My Arms Can Turn into Blades-Chapter 74 - 68: Threads in the Sky

a.m.

The small mission team set off.

As usual, Wu You was driving.

The three of them carried two bags.

One bag contained the ’Hanging Rope,’ looked after by Wu You.

The other bag held firearms, carried by Chen Lusi.

"...In summary, our rope counts as one of those Ancient Objects with considerable value."

After getting in the car.

Xia Panqiu briefed Chen Lusi about the current types of Ancient Objects and concluded, "Although it’s not exactly compact and requires looping it around the neck to activate, at least it can be carried around, and the impact isn’t significant.

The most awkward ones are those that aren’t extremely powerful but still very useful, yet are inconvenient to carry—those large-sized Ancient Objects.

Such things are hard to carry and even harder to use.

This is the most troublesome...unless the team happens to have a member with the Authority of containment; otherwise, we can only hope to obtain an Ancient Object that can store other Ancient Objects."

"An Ancient Object that can store other Ancient Objects..."

Chen Lusi chuckled upon hearing this, "It’s like a set of Russian dolls."

"Because this stuff is inherently troublesome."

Xia Panqiu explained, "Shape, size, effects, power... These things are influenced by many factors; nobody knows what kind of Ancient Object they’ll come across, just like how we have no idea what we’ll face on this trip... We didn’t expect to obtain a rope last time, did we?"

"Understood."

Chen Lusi sighed, then glanced out the window, "But honestly...this time, I hope we don’t run into any Ancient Object. It would be best if it can be resolved simply."

"I think the same."

Wu You, driving the car, chimed in, "After all, if we can wrap this up quickly, we can still head over to the Jixing Brigade and showcase our presence, and play the role of saviors once again."

"Aren’t we just doing odd jobs?"

Chen Lusi asked. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"Can’t those doing odd jobs have dreams?"

Wu You retorted, then continued, "And don’t underestimate the exhibitionist tendencies of a nearly 40-year-old man... Last time, I wanted to show off a bit; after all, it’s not often that I get promoted, but I didn’t expect to end up hanging on a rope, though luckily, we were all hanging, so it wasn’t too embarrassing.

Still, I didn’t get to show off...so this time, I want to really impress them. After all, counting Panqiu, our small mission team at least has two members who have condensed Stones now, which means we’ve made it to the front door."

Chen Lusi: "..."

Xia Panqiu: "...Idiot."

The mission description this time indeed didn’t sound too serious, as there were no casualties.

Although the three of them didn’t take it lightly, the atmosphere was noticeably less tense than last time.

Of course.

Only inside the car.

Upon reaching the destination.

Wu You put away his frivolous demeanor and became serious.

He slung the bag with the ’Hanging Rope’ over his shoulder, then opened the car door, confirmed their position, and led Chen Lusi and Xia Panqiu towards the alley.

This time, unlike the last, it didn’t happen in a bustling shopping area.

The site of the incident was not in a busy district.

Chen Lusi observed...and noticed that most of the shops on both sides of the street sold hardware, and although there were pedestrians, they were indeed few.

Along the way.

Chen Lusi only saw three passersby.

Those three passersby even deliberately avoided the side where Chen Lusi and the others were walking.

"I guess they heard about what happened last night."

Wu You noticed Chen Lusi observing the surroundings and smiled, explaining, "After all, it’s not a large shopping complex where people gather. If even one person decides to watch, others will follow, no matter what happens, they wouldn’t feel too frightened."

"But in a secluded area like this, it’s different... Upon hearing such things, the residents will most likely choose to stay away, rather than gathering to watch, isn’t that right?"

"Yes."

Chen Lusi snapped back to reality, responding.

In the midst of their conversation.

The trio arrived at their destination.

Even though there were no casualties, several officers from the Department of Security were stationed around the entrance of the alley.

After making sure no one else was around, Wu You showed his credentials, then went inside.

Soon.

Chen Lusi saw the alley.

The alley wasn’t wide.

But it seemed very long, as if there was no end in sight. Despite it being broad daylight...the scene inside was still unclear, and though the buildings on either side weren’t tall, it felt like two different worlds between the inside and outside.

The light that fell into the alley seemed to be swallowed by something.

The inside of the alley was pitch-black.

"...It really is tricky."

Wu You glanced into the alley, crossing his arms, "Should we wait here for a bit, for the person with the black umbrella to appear? Or should we just go in directly?"

"Let’s wait a bit."

After a moment of thought, Xia Panqiu replied, "At least we should know what exactly we’re dealing with."

"Alright."

Wu You nodded and glanced at Chen Lusi.

Chen Lusi opened her mouth, ready to agree, but before she could speak.

Suddenly, soft footsteps could be heard from within the alley.

"..."

Chen Lusi immediately looked towards the alley.

Wu You and Xia Panqiu quickly turned their heads as well.

Click, clack, click—the footsteps grew closer.

They sounded like leather shoes.

Then, a vague figure...pushed through the thick darkness like a dense liquid, slowly coming into view, moving towards them.

The distance was getting closer.

Closer and closer.

Very soon.

The trio could see the figure clearly.

The figure was very tall.

Estimated to be over two meters.

He was holding a large black umbrella, walking slowly, the heels of his shoes constantly clicking against the ground, making sharp sounds.

The umbrella was so large that it completely hid his face from view, leaving the trio unable to discern his features. They could only see his clothing: a loosely-fitted black suit jacket, and matching trousers that appeared a bit short, revealing long white socks underneath.

This was the only distinctive color on him.

"..."

Chen Lusi studied the figure with the black umbrella, then slowly lifted her gaze to look at the top of his head.

A familiar thin line passed through the umbrella he was holding, drifting in the air.

"Let me go check it out first."

Wu You furrowed his brows at the slowly approaching figure clad in black and took a step forward, "Let’s see what on earth this thing is..."

With those words.

He intended to move forward.

"Wait, hold on."

Alarmed, Chen Lusi instinctively reached out and grabbed Wu You.

Wu You halted abruptly and turned to look at Chen Lusi.

Click, clack—

Meanwhile.

The advancing figure suddenly stopped.

He lifted his foot, tapping his heel against the ground, drawing the trio’s attention.

Then, he slightly raised the umbrella covering his face on his shoulder, seemingly gazing at them.

"Just in time...the curtain rises!"

A raspy voice echoed, brimming with malice.

Feeling something, Chen Lusi quickly looked up.

In the sky.

Countless drifting thin lines interweaved, entwining...stretching across various parts of the city.

"Wu You, the sky is filled with lines, I..."

Chen Lusi immediately looked down, trying to describe the scene she had just witnessed.

But before she could finish her sentence.

In an instant.

She abruptly vanished.

Along with her disappearance went the person with the black umbrella.

"!!!"

Xia Panqiu and Wu You stared at the spot where Chen Lusi once stood, their expressions drastically changing.