Chapter 331 : Rain Falls!!

The sky over the coastal city was shrouded in leaden clouds, with a storm carrying raindrops that lashed against the window.

A flash of lightning ripped through the heavens, splitting the heavy black clouds apart with a brilliant, dazzling light. The thunder that followed rumbled like the breath of an ancient, primal beast.

Seated by the window, Chu Zihang gazed at the storm outside the airplane's cabin window. His thoughts seemed to drift back to that night.

A stormy night with torrents of rain, a Maybach speeding along an elevated highway, an unshakable nightmare, and finally, the appearance of an eight-legged steed stepping through the thunder. 

It carried a one-eyed deity wearing an iron mask, wielding a divine weapon forged from the branches of Yggdrasil, as if scenes from Norse mythology had come to life in the real world.

Boom!

A sudden flash of lightning outside the cabin window jolted Chu Zihang out of his memories.

The broadcast crackled with the crisp voice of a flight attendant, announcing the end of the flight. 

The plane was about to land, and passengers were asked to return to their seats and wait until the taxiing was complete.

The razor-sharp wings of the aircraft sliced through the clouds. The coastal city below, drenched in rain, slowly unfolded like a painting.

The city lights reflected on the rain-slick cabin windows, creating a hazy, dreamlike beauty, as if coated in a layer of Vaseline.

The Boeing jet cut smoothly through the rain curtain and began its descent. After a slight jolt, it taxied along the runway before coming to a gradual stop. 

Once the boarding stairs were in place, Chu Zihang, seated in first class, stood up under the guidance of the slender flight attendant. He picked up his carry-on and stepped out of the cabin.

The fresh, humid air rushed into his nose, and Chu Zihang instinctively took a deep breath, savoring the familiar scent of his homeland.

As he descended the boarding stairs, a man in black who had been waiting for a long time approached with an umbrella. 

Shielding Chu Zihang from the downpour, he reached out to take the luggage. 

"Hello, I'm Cheng Er from the Logistics Department, Class of '85, Department of Paleontology, Cassell College. I'm here to assist you with this mission."

"No need, I'll handle it myself."

Chu Zihang shook his head, declining the offer.

"Understood, Agent Chu. Please follow me," Cheng Er said without any awkwardness, well aware of the famed aloofness of the Execution Bureau's ace. 

As they walked, he added, "Due to the sensitive nature of this mission and its potential societal impact, there will be a student assigned to work alongside you for the duration of the operation."

"Who is it?" Chu Zihang frowned slightly and asked.

He wasn't fond of working with others. One reason was the sheer destructive power of his "King's Blaze," which could easily harm teammates. 

The other stemmed from his personality—he was much better at fighting alone. His solo performance during the mission in Japan was proof of that.

"It's a first-year student," Cheng Er paused briefly before continuing. "A 'B'-rank bloodline with the Word Soul 'Wind King's Eye.' Since she returned to her country during the summer vacation, the Execution Bureau decided, after much deliberation, to temporarily assign her to this mission. If you'd like, I can take you to meet her and go over the mission details."

"No need." Chu Zihang shook his head slowly. "I want to go home first. Take me back."

"Understood, got it. Officer Chu, this way, please."

Cheng Er, being tactful, didn't ask further. He stepped aside and guided Chu Zihang to the edge of the airport runway, where a car was already waiting.

Sitting in the back seat, the pre-warmed air conditioning created a comfortable temperature inside. 

The soft leather seats fit his back perfectly, and the spacious legroom allowed him to sit in a relaxed position. 

Once Cheng Er settled into the driver's seat, he respectfully said, "Officer Chu, please sit tight. I'll take you home right away."

"Mm," Chu Zihang murmured, seemingly tired, and slowly closed his eyes.

Cheng Er stepped on the gas. The engine roared with a low growl, and the tires gripped the damp grass, sending the car speeding away like a beast charging toward the exit.

The black car disappeared into the dense rain, the red taillights fading into the horizon. Only then did the economy-class passengers begin to descend from the plane. 

Among them was an elderly man with a full head of silver hair, wearing a brightly patterned coat over beach shorts and flip-flops. His face was weathered with wrinkles as he strolled down leisurely.

"At my age, I still have to play bodyguard," he muttered.

Looking in the direction where Chu Zihang's car had vanished, the old man scratched his head and sighed helplessly, "I've spent most of my life taking it easy, but now I'm stuck doing grunt work. What a miserable fate."

If Hilbert had been there, his jaw might have dropped in shock. The old man, with his colorful attire and casual demeanor, was none other than Uesugi Koeru—the last Shadow Emperor who once fought the tide of Corpse Guardians single-handedly and was presumed dead!

Uesugi Koeru surveyed his surroundings. The empty airport runway had no other vehicles in sight.

Sighing again, he lowered his stance and looked straight ahead. "No other choice. I'll have to push myself a bit."

In the dark, rainy night, a dazzling golden light suddenly burst forth. His pupils ignited like blazing suns, his muscles swelling and knotting as if filled with blood. 

Bulging veins wrapped around his frame like cords. With a sharp stomp, the immense force uprooted the surrounding grass, sending it flying.

Boom! 

A muffled explosion echoed like rolling thunder as Uesugi Koeru's figure vanished in an instant.

Immediately after, the dense curtain of rain was torn apart, leaving a sudden gap.

The sharp sound of a sonic boom reverberated across the airport, while a fierce gust of wind carried raindrops, streaking like an unrestrained dragon surging through the darkness of the night.

Cheng Er gripped the steering wheel with unwavering focus, guiding the car onto the elevated highway.

At this hour, around midnight, the overpass was eerily empty. Streetlights on both sides of the road zipped by, their glow fleeting. Rain lashed violently against the windows, leaving winding trails of water.

Soft, soothing music played through the car speakers. Despite the high speed, the ride was surprisingly smooth.

"Strange, why haven't we reached the toll station yet?" Cheng Er muttered, staring ahead at the thickening fog on the road. Even the streetlights were becoming increasingly blurred. A deep unease welled up in his chest, as though a heavy boulder had been placed on it.

The dim road ahead stretched endlessly, like a beast lurking in the shadows, exuding a suffocating pressure.

"Stop the car."

A voice broke the tension.

From the back seat, Chu Zihang had opened his eyes at some unknown point.

Through the rearview mirror, Cheng Er was startled to see Chu Zihang's face, usually cold and as stoic as a mountain of ice, now glowing with molten golden pupils. They burned like flames, surging with a boiling intensity.

"Officer Chu?!"

Cheng Er stared in disbelief at the transformed Chu Zihang, clueless about what was happening.

"I said, stop the car."

Chu Zihang repeated firmly, his gaze fixed on the fog ahead.

The ominous tone amplified Cheng Er's unease, as if some terrifying creature lay in wait within the dense mist, ready to lunge at any moment.

After a fierce internal debate, Cheng Er finally chose to trust the execution department's ace. He slammed on the brakes with all his strength.

The tires screeched against the asphalt, producing a deafening noise. The car skidded for dozens of meters before coming to a complete halt on the fog-enshrouded, pitch-black overpass.

"Stay in the car. Do not get out."

After leaving this sentence, Chu Zihang grabbed his suitcase and got off the car.

The cold rain soaked him, his hair sticking to his forehead, but Chu Zihang didn't hesitate at all. Like a warrior stepping onto the battlefield, he resolutely walked into the thick fog.

"Wait, Officer Chu, what are you going to do?" Cheng Er, watching Chu Zihang walk into the fog, was immediately alarmed. He grabbed the car door, preparing to follow him.

"Don't follow me."

Chu Zihang turned back, his gaze carrying a trace of unquestionable authority.

His intense golden eyes made Cheng Er, who had intended to follow, feel an overwhelming pressure. Faced with the difference in bloodline rank, he stopped in his tracks.

"Officer Chu, where are you going?" Cheng Er nervously looked at Chu Zihang, cold sweat appearing on his forehead. His teeth chattered as he said, "The situation here seems off. It's too dangerous for you to go alone. How about we request backup from the headquarters?"

"It's too late. We've already entered its territory."

Chu Zihang stared at the end of the fog, his eyes slightly darkened. He spoke softly, "It's coming. When I tell you to run, run. Don't look back, understand?"

"Coming? Who's coming?"

Before Cheng Er could ask who was coming, a blinding white light suddenly cut through the dark night and heavy rain.

Boom!!!

From the darkness at the end of the road, a giant eight-legged horse, like a mountain, emerged, its body illuminated by a dazzling lightning strike.

In the storm, the eight-legged horse stood proudly in the center of the road. Its strong and muscular hooves shattered the hard asphalt. 

Its pure white fur seemed to glow faintly, as if coated by the lightning. The figure riding it, clad in iron armor, exuded a terrifying pressure that made it hard to breathe.

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