NOVEL NEXT Chapter 328: Fang Clan (III)
The night was calm over Chengdu, but the Fang Clan's compound was alive with activity.
Guards patrolled the high walls, their weapons glinting under the flickering flames of torches.
The compound sprawled across several acres, a fortress of dark stone and fire. It stood as a testament to the clan's power and cruelty, hiding atrocities that Silas had vowed to expose and dismantle.
High above, Silas hovered, the city lights of Chengdu twinkling far below. The holographic display inside his helmet provided a detailed overview of the compound, fed by the drones Luna had deployed earlier.
The layout was complex, with overlapping patrol routes, layers of defenses, and heat-based traps designed to incinerate intruders.
{The compound's defenses are extensive, Master,} Luna said.
{Their fire-based traps are concentrated along the outer walls and the inner courtyard. I've identified blind spots in their patrol routes, but they're narrow.}
"Understood," Silas replied, scanning the map. His focus shifted to the large structure at the compound's center—the arena.
It was the heart of the Fang Clan's trafficking operations, where normals were forced to fight for survival, often against Phenomenals.
"How many civilians are inside?" he asked.
{Approximately 217 normals are currently being held in the arena's lower levels,} Luna responded.
{Their conditions appear to be deteriorating. Immediate extraction is advised.}
"Let's do this."
---
Silas descended slowly, activating the stealth mode of his suit. The thrusters shifted to a near-silent hum, and the reflective plating absorbed the ambient light, rendering him nearly invisible against the night sky.
He landed silently on the roof of an adjacent building overlooking the compound.
The guards were disciplined, seen from their coordinated movements. Silas observed them for a moment, analyzing their patterns. Luna's data highlighted gaps in their coverage, and he planned his route accordingly.
With a flick of his wrist, Silas deployed two small drones from his suit. They zipped into the compound, transmitting real-time footage of the interior.
The drones identified key targets: the control room for the fire traps, the main barracks where reinforcements were stationed, and the entrance to the arena's underground holding cells.
"Prioritize disabling the traps. We'll need a clear path to get the civilians out,". Silas instructed.
{Understood. I'll begin disrupting their communications as well,} Luna replied.
Silas moved swiftly, his steps silent as he darted across the rooftops. His suit's augmented strength allowed him to leap effortlessly over gaps, landing without a sound.
He reached the compound's outer wall and scaled it with ease, using the suit's magnetic grips to cling to the surface.
---
Silas infiltrated the control room without a hitch. Inside, two Phenomenals were seated at a console, monitoring the compound's defenses. They didn't even see him coming.
In one fluid motion, Silas disabled both guards, rendering them unconscious with hits to the back of their heads. He moved to the console, where Luna guided him through the process of deactivating the fire traps.
{Traps are offline, Master. Patrol routes are being updated. Expect increased activity as they investigate the disruption.}
"Good. Let them look," Silas said, his voice cold.
He exited the control room just as alarms began to blare across the compound. Guards scrambled, their torches casting chaotic shadows as they searched for the intruder. Silas used the confusion to his advantage, moving toward the arena.
---
The arena loomed before him, its grand entrance guarded by a contingent of heavily armed Phenomenals.
Silas observed them for a moment, his enhanced vision picking up the faint flicker of flames along their weapons and armor.
"They're fire-aligned," he muttered.
"Luna, any weaknesses?"
{Their armor is resistant to heat but not to kinetic energy or concussive force. A direct assault would be unwise, though not impossible for you but unwise, but a distraction could create an opening.}
Silas nodded, deploying a small EMP device. He tossed it into the center of the group, and the resulting pulse disabled their equipment, plunging the area into darkness.
Before the guards could recover, Silas descended. His fists, amplified by the Diamirite Suit, sent shockwaves through the air, incapacitating the guards within moments.
Due to how strong he is currently, Silas had to make sure to control his strength so that he doesn't kill them, but he made sure to leave them in a half dead state.
After dealing with the guards, he stepped over their unconscious bodies and entered the arena.
---
The stench of body fluid, sweat, blood, and despair filled the air as Silas made his way through the arena's lower levels.
Cells lined the walls, their occupants huddled in the darkness. Most were malnourished, their faces gaunt and hollow. They stared at Silas in disbelief as he approached, their hope long extinguished.
"You're safe now. I'm getting you out of here," Silas said with a soft voice.
"Luna, initiate the extraction protocol. I need transports ready to move these people as soon as we clear the compound."
{Transports are en route, Master. ETA: seven minutes.}
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Silas moved quickly, breaking open the cell doors with his suit's enhanced strength. The civilians hesitated at first, unsure whether to trust him, but his calm demeanor and the sight of their captors lying defeated outside gave them the courage to follow.
"Stay close to me," Silas instructed.
"We're not out of this yet."
---
As Silas led the civilians toward the extraction point, the ground beneath him suddenly erupted in flames. He pushed the group back, shielding them with his suit as a figure emerged from the smoke.
Li Fang stood before him, her dual flaming swords crackling with energy. Her eyes burned with fury, and her presence radiated heat that warped the air around her.
"So," she said, her voice dripping with venom, "you're the one who's been causing all this trouble."
"And you're the one responsible for this nightmare." Silas steppef forward.
Li Fang sneered. "You think you're a savior? You're nothing more than a self-righteous fool. These people are weak—nothing more than tools for our entertainment."
"You're not the first to say to me but everyone of them always met the same end and yours won't be any different. I wonder who's the weak one here?" Silas smiled
---
Without wanting to exchange anymore words with Silas, Li Fang moved first, her speed blinding as she closed the distance between them.
Her swords lashed out, arcs of flame slicing through the air. Silas dodged effortlessly, countering with a concussive blast from his suit's gauntlets.
The shockwave sent Li Fang skidding back, but she recovered quickly, her fiery aura intensifying.
Their battle raged through the arena, flames clashing against energy shields as civilians watched in awe and terror.
Silas held back while attacking, aiming to subdue Li Fang without causing unnecessary destruction. But she was relentless, her hatred fueling her attacks.
"You think you can stop us?" Li Fang snarled, launching a torrent of fire. "The Fang Clan will never bow to someone like you!"
Silas responded with a focused energy pulse, disrupting her flames and sending her crashing into a nearby wall. He approached her slowly, his voice calm but firm.
"You all are the same. If you're not ranting about legacy, then it's some stupid family pride. I wonder if the legacy and pride is what feeds you or give you superpowers?"
Li Fang smiled as she struggled to her feet, but Silas was faster. He struck with a final blow, incapacitating her before she could retaliate.
---
With Li Fang defeated, Silas turned his attention back to the civilians. The transports arrived moments later, and he helped them board, ensuring their safety before returning to the arena.
"Luna, status update on the compound."
{The remaining guards are retreating. Reinforcements are unlikely for now, but Rai Fang will undoubtedly respond to this attack.}
"It was the plan all along. I will be waiting for him here." Silas said.
As the transports disappeared into the night, Silas stood amidst the ruins of the arena, the flames around him fading into embers.
The Fang Clan had been dealt a significant blow, but the fight was far from over. This was only the beginning and things were about to get even more interesting.... At least he expects it to.