Chapter 95: The Code is Correct, One of Our Own
Chapter 95: Chapter 95: The Code is Correct, One of Our Own
Steward Zhu knew the main headquarters was getting impatient.
But the members of the Fallen Immortal Association didn’t obey doctrine or orders. They obeyed their own desires.
This was the very foundation of the Fallen Immortal Association.
Now, his appetite had grown immensely. In a way, staying here was a form of cultivation for him.
As he felt his cultivation rising, Steward Zhu came to a realization.
’She brings business to my casino, provides me with delicious food, and even helps my cultivation improve.’
’Boss Lu truly is a good person.’
"No rush. We’ll talk after I’ve eaten."
Steward Zhu replied, then stood on his tiptoes to count the number of people in front of him.
In the past, he would have long since cut down the annoying crowd in front of him. But now, Steward Zhu waited patiently in line.
’He couldn’t risk scaring the young boss selling the skewers.’
’Once his appetite is completely sated, he’ll have a nice little chat with the young boss. They’ll be one big, happy family from now on.’
[Mission Progress: 200/200]
[Congratulations, Host. Mission successfully completed. Rewards have been issued.]
Lu Wu, sleeves rolled up and hard at work cooking skewers, paused when she heard the system notification.
A warm current immediately surged through her meridians.
She had the odd sensation of being stuffed to the brim. The meridians throughout her body expanded and thickened, growing more resilient and capable of holding more.
Her small Dantian transformed into a clear pool, at the bottom of which rested a quantity of liquefied Spiritual Power.
The liquefaction of Spiritual Power was the mark of entering the Foundation Establishment Stage.
Without a Foundation Establishment Pill, without any of the pain people always talked about, the threshold from Qi Cultivation to Foundation Establishment simply opened. Lu Wu’s breakthrough was just that effortless and natural.
Now at the Early-stage Foundation Establishment, her body, nourished by Spiritual Power, had grown significantly stronger.
’I could serve another hundred customers without breaking a sweat,’ Lu Wu thought, glancing at her nearly sold-out stall.
’Sweet!’
Lu Wu savored the changes, a bubbly feeling of joy rising in her heart.
Her senses were sharper than ever.
She could see everything: the blissful expressions on her customers’ faces, the anxious fidgeting of those still in line. The entirety of Free Street lay before her. The feeling was truly indescribable.
’No wonder everyone wants to become an immortal.’
"Boss Lu, my skewers..."
A customer’s timid reminder pulled Lu Wu back from her wandering thoughts. She glanced into the pot—the spicy-numbing skewers were ready.
She scooped them out and served them, and the next customer began to order.
’As for the lottery draw, I’ll have to wait until I’ve closed up to try my luck.’
Food made with care and infused with Lu Wu’s heart and soul could always win anyone over.
Lu Wu’s stall was a roaring success again tonight. Even after her mission was complete, she continued serving customers and earned rave reviews from everyone.
After finishing his last skewer, Wang Xie stared at the broth left in his bowl, then tilted his head back and drank it all down.
An intense fire surged through his chest, bringing with it an ultimate sensory high.
Wang Xie had lost count of how many skewers he’d eaten, but it still wasn’t enough.
Unfortunately, Boss Lu was completely out of ingredients and was already cleaning up her stall.
"How about we come back for another feast tomorrow?"
His buddy rubbed his hands together, looking at Wang Xie in anticipation.
He was grateful to Wang Xie for organizing this culinary campaign. For a taste like this, the reward for tonight’s adventure was more than worth it.
’Speaking of which, why were we on an adventure in the first place?’
The question baffled him.
As his buddy stood there, lost in thought, Wang Xie’s expression froze.
His expression shifted. He snapped out of his food-induced bliss and turned toward the casino entrance, his face a mask of grim determination, as if ready to charge through a mountain of swords and a sea of fire.
"Let’s go. It’s... time to move," he said in a low voice.
’Benefactor, I’m really coming this time!’
"Move? Move for what?"
A voice suddenly spoke up beside him.
"To save our benefactor."
Wang Xie answered offhandedly, but then he realized the voice sounded unfamiliar.
’Damn it, someone found out about our plan.’
’Silence them. Eliminate the root of the problem.’
A series of dark thoughts flashed through his mind as Wang Xie struck without hesitation, blasting Spiritual Power straight at the speaker’s face.
But when he saw who it was, his attack stopped dead.
The backlash from reversing his Spiritual Power made Wang Xie spit up a mouthful of blood.
Clutching his chest, Wang Xie stared at the unharmed man before him, his head spinning.
’How is my benefactor out here? My rescue mission hasn’t even started yet!’
"Benefactor."
He cried out, carefully looking Yang Jiang over to confirm he was really unharmed.
"I’m the benefactor you were talking about?"
Yang Jiang was just as baffled.
’I’m perfectly fine. Why would I need rescuing?’
After lying low for a day and two nights, he had figured out how the entire casino operated.
The highest-ranking person was Steward Zhu, followed by the insect-user, Tian Shou, and his brother.
Their method for controlling the gamblers was those insects. He hadn’t found a cure, but he knew the skewers could awaken the consciousness of those infested with the parasites.
To avoid tipping them off, he didn’t make contact with the other gamblers. Instead, once he had figured out the casino’s layout, he pulled out.
’The ultimate secret of going undercover: when you run into something you can’t handle, you have to learn to call for backup. Only an idiot fights alone.’
And that’s why he’d come out to find help.
He’d just happened to see Wang Xie and thought he’d come over to say hello.
After they compared notes, Yang Jiang finally understood. Wang Xie thought he had stayed behind and sacrificed himself for him.
"I’m really not that noble."
’What a complete misunderstanding.’
’He’d just wanted to stop Wang Xie from ruining his undercover operation.’
Faced with Wang Xie’s insistent gaze, Yang Jiang could only accept the other man’s gratitude.
"So, is everything all right now?"
Zeng Si asked, watching the two of them chatting amiably.
"It’s getting late, and my wife and kid are waiting for me at home. Since everything’s fine, I’m going to head back."
’I’ve got to bring some food back for my wife.’
A look of gentle affection washed over Zeng Si’s face.
"Oh, get outta here!"
Relieved of the pressure, Wang Xie was in a much better mood. He rolled his eyes and playfully cursed his buddy for flaunting his happy marriage.
"Hehe!"
Zeng Si grinned, gave the others a wave, and took off.
The others went their separate ways as well. And just like that, the adventure party disbanded before its adventure had even begun.
In the alley, the rest of the customers had also left.
But the smoky, savory aroma still lingered, and many departing customers took deep breaths, trying to savor the scent a little longer.
His appetite sated, Steward Zhu returned to the casino with Tian Shou.
Cang, who had been mingling with the customers, pinched his fingers as if in calculation and said, "In three days, we close the net."
’Thanks to Lu Wu’s appearance, things are going very smoothly.’
’Tonight, many disciples from the Fallen Immortal Association have been sent all over Hong’an City to relay messages. They’re planning something big.’
’And I’ve had my people watching them for a while now, just waiting for the chance to tear out their strongholds, root and stem.’
Cang He Guang concealed his presence and followed Lu Wu. As he watched her chatting idly with a bird and a dog on the way back to the city, a vicious smile spread across his face.
With a casual wave of his hand, a few individuals who had been secretly watching Lu Wu with ill intent were reduced to a pile of ash.
A clean kill, not a drop of blood spilled, with the ashes scattered to the winds.
’As long as Lu is in Hong’an City, I will be the one to protect her.’
Guard Cang, an unsung hero.
Bun Sect: Code phrase correct. This person is one of us.