Chapter 54: Curfew

Inside the secret passage,

Number Nine was groping his way through the darkness.

Why not use some light-emitting abilities?

Because he didn't want to attract attention.

In this pitch-black environment, any light would be as conspicuous as a signal flare, instantly alerting the enemy.

However, even navigating in the dark posed no challenge for Number Nine, a seasoned Martial Artist with night vision.

"Damn it," Number Nine cursed under his breath. "This damn map is inaccurate."

The map he held was decades old, an official document that had long been rendered obsolete by shifting terrain.

As he groped forward, a voice suddenly echoed in his ear: "Stop."

It was Ke Lu's voice. Number Nine obeyed instantly; if she had said so, she must have detected something.

Her words echoed in his mind, sending chills down his spine:

"Illusion."

These two simple words instantly alerted Number Nine to the danger.

He clasped his hands together in front of him, forming a mudra. A thin film of transparent Spirit Power shimmered across his skin.

Don't underestimate this "film." With Number Nine's Power Level, it could withstand the high-speed impact of a train.

He held his breath, his senses sharpened to detect any anomaly in his surroundings.

"How did you figure it out?" Number Nine whispered.

Ke Lu didn't answer directly.

She had seen through the surface to the underlying reality, sensing the distortion in the surrounding materials. This led her to conclude that they were likely facing some kind of mind-altering technique.

However, she decided to keep this trump card hidden and instead directly discussed how to proceed.

"Go 37 degrees to the left, toward that massive boulder. Check it out."

Number Nine, though puzzled, followed her instructions.

His visual perception, enhanced by the "King" ability, streamed directly into Ke Lu's mind.

Ke Lu chuckled softly. "Just as I suspected."

"It's a Spirit Array," Ke Lu commanded. "Touch it and release your Spirit Power using the method I taught you."

Without hesitation, Number Nine released his Spirit Power from his right hand, channeling it into the boulder to analyze and disrupt its internal structure.

A brief flash momentarily blurred Number Nine's vision. The cave's overall appearance remained largely unchanged, still pitch-black, but the massive boulder had vanished, replaced by an even deeper, darker passage.

"You're incredible," Number Nine said sincerely. "I never would have guessed there was a Spirit Array here, let alone that you could break it so quickly."

"For it to have concealed itself from me, this array must be quite advanced," Ke Lu acknowledged.

"Indeed," Ke Lu confirmed. "It was set by at least a Third-Tier Spirit Array Master. But the Array Setter still has a long way to go before reaching my level."

If that's the case, the person I'm protecting has extraordinary Talent in Spirit Arrays, Number Nine mused inwardly. How old is she anyway? His gaze remained fixed ahead, scanning for potential threats.

This must be the true entrance.

Only after confirming the passage was clear of danger did Number Nine cautiously proceed inward.

-

Deeper within the passage, the once branching tunnels suddenly converged into a vast, open space.

The walls were pockmarked with bullet scars and traces of Martial Artist combat. In this clearing, a small, incongruously built house stood.

Guards patrolled the perimeter, and access was controlled by a state-of-the-art facial recognition system combined with fingerprint scanners. This was clearly no ordinary place.

Number Nine, having been assigned to protect Ke Lu, was undoubtedly a skilled operative.

He lurked in the shadows like a phantom, his gaze locked on the various weapons and equipment around the perimeter.

"Does guarding a single person really require such elaborate measures?" Number Nine's eyes landed on a heavy fighter cannon.

This cannon, forged and upgraded by master smiths, possessed firepower that could threaten even him. Its projectiles were perfectly sized to traverse the tunnels and obliterate any enemies within.

If this is truly just for guarding Vice President Chen's wife... no, his ex-wife... is such extreme security necessary?

Number Nine remained skeptical.

"Perhaps there are deeper secrets hidden here," Ke Lu mused, equally unconvinced. "The Underground Black Market wouldn't build a special facility just to guard an ordinary teacher. This place has never been clean."

A palpable aura of menace emanated from Number Nine. "These corrupt dealings should have been eradicated long ago."

"Let me think..."

Charging straight in would be foolish. The enemy clearly outnumbered and outgunned him, and even with backup from the Direct Combat Team, they'd be at a disadvantage against those heavy artillery cannons.

"I can get you through," Ke Lu's voice chimed in at just the right moment. "Follow my instructions: press the 'King' piece against your face so I can channel my Spirit Power through it."

Number Nine pulled out the small chess piece, suddenly understanding Ke Lu's plan.

He'd seen Ke Lu transform with a simple swipe of her hand, but...

"These Systems aren't that simple," Number Nine warned, fearing Ke Lu had underestimated the enemy's technology. "A mere disguise won't fool them."

"Don't worry. Just do as I say."

"This..." Number Nine hesitated for a moment, then made up his mind. Might as well try anything at this point. Even if I'm exposed, escaping won't be a problem.

He fiddled with the top button of his uniform, activating something hidden within.

"A micro camera?" Ke Lu raised an eyebrow. "This is..."

"Public officials facing such situations are authorized to use lethal force," Number Nine said, his face radiating an unmistakable killing intent. "But we must keep records."

"Good. A flexible rule. Just remember to leave a few alive for questioning."

The "King" chess piece left its mark on Number Nine's face.

In an instant, Number Nine transformed from a young, handsome commander into a middle-aged, greasy uncle.

This greasy uncle was a disguise Ke Lu had based on a guard who had just left, using him as a template for Number Nine's transformation.

They didn't know when the guard might return, so speed was crucial—they were racing against time.

Number Nine moved, swaggering through the checkpoint, perfectly imitating the gait of the middle-aged guard who had just departed.

His ability to mimic others was clearly flawless.

The sentry at the gate recognized the familiar face and lowered his guard slightly, merely holding his rifle as the scanner scanned Number Nine.

Number Nine's palms sweated. He had no idea if Ke Lu's disguise would work. If it failed, he'd face the full fury of the destroyer cannons.

Yet he forced himself to maintain a calm facade, betraying no hint of anxiety. He even feigned casual interest, exchanging a few words with the sentry.

Beep... beep... beep...

The scanner beeped, and Number Nine's inner tension peaked. He watched the sentry operate the device to check the results, his hands already poised to draw his weapons if his disguise failed.

Ding— Another soft chime sounded, but this time it came from the gate.

The gate opened.