Chapter 22: Heaven’s Net Draws Tight

There was no time to think. Chu Yun hurriedly retreated into the cave, then activated his ability in the shadows to enter the Mirror World, and quickly left the cave in the Mirror World to avoid being trapped there. The attackers were cautious, not rushing blindly into the cave. Instead, they built a fire at the entrance and threw some strange powders into it.

The smoke grew thick, with at least half of it drifting into the cave. Had Chu Yun been an ordinary mage, he would have been forced out by the smoke, only to be met by a crowd waiting to ambush him at the entrance.

In the Mirror World, Chu Yun pulled out the arrow with effort, his gaze cold as he watched the group of adventurers nearby.

There were six of them, all familiar faces: Hanson's group, the ones who had escorted Pike, and Pike himself.

"Captain Hanson, was that really Chu Yun just now?" one of Hanson's teammates asked uncertainly.

Hanson grinned at Pike. "No mistake. He wouldn't dare deceive us."

"No wonder you never hired the same guards at Rocktown twice. You were afraid someone would discover your secret," the teammate remarked gleefully to Pike.

Whenever Pike was at the camp, he'd take the guards up the mountain, then find an excuse to disappear for a while. To avoid suspicion, he changed guards every time, which was highly irregular—most employers preferred hiring familiar faces.

This time, Pike had slipped up. He encountered a group of adventurers he'd previously employed, and they were well acquainted with Hanson. After some conversation, Hanson, a local of Rocktown, immediately guessed what Pike was up to, since such things happened not infrequently.

Hanson seized the opportunity to blackmail Pike—a risky move, for if caught, they could face prison or even execution.

Pike tried to wriggle out of it, but he caved when Hanson forcibly searched him and found another map concealed on his person. Clearly, Pike didn't fully trust Chu Yun; if Chu Yun failed or died, Pike would simply look for another partner.

But Pike was clever. He immediately betrayed Chu Yun and turned to cooperate with Hanson and his group.

"Don't worry, Hanson. From now on, we're in this together. How could I deceive a partner?" Pike said, forcing a smile.

He was at a disadvantage now, but once Hanson was involved, things would change. Criminals both, neither could threaten the other. And, in Pike's view, no one would refuse a chance to make money—but he underestimated Hanson.

Once Hanson confirmed Chu Yun was here, his plan shifted.

"Pike, you're truly an idiot," Hanson said contemptuously.

Pike's expression changed dramatically. "What do you mean?"

Hanson pointed at the mine. "I watched you betray your partner. Why would I trust you?"

"Once I have the goods, I'll hand you over to the lord. The lord doesn't care about a bit of money—he won't reclaim the loot, but he'll reward those who expose black market deals!"

"Hahaha, Pike, you are as foolish as they come!"

If Hanson had intended to deal with Pike, he wouldn't have brought so many men. Pike realized this, but had no choice.

"Please, don't turn me in. I can pay you, I have plenty of money in Blackstone City!" Pike pleaded desperately.

"Hmph, the lord will surely reward me with your money. You might as well prepare for death." Hanson's methods were ruthless, but his team fully supported him.

For the people of Rocktown, it was the lord's benevolence that allowed them a good life, and their loyalty was genuine.

Hanson didn't trust Pike, nor did he believe such black market dealings could last. Not long ago, the lord had punished a group of miners and merchants.

Pike's face was ashen with regret. He knew the authorities were vigilant recently; he'd planned to lay low after this deal, but ended up exposed.

Now, his only hope was Chu Yun. If Chu Yun could kill them all, Pike might concoct a lie and muddle through. At worst, he'd pay dearly, but to him, Chu Yun seemed just a naive fool.

Listening to their conversation, Chu Yun gradually understood the situation.

Pike was unreliable, and now Chu Yun was dragged into trouble.

"It seems I'll have to kill them all." Chu Yun still felt some aversion to killing.

But if he spared them, they'd cause him no end of troubles, not to mention their ambush had already infuriated him.

The numbing poison in his arm slowly faded. Chu Yun took out the berries he'd prepared the night before and ate them, his wound quickly healing. The berries not only satisfied hunger but each restored a point of health.

Once Chu Yun had mostly recovered, the adventurers remained vigilant, tending the fire at the cave entrance. Thick smoke filled the mine.

"Captain, could the mine have another exit? Why isn't he coming out? Should we go in?" A teammate, anxious, paced at the entrance.

Hanson frowned. "There's only one exit. Chu Yun is a mage, so we'd best be cautious."

The adventurers, all first rank, were wary of mages.

"It's time to end this."

Expressionless, Chu Yun approached the Hanson team from a distance. Their alertness was poor and their range much shorter than Chu Yun's casting distance. He poured all the water from his flask onto the ground, creating a large puddle, then adjusted his casting direction.

"Hand of Flame!"

Scorching fire shot across the water and appeared in the real world. Hanson and the others, caught off guard with their backs to Chu Yun, suddenly felt burning heat and were seized by terror.

A shadow flickered in the firelight, and then a ray of energy burst forth—Hanson's head split like a watermelon, blood spraying everywhere.

Only one adventurer, who had been farther from the Hand of Flame, and Pike managed to survive; the rest were either gravely wounded or dead.

"You—how did you appear here?" The adventurer gaped in disbelief.

"That doesn't matter. Since you tried to kill me, you must be prepared for me to strike back." Chu Yun did not fault Hanson's actions; had he been from Rocktown, he might have done the same.

But since they sought his death, there was nothing more to say.

Arcane light flashed again, and now only Pike remained.

Sweat already soaked Pike's brow. He forced himself to act calm, approaching Chu Yun. "Thank goodness you're safe, truly thank goodness."

"My map was accidentally discovered by them. They thought it was a treasure map and insisted on coming here. Originally, I planned to find a chance to... uh..."

Pike clutched his throat, unable to utter a sound. In his neck was a rusty dagger. He stared at Chu Yun in disbelief, then collapsed.

"Those who betray have no right to die by my magic."