Chapter 683: A Night of Surprises
by xennovel“Oh dear…”
At Lu Xin’s signal, everyone else was stunned, even more so, gripped by fear.
But the members of the Red Moon Club instantly relaxed.
Grins spread across their faces as they recognized a familiar ally. They hurried over to shake Lu Xin’s hand, enthusiastically sharing their club codenames. The once-oppressive atmosphere suddenly turned warm and united.
Lu Xin had already met most of the people attending this gathering.
Even those who hadn’t been formally introduced had exchanged glances while the enormous spiderweb—cast by Sister’s ability—went up moments earlier.
For instance, there was the red-dressed beauty Red Dancing Shoes, curiously barefoot; Clockwork Orange sporting a Pikachu mask; a smaller Clockwork Orange; and a mysterious Knight Orders member lugging bundles of cables, among others.
“Here, thanks for the shoes…”
Lu Xin returned one of the borrowed shoes to Red Dancing Shoes.
Normally, his memory faltered with these trivial matters, and he would often forget to return them.
But he couldn’t ignore the striking, snow-white bare foot of Red Dancing Shoes this time—it was impossible to feign ignorance.
While seamlessly helping her slip her shoe back on, he casually surveyed the few newcomers.
Red Dancing Shoes was an exceptionally captivating girl; age seemed to hold no mark on her.
Those who saw her never wondered about her age; instead, they only sensed a profound, inherent sex appeal combined with elegance. Even as she stood on one leg and occasionally hopped, she exuded irresistible charm.
Yet Lu Xin knew very well just how formidable she was.
He had once encountered an Ability User of the dancer-type, though she was slightly different.
That one had woven destiny into her dance—full of despair and stubborn resistance.
This one, however, was breathtakingly beautiful, capable of mesmerizing anyone.
Add to that her prowess as a dancer-type and the allure of wearing red dancing shoes that embodied desire. Lu Xin found it nearly impossible to imagine how many could withstand the spellbinding beauty of her dance…
As for these high heels, which functioned as parasitic items, he still hadn’t had the chance to figure out their exact ability.
Yet when he sacrificed them earlier, they worked in perfect synergy.
Clockwork Orange, on the other hand, appeared rather ordinary, showing no unusual aura of an Ability User.
But Lu Xin still remembered him splashing money around while driving—a generosity that inexplicably left a deep impression on him.
“Oh my, brother, what is your ability exactly?”
“Was what we just saw for real?”
“Can your power make people see illusory images…”
“…”
As Lu Xin assessed the newly introduced Red Dancing Shoes and Clockwork Orange, others were also scrutinizing him.
Even those he’d met before, like Old Wang, Dracula, and Nine-Headed Serpent, regarded him with a tinge of amazement.
Some even circled around him, casually squeezing his biceps.
Their faces lit with wonder, as if they were admiring a rare, doomsday-endangered species.
“Um…”
Lu Xin paused briefly, sheepishly adding, “Strictly speaking, I haven’t done much.”
His expression candid as he continued, “I merely punched that Cangzhang Sect member a few times.”
“!”
The Red Moon Club members were astonished by Lu Xin’s humility, a chorus of swallowing noises filling the air.
After a while, someone finally asked, “So, how exactly did you hit him?”
“By sacrifice…”
Lu Xin explained, “The Black Box Codex mentions that sacrificing seven specific items summons him.”
He added, “Once he’s caught off guard, you land three solid punches.”
Glancing around the club members with a hint of amusement, he said, “It’s really simple. Can’t you manage it?”
The club members exchanged uncertain looks.
On the outskirts, investigators and operatives from other factions who had dared to spy on Lu Xin listened, perplexed. Have Ability Users reached such heights? Does everyone possess this kind of potential now?
Only Old Wang pondered aloud, “So simple, after all…”
……
……
“Captain…”
At that moment, Xia Chong approached Lu Xin with a solemn face and in a deep tone asked, “Is the matter resolved?”
Lu Xin blinked and quickly nodded, “It’s resolved.”
Xia Chong appeared to relax slightly, though still uneasy, “All issues resolved?”
“Hmm…”
Lu Xin responded instinctively, then suddenly realized, “No, not entirely…”
Xia Chong’s expression quickly turned grim as he hefted his rocket launcher, “What’s left? Where is it?”
“It’s not that…”
Lu Xin rushed to explain, but once he saw Xia Chong’s serious face, he found himself at a loss for words.
Everyone nearby listened intently. How could he possibly mention that billion-dollar issue in front of them? Glancing sidelong at Dracula, he caught her furtive looks—likely weighing the same thoughts. Although Lu Xin planned to corner that billion later, he couldn’t discuss it openly now—after all, too many people who had just joined in were entitled to a cut.
After all, as the youngest department head at Qinggang Satellite City No. 2 Business Company, he did possess some business acumen.
The pity was on the club members—they hadn’t a clue about that billion-dollar matter…
“Wah wah wah…”
Amid the delay, suddenly a loud screech of a car fleeing echoed from afar.
Everyone snapped to attention. They watched as a truck, dragging a trailer, careened toward the Stadium. It barreled wildly, knocking aside vehicles on either side, with pursuers hot on its tail.
From the driver’s cabin, a chubby figure leaned out, waving excitedly from a distance, shouting,
“Bro, I’m here! I’m joining the party!”
“…”
Everyone stepped back as he dove into a nearby shop, enthusiastically jumping out of his truck.
He was enveloped in a cloud of black smoke, his recent actions unknown, yet his face radiated excitement.
But upon seeing the surrounding ruins and battle scars, as well as the relaxed expressions of the crowd, his demeanor shifted.
He nervously asked, “Has the party already ended?”
“I was busy preparing fireworks for you, and you didn’t wait for me?”
“…”
“It’s not exactly party time yet…”
No one answered. All eyes turned to the fat man behind him.
In plain view were imposing military vehicles and heavily armed law enforcement teams, advancing with fierce determination.
Their sudden appearance tightened the previously relaxed atmosphere.
“Creak…”
The military vehicles drew near. The lead vehicle abruptly stopped, and the following armed forces braked instantly.
The doors opened, and a man in gray stepped down.
It looked as though he’d once worn a pristine Zhongshan suit, now sooted and ragged like a scavenger’s. Yet when Lu Xin saw his face, he tensed.
This man was none other than the Hell Designer Lu Xin had encountered before.
The source of Hell was not him but the mastermind of the Cangzhang Sect, yet the designer stood before him.
Clattering sounds filled the air as heavy weaponry and glaring lights zeroed in on them.
People began to back away, searching for escape routes or preparing to strike.
Amid the oppressive tension, Xia Chong—who had just banished his own summoned Mental Monster back to the Abyss—took a deep breath and stepped forward from the crowd. With a rocket launcher slung over his back, small in stature yet commanding in presence, he blocked everyone’s path.
“I am Xia Chong, a mid-level investigator from the Moon Eclipse Research Institute.”
Facing the barrage of heavy fire, he declared loudly, “Flame has committed an act that threatens all of humanity. The evidence has been sent to the Research Institute. Your attempt to coerce civilians into creating Hell has been thwarted.”
“And now, you still want to resist?”
“…”
Snap! Snap! Snap!
Under her resolute gaze, the Hell Designer strode forward at a measured pace.
Xia Chong grew visibly tense, instinctively reaching for his now-empty rocket launcher.
Observing him, Lu Xin frowned slightly, and prepared himself for action.
Under their watchful eyes, the Hell Designer slowly advanced to within three or four meters.
Then, suddenly, he dropped to his knees, releasing his grip on his legs.
Placing both hands high on his head, he shouted, “I surrender!”
“But not to that weapon rack.”
As he spoke, his eyes locked onto Lu Xin with a look of profound submission, “I surrender to you.”
“Whoosh!”
Instantly, countless eyes fixed on Lu Xin.
Even Lu Xin was momentarily taken aback; yet amidst all those gazes, he maintained his composure, showing neither obvious surprise nor panic. He slowly approached Xia Chong, and looked down at the kneeling man, asking, “What do you mean?”
“Even in surrender, one should bow only to the strongest, right?”
The Hell Designer remained unnervingly calm. Clasping his head, he looked up at Lu Xin. Though his expression was tinged with dejection, it contained no despair as he shook his head and said, “I’ve seen clever people, insane people, and many powerful individuals. But someone as brilliant, mad, and formidable as you is a first…”
“Losing to you, I harbor no resentment.”
“But…”
He paused, and only then did a flicker of uncontrolled excitement cross his face as he continued, “I really want to know…”
“How did you neutralize our every move so completely?”
“…”
“Umm…”
Facing the earnest expression of the Hell Designer, Lu Xin felt a twinge of unease.
When someone looks at you that seriously, it’s hard to answer without a misstep…
The room fell silent as everyone awaited his response.
After a long moment of thought, Lu Xin finally replied honestly,
“From the day I entered Flame, you all made a grave mistake…”
“…”
The Hell Designer’s face twisted into a look of puzzled bewilderment, “What mistake?”
Lu Xin stared intently, his expression growing ever more serious. He didn’t answer, only shaking his head slowly in silence.