Chapter Twelve: The Tattoo Behind
It is said that you can never wake someone who pretends to be asleep, unless you bring in a sexually aroused teddy bear.
Though Lu Yibei noticed that Jiang Li deliberately concealed something when he mentioned Water Brother, he chose not to expose it, but instead…
“From this perspective, Bai Kai has a big problem!” he stated seriously. “As an elder, he’s just a gigolo, yet he managed to get hold of spirit energy items. Don’t you find that strange?”
“Leader, he might be connected with some cult organization. I must act for the greater good and expose him. I hope you will remain discerning!”
“Uh…” Jiang Li was taken aback by Lu Yibei’s approach, remained silent for a few seconds, and then nodded, “Hmm, okay, I will investigate this Bai Kai.”
“Is there anything else?”
“Yes, yes, let me think…” Lu Yibei pondered for a moment, “Right! When I was spying on Mr. Rabbit and his accomplices, I saw a strange tattoo on one of his accomplices.”
When Lu Yibei mentioned the tattoo, Jiang Li’s pupils slightly constricted, and her body shivered as if she recalled something terrifying.
Lu Yibei, unaware of Jiang Li’s unusual reaction, continued, “I wanted to look it up in The Book of Siye, but I didn’t find anything relevant while I was reading earlier…”
“Alright!” Before Lu Yibei could finish, Jiang Li raised her voice slightly and interrupted, “I know what tattoo you’re talking about. The Siye Society has been tracking their movements. You can think of them as a terrorist organization.”
“With your current abilities, knowing this much is sufficient. It’s best not to get involved in other matters.”
Terrorists? Lu Yibei furrowed his brow slightly. d*mn! I don’t want to be involved with such guys! But it seems they have their sights set on me; they even stole my ‘food’ last night!
After hearing Jiang Li’s explanation, Lu Yibei suddenly thought that the man in black who snatched the eye last night might have wanted to use the spirit energy contained within for some kind of terrorist attack.
If I could clarify this, I should definitely tell Jiang Li, right? Lu Yibei thought. Knowing that something might happen now yet having to hold it in was too painful.
While Lu Yibei was lost in thought, Jiang Li stood up, limping to her desk where she sat down with a serious expression and said to Lu Yibei, “Alright, that’s enough for today. You should go back! Tomorrow—”
Realizing halfway through that Lu Yibei had a lot of classes the next day, and she was on duty the day after, she paused and changed her mind, “Come back the day after tomorrow.”
“But…”
But I still have many questions left to ask!
Seeing Jiang Li’s cold expression, Lu Yibei held back his words and merely pouted, turning to leave.
Jiang Li watched Lu Yibei walk away. At the moment he pushed open the office door, she suddenly thought of something and softly called out, “Wait a moment!”
“Is there anything else?” Lu Yibei asked in confusion.
“Don’t go out these last two or three nights. During the time from the waning moon to the new moon, urban legends are more active.” Jiang Li said lightly.
“Uh…” Lu Yibei nodded, “Speaking of which, I also thought of something very serious!”
“Go ahead.”
“Leader, could you give me some sort of protective item? Ming King Statue—I don’t have spirit energy, and I can’t use it, right?”
It’s not that I can’t use it! Lu Yibei thought. But since I’m here, how could I return empty-handed? If there’s a chance to get some benefits, I have to take it!
Jiang Li’s eyes narrowed slightly, a glimmer of cold light flickering within, as if she wanted to k*ll someone.
Lu Yibei, “……” Alright, I get it; I’ll take my leave!
……
On Mudan Street, the wind blew by, swaying the ancient willows by the clear canal and causing dry leaves to fall.
Lu Yibei walked down the ancient street, quietly pondering.
Since urban legends can absorb human fear and gain belief to restore spirit energy, does that mean I won’t have to hunt so hard in the future?
But how can I make more people afraid or believe in my existence?
Start a livestream? Record some short videos? I don’t even know if there are distance restrictions.
I’ll go back later to register two accounts and try that out. It’s not urgent for now. The most important thing today is to sneak into the girls’ dormitory, Building Seven.
Although this feels a bit shameful, but I’m starving; who cares about face?
Once I find that girl entangled with the urban legend, then…
“You must be Lu Yibei?”
While Lu Yibei was thinking, a gentle voice suddenly interrupted his thoughts. He looked toward the source and saw a handsome, well-proportioned tall man had appeared by his side, smiling at him warmly, giving off a spring-like feeling.
“And you are?” Lu Yibei eyed the man suspiciously.
“Haha, let me introduce myself. I’m Li Xuan, the second-in-command of the Siye Society. Although you don’t know me, I already know your great name.” Li Xuan said with a wry smile, “Someone even helped you out by getting my tire…”
Realizing he had misspoken, Li Xuan chuckled awkwardly, “Haha, it’s nothing. That’s not important.”
Second-in-command? Jiang Li is number five, does this mean this guy is even better than her? Lu Yibei thought to himself, maintaining a straight face, “So you are a colleague of the leader; it’s nice to meet you. Is there something you need from me?”
“Not much, I just saw you wandering alone on the street and thought I’d ask if you need any help.”
“Well…” Lu Yibei hesitated momentarily, then suddenly thought of the protective item he had asked Jiang Li for and told Li Xuan about it.
“Haha, don’t take it to heart. Jiang Li doesn’t not want to give you anything; it’s just that she really doesn’t have anything usable for you.”
As he spoke, Li Xuan rummaged through his pockets and took out a pale egg stone engraved with patterns of the moon, eyes, and flying birds, handing it to Lu Yibei.
“This is a talisman I made in my spare time. Wearing it can offer some luck and ward off misfortune; consider it an apology from Jiang Li for you, oh yes, this little thing can also repel mosquitoes.”
“Uh… thank you.” Lu Yibei replied, somewhat stunned.
“Okay, I’ll head back to the Siye Society now. It’s my turn on duty, and I stayed up late with friends playing games last night, so I’m already half a day late. Haha!” Li Xuan waved goodbye to Lu Yibei and walked towards the Siye Society.
Lu Yibei watched Li Xuan’s retreating figure, then looked at the cold egg stone in his hand and scratched his head.
I didn’t expect the Siye Society to have such a grounded good person. Why do I only run into a cold-hearted ice queen? Tsk!
……
In Huacheng, in an apartment building near THE UNDERGROUND WORLD CLUB.
The room was extravagantly decorated, with Tiffany blue wallpaper, mirrored ceiling, and a peach-colored round bed outfitted with a waterbed mattress, giving off a vibe reminiscent of a love hotel.
On the round bed, a voluptuous, fair-skinned blonde was sleeping soundly in Bai Kai’s embrace, the disheveled bed indicating a night of intense activity.
Bai Kai held his phone to his ear with one hand, his expression gradually turning serious. He glanced at the girl beside him, quietly got out of bed while wrapping a blanket around his lower half, left the room, and walked toward the living room.
“…In short, Lu Yibei reported you, suspecting you of being involved in cult activities.” Jiang Li’s cold voice came from the other end of the line. “By the way, does he really dislike you that much?”
“You’re talking nonsense! How could Xiao Bei dislike me? In a situation like this, he chose to report, indicating he has a sense of justice and is highly alert!”
“I still think he dislikes you.”
“Shut up! What’s wrong with you guys? Didn’t you say it was all handled properly, and that you used a spell formula to ensure Xiao Bei wouldn’t notice my connection with the Ming King Statue?” Bai Kai complained.
“This is too unreliable! Do you believe I’ll come to your bedside tonight to get you?”
“Last time you got lucky and ran away; if you dare come this time, I’ll make you switch careers from gigolo to exotic dancer.” Jiang Li replied in a flat tone, her words carrying a persuasive weight.
“Tsk!” Bai Kai spat in annoyance, trying to seem tough but timidly shrank his neck.
“You’d better think of a way to handle Lu Yibei. Next time, I won’t help you lie.” Jiang Li said.
Due to past experiences, she particularly disliked lies, whether deceiving others or being deceived herself.
“Alright, alright, I got it! Stop rambling!” Bai Kai perfunctorily acknowledged and hung up the phone, then picked up a cigarette from the coffee table, “pop,” and lit one, looking pensive.
The new number was also deleted by Xiao Bei. If I call now, he won’t answer; it’s clear I can’t find him, so I can only…
“Water Brother~! Where have you been!” A tender voice calling from the bedroom abruptly interrupted Bai Kai’s thoughts.
“Water Brother~!”
“I’m coming, I’m coming! You little fairy are really clingy! Take this!” Bai Kai cheerfully replied, “Hee hee~!”
As he spoke, he playfully tossed away the blanket wrapped around his waist with a smug grin and dashed towards the bedroom.
……
Not long after Jiang Li hung up the phone with Bai Kai, Ahua stormed in angrily.
“Miss! That scumbag has such thick skin; I just heard him outside!” Ahua exclaimed indignantly. “He already has the blessed Ming King Statue, yet he is still so greedy!”
As she spoke, she threw a few punches in the air, rolling up her sleeves, “Miss, do you need me to chase him down and teach him a lesson?”
“No need, it’s not that I don’t want to give him something, it’s just…”
There are non-spiritual ability users in the Siye Society; in fact, a large portion of the members are non-spiritual ability users. They also have specially equipped gear.
However, those items not only work against urban legends; they can also be extremely lethal to ordinary people. It wouldn’t be appropriate to entrust them casually to a university student.
As for the few spirit energy items in the Huacheng Siye Society that didn’t require spirit energy to use, either their effects were comparable to the Ming King Statue, or they were designed to detect urban legends, which Lu Yibei just couldn’t utilize.
Thinking this, Jiang Li sighed softly, “Ah, Ahua, can you leave for now? I’d like to be alone for a bit.”
Seeing a hint of sorrow on Jiang Li’s brow, Ahua asked with concern, “Miss, are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” Jiang Li gently shook her head, “You can go.”
“Yes, Miss…” Ahua quietly acknowledged, and after taking a few steps out, she turned back to Jiang Li and said, “Miss, I’ll be right outside. If you need anything, just call me.”
“Mm.” Jiang Li slightly nodded, and after Ahua left the office, she stood up and walked towards the mirror in the corner of the room, unbuttoning the gray-blue snowflake cloak as she moved.
As the cloak slipped down her smooth back, her long hair fell, and she held one hand to her chest while standing in front of the mirror, slowly turning around. With her other hand, she gently pushed aside the silver threads that hung down her back, revealing a black solar totem reflected in the mirror.
She glanced at the tattoo in her peripheral vision, deep in thought.
The Solar Eclipse Society…
One day, I will personally annihilate you! Jiang Li thought, her gaze turning cold.
