Chapter 18: Operation Meeting and Operation Meeting
At noon, the sun of early winter still had a bit of warmth, making it difficult for people to avoid.
After lunch, students of Huacheng University returned to classrooms or dormitories, leaving the campus eerily quiet.
At that time, in front of a small warehouse near the main path of Gate Four.
“Hey, eat up! Although it’s a little less, it should be enough to ease your hunger this time,” Lu Yibei said softly, pushing a small piece of the core of an urban legend toward the slightly ajar door, and after quietly waiting for a few seconds, he saw a tender white hand reach out from the door crack, quickly grab the core, and retract inside.
The urban legend hiding in this long-neglected small warehouse was the Decapitated Senior, who usually concealed herself here during the brightest moments of the day.
Ever since the last time Lu Yibei was “robbed” by her when he was on the verge of extreme hunger, and she cooperatively accepted a small piece of the core, he started visiting here regularly.
This was akin to feeding stray animals on campus; he had become addicted to it, unwittingly embarking on the road of feeding the “lonely lost spirits” of the school.
In his view, these urban legends, which posed no real harm, had no need to be eliminated; their existence was reasonable and might even carry some special significance.
Of course, the main target of his feeding was still the Decapitated Senior, but sometimes he would encounter some odd little creatures at night, as well as the rumored statue of Mr. Lu Xun that roams the school at night.
Well, the statue of Mr. Lu Xun at Huacheng University really does move, but it doesn’t utter a word without curse; it’s just a lump of iron, which Lu Yibei found a bit disappointing.
If only he could learn the art of retorting from Mr. Lu Xun “himself,” that would be fantastic!
Seeing the Decapitated Senior’s timid appearance as she accepted food like a stray kitten, a warmth surged in Lu Yibei’s heart, which couldn’t be hidden even if he had a deadpan expression.
It turned out he was really good at feeding these little urban legends at school; when he first met the Decapitated Senior, her whole body resembled a severely decomposed corpse, with her pale hands covered in corpse spots.
But now, aside from the hideous scar around her neck, she was almost indistinguishable from a normal girl.
If he could get her a turtleneck sweater, then even if she accidentally ran into others at school, it wouldn’t scare them; if she wanted to, she could even attend classes.
Lu Yibei mused, leaning against the wall and spreading out his exam review materials on his lap. Accompanied by the fragmented sounds resembling “shadow music” from the Decapitated Senior and the little urban legends sharing the core, he began his review.
For such a long time, he had remained discreet and low-key, but when it came to studying, he had never shown any neglect.
After all…
Even though he had now become a proxy operator of the Siye Society, he still hadn’t changed his dream of graduating smoothly, renovating the old house, opening a little shop, and selling some soul-waste.
Conquering the world? A harem of beauties?
Compared to these, he hoped that in his lifetime, he could open a well-known tavern and use a broom to chase away the Michelin reviewers.
As he was lost in thought, he heard the Decapitated Senior’s voice coming from the little warehouse behind him.
“Everyone wants me to thank you.”
“Just a small matter!” Lu Yibei replied nonchalantly, “It’s been dangerous outside lately, so once you’re full, find a place to hide. Don’t wander around if there’s nothing urgent.”
“Alright, if there’s nothing else, then I’ll be leaving. See you next time.”
As he spoke, he got up, brushed off the dust from his pants, packed his textbooks and review materials, and leisurely left the school along the main path of Gate Four.
Calculating the time, the final step of the alchemical potion preparation at home – low-temperature constant heating – was almost finished.
Thinking about his current balanced state of intelligence, physical, and aesthetic development, he couldn’t help but feel a little excited!
Why is there no morality?
Well… after all, people without morality tend to live quite happily.
———
With enthusiasm, Lu Yibei rushed back home to retrieve the completed potion.
However, just as he was holding that thick, golden-red potion, preparing to take it according to the instructions, something went wrong.
“One shake per use? What the hell is that unit!?” Lu Yibei couldn’t help but complain.
As someone with a family tradition of culinary skills, he was quite familiar with this unit.
This unit is usually used for relatively thick seasonings like oil, with no precise number; a light shake can vary from a drop to half a bottle depending on the situation.
Lu Yibei had failed a few times in the entire process of crafting the potion according to the formula but had never encountered a major issue until now.
Initially, all his attention focused on the precise usage amount and various details of the alchemical potion, completely ignoring the dosage issue.
Little did he expect that such a rigorous formula would have so casual usage instructions.
It was typical of the ancient formula derived from the Great Serpent God to have odd loopholes and flaws.
After all, the real world doesn’t play out like novels; the older the ancient things are, the more powerful they become.
At least in alchemy, which progresses with people’s understanding, tools, and material availability, older doesn’t necessarily mean better.
Just like some ancient alchemical formulas include terms like “aerial essence,” yet strictly following those formulas often results in a high failure rate.
Lu Yibei stared at the completed potion in his hand, contemplating for a long time.
Now adept at using predictive thoughts, he sensed a slight chill indicating that this was definitely not some urban legend’s happy drink but something that could cost half his life if overdosed.
After all, during the potion preparation process to complete the defect, many materials containing destructive fire attributes and extracted toxins were used.
The essence of “no destruction, no creation” resembles anaerobic exercise, which tears muscles and waits for them to regrow; similarly, completing a defect involves a similar process.
But if during this process of “no destruction, no creation,” things go too far and can’t be repaired, the situation becomes serious.
However, taking too little is also unwise; repeated small doses will let the body gradually adapt to the potion.
Over time, it’s possible that the defect won’t be entirely completed, and if the potion becomes ineffective, the only option left will be to start over with a different potion.
So, whether it’s a graceful ascent to immortality or a desperate last effort, whether a white cloth covers the entire village waiting for dishes or if a single person attains enlightenment causing all to rise, it all hinges on this dose.
Discussing toxicity without dosage or discussing dosage without toxicity is merely deceptive.
Otherwise, why did so many ancient emperors and alchemists d*e from overdoses?
It wasn’t solely due to problems in their formulas; a significant part also lies in their dosage and ingestion methods.
The decreasing fatality rate from using alchemical potions in modern times is largely thanks to those like “Shen Nong,” who constantly tested reasonable dosages at the cost of their lives.
So…
“Mafun, False Teeth, Eye, Sleep Dress, where are you?” Lu Yibei shouted, “Come quickly! I have good stuff for you to try!”
Letting them try shouldn’t be a problem, right? After all, I can’t finish it by myself, Lu Yibei thought.
In fact, considering the inaccuracy in the ancient formula’s description of the potion’s effects, losses during the crafting process, and uncontrollable circumstances, he had prepared sufficient ingredients to brew ten potions and had successfully crafted about five after experiencing some failures.
With this sort of stuff, the more the merrier; if there’s extra, he can sell it back to recover costs!
After waiting for a while with no replies from the urban legends, he shouted again, “Hurry up! If it cools down, it won’t taste good!”
Following that, he called a few times and still didn’t see the little urban legends appear, confirming that they were probably really not home.
But.
During the day, where could they have gone?
If it comes to it, I’ll just have to wait until they’re urban legends tonight before I try it myself; after all, my body will be stronger then, and I won’t d*e so easily, Lu Yibei thought.
———
Meanwhile, on the outskirts of Huacheng, at the Huacheng Ceramics Factory.
This was once a very famous ceramics factory in Huacheng, affiliated with the Huacheng Steel Works.
Although the wares they produced weren’t as aesthetically pleasing as those from larger factories, when it came to quality and practicality, they excelled.
Many households in Huacheng have been using their ceramics for decades.
However, this conscientious enterprise had been shut down for quite some time.
A few years ago, while firing a batch of statues, an accident occurred where one of the statues “came to life,” resulting in several workers being burned to d*ath in the kiln that day, and since then, the factory has been closed.
Passing through the rusted iron gate sealed with chains, the factory was desolate, overgrown with weeds in the greenery, and piles of statues that hadn’t made it out were stacked in the open space, dust accumulating on those with severed heads or gouged eyes.
In the pitch-black, silent factory warehouse, dozens of figures silently sat in their positions, looking up at the front.
Behind these spiritual ability users or urban legends who came from all over and infiltrated Huacheng to join the Hundred Demons Walk were the urban legends they had recently successfully captured.
Those urban legends, old or young, fat or thin, ugly or beautiful… the suited elites, weathered farmers, and hard-working laborers all crammed together, looking particularly odd.
And in front of them sat a lazily enchanting woman in red on the shoulder of a three-meter-high statue, overlooking the scene below, softly saying, “Let’s hear about the current situation.”
Hearing this, a black-robed person stepped forward and rasped, “After several days of running around, we’ve already visited about a third of the urban legend hotspots in Huacheng…”
Pausing, the black-robed figure glanced at the densely packed urban legends behind and continued, “Among these, over seventy percent chose to surrender, and the rest have all been eradicated.”
The woman in red nodded slightly, looking at two of the black-robed individuals, and asked, “I’ve heard you encountered my little bunny? Did she surrender?”
“No, we have already erased her,” replied a deep voice from the darkness.
“Haha, how ridiculous! It seems you don’t quite understand my little bunny’s abilities?” The woman in red sneered, “If she were that easy to erase, it would be great!”
“But it’s no bother; let her be for now. After I finish dealing with things here, I’ll tidy her up. You may continue your report!”
Then, one black-robed person started recounting the recent progress in capturing urban legends, until an incongruous voice suddenly cut in.
“There’s another issue; our actions might have been spotted by the Siye Society. During a previous operation, a member caught us on the spot.
“Reliable information suggests that three agents from the Huacheng Siye Society are currently investigating this matter covertly.”
Upon hearing the words “Siye Society,” the spirit energy fluctuation of the woman in red showed a momentary significant disturbance, and a bloody, violent aura permeated the entire factory, making the urban legends feel uneasy.
“Another Siye Society? Truly a group of pesky bugs!” the woman in red said, “In that case, from tonight onwards, shift to acting in pairs and divide into three routes! If you encounter Siye Society members…”
“Just k*ll them!” Her eyes flashed with a fierce light as she spoke.
“But…” someone in the dark hesitated.
“But what?”
“But, if we do that, the spirit energy fluctuations will be too obvious, making the urban legends in the city think we are staging a Hundred Demons Walk. Isn’t it too early to do this?”
“Think? Ha!” the woman in red sneered, “If they truly think it’s a Hundred Demons Walk, then we indeed are the Hundred Demons Walk!”
“It’s time to let them know who the most terrifying urban legend in this city is.”
“……”
———
Nightfall had just arrived.
Under the Huacheng River Crossing Bridge, in the third arch from the left.
“Thank you all for your support! The goods are sold out, and today’s live stream ends here. See you at the same time tomorrow!”
Gu Qiqi finished speaking to the camera, turned off the live stream, tidied up her props, and walked towards the shed.
The condensation white jade dew sold today was a new potion she unintentionally created during alchemy; after some slight modifications, its effects surpassed any skincare product on the market.
It must be said that Gu Qiqi had a keen sense for money; if not for the possibility of ordinary people developing Nightfall Syndrome, she felt she could easily pull herself out of poverty with this potion.
Even the system admired her for independently inventing a potion, but it didn’t say this in front of Gu Qiqi.
This thing, aside from being able to profit from female urban legends or spiritual ability users, had little practical use.
After all, in a certain sense, calamities aren’t female and don’t need skincare.
The system was looking forward to when Gu Qiqi could concoct a potion that inflicts lethal damage on calamities.
As soon as she opened the door, she was greeted by her little urban legends arguing around the table.
They were conducting the twelfth pre-war consultation meeting of the “Messengers of Love and Peace, Models of Morality and Conscience, the Witch Warriors of Handsome Guys and Beauties.”
“No way, the main path of Gate Four at the Institute of Technology is not an option!” Mafun said solemnly, “That place is right under the nose of the Witch; what will we do if she finds out?”
“If she finds out, she finds out. We’re organizing a Hundred Demons Walk in her name; what does it have to do with her? With that stinky sister of hers, does she dare oppose? I’ll just slap her across the face; she wouldn’t dare say a word, do you believe it?!”
“Yes, she wouldn’t say a word to you; she’d just wipe you out,” Mafun responded gloomily.
“Does she dare?!”
The system, “……”
What does it mean for a young calf to fear no tiger? This is it!
These little guys are a bit too bold, aren’t they?
It’s only because they are too weak and differ greatly from calamities in level that they cannot grasp her terror, the system thought.
“Brother Eye, you’ve been increasingly arrogant lately…” False Teeth remarked, “And you don’t even have hands.”
“Stop talking nonsense; those who achieve great things don’t sweat the small stuff!” Eye said, looking at False Teeth, “Besides, if things go on like this, I’ll soon be able to grow hands.”
False Teeth covertly studied Eye for a moment, remaining silent, but it still couldn’t grasp where on Eye’s round body hands would likely grow.
“If the main path of Gate Four, or the entirety of Huacheng University is out of the question, then there are no places near University City we can go!” Mafun said anxiously.
“In University City, the places where urban legends appear are basically all under our, uh, our dear, respected Witch’s territory.”
“Then let’s expand outward; can our targets only be limited to University City?” Eye proclaimed loudly. “Having no ideals or aspirations as an urban legend is no different from being a salted fish! One day, uh, the Witch’s flag will be planted across rivers and mountains, in stars and seas!”
The system, “……” She really was about to reach that level.
Muttering to herself, the system quickly reminded Gu Qiqi, “Gu Qiqi, the timing is right; hurry and complete your task!”
“Oh!” Gu Qiqi responded in her mind and looked at the group of little urban legends at the table, “If you all can’t come up with a better choice, I do have a suggestion.”
“Oh?” Mafun turned towards Gu Qiqi, “You go ahead and tell us.”
“The building at No. 14 Yin Street; have you heard of it?” Gu Qiqi nodded, “Isn’t it quite close to University City?”
“No, no, that place has too powerful urban legends. We’re not their match yet,” Mafun immediately dismissed Gu Qiqi’s suggestion without a second thought.
“Not powerful, is it?” Gu Qiqi tilted her head in confusion, “I think I can handle it alone, not to mention all of you are here!”
“You? With those skinny arms and legs, what can you do?” Eye sneered at Gu Qiqi, “Before saying such things, at least try beating me first!”
As it said this, it jumped on the table, on the way up striking a series of upward punch trajectories in the air.
“Oh, fine! Since you asked for it like that…”
As the protagonist of a farming narrative, Gu Qiqi was somewhat averse to battle; reluctantly agreeing, she then…
Out of nowhere, a metal bat suddenly whizzed through the air, striking Eye, sending it flying out the window amidst a burst of explosive air and invisible spirit energy ripples, disappearing from sight.
The little urban legends, “……” d*mn, I thought I brought back a little kitten, but it turned out to be a ferocious tiger!
What should we do? If we don’t agree with her, we’ll be beaten to d*ath, right?
So, should we agree with her?
And thus…
[Congratulations to the host for completing the epic side quest · Part One. Please confirm that your rewards have been received; the cabinet is not responsible……]
Such a voice rang in Gu Qiqi’s mind.
