Chapter 124: Chen Ling, Why Do You Look So Bad

Han Meng walked through the ruined, blood-soaked streets directly toward the Enforcer Headquarters. Numerous figures bustled about, tallying the casualties from the recent attack.

Seeing the three enforcers approaching together, people respectfully bowed. One enforcer quickly stepped forward.

"Brother Meng, the approximate number of casualties from this attack has been tallied."

Han Meng paused. "What's the count?"

The enforcer consulted his documents and replied, "A preliminary estimate indicates approximately seven thousand fatalities from this attack. Furthermore, at least eight thousand people are severely injured and undergoing emergency treatment, with over ten thousand sustaining minor injuries."

"Among these, Frost Street reported the fewest casualties, with nearly all residents surviving. Cold Wind Street and Cold Snow Street had the next lowest numbers."

Upon hearing these figures, Xi Renjie let out a small sigh of relief. This was significantly better than he had anticipated.

Han Meng paused, then glanced at Chen Ling beside him in surprise. He knew that Frost Street was under Chen Ling's jurisdiction, and Cold Snow Street was adjacent to it. The remarkably low casualty rates in both areas were very likely due to Chen Ling's efforts.

He was genuinely astonished that a newly promoted enforcer could achieve such results.

Chen Ling, sensing Han Meng's gaze, met his eyes. Han Meng then looked away, nodded slightly to the enforcer, and took the documents.

"I understand. Please continue your work."

With that, he led Chen Ling and Xi Renjie into the innermost office, closing the door and drawing the curtains.

In the quiet office, Han Meng's expression visibly darkened with seriousness.

"Brother Meng, what's wrong?"

Xi Renjie, noticing this, asked confusedly, "Didn't you eliminate all the Calamities? Why do you still...?"

"This Grey Realm convergence is highly unusual," Han Meng stated, slowly sinking into his chair. His face was etched with fatigue, perhaps from the mental strain of the recent battle. "I entered the Grey Realm through the convergence point at the steel factory."

"You went into the Grey Realm?"

Xi Renjie's eyes widened in shock.

"Yes," Han Meng calmly nodded. "At the spatial location corresponding to District Three within the Grey Realm, there's more than one convergence point. The one at the steel factory was likely the first to form, which explains its larger scope. While the other points are still small and currently incapable of allowing Calamities through, it's probably only a matter of time."

At this point, Chen Ling recalled having indeed seen those smaller convergence points within the Grey Realm himself.

"More than one Grey Realm convergence point... How is that possible?" Xi Renjie frowned deeply.

"I find it impossible as well, considering this has never occurred since the Aurora Domain was established. But I know what I saw."

"So, if that's the case, this Calamity attack isn't over, and there could be a second or third one?" Chen Ling questioned.

"Precisely."

Chen Ling instantly felt a headache brewing. A single fifth-tier Calamity had nearly annihilated District Three. If more were to appear, how could the three of them possibly hold out?

"That's why I've kept this information strictly between the two of you," Han Meng stated slowly. "Following this Calamity attack, District Three has suffered extremely heavy casualties, and public morale is highly unstable. If this were to get out, it would likely cause widespread panic."

A moment later, Chen Ling suddenly asked, "Still no word from Aurora City?"

"None," Han Meng replied, his face grave. "That's precisely what I was about to discuss... I need to go to Aurora City personally."

Hearing this, a flicker of surprise crossed Xi Renjie's face. He immediately said, "To Aurora City? Alone?"

"Indeed... This is the only option left," Chen Ling mused. "Since communication can't be established, the most direct approach is to speak with them face-to-face. Fortunately, Aurora City isn't particularly far from District Three."

"Chen Ling is right."

Han Meng nodded. "I'm unsure if this fog is disrupting communications, but Aurora City has been unresponsive. However, this situation is too critical; if left unaddressed, District Three could face utter destruction. We must report this to Aurora City as soon as possible and inform them to send reinforcements. I'm the fastest; I can make a round trip to Aurora City within a day. The two of you must maintain order in District Three while I'm gone."

"Understood," Xi Renjie replied solemnly.

Han Meng was about to rise and leave when he seemed to remember something and paused.

"One more thing."

"What is it?"

"A member of the Twilight Society has crossed the Grey Realm and entered District Three."

As soon as this was said, Xi Renjie's expression changed instantly. He repeated, a mix of shock and fear on his face, "A Twilight Society member?"

"Yes, a Fuser with a very peculiar ability, even capable of retaining color within the Grey Realm..."

Xi Renjie frowned deeply. After listening to Han Meng's description, his expression turned peculiar:

"Was he... wearing red?"

"You saw him too?" Han Meng's gaze sharpened.

Xi Renjie quickly recounted his encounter with the person in red. Han Meng listened intently, while Chen Ling stood silently to the side, maintaining a composed, almost meditative, demeanor.

"The abilities match; it appears to be the same person."

Han Meng rubbed his chin, a rare look of deep perplexity clouding the face of the usually sharp and experienced enforcer.

"He's clearly a Fuser, yet he preys on Calamities... Who exactly is this 'Red Heart 6'?"

"They say Twilight Society members are all mad, so maybe it's not so strange for them to consume Calamities?" A look of lingering dread crossed Xi Renjie's face; he hadn't imagined he'd had a direct encounter with a Twilight Society member. "But seriously, how could he stomach those disgusting centipedes?"

"Centipedes?" Chen Ling's expression faltered.

"The Calamities from earlier. Even though they were completely black and hard to distinguish, their appearance suggested they were centipedes, didn't it?" Xi Renjie asked, uncertainly.

"They are indeed centipedes, though they originate from the Ghost Mockery Abyss and are only a minor offshoot of the insectoid creatures found there," Han Meng added.

"The Ghost Mockery Abyss? Where is that?"

"It's likely a location within the Grey Realm; I don't know the specifics."

"Alright... Chen Ling, why do you look so pale?"

Xi Renjie asked, noting Chen Ling's slightly pale complexion.

"...Nothing, I'm just a bit tired," Chen Ling replied hoarsely.

Han Meng checked the time, then, without further delay, left the Enforcer Headquarters, transforming into a streak of black light that vanished into the thick fog. Xi Renjie patted Chen Ling's shoulder comfortingly.

"Get some good rest."

With that, he turned and left the room.

Once Chen Ling was left alone in the room, the intense nausea he had been desperately suppressing surged forth. He immediately clutched the trash can beside the table and began to dry heave violently.