I become stronger by sacrificing my lifespan, becoming invincible in the world.

"First, continue to monitor the Fierce Tiger Gang, especially Lei Hu and Chen Hong's interactions, as well as the specific details and locations of their transactions with the demon race. Notify me immediately of any unusual activity."

"Secondly, I need a batch of fine iron arrowheads, the best steel, the sharpest blades. Quantity... fifty arrows to start with. I'll pay whatever it costs."

Shi Tou carefully noted it down and nodded, saying, "The arrowheads are no problem; the patriarch will definitely agree. As for the money... the patriarch said that whatever our benefactor needs, the Shi family will do its best to raise the funds; there's no need to mention money."

"One thing at a time." Lin Chen shook his head. "The Shi family has it tough, and what's owed must be paid. I'll bring the money next time we meet."

Seeing his resolute attitude, Shi Tou had no choice but to agree.

"By the way," Lin Chen recalled something, "your Shi family deals with ores all year round. Have you ever heard of a type of ore that is dark purple or dark red in color, hard in texture, and has a metallic luster, and may... have a fishy smell? Or produce a strange odor when burned?"

He was describing the vague characteristics of the mineral powder.

Stone frowned and pondered for a moment, then shook his head: "Common iron and copper mines don't have this kind of fishy smell. I have heard the elders in the tribe mention that there are some strange veins deep in the northern border, and the stones dug out are ominous, and that people will go mad if they come into contact with them for a long time... But these are all legends, and no one has ever seen them with their own eyes."

A sinister mineral vein? An ominous sign? Madness?

Lin Chen memorized these keywords.

"Okay, I understand. Be careful on your way back."

"Take care, my benefactor!" Shi Tou clasped his hands in a fist salute, wrapped his fur coat tighter, and disappeared silently into the night.

Lin Chen returned to the barracks with the soft armor and steel sword.

He put on the soft armor close to his body; it was indeed light and fit perfectly, and he could hardly feel its weight. The steel knife was placed beside his pillow, within easy reach.

Lying on his bed, he sorted through the information he had received that evening.

The Shi family's support was a timely help.

The clues about the Fierce Tiger Gang, the Black Nightmare Tribe, and the mysterious ore are gradually becoming clear.

Su Qingxue's temporary departure gave him a chance to catch his breath.

But the crisis was far from over: Chen Hong's hostility, the Tiger Gang's potential retaliation, the secrets deep within the Black Wind Forest, and Zhang Heng's meaningful "other plans"...

He needs to improve his strength more quickly and also needs to take a more proactive approach to intelligence gathering.

The fine iron arrowheads were designed to counter potentially stronger enemies.

The alliance with the Shi family was the first intelligence network he established.

Next, we just need to wait for Zhang Heng's "arrangements" and at the same time, seize every opportunity to make ourselves and the "Night Shadow" team stronger.

Outside the window, the north wind howled, and the chill was penetrating to the bone.

But in Lin Chen's heart, a cold flame was slowly igniting.

Just as dawn broke, Zhang Heng's personal guards arrived again.

"Squad Leader Lin, the captain requests your presence; it's urgent."

Lin Chen was doing morning exercises with "Night Shadow" in the courtyard when he heard this, so he immediately stopped. He changed out of his sweat-soaked inner shirt, put on the soft armor and outer robe given to him by the Shi family, hung the newly acquired hundred-refined steel sword at his waist, gave Zhao Tiegu a wink, and then left with his personal guards.

The atmosphere in Zhang Heng's barracks was somewhat oppressive.

A rudimentary map of the North lay spread out on the table, marked with numerous charcoal pencil marks. Zhang Heng stood with his back to the door in front of the map, not turning around even when he heard footsteps.

"Close the door," he said in a low voice.

The guards withdrew and closed the gate tightly.

Lin Chen walked to the table and stood still without saying a word.

Zhang Heng then turned around. His usual slightly rough smile was gone; his brows were furrowed, and his eyes were bloodshot, as if he hadn't slept well the night before.

"The discovery of Blackwind Forest," he said bluntly, emphasizing a circled spot on the map, "was not accidental."

Lin Chen looked at the spot he was pointing to—the approximate location where the tire tracks and bloodstains had been discovered yesterday.

"What does 'captain' mean?"

"The Fierce Tiger Gang".

Zhang Heng uttered three words, his expression filled with undisguised disgust.

"That bastard Lei Hu, relying on his innate talent, a gang of desperados under his command, and some shady connections both inside and outside the pass, has become increasingly reckless over the years. Smuggling, human trafficking, robbing caravans, and even... daring to trade with the demon race!"

He turned and stared at Lin Chen: "Chen Hong colluded with him before, trafficking people to the Gray Wolf Tribe, and you thwarted their scheme once. But they haven't stopped, they've just become more secretive. Deep within the Black Wind Forest, there's probably an even bigger hideout for them, or... a trading location."

Lin Chen's heart stirred slightly, but his face remained expressionless: "The captain wants to remove this thorn in our side?"

"I want to," Zhang Heng said decisively.

"I've been thinking about this for more than a day or two. But Lei Hu is a Xiantian (a type of innate talent), and in a head-on fight, my men aren't enough to kill him. Besides, that bastard is cunning and leaves no loose ends. Without solid evidence, I can't touch him. Although Chen Hong has fallen, there are still others in the prison who are tipping him off and covering for him."

He walked up to Lin Chen, his gaze sharp: "You're a shrewd kid, ruthless, and lucky. Most importantly—you're now a thorn in the side of Chen Hong's gang, and Lei Hu's retainer Xie Qi is dead at your hands. You've made a blood feud with the Fierce Tiger Gang."

Lin Chen listened quietly.

"So," Zhang Heng said, emphasizing each word, "I need you to keep a close watch on the Fierce Tiger Gang for me."

He walked back to the table and drew a line on the map with his finger.

"From the edge of Black Wind Forest to the 'Valley of Burial Souls' in the north, that's the Tiger Gang's territory. I need you, with your 'Night Shadow,' to find out their strongholds, manpower, and trade routes, especially—ironclad evidence of their collusion with the demon race!"

He raised his head, his eyes filled with pressure: "Speculation alone isn't enough. I need evidence that can be laid bare and shut everyone up! Ledgers, letters, goods, witnesses! Ideally, I'd catch them in the act of their transaction!"

Lin Chen remained silent for a moment, a troubled look appearing on his face.

"Captain, the Fierce Tiger Gang is powerful, and Thunder Tiger is even a Xiantian (a high-ranking official). I'm just a squad leader with ten men..."

"I know it's dangerous." Zhang Heng interrupted him, took out a black token about half the size of his palm from his pocket, and threw it on the table. The token was neither iron nor wood, and a ferocious tiger's head was engraved on the front.

"This is my 'Patrol Order.' With this order, you can call upon the scout squads of any patrol battalion within the pass to cooperate, and you can apply for the use of certain special equipment, such as crossbows, armor-piercing arrows, and smoke bombs. When necessary, you can also directly mobilize no more than fifty patrol battalion soldiers—of course, you must have a suitable reason."

He paused, then added, "Regarding intelligence, I also have some undercover contacts who can provide you with some information about the Tiger Gang's peripheral activities. But the core information, you'll have to dig it out yourself."

They were given a lot of power.

The risks are also frighteningly high.

"And then what?" Lin Chen asked.

Zhang Heng laughed, a hint of ruthlessness in his smile.

"After this is done, I'll guarantee you a real position as a 'team leader,' commanding two hundred men! Every one of your brothers will be richly rewarded! Taking down the Fierce Tiger Gang will be a monumental achievement for you at Ghost Cry Pass! At that point, Chen Hong's petty tricks will be nothing! I'll even speak up for you before General Liu!"