The guard captain secretly looked over and was immediately caught by Han Xiao. He looked away the next second with horror in his eyes.
“But they seem to find it funny.” Han Xiao expression resembled a smile yet not a smile. He patted the captain on the shoulder, and he clearly sensed the captain’s body tighten for a moment.
Ummil was smiling on the outside but was angry on the inside. He’s not here for a friendly reason. Not sure why he’s here.
Han Xiao squinted his eyes and asked out of the blue, “Ummil… right? What faction do you belong to, Home or the others?”
Ummil’s expression became unnatural. He coughed and said, “I’m a member of the Alumera Family, that’s all.”
Han Xiao smiled and did not say anything.
They kept silent till the door of the territory appeared in sight.
Ummil was relieved. “We’re here. The leaders are waiting for you in the hall.”
The door opened, and hundreds of soldiers came forward, staring at Han Xiao. They seemed to have confidence in numbers.
Ummil was leading the way in front. He walked very slowly on purpose to spend more time in the middle of the armed forces with the motive of planting fear in Han Xiao.
Han Xiao understood what was happening, but he was not affected. Suddenly, he saw a floating ID outside the crowd. There were players here.
Makes sense. Alumera is not far from Frost Pine Village, so some players that left the novice village will have come here. Han Xiao narrowed his eyes. There are already players in Alumera, so why are they still capturing Inhumans?
There were many possibilities. Han Xiao did not think much about it and left the thought in the back of his head. His goal was Alumera; it did not matter if there were players present.
…
“What are these soldiers gathering for?”
Dozens or so of players discussed the situation softly from afar as they looked at the crow. They all had a ‘Bamboo Rain’ before their names. They were members of the Bamboo Rain guild, a small casual guild with less than a hundred members who were all young people.
The guild leader, Bamboo Rain Fragrance, was a beautiful young girl with long hair. “They seem to be welcoming someone. Is this an unexpected event?”
“Let’s go and take a look. Maybe we can trigger some missions,” the somewhat handsome Bamboo Rain Fly said. Then he looked at the rest of the members inquiringly.
Of course, no one objected. This group of players from Bamboo Rain guild was the only players in this colony, and they had only found it by chance. There was not much information included on the maps of this place that were sold in the novice village.
The map on the player’s Interfaces was full of fog. The places would only be revealed if they went there themselves or bought a map for it.
They walked toward the crowd, and Bamboo Rain Xuan yelled with surprise, “That’s Black Phantom!”
The group was shocked. They took a closer look and confirmed they were right, then looked at each other in awe.
“Why is Black Phantom here? The people here seem to be hostile toward him.” Bamboo Rain Fragrance frowned and pondered aloud. “He just appeared in various novice villages a few days ago, so there must be a reason he’s suddenly here.”
Bamboo Rain Xuan’s eye brightened up. “This is an unexpected plotline! There might be hidden missions!”
“Lucky, I have yet to see Black Phantom. Now I can learn abilities from him without going to a novice village.”
“I remember there are some video posters looking for footage of him.”
They stopped in front of the hall as they saw Han Xiao entering it. The hall was a high-level area that was not open to them. They needed enough relationship points to enter, but Black Phantom could just go in. They were frustrated.
“Let’s all wait outside,” Bamboo Rain Fragrance said. “He might come out very soon.”
Chapter 204 - Alumera (3)
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
The hall’s structure reminded Han Xiao of the ancient kingdoms described in books. It was spacious with rows of chairs on both sides, and at the end was the master seat covered in the hide of a white bear. Lining the walls were guards on high alert.
The hall was filled with high ranked officials of Alumera. They turned to look at Han Xiao almost simultaneously, with coldness and hostility in their eyes.
Many of these people thought that Han Xiao had vicious intentions by coming here all of a sudden, so the majority of them disagreed with meeting the legendary killer who was possibly an enemy. They had heard of the things that Black Phantom did, and they knew that Han Xiao was elusive, so they had no idea what he would do. However, Xiao Jin said that since Han Xiao was a killer, it would be safer to meet him face to face.
There were guards in the halls as well, all of whom were ready to pull the trigger any time. Superhumans also hid in the dark, which gave the high ranked officials of Alumera some sense of security.
“Black Phantom.” Darryl, who sat in the master seat, waved his hands casually. “Give him a seat.”
A guard pulled a chair over and placed it in the middle of the hall like it was for an integration. Han Xiao knew that they were trying to plant fear in him. He had come alone, and Alumera definitely wanted to stand their ground.
Han Xiao did not care. He placed the enormous single shoulder backpack on the floor and sat down steadily. “Don’t you want to introduce yourselves?”
“Stop acting,” Darryl said coldly. “You’ve definitely already gone through our data in the Dark Net.”
Han Xiao scanned the Alumera members in the hall and noticed something quite interesting. These high ranked officials were seated separately. The ones belonging to the Home Faction sat around Darryl, while Xiao Jin, Sen Qi, and the North Faction all sat separately. This detail showed that there was some strong conflict within Alumera.
There were also a few very strong hidden presences around. Han Xiao was guessing that if the meeting went bad, he would be attacked in a split second… which of course would not be a problem for him.
Most of Han Xiao’s attention was on Xiao Jin and the members of his faction—he was scanning through them discreetly.
These were the family of his original body, and they had almost killed him.
Bang!
Suddenly, Darryl slammed the chair handle and yelled, “In Green Valley Ville, you attacked our territory and killed our men. What’s your explanation for that‽”
The atmosphere tensed up immediately. Those strong presences started to tense up as well, and the other factions were acting indifferent. Only the home faction was full of hostility.
Han Xiao remembered that he had killed one of Xiao Jin’s foster sons, but Xiao Jin had a poker face. Han Xiao could not figure out what he was thinking.
“So what if I killed them? If you’re not happy about that, fight me.” Han Xiao’s expression resembled a smile but not a smile.
Darryl could not believe that Han Xiao was so arrogant in his territory. He was almost shocked for one second, then it turned into rage. “You—”
Before he finished his sentence, Han Xiao suddenly said, “You worked with the Germinal Organization. I won’t be the only one that comes looking for trouble with you—the Six Nations will, too.”
The crowd was stunned.
Working with the Germinal Organization? Since when?
Darryl forced the shouting down his throat and suppressed his anger as much as he could. “What are you talking about? We have never worked with the Germinal Organization.”
“Zero, whom the Germinal Organization is offering an enormous sum for, was a member of your family,” Han Xiao replied. “How do you explain that?”
Darryl suddenly realized why Black Phantom attacked them for no reason—it was because he had mistaken them for having a connection with the Germinal Organization. The team that was searching for Han Xiao might have been discovered by Black Phantom when the
y passed by the Green Valley Ville.
Having heard that the Germinal Organization was Black Phantom’s enemy, Darryl realized that he had found the cause of the questions he was searching for. He shook his head and said, “You’re wrong. The wanted Zero is vice leader Xiao Jin’s second son, Han Xiao.”
Han Xiao frowned. He looked at Darryl discreetly with eyes that were filled with unspoken meanings.
Darryl continued speaking. “But Han Xiao is already not related to us. Furthermore, the Germinal Organization putting a reward for Han Xiao means he’s their enemy; there are more reasons for us not to be working with the Germinal Organization.”
It seemed like Alumera wanted to cut their ties. Han Xiao’s eyes twinkled as he slowly lured words out of their mouth. He purposely acted as if he was speaking in a very serious manner and said, “I believe, with the intelligence of the Germinal Organization, they definitely knew Han Xiao belonged to you. You are the best clue they have. Why wouldn’t the Germinal Organization contact you?”
Darryl’s face was stunned. “They really didn’t contact us.”
“You think I’ll believe that? Do you think the Six Nations’ intelligence organizations will believe that?” Han Xiao said coldly. “There are too many suspicious parts to the story. I can only assume that you are helping the Germinal Organization find the wanted man, and there’s even a possibility that that wanted man was sent by you to do things for the Germinal Organization.”
Darryl frowned and said, “That’s is completely not true. There’s more to this.”
“I would like to hear what more there is then.”
Han Xiao had no fear. His attitude made Darryl clench his teeth. For the family’s sake, they had to cut ties with the Germinal Organization very clearly. The war between the Six Nations and the Germinal Organization was about to break out, so if they were misunderstood, Alumera would be in a dire situation.
Although Han Xiao had come alone, Darryl did not dare do anything to him. After all, he was Black Phantom; with his identity and strength, the fact that he was there might even have been an order from the Dark Net. If they killed him, the Dark Net would become their enemy, and it would prove the fact that they were working with the Germinal Organization.
Most importantly, Black Phantom was unfathomable. The people in the headquarters had no confidence in killing him, and finding out if they could was not worth the risk.
Therefore, at this point of time, Darryl could only endure the arrogance of Han Xiao. He stared at Xiao Jin with a fierce look; he felt this was all caused by Xiao Jin. Therefore, he spun his eyes and said loudly, “Okay, Leader Xiao, you shall tell him the details.”
Xiao Jin looked at Darryl faintly. He turned his head and said, “Xiao Hai, tell him.”
A handsome young man walked out from behind Xiao Jin, his expression rather vicious.
Xiao Hai, the first and best son of Xiao Jin, partly in charge of the Xiao Faction.
He was someone with actual political power, and Xiao Jin had raised him to take his place.
“One year ago, I was guarding a convoy of supplies and was attacked midway. Han Xiao went missing. I have no clue what happened to him afterward,” Xiao Hai said coldly.
This time, a leader from the Northern Faction said, “More details, please. Our guest doesn’t seem to believe it.”
Xiao Hai let out a grunt and said, “The attackers came for me. Han Xiao is my brother, so I made him look like me and divided their attention as bait—only then I could escape successfully. I went back searching with more troops afterward, but we weren’t able to find him.”
Han Xiao raised his eyebrows. “So, you let your little brother die for you. Was he willing to?”
“What do you think?” Xiao Hai was already annoyed.
The crowd chatted among themselves, eyes with all kinds of different emotions fixed upon Xiao Hai.
“That is what happened,” Darryl said. “We can show you more evidence, and whether you believe it or not, we have no relationship with the Germinal Organization.”
Han Xiao nodded. He had already received the information he needed—what happened to the original owner of this body and the attitude of his family toward him.
When he mentioned the original owner of this body, the people in the Xiao faction treated it like it was a stranger. This was especially so for Xiao Hai, who did not show even a shred of remorse toward killing his own little brother, and Xiao Jin had no problem with that.
In conclusion, the original owner of the body was not loved by anyone; everyone treated him like nothing.
You had a pretty hard life, Han Xiao thought.
The people in the hall suddenly realized something.
What happened to controlling the situation?
When did it become Black Phantom interrogating us?
This is our territory—what about our dignity?
Chapter 205 - Assassination!
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
“You killed my foster son,” Xiao Jin suddenly said.
“This is a private matter chieftain Xiao,” Han Xiao replied. “Let’s discuss it privately.”
“Sure.” Xiao Jin nodded.
The crowd’s eyes twinkled. Black Phantom’s reply to the same matter was completely different.
Darryl showed unhappiness on his face but did not say anything.
Han Xiao turned his head to look at Darryl and said, “It’s late. You don’t mind if I stay the night, right?”
“Xiao Jin, take care of him, meeting dismissed.” Darryl stood up and walked out.
The crowd walked pass Han Xiao with different expressions on their faces.
A man walked up to Han Xiao, smiled, and said, “I’m Xiao Ming, a foster son of Leader Xiao. I will be taking care of you during your stay. Please follow me.”
Han Xiao looked around and realized that Ummil, who had brought him here, was missing. The internal conflict in Alumera is really very severe.
The tense atmosphere in the hall earlier on further proved his point.
With such thoughts in his mind, Han Xiao walked out of the hall. Suddenly, a dozen or so players surrounded him with excitement on their faces. They were all from the Bamboo Rain guild. Bamboo Rain Xuan enabled the recording functions.
“We want to learn abilities,” Bamboo Rain Fragrance said.
Han Xiao surely would not miss out on an opportunity to earn some experience points, so he casually opened the ability interface.
Xiao Ming, who was standing on the side, asked in surprise, “Do you know them?”
Han Xiao shook his head.
“Black Phantom seems to be very popular among the Inhumans.” The Alumera members who happened to pass by noticed this, and they were rather surprised.
The Bamboo Rain Guild wanted to trigger missions, but Han Xiao did not make any other interactions. He walked away after stopping for a few seconds.
“It’s an unexpected plotline, but there’s no mission.” Bamboo Rain Fly was confused.
“Seems like my recording has nothing of interest,” Bamboo Rain Xuan said in frustration.
…
Xiao Ming arranged a room for Han Xiao. Although Han Xiao’s attitude in the morning had made many of the high ranked officials very angry, he did explain the source of his hostility. Therefore, the atmosphere was not all that tense.
That night, Xiao Jin invited Han Xiao to his mansion with the purpose of discussing compensation.
Upon arriving at the place, Han Xiao realized that Xiao Jin’s children were all gathered around, including Xiao Hai and other brothers and sisters. However, the foster kids were not there.
Xiao Jin had the same expressionless face as he had in the day, unpredictable.
Han Xiao was looking at Xiao Jin and his children, and these people were looking at him, too.
“What compensation do you want.” Han Xiao looked at Xiao Jin and put on a smile that did not really look like a smile.
“It’s his b
ad luck that he died.” Xiao Jin’s expression was cold. To him, foster children were just assistants and tools.
“Then why did you invite me here?” Han Xiao raised an eyebrow.
“There are no bad sides to getting to know a famous killer.”
Han Xiao could not figure out Xiao Jin’s motive, maybe it was just to build a relationship, maybe there were other motives, anyway Han Xiao was interested in making more contact with the family of his original body owner so he could lure more information out of their mouth.
They chatted casually, talking about all sorts of things. Xiao Hai and his siblings said a word or two once in a while, and the atmosphere was peaceful. Xiao Hai was the leader of the siblings; one could feel a sense of adoration when the siblings talked to him, but Xiao Hai did not react to it, as if that was the norm.
One hour had passed without anyone’s notice. Han Xiao suddenly frowned and said, “I’m very interested in Han Xiao. Let’s talk more about him.”
The atmosphere suddenly turned cold. Xiao Jin put the cup down and said slowly, “He’s my son. He has always been incompetent, but I didn’t think he would become wanted by the Germinal Organization.”
“I thought he’s dead for sure,” Xiao Hai said. “No wonder they say scourges last for thousand years; he’s still bringing us trouble.”
Han Xiao pointed at himself and said, “You mean I’m trouble?”
Xiao Hai gave a cold laugh and said, “Are you not?”
With a light cough, Xiao Jin said, “It’s getting late,”
“Indeed, it is.” Han Xiao stood up and left.
Xiao Ming brought him back to his room. He passed a stack of documents to Han Xiao as he walked through the door. “This is Han Xiao’s information. Father had told me to give it to you.”
The Legendary Mechanic c1-1385 Page 115