**Chapter 14: Blessing God Copper Coin**
Luxianbei held the paper handed to him by Jiang Li, glancing at the familiar task option on it. A brief memory flickered in his mind, and his eyes subtly trembled.
Didn’t this coincide with the review task from the Urban Legends Chat Group?
But that’s fine. First, I’ll reinforce the seal and then stay in the slaughterhouse for a night. There shouldn’t be any major issues.
This time, it’s killing two birds with one stone; I can do one job and earn two salaries!
Luxianbei thought, pointing at the task option “Reinforcement and Data Survey of South Suburb Slaughterhouse” on the paper and saying to Jiang Li, “Leader, I’ll choose this one.”
Jiang Li shifted her gaze down to the paper in Luxianbei’s hand and, upon seeing his choice, paused slightly, her thin lips parting as if to speak but ultimately staying silent.
Noticing the subtle change in Jiang Li’s demeanor, Luxianbei tilted his head and asked, “What’s wrong, Leader? Is there something wrong with this task?”
“This task…” Jiang Li looked at Luxianbei, expressionless, and shook her head. “There’s nothing wrong. You should go find Ahua later to receive the standard gear and the items you’ll need for the task!”
After a pause, she added, “By the way, considering the possibility of the seal at the South Suburb Slaughterhouse degrading, I suggest you complete the task during the day. If you go at night, you might encounter danger.”
That makes sense. There’s plenty of time now; I can check it out during the day and complete the Siye Society’s task as well… Luxianbei thought to himself and nodded at Jiang Li. “I understand, Leader. I’ll go during the day.”
“Then I’ll head to get the items first?”
“Mm.” Jiang Li replied, speaking lightly, “I have some things to deal with, so I won’t accompany you.”
I wonder what kind of items there are… Luxianbei nodded, preparing to leave, but as he turned, he heard Jiang Li add, “Oh, and one more thing…”
“Hmm?” Luxianbei turned his head, “What is it, Leader?”
“I see you’ve learned a little over half of the contents of ‘The Book of Siye.’ The rest won’t be of use to you for now…”
“Are you saying that I don’t need to come study ‘The Book of Siye’ twice a week anymore?” Luxianbei interjected.
That’s great. I’ve already been digesting the knowledge from the Great Serpent God; the content from ‘The Book of Siye’ is not necessary either, and if I continue studying, I’d have to pretend not to understand it at times.
If I accidentally slip up, that would be a big trouble.
Jiang Li nodded. “Mm, starting from next week, take two days every week to come study spell formulas with me.”
“Got it.” Luxianbei nodded.
That’s also good. In this case, I won’t have to keep the spell formulas I learned from Du Sixian hidden away. Luxianbei thought.
———
Siye Society provided operators with a standard set of equipment consisting of five items: a QSZ92 semi-automatic pistol, ten spirit energy signal talismans for emergencies, a C-grade spirit energy item, a d*ath-Owl Badge, and an unnamed bank card.
Other equipment needed to be applied for and could only be obtained after passing the review.
Considering that Luxianbei didn’t know any shooting skills, Ahua temporarily withheld his pistol, advising him to come back when he had time to practice, and then led him to the storage room for C-grade and above spirit energy items.
The spirit energy item warehouse of the Huacheng Siye Society was located on the first basement level. As Luxianbei followed her down and passed through a long corridor, his attention was unconsciously drawn to the noticeably thickened metal doors on both sides, intricately engraved with complex spell text, and the strange sounds coming intermittently from behind those doors.
“What’s locked in those rooms?” Luxianbei asked.
Ahua glanced at Luxianbei out of the corner of her eye and replied in a low voice, “Our former companions… some out-of-control spiritual ability users.”
Luxianbei slightly furrowed his brows. “Out-of-control spiritual ability users should be confined to the Yun Kang Psychiatric Hospital, right?”
“That’s the principle…” Ahua nodded, turning her head to look at Luxianbei. “But if a family member of yours fell ill, would you want them to be treated as monsters and locked away?”
“Moreover, they haven’t completely lost control yet; there’s still a glimmer of hope.”
“…” Luxianbei fell silent for a moment, sensing the atmosphere was heavy. He changed the subject and teased, “Do you all consider your members family? But I see you’re having a great time messing with Li Xuan!”
Ahua rolled her eyes. “Even if they’re family, there are many different types, such as the particularly unpopular relatives. Li Xuan is that kind of relative…”
At these words, Luxianbei opened his mouth, about to say something, but was interrupted by Ahua, who was already familiar with the power of his nonsense.
“And you’re that type who is particularly talkative, always pulling people in during holidays to ask how work is going, what grades they got, and when they’re getting married, just like those nosy aunts.”
Luxianbei, “…”
Who spread that rumor?
I must clarify here, I’m not one of those nosy aunts. I can talk much more than they can!
———
Under Ahua’s lead, Luxianbei passed through a dark and lengthy corridor and suddenly stepped into a bright area.
The light illuminating the surroundings was not from any kind of lamp; it was very natural, like morning sunlight. Luxianbei carefully searched for a moment before finding the source of the light.
Where the ceiling met the wall, numerous tiny spell texts were carved, and the light emanated from those inscriptions.
It looked like there was a gap between the ceiling and wall, letting sunlight in.
This could be a defensive measure against urban legends… Luxianbei thought, inferring this based on the sunlight’s suppressive effect on the power of urban legends.
———
Luxianbei, under Ahua’s guidance, stopped in front of a round door that resembled a bank vault door.
Unlike a bank vault, the security door of the spirit energy item warehouse was made entirely of a certain transparent crystal. Through the crystal shell, one could see the complex machinery made from pure white bones inside.
Are these crystals and bones stronger than metal? Or do they have some special properties? Luxianbei thought to himself, and before he had a chance to ask Ahua, she had already turned the combination lock on the door and opened it.
Upon entering, Luxianbei saw independent display racks and various containers placed separately on them.
Ahua led him to a row of racks, raising her hand and pointing ahead. “Take a look? This row has all C-grade spirit energy items, a total of eleven, so pick freely.”
After saying that, she seemed to remember something and added, “You can only choose one! No trying to be sneaky!”
Luxianbei, “…”
Am I that pitiful in your mind?
d*mn! This feeling of being understood so well is really annoying!
Luxianbei thought, scanning the labels in front of the display racks. The first two items were both weapon-type spirit energy items, one being a large hammer made from some kind of urban legend bones and the other a cursed iron spike that could be used as a dagger.
I already have the Ming King statue and a family heirloom kitchen kn*fe; these two items are optional for me… Luxianbei thought without lingering too long, continuing forward.
When he saw the third item, he suddenly stopped, stunned in place.
It was a coin placed under a glass cover, looking smooth and shiny as if it had been polished, with the words “Kai Yuan Tong Bao” engraved on it.
Seeing the coin that looked identical to the one in Professor Ma’s hand—almost a replica—Luxianbei almost cried out.
【Blessing God Copper Coin: Excavated from the ruins of an ancient temple dedicated to the God of Happiness. Through long-term exposure to the spiritual energy fluctuations of the God of Happiness, it has gained special abilities, significantly increasing the success rate of divination…】
The professor was so stingy that he didn’t want to give me his precious coin; I didn’t expect to encounter another here… Luxianbei thought. Remembering how Professor Ma’s coin uncovered the Great Serpent God’s plot and saved his life in the Bamboo Slips Illusion, he decided on his choice almost instantly.
Luxianbei pointed at the Blessing God Copper Coin and turned to Ahua, saying, “I’ll take this one!”
Ahua followed Luxianbei’s gesture, paused for a moment, then squinted at him and tilted her head.
“Luxianbei, can you also do divination?”
“This…” Luxianbei scratched the back of his head. “I can learn! I just think this thing can save my life.”
I reason that divining with this copper coin doesn’t require any special skills, right? Luxianbei thought. Isn’t it just throwing it into the air and catching it to see which side is up?
Ahua, “…”
So, your standard for choosing a spirit energy item is whether it can save your life? No wonder it’s you!
……
A few minutes later.
Luxianbei sat in the Well Courtyard Garden, waiting for Ahua to bring him the items needed for reinforcing the seal and conducting the data survey, absentmindedly fiddling with the copper coin, feeling a slight coolness between his fingers.
Suddenly, he had a stroke of inspiration and tossed the coin into the sky, murmuring to himself, “Is there any danger going to the South Suburb Slaughterhouse? Heads is yes, tails is no.”
Following the coin’s descent, he was about to reach out to catch it when, at that moment, his eyes suddenly felt hot, and a thought flashed through his mind.
The coin will land heads up.
Luxianbei froze for a moment, and the next second, he heard a light “ding!” sound. Looking towards the sound, the coin bounced twice on the blue stone tiles and landed heads up.
Luxianbei’s pupils narrowed slightly.
It appeared again! That feeling of seemingly predicting the target’s actions emerged once more!
Just like when I had just drawn the spirit pattern, I had anticipated Water Brother’s actions in that room.
Is this the special ability brought by the spirit pattern? But the ability to anticipate the target’s actions wasn’t included in the few abilities Jiang Li mentioned!
Luxianbei mused quietly, picking up the coin again and tossing it into the sky, mentally repeating, “Is there any danger going to the South Suburb Slaughterhouse? Heads is yes, tails is no.”
“Ding——!”
The coin landed again, tails up.
An overwhelming wave crashed over Luxianbei’s heart; his attention completely shifted from whether the coin’s prediction was accurate.
He had once again correctly anticipated whether the coin would land heads or tails…
He picked the coin up from the ground, vaguely sensing a bold idea surging in his mind when suddenly an arm came from behind him and rested on his shoulder.
Luxianbei shivered lightly, turned around, and saw a face filled with an expression that read “Weak Kidney.”
“Hey kid, how’s the testing? What ability did you get?”
“Water Brother! You startled me!” Luxianbei patted his chest, expressing his grievances, “This spirit pattern is really tricky; I don’t even know who brought it in.”
Bai Kai, “…”
That shouldn’t be! A core entity of an urban legend like Ifrit, which aligns with his talents, should at least yield a top-tier premium spell formula, right?
If it’s body energy enhancement, the magnitude wouldn’t be low, enough to turn him into a humanoid monster. Could it be spell amplification?
From Lexuan’s reaction, did something go wrong?
Bai Kai thought, cautiously asking, “Is it spell amplification?”
“Isn’t it?” Luxianbei gently shook his head and sighed silently, “Amplification fluctuation, upper limit over 50, lower limit 0.01, so cheap. It feels like the six pulse divine swords of Duan Yu.”
“Don’t worry about this, you and Duan Yu are still very different.” Bai Kai said seriously.
“Hmm?” Luxianbei looked at Bai Kai in confusion.
“After all, your dad is a strict husband, it’s impossible for him to cheat and give you so many younger sisters.” Bai Kai explained.
Luxianbei, “…”
Can’t you just say less if you can’t talk properly? If there are no younger sisters, does that mean I’m left only with an unstable ultimate move?
———
Dozens of minutes later.
As Luxianbei left Mudan Street, he had a ruggedly shaped but exceptionally sturdy camouflage backpack on his back.
The backpack was not large, but it was packed with silver spell short stakes, surprisingly heavy. Walking down the road, the shoulder straps tightened, making a soft “creak” sound as they swayed.
With the backpack on his back, Luxianbei felt a momentary illusion of becoming an ancient oppressed boatman, wanting to sing a tune of “The Love of the Boatman.”
After retrieving the items needed for reinforcing the seal and data survey, Luxianbei hailed a taxi at the corner of Mudan Street, heading directly toward the South Suburb Slaughterhouse.
Upon hearing that Luxianbei was going to the South Suburb Slaughterhouse, the taxi driver paused, hesitated for a moment, and finally mustered the courage to say, “Going to that kind of ghost place… it’ll cost extra!”
These drivers! Not straightforward at all, nowhere near as good as Uncle Zhang Shan… Luxianbei secretly complained and replied with a flat expression, “No problem, just remember to give me the receipt.”
I can always get reimbursed.
———
Half an hour later, Luxianbei stood on the street near the South Suburb Slaughterhouse, watching the taxi fade into the dust, his expression a mix of resentment.
The driver brought him this far but refused to go any further. When Luxianbei asked how to get to the South Suburb Slaughterhouse, the driver didn’t respond well, merely leaving him with “Ask by yourself!” before stepping on the gas and leaving as if fleeing.
I don’t know what he was afraid of in broad daylight! Uncle Zhang Shan wouldn’t hesitate to drop me off at the door at night. How could there be such a big gap between drivers?
Uncle Zhang Shan is so kind! The next time I come at night, I must take care of his business!
Luxianbei thought and suddenly started to miss Uncle Zhang Shan.
———
When Luxianbei arrived near the South Suburb Slaughterhouse, it was just past noon. The sky was still bright, but strangely, there were only two wild dogs frolicking in the street, while the old dilapidated houses on both sides had their doors tightly shut, and there wasn’t a soul in sight.
He wandered along the street for a while until he noticed a few old houses on higher grounds with people.
The yellow mud walls of those old houses were crumbling, revealing gray stones beneath. The oil on the wooden doors had peeled off, looking mottled, and in front of one house stood an old woman, appearing frighteningly frail.
She stood in front of the old house’s courtyard, hunched over, gazing vacantly into the distance with cloudy eyes.
The d*ath-Owl Badge did not vibrate, indicating she wasn’t an urban legend… Luxianbei walked over to the old woman, slightly bowing, and politely asked, “Elder, could you tell me how to get to the South Suburb Slaughterhouse?”
Hearing Luxianbei’s voice, the old woman’s pupils moved sharply, her turbid eyes rotating in their sockets as if trying to escape her face.
She finally used her peripheral vision to focus on Luxianbei, pausing for several seconds before slowly turning her body to face him.
“You’re going to the slaughterhouse?”
“Yeah, that’s right.” Luxianbei nodded. Having seen many dreadful things, he felt no fear encountering this oddly eerie living being—rather, it felt somewhat familiar.
“That place… that place…” the old woman murmured, as if she knew something but was unwilling to express it.
“Elder, if you can’t remember, that’s fine. I’m not interested in the backstory; I just want to know how to get there.”
I’m not here to hunt urban legends. Knowing too much in such a rundown place would only be frightening and might trigger inexplicable events, leading into danger.
My task this time is to reinforce the seal. I just need to obediently act like a stake driver! Luxianbei thought.
The old woman seemed surprised by Luxianbei’s response, staring blankly for a moment before slowly raising her frail hand and pointing toward the winding and shadowy path ahead. “Follow that road, go straight, and don’t turn at the fork; you will see it in five minutes.”
“Oh, thank you, elder!”
Luxianbei expressed his gratitude, preparing to leave, but he heard the old woman murmur softly next to him, “My grandson is there! If you see him, tell him to come back home early.”
“Why is your grandson going to that kind of ghost place?” Luxianbei frowned.
“He… he… is very playful; he hasn’t come back for a long time. Hehe!” The old woman suddenly issued a series of hollow-sounding, oddly high-pitched chuckles.
“If you see him, can you call him back home early?”
Your grandson has gone missing, and you’re still able to laugh—there seems to be a problem here… Luxianbei thought, expressionless. “Sorry, old lady, I don’t have time to help you find your grandson.”
“Also, if your grandson went to that kind of ghost place and hasn’t returned for a long time, I suggest you report it to the police.”
“Moreover, I don’t know how long he’s been missing. According to Article 23 of our Civil Code, he can be declared dead if he’s unaccounted for for four years.”
“So try to take it easy; he might not be missing, just simply deceased.”
After Luxianbei said that, the old woman stared at him blankly for a while and then silently drifted away.
“……” Luxianbei watched the old woman’s departing figure, shrugged, tightened the shoulder straps of his backpack, and walked down the path she pointed to.
