Chen Yu and his two companions were in an office on the top floor of a skyscraper.

The three of them were each drinking a cup of tea when the door opened.

Two figures walked in from outside.

It was Xu Feng, along with another middle-aged man.

The Captain of the Jiang City Mercenary Headquarters.

The three of them put down their cups and stood up.

The middle-aged man stepped forward, a brilliant smile on his face.

"Welcome to the Jiang City Mercenary Headquarters, gentlemen. Let me introduce myself—my surname is Wang."

They nodded. Chen Yu looked at the middle-aged man and got straight to the point. "Captain Wang, I presume you already know why we’re here. We’ve come on a mission, specifically about the mutant beast attacks outside Jiang City."

Captain Wang nodded. "Yes, I know."

Chen Yu looked at him and said, "We were hoping you could provide us with some information, Captain Wang. It would give us a better chance of success."

Captain Wang smiled. "You three are here to ensure Jiang City’s safety. Of course I’ll help."

With that, Captain Wang walked over to his desk, opened a drawer, took out a folder, and handed it to Chen Yu.

"This is the information we’ve managed to collect. It’s all in here. I hope it can be of some help to you all."

Captain Wang said good-naturedly.

Chen Yu and his companions carefully examined the documents.

The file was detailed, and it contained a great deal of information.

It was mostly about the mutant beasts’ lairs. The file listed three locations that were the most probable sites.

Of course, there were other potential locations as well, but the probability was highest for these three.

After all, the mutant beasts weren’t just going to wait around to be killed.

According to the file, some of these mutant beasts had special abilities. They were adept at concealment and could hide not just themselves, but the entire horde.

Anyone who stumbled upon them would face a sudden, vicious attack, instantly putting them in mortal danger.

This file was more detailed than the mission briefing.

This confirmed for Chen Yu that he’d made the right decision. Coming to the Mercenary headquarters had yielded more precise intelligence.

He was confident in his own strength, but he wasn’t arrogant enough to underestimate the mutant beasts.

Most importantly, the shadow of the Heterodox Sect loomed behind all this.

The masterminds behind the mutant beasts were very likely the Divine Authority Council and the Pantheon Sect.

They quickly finished reading. Chen Yu put the documents away and looked at Captain Wang. "Thank you for the intel, Captain Wang. If all goes well, Jiang City should be secure once more."

Captain Wang smiled faintly. "You’re too kind. You’ve come to help us; assisting you is simply my duty."

"However, there is one recent development, though it has yet to be confirmed."

Captain Wang added, his tone shifting.

"Hm?"

The three of them exchanged a look, then turned to Captain Wang.

"Please, gentlemen, sit down!" Captain Wang gestured, and the three of them sat back down on the sofa.

Captain Wang also sat on a nearby sofa. Looking at the trio, he said, "This is something we only learned yesterday. A group of bandits is operating in the wilderness outside the city. These bandits... they might be connected to the Heterodox Sect."

"Bandits!"

Chen Yu’s eyes narrowed.

Bandits in the wilderness weren’t anything unusual.

But given the current situation in Jiang City, and Captain Wang’s suggestion of a link to the Heterodox Sect, it couldn’t be ignored.

Captain Wang paused before continuing, "The number of bandits is unknown. Based on the intelligence we have, we can only make a rough estimate. Their defining characteristic is that they all wear masks."

"Right now, we believe this group is hiding somewhere in West Mountain. Due to the short amount of time, we don’t know their exact location."

The three were silent for a moment. Then, Chen Yu looked at Captain Wang. "Thank you."

’This new development means we need to be even more vigilant. Wilderness bandits are never an easy bunch. They’re a dangerous lot. What’s more, if they’re connected to the Heterodox Sect, it’s possible the Sect placed them there intentionally. And they’re in West Mountain, of all places. The mission briefing and the Mercenary files both pointed to West Mountain as one of the most likely locations for the mutant beast lairs. A coincidence? Definitely not!’

"Is there anything else you gentlemen need? I’ll do everything I can to help," Captain Wang offered, looking at the three of them.

Chen Yu stood up. "Thank you. We need to go and see the situation for ourselves."

Captain Wang stood up as well. "In that case, how about I arrange a vehicle to take you out of the city?"

Chen Yu nodded, accepting the offer.

A moment later, Captain Wang made a call and gave the necessary instructions.

Chen Yu and his companions reviewed the information provided by the Mercenary headquarters one more time, committing every detail to memory.

Moments later, they left in a vehicle. Xu Feng went with them.

After leaving Jiang City, the SUV stopped in a remote part of the wilderness, and Chen Yu and his companions got out.

With a wave, the SUV drove off, quickly disappearing from sight.

The three of them fixed their gazes on a distant mountain range.

West Mountain!

A vast expanse of dense jungle.

The mountains were steep, their peaks layered one upon another!

The three exchanged a look and, as one, headed toward West Mountain.

Xu Feng, however, went in a different direction.

He was not to interfere while Chen Yu’s team carried out their mission.

His only role was to intervene if they faced grave danger.

Having seen Chen Yu’s strength for himself, Xu Feng wasn’t too concerned.

If anything unexpected did happen, all it would take was a message, and he could provide backup immediately.

* * *

They sped onward!

In just a few moments, the trio arrived at West Mountain.

A thousand-meter peak, wreathed in mist.