The Yellow-Haired Villain in Soaring Phoenix’s Novels Also Desires Happiness

83. The Beginning of Chaos

“Yellow bird?”

Mun glanced at the figure not far away, unable to help but frown.

The figure completely enveloped himself in a wide black robe, rendering any features invisible, yet Mu En still faintly sensed a hint of familiarity emanating from him.

This feeling was not new; it had surfaced before, back in that dark shop. How strange it was—here I am, wandering through a black market, and yet I seem to encounter nothing but acquaintances?

However, Mu En quickly cast this thought aside, for the likelihood of running into someone familiar in a place like this was too low. It was probably just an illusion, after all; intuition can indeed be quite unreliable.

“This gentleman…”

Mu En glanced at the figure’s chest:

“Sir, what do you mean by ‘yellow bird’?”

The figure suddenly trembled, the hand hidden beneath the black robe clenched and then relaxed. For some reason, his tone was no longer as friendly as before.

“Hmph, still trying to play dumb? You’re hiding here, just waiting for those guys to come out with their dog brains, so you can pick up the scraps, right?”

“I am indeed waiting for them to start fighting, but I have no intention of picking up scraps.”

Mu En replied:

“With so many people around, it’s not easy to pick up scraps.”

“You’re lying.”

The figure raised a hand and pointed around; several shadows flickered past. “Look around you. These people know better than anyone that picking up scraps isn’t easy, yet have any of them given up? No, they all think they should at least give it a try. If they succeed, isn’t that a huge profit?”

“Oh? So what you mean is…”

“Therefore, my friend, you look somewhat familiar. I feel like I’ve seen you somewhere before…”

The figure rubbed his hands together excitedly. “And your strength doesn’t seem weak; being at the late stage of the second tier, you could wreak havoc in a place like this. How about we team up and pull off a big score?”

“Familiar?”

Mu En laughed. “That kind of intuition isn’t reliable, and how do I know you’re not trying to deceive me?”

“We can make a contract.”

The figure produced a piece of golden paper. “A divine contract—once signed, it cannot be broken. We’ll team up first, and when we seize the ancient dragon’s essence, we’ll each rely on our own abilities. Wouldn’t that be delightful?”

“Is that so? It is quite tempting.”

Mu En nodded but still declined:

“Sorry, but I still don’t plan to take action.”

“Are you still going to wait? Can’t you see? This stalemate must be broken by someone; otherwise, chaos won’t ensue. Or do you intend to pin your hopes on those cowards?”

The figure stomped his foot in frustration:

“In the game of black against black, the most important thing is timing. You must be patient when it’s time to wait, and never hesitate when it’s time to act! The moment has come; what are you still waiting for?”

“Who said I intended to play black against black?”

Mu En chuckled. “You’ve misunderstood.”

“What have I misunderstood? You’re not here to play black against black; are you here to watch a show? If so, I recommend you move a bit further ahead. The visibility in this mist by the river isn’t very good.”

“Not here to watch a show either; I have other methods.”

“Other methods?”

The figure paused for a moment, then sneered disdainfully: “I see, you plan to wait until the end, huh? Quite the last little bird, I’ve seen plenty of people like you, not a shred of courage, thinking you can swoop in at the last moment and take everything, only to end up with nothing.”

As he spoke, the figure lowered his gaze, as if he had discovered something, and suddenly exclaimed, “So that’s it, you’re just a rookie fresh out of the black market? Which noble son came out looking for thrills? That explains it. Kid, in a place like the black market, without enough experience, it’s quite dangerous. I advise you to just go home and lift the maid’s skirt instead.”

The figure’s tone carried a condescending wisdom, like that of a senior offering earnest advice.

However, Mu En didn’t mind; he simply followed the figure’s gaze and looked down.

As his black robe fluttered with the breeze by the riverside, he could vaguely see the exquisite cuffs revealing luxurious golden threads. Generally, those who mixed in the lower districts wouldn’t have such splendid sleeves.

It seems he’ll need to change his inner clothes too in the future.

Mu En tucked his sleeves back into his black robe and smiled:

“Well then, I also advise this gentleman to give up.”

“Oh? Why?”

“Because the Dragon’s Heart must be mine.”

“……Pfft.”

The figure was taken aback for a moment, then couldn’t help but laugh mockingly.

“That kind of baseless arrogance reminds me of an annoying guy. Although that guy seems to have changed recently, he’s still quite bothersome.”

“Forget it, since you feel that way, I won’t persuade you anymore. One more person or one less doesn’t make much difference to me. Just stay here and watch.”

The figure waved his hand confidently and turned around, standing with his hands behind his back like a hidden powerhouse, gazing down at the hazy city under the night:

“Just watch how I thrive amidst this chaos, achieving victory and seizing the Dragon’s Heart, while you can only hide to the side, biting your handkerchief in silent regret! Hahahaha…”

Saying this, the figure leaped into the mist by the riverside, moving with agility like a black swimming fish.

“I always feel this person…”

Watching the figure gradually disappear, Mu En stroked his chin, pondering:

“Is he just a bit too feminine?”

“Could he really be a queer…”

Mu En shivered and quickly turned, heading in the opposite direction.

Just as Mu En said, he indeed wanted to be that little bird, but who said that being a little bird could only mean playing dirty?

Mu En arrived at the bridge and removed his black robe.

This bridge was the largest tower bridge on the ancient Rhine River and a key hub connecting the upper and lower districts.

Every day, there were patrol officers on horseback patrolling the bridge.

Mu En adjusted his slightly disheveled exquisite collar, which had been pressed by the black robe, and walked towards the direction of the hoofbeats coming from the mist.

“Stop! This bridge is off-limits at night.”

The patrol officer, mounted on a tall horse, looked down at Mu En from above.

But upon seeing the expensive clothes on Mu En, his expression immediately changed. He dismounted and bowed respectfully:

“Young master, is there some trouble you’ve encountered at this late hour?”

“I need to find your superior.”

Mu En took out the family crest and waved it in front of him:

“The one at the very top.”

……

……

In the alley, the standoff continued.

The three gang leaders stared at each other with mutual vigilance, unwilling to take a step back.

The allure of the Dragon’s Blood was too great for them.

This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and none of them wanted to let it slip away.

As time passed, they increasingly felt more eyes gathering around them.

Wandering wild dogs had already converged nearby, poised to pounce, waiting for the three most ferocious wolf packs of the lower city to determine the victor, so they could feast upon the remains.

Under such pressure, everyone in the alley gripped their weapons tightly, the tension in their minds taut as a bowstring.

“This won’t do…”

The most anxious, Lorenzo, felt his thoughts racing, knowing that the one most disadvantaged by this stalemate was himself, who held the Dragon’s Blood.

He began to contemplate whether to ally with the Rat Gang to first deal with the blocking Hyena Gang.

After all, the Hyena Gang was currently the weakest party, and as long as he and the Rat Gang were united, neither could harm the other in the absence of the Hyena Gang.

At worst, he could give the Rat Gang five drops of Dragon’s Blood; compared to facing the wrath of the master with nothing to show, this was the most bearable outcome.

If he had to be a great fool, so be it. For the promise of eternal life from the master, what grievances could a man not endure?

With this thought, Lorenzo turned to Sam:

“Sam, why don’t we—”

Before he could finish his sentence, it abruptly stopped, and Lorenzo’s expression changed in an instant.

He heard the sound of a bowstring snapping, so clear in the stillness of the night!

Before his brain could process it, he felt a sharp pain in his arm.

A sharp arrow sliced through the air, colliding violently with the magical armor on him, sparking in the darkness.

Though it only left a trivial scratch, it was enough to fill Lorenzo’s mind with a surge of rage.

He immediately drew his long knife, pointing it at the gnome-like figure, his eyes bloodshot, and roared:

“Sam, you despicable coward!”

“No, it wasn’t me…”

—

Sam’s face changed in an instant.

“I didn’t give the order…”

But before he could finish his sentence, he suddenly felt something rushing toward him.

He instinctively sidestepped, and the object that flew past him struck one of his subordinates beside him, instantly causing blood to flow.

It was a spiked club!

In the entire lower district, aside from the crude thugs of the Hyena Gang, who else would use such a barbaric weapon?

“Shurzi!”

Sam roared, “Are you looking to die?”

“I’m not!”

Shurzi’s face showed a hint of confusion, but then he saw a figure suddenly darting out from behind Lorenzo’s elite, wielding a large knife that came crashing down.

Shurzi’s hair stood on end; though he was old, he had been around the lower district long enough to react quickly. He stepped back, raising his cane to block.

As he watched the clear mark left on his beloved gold-inlaid silver cane by the knife, his reason was instantly consumed by rage.

“Lorenzo!”

His roar echoed through the night sky.

Though the three of them sensed something was off in that moment, the oppressive atmosphere and taut pressure meant they didn’t need to issue commands.

Like a powder keg, once the fuse was lit, it would naturally explode!

Seeing their boss under attack, the elites, thugs, and rats whose nerves were already frayed to the breaking point could no longer hold back. They brandished their knives and weapons, pulling the triggers!

Chaos erupted!

Flashes of blades, shadows of arrows, splattering blood, and the roars of thugs turned the once-quiet alley into a scene of extraordinary commotion.

“Something’s wrong, very wrong!”

After slicing down a thug that lunged at him, Lorenzo finally calmed down. He realized someone was trying to stir up this murky water, because the person who had just rushed out from his side was someone he didn’t even recognize!

But when he tried to find that figure again, he couldn’t spot even a shadow; it was too chaotic. Amidst the turmoil, a drifting voice suddenly rang out from somewhere.

“Charge! Whoever seizes the Dragon’s Heart, it belongs to them!”

Lorenzo’s expression changed as he hid the metal container in his bosom, wanting to use his subordinates as cover to escape quickly. But then another voice shouted beside him.

“Lorenzo is here!”

PS: The recent updates have been a bit sparse, but it’s not due to laziness in writing; it’s because I need to push through another level next month, so I’m stockpiling material.

So, just two more days, and next month there will be a big update.