Sometimes, the connection between people is so profound that words become unnecessary; intentions are understood, and help is offered without deliberate explanation.

It was clear Arno knew Jiang Chen had important matters to attend to. As a friend, he didn't pry into the details, but simply promised to ensure Angelina's safety.

As for Jiang Chen, he did not want others to know about his dealings with The Fallen.

He never wanted to be enemies with The Fallen.

But now, that was impossible.

This grudge, stemming from a prophecy... it was truly absurd.

Jiang Chen left.

He went to the black market.

At this moment, Arlene was infuriated. Jiang Chen belonged to the Secret Sword Legion, yet he did not seek her help, instead going only to her brother. What did this mean? Did he hold no regard for her?

Arlene wanted to confront him, but Arno stopped her.

Arno said with a chuckle, "Don't bother."

"I just want to know if he even considers me the Legion Commander. Why did he seek you out and not me? Is he implying that if he had asked me, I would have just stood by and done nothing?" Arlene grew more agitated as she spoke.

Arno replied straightforwardly, "If he had come to you, would you have wanted to know exactly what the matter was?"

"Of course, I would need to know the details!"

"That's precisely why he didn't turn to you for help."

Arlene said in shock, "Don't you know?"

"I don't."

"Why haven't you asked him?"

"Why should I?" Arno retorted.

"Aren't you curious?"

"Curious, yes, but I won't ask."

"Why not?"

"If he wants to tell me, he'll bring it up. If he doesn't want to share, why should I force him to?"

Arlene looked at her brother, baffled by his straightforward logic.

Arno sighed. "I consider him my friend, and he considers me his. It's not as if we keep secrets from each other. While it's natural to be curious about some things, if he doesn't volunteer the information, you shouldn't pry."

"That's strange. What does it matter if I know?"

"It definitely makes a difference. He will tell you if he wants you to know."

"If he doesn't tell you, he surely doesn't see you as a friend," Arlene stated with certainty.

"You're wrong," Arno replied. "He considers me a friend precisely *because* he's chosen not to tell me; he doesn't want to involve me. Some things you'll never understand."

"Pfft, I just don't get it. That jerk doesn't regard me as the Legion Commander at all."

"Actually, he doesn't," Arno replied. "You treat him as a subordinate, while I see him as a friend."

Arlene glared fiercely at him.

"I let you take the credit last time, and now you're even encroaching on your own sister's achievements! You're truly despicable!" Arlene fumed. She was still incensed, completely unaware that Son of God, Gresham had been defeated previously.

Arno chuckled. "I gave him the 40,000,000,000 outright. I didn't ask for any details because I know he'll handle it and deliver a result."

"But you're different," Arno continued. "You want to meddle in everything, and that's why he didn't come to you. In his mind, it's more convenient to deal with intelligent people."

Arlene's face flushed with anger. "Are you saying I'm stupid?"

"A little," he admitted.

"You... you're not my real brother!" Arlene seethed, clenching her teeth.

"Perhaps we should get a blood test one of these days," Arno said. "I'm also starting to doubt if you're truly my sister."

...

「Black market.」

Jiang Chen arrived at the Fallen Tavern.

Jin Yunxi was standing at the entrance. "Are you alone?"

"I alone am enough," Jiang Chen said coldly.

Jin Yunxi nodded and stepped out of the doorway. "I'll take you there, but be careful. The Life Alliance doesn't play by the rules."

"It's fine."

It didn't matter how many there were; he alone was sufficient.

Jin Yunxi led Jiang Chen deeper into the market, followed not only by The Fallen but also by many Heroes carrying greatswords.

Each wore a mask, unrecognizable to one another.

Jin Yunxi whispered, "Many people know about this battle of yours, not just us Wanderers, but also quite a few from your Heroes' side."

"This is a struggle between you and the Life Alliance; the other Wanderers will not interfere. So, I hope you won't hold any prejudice against other Wanderers. As for that so-called prophecy, no one believes it."

"That's the best thing I've heard."

"It's a pity Wanderers are such a disorganized bunch. If only we were united..."

Jiang Chen laughed. "It's a good thing you Wanderers are disorganized. If you were united, you'd probably have been wiped out long ago."

Jin Yunxi turned back and scolded angrily, "You..."

"I'm speaking the truth."

·······

「Outside the villa.」

Arno and his group lay hidden nearby when three figures in black, all armed with Thin Swords, emerged.

"Just as I expected, they've come," Arno murmured.

"Commander, should we make a move?"

"Let the assassins lurking in the shadows strike. We have nothing to fear from The Fallen."

"Understood."

The moment the figures in black entered the villa, blades flashed and heads fell. The three Fallen died instantly; they had never anticipated assassins lurking within.

Arno stood up. "All of you, maintain guard. I'm stepping out for a moment."

······

Deep in the black market, a large crowd had gathered in an open space, composed mainly of The Fallen, with some Heroes standing off to the side.

Among them were powerful figures: Son of God, Milton; Divine Sacrifice Roxanne; and another Son of God, Christie Burton. Beside Christie stood a masked person holding a Thin Sword.

Christie Burton asked, "Aggie, do you think the Life Alliance will win?"

Aggie, with his head down, said, "Milady, I've never seen that Swordsman in action, so I can't judge. But from what I can see, the Life Alliance lacks any true masters. They can't even deploy True Qi for protection; a Second-stage assassin could easily kill them."

Christie Burton laughed. "I'm quite interested in Jiang Chen. Do you see that guy over there? He's also a Son of God, named Milton, accompanied by the Divine Sacrifice. Those two have also shown up."

"Milton once tried to recruit that Swordsman, but failed."

"From what I know of him, his character is somewhat like your Wanderers."

Aggie didn't speak; instead, he watched as a man and a woman approached from a short distance.

"That woman is a master," Aggie said.

"The head of the Heavenly Earth Association's local chapter," Christie said. "Do you think you could take her down?"

"Fifty-fifty."

"She's certainly strong, but she uses a blade."

"For us, a weapon is just a means," Aggie replied. "True masters generally don't rely on weapons."

At this point, Jiang Chen and Jin Yunxi had made their way to the clearing.

Everyone here was wearing a mask.

Jin Yunxi stepped forward and said, "Qin Yiran, I've brought the person."

Having said that, he stepped aside.

Jiang Chen glanced at the opposing group. About a dozen members of The Fallen had gathered, and he could sense the True Qi within them.

So the Life Alliance has no real experts? Is this all they've got? These are just small fry, not even comparable to Ba Jie or Ame. They've probably only trained for a few years and already consider themselves formidable.

Jiang Chen stepped forward. "One-on-one, or a group fight?"

"Kid, you're quite arrogant."

"Chief, let me face him," one of The Fallen said to Qin Yiran.

"Be careful. He's not as easy to handle as you think," Qin Yiran cautioned.

"Chief, rest assured. I know what I'm doing."

Qin Yiran thought for a moment and nodded. "Alright."

At that moment, one of The Fallen stepped forward. "You who have betrayed your faith, make your move! I shall cut off your head..."

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