"Listen! Someone!" The leading masked man suddenly whispered sharply, instantly on alert.

A series of orderly and heavy footsteps, accompanied by the clattering sound of armor, came from the alley’s entrance ahead, getting closer and closer. Judging by the sound, there were no less than ten people.

The three men instantly fell silent, exchanged glances, and immediately suppressed their presence, slowing their pace as if they were leisurely traveling. They supported each other, naturally leading the way toward a narrower side road on the right, trying to avoid the approaching troops.

However, as soon as they rounded the corner, they were face-to-face with another squad of fully armed soldiers.

"Who?!"

The light of the torches instantly illuminated the narrow alley, revealing the faces of the Forbidden Army Soldiers.

The heart of the masked man sank, but the leader reacted swiftly, stepping forward and pulling out the Zige Bureau waist badge, raising it high and shouting, "Zige Bureau on duty! Who are you not to clear the way swiftly?!"

The flickering torchlight cast upon the cold waist badge.

Yang Chongwei’s gaze fell on the badge and then slowly swept over the four suspicious-looking figures in front of him, a smile slowly spreading across his lips. "Boys, you caught the right people, kill!"

As his words fell, the elite soldiers behind him drew their swords simultaneously, the cold light flashing.

The trio was momentarily stunned, then shouted, "We are from the Zige Bureau, what are your intentions?!"

"It’s you from the Zige Bureau that we’re going to kill!"

Yang Chongwei, who had long been ready to act, roared fiercely, and the blade erupted under the torchlight, mercilessly cleaving toward the people in the alley.

...........

A cluster of sparks ascended from the gloom of Dragon Tail City, swiftly climbing into the night sky, and with a flash, it burst into a dazzling ball of light.

Chen Yi watched with his hands behind his back.

Indeed, there’s no need to look; you can judge by the direction of the wind that clusters of energies are converging from the depths of the night towards the streets below the light ball.

Given that the Chief Envoy of the Divine Sect Heretics was personally visiting Dragon Tail City, it was impossible that there were only a few people. Thus, he and Qin Qingluo surmised that the heretics had long infiltrated the city along with the influx of refugees.

He suddenly recalled a previous dream, where dice spun wildly in a gambling den, everyone was enchanted by gambling, and the chips piled higher and higher, all for the final winner-takes-all.

But this is the Southern Border, it’s Dragon Tail City, and here, there’s only ever been one dealer—Annan Royal Mansion.

"With this turn of events, the heretics who intended to hide behind the scenes and reap the benefits like fishermen were instead pushed onto the gambling table."

Qin Qingluo glanced at him, Chen Yi slightly raised his eyebrows, his tone calm and slightly proud.

He had always been skilled at calculating these petty gains.

The female Prince intended to discipline him but given the unresolved situation and seeing that he was still enthusiastic, she said, "You’ve done well, I’m not worried."

Seeing he seemed unsatisfied, Qin Qingluo added afterward, "...rely on you more in the future."

Chen Yi nodded slightly, deliberately showing a hint of pride to let it fall into Qin Qingluo’s eyes.

"So, when do you think we should act?" Qin Qingluo asked.

"Wait, wait for the Supreme to act first."

Qin Qingluo looked into the distance and then said, "That won’t be long."

........

The moment the word "kill!" was uttered, the narrow alley instantly transformed into a bloody chaotic scene.

"Protect the elder!" The leading masked man shrieked sternly, his voice distorted due to extreme tension.

Reacting the fastest, facing the multiple blades hacking toward him, he advanced instead of retreating. The nearly five-foot-long dark metal bone flute was not just for show; as he wielded it, it emitted a low, eerie sound with a force that unsettled the mind.

The flute body was exceptionally hard, blocking two long blades attacking head-on, producing sharp metallic clashing sounds, with sparks flying. However, the bone flute was too short in this close-quarters alley fight, instantly falling at a disadvantage.

He blocked two blades, but the third one cunningly aimed at his ribs.

"Boss!" The slender masked man on the left screeched, his ten fingers snapping, creating explosive sounds as ten flying dart iron shuttles, shimmering with dark green light, shot straight towards the faces and throats of a few Forbidden Army Soldiers attacking the burly masked man.

The toxic shuttles were extremely vicious, moving at high speed and from tricky angles, forcing those soldiers to backtrack and block to save themselves, instantly relieving the burly masked man’s immediate crisis.

However, the masked man on the right, holding a heavy curved back blade, was not as fortunate.

He had just drawn his dual blades, attempting to carve a bloody path, only to be entangled by three well-coordinated elite Forbidden Army Soldiers. The curved blade was powerful and heavy, but in this limited space, it was difficult to use fully. A brave Forbidden Army Soldier lunged forward, deliberately crashing into his arms with his shoulder, restricting his blade-swinging space, while the other two long blades viciously pierced into his waist.

"Third brother!" The burly masked man’s eyes widened in rage, swinging his bone flute in an attempt to rescue his comrade, but Yang Chongwei personally struck with a heavy blade. The blow was massive and carried a mountain-cracking force, forcing the burly masked man to block with his flute in haste.

The overwhelming force transmitted from the bone flute caused the burly masked man’s grip to tear, nearly losing hold of the flute, and he staggered back several steps, his blood churning, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth beneath the mask.

Meanwhile, the slender masked man raised his hand again, shooting several green glimmers to repel the enemy on the other side.

But the Forbidden Army was numerous and well-trained, instantly splitting into two to raise shields and protect their vitals, charging through the flying shuttles. The slender masked man was skilled with hidden weapons, but lacked in close combat, and was knocked off balance by the shield bearers, who rammed into him. He groaned, his form wavering. A blade flashed by, severing one of his arms along with several flying shuttles yet to be launched.

Several blades stabbed forward immediately, killing him on the spot.

"Second brother!" The burly masked man, ignoring his own injuries, swung the bone flute with wailing sounds frantically, but more blades already surrounded him.