Chapter 72: The Wind Rises

Just as Hu Ming’s palm was about to slap across Jiang Sui’s face, she sprang back in time, avoiding the blow—though the movement also pulled her farther away from Lu Yunze.

Hu Ming’s body stiffened in visible surprise.
He never expected this girl to react that fast.

But instead of panicking, he sneered and turned toward Lu Yunze.

Lu Yunze had inhaled far too much of the strange scent. His consciousness turned hazy—he didn’t even have the strength to stand.

“Lu Yunze, you really didn’t disappoint me. You protected this important item very well.”

Hu Ming spoke as he picked up the black box, brushing away dust from its surface.

“Protected it?”

Lu Yunze’s expression turned pale, and suddenly many things in his mind connected.

From the very first time they met—Lu Yunze had already fallen for Hu Ming’s trick.

That hallucinogenic aroma made Lu Yunze see an illusion, making him believe he “absorbed” the black box into his body.

But in reality, the box had stayed with him the entire time.
Hu Ming had used the scent to tamper with his memory, making him unable to recall anything and even causing him to forget the box existed.

The police and the Enforcement Bureau had always failed to track the missing-person organization, so Hu Ming set up this trap. With the hallucinogenic effect, Lu Yunze was guaranteed to be dragged into the case and deliver the black box for them.

The timing was perfect—preserved the box, eliminated Lu Yunze, and even helped the cult regain progress. It was a plan with countless benefits.

Now, the only step left for Hu Ming—

—was to get rid of Lu Yunze, and show the others who opposed the organization what ending awaited them.

Hu Ming pulled a small vial from his pocket, uncorked it, and flicked it gently, preparing to spill the liquid over Lu Yunze’s head.

But just then—Hu Ming felt a cold gust behind him.

He abruptly reacted, leaping aside—

—and a razor-sharp moon-blade slashed down the spot where he had been standing.

The vial shattered on the ground.
The spilled liquid hissed against the floor, smoking white fumes into the air.

Jiang Sui glanced over and secretly exhaled in relief.
If she had been a second late—she would never have time to say goodbye to Lu Yunze.

“You—what are you? Why stop me?”

Seeing Lu Yunze still breathing, Hu Ming’s expression twisted.
Jiang Sui stepped in front of Lu Yunze, weapon drawn.

“You may not know me, but I know your voice.”

She finally remembered—the voice she heard on the rooftop.
There had been two men that night: one was Jin Shun.

The other—must have been the man in front of her now.

“You were the one connected to Jin Shun, weren’t you?”

The mention of the name wiped the smirk off Hu Ming’s face.

“How much do you know? Who told you? Jin Shun?”

“You don’t need to worry about that,” Jiang Sui laughed softly, deliberately provoking him, “but what I know is more than you imagine.”

It was a lie.
This was her first time hearing Hu Ming’s name.
Her understanding of him might not even match Lu Yunze’s.

However—

Jiang Sui glanced back at the half-conscious Lu Yunze and quietly inhaled.

If she couldn’t beat this man, they’d both die here.

She needed to win—no matter what.

Hu Ming’s mystic arts were based on aroma, meaning the mask could not be removed; otherwise she would only lose faster.

Her palms were slick with sweat around the moon-blade handle, and she tightened her grip.

Whenever danger came, she always thought of Lu Yunze.

How did he handle chaos so calmly?
How did he face sudden death with such efficiency?

A bulldozer crashing toward him—he’d still dodge it.
But she? She would be crushed.

Was this what talent looked like?
Lu Yunze was born a fighter.

She, in comparison—

Hu Ming suddenly moved.
He dug into his pocket—

A new vial?

No.

He pulled out a gun—and fired at Jiang Sui.

The bullet did not hit her. It passed straight through as her body turned into black mist.

Hu Ming never expected a second mystic ability.
He aimed elsewhere, but within his sight—

everything turned black.

Dark fog surrounded him; vision faded.
He couldn’t see anything—not even his own hands.

Footsteps echoed behind him.
Hu Ming spun, firing again—

The bullet pierced nothing and vanished.

Ordinary bullets couldn’t stop a Mystic.

He searched for her voice, but the echo blurred directions.

He crouched low, spinning, firing—

But Jiang Sui struck first, slamming the blunt end of her blade against his abdomen.

Hu Ming groaned and staggered backward.
The shot fired off target, hitting the ground near Jiang Sui.

The impact released a purple shockwave—making Jiang Sui stumble.

That bullet was not normal.
Direct contact must be fatal.

So his magic wasn’t only scent—
it also produced chemical weapons.

One hit and she’d be corrupted.

“Still defending?” Jiang Sui spat.

Hu Ming hissed, “Aren’t you even more ridiculous?! What is this trick of yours!?”

Jiang Sui didn’t answer.

This was why she always admired Lu Yunze.
She had to rely on deception; he relied on raw strength.

Throwing away the bullet casing, Jiang Sui raised her blade, ready to finish Hu Ming and escape with Lu Yunze.

It should have been her relying on him—
yet she was the one saving him.

But Hu Ming suddenly grinned.

“Looks like the drugs are kicking in.”

Jiang Sui froze—

A wave of weakness crushed her.

Her muscles collapsed.
Breathing burned.
Vision blurred.

The fragrance—?

No—

She wore a mask!

“How—?”

“You forgot—who made the mask?”

Hu Ming pointed at his face.

“I know every counter needed. You can block one scent—but can you block all?”

He pulled open his coat.

Inside were dozens of vials—releasing mixed vapors.

“My mystic arts are never meant for direct combat.
If I want someone dead, poison is easier.”

“I said you were more dangerous than me—
I lied.”

Jiang Sui’s limbs went numb.
Her heartbeat thundered.
Tears leaked uncontrollably.

Hu Ming aimed the gun again.

She tried reforming into mist, but her body collapsed back to solid form and hit the ground.

The moon-blade clattered away—Hu Ming kicked it aside.

Then he crouched, snatching off her mask—

“Without the mask, you’ll get the full treatment,” he laughed.
“Didn’t expect it to be you. I thought you were that maid beside Lu Yunze.”

“Oh? You didn’t even recognize me?” Jiang Sui smirked weakly, “Guess my disguise is good.”

As a Mystic himself, Hu Ming didn’t plan to kill her.
Mystics were worth far more alive.

“This girl—will soon belong to the Black Star Cult!”

He spread his arms wide, excited.

“One day, the world will learn the price of defying the King of Poison!”

Cult… King? What even was this group?

Jiang Sui bit her tongue, tasting blood—just to stay conscious.

“You want to resist?” Hu Ming laughed.

“Not me—someone else.”

“Huh?”

With great effort, Jiang Sui shifted her gaze upward.

Above them—

The colorful scent vapors in the air—

were being shredded apart.

A violent wind swept across the rooftop.

Jiang Sui’s long hair whipped wildly, snapping against her face—

The wind had come.

Someone was arriving.

Someone Hu Ming should fear.