All the people I know are here… But what about the comrades you don’t know who were originally on the island…

Were they the unknown brothers?

In truth, caution was paramount for this operation. To avoid drawing too much attention, personnel had been carefully selected, and the visible security force was not extravagant.

But in the shadows…

“I understand. ” The mechanic instinctively straightened his stance, only to realize the man before him wasn’t someone worthy of a salute. “This could be more dangerous than I imagined. “

He handed over a small slip of paper still bearing the faint smell of ink, its surface covered with blurry text printed in English, Chinese, and the Mutao language.

“I implore you and your friends to accept our invitation. We may need your help for our return journey. “

Yang Zicang glanced at the document’s text—a perfect little opportunity to practice a new language.

—5000 Wu Heben Mark Silver Coins sought for Fog Clansmen capable of deploying a “Force Field. ” Candidates must withstand at least five “Shield-Breaking Level ” attacks, with priority given to those covering the largest area, preferring adult males under 160 pounds in weight.

—Report before three hours past midnight tonight.

“I’d wager none of you exceed this limit. This requirement should trim the ranks quite nicely. “

“I see. ” Folding the slip, Yang Zicang relaxed his brow and inquired, “How many people can we carry at most? Is a force field absolutely necessary? “

” Three, but… ” Luo Youmen paused in thought. “I suppose we could squeeze in four. “

Yang Zicang understood his meaning—someone in the Major General’s team had proven unreliable.

“I’ll find you before seven o’clock in the morning. Remember, it’ll just be me. “

“Don’t fret. I’ve got you covered. “

The mechanic withdrew, clutching several slips of paper. He casually approached a strolling passenger boarding the boat.

“So, a force field it is. “

Yang Zicang exhaled deeply, lowering his head to ponder.

“Is it finally time for the Resonant Force Field? “

At first, I was merely wary of the Monster Hunter Alliance headquarters’ existence, refraining from going to the grand statue to undergo that free secret technique resonance available to all Silver White-model individuals.

Later, although there were several chances at the small resonance statues to obtain that free peculiar secret technique, at the time, due to the presence of the Holy Ones, I found myself pondering more over the origins of the two statues, thus hesitating more.

What exactly is the Halo?

The most recent compelling urge to resonate came just before the Demon Hero Hall commencement, triggered by Zorro’s broadcast of the “Dark Gold ” hub town coordinates, yet due to a twist of fate, I was too late to carry out the resonance.

Yang Zicang, having already experienced much, felt a peculiar sense of alienation from himself and the force field, tinged with philosophical introspection.

“Is it truly time for me to resonate with the force field, or… is this consistent avoidance due to coincidences actually a form of destiny? “

Tomorrow doesn’t necessarily require me to deploy the force field myself.

With this thought, Yang Zicang decided to purchase a small statue to keep on hand in case of need—the one he carried himself was still inside the stone coffin.

Returning to the Seaside Inn room, he filled He Yishu in on the matter, and then the two went back to the ship.

The Major’s recruiting of Fogfolk for the voyage had already become known. As they stepped into the cabin, the bustling crowd inside was buzzing with chatter. The moment their eyes fell on “Yang Buchen, ” the group immediately surged forward, surrounding him noisily.

“Mr. Chairman, you’re truly incredible. It seems you can find an opportunity to birth Brilliance wherever you go. “

The man in the new tie widened his eyes in praise, trying to imprint his image into Yang Zicang’s mind. But no sooner had he squeezed to the front than another person shoved him aside.

“I wasn’t noticed by a distributor even once during the days I waited for the boat. But aboard this ship, hey, look here, a distributor actually pre-purchased from me a hapening piece of Brilliance being cultivated. What a damn twist. “

“Sir, can we invest in each other? I think if we ever end up cooperating, we could reach out often. “

“Me too… “

This guy had only spent half a day on the island and already uncovered another potential source of “Brilliance. ” If someone got acquainted with him, the chances of nabbing a future Brilliance would shoot way up!

At that, some bystanders cast envious glances at Li Senrui, who had already become somewhat known.

That bloke had actually completed work worth selling!

Though no one knew why, it was true— a faint point of light was flickering inside a small gem of his jewelry! People were filled with awe. And on top of that, he flashed a small pouch of silver coins, part of which he had already sold off to a few folks for several hundred coins each.

“I hear you made three hundred thousand silver coins? ” A fellow brother stepped over to ask. “Is that for real, President Buchen? “

Yang Zicang handed him a box of paints. “Take this to the painter for me; I’ll tell you if three hundred thousand is real afterward. “

“Heh heh, alright boss. ” The man took it and scurried off towards the passageway.

Yang Zicang stood a couple of steps up the stairs. “Hey, everyone! “

His loud voice drew the attention of everyone in the cabin, and they all stared up at him eagerly.

“I need a blood resonance statue. “

“Does that thing have any other uses? “

“No, I lost mine, so I need to buy a new one just in case. ” Yang Zicang answered honestly. He was afraid someone might interpret it from some strange angle.

Not many people had the little statue, but in the end, he managed to get one. It cost him thirty thousand Xu-Ling Temporal Units, a price that left both buyer and seller wondering if it had been quoted too low.

After taking care of that, Yang Zicang went to wake the already-sleeping Xue Qi, telling her to be ready to catch a flight tomorrow morning.

“Can’t I skip it? I get airsick. “

“No way. I already specifically asked the pilot to save you a seat. “

“Ah~ ” Xue Qi grabbed her pillow, covered her face, and flopped back onto the small bed against the wall.

Mr. Zeng rushed out of the room. “Chairman Yang, I heard you’ve stumbled upon another chance to give birth to Radiance, is that true? “

“It’s true. How much longer do you need with the painting? “

Zeng Qingyan immediately realized that he needed to do this job well for the man. His future chances for more Radiance would probably depend on him.

So he declared solemnly, “Give me another day or two for fine-tuning, and I believe it will become an unmatched masterpiece. “

“Never mind painting a masterpiece, ” he said, pulling the oil painting teacher aside. “I don’t want anything like that. I need it before dawn. Can you get it done? “

“That urgent? Hmm, luckily I’m almost done. I’ll give it to you tomorrow morning then. “

“Alright, I’ll have someone come pick it up. “

Yang Zicang had already made up his mind. Whatever could be shared among these matters, he would give to others.

……

Meanwhile, in the island lord’s study.

“Those two Fogfolk must have found something, ” Lange said, deeply troubled, dressed in a wide-shouldered black coat. “They ruined everything this time. And if news of what happened with the young general’s side gets back to Blackwenzik, the Fogfolk’s presence will leave traces, and they’ll definitely investigate us. “

Standing beside the wooden desk in front of him, the gentleman in his sixties had a glimmer of gloomy anger in the corners of his eyes.

“Indeed, we need to find a way out. I’ve heard many Fogfolk are retreating from the mainland. Maybe it’s time we said goodbye to this ancestral estate nearest the Mist Sea too. “

“We’re leaving this place? “

“There are some secrets you don’t understand, and maybe I don’t either. But the Fogfolk know them well. “

Ka Yunni turned around and sat down on the chair.

“Didn’t they talk about the rumors of this place this afternoon? Hah, if I’m not mistaken, the first thing these newly arrived Fogfolk love to do is search for places where those dark beasts lie dormant. They like it there… Hah, they like it there. “

The island owner, who had repeated the phrase “they like that place” twice, took a deep breath.

The night was like water, blending heaven and earth into one.

— “Zzzt… If we direct things this way, even if the kingdom sends people to question us later, we’ll have a plausible excuse to fend them off.“

— “Master, do you mean… because the Fogfolk discovered the remnants of the illusionary realm, they stirred up trouble at the banquet?“

A slightly wheat-colored hand delicately shifted the frequency dial of the radio, gradually adjusting it by a hairbreadth, trying to quiet the static in the earphones.

— “All the chaos can be pinned on those Fogfolk… Who can argue otherwise? For all we know, they sought out proximity intentionally to orchestrate the young general’s demise.“

— “You speak wisely!“

“Hmph.“

The one covering his earphone let out a disdainful chuckle. He could almost picture the light dawning in Lange’s eyes over Ka Yunni’a shoulder. That man, lacking- a brain, had stuck around Ka Yunni for so long simply because his lack of brains had become an asset.

“Still, it is indeed a reason solid enough to placate the kingdom’s investigators.“

Having murmured softly, the man flicked his gaze to an ordinary sheet of paper beside him. Picking up a pencil, he spun it into action and jotted down a quick note.

……

Inside the beachside building shadowed by a cluster of palm trees.

Exhausted, Ka Yunni gazed out at the moonlit night.

“Let the legacy left by grandfathers shine one last time. Lange, find someone to sell the information. Just mention the word ‘bloodline,’ and a capable Fogfolk like that won’t miss this opportunity. “

“Yes, sir. But he’s supposed to leave tomorrow. Can we make it in time tonight? “

“Hmph, as long as he’s an ambitious Fogfolk, he’ll definitely find a way to go and check it out tonight. “

Lange knew exactly what place the island lord was talking about.

There was no such thing as a ‘bloodline’ there… Maybe there was at first, but it had already been taken by the Fogfolk who came to deal with the anomaly back then.

Now, all that was left there were… the true devils that would devour these ignorant Fogfolk until nothing but bones remain.