Crying Counts Against the Clock, Too

Jiang Nannan had been walking normally along the main road in the South District, wondering what kind of breakfast she should prepare for Hall Master Huo tomorrow.

The bright moonlight illuminated the road ahead. Occasionally, bustling crowds passed by her. Everything was as usual, just another unremarkable night among the countless nights in Xuanfeng City.

But accidents always descended without warning. Just as she was about to leave the South District, her Sea of Consciousness was suddenly assaulted by an intense surge of Spiritual Power.

That Spiritual Power far surpassed her own. Though she resisted with all her strength, she still could not overcome the vast difference in their levels.

Until her consciousness grew hazy, as though she were falling into endless darkness.

When she opened her eyes again, she was somehow in the Medical Hall, with her mother and Hall Master Huo fussing over her.

She had just opened her mouth when she sensed that something was wrong. She shook her head at her mother and Huo Yuhao, then went outside for a walk.

Everything here was wonderful, yet she still detected a sense of discord. Every flower, blade of grass, and tree in this world was so beautiful that it felt unreal.

The entirety of Xuanfeng City was incomparably harmonious. There were no conflicts, and everyone lived and worked in peace.

But how could that be possible?

She should have been trapped by some Soul Master in a Dream based on her own desires.

Jiang Nannan began trying every method she could think of to break free from the Dream.

But whether she harmed herself or erupted with Soul Power, it was like a stone sinking into the sea, unable to stir even the slightest ripple.

Jiang Nannan understood that her opponent's cultivation was at least two levels higher than hers. They might even be a Spiritual Attribute Soul Master.

In her despair, she did not know where her Destiny would lead. She could only keep trying to unleash her Soul Power in futile efforts.

Until, for some unknown reason, the entire Dream suddenly began to shatter. The sky cracked apart inch by inch like glass, producing a piercing sound that made her teeth ache.

When the sky completely collapsed, she fell into darkness once more. Only when soft moonlight fell over her eyes again did she realize that she had somehow collapsed onto the ground.

Not far behind her came fierce noises. A battle was clearly underway. Someone had saved her.

She wanted to go over and help, but she realized she was too weak. Her strength was far too lacking; going over would only hold them back.

After the sounds of battle subsided and she did not fall into the Dream again, she confirmed that the person who had saved her had won. Only then did she dare limp over to check the situation.

Then she saw ground that had practically been plowed over, with the smell of charred ash filling the air. Far away lay a lump of charcoal.

She looked around and discovered something familiar in a corner.

A damaged little bag.

Jiang Nannan hurriedly picked it up and confirmed that she had seen it before.

There was an indigo dye stain along its upper edge.

This was Hall Master Huo's bag!

Perhaps even Huo Yuhao himself did not know what was so special about his bag that someone could remember it so clearly.

During her time as an apprentice at the Medical Hall, Jiang Nannan had memorized almost everything in it, especially Huo Yuhao's belongings.

Every distinctive mark had been firmly engraved in her heart.

If Huo Yuhao knew about this, he would probably break out in a cold sweat.

"Fuck, she's totally obsessed with girls. This is going to look bad."

Holding the bag, Jiang Nannan looked toward the Medical Hall. Her eyes were especially clear and bright beneath the moonlight, like rippling water flowing within them.

After a long while, she returned home with the bag.

"Ah-choo!"

Huo Yuhao could not help sneezing. He scratched his head, feeling as though someone was always thinking about him.

It must be that naturally evil little brat Tang San.

Damn it, why is Tang San so bad?

Unable to think of anyone else who might be plotting against him, he could only pin the blame on Tang San.

Whenever something bad happened on the Douluo Continent, Tang San was always a safe bet. It had to be Tang San's doing.

"Peh! Peh! Peh!"

Without thinking further, Huo Yuhao continued toward the East District to inherit Yu Hongzhi's legacy.

After claiming the inheritance, he would go kill Chen Wen.

Damn it, that bastard had even set his sights on the people around him.

Today, he dared to scheme against Jiang Nannan. Tomorrow, he would dare shit on Huo Yuhao's head.

This was no ordinary Douluo Ruffian. He needed a heavy fist brought down on him!

Only after arriving in the East District did Huo Yuhao understand what the Soul Masters at the Medical Hall had meant by a life of extravagance and debauchery.

It was clearly already midnight, yet beneath the dazzling lights, this place was no different from daytime.

Scantily dressed women solicited customers throughout the streets. Drunken passersby lay collapsed by the roadside, ignored by everyone. The locals were accustomed to it.

Gamblers knelt outside gambling houses, endlessly kowtowing and begging. People nearby held glass wine cups as though they were watching a performance.

Huo Yuhao even saw some ragged, sallow-faced, emaciated people leading young children into an alley.

Then certain things appeared in their arms, and they left with their heads lowered and hurried steps. The children were nowhere to be seen beside them anymore.

Huo Yuhao stood atop a roof ridge, the single eye of his mask observing the myriad states of life below.

He could not help lowering his gaze.

Heh, so this is the Douluo Continent.

A society that devours people.

As a gust of night wind swept past, Huo Yuhao vanished from the roof ridge without making a sound.

Very soon, Huo Yuhao arrived at the Ruyi Brothel. Following Yu Hongzhi's memories, he easily retrieved a necklace-shaped Storage Soul Tool from a flowerpot.

When he probed inside with his Spiritual Power, his eyes nearly popped out.

"Holy shit, that's a lot of money."

"So many Soul Tools, and medicinal herbs too!"

After a rough estimate, this necklace Storage Soul Tool was clearly worth a fortune. Its internal space was around thirty-six cubic meters, making it a fairly high-grade Soul Tool.

Inside were eight Soul Tools: two Soul Ray Cannons, four Fixed Soul Cannon Shells, one Fixed Soul Cannon, and one Flying Soul Tool.

There were also all kinds of Rare Herbs that were practically unavailable on the market, along with the Mysterious Water Pill placed in the deepest part.

"As expected of a former Main Team member of Zhengtian Advanced Soul Master Academy."

"Even after falling into depravity, his wealth is still beyond imagination."

Huo Yuhao put the necklace around his neck and headed for the top floor of the Ruyi Brothel, following the images in the Dream Record.

Once Yu Hongzhi had completely subdued Jiang Nannan, he would bring her here for a one-hand delivery of the person and a one-hand delivery of the goods.

As for whether the crowded East District might expose them, Chen Wen was not worried. He trusted Yu Hongzhi's spiritual abilities. They were tied to the same boat, so Yu Hongzhi would definitely take the initiative to deal with any loose ends for him.

Moreover, the Chen Family had served the Xuan Ming Sect for so many years and had gained no small amount of benefits from it.

This brothel was an asset of the Chen Family. Everyone inside was one of his trusted subordinates.

Chen Wen leisurely soaked his feet in the luxurious top-floor room, waiting for Yu Hongzhi to arrive.

At that moment, Huo Yuhao was slowly making his way to the top floor. Under the effects of his Spiritual Eye, no one stopped the clearly suspicious One-Eyed Masked Man.

"Heh, your teammate is out there fighting for his life, while you're upstairs soaking your feet and listening to music."

At first, Huo Yuhao had approached him cautiously, but this guy had no vigilance at all.

So he simply drew the White Tiger Dagger, flashed behind him, and pressed it against his neck.

"Shh. Don't scream."

Chen Wen felt a chill at his neck and was about to cry out, but after hearing Huo Yuhao's words, he immediately covered his mouth.

"Spare my life, good sir."

"Don't kill me!"

"Whatever you want, I'll give it to you!"

Huo Yuhao patted his face. "Turn around. Look at me."

Chen Wen did not dare turn around and said in a fluster, "I wouldn't dare! I wouldn't dare! I know the rules. I won't look at your face."

In a burst of anger, Huo Yuhao twisted the entire sofa around. Only then did Chen Wen see that the person threatening him was a One-Eyed Masked Man, with a blade pointed at his head.

"You should have at least three things you want to say right now."

Chen Wen was so frightened that he wet himself.

"No! Not even one thing, really, good sir!"

"The money is all in the cabinet beside me!"

Huo Yuhao took a deep breath and calmed himself. "Why did you send someone to follow Jiang Nannan? Three minutes. If you can't explain it, your head is coming off."

Only then did Chen Wen understand that Yu Hongzhi had failed and that his enemy had come for him. He immediately burst into tears.

"Ah!"

"Hey, don't cry. Crying counts against the clock, too."

He hurriedly stopped his tears and used the smoothest, fastest speech of his life to explain why he had followed Jiang Nannan.

Huo Yuhao nodded in satisfaction. "I like honest people."

Then Huo Yuhao raised his hand and brought down the blade, directly cutting off his head.

"I lied. Even if you told me, your head was still coming off."

Huo Yuhao stepped over his corpse and found a Storage Soul Tool ring in the cabinet beside him. A preliminary scan with his Spiritual Power revealed that it was even bigger than Yu Hongzhi's Storage Soul Tool!