Returning to the Mysterious Era

The Grimm District was located in the southern part of the city. If one were to depart from Blooming Flowers Fountain Plaza, they could walk along Mibora Boulevard and, after navigating a few complicated turns, eventually arrive there. However, taking a carriage was far more convenient than finding the way by yourself.

Cassius stood at the edge of the bustling plaza, near the stone pillars adjacent to the main road, his face cold and still. The hem of his black coat flapped from the chilly night breeze.

A square, black metal carriage approached from a distance. The driver, wearing a high hat and wrapped in a coat, held the horses' reins as the carriage gradually slowed down. He could see a guest looking to hail a ride by the edge of the fountain garden. Two others stood behind him, making a total of three.

More passengers which means I'll be earning more tips.

The driver maneuvered the carriage closer. Suddenly, his expression changed as he yanked on the reins. The horses immediately sped up. The carriage whooshed past the edge of the fountain plaza, the sound of its bells fading into the distance, leaving Cassius to silently lower his raised arm.

Unfazed, he adjusted his collar and hat slightly. Nearby, Saint Feinan, who was chatting with Feng Liusi, coughed a couple of times, "Perhaps the carriage was full."

"Mm." Cassius nodded ambiguously in agreement.

Two minutes later, another black carriage approached. Before Cassius could step forward, the carriage made a wide detour, speeding off in haste.

"…"

Cassius stood in silence for a moment before turning to Saint Feinan beside him. "You try."

Another two minutes passed. A carriage sped by, followed by a black car. As it passed Cassius and his group, the car slowed slightly but ultimately kept going before stopping at a corner ahead. In the plush backseat, the young You An peered curiously through the glass.

"What are they doing?" He wondered aloud. "Oh, I know! Are they lying in wait to ambush their target's carriage like in the magazines before shooting them full of bullets?"

The old butler turned to glance briefly at the three men struggling to grab a ride.

"Uh, probably not, young master," he said. "They're likely just trying to catch a carriage."

Though he seemed calm, the butler was stunned. These three looked far from ordinary passengers. They were dressed in identical black outfits and exuded an intense, foreboding aura. No carriage driver would dare risk picking them up. They'd obviously steer clear of trouble if they had the choice.

This odd scene contradicted the butler's preconceived notion of how gangs operate. He had hoped to give young master You An a glimpse of how gang members coldly and efficiently go about their business. He wanted to see them meticulously hitting their targets and delivering fatal blows, with blood, gunshots, smoke, and maybe some shattered glass thrown into the mix, with the screams of bystanders playing in the background.

But now, the butler wasn't so sure. Tonight's lesson might not leave as deep an impression as he had hoped. Furthermore, after some scrutiny, the butler realized that the three men didn't seem to be carrying guns, or even knives.

No weapons? How were they supposed to carry out a nighttime hit?

At that moment, the butler sorely regretted bringing young master You An out. He started to suspect that these three weren't out on a mission at all, but were just looking for some fun. Perhaps they were on their way to a strip club or a bar. After all, outlaws needed a way to blow off steam.

If that was the case, tonight wouldn't be a lesson in gang warfare but instead an introduction to the seedier, darker side of life. He would just have to steer young master You An clear if the situation went in that direction. Even if tonight ended up being a waste, since they'd come this far, he decided to follow them and see where things led.

The butler briefly cursed Cassius and his group for being so disappointing.

Gangs should stick to doing what gangs do best—killing. It was kill or be killed. But these three seemed like nothing more than small-time thugs if they were hanging around for drinks and women.

While the butler was lost in thought, Cassius and his group finally managed to flag down a carriage. Their method was simple. They stood a little ways away while Feng Liusi hailed the ride alone. Once the driver stopped the carriage did the other two approach.

The carriage driver examined the three men in matching black coats and hats as they approached. A cold and menacing aura was wrapped around them. Realizing he'd been tricked, the driver tugged on the reins, ready to speed away. But the blond youth in the group placed a hand lightly against the horse's head, and the black horse froze in place, too terrified to move. Even its restless tail, which usually swatted at mosquitoes, drooped lifelessly behind it.

Two shadows slipped into the carriage in the blink of an eye, the blond youth following swiftly after.

"The Grimm District," he ordered, his voice low and commanding.

The driver opened his mouth to protest but in the end, he relented. He flicked the reins and the black carriage began to move.

"They're finally leaving," the butler murmured in relief as he watched the carriage depart. For some reason, their awkward struggle made him more anxious than it should have. He started the engine again, and turned the car to follow. The bright streetlights streaked past on either side into yellow blurs. When the carriage rounded a corner, it periodically startled the stray cats near garbage bins into yowling. The vehicle continued down Mibora Boulevard, eventually turning into a maze of alleys.

But the driver’s mental map of East Sea City was impeccable. It was a smooth ride, and the carriage soon arrived on a wider street. The streetlights here were spaced farther apart than those in the city center, but their dim glow was enough to illuminate the grid-like pavement. The carriage slowed to a stop at the side of the road.

"Money," Cassius said as he handed a few Hongli Federation dollars to the driver. Once they all disembarked, the carriage quickly turned and sped off, as if fleeing.

"Did he mistake us for a gang?" Cassius raised an eyebrow. He wasn't too angry since they indeed looked like assassins. One person might be fine, but the three of them together definitely looked like a team. A misunderstanding was inevitable.

"Man, that was wild! I'm telling you, that chick's chest was bigger than my head! I almost died in her arms just now…"

"Yeah right, you're just talking big. Like you could afford that."

Two drunk men staggered along the road, green bottles in hand, leaning against the wall as they boasted nonsense.

Suddenly, a figure blocked their path. "Excuse me, could you tell me how to get to the White Ocean Bar?"

Before the drunken men could express their annoyance, several high-value coins glinted in the air. They hurriedly caught the coins and exchanged glances.

Three minutes later, three figures stood in front of the red, blue, white, and purple neon lights highlighting White Ocean Bar, on Tour Street in Grimm District. After a fleeting look at the flamboyant bar sign, Cassius led the other two inside.

The interior was much larger than it appeared from the outside. Oak-colored round stools were neatly arranged around the circular bar, which was manned by bartenders dressed in black-and-white vests.

There were various patrons in the bar, some loudly clinking glasses together while others were quietly drinking alone. A dim stage was set to the side, where a few men and women were conversing under the obscure lighting. As they talked, some would occasionally retreat into the shadows. Soon after, strange, inexplicable sounds followed.

Grimm District's nightlife was clearly more explicit than bars in the central district. The people who came here were here to indulge in bars, dance clubs, underground fighting arenas, strip clubs…and much more.

Fueled by the prosperous economy of East Sea County's largest city and the constant flow of new people from the East Coast port nearby, Grimm District's service industry thrived. The gray and black markets were flourishing as well.

Several new casinos and bars had recently opened. Apart from some high-ranking individuals, most East Sea City residents who wanted to enjoy the nightlife would immediately think of Grimm District. It was especially lively these days. The underground fighting arena beneath the White Ocean Bar had been in full swing just last night.

A few unfamiliar and fearless fighters from other counties brought high-intensity matches and frequent injuries. Their ferocious fighting style was reminiscent of beasts. At least three people drenched in blood were carried out last night alone; they were unlikely to survive for long.

But, wasn't this exactly what the audience at the underground arena came to see? Tonight's underground fight was sure to be even more intense. Crowds streamed into the nearby shops, with no shortage of people arriving at eight, nine, and even ten at night, until the flow gradually slowed down.

The bald bartender, clearly the most senior, glanced at Cassius and the others. He already knew why they were there. Still, following protocol, he said nothing and simply polished a glass.

Cassius approached and placed a few bills on the oak counter. "Three glasses of Flaming Pernard, please."

The bald bartender snapped his fingers, "Tom, Gary, get them three tickets."

In less than twenty seconds, three glasses were pushed toward Cassius and his companions. Without hesitation, the three of them downed their drinks. A bartender in a black vest then stepped out from behind the counter and led them down a corridor.

After two turns, they found themselves in a secluded alley at the back of the bar. Two bodyguards in the shadows at the alley's entrance shot them a fleeting look but didn't stop them upon seeing the bartender.

The three of them entered the alley and through a hidden underground entrance. The bartender then led them down a staircase. Along the way, they passed several more burly bodyguards at different corners.

Finally, the bartender opened a door for them. Previously muffled light, sound, and smells rushed in all at once. Bright yellow and white lights filled their vision.

"Number 11 Vulture is attacking! He's attacking! Number 7 Black Wolf can't hold him off! Is this going to be his ninth consecutive win?!" A voice cheered from a raised platform. "Woohoo! Nine wins in a row! Vulture has defeated his opponent, and it looks like Black Wolf's left arm has been torn off!"

A man in a suit stood by the ring's side, enthusiastically narrating as he waved excitedly.

He raised a finger. "Let's congratulate Vulture!"

Immediately, the crowd erupted in cheers, shouting Vulture's name. Men in black suits stood up, hooting raucously as they clutched casino tickets. Provocatively dressed women wriggled their bodies, pretending to avoid groping hands when they were actually leaning into the men next to them.

The cheers were deafening, and the pervasive smell of blood and faint sweat made the atmosphere even more intense. Just witnessing the scene was enough to get one's heart racing.

On the platform, the host continued to shout excitedly, "And let's also congratulate the customers who bet on Number 11!" He coughed. "Now, we've arrived at the most thrilling part! The defeated, Number 7 Black Wolf! His life will be decided by your cheers!!! This is today's surprise—one warrior's fate will rest in your hands!"

The underground arena grew even more frenzied. The chaotic, impulsive, and restless atmosphere unfolded before Cassius and his two companions.

"Enjoy your time here," the bartender said.

"We most definitely will," Cassius replied with a peculiar, grim smile.

The bartender shuddered slightly as he turned away, and headed back the way he came.

Cassius and his companions stood at the highest point of the entrance and gazed down at the underground arena. The fighter’s cries for mercy, the gasps of the women in the audience, the men's shouts of "Kill him!" and the host's roars all blended together, like a foul and irrational beast, tugging at everyone's hearts. But the eyes of Cassius and his companions remained cold and unaffected.

"Now, let's hear those who want to see Black Wolf die, shout!" the host urged.

"Kill him! Kill him! Kill him!"

Even the most well-dressed men shed their masks, shouting for blood with flushed faces, thrilled beyond measure.

Feng Liusi glanced at Cassius. "What do you think?"

"The dark aura is spreading and provoking madness." Cassius slowly opened his eyes. "Additionally, I can sense a strong presence of dark creatures here. At least ten percent of the people here belong to the Blood Spirit Society. They're selecting tonight's target."

"If there’s so many people, doesn’t that mean there's plenty to kill?" Saint Feinan said as he scanned the crowd.

"Yes, there will be more than enough for us." Feng Liusi's hands trembled slightly, as wisps of red vapor started to force their way out through his pores. His face took on the expression of a predatory bird.

Feng Liusi inhaled deeply, relishing the intoxicating scent of blood. "Can we begin? I can barely hold myself back."

Click.

Cassius closed the door behind them and then turned around.

"Killing is like drinking—don't overindulge and don't lose control. If you're ready, then let the drinking begin."