Only after Jiulong triumphantly disappeared from sight with his "spoils" did Chuanliu, Qianchuan, and Zhuiming slowly emerge from the hidden shadows.

The sunlight cast long shadows on them, which seemed to carry a sense of heaviness.

With his hands casually in his pockets, Qian Chuan followed the retreating figures of Jiu Long and his group, saying, "Weren't you supposed to be here to help Wu Fangming? Why did you just stand by and watch them get surrounded and attacked by Jiu Long's men without going out to stop them?"

Chuanliu turned his head, glanced at Qian Chuan, and said quietly, "Do you think the three of us can defeat Jiulong's many people?"

Upon hearing this, Qian Chuan chuckled and turned to look at Chuan Liu and Zhui Ming, his eyes filled with a hint of mockery and inquiry.

He deliberately raised his voice a few decibels so that everyone present could hear him clearly: "With the legendary Life Chaser in charge, isn't our chance of winning very high?"

As Qian Chuan finished speaking, the surrounding air seemed to freeze, leaving only the occasional sound of wind in the distance and the sound of sand rolling in the desert.

After a long silence, the girl asked, "What did you say?"

Qian Chuan glanced in Zhui Ming's direction. "What? Still don't want to admit it?"

"Hehe," Zhuiming shook his head with a smile when he realized he couldn't hide it any longer. He took off his mask, revealing a face that Qian Chuan found familiar. "Brother Qian Liu is indeed worthy of his reputation. It's a pleasure to meet you."

He extended a hand to Qian Chuan, who immediately shook it back.

Qian Chuan: "I never expected to meet the infamous assassin Zhui Ming today. I really have to thank Chuan Liu for this."

As he spoke, he looked at Chuanliu, who touched his nose and glanced away.

The three continued walking forward.

How did Brother Qian Liu find out about me?

Zhui Ming couldn't help but be curious.

Qian Chuan smiled and explained, "Actually, it's nothing. It's just that if you were Wu Fangming's subordinate, you wouldn't just stand by and watch him get arrested, would you?"

Furthermore, although I'm not as familiar with Spade City as you are, I know that the servants of "Spade 10" primarily practice external martial arts and are mostly quite muscular. Even if you really are Wu Fangming's man, he probably wouldn't trust Chuanliu to be left alone with you, would he?

Zhuiming: "I've learned a lot."

Then, Qianchuan turned to Chuanliu and asked, "So you're not worried?"

"What?"

Chuanliu seemed to be thinking about something else. When the man called out to him, he was startled at first, and then came back to his senses.

Qian Chuan patiently repeated, "Wu Fangming, aren't you worried about Wu Fangming? Jiulong has taken them away, who knows what he'll do to them."

Chuanliu lowered his eyes and said softly, "I believe in Brother Fangming."

Zhuiming nodded as well. He had fought with Wu Fangming before, and Wu Fangming's abilities were far more than what they had just seen.

As the three ventured deeper, they passed through the coconut grove and entered this eerie coastal area.

The sea breeze carried a familiar, indescribable stench, like a dark aura rising from the deep sea, nauseating. The surrounding air became heavy and humid, as if shrouded in an invisible film of darkness.

As the sun sets, the blood-orange afterglow, like a pool of blood about to congeal, is projected onto the diamond-shaped building that is entirely golden.

Bathed in the setting sun, the already faded gold paint on this "golden diamond" shimmered with a blood-red glow. The entire building resembled the eyes of a demon, peering at passersby.

The waves crashed against the rocks, making a low, eerie sound, like a call from the depths of hell. A strange howl mingled with the sea breeze, rising and falling, like the desperate screams of tormented souls.

The three stood on the cliff, repeatedly sensing the dense aura of darkness surrounding them.

From an overhead view, they can see it clearly.

As it was getting late, Jiulong, along with his men and his three "trophies," checked into the hotel.

As the muffled voice behind them grew clearer, the three quickened their pace and followed the path down the cliff.

When the three arrived at the hotel outside the main city, the setting sun was about to be swallowed by the sea, its rays like dying embers.

Hotel staff were busy preparing to close the doors.

Upon seeing them, the shop assistant showed a hint of surprise, seemingly not expecting anyone to be on the street so late.

But then, she quickly adjusted her expression and greeted them warmly.

She quickly glanced around, then slammed the heavy iron gate shut with a bang, and then locked it with three more locks. Still not satisfied, she picked up a large bolt and slammed it against the gate.

After completing this series of operations, the shop assistant quickly ran around to check whether all the windows were closed and locked.

Her movements were swift and practiced, as if she had repeated this process countless times.

After finishing all this, she stopped, wiped the sweat from her forehead, and said apologetically to the three of them, "I'm sorry, it's getting dark, and I have to check these safety measures before it gets dark."

Qian Chuan frowned, puzzled, and asked, "Is the curfew in Plum Blossom City this strict now?"

The shop assistant smiled slightly and explained while helping the three check in, "You're not from Plum Blossom City, are you? It's normal that you don't know. Since recently, the number of zombies in Plum Blossom City has suddenly increased, causing widespread panic. You three came from the outskirts, so you should have noticed that too, right?"

Later, the higher-ups announced a temporary closure of the main city, and those of us living on the outskirts became increasingly anxious. Therefore, installing so many locks is also for our own safety.

"These are the keys to the three single rooms for the three of you."

The shop assistant handed three keys to the three people and solemnly instructed them, "Please remember, never open the door at night, and definitely don't go out!"

After saying that, she suddenly fell silent, and the entire space fell into silence.

This tranquility allows one to hear the sounds coming from outside the window more clearly.

In the darkness, something seemed to be slowly approaching.

They were those withered corpses, lifeless, yet awakening in the darkness, slowly moving with stiff steps.

Several corpses gathered outside the iron gate, banging on the door panel consciously or unconsciously, making a dull and terrifying sound.

The sound was exceptionally clear in the silent night, like a call from hell, sending chills down one's spine.

The three returned to their room and locked the door as instructed by the staff.

Beneath the clear, flawless crescent moon lies a deep, unfathomable darkness, concealing too much sin and depravity.

The streets were deserted.

Of course, if you call the corpses "people," then the streets are bustling with people.

In the dark room, the tightly closed window was quietly opened.

A dark figure threw a rope with an iron hook onto the roof.

It was a soft sound, without disturbing anyone, not even the corpses.

Of course, if someone looks out the window or raises their head at this moment, they might see that agile figure moving across the rooftop.