Chapter Sixty-Seven: The Old Father’s Pocket Watch

Fang Tang stood at the entrance of the cave, watching as the Fallen One gestured and spoke quietly to the three people before him. One man and two women sat with their heads bowed, their hands tapping ceaselessly on newspapers. Seeing that the Fallen One hadn't noticed him, Fang Tang transformed the Frost Rifle into a square-mouthed weapon and aimed it at the Fallen One.

An icy chill spread, sending the temperature in the cavern plummeting. Only then did the Fallen One look up and gaze at Fang Tang.

"Oh my God, the friends of these little sweethearts have finally arrived. Who are you here to pick up?" The Fallen One paid no attention to the Frost Rifle, greeting Lin Zhao with an exceedingly gentle smile, his eyes radiating kindness, like a caring father.

"Come here, child, let me take a look at you."

His voice was soft, making anyone who heard it want to lower their guard. Unmoved by the calm facade, Fang Tang grew wary—if even his innate abilities had no effect on this Fallen One, things would get complicated.

Strike first!

Expressionless, Fang Tang kept the sight trained on the Fallen One and pulled the trigger.

Bang!

The muffled blast echoed through the cavern.

The Fallen One's face remained unchanged, a faint smile still lingering. Suddenly, one of the three kneeling people stood up and blocked the Fallen One.

Thud!

The icy bullet buried itself in the woman's body. In the blink of an eye, she became an ice sculpture.

"Oh, what a marvelous weapon, my friend. There's no need to greet me with arms at our first meeting," the Fallen One said, strolling over to the man beside Ye Qing, smiling at Lin Zhao.

Lin Zhao stayed silent; the Fallen One was able to manipulate his controlled victims to take bullets for him. Two hostages remained, and Fang Tang couldn't tell who would shield him next, so he abandoned the Frost Rifle.

The Frost Rifle melted into a blue stream and vanished along Fang Tang's arm.

With ranged weapons out of the question, only close combat remained. Thanks to his mechanical claw-arm, Fang Tang no longer feared Ye Qing and the man sacrificing themselves for the Fallen One.

He gripped the Grand Dragon Sparrow, its ornate blade ringing sharply.

Knife in hand, Fang Tang strode step by step toward the Fallen One.

The Fallen One was not at all anxious, smiling widely at Fang Tang. "Come, friend, look into my eyes."

He opened his hands in an embrace, his gentle eyes growing softer still.

Knowing the Fallen One's abilities, Fang Tang was not about to be fooled. He picked up the pace, rushing forward, his body angled at forty-five degrees like a predator.

With his agility attribute greatly enhanced, Fang Tang moved at double his previous speed.

Combined with Phantom Dash and the Lightweight Ring, Fang Tang had reached the peak speed that Moon Moon had once been able to grant him, rivaling a second-tier speed specialist like the Fallen One.

Boom!

The mechanical claw-arm behind him propelled Fang Tang forward, leaving afterimages as he charged the Fallen One.

Just as Fang Tang was about to close in, the kneeling man suddenly stood up, staring vacantly at Fang Tang, trying to block him bodily.

But the man was nothing more than an ordinary person. With a deft angle, Fang Tang slipped past him and arrived before the Fallen One.

"Die!"

A flash of cold light in midair—the Grand Dragon Sparrow sliced swiftly across the Fallen One.

Decapitation triggered, the Fallen One’s head soared high, the gentle smile still on his face.

"What’s going on?"

Fang Tang frowned, feeling something strange.

Suddenly, a sharp pain tore through his ear—he turned to see Moon Moon biting him.

He was still standing in his original position, the Grand Dragon Sparrow sheathed.

Rare mutant ability: Soul Hypnosis!

"So it was only an illusion?"

[Not an illusion—you were hypnotized. Lucky Moon Moon helped, or you would have drowned in the hallucination, never waking up. By the way, did you see me speaking just now?]

"What did you say?" Fang Tang asked, momentarily stunned.

[The rare mutant ability is strong—you’ve experienced it firsthand. He has hostages. If you don’t care about Ye Qing, you can use the Frost Rifle to wear down the Fallen One. If you want her to survive, you’ll have to rely on close combat. Let Moon Moon help you—your Phantom Dash is on a ten-minute cooldown.]

Fang Tang glanced at the ice statue beside the Fallen One and nodded slowly.

"Moon Moon!"

"Ow—"

The little creature stood on Fang Tang’s shoulder, letting out a soft cry.

That familiar sensation flowed into Fang Tang once more.

Drawing the Grand Dragon Sparrow, Fang Tang launched into action!

Just as he had in the hypnosis, Fang Tang vaulted toward the Fallen One.

The kneeling man rose on cue, but Fang Tang darted past, facing the Fallen One.

"This isn’t hypnosis now, is it!" Fang Tang gritted his teeth and swung the Grand Dragon Sparrow.

Slash!

That familiar cold gleam appeared.

This time, no head flew—rather, the Grand Dragon Sparrow was clamped tightly by the Fallen One’s muscles.

Having been attacked, the Fallen One only frowned slightly, his face showing regret.

"This suit is quite expensive, and you’ve ruined it. You’ll have to stay to compensate me."

[Ignore his words—he’s trying to hypnotize you.]

Fang Tang: "I enjoy steamed buns, both plain and sweet."

The Fallen One: ???

Seizing the Fallen One’s moment of confusion, Fang Tang yanked out the Grand Dragon Sparrow and flicked it upward, severing the Fallen One’s arm.

The Fallen One’s expression changed at last, his face darkening as he looked at his severed limb.

"Newcomer, you’re quite unruly!"

He pulled a golden, intricately patterned pocket watch from his pocket, nostalgia on his face. "I hadn’t wanted to use this watch; my father gave it to me years ago…"

"You talk too much!"

As the Fallen One sank into his memories, Fang Tang slipped behind him, gripped the Grand Dragon Sparrow with both hands, and aimed the blade tip at the unspeakable spot.

Millennium Strike—Decapitation!

The Fallen One’s head shot skyward, nostalgia still etched on his face.

The pocket watch dropped from his hand, hitting the ground with a clear, crisp sound.

"Is it over?"

Fang Tang blinked in disbelief.

This was a third-tier Fallen One—and he’d dealt with him just like that?

He’d only been hypnotized once in the whole process.

Was that it?

[What else did you expect? Another twist? That’d be padding… But the Fallen One left us a good item, see that pocket watch? Pick it up.]

"This one?"

Fang Tang picked up the golden, filigreed pocket watch, curious. "What’s it for?"

[Father’s Pocket Watch—Spirit Bond Ability: Pause. Pauses time in an area for three seconds, during which the holder can move freely. Uses remaining: 2.]

"This ability… is extraordinary!"

Fang Tang licked his lips, delighted.

This was a powerful weapon.

With enough speed, three seconds could turn the tide of any battle.

Thankfully, the Fallen One hadn’t used it. Who knows if the Steel Guard could have blocked his attack.

Clearing his thoughts, Fang Tang looked at Ye Qing.

Ye Qing had only been hypnotized briefly and was unharmed.

Now that the Fallen One was dead, the effects of hypnosis were fading, and she would soon awaken.

However, the man was already showing signs of corruption.