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Chapter 923: Saint Leader
Chapter 923: Saint Leader
Southern Nanji District, six o’clock in the morning.
The sky was still dark, with only a hint of grayish blue on the horizon heralding the coming dawn.
The Ocean River Union's underground base entrance, once hidden in a forest, now lay in ruins after Chen Ying's bombing. The Heavenly Way had filled the resulting crater, but where trees once stood, only desolate land covered in snow remained.
Four figures stood amid the snow: Liao Liao, Hong Xiaoxiao, Chen Ying, and Heavenly Dog. A black jeep sped toward them, leaving clear tire tracks in its wake. As it stopped before them, a man flashed out—no door opening needed. His hair, now running down beyond his chin, framed a delicate, almost androgynous face. He wore a trench coat, his eyes deep and dark.
When Liao Liao and Gao Yang stood on opposing sides, Liao Liao had only felt fear and dread for the man; now that he became her companion and his story became known to her, Liao Liao felt melancholy, even sympathy for the man when she saw him—although she knew she was in no place to pity him.
She collected her thoughts and reported concisely, “Captain, the Ocean River Union has moved.”
Gao Yang nodded. Her message had already informed him of this: Liao Liao's insects had scouted the underground base and found no one.
“I can’t be 100% certain, though,” Liao Liao said. “The insects have limited intelligence. They may have gotten fooled by an illusion.”
“Yes, we should make sure.” Gao Yang raised both hands.
Without prompting, Hong Xiaoxiao and Chen Ying stepped forward, each briefly clasping one of his hands.
Gao Yang turned to Liao Liao, who watched with confusion. What are they doing? Is this some corporate culture thing where they have to shake their leader's hands before moving out?
"Let me borrow your Intangibility."
Liao Liao blinked. "You're moving on your own?"Nôv(el)B\\jnn
Gao Yang smiled. "Stay put here."
"Yeah!"
There was no one, and no clues or important items to be found.
Gao Yang frowned, a bad premonition settling over him. The Ocean River Union must have moved quietly, preparing for some hidden scheme.
His gaze lifted to the door at the corridor's end. There lay the last room to inspect: the morgue.
The cold metal door was locked, but no barrier or trap protected it. Gao Yang teleported inside.
The morgue was compact, its freezer-like chill maintained by still-running electricity. Amid the permeating cold stood dozens of refrigerated beds. All empty, save one in the corner. On it lay a body bag containing what looked like half a cadaver.
The sight hit Gao Yang like a physical blow. He stood frozen.
Ten seconds passed before his expression settled back into one of calmness. He approached the bed with measured steps, alert for danger.
Shrouded in translucent golden energy, he reached the body bag.
He zipped it down, revealing a girl's pale face.
Someone had cleaned the blood from her hair and face, restored and covered the burned and cut parts of her skin. Beyond her pallor, she looked just as she had in life.
Long black hair flowed softly over her shoulders, arranged with a rabbit hairpin. Her eyes were closed, her button nose still lovely. Her small, full lips had lost all color.
Chilling air continued to flow from above. Her eyelashes seemed to flutter, as if at any moment, she might open those bright, mischievous almond-shaped eyes. As if she might flash those sharp canine teeth with that cute, sweet face and deliver one of her cutting remarks.
“It's been a few days, Gao Yang. You've gone up in the world, it seems.”
“Oh, isn’t it Elder Seven Shadow? It’s only been a few days. How did you become such a loser already?”
“Oh, really? I can’t wait! Make sure to notify me when that happens. I’m attending the funeral banquet.”