Chapter 21: Siege!

"Scrawny!"

Li Yela eyes the dense crowd nearby, cold sweat already breaking out on his forehead, yet he opens his mouth to mock the stranger he is meeting for the first time.

He lowers his left hand, pressing it forcefully against his thigh. After several seconds of pressure, the communicator on his left wrist emits an emergency signal.

However, Li Yela's mockery is actually quite precise, intended to hide his psionic armament: the Crimson Longblade.

The official Equipment Department had specially prepared a large sun umbrella for him to serve as a scabbard and camouflage.

This is a model often used by street vendors, standing over two meters tall. Forget the Crimson Longblade; one could hide a halberd in it.

But the fellow holding the black umbrella is carrying one of ordinary size.

Compared to Li Yela's massive black umbrella, isn't he just a scrawny brat?

In reality, Li Yela already knows the newcomer comes with ill intent.

He first heard of the "Black Umbrella" from Wang De.

According to Wang De, it was a young man who liked to carry an umbrella even on sunny days—a mysterious entity with whom Wang De had been in contact since his youth when he was still a scavenger.

According to subsequent official investigations, Wang De had had multiple encounters with the Black Umbrella youth over several decades.

Furthermore, it was the Black Umbrella youth who provided the Ghost Immortal Altar and the silver bell that summons knights.

Toward the Black Umbrella youth, Wang De exhibited fear, sycophancy, and vigilance.

He had even warned his relatives and subordinates: "Beware of the man carrying an umbrella on a sunny day."

This information alone was enough to put the authorities on high alert.

One must realize that Wang De was nearly ninety years old when he died, yet he had been in contact with the Black Umbrella since his youth.

Over all these years, Wang De had aged into his eighties, yet the Black Umbrella remained unchanged.

Time seemed to have left no trace upon him.

Moreover, he could casually produce the silver bell and the knight's ashes.

Psionic armaments are weapons forged by extracting mysterious substances from the "Wells of Souls" of deceased victims or psionics.

The technical difficulty is immense, and it requires significant luck; after all, what ability you obtain depends heavily on fate.

As for undead summoning, it is a capability mastered only by psionics of the Nether Path who have reached at least their third awakening.

This implies that the Black Umbrella himself, or the organization behind him, has killed a third-awakened Nether psionic and possesses the technology to forge psionic armaments.

Another point is the knight within the bell. Originally, there were two knights, both eldritch creatures from the Calamity Forbidden Zone, both possessing the strength of a fourth awakening.

And now, they have been turned into psionic ashes to serve as summons!

From this, it is evident that the strength of the Black Umbrella or his organization is unfathomable. They could either retrieve the knights' corpses from the Forbidden Zone or enter the zone directly to kill them. Either scenario is extremely dangerous.

Consequently, the authorities immediately launched an investigation within the Megacity.

For several days, they deployed many handlers with tracking capabilities, only to find the apartments and hotels where the target had previously stayed. There was no further progress.

Who could have imagined that this guy would now appear directly before Li Yela?

And even ask him if he was one of those who destroyed the Ghost Immortal Altar.

Damn, is he that bold?

This place is less than two kilometers from the East City Branch—only two streets away.

Furthermore, Li Yela's current identity is an official Handler, while you are an unidentified, rogue psionic with numerous cases against you.

How do you dare intercept a Handler for questioning?

Is this not as brazen as a fugitive stopping a policeman for a chat just a short distance from the Guard Hall?

Thus, while decisively mocking him, Li Yela directly called for his teammates and colleagues.

Once an emergency signal is triggered, all nearby Handlers receive the message and rush to the scene at maximum speed.

But Li Yela was indeed nervous.

This area is near the Ring District with heavy foot traffic; it is a bustling commercial zone.

Starting a fight with the Black Umbrella here would likely result in many innocent victims.

Moreover, he wasn't even sure he could win. Official estimates suggested the man was a powerhouse of the fourth awakening or higher.

Although Li Yela had defeated a Lancer Knight and achieved a successful kill against a higher-ranked opponent, he could not engage such an enemy in direct combat. He had to run!

*Come on, chase me!* Li Yela thought. Once the opponent pursued him, he could lead him away from the crowd and use his "Luck E" to attempt to stall him for a while.

The Branch was very close; reinforcements would arrive soon.

With this thought, Li Yela gripped the large black umbrella. The Crimson Longblade was about to be unsheathed, and simultaneously, he gripped the bell in his bosom.

The Black Umbrella youth did not seem angered by Li Yela's mockery. Instead, he continued to look at him and said, "Don't be so hostile~ I am merely curious: how did you manage to destroy the Ghost Immortal Altar and yet survive? Why did the Ghost Immortal let you go?"

This was the truth. The destruction of the Ghost Immortal Altar was no secret to psionics.

The commotion at the time was so massive that every psionic in the Megacity could feel it.

But what puzzled the Black Umbrella was that the enraged Ghost Immortal had suddenly gone silent. Not only did it fail to forcibly enter the world, but why was the Handler who destroyed the altar still alive?

The Black Umbrella had gained significant assistance from Wang De regarding the Ghost Immortal Altar and had grasped much of the entity's temperament. With the altar smashed, the Ghost Immortal should have inevitably retaliated.

What, did it change its nature? Why let this Handler go?

What secret did this Handler hold?

Would it affect his future actions?

It was precisely this curiosity that brought the Black Umbrella before Li Yela. He intended to make contact.

Unfortunately, the other party was not being cooperative.

"You want to know? I'm afraid you'll only feel it once you die at my hands," Li Yela said, sticking to his brand of "sincerity."

It was the truth. Why hadn't the Ghost Immortal acted against Li Yela? Because he had already been eaten by "Mr. Shadow."

If this guy wanted to investigate, he would have to face Mr. Shadow directly.

And once he died at Li Yela's hands, he would automatically become a sacrifice offered to Mr. Shadow. Wouldn't that be "meeting the Way"?

To the Black Umbrella's ears, this sounded like yet another provocation.

However, he still did not appear angry. He took step by step toward Li Yela and said calmly, "You seem to want to provoke me and lure me away from here. But as I said, don't be so hostile.

We can talk properly. The fact that I didn't track you directly to your home is the sincerity I am offering.

If any of my other 'friends' had come, they might have already threatened you with your family's lives. However, I have not done so. That is my sincerity."

"But I am not a patient man. Wang De was a dear friend I had known for over sixty years, yet you pinned him to a wall with a single blade." The Black Umbrella walked through the crowd without attracting anyone's attention. "I can seek vengeance for my old friend at any moment, or I can help the Ghost Immortal eliminate you. So, please do not waste my goodwill."

The words carried a clear threat.

Li Yela's gaze gradually turned indifferent, and the large umbrella in his hand slowly lowered.

In his vision, his shadow began to twist, to expand, and to swallow the light.

The shadow was twisted and strange, yet vast as the universe, but Li Yela was the only one who could see it.

Upon sensing Li Yela's killing intent, "Mr. Shadow" finally made his appearance.

It seemed to be waiting for Li Yela's choice.

At the same time, the Black Umbrella stopped his approach, sensing a faint hint of danger.

*What is this? What does this young man have on him that can threaten me?*

*A Forbidden Item? Or something else?*

The Black Umbrella revealed a smile filled with anticipation. "Come, let me see the secret you are hiding."

He had specifically threatened Li Yela's family to provoke him into attacking, hoping to glimpse whether Li Yela possessed the power of a Void Realm existence.

Some people are brave and steadfast, but they ultimately have weaknesses.

It must be said, the Black Umbrella was clever, and his plan was quite successful!

When the Black Umbrella threatened his family, Li Yela could not help but generate killing intent, wanting to kill the youth.

And "Mr. Shadow" sensed Li Yela's thought and reacted accordingly.

But soon, Li Yela heard a light hum: *"You certainly arrived quickly."*

Then, the presence vanished. In Li Yela's vision, his shadow returned to normal.

Noticing this, Li Yela knew in his heart.

He was safe; it seemed his colleagues had arrived.

But Li Yela felt little joy. The information revealed by the Black Umbrella was very clear: he had been noticed by certain organizations.

He had truly stumbled into trouble.

Thus, Li Yela exerted great control over his hostility and pointed toward a nearby alleyway. "Let's talk in there."

Then, he actually turned and walked toward the alley.

*'He didn't attack, and that sense of danger vanished. Did he back down?'*

The Black Umbrella youth felt a sense of regret, but on the surface, he raised an eyebrow and followed, saying, "That's more like it. We don't have to be enemies; we can be friends. I am very good to my friends. A Handler like you earns only a few thousand Megacity coins a month; why risk your life? Become my friend, and you can gain many benefits."

"Just like Wang De?" Li Yela retorted with a hint of disdain. "Becoming a monster that devours its own offspring just to struggle for survival?"

"That was Wang De's wish; naturally, I support my friends." The Black Umbrella youth flashed a friendly smile. "So, can you tell me what happened after you destroyed the altar?"

"What do I get after telling you?" Li Yela asked.

"If we become friends, magic potion materials, psionic armaments, and everything else you desire can be negotiated." The Black Umbrella youth noticed the bell in Li Yela's hand and smiled. "For example, your summoning bell—I can even provide you with more powerful summons. On the condition that you give me the answer I want."

"Oh." Li Yela maintained a five-meter distance from the Black Umbrella, and at this moment, he reached out his hand. "Then transfer 50,000 to me so I can see your strength!"

The Black Umbrella youth paused, then shook his head with a laugh. "I don't have any on me right now."

"If you didn't bring cash, then giving me a few psionic armaments or magic potions would work too." Li Yela rubbed his fingers with a greedy expression. "I think this black umbrella of yours is quite good. Even if you're a scrawny brat, it should be a psionic armament, right? Just give it to me."

The Black Umbrella youth responded, "That depends on whether your answer satisfies me."

"Tsk." Having failed to get something for free, Li Yela clicked his tongue and then said, "The Ghost Immortal... I remember he had a mountain-like physique, wearing black and white Taoist robes, surrounded by countless vengeful spirits. But I didn't see his face clearly."

"You really did see the Ghost Immortal!" Upon hearing Li Yela's accurate description, the Black Umbrella youth's eyes lit up. "What did he say to you, and what did he do? Why didn't he attack you?"

"Oh, after he saw me," Li Yela smiled, "he kowtowed eighteen times on the spot and said he wanted to massage my waist and shoulders. I found it disgusting, so I told him to get lost."

It was clearly nonsense. As soon as the words left his mouth, the Black Umbrella youth's expression instantly turned cold. "We could have been friends. Since you are unwilling to speak, I will take it myself..."

Before he could finish, Li Yela turned and ran. The Black Umbrella did not pursue him, but instead, his body stiffened as he looked around.

At the end of the alley, a person wearing a panda mascot suit and holding a signboard had already walked up to Li Yela's side.

East City Branch, Handler: "Mascot."

At the other end of the alley, a handsome man holding a shield and a long-handled glaive had appeared at some unknown time.

East City Branch, Captain of the Fourth Team: "Moonshadow."

And above the buildings in the alley, a muscular, shirtless man was looking down at the Black Umbrella youth from the edge of a rooftop.

East City Branch, Captain of the Third Team: "Furnace."

More and more senior Handlers arrived in the vicinity, forming a perimeter.

They had rushed here immediately upon receiving the alarm.

And upon noticing Li Yela leading the target into the alley, they had immediately moved to block him in.

The Black Umbrella youth's expression turned solemn. He didn't understand—even he had failed to detect the approach of the Handlers. How did Li Yela know in advance?

But facing three psionics of the fifth awakening or higher simultaneously, even the Black Umbrella youth felt the pressure.

"You really are a piece of work!" The Black Umbrella hissed through gritted teeth, looking at Li Yela, who had ducked behind Mascot.

Li Yela ignored him; he was currently being teased by Mascot.

Mascot raised the signboard, and words appeared on it.

[Can a person's luck really be this bad? You can't even go out without running into an enemy! Σ(っ°Д°;)っ]

[If you go on a business trip to another Megacity some other day, won't you run straight into a King of the Forbidden Zone? Wow! Then we could try a siege! ヽ(￣▽￣)]

For a moment, Li Yela didn't know if meeting the Black Umbrella counted as his bad luck.

He could only nod and say, "Occasionally, just occasionally..."

[Alright, alright, let's talk later. Close your eyes!]

Afterward, Mascot stopped teasing him and looked toward the Black Umbrella.

Then, the three Captain-level Handlers struck simultaneously!

Moonshadow thrust his long blade into his shield, then suddenly yanked it out; dense arcs of electricity flickered along the blade.

He slashed toward the Black Umbrella from a distance! In that instant, bolts of lightning erupted from the ground, lunging straight at the Black Umbrella youth!

At the same time, Furnace leaped down from the rooftop. He reached out his right hand, and a terrifying, massive phantom of a dragon's claw emerged behind him, lunging toward the Black Umbrella youth.

As for Mascot, she removed her panda mascot hood.

Revealing a face of breathtaking beauty, she wore her hair in a ponytail, possessing an aura that was both lively and cool.

She looked at the Black Umbrella youth and smiled.

It was an expression that said, *"You little brat, look me in the eye!"*

However, when the Black Umbrella subconsciously looked at Mascot, he did not see a beautiful girl. Instead, he saw something extremely terrifying.

He let out a terrified scream, and the resistance he was about to mount was thrown into disarray.

As a result, he was struck simultaneously by Moonshadow's lightning and Furnace's mimetic dragon claw.

Li Yela, meanwhile, looked at Mascot with a strange expression. In his perspective, Mascot had simply taken off her hood, and the Black Umbrella youth had reacted as if he had seen a ghost, falling into a state of pure terror.

Driven by curiosity, he couldn't help but ask, "Did you use some kind of ability? Which Path is it?"

Mascot froze, turning her head blankly toward Li Yela.

"Did I say something wrong?" Li Yela asked, feeling apprehensive.

But he saw that the eyes of the beautiful girl before him were filled with nothing but pleasant surprise and excitement.