In the darkness, Wang Hai’an walked alone under the dim streetlights.
To save energy, the high-walled city lit its streetlights at intervals, and their brightness was not high, merely enough to vaguely see the ground. Even the sides of the road were pitch black.
After nightfall, almost no one moved within the city, except in the black market area.
Wang Hai’an was the exception.
He was currently heading towards the black market.
From the shadows, Shirley followed him silently, her presence concealed to the lowest degree.
After walking for a while, Wang Hai’an suddenly stopped, his expression freezing.
It was a message from Qin Wenxuan.
Qin Wenxuan: "I'm all set on my end. We've just finished the cultural popularization campaign for the New Dynasty, spreading concepts like fairness, harmony, and non-violence, and then we'll promote Zhao Xiyue and the others."
"Tomorrow, after Jiang Chenchen reveals the source of the virus, I'll send more people to protest outside the laboratory."
Wang Hai’an: "Excellent. While this strategy of 'over-praise leading to downfall' might not work on others, it should be effective against Zhao Xiyue!"
"From my observations, her heart is very pure, and she dislikes using violence to solve problems. So, we'll let those people make a big fuss, but be careful to maintain boundaries – absolutely no physical contact. If there's any physical contact, it must be from Zhao Xiyue's side. I'll arrange for someone to record it from a corner."
"Ultimately, whether they resort to violence to suppress it or not, it will be beneficial to us."
"And… later, I'll try to persuade some important figures to oppose Zhao Xiyue with me. Even if we can't impeach her, we must significantly damage her confidence!"
Qin Wenxuan: "That's great! I feel like after this morning's commotion, our supporters are starting to increase."
Wang Hai’an: "Isn't this all within expectations? It's just that I have a tail tailing me right now. I suspect Zhao Xiyue has become suspicious of me."
"So, we need to resolve this troublesome Zhao Xiyue sooner."
Qin Wenxuan: "Ha, someone's watching you? Don't they know you have dual talents in Cunning and Illusion? They specifically counter assassination and tracking type enemies!"
Wang Hai’an: "Normally, I would continue to hide my strength, but now… tonight's operation is very important. I don't mind showing a little power to give this tail a taste of its own medicine."
Qin Wenxuan: "Haha, have fun. I need to rest, otherwise, my roommate will get suspicious."
Wang Hai’an: "Mhm, alright!"
He closed the chat message, and his expression returned to its natural state.
Although Shirley could see from the shadows that Wang Hai’an was privately chatting with someone, she couldn't determine who it was, let alone the content of the conversation.
Thus, Wang Hai’an had no reason to be secretive.
The Cunning talent was designed for counter-reconnaissance, anti-traps, and simultaneously counter-attacking enemy talents.
This talent had relatively weak active offensive capabilities but was adept at utilizing enemy traps and skills for counter-measures.
Therefore, if Shirley wasn't tracking him, his talent would be of little use. However, now that Shirley had actively triggered Wang Hai’an’s talent, the outcome was different.
Wang Hai’an paused in place, then suddenly turned and walked towards the direction of the high walls.
"Hmm? This guy suddenly changed direction, has he discovered me?"
Shirley found it somewhat strange.
But she dared not give up.
What if the path Wang Hai’an had taken earlier was just to mislead his followers, and he was now heading towards his real target?
So, Shirley continued to hide in the shadows and quickly followed.
Wang Hai’an walked along the main road for a while, then suddenly turned, entering a pitch-black alley.
This alley was difficult to track, so Shirley chose to leap onto the rooftops, continuing her pursuit from above, constantly watching every move below.
Wang Hai’an walked further and further into the secluded areas, arriving at the undeveloped old city district.
This place was once very prosperous, but now it was merely a dilapidated block.
Abandoned vehicles that had not been cleared were everywhere, along with household garbage dumped from other districts.
Wang Hai’an stopped in the center of the abandoned cars.
Shirley waited for more than ten minutes, but Wang Hai’an remained motionless.
She cautiously shot an arrow towards Wang Hai’an!
Swish!
Bang!
Suddenly, a dull explosion sounded, and countless venomous snakes burst from Wang Hai’an's body, scattering in all directions.
"It's a clone after all… I really underestimated this guy. He actually has the Cunning talent!"
Shirley frowned.
This meant that tailing Wang Hai’an in the future had become impossible.
However, at the same time, Wang Hai’an had exposed his true strength.
He was definitely not as harmless as he appeared.
While the Cunning talent countered assassination talents, it was on the premise that both parties were of the same level.
Shirley had absorbed the crystal core given by Zhang Chen and had already advanced to the level of an extraordinary being. Yet, she still couldn't see through Wang Hai’an's identity, implying he was at least an extraordinary being.
The strength level he had registered on the previous table was not this high, otherwise, he wouldn’t have been assigned to a clerical position.
Zhao Xiyue was right, this Wang Hai’an indeed has a problem!
...
In a small reception room of a black market hotel.
Qian Xinxin, wearing a qipao and with her legs crossed, leaned lazily on the sofa, squinting at Wang Hai’an and saying impatiently:
"Just say what you need to say, don't beat around the bush. I'm getting sleepy!"
Wang Hai’an smiled slightly and said:
"Before we talk business, I'd like to demonstrate my specialty."
"This spray can detect whether a person has taken a subservience agent, an agent that makes people obedient to the user!"
"If the spray doesn't change color when it encounters a person, it means they haven't taken it. If it turns red, it means they have taken the subservience agent!"
"For example, you, you haven't taken this agent, because I just secretly used the spray, and it didn't change color."
Qian Xinxin yawned and said:
"Isn't that obvious? I manage the black market, and I'm loyal to His Majesty. I have no need to take any agents."
"Loyal?" Wang Hai’an chuckled and said:
"You are loyal, but some people may not be so confident in you. For instance, this senior merchant behind you has been drugged with a subservience agent, and the owner of the agent is likely your 'loyal' Majesty!"
Wang Hai’an flashed, suddenly appearing beside the female merchant behind Qian Xinxin, and sprayed lightly.
As expected, the spray gradually turned red.
Then, before the other party could react, Wang Hai’an suddenly produced a sharp knife and fiercely stabbed it into her heart.
As the person was taking her last breath, he collected the corpse.
Only a few bloodstains remained at the scene.