Chen Jinzhao was truly bewildered.
For people like them, daggers were the most practical and easiest weapons to wield, being small, agile, and controllable.
Long swords, on the other hand, only looked good; their combat effectiveness was far inferior to daggers.
So why was someone using a sword now?
Chen Jinzhao racked his brain but couldn't figure it out.
Li Xiaoning sidled closer, "Any new discoveries?"
Chen Jinzhao shook his head, "No new discoveries. I'm also very puzzled why these people were killed, and the killer was so swift and clean, leaving no trace."
Li Xiaoning hummed.
Chen Jinzhao began searching the bodies. Through their belongings, he could identify that they all came from Mitelli, possibly belonging to the Black Blood organization.
Even members of the Black Blood group dying here made the murder case even more perplexing.
Initially, Chen Jinzhao thought Mitelli possessed the true coordinates, but it seemed that was not the case. Otherwise, given the close relationship between the Black Blood organization and Mitelli, they would have shared the coordinates. This left only one explanation:
Even Mitelli didn't know the actual location.
"If even Mitelli doesn't know, then things go back to square one. The Life Crystal originated from Mitelli. Now, even Mitelli doesn't know the meteorite's impact point. Why would they dare to barge into China's far north?" Chen Jinzhao was getting dizzy.
"And what force killed these Mitelli people?"
No one answered, only the wind whispered.
Chen Jinzhao stood up, "Let's go to the next location. I have a feeling this matter is filled with an eerie atmosphere."
Perhaps—
The so-called Life Crystal was a deception from the very beginning.
"Li Xiaoning, let's keep moving. Let's go to that spot on your map and see if we can find any other clues," Chen Jinzhao said.
Li Xiaoning nodded.
"Then, the bodies of these people..."
Chen Jinzhao didn't even look at them. "They aren't our people. It serves them right to die here. Let them feed the black bears in the forest; consider it their contribution to us."
"Oh, understood," Li Xiaoning replied.
The two of them briefly ate some dry rations on the spot before continuing on their way.
They hadn't gone far when Chen Jinzhao suddenly stopped. Li Xiaoning instantly became alert, having developed good habits.
"What is it?"
Chen Jinzhao said to Li Xiaoning, "It seems someone is coming. You hide first."
Li Xiaoning hummed and, carrying her pack, quickly ran behind a rock, then poked her head out to look in Chen Jinzhao's direction.
Chen Jinzhao put down his pack and stretched.
"You've been following for a while now. Why don't you show yourselves?" Chen Jinzhao addressed the air.
Before Li Xiaoning could react, she saw three figures dressed in black emerge from three directions. These three wore only thin jackets, and Li Xiaoning felt cold for them. However, they moved with ease, unaffected by the temperature.
"That's right."
"These three must be the Eastern Samurai mentioned by Gongcheng Qianye. I didn't expect to encounter them here."
In the clearing.
Chen Jinzhao glanced at the three Easterners.
The leading Easterner stopped about five meters away from Chen Jinzhao and said sternly, "When did you discover us?"
"Guess?" Chen Jinzhao didn't answer.
The three Easterners shot Chen Jinzhao icy glares. "You are Chinese. You killed our subordinates?"
Chen Jinzhao calmly replied, "You are very smart."
Igawa Yuta, the leader, his gaze turned even colder, and a chill emanated from him. "You have guts, killing our people and admitting it. If I'm not mistaken, those Mitelli people also died at your hands?"
"Hand over the item, and we can give you a choice of how to die."
Chen Jinzhao chuckled. "You've misunderstood. I only killed your Eastern people and some from Nanyang. I didn't kill those Mitelli people. Although I would kill them if I encountered them alive, I won't take the blame for what I didn't do. Also, I will kill the three of you. Consider this a death prophecy."
Igawa Yuta was furious.
He had killed Easterners and dared to be so arrogant; he clearly hadn't had enough.
"What about that thing?" Igawa Yuta demanded.
In his mind—
Chen Jinzhao must have snatched the meteorite from the Mitelli people.
Chen Jinzhao snorted, "You ask me? I want to ask you. If you can hand over the item, I'll allow you to choose your method of death."
"Baka!" Igawa Yuta thought Chen Jinzhao was toying with them.
Consumed by rage, Igawa Yuta ordered the two beside him, "Take him down together. Remember to keep him alive."
"Kill!"
All three produced short swords.
Immediately, they charged at Chen Jinzhao with incredible speed. The three short swords posed a significant threat to Chen Jinzhao.
Li Xiaoning's eyes widened in alarm as the three attacked. Their strength seemed to be significantly greater than that of Rattlesnake, and Chen Jinzhao might be in danger.
The next moment.
Chen Jinzhao moved too.
To Li Xiaoning's astonishment, Chen Jinzhao charged directly at the three Eastern Samurai.
After a brief exchange, both sides quickly separated.
Chen Jinzhao turned, facing the three Eastern Samurai behind him. At the same moment, the three Eastern Samurai also turned around.
Igawa Yuta's pupils had shrunk to the size of needle points. During the brief clash, he realized Chen Jinzhao's speed was too fast, and his swordsmanship was incredibly refined. They were no match for him, considering they were A-class samurai!
This meant Chen Jinzhao was definitely legendary—an S-class.
"You..."
Igawa Yuta's expression became grave.
He had only uttered one word when Igawa Yuta suddenly realized something was wrong. The companion to his right suddenly coughed up blood. Before Igawa Yuta could ask what was happening, a thin red line appeared on this companion's neck.
A gust of wind blew, and his head fell to the ground.
This scene had a tremendous impact on Igawa Yuta. His equally skilled companion had died in such a bizarre manner.
The next moment.
Igawa Yuta thought of something and immediately touched his own neck.
Fortunately.
There was no wound.
He turned to look at his other companion. This companion had also checked his neck and found no injuries.
The companion chuckled thankfully, "Igawa-san, I'm fine."
But Igawa Yuta's gaze turned to one of extreme terror. This companion hadn't realized what had happened yet and hesitated, "Igawa-san, what's wrong?"
A moment later.
This companion realized something, and his smile gradually stiffened.
He suddenly felt a chill in his chest.
He looked down—
A horrifying bloody hole appeared in his chest, piercing through to his heart.
Some people are alive, but in reality, they are already dead.