Chp 29: Young Friends

A green cloth choker, landed gently on her hand.

“What’s this?”

Auto Self-Preservation Talisman (choker form)

Grade: Superior.

Special: Auto-recharge (24 hours)

Description: Auto-activates when you turned unconscious in a dangerous situation.

Minor regen. Will execute fight or flight based on circumstances. Wear this on your neck.

“This is… amazing stuff!”

Is this for real?

This is a life-saving treasure!

For that jerk uncle immortal to be so considerate… Was I wrong all along?

And this is just a reward for a side mission… No, is this just a newbie package of sorts?

Ramping her rusty brain for a bit, she hummed in pleasure. For what reason would that uncle immortal be so considerate? She had no idea, but good stuff was good stuff… This talisman even had a minor regen, truly valuable!

Ah, probably just to push me a bit more?

I am a bit afraid to die…

That was an understatement.

She was quite cautious. Though she came from a higher world, she realized she was not invincible. There were just too many things here that could kill her off. Even with her Jade Qilin Transformation Method, the modern world actually had many terrible weapons she had to consider. Well, it might be a different case if she had all her thirteen Qi layers…

Chemical weapons, deadly poisons, bunker buster, nuke…

Bioweapons too… Dangerous stuff…

Well, with this at least I wouldn’t get captured so easily…

From her ‘education’, she knew getting captured could be even worse than dying. Torture was no joke. For female cultivators, the humiliation would be unbearable. No one would think you could stay clean after being captured, especially by vile forces.

Still, how would this talisman perform? She had never heard of such a talisman before. She had mastered earth-class talisman-making prior to the curse, but she had no idea this kind of talisman existed. Did this mean it was either a heaven-class talisman or higher?

The effect should be wonderful!

The special was even an auto-recharge, more convenient than rechargeable ones.

“Didn’t he say something about balance or whatnot… Ah, this one’s not about power…”

For those below Yuan Ying, there were four basic talisman classes.

Mortal, Spirit, Earth, and Heaven… For every class upgrade, the price could go even up to ten times or more. And for every special attribute, could multiply the value many times over.

Talisman’s rank was not just about power.

It was more about its practicality and quality. From offense to defense, stealth to detection, and even more complex ones, having a talisman could change the dynamics of an operation or battle. That was the reason why she was carrying thousands of talismans inside her storage ring, but… that uncle immortal took everything.

How could you!

Talismans aren’t cheap!

“Aii, patience… He’s just doing his duty… but this talisman sure looks complicated,”

With an adequate understanding of talisman making, she knew how to make many types of them. However, this one had her in complete confusion. It was above her understanding. Seeing this, she knew the value would be astronomical. It exuded a refreshing aroma, acting as aromatherapy, a massage for her mind. In addition, its special was a complete beast, making it even more valuable than any normal heaven-class talisman...

Auto-recharge!

Even better than rechargeable!

The more complex a talisman was, the more demanding and costly the making process would be. For example, a rechargeable talisman could cost a hundred times more than its normal one. Xiao Lin’s cleansing talisman was just a high-end mortal-class talisman, but with it being rechargeable, the price had gone above spirit-class, comparable to an earth-class.

Back then, because the effect was wonderful, Xiao Lin gritted her teeth and used all her savings at the time. Yun Zhi was aware of this, that was why she almost scolded her back then…

And to think she bought it, just for her…

“Lin lin… I miss you, uwu…”

Holding the cleansing talisman in her hand, she could not help but remember Xiao Lin.

Yun Zhi, being the heir to the sect, was in no shortage of talismans. Yet having received Xiao Lin’s treasured talisman, she felt as if fresh air entering her lungs. It was an indescribable feeling.

Ring---

Just as Yun Zhi became a bit absorbed, she received a call from the elder. He mentioned that ‘her friends’ will be there soon, so she made preparation. Calling the front desk, she asked them to prepare to greet her visitors with some refreshments.

“Chocolates, creampuffs, fruits, chips, chicken… juice and drinks. Plus… whatever you think would make them happy,”

“Understood young lady, we’ll prepare everything. Anything else?”

“That’s all. Just make sure they’re welcomed,”

“We definitely will do so,”

While she had her reservations about meeting others from Murim, she knew she had to do so sooner or later. Well, these guys were just youngsters, how intimidating could they be? Since these guys were the elder’s trusted men, it was better to make them feel welcome…

Well, first, time to try out this refreshing choker…

...

“Blue, this… really the place?”

“It sure is,”

“Feel… out of place,”

“I know right? What to do, we’re just hunting dogs for the rich,”

“Don’t… say that,”

A girl and a boy, with black and blue casual dress respectively, stood in front of the East Guard Residence.

They were carrying two bags. The girl was carrying a gig bag while the boy was carrying a laptop bag. From afar, they looked a bit amazed by the giant luxury building, wondering if they had arrived at the right place. Seeing them, the guards greeted them politely, asking for their purpose. At the mention of young lady Yun, the guards led them in.

As soon as they got in, Manager Lee welcomed them with four other staff. Leading them up, he made sure to warm up to them, making them feel welcome. As they went up, the scenery through the elevator took their breath away. The water-theme park, the golden palace, the shining lakes, and the sun on the horizon… While they had seen luxury before, it was all corporate buildings or hotels.

For a residence to have such grandeur…

“This residence… five-star?”

“Ah yes, miss Mia. It is indeed five-star. Have you been to one before?”

“Only… hotels,”

“Mia didn’t travel much, please excuse her looking all dumb, Manager Lee… Ouch!”

Blue held his right foot, as if suffering a blow, while the manager just laughed it off.

The two, called Mia and Blue, were Yun Zhi’s young friends the elder had mentioned. With the task of investigating the thermal cameras in her room, they had arrived post-haste.

When the elevator door opened, Manager Lee rang the bell button. Within a few seconds, the front door opened, revealing Yun Zhi in a casual white shirt and pants.

She saw there were only two guests, making her curious;

“Eh… only you two? The others?”

“They can’t make it, sorry Yun Yun. Class and stuff. Said they’ll make up to you somehow,”

“Well, it’s fine either way. Ah, thanks for the work, Manager Lee,”

“It’s a pleasure, young lady,”

Yun Zhi and Blue exchanged casual greetings in front of Manager Lee, as if they were already friends. Bidding him goodbye, the three went in and closed the door. Only after the elevator went down, Blue introduced;

“Nice to meet you, miss Yun. We’re from MSD… Murim Security Division. Our leader got a call from the elder, ah, your... grandpa? Well, I’m Blue, my pal here is Mia,”

“Nice… to meet chu’, ops,”

“Please excuse our Mia, she’s a bit awkward to new people…”

“Nice to meet you two, but… Mind if I take a look at your ID? You two seemed a bit, you know, no offense,”

“—Young? Haha, no problem, here.”

The two showed her their IDs.

Blue had a rather carefree appearance, seemingly looking younger than he should be. With black hair and a blue shirt, he could pose as a high-schooler anywhere. Looking at his ID, he should be 21, and Mia should be 19. Mia had an adorable, innocent look. Her eyes seemed curious as she scanned her luxurious surroundings. Her silver hair, seemingly dyed, reflected a bit of light as she walked. Her pair of eyes were luxurious green, as if wearing contacts.

For special operatives, they sure were young and unusual, leaving Yun Zhi in a bit of doubt. At a glance, they looked like teenagers still in the rebellious phase. Did they have the necessary training? Then again, the elder did say he was sending young people…

This close, she could tell their level without a doubt. Blue had awakened his Qi-sense, and Mia already had a Qi-body. They were third and second-rate warriors, respectively. A bit immature-looking, but they were indeed Murim people.

But, could they do their job?

Sensing Yun Zhi’s doubt, Blue was quick to add;

“Don’t worry, miss Yun. We might not look like it, but we have the skills… for our field. For our batch, we’re quite good. I’m an expert in technical stuff… Mia here is good in maneuvering and combat… she’s bad at direction though, thus her name—Ow, ow… hey!”

“Control… your mouth,”

“My bad, my bad… Stop!”

Getting pinched by Mia, Blue admitted his fault. Seeing the two being relaxed in her presence, Yun Zhi sighed with relief. Though young, these two gave her a good vibe, better than normal people. Perhaps they were more reliable than she thought?

Why did she think so? Well, her eyes could tell people apart… not accurately, but…

What made her feel better being with them, was simple…

Their height was around hers.

Nice, no higher than me!

They must be nice people!

“Since the two of you are my friends, please be comfortable with me. Call me Yun or Yun Yun.”

“Very well then, miss Yun… Ah, just call me Blue.”

“Call me… Mia, Yun?”

“Sure, call me that. Again, nice to meet you, Blue, Mia… Ah, the refreshments should be on their way…”

“Why don’t we take a look first? Snacks and drinks can wait,”

“Alright, shall we?”

Having broken the ice, she led the two to the ceiling where the thermal cameras were. Seeing the ceiling, Blue was taken aback. He had heard that the ceiling was high, so he thought it was around ten meters. Placing a piece of laser equipment on the floor, Blue measured the height.

“Twelve point five… Miss Yun, mind if we borrow a table?”

“No problem, grab any you like,”

“Good. Mia, time to work,”

“Ok…”

With Blue’s command, Mia opened her gig bag, then put on a pair of black gloves and a pair of military-grade goggles. Placing a long table right beside the pool, she took out a long tool from her gig bag. It was a thick metal stand with a blunt hook to stand on, with red and green buttons. Deploying it, it extended into a large tripod stand, covering half the table.

“Blue, now?”

“Yeah, go ahead.”

Blue deployed his laptop, a high-end, military-grade one.

With a small bag in hand, Mia stepped on the hook. Pressing the red button, it slowly extended up with a humming sound. Reaching the high ceiling, she stopped. The stand had extended up to the max, but it was enough.

“Link the goggles first, scan for traces,”

“Alright… visuals?”

“Wait… clear. Please scan,”

Turning on the goggles, she scanned the ceiling around the hole. Her vision, coupled with the powerful goggles, found nothing. Had there been a fingerprint or any trace, she would notice it. Blue’s laptop, connected with the goggles, showed them what Mia was seeing.

“Nothing,” Mia sighed.

“Wait, go at it slowly this time…” Blue, after a good minute, sighed. “Dahh, yup, nothing.”

“Clean,” Yun Zhi said. She also did not hope for much, so she was not disappointed. “Probably pros,”

“Well, they did use military-grade, didn't they? They won’t make a newbie mistake…”

It was just suspicion; they did not check the cameras yet.

“Let’s move on, Mia.”

With Blue’s command, Mia placed several piercing hooks on the ceiling, then deployed a white cloth net below it. Hand reaching into the hole Yun Zhi had made earlier, she struggled to take it out. Taking out a knife, she widened the hole. As she did, pieces of components fell onto the net.

While she did her work, the refreshments arrived.

With Yun Zhi telling the staff to leave them outside, she continued watching the work. Soon, Mia took out the damaged thermal camera. Having placed nicely inside the ceiling’s cavity, it was barely half the size of her small hand, all broken. Lighting the cavity, she saw something else reflecting the light. Her small hand again dug into the cavity, struggling to take it out.

Blue saw her struggling, so he asked;

“Hey Mia, you okay up there?”

“A bit… stuck, wait, ah!”

Success!

The thing got embedded so strongly into the ceiling, so she had to exert some strength. As it turned out, it was… a glass marble.

“A marble? Is this…”

Her eyes went down to see Yun Zhi.

She was curious, but work came first. Placing a small 360 camera into the cavity, she turned it on, connecting it with Blue’s laptop below. Blue recorded the footage, then changed the camera’s mode into night vision, soon thermal vision, and several others. Finding nothing out of ordinary, he told Mia to come down. She took the cloth net, wrapped it up, and placed it into her bag. Taking out a thick white plaster of sorts, she covered the cavity with it.

From the ground, it was as if the ceiling never had any damage.

Pressing the green button on the stand, Mia descended slowly.

When she landed, they moved on to the next camera. Repeating the same process, it was done a bit faster this time. However, the result remained the same. There was no trace, only remnants of a broken camera.

They placed their findings on a table in the wide living room. Blue was examining them carefully, while Yun Zhi and Mia took their refreshments in. Handing Blue a glass of mango juice, Yun Zhi asked;

“So, any idea?”

“Military-grade alright. It’s similar to what the Fang clan use…”

“I see. Well, wonderful. So the clan’s spying on each other?”

“Whoa, whoa… chill. That’s quite a sensitive statement there, Miss Yun… careful,”

“Hm, why?”

“Fang clan… powerful,”

Mia chipped in, while having potato chips in her mouth.

Seeing her snacking like that, reminded Yun Zhi of a chubby hamster Xiao Lin used to show her. So small, so cute… Still, hearing her response, she became curious;

“Really? How strong? I know grandpa is quite strong, but…”

“Powerful… dangerous… gulp, gulp,” Mia drank a mouthful of strawberry juice, as if worried the others would confiscate it. “Don’t… fuahh, mess, nicee,”

Her explanation was all mixed up with her drinking juice, that sure did not help.

“Are they that dangerous? They have a link with you MSD guys right? Should have some sense at least… A little question or statement won’t be dangerous,”

“—Ahh, that’s right. You just got adopted, so you might not know,”

Blue, having the idea that Yun Zhi was newly adopted by elder Fang, began the explanation. Whatever idea she had of Fang clan, it was just the tip of an iceberg…

A city-sized iceberg.