Master's Mission

The master and disciple left the alley and blended into the gradually crowding streets.

Since arriving in Bangkok, Yu Ye had never wandered around like this, so she found the roadside stalls quite interesting.

"Plug-in wigs, colors changeable! Beautiful lady, want a look?"

"Jade Maiden Heart Sutra Version 3.0, selling at a loss! Miss it and there won't be another chance!"

Yu Ye paid no attention to the vendors. Instead, she looked at the towering buildings and holographic projections in Bangkok's City Center in the distance.

"Yu Ye, can you hear me?"

Having just shaken off a pushy vendor, Yu Ye heard Ji Qinglin's voice in her ear.

Although Ji Qinglin was some distance away and had not turned back or opened his mouth, and vendors' cries and music filled both sides of the street, his voice still entered her ears with crystal clarity.

"Yes, Master. No problem."

Yu Ye likewise did not open her mouth, trying to get used to this ventriloquism-like method of communication.

"Keep up and don't fall behind. Just look at the vendors' goods. If you install anything, you might end up infected with malicious ads and viruses. Don't walk with me; keep a certain distance."

After following him across four or five streets, Yu Ye saw Ji Qinglin finally stop before a fairly large bar on a street corner.

On the screen above the bar, holographic projections of bikini-clad girls danced in sizzling steps while holding up the two characters "Nightfall" on either side.

Below, slogans such as "Sexy Dao companions, cultivate together with you, harmonize yin and yang, the most intoxicating Nightfall" continued scrolling without pause.

"I'll go in first. Enter two minutes later."

Crazy Night: So this is the kind of thing he likes.

Watching Ji Qinglin enter Nightfall Bar, Yu Ye hesitated slightly. After all, he had not explained anything clearly.

Crazy Night: You're really planning to go in? What's going on inside? You have no idea what he wants you to do.

Yu Ye: He's doing it deliberately. Just as when he made me agree before, he wants me to trust him unconditionally.

Crazy Night: So?

Yu Ye: I'm going to gamble on it and trust him this once. After all, he said he has a Cultivation Suit. If there really is a problem, I definitely won't let him off.

After checking the time, Yu Ye slowly entered Nightfall Bar.

The moment she opened the door, pounding music and clamorous voices poured out. Under dazzling yet orderly lights, Yu Ye saw a massive bar stage where handsome men and beautiful women—whether real people or intelligent machines, she could not tell—danced tirelessly.

A broad ring of crystal bar counters surrounded the stage. Customers who had come to the nightclub to unwind had also fallen into madness amid the flashing lights and wine, and there were even quite a few Qi Practitioners dressed in Daoist robes.

After entering, Yu Ye instinctively searched for Ji Qinglin, but before she found him, a prompt immediately sounded in her ear. "I was truly worried you might run away directly. Good. Now go wash your hands in the restroom, then come out. Don't make it deliberate; just act naturally."

Crazy Night: Hmph. This really has the flavor of outdoor training.

Yu Ye: Naturally? He wants me to put on an act for someone.

Though she had not figured it out, Yu Ye still followed Ji Qinglin's instructions, took off her raincoat, and entered the restroom in the corner of the bar.

Along the way, Yu Ye noticed nothing unusual, except that the man seated at the bar outside the restroom corridor kept looking in her direction.

While she washed her hands, Ji Qinglin's guidance came through her ear again:

"Now go out and buy three portions of Mica Qilin Grass from the nearest bar counter, then take them with you. If someone talks to you, respond normally according to your usual habits."

The nearest counter to the exit was the very one she had noticed earlier.

Yu Ye: Buying drinks wouldn't need so much trouble. His target is the person in front of the counter.

Yu Ye wanted to raise her eyes and examine him, but feared giving herself away. She could only follow Ji Qinglin's instructions and say to the bartender, "Three bottles of Mica Qilin Grass to go."

"Certainly, beautiful lady. Please wait a moment."

Sure enough, when Yu Ye approached, the eyes of the man who had been watching her grew even more fixed.

Threads of shifting azure light spilled across Yu Ye's pretty face. Her eyes lifted slightly as she casually surveyed her surroundings. This outwardly aloof young woman seemed utterly uninterested in the lively scene around her.

That sense of being entirely out of place inadvertently gave Yu Ye an aura that could not be profaned.

The man at the counter leaned over to strike up a conversation.

"Beautiful lady, first time here? How about getting acquainted?"

Yu Ye turned to glance at him. He was rather fat, with blond hair slicked back, wearing a gay-purple short Daoist robe. His rose-gold prosthetic right arm was exposed, and a greasy smile squeezed across his thick cheeks.

Yu Ye frowned slightly, her tone cold. "No. Not interested."

"Don't be so cold and proud. Mica Qilin Grass? This beautiful Daoist friend is practicing Soul Refining, right? I've got plenty of cultivation resources. Maybe I can help you. Kirk, put this beautiful Daoist friend's expenses today on my tab. And bring another glass of the bar's special, 'Night Colors Dao Fate.'"

"Right away, boss."

Before Soul Refining cultivators entered the virtual world to cultivate, it was best for their bodies to enter a moderate state of sleep, and Mica Qilin Grass was a commonly used semi-alcoholic drug.

The bartender tactfully delivered that glass of "Night Colors Dao Fate" first.

The fat man in purple pushed the drink before Yu Ye. "My name is Sang Feng, owner of this Nightfall Bar. Beautiful young Daoist friend, give me some face and get acquainted with me?"

Yu Ye wanted to ask Ji Qinglin what he meant, but in this situation, she also feared exposing herself. If she directly refused and left, would today's operation become completely meaningless? Yu Ye: What the hell are you doing?

There was no room for Yu Ye to think any further. Looking at the glass of "Night Colors Dao Fate," she put on a helpless expression and was just about to pick it up for show.

Then Ji Qinglin's reminder came through her ear again. "Don't actually drink it."

Hearing that, Yu Ye felt reassured. She merely touched the drink with her lips before setting it down, then gave a simple reply.

"Fine. I'll remember that."

"Then how should I address you, Daoist friend?"

"I'll tell you next time we meet."

"Cold as ice and frost, huh? But I think this beautiful young Daoist friend has a wild heart. Otherwise, why would you be dressed so seductively underneath?"

With a lewd grin, Sang Feng pointed at the Sailor Suit and lace choker exposed beneath Yu Ye's trench coat.

"Is that your master's mission?"

Yu Ye pulled her trench coat tight and turned to glare at him. Sang Feng put on a surrendering look and turned back. "Just a joke. Kirk, why isn't this beautiful young Daoist friend's Mica Qilin Grass ready yet?"

"Coming, coming!"

Taking the Mica Qilin Grass that the bartender had actually prepared long ago, Yu Ye walked straight out of the bar without looking back.

The instant she stepped outside, Yu Ye furrowed her beautiful brows and asked, "What exactly are you trying to do?"

"It can't be explained in a few words. First, confirm whether you're all right."

"I'm fine. I didn't drink that wine, and now I—hm? Wait, something seems wrong. I feel a little dizzy. Is the bar special really that strong?"

"Strong my ass. There was definitely something in the drink. That guy is heading out; he should be coming to find you. Turn right and enter the street, then walk straight ahead. Before I contact you, don't let that guy catch up. Don't worry, I'll protect you."

Yu Ye: What is this supposed to be? Using us as bait?

Crazy Night: Stop talking. I'm already starting to miss prison.