Chapter 29: Our Boss Wants to See You in Person!
After Jiang Li used the spell formula “Summon the Soul” to send off the elderly man who had long been lingering at the edge of life and d*ath, leaving only a breath behind, her ears finally became quiet, and Lu Yibei soon left.
When she departed, Jiang Li clearly felt that the look in her eyes was somewhat unusual, resembling that of a girlfriend sulking.
At such times, there was no way to reason with her.
As she watched Lu Yibei’s figure gradually disappear into the night, Jiang Li sighed silently.
She understood Lu Yibei’s feelings at that moment, after all, before the elderly man transformed into an urban legend, he was, in a certain sense, still a living person.
Such scenes, given more time and exposure, she would get used to.
Once Lu Yibei was far away, Jiang Li took out her phone, opened a particular chat application, and began reading the private message sent by Miao Xiaoqi.
“One hundred and three and two cats: The gambling game you inquired about will indeed reappear in Huacheng, and the time will be around this year’s Cold Clothes Festival.
As for the location and way to participate, that is the second issue; we need more time to gather clues and information.
Before that, you should also work hard to complete your tasks and earn points so that you can exchange for answers later! Good luck!
(PS: For ways to earn points, please refer to the appendix document.)”
After reading the first message from Miao Xiaoqi, Jiang Li was taken aback for a moment, then her expression darkened, and she cursed softly, “d*mn! I knew it would be like this!”
When the urban legends chat group told her that completing the review task would allow her to know whether the gambling game would be held in Huacheng this year, she guessed that the people in the chat group would not easily reveal all the information she wanted in one go.
Feeling a bit down after reading Miao Xiaoqi’s first private message, Jiang Li temporarily lost the mood to continue studying that appendix.
She closed the chat app, cast a glance at the decaying corpse of the elderly man lying on the ground, furrowed her brows slightly, and then opened her contacts to call Ahua.
After a few seconds of waiting, Ahua’s timid voice came through the line, “Hello? Is it the young lady?”
“Hmm, it’s me.”
“Wuwuwu—! I’m so glad you’re okay. You’ve been gone for so long, and I didn’t hear a thing. I was so worried!” Ahua said.
“This little matter is nothing to me. Why are you crying and fussing?”
Although the review task from the urban legends chat group experienced significant changes due to the sudden appearance of the Solar Eclipse Society, it ultimately turned out to be without danger. Jiang Li told a small lie for Ahua’s peace of mind.
“Hmm, then I’ll go pick you up now!”
“Okay.” Jiang Li lightly responded, unconsciously glancing at the elderly man on the roadside, then added, “Bring some tools and medicines for handling corpses when you come.”
“Also, contact the person who reserved the grave for Lu Yibei last time. That grave will probably have to be used ahead of time.”
“Ah? Oh my! Did you k*ll that chatterbox? How could he be there?”
Ahua suddenly felt as if her heart was about to stop. For her young lady to privately participate in activities of the urban legends organization was already a serious violation.
Although she didn’t understand why Lu Yibei would appear near the South Suburb Slaughterhouse at night, hearing Jiang Li say that, she immediately imagined a scenario where her young lady committed a crime, was caught by Lu Yibei, and then killed to silence her, disposing of the body.
Thinking this way, she felt that both she and her young lady would soon start a life on the run together.
“Miss, maybe I should go confess in your place? Just say I killed the person, and it has nothing to do with you.”
Jiang Li placed a hand on her forehead and said earnestly, “It’s not what you think. I’ll explain the specific details to you later.”
“Eh? It has nothing to do with Lu Yibei? I thought he was nearby.”
“……” Jiang Li pondered for a moment and replied, “What are you thinking about all day? Do you think someone like him would possibly show up here at night?”
Though he indeed appeared here under unexpected circumstances, Jiang Li thought.
“Hmm, you’re right, miss!” Ahua said.
Indeed, being a coward and begging for mercy, or running away when unable to fight back, is Lu Yibei’s style, not self-destructive recklessness.
“Hmm.” Jiang Li slightly nodded.
“By the way, since we used the grave prepared for Lu Yibei, should we get him a new one?”
Jiang Li furrowed her brows and replied, “Prepare it. I remember that there was still a vacant spot next to the last grave, so let’s use it there; at least he will have company.”
“Got it, Miss! I’ll prepare that right away!”
——————
Leaving the South Suburb Slaughterhouse, Lu Yibei waited until daybreak, bathed in the morning sun, and returned to the University City.
As the sky gradually brightened, people who had risen early for work and school moved about. In the morning breeze, steam wafted from the breakfast shop’s steamer. Under the soft sunlight, University City showcased its vibrant life.
Everyone was busy with their own affairs, and no one paid attention to the young man in the corner of the congee shop.
The century egg and lean meat congee on the table wafted with hot steam. Lu Yibei stared intently at his phone, frowning in thought, looking exhausted—just like a teenager who had come out of an internet café after an all-nighter.
After completing the review for the urban legends chat group, he received Miao Xiaoqi’s private message as scheduled.
From the content of the message, it was indeed confirmed that his father’s d*ath was not an accident, but a result of the attack by the Solar Eclipse Society. As for the reason for the attack, it was due to an important item his father was escorting.
As for what that item was…
The people in the urban legends chat group didn’t know either. If he wanted to find out, he would have to use the underground platform established by the chat group to post a bounty, exchanging a lot of points or equivalent items for information.
So it really is the Solar Eclipse Society?
No wonder when I saw the totem behind that mysterious person on Linjiang Avenue for the first time, I experienced disorientation and memory confusion; that must have been a residual effect from the attack.
But what exactly could that item be… Lu Yibei frowned.
The relic his father left behind was something he personally claimed and burned. He could remember almost every single thing about it.
However, at the time of the accident, the items his father carried, aside from his phone and wallet, were only a change of clothes; there was nothing unusual.
Could it be that the Solar Eclipse Society managed to seize that item?
As Lu Yibei pondered this, he retracted his thoughts and, after a moment of contemplation, typed a message to Miao Xiaoqi in the chat box.
Wang Buliu: “Didn’t we agree that after completing the review, someone would come and form an alliance contract with me? Why haven’t I heard anything about it?”
Without assurances, he was still somewhat distrustful of the information provided by the urban legends chat group.
Lu Yibei thought that after the turmoil of last night, Miao Xiaoqi might take some time to reply, but unexpectedly, Miao Xiaoqi returned within seconds.
One hundred and three and two cats: “Our boss said, to show our sincerity, he will come personally for a visit another day, and he will also personally form a contract with you. Just look forward to it!”
Lu Yibei, “……”
What the heck? What does that mean? How am I supposed to deal with this?
An entity seemingly leading a group of upper-level urban legends and high-level spiritual ability users wants to meet me?
I can’t possibly be happy about that! This is very nerve-wracking!
Lu Yibei suddenly felt that it was perhaps retribution for being a keyboard warrior years ago, striking back at other netizens, and now the online violence was extending into the real world.
But, who could resist the charm of talking freely, which offers temporary satisfaction? Lu Yibei thought.
Wang Buliu: “I think things online should stay online. There’s no need to meet.”
One hundred and three and two cats: “Wasn’t that your request?”
Lu Yibei, “……”
I didn’t ask for your boss to come in person!
Wang Buliu: “Can I choose the meeting place myself?”
I determine the location, at least I’ll be less passive. Lu Yibei thought, and after about half a minute of waiting received a reply.
One hundred and three and two cats: “I asked our boss, and he said it’s okay.”
Wang Buliu: “Then, how about the Huacheng Folk Culture Research Management Bureau on Mudan Street?”
One hundred and three and two cats: “???”
One hundred and three and two cats: “Do you think that’s possible? Don’t think I don’t know what kind of place that is! Do you want to take our boss there to confess your crimes?”
Lu Yibei shrugged indifferently.
I was just joking; if you don’t agree, then forget it. But if you do…
What sort of joke? I’m not joking at all! I’m very serious!
Wang Buliu: “Then let’s meet at the library of Huacheng University?”
Since we can’t meet at the Siye Society, a populated location should work, right? Under the broad daylight, with so many wise eyes watching, it wouldn’t be fair to commit crimes, right? Lu Yibei thought.
One hundred and three and two cats: “Okay.”
Upon receiving Miao Xiaoqi’s response, Lu Yibei nodded slightly, downloaded the appendix document from the private message, and skillfully clicked “block contact” and “report this user.”
Though she had completed the review and was removed from the review group, the procedures still needed to be followed.
After finishing his daily reporting tasks, Lu Yibei opened the appendix document he had just downloaded.
Carefully examining the contents of the file, he began to understand what kind of entity the urban legends chat group was.
“Through the online platform, we complete bounties issued by humans or urban legends to earn commissions, and also post bounties for hunting fallen urban legends…”
Lu Yibei muttered to himself in a voice only he could hear.
“It’s pretty much like the urban legends and spiritual ability user exchanges that Gu Qiqi mentioned; it seems quite legitimate, and it doesn’t appear as dangerous as I imagined…”
But how do they gather so much information?
And how can they confirm that the person or urban legend who accepted the bounty actually completed the task?
In deep thought, he clicked on the link within the appendix file, which redirected him to the website mentioned in the document. The next second, the screen changed, revealing a flurry of colorful banner ads, and a catchy tune began playing from his phone speaker.
“The Macau Crown Casino is online! Sexy dealers are dealing cards live…”
d*mn!
Lu Yibei hurriedly closed the website. Looking up, he found that the entire congee shop had been attracted by the sound from his phone, casting him sidelong glances. The atmosphere in the congee shop suddenly became awkward.
Lu Yibei, “……”
——————
Three minutes later.
Lu Yibei, carrying breakfast packed for Jumeng, hurriedly fled the congee shop.
On his way back to the Jingyi Apartment Complex, he took out his phone once again.
Then, with the response speed akin to “lying in bed watching videos when suddenly, dad barged in,” he switched interfaces, discreetly glanced around, set the phone to silent, and reopened the browser.
Following the guidance of the appendix document, he spent several minutes finding the entrance to the real website hidden among the flashy ads, which was hosted abroad with a completely unknown purpose.
Hidden among many colorful small ads was a diminutive skull-shaped icon.
As he clicked through, Lu Yibei couldn’t help but be startled.
This yellow-black color scheme… the website’s layout… why does it resemble something starting with the letter P…
No, I have no idea what that website is!
He thought while casually scanning through the webpage and stopping at the section titled “Recently Completed Blacklist Bounties.”
The chat bounties within caught his attention.
The first bounty was published by an initial account with garbled IDs, and the content was for hunting urban legends inside the South Suburb Slaughterhouse with a reward of ten years of lifespan.
Perhaps he was overthinking, but when Lu Yibei saw this bounty, he immediately recalled the old lady who had fallen before him last night.
The second bounty was an anonymous urban legend, targeting a man named Li Weiyi.
Although Lu Yibei hadn’t heard of this name before, he quickly recognized the person in the photo—one of the two “noobs” he had caught at the South Suburb Slaughterhouse last night.
“What the hell?! They’re scamming for money and s*x, and even posting inappropriate videos online, forcing girls to jump into the river pregnant and turning into urban legends. That guy’s heart is so dark!”
After reading the reason behind the bounty application, Lu Yibei couldn’t help but curse.
He suddenly felt that the website behind the urban legends chat group was rather frightening.
It very realistically fulfilled the old saying, “Even when I become a ghost, I won’t let you go!”
After all, for the majority of newly formed urban legends within the city under the protection of the Siye Society, trying to k*ll someone isn’t an easy task.
And…
Although it’s a very small probability event, isn’t it possible that some unfortunate soul searching for “manual joystick driver” online could accidentally stumble onto this site?
As Lu Yibei thought about this, just as he was about to put away his phone, it suddenly vibrated twice, notifying him of a voice message from Professor Ma.
“Ding——!”
“Ahem! Lu Yibei, what’s going on? How long has it been? Where’s the short paper I asked you to write?”
Oh no…
Lu Yibei was taken aback, hurriedly replying to Professor Ma that he would submit it in class tomorrow, then turned to message Jumeng.
Lu Yibei: “Stinky sister, what’s going on with you? It’s been forever; where’s the short paper I asked you to write?”
Several seconds later.
Stinky Sister ❤: “I forgot while playing games! (๑><>
Lu Yibei: “What on earth?”
Stinky Sister ❤: “I’ll definitely finish it before next Monday!”
Lu Yibei stared at the phone screen in silence for two seconds, then quickly ducked into a secluded corner and took out the core of the urban legend, snapping a few photos to send to Jumeng.
Lu Yibei: [Image][Image][Image] How about including this?
Stinky Sister ❤: …
Stinky Sister ❤: Give me an hour!
Lu Yibei: ???
System Notification: Your friend has turned on Do Not Disturb mode and may not be able to reply to your message immediately.
Lu Yibei: …
Are today’s gods so real and devoid of dignity?
Why do I feel like as long as I provide enough of the urban legend’s core, I could even have her warm my bed? Lu Yibei thought.
————
When Lu Yibei returned to the apartment with breakfast, he opened the door to find Jumeng.
At that moment, she had transformed from her usual disheveled appearance, now wearing a clean T-shirt, her dark green long hair styled into two buns, sporting a pair of black-framed glasses seemingly acquired from nowhere, sitting cross-legged in front of the coffee table, engrossed in the computer screen, her fingers flying over the keyboard.
Watching Jumeng evolve from a scruffy homebody into a charming home girl, and seeing her working so diligently on his short paper, Lu Yibei felt a flicker of emotion rising in his heart.
Then.
“NICE! One shot finish!”
Lu Yibei, “???”
With the game ending, Jumeng looked up and smiled awkwardly at Lu Yibei, “Hehe, almost done, just wait a sec!”
She said, and soon, under Lu Yibei’s watchful gaze, her chat software sounded with a continuous stream of notification tones.
Lu Yibei frowned and asked, “What are you doing, old lady? Huh? What’s going on?”
“Uh……” Jumeng scratched her head, “I’m waiting for the little cuties from Peach Source to send over your short paper!”
“Don’t worry, isn’t your short paper about Dongyi culture? A large part of Dongyi culture is related to me, so…”
“So what?”
“So, I just asked each of them to write 500 words on the cultural development history of Peach Source and its surroundings, and offer it as a sacrifice.”
Lu Yibei, “……”
Is that even possible?!
The task given to me by Professor Ma, I passed on to you, and you’re passing it on to your subordinates…
Are you playing a nesting doll game with me?
Lu Yibei scrutinized Jumeng and asked, “Your subordinates can even offer up these things?”
Jumeng looked up at Lu Yibei and waved her hand, “Hey! You wouldn’t understand because you’re not a god! It’s not just this; beer, peanuts, sunflower seeds, portable fans, power banks…”
“Wait, why does it sound like a peddler on a green train is advertising?” Lu Yibei interrupted.
“Pretty much!” Jumeng shrugged. “In fact, whatever kind of offerings I want, I just have to tell them clearly, and they’ll offer them up.”
Lu Yibei, “……”
Does this count as having siphoned some obscure knowledge from a mythological species for free?
I’m finished; I’ll go find Du Sixian for a face-off later!
Lu Yibei thought, and turned to Jumeng, “Uh, remember to tell your subordinates to include references.”
“Small problem!” Jumeng’s lips curled up slightly as she sent a group message.
【PS: Each person must also submit a reference!】
Lu Yibei, “……”
Somehow, it feels bizarre.
