Chapter 006: The Devious Plot

Shen Aofan had already heard about Shen Duo from Shen Yan. This good-for-nothing had not only shed his former cowardly demeanor but had also, overnight, gained the strength of a Five-Star Illusionist or higher. Shen Aofan had initially been cautious, but now, seeing her with a massive bundle on her back and not even a storage pouch to her name, his caution faded away, replaced by mocking scorn in his eyes.

Besides, today he was not fighting an uncertain battle—he had brought along a Grand Illusionist. No matter how formidable Shen Duo had become, she couldn’t possibly be stronger than a Grand Illusionist.

“Step aside!” Shen Duo spat out the words coldly. She had expected Shen Aofan to intervene on behalf of his cousin, but not here, not now.

Seeing his subordinates truly stunned by her command, Shen Aofan’s eyelid twitched. He barked fiercely, “What are you all standing around for—didn’t you hear my orders?”

His men snapped back to attention, baring their teeth as they lunged forward to seize the bundle from Shen Duo’s back. At that moment, many inside the Mercenary Guild gathered around. Most were passionate mercenaries, not natives of Luo City. Seeing someone bullied, they wouldn’t stand idly by as the locals might. Instantly, someone spoke up for Shen Duo: “A pack of thieves! We mercenaries earn our living by the sweat of our brow, openly and honestly. What right do you have to steal from someone else?”

One voice rose, then many echoed in agreement. Among mercenaries, nothing was more taboo than having one’s mission spoils stolen—such a loss meant failing the assignment, paying a penalty, and losing trust points. Moreover, mercenaries deeply resented the conduct of the four great families: they claimed to scorn mercenary companies, yet constantly issued tasks through the guild, forcing mercenaries to risk their lives for them. At that moment, Shen Aofan had made himself the target of general outrage.

The men who had rushed forward withdrew in shame before the rising chorus of rebukes, glancing uneasily at Shen Aofan. He shot them a look of contempt, then swept his gaze coldly over the assembled mercenaries and sneered: “I imagine many of you still wish to take jobs in Luo City. If you value your missions, I suggest you stay out of this. What I’m dealing with today is a family matter. I doubt the business of the Shen family is of much interest to you.”

As expected, at these words, many people hesitated. Mercenaries were united, but they lived at the city’s margins; offending the city lord’s son meant their prospects in Luo City would be ruined. Besides, Shen Aofan’s words held some truth—this was, after all, a family affair.

Shen Duo set down her bundle, her cold, youthful face meeting Shen Aofan’s disdainful gaze. She turned to the surrounding mercenaries and bowed politely. “Thank you all for speaking up for me. But today’s matter is a grudge between Shen Aofan and myself—there’s no need to trouble anyone else.” Then she faced Shen Aofan directly. “Do you dare accept my challenge?”

The watching mercenaries felt a surge of admiration for Shen Duo’s courage. Not only was she unafraid, she even issued a challenge to Shen Aofan. Their blood boiled, and they shouted in approval. Now, if Shen Aofan refused her challenge, he would appear cowardly.

Wang Feng had told Shen Duo that Shen Aofan was a newly crowned Seven-Star Illusionist—at that rank, he could have a spirit beast. But, seeing none at his side, it seemed Shen Qing had not yet found a suitable beast for him. Only when an Illusionist reached Grand Illusionist status could they possess their own spirit beast space. Shen Aofan was not yet a Grand Illusionist, so clearly could not store a beast away. As long as he was without a spirit beast, Shen Duo saw a chance of victory—hence her bold challenge.

A forced smile twisted Shen Aofan’s round face, making him look even more ridiculous. “You useless lot, get back. And as for you, you worthless thing—remember, you can’t blame me when you lose your life today. This wasn’t my decision.”

His venomous words drew more contempt from the crowd, yet they couldn’t help but worry for Shen Duo. Could this so-called useless Ninth Miss of the Shen family truly defeat Shen Aofan, a Seven-Star Illusionist?

Shen Duo took a few steps forward. The crowd, understanding her intent, gave way, clearing a wide space before the guild’s entrance for their duel.

Chin raised, Shen Aofan also advanced a few steps, but with his hands behind his back, he made a subtle gesture to the burly man at his side. The man gave the faintest nod in reply.

None of the watching mercenaries noticed this exchange, but a pair of spirited eyes did—eyes that smiled as they watched the cold, black-clad girl at the center of the crowd.

The two opponents faced off in the open space—a stark contrast between frail and burly. Shen Duo bent her knees and brought her elbows forward in a basic Jeet Kune Do stance, her gaze locked on Shen Aofan. She had become obsessed with Bruce Lee’s Jeet Kune Do during her time at the police academy, and had trained hard in it—now, unexpectedly, that training was about to bear fruit.

Having heard Shen Yan describe Shen Duo’s strange techniques, Shen Aofan was not about to underestimate her as Shen Yan had. He positioned his hands lightly at his sides, channeling spiritual energy into his palms. Instantly, faint white light glimmered in his open palms. Low-ranking Illusionists could not gather or direct much spiritual energy, so at five or six stars, their spiritual energy remained invisible.

But each rank of Illusionist had a clear threshold at the seventh star—it was a dividing line. The gap between the sixth and seventh stars was vast; once one broke through the seventh star, advancing to the next rank became much easier—though the Sky Illusionist was another matter altogether. Thus, Shen Aofan’s power was fundamentally different from Shen Yan’s, and that was why one could see the white light of spiritual energy gathering in his palms.

Shen Duo’s pale brows furrowed briefly. She pressed her lips together, then wasted no more time and attacked first. She moved so swiftly she seemed like an arrow, appearing before Shen Aofan in a blink, launching a kick at his chin. Shen Aofan, startled, retreated two steps, nearly stumbling into the crowd. Shen Duo flashed after him, closing the distance again and aimed another kick—this time at his abdomen.

Suddenly, a sly grin flickered across Shen Aofan’s lips. He thrust his right hand forcefully toward Shen Duo’s abdomen. Shen Duo nimbly dodged to the side, but at that instant, from within the crowd, another fist shot out, tinged with a faint green light, heading straight toward the path Shen Duo had just moved into!