Zhao Yan's arm ached from being shaken by Roman, so he quickly pulled his hand away and gave a dry laugh.
"You're too kind, you're too kind..."
Roman quickly stepped aside, pushing Zhao Yan and Xin An toward the main seats.
"Come, come, sit here, sit here!"
"The captain is changing clothes and will be out soon!"
"Everyone, let's eat first and chat while we eat! I'm exhausted after a long day and starving!"
After saying that, he plopped back down, grabbed the dishes on the table, and stuffed them directly into his mouth.
Oil dripped down his fingers and onto his clothes, but he didn't care, chewing with his mouth full of oil.
Seeing this, the others didn't say anything.
It's normal for Eagle Country to eat with their hands since they don't use chopsticks.
The Clown was already chatting and laughing with Jamie and Allen Dick.
Liu Ruyan and Shadow sat quietly in the corner, one sulking and the other watching the commotion.
The remaining three, Zhao Yan, Xin An, and Roman, ate while discussing serious matters.
"Vice Captain Roman."
Zhao Yan picked up his wine glass and asked calmly.
"What exactly is going on in Soul Return Town? Who's celebrating a happy occasion?"
Roman took a big gulp of wine and wiped his mouth.
"Phoenix Emperor! The ruler of Soul Return Town, the Painting Saint!"
He held up a greasy finger.
"Her groom selection contest officially begins tomorrow at noon."
"The ultimate winner..."
He took another swig and let out a burp.
"Not only will I be able to marry the Phoenix Emperor, but I'll also receive two Spirit Artifacts! I heard they're top-grade!"
Zhao Yan and Xin An Time Stop eating.
Two top-grade Spirit Artifact?
How can I participate?
Xin An asked eagerly.
Roman's face turned bright red, and his tongue was practically slurred, but his interest only grew stronger.
He slammed his hand on the table, spitting as he spoke.
"Don't rush, guys! Let me explain!"
Anyone with more than fifty taels of silver in their pocket can participate! No distinction between men and women!
"In addition, Phoenix Emperor will also bring in some outstanding participants from outside."
"Those people have invitations; they can attend without paying fifty taels!"
He started counting on his fingers.
"The first stage is a competition based on one day's performance! The top two from each industry advance!"
"The second stage is a competition of management and recruitment abilities!"
"It's a competition to see who can recruit more people to the Ox-Horse Factory!"
To put it bluntly, it's about acting as an intermediary! The top four advance!
"In the third stage, which is the finals, Phoenix Emperor will personally test us!"
Zhao Yan and Xin An exchanged a glance and slowly nodded.
I see.
It seems I must get fifty taels of silver notes before noon tomorrow.
Zhao Yan was about to raise his glass in a toast when he suddenly felt something was amiss.
He thought about it for a long time and finally figured out the thought that made him uneasy.
It's so peaceful here.
Since entering the town, apart from that close chase, they have encountered almost no real threats.
They had plenty of food and drink, rules and professions, and even brothels were thriving.
This hardly resembles a yellow-level danger zone.
It's just an ordinary ancient town.
"Vice Captain Roman."
Zhao Yan put down his wine glass and stared at Roman's somewhat dazed eyes.
"What exactly is going on in this Soul Return Town?"
Are the townspeople here human or ghosts?
Roman let out a burp and chuckled.
"Haha... well..."
He shook his head, as if trying to sober up, but he was clearly quite drunk.
"Sorry, buddy, the captain told us not to tell."
"But don't worry, it's very safe here."
"Of course, the prerequisite is that the performance targets are met on time!"
He patted Zhao Yan on the shoulder and lowered his voice, as if sharing a secret.
"After all, in a sense... we are competitors, aren't we?"
Xin An's eyes darted around.
He astutely picked up on the message in Roman's words: his competitor.
It seems the Eagle Country also wants those two top-grade Spirit Artifact.
Although he didn't want to engage in such platitudes, time was of the essence.
China knew nothing about Soul Return Town.
They must figure out the rules and secrets here in the shortest possible time.
Let him be the villain.
"Vice Captain Roman."
Xin An picked up her wine glass, smiled, and leaned closer.
"Of course we understand discipline."
"But we're all human, so let's support each other in this other world."
"I'm particularly interested in those two Spirit Artifacts. Even if I don't participate in the competition, it would be good to broaden my horizons."
"What are the names of those two top-grade Spirit Artifact? What are their functions?"
"Xin An!"
Zhao Yan frowned upon seeing this, wanting to stop it; this was too unfair!
But Xin An gave me a look.
Captain, we don't have enough time.
"Well..."
Zhao Yan was silent for a moment, then sighed and turned to chat with Jamie and the others, covering for Xin An.
Roman was already completely drunk and had no idea what was going on. He put his arm around Xin An's shoulder and slurred his words.
"Those two Spirit Artifacts... are extremely important!"
"For this matter, one of our team members went undercover..."
Xin An's heart raced a little, but she remained outwardly calm.
"As for the name and function... I've heard the captain mention them..."
"Like..."
Roman leaned closer to his ear, his voice growing softer and softer.
"Let's call it..."
What's your name?
Xin An held her breath.
Roman, his eyes glazed with drunkenness, stared at Xin An, his mouth agape, "Let's call it... call it Mountain..."
But just as he was about to speak!
Whoosh!
A silk ribbon flew from the back of the box and sealed Roman's mouth.
He swallowed back the words he was about to say.
Roman's eyes widened, and he made a series of muffled noises.
He collapsed onto the table, snoring loudly.
Xin An was taken aback and was about to turn around.
Then, he felt a fragrant breeze waft towards him.
A soft sensation invaded him from behind, enveloping his entire spine.
"This guy, trying to trick my deputy captain into revealing information on their turf..."
That's a bit unfair!
A seductive female voice gently rang in Xin An's ear.
Everyone in the private room froze, turning to look at the door.
A blonde, blue-eyed woman with a Devils figure stood behind Xin An, embracing him from behind.
She wore a bright red off-shoulder robe, her long golden hair cascading over her shoulders, and her face adorned with ancient makeup.
Those captivating eyes were now looking at Xin An with a teasing and playful expression.
Second on the Novice Ranking: Aeria.
Or rather, the top courtesan of the Green Moon Tower, the girl Aeria.
At this moment, Xin An, who was being embraced by her, was as stiff as a stone.
Because he could clearly feel those two soft mounds pressed against his back without any obstruction.
This unobstructed tactile sensation made Xin An instantly realize something.
Aeria wasn't wearing anything underneath her robes!
Enter during the open space!
Xin An, a middle-aged bachelor who had never been so close to a woman before, suddenly felt a surge of excitement rush to his head.
He was trembling all over, not from fear, but from extreme tension and excitement.
The softness and fragrance he had never experienced before almost took his breath away.
"I... I..."
Xin An stammered.
Feeling guilty, he dared not forcefully push the other person away, and could only stand there, his whole body tense.
"Tell me, how are you going to compensate me?"
Aeria playfully blew a fragrant breeze into Xin An's ear.
Xin An shuddered, feeling a tingling sensation on half of her body.
At this moment, he dared not think about any top-grade Spirit Artifact; his mind was filled with nothing but how to get rid of this vixen.
"It's my... it's my fault."
"One person does the deed, one person takes the blame."
"I'll give you any compensation you want, as long as I don't betray China!"
Xin An said in a trembling voice.
Upon hearing this, Aeria's mocking gaze intensified.
She licked her lips.
"Oh~ You said it yourself, any price is acceptable~"
"Then... keep me company tonight~"
"Perfect... I've never experienced what S-class body feels like before~"
The fragrant breeze brushed past Xin An's ears, not only taking away the last bit of Xin An sanity but also nearly stopping his heartbeat.
He was shaking like a leaf.
Although he had experienced countless life-and-death situations in the Barbaric Realm, this scene was truly like a young woman getting married!
For the first time.
Even if there's a voice inside your head saying...
This is a genius ranked second on the list!
Only inferior to geniuses who need no further explanation!
Even sacrificing myself wouldn't be a loss!
However, his physical and moral principles ultimately allowed his reason to prevail.
He stammered, almost crying as he spoke.
"Miss Aeria... I... I'm almost forty years old, I'm too old, it's not appropriate..."
"It's really not suitable."
"You... you are so magnanimous, please find someone else."
"Oh~ What if I... don't mind your age, and actually like your type?"
Aeria chuckled softly, her hands beginning to wander restlessly over Xin An's chest.
Her body even rubbed against his back gently a couple of times.
Xin An felt her mind go completely blank.
The sensation of that gap filled him with both excitement and fear.
The torment of wavering between reason and instinct made his heart almost leap out of his chest.
Even if he is a battle-hardened S-class superhuman.
At that moment, he was completely captivated.
He was completely limp; if Aeria hadn't been holding him, he probably would have collapsed to the ground.
The sensory stimulation and psychological torment caused him to feel an unprecedented sense of collapse.
However, just when Xin An felt desperate and was even ready to accept her fate.
Just as Aeria was dawdling for those two moments...
That god -Godslayer Spear...
Oh no, it seems to be something that shouldn't exist.
He nudged Xin An from Xin An without realizing it.
"..."
Xin An stiffly turned his head to look at the woman who was now watching him with a playful smile.
Two seconds later.
"Holy crap..."
Xin An let out a desperate wail.
In that instant, he wished he had been stabbed with a knife instead.
That kind of blow even surpassed the fear one felt when facing Evil God.
After experiencing the highs and lows, the joys and sorrows of life.
At this moment, Xin An, the vice-captain of the Sharp Blade Squad, finally bid farewell to his non-existent youth.
That Miss Aeria had once filled him with endless imagination, ranked second on the Novice Ranking...
He's not just a man!
And...
This guy with the groove is a cross-dresser with no cleavage!
Both physiologically and psychologically.
He completely gave in.