Chapter Fifty-Seven: The Chase in the Snowy Night

The figure in the cloak raced across the rooftops, movements astonishingly agile, his speed a blur. Every so often, he launched a grappling hook, catching the iron frame of a water tower ahead, using the contracting rope to propel himself faster through the snowy expanse.

He seemed to have no intention of confronting Ye Chen, only eager to lose his pursuer as quickly as possible.

Ye Chen thought to himself, this was exactly the basic skillset expected of a true thief.

Suddenly, urgent thudding noises echoed behind him—like the ground cracking underfoot, or the air itself exploding with every step.

He turned his head swiftly and saw a dark figure rapidly closing in.

Each flash of movement narrowed the distance between them.

Ye Chen’s heart tightened. He couldn’t tell if the newcomer was friend or foe, for the strange white mist shrouding the figure’s entire body obscured all features.

So fast… Ye Chen’s hand slipped inside his coat, ready to draw his blade at a moment’s notice.

When the shadow was barely five meters behind him, Ye Chen realized with a start that the silhouette seemed familiar.

Good heavens!

Wasn’t this Qiao Mu Cao, his body turned to rubber? How did he escape so quickly?

Yet none of this mattered as much as the speed Qiao Mu Cao had just demonstrated—it left Ye Chen utterly astonished, even envious.

Was this still the same cheerful, bumbling Qiao Mu Cao?

His jaw was clenched tight, as if he were gathering some hidden power.

Each step he took exploded with sound, sending snowflakes flying and creating a spectacular display of sight and sound.

Then, with a sudden burst, he propelled himself forward, giving the impression of instantaneous movement.

Was this the true strength of a D-rank awakened one? Was this the ultra-practical skill developed by the awakening device?

He had awakened nothing but a pair of gloves, hadn’t he? How was Qiao Mu Cao achieving this?

What skill granted him such devilish speed and power in the night?

Ye Chen’s perceptions were overturned, his senses refreshed, yet his questions remained unanswered…

In this moment, Ye Chen gained a new understanding of Qiao Mu Cao’s strength, and finally understood why Captain Lu had assigned him the task of escorting the box.

He certainly inspired confidence.

Just then, the rubber-headed Qiao Mu Cao shouted loudly from behind:

“I’m fine now! You can rest assured, keep going!”

And in Ye Chen’s awestruck gaze, the darkness around Qiao Mu Cao faded like a receding tide, returning him to his former self.

With a thud, his knees buckled and his bare head plunged directly into the snow ahead.

He left a long furrow in his wake.

Ye Chen was dumbfounded by the absurdity of the scene, slowing his pursuit without realizing it.

You transformed not to help in the fight, but just to report you’re safe?

What?!

What use is your rubber rod now?

Qiao Mu Cao, stuck in the snow, still managed to lift his ungloved hand and give Ye Chen an encouraging thumbs-up.

The snow fell even heavier from above, making the air feel colder still.

Ye Chen turned his head, ignored it, and continued his relentless chase.

…

The cloaked figure fleeing across the rooftops had also noticed Qiao Mu Cao’s thunderous approach.

Shocked, he glanced back and saw him collapse into the ground.

A faint arc appeared at the corner of his mouth beneath the cloak, as if everything had unfolded according to his plans.

Yet the young man on the street, still in relentless pursuit, made the cloaked figure furrow his brow in annoyance.

Who is this reckless fool… so bothersome!

The cloaked figure looked down at Ye Chen just as Ye Chen looked up at him.

Their eyes met, and the cloaked man sensed an unyielding pressure, the feeling of being hunted.

A Wild Hunter? But he’s not wearing the Patrol Bureau uniform!

Shrugging off his doubts, the cloaked figure resumed his mad dash, confident in his own speed.

After a few sharp turns, he glanced down at the street with the corner of his eye.

He was startled to find the young man still following like a wildcat that had caught the scent of fish, refusing to let go.

His speed was every bit as fast as his own.

No, it was faster.

The cloaked figure had plenty of room to maneuver atop the rooftops, often leaping across street corners like shortcuts.

Yet Ye Chen, relying on sheer physical strength, managed to keep pace despite running a longer route.

The outcome of their contest in speed was already clear.

The cloaked figure began to speculate: if they were only running on flat ground, how long would it take for the young man to catch up and tackle him?

Three minutes? Two? Or less than one?

Though unwilling to accept it, he respected reality.

Their chase across streets and rooftops had lasted some time, and the cloaked figure felt his stamina waning.

Meanwhile, the young man below showed no sign of slowing; instead, he grew ever more adept at predicting the escape route.

The cloaked figure immediately deduced the young man’s strategy—it was a battle of endurance.

His opponent was more cautious, more patient, and more tenacious than expected.

Before knowing the cloaked figure’s true strength, he chose to wear him down, then strike.

He intended to leave nothing to chance.

A heaviness settled in the cloaked man’s heart.

Though the night streets were deserted, obstacles abounded.

Ye Chen sidestepped scaffolding, vaulted over trash cans, leaped across piles of construction debris.

At times, he jumped forcefully, clearing low walls in a single bound.

Such maneuvers happened over and over.

As he ran through a narrow alley, he suddenly stepped on the edge of a box, launching himself forward.

His other foot pressed against the opposite wall, his hand grabbed the eaves, and he flipped onto the rooftop in one fluid motion, barely slowing.

The expression beneath the hood grew cold… Was the young man about to attack?

This bastard was a tough nut to crack—since when did the Outer City Patrol Bureau have someone like this?

It infuriated him…

Originally, the plan was simple: evade the rubber-headed pursuer and vanish into the night, completing his mission perfectly.

Now, a stranger had ruined everything, and the cloaked figure could not help but feel furious.

Rubber-head was his nickname for Qiao Mu Cao.

As it happened, many teammates called him that as well.

Just as Ye Chen climbed onto the roof, barely steadying himself,

With a swish, an arrow suddenly embedded itself near his foot.

He hadn’t had time to examine the arrowhead—it was already buried deep in the snowy rooftop.

But the quivering fletching revealed the force behind the shot, the arrow had pierced through the snow and into the roof itself.

It was a warning: had this arrow been aimed precisely, the damage would have been considerable…