Free Web Novel12:02 PM
In a sports car leaving the Prosperity Beijing Si Ye Hui Headquarters, Jin Chan Lang roared into the phone.
...This is a mission assigned by the Black Emperor, on the same level as Old Man Caishen's mission...
Not cooperating? Can't understand human language? I just said at all costs! If they don't cooperate, short their stocks, cut off ties with the financial institutions we control. In short, do whatever is dirtiest, got it?
Alright, we'll talk about the rest when I get back!
With that, Jin Chan Lang slammed the phone down.
12:08 PM
India, Patispa Temple.
This vast temple, built against the mountain, has a main structure that is a four-sided symmetrical Nepalese-style pagoda temple with a golden double-handed sloping roof. Numerous smaller buildings with silver roofs surround it, forming a pattern of stars surrounding the moon around the main structure.
Inside this temple dedicated to Shiva, the God of Destruction, six large cremation platforms are built, serving as a place for surrounding believers to perform open-air cremations. Large and small sacrificial ceremonies are held almost every day.
At this moment, a sacrificial ceremony had just ended. The air still carried a strange smell, a mixture of various spices and burnt odors from the cremation of bodies. From near the cremation platform, an old man with a thin figure, aged appearance, but eyes as clear as stars, returned to his residence.
As soon as he sat down in that quiet hut far from the main building, the old man noticed a slight abnormality. He frowned and searched around for a while, then saw a face he utterly detested in the golden lotus basin filled with clear water. His aged face showed an expression as if he had seen a ghost.
Zhang Huainan, who had previously stayed at the temple and launched unpredictable, non-targeted sneak attacks on the temple people 24/7. ƒrēewebnovel.com
This was only because one of the Spirit Marks inherited within the temple, "Mahoraga," had some similarities with Zhang Huainan's Spirit Mark at the time, "Water Lord," and could even serve as a possible advancement direction for "Water Lord."
At that time, Zhang Huainan had reached a bottleneck and urgently needed to learn from various sources. So he needed to "exchange ideas" and came to the temple, staying for three years...
During those three years, the temple people suffered greatly, and the old man who had inherited the temple's Spirit Mark suffered even more, his torment increasing exponentially.
The torment methods inherited by the Qingji lineage were no joke.
Frankly speaking, during those three years, every night when he went to sleep, he would pull back the covers and see Zhang Huainan.
Sometimes Zhang Huainan was actually in his covers, and sometimes it was a hallucination.
To this day, within the temple, there is still a rumor circulating about "the demon of water and lightning from Z Country."
"Hahaha, Old Friend Yadu, long time no see! I have something important I want to discuss with you in detail."
The old man, "..."
"Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot you've been practicing asceticism in silence these past few years. How about this? Should we set a time and meet at the temple later?" Zhang Huainan said, "Half an hour, I'll be there in half an hour!"
Hearing this, the old man's pupils contracted, and the word "scram" blurted out.
"Oh? You broke your vow?" Zhang Huainan said in a strange tone, "Break it then! I told you long ago, asceticism is useless. Continuous practice is the only way to advance your Spirit Mark! You have to make your actions align with your Spirit Mark!"
Listening to Zhang Huainan's words, the old man, called Yadu, whose face had turned gloomy due to breaking his vow, became even gloomier, as if water was about to drip from it.
"Since you're so emotional, I won't visit you first. Let's just talk here," Zhang Huainan said.
In fact, he hadn't planned to visit Patispa Temple anyway. If he left, who would handle the Code F Monster at Da Chunyang Palace?
The reason he said those words was probably... friendly small talk?
----
12:34 PM.
Amsterdam, Tulip Club penthouse.
On the top floor of this ancient building, whose construction history can be traced back to the late 18th century, there is a magnificent and luxurious room like a palace. The room is furnished with exquisite luxury, and the ceiling is painted with a huge nautical chart using gems and gold.
The nautical chart depicts several routes, detailing the locations where several ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ deep-sea urban legend are entrenched. However, for some unknown reason, this detailed and exquisite nautical chart is missing a large section, leaving a large blank area.
"People from the Night Watch?"
At the desk, a majestic old man was looking down at the financial report for the latest quarter. After listening to the attendant's account, he looked up and couldn't help but sneer, "Aren't they the same kind as the Church? I think it's... a Psychic organization from Z Country? What are they doing here?"
"Tell the people below to inform her that I'm busy and can't see her. Tell her to behave herself and not cause trouble at the Tulip Club. If she's here to consume, arrange some strong young men for her. If she's here to cause trouble, tell her to scram immediately!"
The attendant nodded and left.
Bruce Ma lowered his head and continued to look at the financial report, his expression solemn.
Since the night began to lengthen, the business of the Tulip Club has been booming. After all, there are few places in the world like this where people can sing and indulge in pleasure all night without worrying about encountering urban legend events.
Moreover, the entertainment here is only limited by your imagination; there is nothing the club cannot provide.
However, this situation underwent a subtle change more than a year ago. The Tulip Club's business remained hot, but its income decreased by 20%.
The reason couldn't be found, the destination was unknown, and a large amount of money seemed to have evaporated into thin air, leaving no trace.
"Son of a bitch, if I catch whoever is stealing my money, I will definitely send him to be an incubator for those octopus monsters!"
Bruce Ma had only flipped through a few pages before he couldn't help but grit his teeth and curse, slamming the financial report heavily onto the desk.
Just then, the lines of tables and text on the opened document began to gradually fade as if melting, and finally, only paleness remained on the opened page.
"Hmm?" Noticing the abnormality, Bruce Ma raised an eyebrow, leaned towards the desk, and looked down at the document on the table. He then saw a line of text appear on the pale paper.
【I know where the part of the nautical chart you've been looking for is. Have time for a chat?】
"Oh?"
Bruce Ma's gloomy green eyes, like those of a wild beast, shifted left and right, and a cold smile appeared at the corner of his mouth, "People from the Night Watch? Don't think I'll see you just because you use that part of the nautical chart as bait. What you're doing now has already made me very unhappy..."
Just as if an invisible hand were writing with a quill pen, a rustling sound came from the paper again.
"Rustle, rustle, rustle!"
【I might also know where the missing portion of the Tulip Club's income over the past year has gone. Are you interested in talking now?】
Bruce Ma stared at the text appearing on the paper, pondered for a few seconds, and said seriously, "Sounds like a transaction? Heh, I like transactions! I can see you, but before we meet, shouldn't you pay a little deposit? My friend."
"Thump!"
As soon as Bruce Ma finished speaking, a muffled sound came from a corner of the room, followed by an ethereal female voice echoing in the office.
"Regarding that nautical chart, I can tell you a few keywords... 1633, King of Min Sea, sunken pirate ship."
Looking in the direction of the sound, a thick book was seen falling from the book shelf, landing on the solid wood floor.
A faint mist rose from the opened pages, condensing into a blurred figure, which then gradually became clear and solid, finally transforming into a woman with a cold demeanor.
Bruce Ma sized up the woman, who seemed to have stepped out of the ancient Chinese 'Lady Painting' he collected. A meaningful smile appeared on his face, "You are the person from the Night Watch? This way of appearing is truly... What's that saying in your Z Country?"
"Oh right, it has a bit of the feeling of 'In books, there is beauty like jade,' interesting!"
Nameless Book sized up the man in front of her. He was around fifty years old, with a weary yet refined face and slightly curled hair. Time seemed to have left no trace on his face, and the eyes hidden in the shadow of his brow bone reminded one of a wild beast in the deep sea.
"..." Nameless Book pondered for a few seconds, ignoring Bruce Ma's slightly frivolous words, and said, "So, can we talk now?"
"Of course!" Bruce Ma nodded and smiled, "However, I also know about the matter you mentioned and even tried to investigate it, but the place where the ship was sunk is in your Z Country. Are you really willing to let my people intervene?"
"If this cooperation is pleasant..." Nameless Book said lightly.
That thing submerged in Luoliao Bay was a complete disaster, constantly causing urban legend events. If Bruce Ma could take it away, it would actually be a good thing.
As for him getting that nautical chart and his strength advancing further, that would be a headache for the Church and wouldn't have much impact on the Night Watch.
Although the church and the Night Watch are allies, they haven't done less backstabbing the Night Watch for profit; this time, it should be the Night Watch's turn to backstab the church.
"Hahaha!" Bruce Ma laughed heartily, stood up, and personally brewed a cup of tea for Nameless Book, saying, "This noble Miss, try my excellent black tea. Let's sit down and talk slowly."
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----
In a forgotten corner of the city, buildings made of reinforced concrete were piled together, like God's building blocks.
The alleys, touched by fine rain, were everywhere marked with damp traces. Under the afternoon sun, water vapor rose, transforming into a dreamy color on the moss-covered brick walls on either side.
At the end of this long alley, there was a tavern that seemed not to exist in this world at all. The extinguished sign read 【Liao Zhai】, sharing the same name as Liuquan Jushi's collection of short stories.
"Tap, tap, tap!"
A tall, middle-aged man in a black suit walked from the end of the alley, stepping on the puddles on the road, making a series of wet footsteps.
The person who came was none other than Lord Bing.
Actually, he didn't really want to come to this Liao Zhai Tavern unless absolutely necessary. Setting aside the fact that its customers often included various high-level Psychic and urban legend, the boss alone was an existence that gave the Night Watch a headache.
It is unknown when the Liao Zhai Tavern appeared. The earliest record in the Night Watch's archives dates back to the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. Some even suspect that Liuquan Jushi drank in the tavern and saw many bizarre things before naming his collection of stories "Liao Zhai".
To this day, no one knows whether Boss Hu is human or a Strange Tale, nor do they know the strength of his Spiritual Energy fluctuation level. They only know that anyone, human or Strange Tale, who causes trouble in the Liao Zhai Tavern will appear on the tavern's menu the next day.
The reason Lord Bing came here was entirely because this was the only place that could gather members of those folk Spiritual Energy organizations.
According to Night Watch file number 0027, every night, the Liao Zhai Tavern will magically appear anywhere in the Eastern Hemisphere of the world, as long as someone there wants to have a good drink, eat a hot meal, and can afford the "meal cost" demanded by the boss.
...
Walking through the alley, Lord Bing stopped in front of the Liao Zhai Tavern. He looked at the small entrance, raised his hand to pull the copper ring on the door, and was about to knock when the sliding wooden door opened with a "whoosh".
The boss, sporting two faint dark circles under his eyes, poked half his body out from behind the door to look around. Seeing that the person who came was Lord Bing, a hint of resentment appeared on his face.
"I was wondering why I suddenly had a nightmare while sleeping; turns out you, the jinx, are here? Get lost, quickly, get lost! If my customers know you're here, I won't be able to do business today!"
Seeing that Boss Hu was about to close the door, Lord Bing frowned slightly, suddenly stepped forward, and his body shot out like a spear, jamming himself between the door frame.
"You won't need to do business today..."
Boss Hu's face sank upon hearing this. "What do you mean? The Night Watch is great, right? The Guardian is great, right? You say no one can do business, so no one can? Why don't you go ask around? I, Hu..."
"I'm booking the whole place today," Lord Bing said indifferently.
As soon as he finished speaking, Boss Hu was stunned for a moment, and then a fawning smile appeared on his face. "Oh, Lord Bing is generous! Please, quickly, come inside."
"Oh, by the way, may I ask how many people you're planning to invite, and what kind of people are they? That way, I can customize the menu according to the guests' preferences."
"The head of the Bamboo Forest Society, the young master of the Fuchun Ruan family, the Miao Jiang Gu Witch... No need to prepare anything else, just prepare more good wine," Lord Bing said.
Based on his experience traveling and studying when he was young, to discuss matters with these folk Spiritual Energy organizations, it was usually necessary to get them all drunk before starting on the real business.
And speaking of drinking... he wouldn't stop until the Great Wall was reached, which was also a small skill attached to his Spirit Mark, right!
"Whoa!" Boss Hu exclaimed lightly after hearing this. "They're all big figures, aren't they? But listening to this, doesn't it sound like a Hongmen Banquet? Has the Night Watch already started incorporating folk Spiritual Energy organizations?"
Lord Bing glared at Boss Hu and said, "Boss Hu, aren't you asking a bit too much?"
"Alright, alright!" Boss Hu waved his hand and said, "As long as you pay enough for the meal, I don't care what tricks the Night Watch is playing. But I have to warn you in advance, if anything in the shop is broken, it'll be on your head!"
"Don't worry," Lord Bing said indifferently. "Everyone knows the name of the Liao Zhai Tavern; they don't want to appear in your freezer."
"Hmph!" Boss Hu turned back and chided, "Don't make this place sound like a shady shop, okay? We've always been fair to young and old alike, meticulously serving every customer, alright?"
After a pause, his gaze turned cold, and he added, "Of course, those who cause trouble cannot be considered customers; they should be considered... forget it, let's not talk about this. I'll go help you prepare first."
Looking at Boss Hu's retreating back, Lord Bing frowned tightly. "..."
If not customers, what are they? Ingredients?
"Oh, right, speaking of good wine, I have a few jars of 300-year-old Zhuangyuan Hong here. Want to try it?"
"Okay," Lord Bing nodded.
"Heh heh..." The moment Boss Hu turned around, he let out a laugh that only he could hear.
Having finally caught a fat sheep and successfully fleeced it, how could he not be happy?
Tonight will be the day Lord Bing goes bankrupt!
----
In the taxi driving from Shizhou City First People's Hospital to the outskirts of Shizhou City.
Hua Sang kept secretly glancing at Lu Yibei out of the corner of her eye.
For some reason, he had been very quiet since getting in the car.
The chatterbox being quiet meant something was abnormal, and it was very likely he was brewing some mischief.
...
When he saw Hua Sang in front of the hospital earlier, Lu Yibei's state of mind was actually very calm.
A fiancée or whatever, it wasn't the first one, his heart was completely calm, okay!
In this day and age, there are so many divorces even after getting married!
A mere verbal engagement wouldn't count as long as things were made clear.
However...
After getting in the car, the two sat in this small space, less than a meter apart, and could even smell the scent emanating from each other's bodies. The atmosphere instantly became subtle.
Under the influence of this atmosphere, Lu Yibei couldn't help but start thinking about how Hua Sang had become his fiancée.
How could he not think about such a thing?
It was like someone reminding you not to think about games while studying, and you would end up thinking about them uncontrollably.
After sorting through the currently known information about Hua Sang, Lu Yibei thought of Hua Sang's childhood experience that he had overheard before, as well as the strange uncle who took Hua Sang to Da Chunyang Palace after the disaster that wiped out Jinhua Village...
No, that strange uncle is probably, maybe, most likely my Old Dad?
Tsk, I didn't expect Old Dad to have tricked ignorant young girls twice behind my back. Just how worried is he that I won't be able to find a wife in the future?
As Lu Yibei thought, he turned his head to look at Hua Sang, and their eyes met unexpectedly as Hua Sang was secretly looking at him. Both of their cheeks flushed almost simultaneously.
Turning his head away to look at the changing city scenery outside the window, Lu Yibei scratched his cheek and said awkwardly, "Uh, well, I heard something recently that's related to you..."
"Mm... Mm!" Hua Sang nodded. "I know what it is. I'm sorry, actually..."
"Actually, the ruler that broke before wasn't the real one," Lu Yibei interrupted.
"You know?" A hint of surprise flashed in Hua Sang's eyes.
"Uh, yes, I do."
"Phew..." Hua Sang breathed a sigh of relief, feeling as if a heavy burden had been lifted.
She had been bothered by this matter all morning. She had been worried that Lu Yibei would be like her Master and not believe that the broken ruler was fake.
"Don't worry, I will retrieve the real ruler!"
"Absolutely! Even if it costs me my life."
"Uh, actually..." Lu Yibei turned his head to look at Hua Sang. After seeing her extremely determined eyes and slightly clenched pink fists, he realized she wasn't just being polite and forced the latter half of the sentence, "You don't have to go that far," back down his throat.
She was too serious, making it hard to refuse her.
