The Creatures that We Are

The scattered poisonous wind coalesced into a black skull, hovering menacingly as it fixed Azure Dragon with its empty sockets. Its message was clear: leave now, or be melted to nothing.

Relenting, Puppet Azure Dragon bent his knees with Blood Amber on his back and made a powerful leap, streaking back toward the Qingyang Bridge at Li River's center.

"Hold on, Uncle Tiger!”

On a nearby street, Lying Wood cradled the poisoned War Tiger, driving a syringe of Medicine C into his chest. Though it couldn't neutralize the poison directly, it would accelerate War Tiger's metabolism to flush the toxins faster.

The second Talent Lying Wood acquired was Afterimage, serial number 138, Time-Space type. He could conjure a lingering image for an hour, effectively a smokescreen.

After War Tiger got poisoned and fell down, Lying Wood had used Afterimage and made it seem like War Tiger was still a sitting duck on the ground. However, Lying Wood had already quietly dragged War Tiger to safety and saved him.

It all went back to two minutes ago.

Chen Ying and Nine Frost had taken rear positions, each with distinct roles. Nine Frost coordinated the teams through Telepathy while supporting with Avian King. Chen Ying provided backup alongside Gregor and Lying Wood.

Gregor had been clear about his terms: he would not engage directly in combat. His involvement extended only to protecting non-combatants with his poisonous wind—the perfect defensive tool.

Despite the plan's apparent success, Chen Ying remained uneasy. In her experience, situations were most treacherous when everything seemed to be going well.

The lack of serious engagement between War Tiger and Puppet Azure Dragon particularly troubled her. With Qilin under pressure on the main battlefield, why waste time in this drawn-out dance? Unless—Qilin wasn't truly concerned about the main battlefield. This could all be misdirection.

The more she considered it, the more certain she became. She took the initiative, rushing to War Tiger's position with Gregor and Lying Wood in tow.

Her instincts proved correct. Through Sensory, she detected another puppet-like presence besides Azure Dragon, maintaining distance while circling the area.

Before she could alert Lying Wood, Gregor's nose wrinkled. "Hold your breath. There's a virus in the air."

His level 4 Pestilence granted him exceptional sensitivity to toxins.

"What kind of poison?" Chen Ying's voice darkened.

"Chronic virus targeting humans. Airborne, wide-range. Indiscriminate." Gregor made it brief.

Chen Ying's mind immediately jumped to one name—Blood Amber.

Blood Amber's body has been turned into a puppet!

Everything clicked into place.

"Forget the puppet—save War Tiger, now!" Chen Ying's command came without hesitation.

Now, with Medicine C coursing through his system, War Tiger was stable, though weakened. He spat blood from the corner of his mouth, scowling. "Fuck, I've spent my life being the cunning one, just to fall into this trap..."

Chen Ying had no time for comfort, nor did War Tiger need it. Her thoughts were with those still on the main battlefield. "Gregor, can you—"

"No!" His rejection was immediate. "I said I wouldn't fight. With the bridge ends already collapsed, I can't reach them. I can't fly, and my poison won't reach that far."

Chen Ying fell silent, staring helplessly at the isolated section of the bridge standing above Li River. Nine Frost's voice echoed urgently in her mind.

[Nine Frost: Everyone, retreat! I repeat, retreat, now!]

Chen Ying spun around, jaw clenched. "Lying Wood, carry War Tiger. Gregor, cover our retreat. Fourth team, withdrawing."

...

The isolated segment of Qingyang Bridge loomed over Li River's center. Azure Dragon bounded across the gap, using bridge piers as stepping stones, Blood Amber still clinging to his back. His final landing cracked the concrete, sending a gust of wind rippling outward.

Qilin, disguised as Xiao Xin, had already torn away his skin mask. His brown fringe whipped in the wind as his deep green eyes flashed.

In that instant, both Azure Dragon and Blood Amber's eyes dimmed—like machines suddenly unplugged. Their bodies went rigid, reverting to lifeless corpses.

Azure Dragon's Talent and energy surged into Qilin at a 75% conversion rate. The duration for using a puppet's Talent shared the same timer as puppet control. That meant if he could control a puppet for 10 minutes, then after controlling it to fight directly for 5 minutes, he would be able to use the puppet’s Talent himself for another 5 minutes. Then the puppet’s value would’ve been exhausted.

These rules applied only to corpses, of course. Living puppets operated differently based on the level of control: slight, half, full, or possession.

Despite Azure Dragon's heart being pierced and head severed, the body remained serviceable by Puppeteer standards. Qilin had One Stone and Rain River restore the body before forming a puppet contract with it, allowing a total use time of seven minutes.

Three minutes spent fighting War Tiger left four to spare.

Qilin drew a sharp breath, rapidly integrating the new energy pathways throughout his body.

"Stay and protect Madam Li."

With those words, he sprang forward, wielding his Black Gold cane with leopard-like grace. Though his left leg remained injured, precise adjustments let him move naturally. Within seconds, he reached the bridge's broken edge. He launched himself toward Zhong He and Yellow Lotus, a hundred meters away.

The pair had heard Nine Frost's retreat order. Zhong He held Yellow Lotus close as he maneuvered between bridge piers with shadow ropes, nearly reaching the riverbank. But Qilin's pursuit was relentless, closing the gap while simultaneously casting Psychic Shackles.

Zhong He's body suddenly felt heavy. His movements sluggish, he landed hard on a pier, nearly toppling into the river.

"Shit..."

Recognizing the psychic assault, Zhong He strained against the mental bonds. Veins bulged on his forehead as he struggled to raise even one hand. He could no longer control Phantom, let alone escape.

Yellow Lotus turned to see Qilin bounding between piers, halving the distance between them.

She didn't understand how their plan had failed, or the source of Qilin's sudden power. She knew only one thing: death approached with each passing second.

"Old Zhong, Little Hong is a good girl."

With those words, she kicked Zhong He off the bridge pier.

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