Chapter 152 – Clowns on a Stage, Part Three

Volume 3: Rising Winds and Clouds

The battle was fierce.

The clash between three powerhouses made the entire Military Headquarters building shake and tremble.

Fortunately, its unknown defensive measures were holding firm.

Another unidentified defensive force surrounded Lin Haifeng himself, allowing him to sip his tea at leisure so close to the fighting.

That old fox would never entrust his safety entirely to others.

Sequence 5, Yang Pengguang, was at late Level 4. He had gained a great deal in the Outpost Treasure Land and had now converted all those rewards into strength.

Fang Bai was slightly weaker. But as a powerhouse cultivated by the Military, he possessed an excellent combination of Skills. Even one-on-one, Yang Pengguang could not have defeated him quickly.

Then there was Qin Min.

The moment he struck, terrifying power poured in every direction, enough to make both Yang Pengguang and Fang Bai take notice.

Sequence 7, Qin Min, was at the peak of Level 4.

…

Sequence 5 and Sequence 7. Their Sequence Numbers were not far apart.

But a higher place did not necessarily mean greater strength. In truth, even Wen Yu couldn't work out what the Sequence actually represented.

Potential? Power? Something else entirely? Perhaps only the Ruler could answer that.

Watching the battle, however, Lin Haifeng could be certain of one thing.

Qin Min was stronger than Yang Pengguang.

His Physical Attribute alone was considerably higher, and his Skill combination was no worse. Once he joined the fight, its outcome became clear.

Under the combined pressure of Fang Bai and Qin Min, Yang Pengguang abandoned his attempt to finish the mission and kill Lin Haifeng. Now he lunged this way and that, trying to escape the room.

Too late.

…

A hand picked up the teacup beside Lin Haifeng. Its owner tasted the tea carefully.

Then Sequence 1 frowned.

"It's cold."

"You'll have to make do. I can't move too much right now. If I do, it'll disrupt the Skill, and those three might tear my building down."

"I know."

Still frowning, Sequence 1 finished the tea.

Watching him stand there and put on an aloof air, Lin Haifeng found him rather interesting.

They hadn't known each other long, and most of their conversations had taken place over communicators. Lin Haifeng naturally had only a limited understanding of him.

But today's encounter suggested he wasn't nearly as cold and arrogant as he had once sounded.

Perhaps that aloofness was simply a guard against other people. Beneath it lay a free-spirited temperament that did as it pleased.

An interesting fellow indeed, Lin Haifeng thought.

"Did you take care of the things?"

"Mm."

With that answer, Lin Haifeng knew the Demon Worship Cult incident was essentially resolved.

"Then I'll trouble you to lend a hand."

Yang Pengguang was losing ground steadily, but he was still on his feet.

A strange wave of energy spread through the office.

"Freeze!"

At Sequence 1's shout, Yang Pengguang stiffened in the middle of fending off Qin Min. He stood utterly motionless as Qin Min's fist punched a bloody, mangled hole through his body.

A flash of wonder crossed Lin Haifeng's eyes.

He had experienced Sequence 1's abilities before, but this power to make reality obey a spoken command never failed to move him.

Seeing his Captain act, Qin Min stopped. He caught Fang Bai, who had been about to keep attacking, and pulled him back beside Lin Haifeng.

"You want him alive, correct?"

Sequence 1 asked calmly, as though taking Yang Pengguang alive were a trivial matter.

"Correct."

Sequence 1 opened his mouth again.

"Shatter!"

A barrage of sharp cracks erupted from Yang Pengguang's immobilized body. He collapsed like a heap of mud, unable to move.

"Mission complete."

Beneath that outwardly aloof expression, Lin Haifeng detected a distinctly boastful tone. He was silent for a moment before replying.

"Thank you…"

…

Yang Pengguang was dragged before Lin Haifeng like a dead dog.

The pain of every bone in his body shattering made him tremble uncontrollably. Blood streamed from his mouth, yet he kept his teeth clenched and made no sound.

Lin Haifeng sighed at the man sprawled on the floor.

"Work for me. I'll give you the position you deserve. You won't have to hide like a rat in the sewers, reviled by the Human Race."

Yang Pengguang gave no response.

"Peng Jun is dead."

Only then did he manage to raise his head. He looked into Lin Haifeng's eyes, all the light seeming to drain from his own. His lips moved, but no words came.

"Join the Military. We can wipe the slate clean. The Military needs your strength. Huaxia needs it. This world needs it too."

Yang Pengguang gave a faint sigh and spoke indistinctly.

"General Peng saved my life three times. Every bit of power I have came from him. I never wanted to betray humanity, but a debt has to be repaid. I don't know whether you're telling the truth about his death. But I… haven't lost yet."

His speech was slurred, but the mounting frenzy in his eyes put Fang Bai and Qin Min on guard.

Clearly, Yang Pengguang-or rather, Peng Jun-had another hidden move.

The next moment, Yang Pengguang vomited a great mouthful of blood. His aura weakened rapidly until he lay motionless on the floor.

He had killed himself.

And then…

…

Boom!

A tremendous explosion sounded outside Yanjing Settlement. A vast mushroom cloud rose into the sky.

But it was too far away. Forget harming Lin Haifeng-the shock wave dissipated before it even reached the Settlement's outer wall.

"Not a bad blast," Sequence 1 muttered, pursing his lips.

Lin Haifeng nodded. "If that had gone off beneath my feet, I'd be dead. Fortunately…"

"Fortunately, you had me. No need to thank me."

Sequence 1 cut in before he could finish.

"Ahem."

Lin Haifeng coughed deliberately.

"Actually, I was going to say that fortunately, all of Yanjing Settlement lies within my sensory range. That's how I found the bomb they'd put in the basement ahead of time…"

"But thank you anyway."

"…"

Knock, knock, knock.

The sound broke the awkward silence. A tall figure opened the door and entered carrying a small case.

"Captain. Commander Lin."

Zhang Ziping greeted them and set the case on the floor.

"Found the man who planted the bomb. Here's his head."

"Thank you."

Lin Haifeng smiled and nodded to her.