chsdbacks Chapter 171 Rainy Night
Chapter 171 Rainy Night
They were enjoying the hotpot in Tianjin and drinking beer until they were tipsy, but Nie Lingfeng never let his guard down.
Qu Tong, Yaoxing Society, human modification, consciousness uploading… these words were like thorns, piercing his mind. Chairman Zhao specifically had Xu Si deliver this task, indicating that things were not simple. Moreover, the phrase "suspected to be related to 'that person'" sent a chill down Nie Lingfeng's spine.
"That person"... the mastermind behind the "manager" in the Twenty-Four Seasons Valley, who orchestrated a series of events involving Hirumaru, Muramasa, and the Black Dragon of Changbai Mountain. If Qu Tong is indeed connected to "that person," then this mission is no longer a simple "investigation."
It is very likely that this is a crucial step in uncovering the true face of "that person".
But Nie Lingfeng was in no hurry to set off.
There's no use in rushing. He needs time to fully digest what he's gained from his three-month seclusion, and he also needs time to spend with Chen Duo and these friends who have finally managed to get together.
More importantly... he had to deal with all the messy tasks that had piled up in "Dawn".
On the high-speed train back to Beijing from Tianjin, Nie Lingfeng took out his black phone, opened the "Dawn" app, and entered the task list.
Goodness, I was shocked when I saw it.
The task list was densely packed with at least thirty or forty unclaimed tasks, ranging from A to D level, located all over the country—the Northeast, Northwest, Southwest, Southeast, and even two overseas.
Nie Lingfeng felt a chill run down his spine. Was Chairman Zhao treating him like an animal? With so many tasks, how long would it take him to finish them all by himself?
"Looks like I need to hire more people..." he muttered to himself, and began the screening process.
I'll ignore those that are too far away for now. I'm too lazy to accept D-level missions that are too easy. I'll also postpone those that are too troublesome or time-consuming.
Finally, he picked a few that looked "interesting" and weren't too far away.
Task 1: Suspected vampire activity has been detected in City S. Several night shift women have been attacked, suffering bite marks on their necks, bleeding profusely but not dead, and experiencing amnesia. Please confirm whether this is the work of an alien entity and handle the situation accordingly. Task Level: B. Location: City S. Time Limit: Seven days.
Mission Two: Deep in the Miao region of southeastern Guizhou, a village has been collectively infected with a "strange disease." The villagers are behaving abnormally, seemingly controlled by some kind of "poison." The local branch has intervened, but has been unable to cure it. Requesting support. Mission Level: A. Location: Southeastern Guizhou. Time Limit: Ten days.
Mission 3: In the Northwest Gobi Desert, an ancient relic is suspected to have emerged, causing disturbances in the "Qi" fields of multiple regions. Several factions are secretly observing. Please investigate the situation and, if necessary, prevent the relic from opening. Mission Level: A+. Location: Northwest. Time Limit: Fifteen days.
Task 4: On an island in the East China Sea, fishermen have witnessed the presence of "mermaids" whose songs can bewitch people, resulting in several disappearances. Please investigate the truth. Task Level: C. Location: East China Sea. Time Limit: Five days.
Nie Lingfeng stroked his chin and pondered for a moment.
The A-level mission in Miao territory sounds the most troublesome, possibly involving ancient Gu techniques, or even related to "that being." The A+ level mission in the Northwest Gobi Desert is the most dangerous, involving ancient ruins and multiple forces; it's bound to be a tough battle. The C-level mission with the East Sea Merfolk sounds the most mysterious, but since it's low-level, it shouldn't be too difficult.
As for the "vampires" of S City...
Nie Lingfeng smiled.
Vampires? Things from Western legends, coming to China to commit crimes? And specifically targeting women working night shifts? This is rather bizarre.
That's it.
S City is a bustling international metropolis, so I'll take Chen Duo there for a stroll and, while we're at it, find out what kind of monster this "vampire" is.
"Chen Duo," he turned to the girl dozing off on his shoulder, "how about we go to S City for a few days?"
Chen Duo groggily opened her eyes: "S City? Is there anything good to eat?"
"Yes, lots of them," Nie Lingfeng laughed. "Pan-fried buns, xiaolongbao, pork rib rice cakes, poached chicken, braised pork and bamboo shoots, crab roe tofu... I guarantee you won't be able to finish them all."
Chen Duo's eyes lit up, and she instantly snapped out of it: "Go."
"Okay, let's go then."
Nie Lingfeng accepted the mission from City S and sent a message to "Eagle": "Accepted the vampire mission from City S, arriving tonight."
A few seconds later, "Eagle" replied: "Received. Mission data sent. Contact person codename 'Night Owl,' will contact you upon arrival. Best of luck."
In the evening, the high-speed train arrived in S city.
October in S City is not like the dry cold of the north, but a damp cold, carrying the moisture of the river, seeping into the bones. The sky is overcast, with a light drizzle, and pedestrians hurry along the street, while neon lights blur in the rain and mist.
Nie Lingfeng and Chen Duo left the station, took a taxi, and headed straight for the address provided in the mission materials—a budget hotel in the old town that looked a bit old.
The hotel is very ordinary, even a bit run-down, but the location is good, behind a bustling pedestrian street, with convenient access to food and drinks and transportation.
When checking in, the receptionist, an older woman wearing thick glasses who was watching a TV series, tossed two room cards at me without even looking up: "308, 309, next door. Deposit 200 yuan, Wi-Fi password is by the bed."
"Thank you." Nie Lingfeng took the room key and led Chen Duo upstairs.
The room wasn't large, but it was fairly clean. Nie Lingfeng checked the doors and windows, then scanned the room with his senses to make sure there were no surveillance cameras or eavesdropping devices before he felt relieved.
"Let's rest for a bit first, then go out for dinner tonight, and maybe... do some shopping while we're at it," he said to Chen Duo.
Chen Duo nodded, placed the panda plush toy on the bed, and then naturally began packing her luggage—actually, there wasn't much luggage, just a few changes of clothes and some daily necessities. But she packed very carefully, as if performing some kind of ritual.
Nie Lingfeng walked to the window and looked down at the bustling pedestrian street. The rain was still falling, and colorful umbrellas dotted the street like moving flowers. The air was filled with the aromas of various foods—grilled skewers, milk tea, fried chicken, takoyaki… all mixed together, creating a lively, down-to-earth atmosphere.
Is this the place where "vampires" roam?
It looks no different from any other city.
"bite."
The phone rang. It was an encrypted message from "Night Owl".
"Mr. Nie, this is Night Owl. I have arrived in S City and am currently monitoring the perimeter of the target area. The target's three most recent crimes all occurred within a 500-meter radius of the 'Blues' bar. The victims were all young women returning home alone at night, and the crimes took place between 1:00 AM and 3:00 AM. I suggest starting the investigation with the 'Blues' bar. Please contact me if you need assistance. Attached is the bar's location and a blurry sketch of the suspect."
Nie Lingfeng opened the attachment. It was a simple hand-drawn map, marking the location of the "Blues" bar and several crime scenes in the vicinity. There was also a pencil sketch of the profile of a man wearing a black trench coat and a hood, whose face was not clearly visible, but who was tall and thin with long, slender fingers.
"That's really abstract..." Nie Lingfeng commented, then replied, "Got it. I'll go to the bar tonight. Keep in touch."
"Yes."
Putting away his phone, Nie Lingfeng looked at Chen Duo: "Are you ready? Let's go eat."
"Okay." Chen Duo nodded, put on the light blue down jacket, and wrapped a red scarf around her neck.
The two went downstairs and walked into the rain-soaked pedestrian street.
True to his word, Nie Lingfeng took Chen Duo on a culinary adventure from one end of the street to the other. The pan-fried buns had thin skins and generous fillings, crispy bottoms, and bursting with juicy goodness with every bite; the xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) were delicate and translucent, and dipped in ginger and vinegar—so delicious it was breathtaking; the pork ribs and rice cakes were crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with a rich, flavorful sauce; the poached chicken had smooth skin and tender meat, and dipped in a special soy sauce—refreshing and not greasy at all…
Chen Duo ate very attentively, trying a little of everything, her eyes sparkling as if she had discovered a new continent. She was particularly fond of the xiaolongbao (soup dumplings), and after eating two baskets, she still wanted more, but Nie Lingfeng stopped her: "Save some room for later, we'll have a late-night snack."
"Oh." Chen Duo put down her chopsticks with a hint of regret, but was quickly drawn to the roasted chestnuts next to her.
Nie Lingfeng smiled and bought her a bag of chestnuts. He watched as she peeled the chestnuts in small bites, sugar crumbs sticking to the corners of her mouth, like a greedy little squirrel.
The rain gradually stopped. The streets became more crowded, and the nightlife was just beginning.
"That's about it," Nie Lingfeng said, checking the time. It was 10 p.m. "Let's go check out that 'Blues' bar."
"Mmm." Chen Duo nodded, put the last chestnut into her mouth, and then naturally took Nie Lingfeng's hand.
Following the map, the two walked through several alleys and finally arrived at a relatively quiet street. The street was not long, and there were some unique bars, cafes, and small restaurants on both sides. One of them had a dark blue facade with the words "Blue Tone" written in cursive script on its sign, and a small sign light with a faint blue glow hung at the entrance.
"Blues" Bar.
Nie Lingfeng could sense several powerful "Qi" auras in the bar. There was the fierceness of martial artists, the gentleness of sorcerers, and the chaotic mix of superpowered individuals... a real mixed bag.
"Come on, let's go inside and take a look." He pulled Chen Duo along and pushed open the door.
The bar was dimly lit, with only small lamps on the bar counter and a few tables casting an ambiguous, warm yellow glow. The air was filled with a mixture of alcohol, cigarette smoke, perfume, and a faint, rusty smell. The music was soothing jazz blues, with the saxophone sounding like a whisper.
There weren't many customers; they sat in twos and threes in the corner, chatting quietly. Behind the bar, a bartender in a white shirt and bow tie was slowly wiping the glasses.
Nie Lingfeng pulled Chen Duo to sit down at the bar.
"What would you two like to drink?" The bartender looked up. He was a man in his thirties, with an ordinary appearance but sharp, eagle-like eyes. Nie Lingfeng could sense the fluctuations of "Qi" emanating from him, and they were not weak.
"Two glasses of lemonade, please," Nie Lingfeng said.
The bartender raised an eyebrow, seemingly surprised, but didn't ask any further questions and turned to pour water.
Nie Lingfeng casually surveyed the bar's patrons. In the left corner sat a couple. The man was tall and muscular, with bulging temples, clearly a trained martial artist. The woman nestled in his arms, wearing a uniquely shaped ring on her finger that emitted a faint fluctuation of spiritual energy.
On the right, by the window, sat a man in a black trench coat and hood, looking down at the wine glass in his hand. His profile bore a striking resemblance to the sketch sent by "Night Owl."
Nie Lingfeng's eyes narrowed.
Is that him?
Seemingly sensing Nie Lingfeng's gaze, the man in the trench coat slightly raised his head and glanced in their direction.
In the dim light, Nie Lingfeng saw a pair of...blood-red eyes.
It wasn't the kind of red you get from wearing colored contact lenses; it was a real, blood-red color, even with a subtle, shimmering glow...
Eyes facing each other.
The man in the trench coat seemed to pause for a moment, then lowered his head, picked up his wine glass, drank it all in one gulp, and then got up and walked towards the back door.