Half a year flew by in a flash.
Outwardly, the City of Chaos had regained its fragile balance. But beneath that tranquility, violent undercurrents were surging fiercely, and the eye of the storm was none other than the mysterious character "VÔ".
The Crazy Sand Gang, after its collapse, had been completely erased from existence. Their territory in the eastern district was now entirely under the administration of the Vô Sect. The Nameless Tavern, once an insignificant little shop, had become the largest intelligence hub, controlling all the information circulating throughout the city.
The Phantom Shadow Pavilion and the Black Dragon Stronghold, the two old foxes, having experienced the chessboard at the Myriad Treasures Pavilion and the subsequent upheavals, both chose to lay low and observe silently. They desperately wanted to swallow the other, yet they were deeply wary of the mysterious Vô Sect and dared not act blindly. The entirety of the City of Chaos was like a chessboard locked in a tense stalemate.
They had no idea that the one truly controlling this board was quietly sowing the seeds for an even greater tempest.
Within the secret chamber deep beneath the Nameless Tavern. Tran Kien, in the guise of Faceless, sat quietly in the head seat. Compared to half a year ago, his aura had grown even more profound, deep and unfathomable. Below him stood Thiet Phu and the ten most elite Captains of the Blood Fiend Guards.
"Lord," Thiet Phu reported respectfully. "Over the past half-year, following your commands, we have completely secured the eastern district. Our intelligence net is cast over the entire City of Chaos. The thirty-man 'Phantom' Squad, personally trained by you, has taken form; the combat prowess of each member allows them to fight one against three."
Faceless gave a faint nod. "Any movements from the Black Dragon Stronghold?"
"To answer the Lord, they have been incredibly quiet for the past six months. But recently, this subordinate discovered that they are covertly amassing their forces. It seems Blood Shadow can no longer sit still."
"Excellent," Faceless stood up. "A python that hibernates for too long must eventually awaken to hunt. It is time for this chessboard to conclude."
He looked at the map of the City of Chaos, which was now densely marked with symbols. "Blood Shadow is a cunning man; he will not launch a frontal assault. He will definitely employ the stratagem of 'Besieging the Stronghold to Annihilate the Relief Force'. He will send a small group to attack one of our new gambling dens to lure our main force out for rescue, while laying an ambush midway."
"Then... what should we do?"
"Since he wants to put on a play, we shall act along with him," Faceless said, his eyes glinting with a terrifyingly frigid light. "But the one who dictates the script... must be us."
He pointed to a gambling den named "Great Fortune." "This place is geographically secluded, easy to attack but hard to defend. Blood Shadow will definitely choose this as his point of attack."
"Thiet Phu," he commanded. "You shall personally lead fifty Blood Fiend Guards and openly rush to the rescue. Act your part well. Appear extremely hot-headed and hasty."
"Then what about the Lord..."
"Me?" The corners of Faceless's mouth curled up beneath the brim of his hat. "I am going to watch a different play."
He pointed directly at the secret lair of the Black Dragon Stronghold. "Blood Shadow wants to 'Besiege the Stronghold to Annihilate the Relief Force' against us. Then we shall answer him with a move of 'Draining the Pond to Catch the Fish'!"
"While his entire force is out ambushing you, I," he said, his voice not loud, yet causing everyone present to feel their very souls tremble, "shall bring a single saber, and single-handedly raze his lair to the ground."
An insane plan! An absolute, unyielding confidence!
This Lord didn't just possess profound strategy. He possessed a tyrannical dominance unmatched by anyone!
"THIS SUBORDINATE OBEYS THE COMMAND!"
That night.
When the Black Dragon Stronghold began their operation, attacking the Great Fortune gambling den...
When Thiet Phu, "in a thunderous rage," led a mighty force charging out of the Nameless Tavern...
When Blood Shadow, feeling incredibly smug, hid himself in an alleyway, waiting for his prey to fall into the net...
A black shadow, completely soundless, gently landed like a falling leaf upon the eaves of the secret building—the very place hoarding all the wealth and secrets of the Black Dragon Stronghold.
The true fisherman was no longer just catching fish.
This time, he intended to tear the entire net apart.