Chp 15: New Goons

[SUPPRESSED THUGS: 5/1000]

“Nice…”

Mo Hong’s persuasion worked.

Still, it took her too much time just to take care of these five. However, the next batch should be a lot more. To finish this within two weeks, she had to aim to finish it in one week. It was better to be way ahead of schedule. Otherwise, one might fail the task due to the time limit.

‘Hm? Is there any punishment if I fail cause of the time limit?’

She wondered, but the notification system did not inform her. Knowing that jerk uncle immortal, it might not be something good... Well, it didn’t matter. She just had to finish it way sooner. Thinking about it… Finishing things way earlier and better, was her old habit, one she had before her cursed self emerged.

Slowly, she was recovering her old self.

“Sleepy, but not so tired now…”

She was able to entertain herself with the five for hours. It was unimaginable just a day ago. Even though she no longer had her Qi layers, with her current mental and spirit capability, she could do her work better.

Bullying, I mean, disciplining high schoolers.

“Alright, you five. Since you’re my men now… Give me everything you have… Just a show of loyalty, I won’t make things difficult for you,”

“Y-yes, my Queen…”

“I can’t hear you,”

““Yes, my Queen!!””

All five of them answered at once. With that, they gave her everything they had… their information, ID, address, contact number, social media password, secondary phone, all money, bank details… even a girlfriend’s name.

“Holy shit, Hwang, you got a girlfriend? How? When?!”

“Eh, hehe… It just so happen last week… w-we only hold hands,”

“You traitor!”

“No fair!”

“We trusted you!”

They were having a boys’ scuffle, so Yun Zhi let them be.

Since it was late, she excused herself along with the homeless uncles. Giving all of their phones back, she kept just two secondary phones for communication. Since the bald Mo Hong had an extra phone with him, she took his secondary phone as hers. The other one, she gave to old Li for security. Hm, for power… They had a power bank, so she ‘borrowed’ that as well. The park had several power outlets on the benches and pillars, so no problem there.

As for the videos taken, all had been backed up on clouds, so there was no worry.

“It’s late, so I’m going back to rest. You boys can beat yourself up for all I care. Ah, have a good bath. You guys smell… I’ll contact you later,”

“Yes, my Queen! Have a safe trip!”

“Oh, and… if you dare not answer my call or message, you know what will happen, do you?”

““W-we wouldn’t dare!!””

“Nice. Then, I’m off.”

For now, she just wanted to sleep.

As for planning for the rest of the 1000 thugs, she’ll have to ask the rest of her accomplices later. As they said, more heads were better than just one… for her head had not been able to think well for a long time.

Right now, she was just a sleepyhead.

Morning.

It was surprising.

Yun Zhi was able to wake up, along with the homeless. The aunties did wake her up, but she woke up so smoothly that she started to question whether she was dreaming or not. With her ruffled sleep hair, she took a look outside. With it still being a bit dark, with only a few lines of sunlight, it was quiet cold… but, refreshing.

This cool-mist filling the whole forest…

The chirping of birds singing in the morning…

And the rummaging of homeless people preparing their morning routine…

Ahh, waking up early is the best!

Especially when it’s a complete holiday, and you had gotten a good sleep.

I haven’t woken up early for so long…

The incident from yesterday morning, when she woke up from being fished from the lake, did not count. Back when she was still the much-admired prime disciple, she would always wake up earlier than others. She believed it was called the prime time, the time when it was the quietest, where all humans and cultivators alike did not have much chatter, whether physical or mental.

She would always wake up around half or two-thirds of the night.

It was the best time for study and reflection. Much of her mental and technical breakthroughs happened during this time. It was a time when the planet was having a unique change. What exactly it was, she had no idea. She just had that unique feeling.

Of course, the time she woke up now, was a lot later than that.

However, to normal people, it could still be considered early. In a way, she became proud of it. She used to wake up in the afternoon, making a lot of people whisper how lazy and spoiled she had become.

Now, perhaps…

She could change that perception?

“Ah well, too early to say…”

She was getting ahead of herself.

Recovery must be done slowly, not rushed. Otherwise, it could make things even worse. Her lazy inertia from her cursed days was still there. The devil’s curse was the most terrible. While that had been lifted, she still had that million curses placed on her… So her body still felt a bit heavy, making her feel lazy from time to time.

However, rather than doing nothing, she went out to see the aunties…

Sitting in a squat by a tree, she observed.

Seeing them packing up the tents to make it less obvious to the outside world, she smiled. It was quite tranquil. A life of relaxation, surrounded by nature and good-natured people. While they had no wealth, they had the heart. The incident from yesterday, they were a bit shocked, but…

“Ah, little Yun, you’re awake?”

“Aiya, this girl, why are you sitting like that? Come, come,”

“Little Yun, have some coffee…”

“Hey, she’s too young for black coffee…”

“Ehh… I’m seventeen already… Eww, bitter!”

“Ha ha, yes, yes… the young lady all grown up,”

“That’s right. Fatty, stop treating her like a child,”

“You’re one to talk, old Li!”

She rolled her eyes. There’s still this perception that she’s too young though.

But, she endured it. Not because she wanted to be polite, it was just too troublesome to change it. Well, being spoiled had its merit. It certainly felt like being pampered by everyone.

Still, the people here really had a positive vibe.

While they were a failure in the realm of making money, they still had much good side. Yesterday's event did not change the way they treated her so much. They just realized that her identity was not so simple. However, contrary to her expectation, they did not shower her with questions, nor stare at her with suspicions.

It was as if all of them already accepted the fact that, everyone had their little secret.

Perhaps it was because of the difficulty of life they had faced, they seemed even more mature than people their age. Being with them made it seem like being around people with the temperament of a grandpa and grandma… not easily provoked.

While they were gathering for a simple breakfast, they asked;

“So what’s your plan for today, little Yun?”

“Will you try contacting your big sis overseas?”

“…Maybe. I’m thinking of contacting those thugs, let them do some work,”

“Ah, little Yun… This uncle is grateful for yesterday… But will that be alright? You don’t think they’ll bring trouble?”

Fatty Qian, remembering yesterday’s event, still couldn’t believe it. From the one being the bullied, he turned out to be the one bullying the thugs. Ah, submerging them into the lake was satisfying! Still, he did not want little Yun to let her guard down around them. Who knows what they would do to her?

Little did he know, she did not regard them as security concerns at all.

They were just that weak.

Responding, she assured;

“Well, if they do… We still have those videos on several cloud servers… You know what to do, right? You can access them anywhere, even internet café,”

“Ah, right, that’s our trump card. Well, just be careful, don’t push them too far,”

“I know, I know… Anyway, uncle Li, take this…”

“Huh? What’s this for?”

She handed old Li some money she got from the thugs yesterday. It was not much, but to them homeless… It’s a lot.

“Something I borrow… Use it. Maybe some things for everyone’s breakfast… I think that’ll last a week at least,”

“A week? This could last a month!”

“Eww… don’t be stingy. Buy some eggs and veggies too… It’s painful to eat empty rice porridge…”

“Ah, right… You’re still growing… my bad,”

“Uncle Li, you’re asking for trouble…”

She had the urge to slap someone.

Fortunately, the aunties held her back. Otherwise, some old man might be seeing some star lights in the morning. With the sun coming out, she excused herself. Contacting the thug leader Mo Hong, she instructed him to give her a ride…

“Bring me a helmet too. A new one!”

“Eh, my Queen, I have an extra here…”

“I don’t wanna mix my head with yours!”

“Y-yes, my Queen! I’ll buy one just for you, right away!”

She did not want to wait, so she went to sleep by the lake while Mo Hong went to buy her a helmet. Before he arrived, he sent her a message, prompting her to move.

When she was on the way to the park’s gate, it was already bright morning.

Some visitors were walking about, some were elderly, some with children. As she was going halfway through the park, she saw a few people with Qi potential, some with Qi-senses already awakened, and some with Qi-body. It was a Murim world, after all, they couldn’t be too weak.

However, a certain person near the lake attracted her.

It was an elder, doing Tai Chi by himself. Moving slowly yet gracefully, he was like an otherworldly grandpa. To common people, his elegant movement invoked certain awe and admiration. Looking down from her high position, she recognized him as having several Qi layers.

By estimate, he should be at fourth Qi layer.

‘Is that considered high or not here? Maybe mid-rank? Meh, nevermind…’

A fourth Qi layer was worth nothing back in her world.

She defeated countless teenagers of that level when she was barely six or seven. As for this world’s rankings, she could do some research on the net later. Ruining her morning by being caught watching a stranger? Nope, just avoid any for now, especially one stronger than the current her.

She would rather enjoy the scenery… It was a tranquil and relaxing atmosphere, fitting for a park. Since it was workdays, there weren’t many people.

Wait, workdays?

When she met with Mo Hong, he was at attention. Standing by his superbike, he bowed 90 degrees while shouting;

“My Queen, I’ve done your order!”

“Pipe down, will you? You’re embarrassing me… By the way, don’t you have school?”

“School? Ah, it’s holidays now. So I can spend time outside. Here, my Queen,”

Handing her a brand new helmet, she put it on.

The pink helmet was comfy, and clean too. Since it was a good brand, the helmet had toughness and comfort mixed well together. Not to mention, it looked good too, but…

“Eh, why pink?”

“S-sorry? I thought you like pink?” He looked at her pink shirt, the one shouting “I’m Queen!”.

“Not really… It’s just, I don’t have other shirts. Speaking of which,”

That reminded her.

She needed to buy some stuff… including essential things. She also noticed that the park had a large washroom just outside, equipped with some shower rooms. There were toilets inside the park, but not a shower room. Thinking about it, why did she have to take a bath in the fountain yesterday?

Old Li… really need some spanking.

Then again, it might be locked at the time, so no need to blame him.

‘I need to find a place soon, but,’

So she thought.

However, she still found it comfortable there. Maybe she would stay for a few more days… just for the experience. With her ability, finding a proper job with good enough pay to provide a living wouldn’t be difficult. However, she loved the surroundings.

‘I’ll think about it after dealing with the thugs,’

Better finish the mission first. Thinking about it, she turned to Mo Hong.

“I’m buying essentials. Just bring me to a good market, nothing fancy… since I’ll be using your money,”

“Y-yes, my Queen!”

With him taking the helm, she rode on his superbike.

While Mo Hong had some expectation, being able to perhaps gain some skinship, she didn’t latch onto him. Placing her knee on his back, she dozed off…

“M-my Queen… I don’t think sleeping on a bike is such a wise…”

“Shut up and drive. I’m not sleeping.”

“Y-yes!”

She sure did not.

It was just her habit of ‘conserving energy’. Occasionally, she opened her eyes to enjoy the scenery. However, it was just one eye. The other eye kept being shut, resting. She alternated them regularly. While her condition had improved, the cursed condition still had the effect of millions of curses. Sometimes, she just had to rest.

With that, they went to buy things.

It was just a regular morning market. Shirts and trousers, proper clothing… Mo Hong also recommended to her some biker’s jackets and jeans. Since they looked better than expected, she gladly took them. Later, they shop for a portable water filter, towel, soap, and shampoos. And because she was a cultivator, she could control her womanly needs, so she did not need those extra hygiene products.

However, some good blankets and pillows were a must!

These were the essentials of life!

Sleep is life!

Sleep is eternal!

You don’t sleep?

Then you ain’t living!

“M-my queen, are you buying these?”

“Of course. I need these babies. Why, you don’t agree?”

Holding both pillows and the thick blanket, she defended her purchase as if defending her chastity. How dare this goon put forth such a question? Courting death!

“N-no, nothing like that! Just to remind you… We’re riding a bike, my Queen…”

“Eh, just call someone to take them back to the park. Do it secretly, like going to a picnic or something. Call old Li later to take them,”

“The park? Why?”

“I’m staying there, for now at least,”

“Y-you’re staying in the park?”

It was beyond expectation. He thought she was just living nearby… It turned out she lived right there. Wait, did she really say so? With her ability, she was no doubt a Murim person. She knocked all of them out easily.

A Murim person could earn so much money in such a short time. But, why was she staying there, and where could she be staying in that vast park?

Is she an Immortal?

No, maybe she’s hiding from her enemy?

“Don’t worry about money. I’ll pay you back later,”

“N-no! That’s not what I’m worrying about… but, rather than money… C-can you hit me in return?”

“With my fist?”

She made a cruel face, teeth-gnashing, and fists crackling.

She didn’t expect this guy to have such a hobby. Looking at him as if human trash, she was as if a young lady fighter, preparing to knock a perverse man out with her Muay Thai. Seeing he was about to get trashed, Mo Hong defended his request;

“Wait! D-didn’t my Queen tell me… that those hits are good for us? I just thought,”

“Oh, so that’s what you mean… You wanna be a Murim person?”

“Y-yes! I’ve read on some websites… to become a martial artist, one’s Qi vein must be suitable. If not, all hard work… for nothing! Zero, nada, nein! I suspect mine was just like everyone else, not suitable,”

“Hm…”

This guy had a deep interest in martial arts.

When he was a child, he had asked his stern father for permission to join a martial arts class. After four months in the class, the teacher there confirmed that… he was not suitable. What was it called, aptitude or talent? His veins were too thick and congested, not allowing Qi to flow well. At best, he could only reach a third-rate warrior with his talent... but even that, could take 30 or 40 years!

This caused him depression for the rest of the year. He had to bury his dream of becoming a fearsome martial artist from then on.

His childhood dream…

And now, someone capable, said she could perhaps allow him to join such a world! If he did not grab her thick thigh right here, right now, he would perhaps regret it for the rest of his life!

Thick thigh saves life!

“Well, that’s not wrong… but, you’re a thug,”

“A thug?”

He blanked out, trying hard to understand what his Queen actually meant. Soon, he understood. She did not wish to help someone with questionable principles… even if he was her goon.

After all, he might abuse such power.

“Ah, my Queen, I’ll change! I will change! I won’t cause trouble for you, the elderly, and any others anymore… promise! From now on, for you, my Queen, I’ll be a warrior of justice!”

“Hmm, well, no need to be so extreme. But, if you’re sincere, I don’t see why not…”

“R-really? So my Queen… my request?”

“Eh, I’ll consider it, if you help me out. I need to do something first,”

“Anything for my Queen!”

So he said.

Never did he suspect, if he would ever regret those words…