Xiao Hen took the elevator straight to the tenth floor and knocked on the door of office 1003.
Bang, bang, bang...
"Come in!"
Xiao Hen pushed the door open and saw Ying Caihong seated in the boss's chair. She had gray-white hair, one black eye and one yellow eye, and a gentle smile on her face. When she saw Xiao Hen enter, her gaze fixed tightly on him as she softly asked, "Who are you?"
"Hello, Madam Ying. To get straight to the point, I'm here to join the Spirit Cultivation Society!" Xiao Hen said directly. That was the Side Quest; he had to join the Spirit Cultivation Society before he could complete the subsequent tasks.
"Join the Spirit Cultivation Society?" A cold glint flashed through Ying Caihong's eyes. Her public identity was the chairman of Global Mining Group, while the Spirit Cultivation Society was an organization she had established in secret. Anyone who knew of something this confidential clearly knew quite a bit.
"Who are you? Do you think you can join the Spirit Cultivation Society just because you want to?" Before Ying Caihong could speak, a dyed-haired young woman beside her sneered.
Xiao Hen turned to look at her. He knew this girl. In the movie, she had protected Ying Caihong many times and saved her life more than once. She was the personal bodyguard Ying Caihong had brought from Japan, named Yoko.
"I have long heard of the Supreme Master's great name and admired her for a long time. I came specifically to visit this time, hoping to join the Spirit Cultivation Society. Madam Ying, I am very sincere." Xiao Hen spoke earnestly.
"Hmph!" Yoko sneered. "Do you think the Supreme Master would let a stranger like you casually join the organization?"
Ying Caihong smiled faintly. "I don't know where you heard about the Spirit Cultivation Society, but Yoko is right. Not just anyone who pops up can join. Those qualified to join are either sons of wealthy families or descendants of the powerful. What about you? What do you have?"
With his hands in his pockets, Xiao Hen smiled slightly. "I've learned some martial arts. I hope to join the Spirit Cultivation Society and receive the Supreme Master's power-guidance, so that I can gain even greater strength."
Before Ying Caihong could respond, the girl beside her stood up. "You? You know martial arts?" Her face was full of disbelief.
"I heard Miss Yoko is very capable in a fight and serves as Madam Ying's personal bodyguard?" Xiao Hen raised his hands and looked at Yoko. "In that case, why don't we give it a try?"
"Of course!"
As soon as Yoko spoke, she leaped forward and lashed out with a whip-like kick.
Bang!
Xiao Hen raised an arm to block it. Feeling the tremendous force transmitted through his arm, he found that this girl had decent strength and fast attack speed. No wonder she could become Ying Caihong's bodyguard.
When Yoko felt her attack being blocked, she switched tactics and began attacking in every possible way. Fists, palms, whip kicks, regular kicks, even knee strikes—all of them came out.
Bang, bang, bang...
However, Xiao Hen blocked every move. With a burst of force, he knocked aside Yoko's rear kick. Xiao Hen smiled faintly. After defending for so long, he finally began to attack.
"I'm attacking now. Be careful!"
His foot stomped heavily against the floor, and he shot forward, arriving before Yoko just as she regained her balance. His hand curled into a claw and reached for her shoulder.
"Damn it..."
Yoko's expression changed. Xiao Hen's clawing hand was incredibly fast. She had no time to defend or block. Left with no choice, Yoko lowered her head and rolled backward across the floor in an ungraceful tumble, narrowly evading Xiao Hen's claw strike.
"Run? You can't get away."
Xiao Hen swept a leg low across the floor. Yoko braced a hand against the ground and flipped with surprising flexibility. After catching her breath, she steadied herself off to the side and glared viciously at Xiao Hen.
Yet Xiao Hen's attacks came again. His fists and palms struck out in rapid succession. Yoko blocked them step by step, but Xiao Hen caught an opening, seized her arm, halted her continuous defense, and punched her in the abdomen. Then he grabbed her by the throat. The battle had been decided.
"Madam Ying Caihong, what do you think of my skills? There shouldn't be any problem with me serving as your bodyguard, right?" Xiao Hen turned toward Ying Caihong. "Although you have Miss Yoko protecting you, I imagine you wouldn't refuse having another expert by your side, would you?"
Ying Caihong concealed the shock in her eyes. Yoko was already very strong, yet Xiao Hen had defeated her so easily. His strength truly was formidable. Having someone like him protect her would be excellent. Ying Caihong felt a surge of delight, but there were still some things she needed to clarify.
"Of course I won't refuse, but I have one final question!" Ying Caihong rose from her seat and asked, "How did you know about the Goddess Tomb?"
Xiao Hen released his hand from Yoko's throat. The moment she was free, Yoko attacked again, throwing a punch at Xiao Hen's head. Xiao Hen retreated half a step, caught her swinging arm with one hand, and flung her away. She landed on a sofa not far away.
Yoko sprang back up and wanted to continue attacking Xiao Hen, but Ying Caihong stopped her with a shout. "Stop, Yoko!"
"Yes, Supreme Master!" Yoko glared at Xiao Hen, then turned and walked to Ying Caihong's side.
"How did I know about the Goddess Tomb? Naturally, there's a reason."
Xiao Hen clapped his hands, slipped them back into his pockets, and took a few steps as he said, "I'm from the mainland. Since I was young, I've loved practicing martial arts and reading ancient texts. Once, I happened to find a book recording strange events that occurred on Grassland Goddess Mountain. After much searching, I finally found the legends concerning Princess Augu and the Flower of the Other Shore. Princess Augu, who bore the name of a goddess, could wield the Flower of the Other Shore's power. According to legend, she was a priestess with special abilities. And Supreme Master, you must also be able to use the Flower of the Other Shore's power. That is why I came to Hong Kong, hoping to join the Spirit Cultivation Society you founded. I only hope that after you obtain the Flower of the Other Shore, you can guide me and allow me to gain greater strength."
As Xiao Hen spoke, his face was filled with fanaticism.
Ying Caihong's eyelids twitched. She had been keeping an eye on the Goddess Tomb for a long time, but she had been unable to obtain its exact location and thus had no way in. A wave of piercing pain seemed to rise in her mind as well. She knew she had no time to waste. Just as the young man before her had placed his hopes on the legendary Flower of the Other Shore, Ying Caihong had also pinned her last hope of survival on it. She hoped to obtain it as soon as possible.
"Fine, I agree to your request to join the Spirit Cultivation Society. Your task will be to protect me!" Ying Caihong ultimately could not bear to let a martial artist as powerful as Xiao Hen leave. No one would ever complain about having another bodyguard of such strength. Besides, searching for the Flower of the Other Shore would require entering a tomb. If danger arose then, Yoko alone might not be able to handle it. With this young man joining them, her safety would be much better assured.
"Thank you, Supreme Master!" Xiao Hen smiled, lowered his head slightly, and bowed to Ying Caihong.
The Side Quest was already half complete. Next, as long as he stayed by Ying Caihong's side and waited for the Plot to unfold, he would naturally enter the Goddess Tomb.
Perhaps I can also use Ying Caihong to replenish the firearms and ammunition I lack.
Xiao Hen thought to himself.
There's only one chapter today. I have something to go out for, so I'll make up the chapter owed today tomorrow. Yes, three chapters tomorrow!
Before you continue