Chapter 165: The Vanished Him?

It was as if everyone had forgotten how to breathe.

The bone-chilling wind from outside the city gates blew away the raging fire on the train’s roof. The figure in the blood-red coat was now gone, leaving not even a bone behind... Under such high-temperature flames, nothing could remain but ashes.

"Chen Ling... Chen Ling!!!" Zhao Yi, being dragged away by the Enforcers, had bloodshot eyes. Not knowing where he found the strength, he angrily shoved the Enforcer in front of him and stumbled toward the train!

He reached out to grab the dancing embers, but could only touch the void. He stood there blankly, his back a picture of endless bewilderment and desolation.

"Officer Chen!!"

"Let me go!! Let me go!!"

More and more residents from District 3 rushed out of the crowd to the train. Seeing the area on the roof scorched down to charred marks, they couldn't help but tremble...

Xu Chongguo turned around and roared at the silent Enforcers: "Officer Chen could have escaped alone! Yet he turned back to lead us into Aurora City!! I don't understand this 'heretic' talk of yours! But from start to finish, he never hurt any of us!

Now you've forced him to his death! Are you satisfied now?! Is this the justice you wanted?!!"

"Give us back Officer Chen!!"

“……”

"Fuck you!! I'll fight you bastards to the death!!" Zhao Yi growled, rolling up his sleeves as he charged at the five-striped Enforcer, his eyes bloodshot like a furious lion.

Zhao Yi’s father was dead, and it was Chen Ling who had fulfilled the promise to his father, protecting Zhao Yi all the way into Aurora City... No matter how much Zhao Yi loved to butt heads with Chen Ling, he was grateful to him from the bottom of his heart. Now that Aurora City had forced Chen Ling to his death right before their eyes, he had completely snapped.

Zhao Yi didn't care about rank; he threw a punch at the Enforcer's face. The latter’s expression turned incredibly ugly. He had intended to strike back, but after a moment of hesitation, he dodged and pushed Zhao Yi toward the dozens of Enforcers nearby.

"Take them all into... custody! Send them to the hospital for treatment!"

At the Enforcer's command, the others swarmed forward, using their overwhelming numbers to subdue the rioting District 3 residents and march them toward headquarters.

But even so, they couldn't seal their mouths. Curses and questions echoed through the streets, moving the surrounding Aurora City residents.

Ever since Chen Ling died, the gazes of the Aurora City residents had changed. There was more doubt and anger in their eyes as they looked at the Enforcers. Camera flashes flickered repeatedly, recording everything that had happened in clear detail.

"Officer... what now?" an Enforcer asked cautiously, leaning toward the five-striped Enforcer.

The Enforcer also sensed the shift in the public mood. He frowned involuntarily and spoke immediately:

"The heretic has been eliminated. Clear the scene first!"

"What about the train?"

"Have it towed to the warehouse and sealed as evidence."

"Yes."

Under the Enforcer's orders, the surrounding cordon was quickly removed, and the Enforcers left one after another, leaving the crowd arguing on the spot.

On the city wall, Han Meng, locked in shackles, stared blankly at the charred patch on the train, standing as motionless as a statue.

"You saw it. He was a member of the Twilight Society. Now, do you have anything else to say?" the five-striped Enforcer in charge of escorting Han Meng said slowly.

"Chen Ling..." Han Meng muttered to himself. Then, coming back to his senses, he shook his head. "No... the people from District 3 are right. He shouldn't have died."

"Han Meng, have you lost your mind?! The Twilight Society is on the highest-priority kill list across all major domains! You still want to shield him?"

"So what if he's Twilight Society? He didn't do anything wrong." Han Meng frowned tightly. "Besides... now, I suppose I'm a heretic too... what right do I have to judge the Twilight Society?"

The Enforcer’s eyes widened. He stared at Han Meng for a long time and sneered:

"Good... very good, Han Meng. When we get to the Tribunal, you'd better be able to repeat that... Heh."

With that, he escorted Han Meng straight toward headquarters.

Meanwhile.

On the roof of a small building nearby.

Bai Ye and Chu Muyun watched the train being slowly towed away, both falling into silence.

After an unknown amount of time, Chu Muyun pushed up his glasses thoughtfully and began looking around, as if searching for something...

"What are you looking for?" Bai Ye couldn't help but ask.

"Where did you hide him?"

"Who?"

"Chen Ling, of course." Chu Muyun said matter-of-factly. "You must have stolen his position before he was burned to death, right? Where is he? That fire was very hot; if he isn't treated in time, it will leave lasting damage..."

“……”

"What does your silence mean?"

"..." Bai Ye’s mouth twitched slightly.

"...You saved him... right?" Chu Muyun asked tentatively.

"Do you have some misunderstanding about the Dao of the Thief God?" Bai Ye rubbed his temples. "The Dao of the Thief God isn't unlimited. I can steal positions... but, he was too far away from me, and that fire spread too fast. I couldn't have stolen it in time even if I wanted to..."

"So, you didn't save him?!"

"Uh..."

"Senior Bai Ye." Chu Muyun looked at him seriously. "You know that if Chen Ling is truly dead, the Red King will punish you... right?"

"Don't panic yet. If this kid were really dead, Aurora City would probably have already split into eight pieces, isn't that what you said?" Bai Ye spoke immediately. "But we're both standing here just fine, so what does that mean?"

Chu Muyun came to his senses, rubbing his chin with one hand. "You mean... he faked his death to escape? But how did he manage that?"

"I don't know. This kid's methods are beyond even my sight."

Chu Muyun’s frown deepened. He watched the train being towed away in the distance, replaying everything that had just happened in his mind.

"Chen Ling... a calamity capable of spontaneous combustion... body burned by fire... vanishing into thin air... steam train... steam train..."

Chu Muyun froze.

"You have a conclusion?" Bai Ye asked in surprise.

"...I'm not sure." Chu Muyun pushed up his glasses. "However, if Chen Ling really did fake his death, the most likely place he would be... is only there..."