Over centuries, every sect has had traitors. Some foundational techniques have become common knowledge. My Illusion Body Barrier came from a Tang Sect traitor who fled overseas and left it behind in the organization...”

“I see.”

Lin Yu’s expression cleared, then he turned and continued walking forward.

…

…

Meanwhile, not far ahead in the valley, a mixed international expedition team was battling the monkeys.

Dozens of varied golden monkeys perched on the stone walls on either side, clutching stones and hurling them downward relentlessly.

Though merely small stones, in their hands they were like artillery shells.

Each throw carried a terrifying shriek and a piercing rush of air.

The men below were driven into chaos, scattering in all directions, seeking cover.

Many were struck by the whistling stones—blood sprayed, limbs twisted, and agonized screams erupted.

“Sshhh—”

Another piercing sound—a stone shot past, slamming into the solid rock wall.

The stone shattered instantly, shards slicing across the cheek of a black-haired man.

Blood trickled to his lip; he licked it with his tongue, then pulled a pistol from his coat and grinned as he fired at the monkey that had thrown the stone.

“Bang!”

A gunshot rang out, blood sprayed, and the golden monkey dropped dead.

The beanie-wearing man, hiding behind cover, widened his eyes and turned to stare.

“You brought this thing?!”

“Stop wasting time—take it!”

The black-haired man glared at him, pulled out another pistol, and shoved it into the beanie-wearer’s hands.

The beanie-wearer’s eyes lit up; he grabbed the gun, fired from behind cover, and grinned. “This is the East—you actually got your hands on something like this?!”

“Hmph!”

The black-haired man scoffed. “Pistols? Look over there!”

The beanie-wearer turned, following his gaze, and saw a Thai boxer in green sportswear fighting the monkeys in an open area.

Unlike their own chaotic struggle, this boxer moved with effortless ease.

Before him, the monkeys—capable of tearing apart tigers and leopards—seemed powerless.

A single straightforward punch sent each charging monkey flying back faster than it had come.

…Were the monkeys truly weaker?

No—his fists were simply too strong!

“Boom!”

With a thunderous crash, the boxer’s fist grazed a dodging monkey and slammed into the rock wall behind it.

The hard stone cracked instantly, leaving a pit several feet deep.

“This… this is…”

The beanie-wearer stared, eyes wide with shock, at the boxer.

The black-haired man fired while murmuring, “You didn’t imagine it—that’s Muay Thai.”

“Are you kidding? That’s Muay Thai?!”

“Why not?” the black-haired man sneered. “He’s just got exceptional physical conditioning. Look over there!”

The beanie-wearer turned again and saw a white man in red clothing and a baseball cap standing in the center of the open area, dozens of stones hovering around him.

Monkeys shrieked and charged; he glanced at them, and the stones shot out instantly, striking the nearest monkey with perfect accuracy.

“...Is this telekinesis?!”

“Just psychokinesis.”

The black-haired man grinned. “Now you understand—this team isn’t as simple as you thought. Beyond us ordinary mercenaries, there are monsters like them hidden among us.”

“Facing these monsters, I still think two pistols aren’t enough!”

Before he finished speaking, a figure descended from above, claws slicing the air as they flashed toward the black-haired man’s face.

“Damn!”

The black-haired man’s pupils shrank; he gritted his teeth and dodged backward.

“Bang!”

At that moment, a gunshot rang out—the monkey beside him dropped to the ground, a trail of blood sliding past the black-haired man’s feet.

He looked up, startled, to see two white men approaching.

The leader, blond with blue eyes, held a silver revolver and regarded them calmly. “Ben, listen to me—take these people and get out of here. These monkeys aren’t something you can handle.”

“And what about you?”

“We’ll stay and hold them off.”

“...You two?”

Ben grinned. “Elijah, Vesta—you’re like them too. How many more monsters are in this team?”

…

Elijah Jones glanced at him, said nothing, and turned away with Vesta.

Ben clenched his teeth, exchanged a look with the beanie-wearer, then shouted loudly, leading the ordinary members of the team into flight.

Elijah and Vesta stood at the edge of the battlefield, scanning the combatants, and smiled faintly. “Figured them out yet?”

“Mm.” Vesta, tall and calm, replied. “Charn is Muay Thai, Nash is a psychokinetic, Hongda practices yoga—likely the Hatha path of suffering...”

Elijah smiled. “That’s all?”

Vesta turned to watch the fleeing crowd. “The guide, ‘Liu,’ and the protected target, ‘Judy,’ are both our kind too. And there’s one more who hasn’t moved—but I can sense his presence.”

“Miss Shaba.”

Elijah said coolly. “She carries a peculiar scent—likely a Druid or Voodoo priestess...”

Vesta frowned. “I still don’t understand why the employer mixed ‘us’ with ‘them’ in this team. Wouldn’t it be better to have only our kind protecting the target?”

You’d have to ask the employer...

Elijah was about to speak when a slightly amused voice reached his ear.

“Without these ordinary people, how can you test the Qi formation here?”

“To be blunt—in this banquet, they are the main course. You’re just garnish!”

(End of Chapter)