F-class thief? Sorry, I can steal anything.

Chapter 105 The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind; but who is the real hunter?

Jiangcheng, Central Financial District.

On the top floor of the skyscraper, Li Jianhong put down his satellite phone.

On the computer screen, Chen Yifan's still-childish face was frozen in time.

Laughed.

"The Shadow Fiend Slayer, possessing the legacy of the King of Assassins..."

"The key is the imprint of the soul; it dissipates upon death..."

The few pieces of news that had just come from the underworld seemed ridiculously clumsy to him.

Is that kid named Chen Yifan afraid that he'll come knocking on his door?

He really needs the [Key Fragment - Shadow].

But is this level of lie even enough to lure him in?

The official announcement reeked of the foolishness of "I am the bait."

He preferred to believe that the key was either hidden by the Shadow Demon in some corner he didn't even know about.

Either way, it's in the hands of the authorities.

He couldn't even be bothered to expose these petty tricks.

What really interests him now are two other things.

First, there was that fleeting, unique fluctuation within the Security Bureau building, belonging solely to the fragment of his [Holy Relic].

It appeared, and precisely plunged into the official's lair.

The timing was exactly after Chen Yifan went in.

Has it been handed over?

An ordinary person wouldn't dare to keep something that marks their identity.

However... it's hard to say why this kid is so bold.

As for the second item...

The power of heretics.

That power, independent of the [World Engine], should only exist in mythology and distortion.

Li Jianhong's gaze fell on a gold-embossed invitation on the table.

His finger gently left a mark on the line for "City-level Commendation Conference".

"It's full of surprises everywhere."

"Chen Yifan?"

"Wang Jianguo?"

The curve of his lips grew increasingly cruel.

"None of you can escape."

……

at the same time.

Chen Yifan dialed Wang Jianguo's number.

The call was connected.

The sound of my heartbeat echoed in the silent room, one beat after another.

He didn't exchange pleasantries, deliberately keeping his voice tense, each word trembling uncontrollably.

"Uncle Wang."

"I don't want to be this hero anymore."

There was absolute silence on the other end of the phone.

Chen Yifan held his breath.

Wang Jianguo's silence is itself an answer.

really.

Are phone calls being monitored?

A dozen seconds later, Wang Jianguo's hoarse voice came through, flat and emotionless.

"You shouldn't have made that call."

caveat?

"I'm out of options!"

Chen Yifan's voice suddenly rose, like a young beast forced to the edge of a cliff.

"The whole world is saying I got some kind of 'key fragment'!"

"But I don't even know what that thing is!"

"I don't want to be a hero! I just want to live a good life with my mom and sister! Is that wrong?!"

His roar echoed in the empty room, perfectly portraying the image of a teenager crushed by immense pressure.

"Xiao Fan, calm down."

Wang Jianguo's voice remained steady, as if he were reading a prepared official document.

"The organization is investigating. You are currently staying at Dragon City No. 1; it's absolutely safe there."

"Safety?"

Chen Yifan let out a short, cold laugh.

"Uncle Wang, that place is a gilded cage, a target under a spotlight! I can't just wait to die!"

His voice lowered, turning into a kind of desperate madness.

"So... I took it upon myself to do something on the dark web..."

He cut out the beginning and end of his elaborate scheme, only mentioning the two most basic steps that best fit the logic of a "smart young man" being abandoned by the authorities and frantically trying to protect himself.

"I told everyone that the key is a soul imprint, and it's gone once Shadow Fiend dies."

"I also said that I inherited Shadow Fiend's 'legacy'! That way, if they want to touch me, they'll have to go from 'killing' to 'capturing' me!"

He was like a child eager to claim credit but afraid of being scolded, waiting for the final judgment of his "elders".

"and then?"

Wang Jianguo's voice remained completely unwavering.

"Then!"

Chen Yifan's tone became agitated again, carrying a sense of resolute determination to fight to the death.

"I even had someone post an analysis... of an S-class wanted criminal who just 'escaped from prison'—is it more likely that his most valuable possession will be taken by me, an F-class thief, or intercepted by the very authorities who orchestrated his 'escape'?!"

After saying that sentence...

The world seemed to have fallen silent.

After a long silence, Wang Jianguo finally spoke again on the other end of the phone.

The feigned weariness in his voice vanished completely, leaving only two words.

"clever."

It's not just "not bad," it's "brilliant."

Chen Yifan was suddenly stunned.

Praise him?

Before he could think it through.

The next second, Wang Jianguo's words almost froze his blood.

"You're currently at the villa in Tianjing Yunting, right?"

Chen Yifan felt the phone in his hand suddenly become incredibly heavy.

How did he know?!

His supposedly flawless escape plan was exposed from the very beginning?!

"Kid, don't underestimate everyone on the chessboard."

Wang Jianguo's tone was calm and even, yet it carried a penetrating power.

"Your performance was brilliant, but the waters run deeper than you think."

He paused, his tone becoming unquestionable.

"The commendation ceremony will be held at 9:00 AM the day after tomorrow at the city center square."

You must be there.

Why?

Chen Yifan blurted it out.

"Because it wasn't just your awards ceremony."

A strange smile crept into Wang Jianguo's voice.

"It's also a grand ceremony prepared for certain people."

The call was disconnected.

Chen Yifan stood there, feeling a chill run from his tailbone straight up to the top of his head.

Who exactly is this Wang Jianguo?

and also……

Was his phone call really tapped?

……

A late-night noodle shop not far from Tianjing Yunting.

Wang Jianguo put down an old-fashioned flip phone.

There was absolutely no eavesdropping.

There was no trace of the fatigue and seriousness he had shown on the phone; instead, there was a genuine appreciation and enjoyment on his face.

"That's interesting."

He picked up a steaming mouthful of noodles, slurped it into his mouth, and mumbled indistinctly to himself.

"They use the 'imprint theory' to cut their losses, the 'legacy theory' to prolong their lives, offer a reward for the key to clear their names, and finally shift the blame to the authorities..."

"A series of interconnected schemes."

Wang Jianguo took a sip of the rich bone broth, his eyes deep and thoughtful.

That kid thought he was being monitored and was deliberately acting, simply trying to convey a message:

Don't push me too far, or I'll make things even more muddy and might even drag you all down with me.

He simply went along with it.

Let's see what kind of brilliance this kid can unleash when he's in dire straits.

The result surprised him greatly.

"They're just too audacious; they dare to scheme against anyone."

Wang Jianguo shook his head, but the corners of his mouth couldn't help but turn up in a smile.

"But young people are often timid; how could they possibly create such a mess?"

He picked up a tissue to wipe his mouth, stood up, and placed a few coins under the bowl.

It's time to go see the sharks that are swimming in, drawn by the smell of fish.