Divine Heart Society

Divine Heart Society

The next day, the three got up early and set off together for the Divine Heart Society.

Xiao Cha changed back into her solemn black constable's uniform and said:

"It's not far. Let's walk there—I can patrol the streets on the way and save myself another trip."

Lu Li and Wan Qing naturally had no objections.

The three left together, and before long arrived at Xiao Cha's jurisdiction—Wopu Street.

This street was packed with small vendors' stalls, noisy and bustling like a farmers' market, with business booming.

Lu Li noticed that large transactions used silver dollars, commonly known as "ocean dollars."

Their purchasing power was considerable; one could buy thirty jin of rice.

Thinking of the three hundred ocean dollars required for Meditative Entry, it was truly exorbitant, far beyond what ordinary people could afford.

And this was only the second realm. The realms beyond would surely require no small amount of money.

Lu Li touched the three watches in his pocket and thought, These will do nicely to cast a stone and ask for the way—find a means of making money.

At that moment, seeing Xiao Cha approach, the vendors along the street all nodded and bowed, offering up their wares.

"Officer Luo, out on patrol? Have a piece of fruit to quench your thirst~"

"Freshly baked scallion pancakes, please have a taste."

The vendors all eagerly paid their respects, and someone even gave her a basket to make carrying things easier.

By the time they had patrolled the entire street, Xiao Cha was carrying a basket full of "tributes."

Lu Li saw it but said nothing. In these times, Xiao Cha was already considered incorruptible for not extorting money.

Yet to his surprise, when they reached the end of the street, Xiao Cha set the basket down beside a group of little beggars.

These sallow, skinny little radishes immediately crowded around, their eyes glowing green.

One of them, a somewhat fairer little girl with pigtails sticking straight into the air, chirped obediently, "Thank you, Sister Xiao Cha~"

"Tong Shao, you're in charge of handing these out."

"Don't worry, Sister Xiao Cha~"

The little girl named Tong Shao deftly began distributing the things from the basket.

No matter how hungry the other children were, they still lined up obediently to receive their portions.

This was clearly not the first time. Though Wan Qing could not see, she knew what had happened. "Xiao Cha is helping those beggar children again."

Lu Li said softly, "Yes. I didn't expect her to be so kindhearted."

Wan Qing said gently, "Xiao Cha is a good person too."

At this moment, the children were wolfing down the food they had received, swallowing so hard their eyeballs bulged out.

Xiao Cha returned with a solemn expression and said in a low voice:

"There are more and more beggar children. Even a prosperous place like Jinmen is like this—doesn't the imperial court care?"

Even someone from the authorities was sighing like this. Lu Li and Wan Qing had even less of an answer.

"Forget it. Let's hurry to the Divine Heart Society."

Xiao Cha shook her head, linked arms with Wan Qing, and walked onward.

~~~~~~~~~~

Half an hour later, the three arrived at Sanchakou on the Hai River.

Seagulls skimmed across the water, and the scenery on both banks made Lu Li click his tongue in amazement.

The south bank where he stood was filled with blue-brick, tiled-roof houses, while across the river stood Western-style buildings in a classical style—the concessions of the great powers.

Buildings of different flavors and civilizations of every kind were connected by the Hai River, bearing witness to this city's history.

Admiring the scenery, they unknowingly arrived before a grand building with upturned eaves, magnificent as a palace.

It stood beside the water, tranquil amid the bustle. This was the Divine Heart Society's headquarters.

Upon arriving here, the two girls visibly grew more reserved, slowing their pace to follow behind Lu Li.

Lu Li asked, "Aren't we going to the pawnshop first?"

Xiao Cha said, "No need. The Divine Heart Society has its own Money House, where we can pawn items."

Lu Li nodded and calmly stepped over the threshold.

The first floor was a bright, spacious hall. At its center stood a large Red Sandalwood Carved Chi Case, behind which a cold-faced man in a long gown was reading a book.

An English title was printed on the spine—Brain and Nerves: Psychokinesis.

Beside him stood a Green Bronze Tripod over three chi tall. Wisps of smoke drifted from within it, giving off a faint incense fragrance that instantly cleared one's mind.

Xiao Cha took several sharp breaths and said in astonishment:

"Calming Incense! They're actually burning it so casually in the main hall!"

At this point, the cold-faced man raised his head and gave the three of them an aloof glance.

His gaze lingered briefly on Lu Li's eyes. After judging his cultivation, his expression became even more arrogant.

"Spirit Refining Realm. What business do you have here?"

Lu Li replied, "I wish to purchase a cultivation method for Meditative Entry, as well as Calming Incense."

The cold-faced man wore an expression of exactly as expected.

These people were so easily startled and had clearly never seen the world. One look told him they were Rogue Cultivators without any backing who had stumbled into a breakthrough by luck.

He casually tossed out a sheet of paper. "Register."

Lu Li lowered his head and saw that he needed to fill in his name, age, hometown, and finally swear loyalty to ruler and country, to Abide by Discipline and Law...

He immediately began writing, until he reached the age column and filled in seventeen...

The cold-faced man's expression shifted, revealing a trace of surprise!

He closed the book in his hands, then quietly touched the hollow-carved pattern at the corner of the case.

Before long, a red streak flew swiftly over. It was astonishingly a two-foot-long Peach Wood Sword!

Xiao Cha cried out excitedly, "A flying sword! There really is a flying sword!"

Wan Qing looked blankly toward the air, her pretty face revealing a yearning expression.

The Peach Wood Sword was extraordinarily nimble, as though it possessed life.

At that moment, it released hair-thin ripples that swept across Lu Li, then a magnetic male voice sounded:

[This junior's talent is quite extraordinary and rare indeed. In that case, I shall make an exception and give him some assistance.]

"Your subordinate—Wang Siqi—will respectfully obey your command, my lord!"

Wang Siqi bowed deeply. The flying sword spoke no further and flew away with a whoosh.

Wang Siqi turned to Lu Li and said in a tone that made it clear Lu Li had struck it lucky:

"That was Lord Fan's magical sword. He is a master of the Fetal Breathing Realm and most enjoys supporting the younger generation."

Hearing this, Xiao Cha's eyes shone as she pulled Wan Qing close and whispered:

"So it really is the Fetal Breathing Realm! One can move objects with the mind and sense the world! Wan Qing~ Once you reach this realm, you'll surely regain your sight!"

Wan Qing shook her head. "I haven't even entered through the door yet. How could I dare hope for such a thing... Young Master Lu is the one favored by an expert. He is the one with true talent."

Yet faced with such good fortune, Lu Li's face was as still as water.

There was no love in this world without cause. He could not shake the feeling that something was strange; this Wang fellow seemed to be plotting something...

Wang Siqi opened a drawer, took out a book and a brocade box, and said casually:

"Since Lord Fan has spoken, I'll give you the Meditative Entry cultivation method for free."

He pushed the book before Lu Li. It was precisely a copy of Pine Stillness Samadhi Method.

Xiao Cha was immensely envious. A book worth one hundred ocean dollars, given away just like that!

But Lu Li's heart had already tightened—the appetizer was over. The main course was coming next.

Sure enough, Wang Siqi opened the brocade box again, took out a glass vial, and said solemnly:

"You needn't buy Calming Incense. You are now qualified to purchase a new cultivation medicine!"

Inside the bottle were crystalline lumps resembling rock sugar, along with an old-fashioned metal syringe.

"This is a divine medicine—Ice Soul Powder. After using it, you can easily break through to the Meditative Entry realm. Our Divine Heart Society will soon promote it on a large scale."

At these words, even Wan Qing revealed an envious expression.

Xiao Cha could not help muttering, "That kid Lu is way too lucky!"

But Lu Li's brows twitched wildly. He barely restrained the urge to pull out his gun and blow this bastard's head apart!

[This is fucking meth!]

After spending five years in Mexico, he had gained little else in the way of experience, but he recognized the thing in that bottle at a glance.