Chapter Four: Two Zhou Jibais

Six anti-vehicle walls rose ahead, locking the empty carrier in a steel cage. Iron Veil appeared—only to find Ember climbing a fire escape behind them. White Duke opened a channel. His face, identical to Zhou Jibai's, showed no surprise. “You met him in reality,” he said. “He met you too.” After a brief silence, White Duke ordered the carrier destroyed. It lost health every second. Returning would trap Ember beneath Iron Veil's superior position. Shen Yan sent his team running the other way. “North is a dead end!” Lu Yao shouted. “It will be in thirty-four seconds.” The lift bridge was rising. Beneath it hung two reserve magnetic rails.