Chapter 413: Outset Not Favorable

Jian was in a very good mood.

Over the past month, he had been on a mission in the South Sea Realm with a senior member of the Twilight Society. Although the process was full of twists and turns, this experience not only helped him advance to the third tier but also allowed him to fully adapt to the rhythm of the Twilight Society.

Just as he was brimming with confidence, reveling in the joy of completing the mission and successfully advancing, he received a new assignment from the higher-ups.

So, he boarded a realm train alone and arrived in the Red Dust Realm.

"Nothing much has changed here since I was last here... I wonder how that guy, Heart 6, is doing."

Jian Changsheng, hands in his leather jacket pockets, walked across the platform directly towards the station exit.

However, just as he rounded a corner, about to leave, a dozen police officers were blocking the inner station exit, seemingly conducting individual checks on passengers from this realm train.

Seeing this, Jian Changsheng paused slightly.

"That's odd... Last time I took the train, there wasn't a procedure like this, was there?"

Although puzzled, he had already walked this far and couldn't turn back, so he gritted his teeth and proceeded.

"Wait a moment," a police officer stepped forward and stopped him.

"What is it?"

"Please show your ticket."

Jian Changsheng handed over the ticket with a strange expression.

The officer carefully examined the ticket several times, asking, "Jian Wubing... from the South Sea Realm?"

"Yes."

"What are you doing in the Red Dust Realm?"

"Visiting relatives."

"Visiting relatives?" The officer took out a notebook from his pocket. "What's your relative's name, where do they live, and are there any other family members?"

"Uh..." Jian Changsheng was a bit flustered but quickly replied, "My relative's name is Lin Yan, he's my distant cousin, and he's passed away... I'm here to pay my last respects."

"What was his original address? Where was the body cremated?"

Cold sweat began to seep from Jian Changsheng's forehead.

When it came to acting and disguise, he was nowhere near Chen Ling's level. Under the relentless questioning, some cracks still appeared in his story. But he couldn't be blamed; previously, when he took realm trains, no one ever interrogated him. For some reason, the Red Dust Realm's defenses were incredibly strict this time.

"This... I wouldn't know," Jian Changsheng said, spreading his hands helplessly.

The officer's brow furrowed slightly. He scrutinized Jian Changsheng for a long time before stating sternly, "Excuse me, please come back with us... Take him away."

Several officers immediately surrounded him, blocking all his escape routes.

Jian Changsheng's expression changed slightly, and he couldn't help but curse inwardly. He had just arrived in the Red Dust Realm; before he could even flex his muscles, was he going to be thrown into prison again?

What kind of rotten luck is this!

Just as Jian Changsheng was contemplating whether to force his way through, something clanged as it fell from outside, bounced twice on the ground, and slid perfectly to a stop right in front of him.

Jian Changsheng froze, and the surrounding police officers also froze.

They stared at the suddenly appearing grenade. Half a second later, a loud "Holy shit!" burst from Jian Changsheng's mouth!

Boom—!!!

Violent flames engulfed the station entrance, and thick smoke billowed up. The sudden deafening roar startled everyone else on the street.

"Hahaha! I'm here to pick you up!"

A hand suddenly emerged from the smoke, firmly grasping the mangled Jian Changsheng, like picking up a chicken, and shot like an afterimage towards the small path beside the station.

There, a motorcycle with a 'ghost flame' paint job had been waiting for a long time.

Vroom—!

As the figure tossed Jian Changsheng onto the seat, the motorcycle roared defiantly through the thick smoke and sped away!

Jian Changsheng's mangled flesh slowly healed on the back of the motorcycle, but his mind was almost shattered by the sheer speed. Even now, he hadn't fully processed what had happened.

"Damn it... What's going on?" Jian Changsheng rasped.

"It's me, rookie," the rider said, looking back with a grin. "Don't you recognize me?"

"Heart 9??"

Seeing the familiar face, Jian Changsheng immediately recalled that this mischief-maker had joined them when they traveled from the Aurora Realm to the Red Dust Realm. He hadn't expected the other person to still be in the Red Dust Realm now.

Seeing that it was one of their own, Jian Changsheng finally breathed a sigh of relief. But then again, what kind of ally throws a grenade at their comrade's feet??

"Bro, you blew me up?!"

"We needed to cause a commotion to get you out of there... Besides, you can't die, so what's the big deal if I blow you up a bit?" Heart 9 replied nonchalantly while riding.

Jian Changsheng was speechless.

After a while, Jian Changsheng's body had mostly recovered. He sat up behind Heart 9 and asked again:

"By the way, what's the situation in the Red Dust Realm now? Why are the defenses so strict?"

"How would I know... About half a month ago, those guys from the Fleeting Life Scroll started acting crazy, initiating city-wide searches in the middle of the night. The personnel at every checkpoint doubled, and it's been on high alert ever since, like a cat with its tail stepped on," Heart 9 replied helplessly.

"If I hadn't snuck in earlier, I'd probably be in the same predicament as you."

"...Alright."

Jian Changsheng looked back. "But with this stunt, our whereabouts are exposed. The coming days will be tough."

"Hahahahaha..."

"What are you laughing at?"

"Don't you think this is exciting?" Heart 9 twisted the motorcycle's throttle, and a beast-like roar erupted from the exhaust. He grinned widely. "This is how it should be! Being chased, being intercepted—it's much more fun than in Aurora City!"

Jian Changsheng's mouth twitched uncontrollably. He couldn't help but curse, "Damn it... Is there no normal person among the Hearts?"

"What, missing your old friend?"

"Where's Heart 6? I have a score to settle with him," Jian Changsheng said, grinding his teeth as if remembering something.

"How would I know? He should still be in the Ancient Repository of Theatrics, right?"

"...Alright."

"May I ask, sir... are you an envoy from the Golden Society?"

When the old man asked this question, the girl beside him visibly paused, as if she had realized something, and shock also appeared in her eyes.

Chen Ling took in both of their reactions, his eyes narrowing slightly.

His mind raced for a moment before he slowly turned around. Without admitting or denying anything, he casually brushed dust from his clothes and, pulling the carriage, headed straight towards the main city of Red Dust.

His red robes swayed gently in the wind as he said faintly, "Let's go... to the main city."