101 Change 1 (1/2)
Chapter 101: Change 1
In the middle of a vast lush grassland, a white train was moving forward slowly along the tracks; it looked like a white thread in the middle of a green handkerchief.
In a carriage in the middle section of the train, light was almost nonexistent; only traces of white light shone in through both sides.
A one-eyed man with long hair down to the waist was silently standing in the dark.
”Silvard once told me: give up your eyes for a broader world,” the man said in a low voice as if he was talking to himself. He had a black eye patch over his left eye, while a sparkling glow faintly reflected on the dark golden eyelashes of his right eye.
”My heart will tell me what higher realm I intend to pursue…” he inexplicably muttered.
”Andrela.” With a bang, the carriage door opened. An old man with green eyes and white hair stood at the door. ”Still contemplating? You have reached the level of Grandmaster of Combat for more than a year now. Dealing with an average guy doesn't require such extensive preparation.”
”It's alright. I don't underestimate any single opponent, that's my principle.” Andrela gave a warm smile.
”Your characteristic is having the fastest speed and strongest penetrating power, which by chance neutralizes the strengths of that Garen. No matter how you see it, you have much better odds of winning.” The old man shook his head and continued, ”Fine, it's up to you. Oh yeah, the fine metal blocks for testing that you requested have arrived.” He turned around and left without closing the door behind him.
Soon, more than a dozen people gradually carried in five black metal blocks and laid them out one by one in front of Andrela to form a straight line.
Each metal block was cast from fine iron and extremely tough, all half the height of a person.
After laying down the metal blocks, they silently exited the carriage of their own accord and gently closed the door.
Andrela slowly unsheathed a fine sword from his waist.
Shiiing!
A silver strand flashed in the dark then instantly vanished.
The five metal blocks were punctured in the middle with round holes. The round holes pierced straight through all five fine metal blocks. The edges of the holes were rounded and smooth, and still had a faint redness on them.
Heat waves gradually dispersed in the air: it was the residual heat created from piercing through the metal blocks at high-speed.
Andrela looked at the metal blocks calmly. No one knew what he was thinking, but he seemed to be deep in thought.
Outside the door, the green-eyed elder stood by the carriage window. He quietly watched the grassland scenery passing by rapidly outside. A girl in a crimson dress silently stood behind him.
”Even though we have confidence in Andrela, but for the sake of precaution, we still have to be well prepared. Are the people from Manleyton Corporation ready?”
”Yes. According to the report that came back to us, they are ready and have probably gained the trust of the kid from White Cloud Gate,” the crimson-dressed girl replied in a hushed tone.
”That's good. Prepare them to take action and administer the drug in batches. This drug can lie dormant for three days, that's when we'll arrive. Moreover, there will be no signs of the drug after the fact. We can't lose this time. Defeating White Cloud Gate is beside the point. The main issue is that old geezer from Seven Moon Gate. Andrela needs to conserve his energy. Unfortunately, I'm too old, I can't personally participate. Otherwise, I could have cleared the path to make it easier for him.” The old man sighed with regret.
”You've done enough,” the girl said softly.
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”Grace? Why are you here?”
They were in the train station in Dinah City by a busy platform with the crowd coming and going.
Garen frowned as he looked at Grace in front of him. She hung her head low and was carrying a black handbag with both of her hands; the way she dressed made her seem like a traveling college student. Her white sweater and white jeans accentuated her high breasts and slender legs. Long light blonde hair casually draped over her shoulder, tied with a black hair band in the middle. This was a change from her cool and alluring style; it was now replaced with an air of innocence with a hint of sexiness.
”I just wanted to follow you…” Grace calmly replied. ”After all, you'll need someone to help you deal with sundry matters.”
”Have you arranged with the others?” Garen helplessly massaged his temples.
”Yes, all done.”
”Let's go then.”
Garen was speechless. Since she had already come over, he couldn't possibly send her back.
Based on the address that Rampas gave them, they hailed a horse carriage, negotiated a price, then stepped into the carriage and rushed straight towards the headquarters of the Seven Moon Group.
When they arrived at the headquarters building, there were already people stationed in front of the entrance. Apparently, as a local, Seven Moon Gate was very good at obtaining intelligence: Garen was discovered as soon as he had arrived.
The people stationed at the entrance escorted them into the building without wasting any time and led them straight to Rampas, who was training hard in Secret Martial Arts.