Chapter 24: A Scheme in the Shadows? Or an Open Gambit?

Lighthouse, City Lord’s Office.

Morgan gazed into the profound night sky with a complex heart. The only reason he could stand here now, drawing full breaths of air, was that Mark and his team had risked their lives to retrieve the medicine.

Was this reasonable? It was not!

The Dust Hunters had expended massive resources to set out at night, all to save an old man with no medical value. This undoubtedly violated the three great laws he himself had established; he had truly lifted a rock only to drop it on his own feet.

Mark had stormed the Dawn Hall, struck a High-Born, and developed feelings for his lieutenant. These sins, when added together, were enough to make him follow in the footsteps of Red-Kou. Yet, at this moment, Morgan hesitated. Should he really take that step?

Someone entered. It was Victor, who spoke respectfully, "City Lord, tomorrow is the day for the new City Lord’s succession. Do you really intend to hand over the position to Mark at a time like this? If so, I shall begin the preparations now."

Victor was a man who, rather than following the three great laws, followed the City Lord before him—his old comrade-in-arms.

Morgan remained silent for a long time before making a decision, letting out a deep sigh. "Proceed with the arrangements. I am truly old; it is time for me to practice the rules I once set with my own hands."

At the doorway, Charles, who had been about to step inside, froze. His eyes glared at that back with dark malice. There was no trace of father-son affection, only seething resentment and fury. He let out a low hum and turned to leave.

The next day.

The first rays of the morning sun spilled down. The Lighthouse was exceptionally lively today, a vibrant atmosphere lingering in the air. Whether they were High-Born or Dust-People, joy blossomed on their faces. The words discussed most frequently were "City Lord," "Mark," and "Reform."

Even though they knew of Mark’s past transgressions, after his inspiring words, everyone’s mindset was gradually shifting. Besides, Mark had brought back the medicine and saved City Lord Morgan. He was heroic, selfless, and law-abiding—the most suitable candidate.

Could they really let Charles take the position?

While many High-Born held the Judges and the Light and Shadow Church in awe and reverence, it was largely because the Church controlled punishment and indoctrination. Offending Charles on the Lighthouse was worse than jumping off into the abyss to wrestle with a Snake-Dog.

Of course, Charles still had a group of blindly loyal fanatics of the Light and Shadow Church. They were willing to do anything for the Lord of Light, even offering their lives to achieve the sublimation of their souls. These people were hidden in every corner of the Lighthouse, waiting for the order... for the viper to strike.

Knock, knock!

"Captain Mark, Lieutenant Ran Bing seems to be in trouble at the supply warehouse!" two Dust Hunters shouted anxiously from outside the door.

The door opened instantly. Mark asked while putting on his coat, "What happened?!"

"We aren't entirely sure, but it seems Charles's people got into a conflict with Lieutenant Ran Bing and started fighting. They have the upper hand in numbers..." the two replied.

Hearing that Charles was causing trouble—and targeting Ran Bing—Mark lost his composure. "Lead the way!"

The three of them trotted through less-traveled corridors, eventually entering a remote warehouse.

"Huff..." Mark shook his head. For some reason, he had felt weak and listless since waking up, and this run made him even more exhausted, his mind clouded.

Seeing how isolated the location was, Mark’s vigilance increased, but hearing the whimpers and mocking laughter from inside made him anxious. Combined with his dizziness, his caution was thrown to the wind.

"Stop!"

Deep inside, four masked figures were swinging clubs, raining blows upon a figure on the ground. It was a woman, her upper body covered by a cloth bag. The pain was real, and her agonizing moans tore at Mark’s heart. He wasn't sure if it was Ran Bing, but even if it wasn't, he could not tolerate such wanton cruelty.

Bang!

The warehouse door was locked by the two Dust Hunters.

Mark’s heart skipped a beat. He knew these two by name; they were veterans who had been in his team for years, having faced life and death together. They wouldn't turn on him, would they? Surely not?

Just then, one of the masked men drew a dagger from his waist and, under Mark’s horrified gaze, resolutely plunged it into the neck of the hooded woman.

Blood flowed, and the bag was torn away. It was not Ran Bing, but a young Dust-Person girl. Her mouth was stuffed with a rag, her gaunt face filled with agony and despair, her wide, unblinking eyes fixed on Mark. Even in death, she couldn't understand why she, who had risen at dawn to labor, had deserved this!

"You monsters—" Mark roared, his breathing becoming increasingly difficult, his pupils dilating, his consciousness fading. Even a fool would know this was a conspiracy against him.

"Who are you people!" He stumbled, clenching his fists in a futile attempt to strike back. "Is it Charles? Is it him! Tell him to come for me if he has a problem, don't hurt the innocent!"

*Thwip...*

The muffled sound of a blade entering flesh.

*Thwip...*

Another sound.

Mark turned his head in disbelief, looking at the companions he had trusted implicitly. Two daggers were buried deep in his back. The four masked men rushed forward, hacking at Mark with blade after blade until he collapsed, fresh blood staining the ground for yards around.

The group did not speak a single word from start to finish, truly living up to the principle of "ruthless men talk little."

"The High Priest is indeed meticulous. Knowing Mark recovers quickly and has immense physical prowess, he had us poison his food two days in advance. The drug accumulated, causing a qualitative change, and the effects finally erupted this morning," one of the masked men said with a sinister laugh.

"Light births all, all follow the shadow!" The men murmured a few words before leaving one by one.

They left behind a dead girl and the cooling body of Mark. From the outside, he appeared dead, but his powerful heart continued to beat with a weak, desperate rhythm, trying to cling to his fading life.

"Hiss! Hiss-hiss!"

...

In a corner of the suspended Dust-Person residential area, a figure took advantage of the dim morning light to leap up from below, landing steadily.

Luo Ke scanned his surroundings. Confirming no one had noticed, he swiped a metal mask lying on a windowsill.

The suspended residential area was jokingly called the "Pigeon Coop" by the Dust-People. Luo Ke, however, quite liked the style—walls made of corrugated iron, connected by bridges, crisscrossing in all directions, with no shortage of small shops or entertainment venues.

At night, various neon lights from the Old World would flicker above the doors. With dilapidated robots and blinking electronic screens, people would huddle in groups, drinking and smoking in corners, whispering about the hopeless future of the Dust-People. It exuded a thick sense of Wasteland Punk.

Of course, this was just Luo Ke’s perspective as an outsider. The Dust-People certainly didn't find it a "cool" lifestyle.

Over the past few days, Luo Ke had been embraced by the crowd as a chef and a storyteller. Though he hadn't gained anything tangible, he had fully integrated into the collective.

Xia Dou had become increasingly dependent on his... cooking. Their relationship had grown closer; they played games, gathered ore, cooked, and explored human potential together. It wasn't that Luo Ke had ulterior motives; it was just that the girl was easygoing and likable, and her constant presence made for pleasant company.

As for Bai Yuekui, how did the saying go? She was a snow lotus on a high mountain, meant to be observed from afar and not touched. How could one easily approach someone whose age and experience far exceeded everyone else’s?

Luo Ke had tried to pry some secrets of the past from her, but she was too clever, not letting a single word slip. Luo Ke didn't feel defeated; after all, she was a top scientist and an evolved New Human—it was only natural that her intellect would crush his.

Returning to the present: with a cute girl for company, why had he come up?

Under the double hints of Elon and Bai Yuekui, Luo Ke ultimately couldn't rest easy. He had left the survivor base in the middle of the night, arriving just as the sky began to brighten.

As he moved upward, he suddenly shivered. His brows locked tight as he sensed the surroundings once more. "There are Spine-Gu on the Lighthouse!"

Mark needed a metamorphosis-like growth, and for a man, the fastest growth comes from the stinging blows of his enemies!

(End of chapter)