Chapter Fifty-Seven: The Serpent Wounded

Chapter 57: The Viper Is Wounded

Now, much of Silver City lay in ruins, many people were injured, and the hospitals were filled to capacity. The use of medication had surged, and the man’s mention of this couldn’t help but make Shen An sense that something was amiss.

“Heh, I wouldn’t dare presume. I’m merely reminding you, Mr. Shen. Your company still has some of those medicines. You can look into it if you want. Of course, I have all the time in the world. Here’s my number.”

With that, Xu Tianming turned and left.

Shen An watched Xu Tianming carefully, assessing his strength.

Astonishingly, this man was of second rank—and at its very peak.

Shen An’s gaze deepened as he watched the man’s retreating figure.

The pinnacle of the second rank was not a level ordinary people could attain. Even within the circle of Awakened, such power was exceedingly rare—perhaps not even a handful possessed it.

Yet, the head of Zhicheng Pharmaceuticals had such strength.

Pondering Xu Tianming’s words, Shen An picked up his phone and contacted Mu Linqiu, instructing her to investigate the partnership with Zhicheng Pharmaceuticals.

An hour later, Mu Linqiu arrived in person.

She appeared suddenly in Shen An’s office.

Seeing her, Shen An asked, “Why so cautious? Did you discover something?”

Mu Linqiu’s brows knitted, a worried look flickering in her beautiful eyes. “Boss, I’ve uncovered some problems.”

Shen An looked at her in surprise.

Mu Linqiu recounted everything she’d found.

It turned out that Zhicheng Pharmaceuticals was collaborating with the Chen family to produce banned drugs. Zhicheng provided the technology, while the Chen family handled the cover-up and greased the necessary wheels.

Moreover, one of the pharmaceutical factories involved belonged to the Chen family.

Upon learning this, Shen An and Mu Linqiu immediately prepared to head to the factory.

“The factory’s in Beihu Village, a hundred miles from here. The Viper is closer to that location, so I’ve already notified him to get there quickly and gather intel,” Mu Linqiu explained as they drove.

“You did well,” Shen An replied, unconcerned by her initiative.

In truth, there was no need for constant reporting—what he required was someone who could get things done, not someone who needed to ask permission at every step.

As soon as the Viper received the message, he rushed to the site.

He arrived to find the place engulfed in flames.

The entire factory reeked of blood.

The Viper quickly scanned the area and finally spotted the arsonist.

He moved swiftly to give chase.

Among the members of the former Shadow Group, the Viper had always been the fastest, which is why he was able to arrive so quickly. This was also Mu Linqiu’s main reason for notifying him.

As the Viper was about to catch up, the target suddenly struck back.

Relying on his superior strength, the Viper hadn’t expected his opponent to abandon escape and attack directly. He hurried to defend himself.

Even with that initial probe, the Viper sensed his adversary’s formidable power.

This person’s strength rivaled Mu Linqiu’s.

Previously, Mu Linqiu had been a team leader in the Shadow Group, with Wang Yuan and the Viper under her command. Among the three, Mu Linqiu was first, while Wang Yuan and the Viper were evenly matched, neither willing to yield.

Yet now, the man before him—clad in black and shrouded in shadow—seemed even stronger than himself.

Realizing he was outmatched, the Viper concentrated on evasion, aiming to delay until his boss and Mu Linqiu arrived.

But as the standoff dragged on, the black-clad man grew restless.

He knew the Viper was no match for him, but killing his opponent was proving difficult—the Viper’s speed allowed him to dodge fatal blows time and again.

“Let’s see how long you can hold out.”

The black-clad man’s patience snapped. If the Viper wanted to escape, he would show no mercy.

...

The car screeched to a halt. Shen An and Mu Linqiu got out.

Mu Linqiu frowned at the blazing inferno.

Shen An said nothing. He took out the business card Xu Tianming had given him earlier.

He looked at it intently.

Whoosh—

A tongue of flame suddenly leapt up, setting the card ablaze.

The side bearing Xu Tianming’s name caught instantly and was consumed to ash.

With energy shielding him, Shen An strode into the fire.

Mu Linqiu could have withstood the blaze as well—it was only ordinary fire. But as she prepared to follow, Shen An instructed, “Wait outside. Until I give the order, no one is to come in.”

With that, Shen An activated his Devour ability.

“Devour!”

At his command, the flames surged toward him, gathering at the center. In moments, the fire faded, vanishing before the naked eye.

Within seconds, the flames were out.

Shen An’s figure emerged from the smoke.

Mu Linqiu’s eyes widened in confusion at the sudden disappearance of the fire, but seeing the darkness in Shen An’s expression, she suppressed her curiosity.

Surveying the scene, Shen An saw many unburned corpses—the workers from within the factory.

The various pieces of equipment had been destroyed by the blaze.

Shen An found some powdery residue, the only remaining evidence.

“Mu Linqiu, go find the Viper—he may be in danger.”

Staring at the powder, Shen An spoke abruptly.

Mu Linqiu seemed to realize something and immediately drove off, leaving Shen An alone to search for clues.

He scoured the area but found nothing else. Carefully, he wrapped the powder in paper.

Half an hour later, the Viper was found.

Upon seeing him, Mu Linqiu wasted no time getting him into the car and quickly drove back to the ruined factory.

Shen An emerged from the building, looking at the badly wounded Viper.

“Boss, I couldn’t stop him. He got away.”

The Viper’s voice was weak; he barely had the strength to speak.

Back in the days of the Shadow Group, he had once failed a mission and nearly lost his life because of it.

Now, having just started working for Shen An, he’d let his target escape. The Viper was deeply uneasy.

Seeing the shadow that crossed Shen An’s face, the Viper grew anxious.

Then, Shen An frowned as he examined the Viper’s wounds. “Did you see his face?”

“No,” the Viper replied quickly. “He wore black and masked himself. He was incredibly strong—I was no match for him.”

Shen An raised a hand, signaling him to be silent.

A surge of pure energy flowed into the Viper’s body.

The Viper stared at Shen An in disbelief.

“Don’t speak. Your internal injuries are severe. Let me heal you first—everything else can wait.”

The Viper couldn’t comprehend why Shen An was personally tending to his wounds.

Such an honor had never been granted to him before.

Even Mu Linqiu was moved, though she remained silent, quietly standing by.

After a moment, Shen An withdrew his hand.

“Thank you, Boss.” Most of the Viper’s injuries had healed; only superficial wounds remained, which hardly troubled him.

His gratitude to Shen An was genuine. Suddenly, he felt that leaving the Shadow Group had been the right choice.

“Someone capable of defeating you is hardly unknown. Such strength will surely be on record. You two head back. This matter must be investigated in secret. Mu Linqiu, keep a close eye on Zhicheng Pharmaceuticals—especially Xu Tianming. And all of you, be cautious. I have a strong feeling this is connected to Zhicheng.”

Shen An didn’t speak in absolutes; he still didn’t know Zhicheng Pharmaceuticals’ true intentions.

The Viper nodded earnestly, listening to Shen An with newfound respect.