From Abyssal Invasion to Bursting Stars with a Single Sword-Chapter 297 - 239: Trace of 027

"Trusted aide…"

Dakville III was about to order his trusted aide to go to Elder Gru's residence to find evidence.

Elder Gru sighed and said, "No need to search."

Upon hearing his words, the Black Iron Dwarves present all looked at him with complex expressions.

Elder Gru looked up at Lu Heng and asked, "When did you start suspecting me?"

Lu Heng spread his hands and answered, "Actually, if you weren't so malevolent towards me, I might not have suspected you at all.

"However, it was just a suspicion at first, until you said something that confirmed your identity as a traitor.

"You may not have realized, but you let something slip."

Elder Gru looked puzzled and asked, "Which statement?"

Lu Heng scratched his eyebrow and said, "Just now, you asked me a question. You asked if I was alone when I sneaked into Black Stone City and then escaped by myself.

"That question was very unnecessary. I had already related the process of retrieving the ashes, yet you specifically asked this question, emphasizing whether I was alone.

"The only reason you would ask that is because you know the account I gave differs from the actual events.

"Because you saw me escaping from Black Stone City, knowing I wasn't alone.

"It was at that moment I confirmed you were in Black Stone City at the time.

"Just now, you must have been very anxious, wanting to challenge the truth of my narrative, but you couldn't directly accuse me.

"Because accusing me would be like admitting you were in Black Stone City at that time."

Suddenly, a surge of Black Witchcraft Energy Waves erupted from Elder Gru as he clenched his teeth and cursed, "Damn humans!"

However, after releasing the Black Witchcraft Energy Waves, he didn't attack Lu Heng but instead lunged at Dakville, the current clan leader.

He wanted to use the same trick again, capture the leader first, then take him as a hostage to escape from Dili Castle.

Once he left Dili Castle, he could return to Black Stone City, continuing to stay by Salein's side.

Dakville, amidst the emotions of a clan elder's betrayal, his father's death, and the clan's crisis, was momentarily dazed.

As a result, when Elder Gru suddenly made his move, Dakville was a half beat too slow, nearly being hit by the Black Witchcraft Waves.

At that moment,

Lu Heng moved swiftly, taking a step forward with an arrow-like stride, drawing the Aurora Blade from thin air, and thrusting it forward with lightning speed.

Pshh!

The blade pierced through Elder Gru's chest, so quickly that all the Black Iron Dwarves present didn't have time to react.

As Elder Gru was impaled, his Black Witchcraft Waves were less than half a step away from Dakville.

Lu Heng withdrew his sword, stepped back, and sheathed the blade.

Elder Gru, clutching his chest, knelt down, a regretful look on his face, and confessed, "Leader, please forgive me. Salein was too beautiful; I couldn't resist her request… I really couldn't…"

Having said that, he collapsed, thick blood flowing out, staining his robe.

Dakville knelt before Elder Gru, his face full of sorrow: "Why... why is this happening!"

This was the last outcome he wished to see.

His father had died, and the one who killed his father and betrayed the clan was the elder he most respected.

…

Lu Heng left the Ancestor Hall, giving the Black Iron Dwarves time to collect their emotions.

Having identified the traitor within the Black Iron Tribe, the upcoming combat tasks would be much smoother.

Lu Heng had retrieved the remains of the previous generation's clan leader and exposed the tribe's traitor, gaining the trust of the Dakville Leader.

The hidden task "Dakville II's Ashes" he had previously triggered also showed as completed.

After Dakville had dealt with Gru's body, he gathered all the Black Iron Dwarves in Dili Castle, then, holding Lu Heng's hand, walked to the plaza's high platform.

He stood on the steps, holding Lu Heng's hand aloft, and announced to all his people,

"From today onward, Lu Heng is our most trusted ally of the Black Iron Tribe. It was he who retrieved my father's ashes so that he could rest in the Ancestor Hall.

"Starting today, I will lead the Black Iron Tribe to reclaim everything that belongs to us.

"Black Stone City is our homeland, built stone by stone by my grandfather leading our ancestors.

"This is our homeland, where we were born, where we grew up, where we bury our progenitors, and under their watch, we protect our homeland.

"Can we allow demons to occupy our homeland?"

The entire tribe of Black Iron Dwarves shouted in unison, "No!"

Dakville continued to shout, "We must regroup, retake Black Stone City, take back our homeland, the dwelling built by our ancestors!"

"Take back Black Stone City!"

"Take back Black Stone City!"

All the Black Iron Dwarves raised their weapons, shouting in unison, their voices thundering forth.

Seeing the indomitable will of these Black Iron Dwarves, Lu Heng felt even more confident about retaking Black Stone City.

From this moment on, Lu Heng's reputation within the Black Iron Tribe soared, becoming their most respected ally.

…

Because trust was established, Dakville began to believe what Lu Heng had previously said.

"You previously said you were representing Quenching Castle."

"Yes, I came on behalf of Quenching Castle."

"That's great. After this matter is resolved, please convey a message to Master Gulu, the Black Iron Tribe will always be his home."

"Alright, Master Gulu will be very happy to hear that," Lu Heng nodded and agreed.

After dealing with the Black Iron Tribe matter, a group of superpower users arrived outside Dili Castle, hoping to enter.

Upon hearing the report from his trusted aide, Darkville II asked Lu Heng for his thoughts, "What do you think? They are your tribespeople; should I treat them as honored guests?"

The visitors were the seven Da Xia superpower users, among them was Zhao Liwen, who had the Spiritual Torture Skill.

After a moment of thought, Lu Heng answered, "It's possible that there are traitors among them, but it's just a possibility and can't be completely certain."

Darkville II sighed and remarked, "So even your clan has traitors."

Lu Heng could only smile helplessly, aware that not only were there traitors among humans, but also many other peculiar types.

"I suggest the leader allow them to be situated outside Dili Castle, and let the tribe's warriors remain vigilant around them. They can be sent out when we need to deal with the Bloodline Demons; they'll be more than willing to help."

"Alright, we'll do as you say," Darkville II agreed.

Since the first Challenge Task wasn't yet complete, it indicated that there were still traitors among those summoned.

Thus, even though those seven superpower users are from Da Xia, their nationality shouldn't be a reason to trust them.

Up to now, the chain of suspicion still existed. novelbuddy.cσ๓

Hence, necessary caution is still needed.

By the afternoon.

Another superpower user arrived, but this time not from Da Xia. It was a Black man, Derek Wolf, who belonged to the Dark Werewolf Bloodline Class.

He specifically asked to meet Lu Heng.

Lu Heng, hearing about this from the Black Iron Dwarf guards, walked out of Dili Castle to meet him outside.

"Let's hear it. What do you want from me?"

If it weren't for the Creator Organization's involvement, Lu Heng wouldn't want to deal with him.

Derek Wolf's face was full of arrogance and dissatisfaction as he asked, "You've received a task from the organization, haven't you?"

"Which task are you referring to?"

"Which else? Of course, it's the one to hunt down number 027, the unlucky one." Derek Wolf's face was filled with mockery, making it seem like hunting 027 was a piece of cake for him.

"So what?" Lu Heng was in no rush about this task.

"I've caught the scent of 027," Derek Wolf declared.

"Here?" Lu Heng showed a look of surprise on his face.

"Yes, I caught 027's scent here," Derek Wolf affirmed with certainty.

Lu Heng knew from Black Crow, number 013, that this Dark Werewolf had memorized 027's scent and could track 027 by it.

Since 013 said so, it must be true.

That implied 027 was also summoned here.

Lu Heng pressed, "Did you find the person?"

Derek Wolf shook his head, "No, I tracked for a distance, but the scent disappeared."

Lu Heng wasn't surprised by this outcome.

From previous encounters with 027, it was confirmed that 027 possessed a type of Spatial Teleportation ability.

Even if this chimpanzee could sniff out 027's scent, he was unlikely to catch up.

Even if he did catch up, the chances were high that he couldn't capture 027.

The Creator Organization wouldn't issue missions carelessly; this task was assigned to him, and Derek Wolf was only helping to track 027.

That meant the Creator Organization was well aware that this chimpanzee was no match for 027, thus putting him in charge of this task.

Hearing that he didn't catch the person, Lu Heng lost interest.

"Alright, I got it. Keep on tracking. Next time you detect the scent, make sure you see who 027 is, then report back to me."

After saying this, Lu Heng turned and walked back.

Derek Wolf inquired in an unhappy tone, "What do you mean? Are you treating me like a slave?"

Lu Heng glanced sideways at him with the corner of his eye and commented, "You're thinking too much. I don't keep that kind of slave."

Derek Wolf was immediately infuriated, "Are you looking down on me?"

Lu Heng earnestly replied, "Yes. What else?"

Derek Wolf's face showed anger as he said sternly, "I warn you, don't think I'm afraid of you just because your number is higher than mine. If you dare continue this attitude, I can't guarantee I won't tear you apart!"

Lu Heng curled a cold smile at the corner of his mouth, tauntingly saying, "Why don't you try it now? I've already killed three, one more won't make a difference."

Derek Wolf was full of rage, but since 013 had strictly required him to obey number 028's orders when assigning him this mission, that was the reason he had endured until now.

Lu Heng glanced at him using the corner of his eye for half a minute, waiting for him to make a move, but it ultimately didn't happen: "How boring."

With those words, Lu Heng turned and walked back at an unhurried pace, leaving only the furious Dark Werewolf on the spot, hysterically roaring but not daring to attack the one who angered him.