Chương 90: Shadows of the Bamboo Sea

A golden haze washed over the city as the sun dipped low, closing its business for the day and turning the sky into a bruised purple, just as Merchant Faihzu invited the four agency leaders and their most trusted aides into a private hall on the second floor. Built specifically for merchantry legislation, the hall sat directly above Kailume's largest tavern, which was renowned for the town's best drinks and accommodations.

As the heavy wooden doors sealed behind them, the rest of us elites were left waiting outside in the courtyard. Only faint murmurs and the occasional clink of teacups escaped from within. Inside the elegant hall, warm lantern light glowed softly. A large round table had been prepared with fine porcelain cups and a steaming pot of premium Green Leaf Tea, known for its calming yet clarifying properties.

The four leaders and their closest aides took their seats as servants poured the fragrant tea for refreshment; business was about to begin, and mouths were better kept wet than dry. Faihzu took a slow, long sip, savoring the delicate flavor with an "ahhhh" sound after it flowed into his digestive system, then spoke with calculated warmth.

"Honored leaders, today's topic is about a pearl which many of you here do not know about, but one person knows enough. I mean especially you, Zhuofing the Dirty Finger. The pearl that your Golden Tooth Agency successfully escorted and delivered to me, holding off those dirty bandits and robbers, carries deep sentimental value to my family. It was given to me by a respected Historian Seeker who discovered it at a private auction some time ago.

He met with me and told me about my family heritage connected to it, and I was shocked to find that such an item, so many centuries gone from us, was about to be converged again. I bought it from that auction because it reminded me of my late grandfather, a man whose head was like the pearl, shining in brilliance." He paused, his expression turning regretful.

"However, after your agency brought it safely to me, those vile, scummy bandits ambushed my guards and stole it that very day, as you know." He looked at Zhuofing.

"That is why I have gathered all of you. I need it back, because if one item of mine can be taken, all of mine can be taken." He continued smoothly with his words.

"If any of you should find the sought-after item, you must know how to distinguish it from any other pearl. Because beyond its emotional worth, the pearl possesses a rare property. It passively absorbs Animo from its surroundings and shines with brilliant rainbow light when it does so. That alone makes it priceless to me." Zhuofing the Dirty Finger's face darkened. He gripped his teacup tightly.

"So we bleed to deliver it safely… and you still lose it the same night? Typical merchant openly makes mistakes... barks at an another tree, but see it not at their own fault themselves," he whispered to himself. Mo the Giant Fierce Panda Agency leader stayed mostly silent, slowly swirling the tea in his cup, eyes narrowed in suspicion. Woushal of Treasure Seeker Agency laughed lightly.

"A shiny family heirloom stolen by bandits? How convenient. As long as the bonus is real, I don't care about the details." Shiqifan of Safety Delivery Agency simply nodded.

"We are here to do the job. The client's story is his own." None of them pressed harder. They were none the wiser to the pearl's true nature as one of Liush-Dao's keys or even questioning the merchants self fabricated story. Faihzu continued.

"In a couple of days, my scouts, whom I paid very well, will return with exact coordinates. Then we strike deep into the territory of the great Green Bamboo Bandits to retrieve it." Mo suddenly set his teacup down and leaned forward, his massive frame making the chair creak.

"Allow me to explain the reality of what we are walking into merchant, since I have the most experience with those animals you call bandits." He rolled up his sleeve, revealing a hideous, unhealing scar that tore from his shoulder down across his elbow.

"Twenty-six numbered Overlords rule the Bamboo Sea. Each controls a massive swath of territory, governing it like a personal kingdom. They are ranked by the power and dread they sow across the surrounding regions. The lower the number, the more monstrous they truly are. Yet, you must not scoff at those with higher numbers; you would be surprised by the sheer beast each one of them can be." Mo's voice grew heavy.

"Never underestimate them. During an escort mission years ago, I crossed paths with Number 19, the one they call Zhài Zhǔ Baranga. That monster of a man claimed my arm. As you can see, I never allowed the wound to fully heal. It stands as a permanent reminder of my past failures... a drive to grow stronger and elevate my agency to the level it stands at today. That man struck pure terror into my soul back then. I am far stronger now, yet I still barely escaped with my life that day.

Take my warning to heart: do not underestimate a single one of them." Faihzu's face paled noticeably at all revealed information.

"You… struggled against Number 19 and turned out that badly?" Mo nodded grimly.

"Luckily for us, you told me privately that our target is only Number 21, the one known as Zhài Zhǔ Bào, or Master Bao to his peers. Still, do not grow arrogant just because he holds the twenty-first rank. The path ahead remains incredibly arduous, but I believe we can get it done." While the other three leaders nodded seriously and asked a few tactical questions, Mo stayed quiet afterward.

His eyes remained narrowed in suspicion of the mission at hand, feeling that something was missing, but he knew he wouldn't be told, so he let it be. He clearly did not fully believe the merchant's story. To him, no one would risk to call up to four agencies and throws in this much coin for a mere "sentimental pearl." Later that night, after the meeting ended and everyone left the hall, Mo pulled two of his most trusted aides into a dark corner outside.

"That merchant is hiding something important," he said in a low, dangerous voice.

"No man pays this kind of reward and gathers four agencies just for a glowing rock with sentimental value. Find out the truth. Ask around quietly. I want to know the real reason he wants that pearl so badly, if you have to break bones... do it quietly." The two aides bowed and disappeared into the night without another word. We, the elites, were all brought to the same large tavern to rest for the next three days while waiting for the scouts. Tension filled every hallway and corner of the building.

The moment we tried to settle in, Qixian approached me on the very first night, her purple eyes burning.

"You. Erumes Flamma. Duel me. Right now." I looked at her calmly with a worried face thinking she is not right in her head.

"Are you right in your mind? We already fought during the trial proving our might and you guys won, so congratulation. We have a dangerous mission ahead. Do you really want to anger your leader right before marching into the bandit territory?" She grew furious to my denial of request, her hand twitching toward her rods. Xihua appeared instantly at my side, pipe between her teeth, smoke already curling threateningly.

"Try it, girl. I'll wrap you in thorns before you swing... we dont have time for mere games." This hostility dragged on for three full days. The other agencies constantly provoked us with subtle shoves, mocking whispers, and dirty looks. Leading the charge was Qixian from the Mo Agency. She glared at me nonstop, never breaking eye contact whenever our paths crossed, looking like an obsessed doll primed to pounce.

I deliberately stared straight ahead, refusing to give her the satisfaction of an acknowledgment, which only pissed her off more; I secretly enjoyed leaving her empty-handed. While the entire Golden Tooth team remained disciplined, the constant friction left everyone frustrated and on edge. Finally, on the morning of the fourth day, the tavern door burst open. A lone scout staggered in, covered in blood, his face deathly pale.

He collapsed onto a table and rasped with his final strength, loud enough for everyone to hear his voice.

"The iridescent pearl… is 659 kilometers west… deep inside the Bamboo Sea. Over 43, 000 strong bandits… they are currently fighting another Overlord's forces… they are…" His body suddenly convulsed violently. Before anyone could react, he imploded. Blood and bone exploded outward as the hidden energy palm strike detonated inside him. Merchant Faihzu's face was ice-cold when he finally stepped out of the room. Without hesitation, his voice rang out: "Retrieve the pearl immediately.

Whoever brings it to me will receive a massive bonus on top of the original rewards. Move out! This news is our sign to strike while we can." As his command echoed through the hall, those of us sitting at the corner of the table, including Xhife, Xihua, and myself, instinctively gripped our weapons with the grim knowledge that death lay ahead. We quickly moved outside to assemble behind our leaders who stood at the vanguard.

Our disciplined, rapid march began, leaving the man who ordered this bloodbath to walk at the very back surrounded by his elite guards, clearly planning to stay safe while we did the fighting in the hours to come. At the same time, deep inside the Bamboo Sea, Master Bao staggered into the highest chamber of his metallic leopard-shaped stronghold, blood dripping heavily from his side. His once fearsome armor was just shattered.

Huge chunks of iron-coal plating hung loosely from his massive frame, exposing deep wounds beneath it. A vicious stab wound pierced straight through the left side of his chest very close to his must important organ as his heart had been grazed.

"Master!" Shipal, his most trusted aide, rushed forward in horror upon hearing of his return.

"Your armor… your chest has a huge hole!" Bao growled through bloodied teeth. With a savage motion, he reached into the wound and pulled out a broken blade fragment, throwing it to the ground with a wet clang. Fresh blood poured from his mouth as he coughed violently.

"That bastard Guolrung… the wannabe Overlord… was stronger than I expected," Bao rasped, voice like grinding steel.

"He nearly took me with him. But I still crushed his skull in the end and kicked his dirty body into the ground for maggots to enjoy." Shipal's face was pale.

"Master, you must rest immediately. You cannot stay on your chair let alone fight in this state." Bao slammed a heavy hand on the table, cracking the wood.

"I know.... I've heard that those greedy dogs are coming for the pearl. Listen well, Shipal." He looked his aide dead in the eyes, blood still leaking from the corner of his mouth.

"Rush them without mercy. Buy me some precious time. I only need three hours. Three hours to recover enough to make a strong comeback. If you can hold them for that long, I will personally tear them apart." Shipal bowed deeply, fists clenched.

"Understood, Master Bao." Bao continued, breathing heavily.

"Call my Three Great Hounds. Summon them from every outpost they currently operate at. I need all personnel here at the main stronghold. Every last bandit. Do not let a single one of those agencies leave this forest alive. Once they make it here, let it become their grave."

"As you command, Master. I will send out word." Bao forced himself to his feet, his legs shaking for a moment before he steadied his stance. Without another word, he turned and descended into the secret cavern beneath the stronghold, entering a sanctuary carved deep into the earth. Within it, ancient Beiduan Pai recovery formations awaited him. As an exiled clan member, exposing his use of their secret techniques would invite dangerous consequences.

It was far safer to activate them here, safely hidden from any prying eyes and ears. Once inside the dimly lit cave, Bao stepped into the center of the glowing circular formation. He took a deep breath. Suddenly, he curled his entire massive body into an extremely tight, rigid block position. He tucked his head down, pulled his knees tightly to his chest, and wrapped his powerful arms around his legs.

He compressed himself to become as small and dense as possible, transforming into a living human boulder of pure muscle and willpower. The moment he locked the position, violent cramps exploded across every millimeter of his compressed body. His muscles seized and knotted brutally. His skin slowly began turning a sickly bluish-purple color as he forced his Animo into a dangerous, high-pressure circulation pattern. Blood vessels bulged like ropes under his skin. His breathing became shallow and strained.

The wound on his chest continued to bleed, dripping onto the cold stone floor beneath him. For three full hours he had to lie there motionless. No one could touch him. No one could move him. No one could even speak loudly near him. If the process was interrupted even once, all the built-up energy would backlash and likely kill him on the spot. While Master Bao lay completely still in the underground cave, Shipal stood at the top of the stronghold, his face grim and focused. Three hours.

That was all the time they had. He turned to the gathered commanders and roared with authority.

"Listen up! The Master is in recovery and cannot be disturbed! We have exactly three hours to hold the line! Send the emergency signal immediately! Call the Three Great Hounds from every outpost! All forces are to converge on the main stronghold at full speed! Prepare every trap, every ambush, every man we have!" The commanders saluted sharply and scattered. Shipal clenched his jaw, staring out into the vast glowing bamboo sea that stretched endlessly in every direction.

"Three hours…" he whispered.

"We will give him those three hours even if it costs every single one of us our lives. The Bamboo Sea will become their graveyard." War drums began to thunder across the two-hundred-meter-tall, parakeet-green stalks as the entire territory of Overlord Number 21 stirred to life, like a waking beast welcoming prey into its own den.