Six in the morning.

At the intersection of the Beijing–Shanghai Expressway and Huiyuan Street, Shen Cong met Chen Xiuni.

"Our people are already deployed around Xihai Park. Boss Huang, one last confirmation — you really mean to fight your way in alone? Mushroom weapons do terrible harm to evolved people. I hope you'll take this seriously."

Shen Cong answered beside the point, coldly. "Once the settlement erupts into chaos, you capture and kill any Bug Warriors that flee. I don't want you to miss a single one."

"If it's A-Tai and the Master trying to flee, we may not be able to hold them."

"They won't be fleeing." Shen Cong said it like some small matter nailed shut for certain. "Six o'clock sharp. The plan begins."

With that, a few leaping bounds, and he vanished into the dense forest. Deep in the trees, the Four-Legged Dragon waited for Shen Cong. Her obedience was excellent these days; told to stay put and wait, she absolutely would not wander off.

He mounted her and raced swiftly to the tunnel mouth.

Checked his gear, confirmed he was fully armed, entered the tunnel, and in a moment emerged in the small flower garden. The sky had brightened fully; A-Tai wasn't up yet, and of his women, two were already strolling in the garden.

Shen Cong set up the sniper rifle, hid in the flower beds, and waited quietly for A-Tai to appear.

Patience, Shen Cong had in abundance.

…

Elsewhere, on Xihai Park's perimeter, Chen Xiuni — camouflage paint on her face — stood in a tall tree not far from the settlement, watching the situation through binoculars.

"Captain, has Boss Huang attacked?" A squad member, seated on a nearby branch, asked.

Chen Xiuni lowered the binoculars and slowly shook her head; she'd seen no movement in the settlement at all. "Patience."

"Can you see Boss Huang's big snail?"

"Not yet."

Little Li, up in a higher crown of leaves, said softly at that, "If you ask me, Boss Huang's just a con man. Captain, this morning we saw it clear as day —…