The iron hook pierced through 401’s shoulder blade, the other end firmly grasped in Old Ma’s hand.

At this moment, Old Ma’s expression was no longer vacant. His face twisted into a fierce and vicious snarl, like a wolf that had clamped onto a lamb’s neck.

Old Ma tugged at the iron hook, intent on dragging 401 over.

“Ah!!!”

“No—”

401 let out a piercing scream, desperately struggling.

Yet, the 401 who had just sent He Gu flying with a single palm strike now seemed like a powerless child before Old Ma.

No matter how much he struggled, Old Ma’s iron hook didn’t budge, slowly and steadily pulling 401 back step by step.

He Gu felt a chill run down his spine as he watched the scene unfold.

The shadow was right; losing one’s shadow in this place meant becoming a target for others!

“Don’t… please don’t—”

“How can this be! Why!”

401’s cries were filled with agony and unwillingness as he struggled.

But it was all in vain.

The sharp iron hook firmly dragged him, inching closer to Old Ma.

401’s struggles grew weaker, his cries fainter, and his eyes gradually lost focus.

In a matter of seconds, 401’s arms limply fell, his body slumped to the ground, muscles twitching occasionally, on the brink of lifelessness.

Seeing 401 no longer struggle, Old Ma turned and dragged his body towards the side door of the workshop.

“Scrape… scrape…”

The sorting workshop fell silent once more, save for the scraping sound of 401’s body being dragged across the floor with Old Ma’s steps.

Old Ma’s movements were not quick, even somewhat stiff, as he dragged the body step by step.

He Gu, witnessing this, steeled himself and tiptoed forward with a syringe pulled from his pocket.

Approaching 401’s body, He Gu slowed his pace to avoid making noise, following the dragged body, nervously unbuttoning his shirt to expose his chest.

Then, recalling the location, He Gu raised the syringe and plunged it fiercely into 401’s chest.

He Gu’s heart raced with nervousness, his hands trembling under the adrenaline rush.

Fortunately, luck was on He Gu’s side this time; the needle didn’t hit a rib and successfully penetrated on the first try.

Without needing much force from He Gu, the syringe quickly filled with crimson blood.

“Purple Garment’s Core Blood” obtained!

At that moment, He Gu remembered the night 401 helped him against 449, when he had drawn a syringe of shadow’s blood. He began searching 401’s body.

Soon enough, He Gu found a chicken egg-sized bottle in his pocket.

Upon opening the bottle, he saw it was filled with a honey-like, purplish-red blood.

This must be it!

However, perhaps the scent of blood had triggered Old Ma; the moment He Gu opened the bottle, Old Ma, who was dragging 401 forward, suddenly halted and whipped his head around to look at He Gu.

Simultaneously, a sharp and unpleasant voice echoed in He Gu’s ears: “Quick, close the bottle!”

He Gu’s heart tightened, and he hurriedly capped the bottle and twisted it shut.

But it seemed a step too late; Old Ma violently flicked his wrist, and the iron hook embedded in 401’s shoulder was yanked out.

Then, Old Ma swung the hook towards He Gu.

He Gu’s scalp tingled, and he rolled on the spot, narrowly dodging the attack.

After missing his strike, Old Ma seemed to lose his target, standing still, sniffing the air as if searching for a scent.

He Gu rolled to the side and hid behind a machine, holding his breath and tensely watching Old Ma while contemplating his next move.

Fortunately, Old Ma didn’t persist. After sniffing around, he gave up, hooked 401’s other shoulder, and continued dragging him towards the side door.

He Gu remained hidden behind the machine, not daring to breathe until Old Ma dragged 401’s body into the small room off the workshop. Only then did he stand up.

After exhaling a long breath, He Gu didn’t dare delay any longer and quickly headed towards the fire exit on the other side of the workshop.

At that moment, the shadow’s voice rang in He Gu’s ears: “Hehehe… Kid, you’ve struck it rich. That bottle of blood, along with the other three types, you’re just missing the Purple Garment’s Core Blood.”

“Just mix in the blood you just drew, and you’re set!”

Hearing this, a flicker of joy crossed He Gu’s heart; everything had played out just as he had envisioned!

In fact, when He Gu found that backpack at the dormitory entrance yesterday and saw its contents, he had a rough idea.

Someone had sent him a set of purple work clothes and even impersonated Teacher Fang, most likely hoping he’d wear the purple garment without suspicion!

But what benefit could anyone gain from He Gu wearing the purple clothes?

Thinking it over, there was only one possibility: someone wanted He Gu to enter the delivery passage in purple attire and then draw his core blood!

Linking this to 401’s recent warnings about subordinates plotting against him, and the “coincidental” conversation He Gu overheard between 401 and 111 in the hallway…

All these actions had one purpose: to create a sense of urgency for He Gu, pushing him to seek an exit through the passage!

Worried He Gu might not get the purple work clothes, they even thoughtfully sent him a set!

With this realization, He Gu devised a plan to turn the tables.

401 and his group wanted He Gu’s core blood, but He Gu was just as eager to obtain theirs.

Especially since He Gu had acquired a bottle of blue liquid that could harm shadows in the elevator the night before…

In this place, eliminating the opponent’s shadow meant near invincibility for He Gu!

With this trump card, He Gu decided to take a gamble.

Winning the bet would not only neutralize the threat but also secure the Purple Garment’s Core Blood. With some luck, the opponent might have all the other blood types ready as well!

Clearly, He Gu had won the bet, and quite decisively.

He Gu had prepared for a joint attack from 111 and 401, ready to take a risk and confront them head-on.

Unexpectedly, only one of them showed up, making He Gu’s victory all the easier…

…

Without further delay, He Gu injected the freshly drawn core blood into the small bottle, tightened the cap, and quickly left the sorting workshop.

Exiting the workshop, he was back in the narrow corridor.

He Gu ignored 414, wandering in high heels, and strode through the corridor, down the iron staircase, into another building, and finally arrived at the elevator door.

Then, taking a deep breath, He Gu stepped into the elevator…