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

Late at night, in Zhang Heng's barracks.

The oil lamp was lit, and the doors and windows were tightly closed. Only Zhang Heng, Lin Chen, and Zhao Tiegu were inside.

Lin Chen briefly recounted what he had seen and heard at Blackstone Manor, as well as his deductions about the transaction at midnight the following night. Zhao Tiegu added details from the side.

After listening, Zhang Heng's face showed little surprise, only a somber "It's finally here" expression. He tapped his fingers on the table, making a dull thud.

"The Gray Wolf Tribe... Chen Hong... people and ore..." He sneered, "That bastard Lei Hu's appetite is growing ever bigger. Colluding with the demon race to traffic people is a heinous crime punishable by confiscation of property and extermination of the entire clan!"

He looked up at Lin Chen: "What do you want to do?"

"Let's turn the tables on them." Lin Chen's tone was calm, yet sharp as a blade. "They want to make a deal, right? Let them make the deal. We'll set up surveillance on the perimeter, and when they meet and the goods are handed over, we'll suddenly strike and catch them red-handed!"

Zhang Heng narrowed his eyes: "Blackstone Manor is easy to defend and difficult to attack, so they must have chosen to conduct their transaction outside the manor. But do you know the exact location?"

"I don't know." Lin Chen shook his head. "But they mentioned 'the old place,' which means it wasn't the first transaction. The transaction location should not be far from Blackstone Manor and should be secluded enough. I speculate that it might be in a valley or dense forest north of Blackstone Manor, leading towards Burial Soul Valley."

"That makes sense," Zhang Heng nodded. "But we need the exact location to set up an ambush."

"We can monitor them in advance," Lin Chen said. "Tomorrow during the day, my men will continue to keep an eye on Blackstone Manor. By observing which direction their convoy goes, we can roughly determine the trading area. Before the transaction at night, they will definitely clear the area and set up sentries; the commotion won't be small. Finding the exact location won't be difficult."

Zhang Heng pondered for a moment, then asked, "Where are the manpower? To catch them in the act, we need enough people to form an encirclement, to prevent them from resorting to desperate measures, such as killing to silence witnesses or destroying evidence."

"The captain has a patrol battalion under his command," Lin Chen said, looking at him. "Select the most reliable and courageous veterans; fifty men should be enough. Divide them into two teams. One team will lie in ambush outside the trading location and attack together when the signal is given. The other team will block the exit of Black Stone Manor to prevent reinforcements from coming out and to prevent anyone from escaping back to the manor to report if the transaction fails."

"Fifty men..." Zhang Heng calculated. "That's fine. I have over thirty trustworthy old brothers, and I can draw some tight-lipped and daring ones from the other team leaders. It won't be difficult to make fifty."

He paused, his eyes sharpening. "But most importantly—evidence! Just arresting people isn't enough; we need ledgers, letters, or their own confessions! Especially evidence of Chen Hong's involvement!"

"The scene of the transaction is irrefutable evidence," Lin Chen said. "The members of the Fierce Tiger Gang, the demons of the Gray Wolf Tribe, the trafficked civilians, and the ore were all present. If we apprehend them on the spot, with everyone watching, Chen Hong won't escape responsibility. If we can also capture one or two key figures and get them to talk..."

He didn't finish speaking, but his meaning was clear.

A ruthless glint flashed in Zhang Heng's eyes: "Fine! That's settled!"

He stood up, walked to the map hanging on the wall, and gestured on it with his finger: "North of Blackstone Village, suitable places for clandestine transactions... 'Wild Wolf Valley,' 'Ghost's Bane,' 'Heartbreak Gorge'... these are the most likely places."

He turned to Lin Chen and said, "Tomorrow morning, take your men and split up to scout these locations from a distance, confirm the terrain, and choose suitable ambush positions. Remember, only observe the terrain; don't alert the enemy!"

"yes!"

"I will select the men and prepare the equipment. Crossbows, armor-piercing arrows, tripwires, smoke bombs... everything must be prepared."

Zhang Heng walked back to the table and lowered his voice, "This matter is top secret! Those involved are only told there's an operation; the specific target will be announced before the operation! Your 'Night Shadow' team, keep their mouths shut too!"

"Don't worry, Captain." Lin Chen nodded.

"And another thing," Zhang Heng said, staring at him.

"In this operation, you're the vanguard and the eyes. Once you find the exact transaction location, your men will be positioned in the nearest available spot to monitor the situation. When our main force launches its attack, they'll immediately create chaos and cut off their escape route! This is the most dangerous mission. Do you dare accept?"

"I dare," Lin Chen answered without the slightest hesitation.

"Good!" Zhang Heng slapped him hard on the shoulder. "After this is done, I'll give you the top credit! That bastard Chen Hong will be lucky to escape with his life!"

A cold glint flashed in Lin Chen's eyes.

What he wanted was more than just to make Chen Hong suffer.

What he wanted was Chen Hong's life, and to completely sever the sinister hand reaching out to him.

"Captain, if Chen Hong or his confidants were present during the operation..." Lin Chen asked slowly.

Zhang Heng glanced at him, remained silent for a moment, then lowered his voice even further, tinged with a bloodthirsty glint: "Colluding with foreign tribes and trafficking people is tantamount to treason. If you resist arrest... kill without mercy!"

Lin Chen understood.

He clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Your subordinate understands."

"Go and prepare." Zhang Heng waved his hand. "We'll move out tomorrow. This time, we'll make those rats in the dark feel utterly ashamed and pay a terrible price!"

Lin Chen and Zhao Tiegu left the barracks.

The night wind was biting, blowing against my face, but it couldn't extinguish the cold flame in my heart.

Tomorrow night at midnight.

The hunt is about to begin.

The prey, oblivious to the fact that it has already stepped into the hunter's encirclement.

Lin Chen clenched his fist, and his knuckles cracked slightly.

This time, he will make all those who wanted to harm him pay with their lives!

Dingqi's barracks had its doors and windows tightly shut.

The fire in the hearth burned brightly, illuminating eleven tense faces.

Lin Chen stood in the middle, his gaze sweeping over everyone.

"The operation will take place at midnight tomorrow night."

He got straight to the point.

"The goal is to disrupt the deal between the Tiger Gang and the Gray Wolf Division, catch them in the act, and gather irrefutable evidence."

"Captain Zhang will lead fifty men in the main attack; we are the eyes and the spearhead."

He paused, his voice growing deeper.

"Therefore, before setting off, there are a few things you must master to save your life and kill the enemy."

Everyone perked up and started listening intently.

"First, pair up." Lin Chen walked up to Zhao Tiegu and Li the Cripple. "In the chaos of battle, those who are separated from their group are the easiest to die. From now on, everyone, pair up, back to back, acting as each other's eyes. When I call 'Group,' immediately find the nearest partner and move together!"

He told everyone to spread out randomly, then suddenly shouted in a low voice, "Group up!"

There was a moment of panic, but quickly, they stood back to back in pairs. Zhou Dahe and Wang Chuan reacted the fastest, while Zhao Tiegu and Li Quezi naturally formed a pair.

"Too slow," Lin Chen said coldly. "Let's try again. One more group!"

"Group!"

"Group!"

They practiced more than ten times until everyone could form a team in the blink of an eye.

"Remember your partner. On the battlefield, he entrusts his back to you, and you entrust your life to him."

"Second, simple sign language." Lin Chen extended his right hand, fingers together, pointing to the ground—stillness. Palm outstretched, gently pushing forward—advance. Clench a fist, thumb pointing backward—retreat. Index and middle fingers together—target spotted. Little finger slightly bent—danger.

"Just watch and memorize. No one is allowed to ask questions." He quickly changed his hand gestures, and everyone stared intently, trying their best to remember.