The auction finally ended, and the Black Market, devoid of further attractions, became dull and uninteresting.
After meeting up with Eileen and the others, who had been wandering around, Tang Yu planned to leave as well.
Suddenly, he furrowed his brows, sensing a malicious gaze.
"Ming, you go ahead and split up from us."
"What's wrong, Tang?" asked Li Xiuming, noticing Tang Yu's serious expression. Realizing the gravity of the situation, he hesitated for a moment before separating from Tang Yu and the others.
He didn't go far, merely blending into the crowd, his expression filled with concern.
At the bend in the tunnel, Tang Yu caught a glimpse of a skinny young man out of the corner of his eye.
The underground tunnel was narrow, and there were quite a few people moving in the same direction to leave the Black Market. However, Tang Yu sensed that the ominous gaze came from this skinny young man.
Having been ambushed by Demonized Beasts countless times in the Spirit Space, his perception ability had long since become extraordinary. The young man's gaze, in his view, was unmasked. It would have been odd if he hadn't noticed it.
A cold smile curled at the corners of Tang Yu's mouth, and he deliberately slowed his pace.
Suddenly, a group of people emerged from another tunnel junction. They did not conceal their faces and marched with an aggressive demeanor, making other survivors quickly move aside to avoid them.
"Are those the Scarlet Hand members? What are they here for?"
"I always feel these people have a hostile look. Could it be that they're looking to trouble some survivor?"
"Shush, keep it down. Do you have a death wish?"
Led by Shi Yanming, members of his group approached.
The skinny young man stepped forward and pointed at Tang Yu, speaking in a low voice.
Upon glancing at Tang Yu, Shi Yanming saw a man in a black robe, hiding his face? But it didn't matter; as long as the person was present, that was enough.
He stepped forward with an unfriendly face, "Someone reported that you have stolen a Source Crystal. As an enforcer of the Black Market, it is my duty and responsibility to clarify the matter. Now, please cooperate with our search. If the results prove you haven't stolen anything, I, Shi Yanming, will apologize immediately. Of course, if the results turn out to be true, or if you refuse to cooperate... heh heh heh, then I'll have no choice but to handle it according to the rules."
Behind him, his subordinates swept their gazes menacingly, each one snickering.
After finishing his statement, Shi Yanming crossed his arms and seemed generously willing to wait for Tang Yu's response.
As a member of the Scarlet Hand, he rarely followed the rules so strictly, but he was not worried.
If the other party didn't cooperate, he would have a perfect excuse to take action, and no one could fault him for it.
But if these three individuals consented to a search, Shi Yanming's eyes drifted to Tang Yu's waist, where a Longsword was fastened—that Demon-slaying Longsword would become his, and...
Shi Yanming looked towards one of them.
Although their appearance was unclear, they had revealed their voice during the transaction, and it was obviously that of a young woman, which would make the search quite interesting.
He suddenly hoped that they would refuse to cooperate, and then, he would have a perfectly valid reason to search them.
As for the results of the search, that was for him to decide.
If it weren't for the development of the Black Market, if he didn't also have some regard for the members of the other three Mercenary Corps, Shi Yanming would have acted long ago.
He snorted coldly, filled with disdain.
The other three Mercenary Corps were definitely eyeing the Demon Slaying Sword, but they were concerned about their reputation and did not dare to make a move!
The other survivors in the tunnel kept retreating but didn't leave; they too were curious about how things would unfold.
"These three are doomed, actually targeted by the Scarlet Hand--the most domineering and unreasonable of the Four Great Mercenary Corps. These guys are finished."
"Yeah, even top-tier Mercenary Corps sometimes have to suffer in silence when faced with the tyranny of the Scarlet Hand, let alone these three who clearly look like small fries."
"Not necessarily," someone who recognized Tang Yu as the big spender at the auction said. "Anyone who can come up with thousands of Source Crystals might have the backing of a top-tier Mercenary Corps. It might not be one of those already famous, but even if it's a newly risen team, their strength must not be underestimated."
"So what," someone immediately retorted. "Even if it's a top-tier Mercenary Corps, if targeted by the Scarlet Hand, they're done for. After all, the Scarlet Hand has a subtly dominant position within the Four Great Mercenary Corps and only the other three can contend with them."
"But what if these three are subordinates of a big shot from the Sanctuary?" A rookie asked.
An experienced Awakener immediately came forward to explain, "Do you think the people of the Scarlet Hand are fools? As one of the four, they have an indistinct and unclear relationship with the upper echelons. They naturally know who cannot be provoked. The Scarlet Hand's boldness now shows that they have made sure of their stance."
The rookie grew disheartened, "Doesn't this Black Market have even the most basic sense of fairness?"
The experienced Awakener sneered, "Fairness? Fairness is dictated by the Four Great Mercenary Corps. It exists only among them. Do you know what the people of the Scarlet Hand did before the apocalypse?"
The rookie looked bewildered.
"The Commander of the Scarlet Hand used to be a mob boss. He gradually went legitimate, and many businesses in the area around Lin City, like foot bathhouses and karaoke bars, are his. You might have even patronized them. The members of the Scarlet Hand include many former gang enforcers. Do you expect these people to act fairly? Is that possible!"
"So we can just watch them do whatever they want? Who would dare come to this Black Market in the future?"
The experienced Awakener also sighed with regret, "Helpless? Who isn't helpless! But many things can only be bought on the Black Market; for that alone, we're compelled to come here."
Li Xiuming's face was pale, and his hands trembled slightly.
Zhou Jianhong looked worried, but he too could only watch the people from the Scarlet Hand, helplessly sighing.
Lin from Warhammer Mercenary Corps glanced at both sides and finally shook his head.
The feeling of being watched by many made Tang Yu frown.
It was clear that the Scarlet Hand was looking for trouble, but what puzzled him was why.
This hostility came out of nowhere.
Shi Yanming took steps forward gradually revealing a smile.
Tang Yu sighed softly.
Perhaps he had been too low-profile.
He didn't want trouble and despised it, but was he the kind of person who could tolerate being wronged?
Shi Yanming's smile froze on his face, and caught off-guard, he was sent flying backwards, tumbling on the ground several times, ending up with a dirt-covered face.
Silence fell in an instant.
The members of the Seventh Squad of the Scarlet Hand never imagined that someone would dare to resist.
Other Awakeners were equally unable to predict that before the fearsome reputation of the Scarlet Hand, there would be someone who dared to strike, kicking a member of the Scarlet Hand and sending a squad leader flying.
The matter was about to escalate severely!