The early morning fog still lingered above the neon-lit skyline of Shanghai, clinging to the edges of broken rooftops in the slum districts and creeping across the narrow alleys like a ghost unwilling to vanish. The Awakeners Market had not yet reached its peak bustle; hawkers were still arranging their stalls, vendors heating broth and skewers, awakener-smiths hammering faint-glowing metals in makeshift forges. Yet, in front of the market's western gate, Zhang Wei stood calmly, hands in the pockets of his long coat, a cigarette dangling lazily from his lips.
He exhaled a slow stream of smoke and squinted at the horizon. He wasn't nervous—he'd done too many shady deals to feel nerves anymore—but he was curious. Today would be the first time he got to see the so-called "Scarletwing Mercenary Guild" outside of hushed talks and promises. Would they live up to the name Luo Yuchen, under his current identity of Lan Yuheng, had chosen? Or would they crumble under the weight of ambition, like so many others who had tried to carve power out of Shanghai's underworld?
The growl of engines broke his thoughts. From the fog emerged two armored trucks, their black steel frames reinforced with plating that looked both scavenged and custom-fitted. Painted faintly along the sides was the emblem of a wing-shaped scarlet insignia—rough, hastily applied, but striking. Behind the wheel of the first truck sat Zhuang Niao, as sharp-eyed and cautious as always. In the back, the silhouettes of armed men could be seen through slitted windows.
The convoy came to a stop. The doors opened in unison.
Lan Yuheng stepped out first, his calm presence radiating even in silence. At his side padded Xing, tail swishing, eyes glowing faintly with restrained energy. Behind him came Bai Ying and Hai Ying, their commander's posture evident even without armor, followed by two full squads of Scarletwing veterans, their bodies clad in fitted combat armor freshly manufactured by KORA aboard the Voidrunner. Their movements were crisp, disciplined, not the sloppy swagger of hired mercenaries.
Zhang Wei whistled, tapping ash from his cigarette. "Well, well. I thought you were just a man with big dreams and a fancy coat, Lan Yuheng. Turns out you have an army behind you."
One of the Scarletwing veterans gave a sharp laugh. Another adjusted his rifle but stayed silent.
Lan Yuheng only gave a faint smile. "Not an army yet. Just survivors with a banner. But they're Scarletwing."
Bai Ying's cold voice followed, firm and measured. "Scarletwing mercenaries. Not thugs. Not refugees. We've taken the name for real."
Zhang Wei studied the disciplined men and women behind them, noting scars, hardened expressions, and the way they carried themselves. "These aren't fresh recruits… veterans, aren't they?"
Lan Yuheng's gaze softened. "They fought under my father once. They've bled, lost homes, families. What you see isn't a gang—it's history stitched together into one name."
Zhang Wei smirked, flicking the cigarette stub onto the ground. "Scarletwing, huh? Better name than most guilds I've seen crawling in this city. You might actually shake the underworld if you play your cards right."
Lan Yuheng didn't answer; he didn't need to.
After a moment, Zhang Wei clapped his hands together. "Alright then, introductions aside, let's talk business. We've got two shipments arriving today. If this goes smoothly, Scarletwing will officially have its first lifeline of resources in Shanghai."
He pulled out a thin datapad, its surface flickering to life. Two glowing routes stretched across the city map.
"The Crimson Tide Recycling Co. will be delivering the alloy, energy cores, and rare metals you ordered. Their drop-off point is in the civilian district—an old warehouse disguised as a recycling depot. Routine shipments, no questions asked.
"The White Lotus Medical Supplies Hospital will be handling the Bio-synthetic compounds. Their shipment will be disguised as routine pharmaceutical deliveries heading for a shopping district depot.
"Both deliveries are being carried by Scarlet Freight & Courier Services, a guild-friendly courier company. Reliable but small enough not to draw too much federal attention. Hovertrucks, three per shipment, heavily shielded against scans. Your job is to receive them without letting anyone—especially the Federation Security Division—get suspicious."
Zhuang Niao folded his arms. "And who exactly is handling the other end? Surely these couriers aren't just dropping crates in the open for us to pick up."
Zhang Wei chuckled. "That's where Ms. Jin Shuyin comes in. She's an old contact of mine. Former dock foreman, now running a private crew specialized in 'off-ledger logistics.' Her people will take the shipments from the couriers, then route them through the docks under the guise of civilian imports. Perfect cover. Once she hands them off, they're yours."
Hai Ying narrowed his eyes. "And you trust her?"
"I trust that she likes money," Zhang Wei replied smoothly. "And she knows better than to cross me. Besides, her crew has been invisible for years—never caught, never burned. If you want your guild to breathe, you'll need people like her."
Lan Yuheng considered this, then gave a single nod. "Then we meet her. Where?"
Zhang Wei grinned. "At the docks. Warehouse 47. Pre-discussed location. She'll be waiting."
The armored trucks roared to life again, engines humming low as the Scarletwing squads piled back inside. The convoy split—one truck heading toward the civilian district for the Crimson Tide drop, the other toward the shopping district for the White Lotus shipment.
Lan Yuheng rode in the lead truck with Bai Ying, Zhuang Niao, and Zhang Wei. Xing sat comfortably by the window, his ears twitching at every sound. The veterans in the back checked their weapons with practiced calm.
Bai Ying leaned closer to Lan Yuheng, speaking in a low tone. "This operation… it feels too smooth. Supplies like these don't come cheap, and word spreads fast in Shanghai. What if a rival guild gets wind of this?"
"They will," Lan Yuheng admitted calmly. "The moment Scarletwing moves, the city will watch. But if we can secure these shipments, we'll prove we aren't a shadow hiding in slums. We'll prove we can stand."
Zhang Wei smirked from the other side of the seat. "Bold words. But he's right. Think of this as your guild's first heartbeat. If it survives, you live. If it doesn't…" He shrugged. "Well, at least I'll know not to waste more time."
Zhuang Niao scowled. "You're enjoying this too much."
"Of course I am. I've been waiting to see if Scarletwing is myth or muscle. Today's the test."
The First Stop – Civilian District,
The convoy rolled into the civilian district, a quieter part of Shanghai where cracked pavements and aging neon signs stood side by side with makeshift street stalls. The designated warehouse loomed ahead, disguised as a recycling depot with piles of scrap metals stacked carelessly outside.
Three hovertrucks were already parked at the gates, their logos displaying Scarlet Freight & Courier Services. Workers in gray uniforms were unloading crates, their movements casual yet efficient.
One of them—a broad-shouldered man with oil stains on his hands—stepped forward as Lan Yuheng and Bai Ying approached. "Delivery for Crimson Tide," he said gruffly, scanning them quickly. "Authorization code?"
Zhang Wei pulled out his datapad, displaying a glowing seal. The man nodded.
"Alright then. Crates are tagged. Don't break the seals until you're at the docks. Ms. Jin will be waiting for final transfer."
The Scarletwing veterans moved quickly, forming a perimeter while others began reloading the crates into their armored truck. Large alloy blocks, sealed energy cores glowing faintly through reinforced casing, and rare metals stacked in heavy bundles—all the lifeblood for weapons, armor, and machines.
As the last crate was secured, Bai Ying whispered sharply. "We're being watched."
Lan Yuheng's eyes flickered toward the rooftops. Two shadows lingered against the skyline, watching with too much intent.
"Not Federation," Bai Ying murmured. "Guild spies."
Lan Yuheng's expression didn't change. "Let them watch. Today isn't about hiding—it's about declaring. Scarletwing has risen."
Second Stop – Shopping District,
The second convoy reached the shopping district, where towering malls and glowing billboards hid the city's darker veins. Here, the hovertrucks of White Lotus Medical Supplies blended seamlessly with routine pharmaceutical deliveries.
Inside a narrow alley near a back gate, the Scarletwing team intercepted the couriers. Crates of bio-synthetic compounds, medical-grade biopolymers, and healing serums were passed over. These were rarer than metals—critical for both healing veterans and experimenting with new augmentations.
As crates were secured, Zhuang Niao muttered, "If the Federation scans these… we're finished."
"Which is why," Zhang Wei replied, lighting another cigarette, "they won't. Scarlet Freight has bribed the right scanners. And White Lotus knows how to label their shipments to pass every checkpoint."
Still, Bai Ying posted guards at every corner of the alley, her instincts unwilling to trust smooth words alone.
Finally, with both shipments secured, the convoys regrouped at the edge of the docks.
The Docks,
Warehouse 47 was an old, rusting structure near the quieter side of Shanghai's docks. Cargo containers stacked like looming towers, cranes creaked lazily, and the salty stench of the sea mixed with the oil of machinery.
Standing in front of the warehouse was a woman in her late thirties, her hair tied back into a sharp bun, a coat draped over her shoulders. Her crew—about a dozen men and women—stood around her, each with dockworker's attire but unmistakable confidence in their posture.
"Zhang Wei," she greeted coolly. "You brought company."
Zhang Wei gestured with a grin. "Scarletwing Mercenary Guild. Meet Ms. Jin Shuyin, the one who's going to make sure your shipments breathe past the Federation's nose."
Her eyes flicked across the Scarletwing veterans, then settled on Lan Yuheng. "So you're the one who pulled ghosts from the slums and gave them wings."
Lan Yuheng met her gaze calmly. "Scarletwing doesn't beg. We trade fair. If you help us, you'll never want for credits again."
She studied him for a long moment, then gave a small smile. "Good. I don't like working with beggars. Let's get these crates hidden before anyone grows too curious."
This was only the beginning. The first official lifeline of Scarletwing had been secured. Yet as the crates disappeared into the shadows of the docks, whispers were already spreading through Shanghai:
A new guild had arrived.
A guild with veterans, with weapons, with intent.
Scarletwing's name had entered the city's bloodstream.
And the city would soon decide whether to crush it or fear it.