"Mr. Dai, there are countless master profiteers in this Vervacity - why come to me? To be blunt, my tattooing technique can't save lives. I'm afraid I can do nothing for your granddaughter." I declined temporarily, waiting to see how Mr. Dai would respond.
At that moment, Mr. Dai produced a note and handed it to me. I unfolded it with suspicion, reading: "Grandpa, don't send anyone after me unless it's Roger. I don't want to involve others - but he's different. I'd be happy if he died!"
Reading those words nearly brought tears to my eyes. The girl's heart was truly cruel. After all this? Here I am trying to save her - what's wrong with me?
"Mr. Tang, Daphne specifically requested you. Do you find this... convenient? Money isn't an issue," Mr. Dai said.
I shook my head. Said I wasn't stupid, absolutely wouldn't go, resolutely refused! Cursing me to death while expecting me to save her? No way! Mr. Dai should hire someone else!
Just find someone to drag her back by force - no need to reason with her. I'd probably die on that mountain if I went - terrible deal. And that Daphne girl wouldn't even appreciate it. I won't do such thankless work.
As I firmly refused, Mr. Dai had no choice but to prepare to leave, leaning on his cane while subordinates assisted him. Just then, he muttered: "That million Daphne left behind will be used to hire someone else then."
"Wait, Mr. Dai! Don't rush off - please, have a seat!"
Hearing "one million" made my eyes light up instantly. I hurriedly asked about the money.
Mr. Dai explained that when Daphne left, fearing she might not return, she'd set aside a million. If she didn't come back within three days, this money would be used to hire me for her rescue.
"Ah, Daphne's a good girl - never wanting to burden the family with her affairs. Using her own money to save herself... but alas, you refuse to go!" Mr. Dai sighed.
"Who said I wouldn't go? How could I not? Daphne and I are the closest of friends! If she's in trouble, I'll help! I'd give my life for her without hesitation!" I puffed out my chest, putting on my most heroic, self-sacrificing expression.
This only earned me a room full of contemptuous stares and eye-rolls. Even the little fox snorted, barely suppressing laughter. I had no choice but to rub my face sheepishly, hiding my embarrassment.
Truthfully, I couldn't fathom Daphne's thoughts. Leaving me a note cursing me, then leaving money for me to save her? What exactly was she thinking?
But for me, it didn't matter. What's most important? Money - always money!
A woman's heart is as fathomless as the sea. Why fish for her heart? Could I ever catch it?
"Very well, since I've agreed, it's all thanks to Mr. Tang. I'll transfer half the deposit now, and the remainder upon your return!" With these words, Mr. Dai requested my account details and transferred five hundred thousand.
This unexpected windfall brought me one step closer to seeing Grandpa again. I needed to rescue him first, then confront my father about the truth of his claims.
"I trust Mr. Tang will depart promptly and return with Daphne. Thank you, and I await your good news." Having said this, Mr. Dai took his leave.
"Little Boss, are you really going?" Stein asked as he trotted up beside me.
I'd already taken the money - was there any choice? Backing out now would make me nothing but a liar.
Stein scratched his head, his expression troubled. "We're just tattoo artists, not proper Erebus profiteers or Daoist priests who exorcise spirits. That Zhongnan Mountain is genuinely dangerous - Mr. Dai wasn't exaggerating."
"That mountain was a major battleground back in the day. Can anyone count how many died there? Wars raged with hundreds of thousands, millions of soldiers clashing. The dead were beyond numbering, the ghosts equally countless. That's why Zhongnan Mountain is perpetually shrouded in miasma - the yin energy has grown too dense."
"There must be ghosts there, and other demons besides. Those who enter either emerge dead or mad. No amount of money is worth this risk!"
Stein grew increasingly agitated, even suggesting I return Mr. Dai's payment to preserve my life. "Money can always be earned later," he pleaded.
I refused. Withdrawing now would be dishonorable. In our profession, reputation and trustworthiness matter equally. "If I must die this time, so be it. Besides, I'm bringing Daphne back - her condition is ultimately my responsibility. Were it not for me, Nuwa's Forsaken Shade would never have targeted her."
If Daphne had the courage to go, then I'd see this Zhongnan Mountain for myself - discover what truly lurked there.
Unable to dissuade me, Stein slumped down with a heavy sigh. The man was timid by nature, though this time I couldn't blame him - Zhongnan Mountain did sound perilous.
I told him, "If you don't wish to go, everyone can stay behind. I'll proceed alone."
Antonio feared no danger. "Wherever you go, I follow," he declared. "What matter if we traverse mountains of blades or seas of fire?"
The little fox showed no fear either. Ever playful and gluttonous, she seemed eager to explore Zhongnan Mountain. "A fox only lives once - no room for cowardice," she reasoned. "Besides, it's good cultivation practice."
Faced with this, Stein could hardly back out. Reluctantly, he agreed to accompany us, though not without stipulating, "The moment we find Daphne, we leave immediately. Not a second longer."
"Of course," I agreed. "Once we have her, we depart without delay. There's no reason to linger." But before setting out, I needed to settle scores with that Nuwa's Forsaken Shade. "She's too cunning, too ruthless. If Daphne dies this time, I'll make that creature pay with her life!"
In the middle of the night, Antonio infiltrated the Lam family's estate. Within moments, I heard a few muffled grunts, and then Antonio messaged me on WeChat: The Lam family's guards have been taken care of.
Good. Antonio was the man. He'd gone in over the wall, and I'd started counting—in less than ten minutes, all the Lam family's guards had been dealt with, one by one.
Then came a message from the little fox, who had transformed and slipped inside. Almost all the rooms are empty, she reported. Only one is occupied—by a man… or a woman.
I frowned. Mr. Lam wasn't there? Where had he gone? The woman in that room had to be Nuwa's Forsaken Shade, right?
I climbed in as well and made my way to that room. Without hesitation, I kicked the door open.
"You're here?" A sly voice greeted me. "I knew you'd come to see me."
Before I could respond, the lights flicked on with a pop. Nuwa's Forsaken Shade lay sprawled across the bed, wearing a sheer nightgown. When she saw me, she stretched out her long, slender legs, a smirk playing on her lips.
"You knew I was coming?" I asked, suspicious. The woman was undeniably alluring.
"Of course." She tilted her head, fingers toying with her hair. "You should've guessed it was me. And you were bound to come after me. But before you do anything… why not have some fun? Mr. Lam isn't here tonight." Her voice dropped to a whisper, dripping with suggestion. "It's more exciting this way, don't you think?"