Chaotic Situation

The two moved like phantoms across the rooftops of the city.

Not long after, Bai Ci followed Luo Yu to a stop in front of a tavern.

The battered door bore scars of the demonic invasion—proof of the city’s brutal past.

Yet that it still stood, one of the few surviving structures, spoke volumes about its original craftsmanship.

Luo Yu paused, showing no respect for the fragile entrance as he pounded on the door.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Bai Ci half-expected it to collapse the next second.

“Who is it?”

A bright, youthful voice came from behind the door.

“It’s me.”

“Who are you? Give the password!”

“It’s Luo Yu. Open up. I’ve got a guest today. If you don’t open, I’m breaking in.”

“Haha, fine fine, no need to be so serious~ Come in already!”

The tavern door swung open. Seizing the moment, Luo Yu flicked the forehead of the pink-cheeked girl before him with surprising speed.

Anyone else witnessing this would’ve dropped their jaw.

It was hard to imagine Luo Yu—the ruthless heir of the Shiyu Church—doing something so playful.

“Ow! That hurts!”

The girl, with delicate features and big, watery eyes, pouted cutely.
“Just because we forgot the password—why hit so hard? Is this how someone who needs help treats others?”
“I might just give you false intel, you know~”

Bai Ci instantly felt awkward.
Were these two using him as an excuse to flirt?

“Uh… nothing to do here. I’ll just go…”

Bai Ci mumbled, regretting ever following this dagger-wielding lunatic to this bizarre place.

“Hmm? Who’s this?” The girl finally noticed Bai Ci behind Luo Yu, curious.

“He’s a new executive in the Shiyu Church.”

Luo Yu said smoothly.

?

Bai Ci’s face screamed confusion.

Since when did I join this weird organization?!

Sensing Bai Ci’s silent protest, Luo Yu quickly shot him a warning glance.

Don’t say anything.

“Alright, alright. Let’s talk business.”

Luo Yu stepped inside. Bai Ci didn’t argue.

The girl followed closely, glaring at their backs with mild annoyance.

Inside, the tavern was unexpectedly lavish—nothing like the dark, gloomy exterior suggested.

Ancient tables, vases, and artifacts had miraculously survived intact.

“Lord Luo Yu.”

Attendants bowed respectfully as he passed.

After walking down a long corridor, they entered the main hall, adorned with golden embellishments—clearly not a place for ordinary folk.

Luo Yu casually sat at a table, removed his signature Shiyu Church cloak, and motioned for Bai Ci to sit opposite. He then beckoned the girl over.

“Xiao Mo, any updates on that powder I asked you to investigate a few days ago?”

“Why start with work right away?” Xiao Mo sighed dramatically.
“I thought you came to get me drunk and have your way with me~”
“Oh no, so scary!”

She wrapped her arms around her chest in mock defense.

“I’m not into flat-chested kids.”

Luo Yu gave her a deadpan look, deliberately pausing his gaze at a certain spot before shaking his head.

Unfazed by the insult, Xiao Mo didn’t react—clearly used to his verbal jabs.

“You’re still as boring as ever…” She poured herself a drink and took a small sip.
“Want some? It’s our new specialty floral wine~ Only 3 gold coins a bottle outside, you know.”

“Sorry, I’m on duty. A professional never drinks during work hours.” Luo Yu shrugged.

Bai Ci also declined. Drinking with strangers in unfamiliar places was dangerous.

“You have no taste,” Xiao Mo lamented, shaking her head sadly.

“So… any leads on that powder?” Luo Yu repeated his question.

“Can we change the topic?” Xiao Mo asked.

“Sure. For only 300 gold coins a day, I offer companionship services. As an old friend, I’ll give you a 20% discount.”

Luo Yu tossed out the number casually—clearly not expecting anyone to actually pay.

“300 gold? You wouldn’t fetch half that price if sold.”

Xiao Mo scoffed at Luo Yu’s delusions of grandeur.

“Hey, I’m one of the most influential people in Sin City now,” Luo Yu argued seriously.
“Imagine—the feared heir of the Shiyu Church, whispering sweet nothings in your ear. That kind of contrast—doesn’t it deserve 300 gold?”

“Forget it. Don’t pull that act with me.”
“Now answer my question: how much progress have you made on that strange powder?” Luo Yu spread his hands, done with games.

Cough cough.

Bai Ci couldn’t take it anymore—he cleared his throat twice.

He was starting to seriously doubt why Luo Yu had brought him here.

“Can someone explain what’s going on first?”
“That powder you mentioned—how is it related to those monsters?”

Bai Ci asked, exasperated.

“Ah, sorry, sorry!”

Luo Yu laughed, then began explaining the full situation.

“Several months ago, strange monsters began appearing all over Sin City.”

Normally, in Nuo’er Continent—a world where beastfolk, humans, dragons, elves, giants, and countless other races coexist—unknown species weren’t uncommon.

But these creatures were different. They were human bodies fused with monstrous organs—unnatural hybrids.

Yes—they had human limbs, even facial features.

Most appeared within residents’ homes.

And at every transformed household, investigators found traces of an opened, mysterious white powder—on floors, near doorways.

Eventually, they collected a full sample. This powder was likely the key to solving the monster mystery.

Luo Yu had tasked Xiao Mo—with her extensive network—to track down its origins.

Today, he’d come to hear her findings.

So that’s how it is…

Bai Ci finally understood the full picture.

Good—so the Church heir hadn’t lured him here just to watch him flirt.

“How’s the powder investigation going?” Luo Yu asked—again.

Finally, Xiao Mo got serious.

“Listen up—I heard from my contacts that this powder…”
She paused, as if choosing her words carefully:
“was smuggled in from outside, and its raw materials come from the capital.”
“Only the capital has the rare mineral found in that powder.”

Capital-made powder, flowing into Sin City—and creating monsters?

The only link between capital and Sin City… was the Holy Heaven Army.

As an outsider, Bai Ci already had his answer.

Xiao Mo confirmed it:

“If nothing’s changed, the powder must be tied to the Holy Heaven Army. After all, in all of Sin City, they’re the only ones with access to the outside world. And the origin of the powder supports that.”
“And honestly… I think those monsters might be their doing…”

She trailed off, unwilling to say more.

The Holy Heaven Army? Those guys…

Bai Ci’s eyes sharpened instantly.

This wasn’t good news.

Anything involving them turned simple matters complicated—something Bai Ci had learned through experience.

Beside him, Luo Yu’s fury erupted at Xiao Mo’s conclusion.

“The Yundu Empire abandoned us years ago—now they dare interfere in our lives?”
“We’ve come this far. I won’t let them touch… my territory.”

His fists clenched, voice low with rage.

Born and raised in Sin City, Luo Yu had watched it grow. After the demon invasion, when no one came to help, it was the Shiyu Church that unified the factions, rallied the survivors, and fought for one goal—survival.

Yes, there were dark methods along the way. But in a city that had regressed to primal rule,
only iron-fisted authority could maintain order. Without morality, power was the only language.

Without the Shiyu Church, Sin City would’ve been hell—or worse.

Though it could never return to its former glory,
with collective effort, it was slowly improving.

But the Holy Heaven Army? Just a bunch of self-proclaimed elites—
parasites living off capital wages, clinging to the gates like rot, blocking Sin City’s people from reaching the light.

And now they dared cross the line—threatening the fragile peace they’d built.

Absolutely… not…