Chapitre 19: Chapter 18: The Beast’s Scent
The night air hung heavy with the scent of cheap perfume and stale alcohol as Fa Ma stumbled through the narrow streets of Canaan City's red-light district. His exaggerated swagger and occasional hiccup completed the image of just another drunk wandering the seedy underbelly of the city. But beneath the act, Fa Ma's senses were on high alert, his eyes scanning every shadow and alleyway for any sign of suspicious activity.
Weeks had passed since the warehouse raid, and the investigation had hit a frustrating standstill. No matter how many leads he pursued or informants he questioned, Fa Ma felt like he was running in circles. The Beast Emperor Sect's involvement in the trafficking ring was clear, but the extent of their operation and the identities of key players remained maddeningly elusive.
As he rounded a corner, the gaudy neon lights of the "Golden Lotus" brothel assaulted his eyes. It was an upscale establishment, its ornate facade a stark contrast to the dilapidated buildings surrounding it. Fa Ma had passed by it numerous times during his nightly patrols, but tonight something felt different. An energy thrummed in the air, setting his Battle Qi on edge.
Just as he was considering how to get a closer look without arousing suspicion, the brothel's doors swung open. A group of well-dressed men spilled out onto the street, their raucous laughter echoing off the buildings. Fa Ma quickly ducked into a nearby alley, peering out cautiously.
The men were clearly intoxicated, swaying slightly as they made their way down the street. Fa Ma counted six of them, all wearing expensive robes that marked them as members of Canaan City's elite. As they passed under a flickering streetlamp, something caught Fa Ma's eye.
One of the men, a tall figure with a shaved head, gestured wildly as he spoke. The movement caused his sleeve to ride up, revealing a tattoo on his wrist. Fa Ma's breath caught in his throat. The stylized beast's head inked into the man's skin was unmistakably similar to the one he had seen on the guard during the warehouse raid.
Fa Ma's mind raced. Could this be the break he had been waiting for? He waited for the group to move further down the street before emerging from his hiding spot. Maintaining his drunken act, he began to follow them at a distance, weaving slightly as he walked to avoid suspicion.
As he trailed the group, fragments of their conversation drifted back to him.
"...next shipment's due in three days..."
"...boss wants only the best merchandise this time..."
"...can't afford another slip-up like last month..."
Fa Ma's fists clenched at his sides. There was no doubt now - these men were involved in the trafficking ring. He committed their faces to memory, knowing each one could be a valuable lead.
After several blocks, the group began to split up. Most headed towards the more affluent part of the city, but the tattooed man turned down a darker street that led to a less reputable neighborhood. Fa Ma followed, his heart pounding with a mix of excitement and apprehension.
The man led him to a nondescript building with barred windows. It could have been a warehouse or an abandoned shop - nothing about its exterior gave any hint to its true purpose. Fa Ma watched from the shadows as the tattooed man approached the door and knocked in a specific pattern: two quick raps, a pause, then three more in quick succession.
The door creaked open, and a sliver of light spilled out onto the street. Fa Ma couldn't see who had answered, but he observed the tattooed man reaching into his robes and producing a small scroll. The item changed hands, and then the door closed, plunging the street back into darkness.
Fa Ma waited, barely breathing, as the tattooed man lit a cigarette and began to walk away. Only when the man had turned the corner did Fa Ma dare to approach the building. He pressed his ear to the door, straining to hear any sound from within, but the thick wood muffled all noise from inside.
Moving to one of the barred windows, Fa Ma found a small gap in the curtains. He peered inside, catching glimpses of a sparsely furnished room. A table, a few chairs, and - most interestingly - a large map pinned to the far wall. Before he could make out any details, however, a chill ran down his spine.
Someone was watching him.
Fa Ma spun around, Battle Qi surging through his body, ready to face whatever threat had managed to sneak up on him. But instead of an enemy, he found himself staring into the familiar face of Chen Xin.
Fa Ma studied his friend's face. Chen Xin's eyes were bloodshot, with dark circles underneath speaking of sleepless nights. His hand rested on the hilt of his sword, fingers twitching slightly as if itching to draw the blade. The sword was probably the item that masked Chen Xin's aura.
"We shouldn't talk here," Fa Ma said, glancing back at the building. "Come on, I know a safe place."
The two made their way through the winding streets until they reached an abandoned teahouse Fa Ma had discovered during one of his previous patrols. Once inside, Fa Ma quickly filled Chen Xin in on what he had observed but berated him for following him.
"I'll be fine, no one can detect me anyway. But a Beast Emperor Sect tattoo?" Chen Xin's eyes widened. "And you're sure it was the same as the one from the warehouse?"
Fa Ma nodded grimly. "Nearly identical. And the conversation I overheard... Chen Xin, I think we've stumbled onto something big. That brothel might be a front for their operations, and this building could be where they're coordinating everything."
Chen Xin leaned forward, his earlier unease seemingly forgotten in the excitement of a new lead. "What's our next move, then? Do we report this to the academy? Or should we try to infiltrate the brothel ourselves?"
Fa Ma considered for a moment. "We need more information before we can act. I think our best bet is to keep this between us for now. I'll focus on the brothel - see if I can find a way to get inside and look around without arousing suspicion. Can you gather information about that building? But be careful - don't do anything to tip them off that we're onto them."
Chen Xin nodded eagerly, but as he did, Fa Ma noticed his friend's hand trembling slightly as it gripped the edge of the table. A flicker of something dark passed behind Chen Xin's eyes, there and gone so quickly Fa Ma almost thought he had imagined it.
"Chen Xin," Fa Ma said softly, "are you alright? You seem... on edge."
For a moment, it looked like Chen Xin might brush off the concern. But then his shoulders slumped, and he let out a heavy sigh. "I... I haven't been sleeping well. The sword, it's... I keep hearing whispers, Fa Ma. When I close my eyes, I see visions of battle, of blood. Sometimes I'm not sure if I'm awake or dreaming."
Alarm bells rang in Fa Ma's mind. He had warned Chen Xin about the dangers of losing himself to the bloodthirsty nature of his weapon, but he hadn't realized how far things had progressed.
"Maybe you should take a step back from this investigation," Fa Ma suggested gently. "Focus on your cultivation, try to center yourself-"
"No!" Chen Xin's vehemence took Fa Ma by surprise. "No, I need to do this. I need to help. It's the only thing that feels... real."
Fa Ma studied his friend, worry gnawing at his gut. He knew he should insist, should find a way to help Chen Xin before things got worse. But the investigation was at a critical point, and he couldn't deny that he needed the help.
"Alright," Fa Ma said finally. "But promise me you'll be careful. And if things get worse, if you feel like you're losing control, you'll tell me immediately. Understood?"
Chen Xin nodded, relief evident on his face. "I promise."
As they parted ways, each heading back to the academy by a different route to avoid suspicion, Fa Ma couldn't shake the feeling that he had just made a terrible mistake.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone