Trafford's Trading Club

Chapter 994: Chapter 38: Heavenly Tears

“Daoist friend, have you seen a strange shameless female thief?”

…

“Daoist friend, have you seen a shameless female thief who is very cute?”

…

“Dao Xiong, have you seen a very cute boy thief?”

“Oh… so it’s a boy?” Mo Mo instinctively looked at the flamboyantly dressed Taoist… This was the third person Mo Mo encountered who had been robbed—after he discovered his own little embroidered box was missing.

It seems that a thief had somehow sneaked into Wolong Mountain Villa, disguising herself as harmless, and stealing from many places successfully.

It’s not easy, considering nearly half of the elites from the Taoism-cultivated field are gathered in Wolong Mountain Villa, yet the female thief still manages to succeed time and time again!

Because of this, many from the Taoism-cultivated field speculated whether this female thief could be a descendant from the long-lost ‘Zhai Xing Lou.’

Heaven knows whether ‘Zhai Xing Lou’ even exists. Mo Mo was only anxious at the moment—after all, the stolen item wasn’t his own, but something Daoist Master Yang Taizi entrusted to him. If it were his own item, though frustrated, Mo Mo wouldn’t be as troubled as he was now.

He greatly feared the feeling of failing others, the feeling of not being able to fulfill promises.

Fortunately, this is Wolong Mountain Villa, inhabited entirely by Taoism-cultivated people, so using spells without ordinary people noticing isn’t an issue—in fact, many from the Taoism-cultivated field have begun using various techniques to find the nameless female thief who infiltrated the villa!

“Paper cranes, go!”

A yellow paper crane slowly flew out from Mo Mo’s palm. The orthodox magic within the Taoist Master of Dragon Tiger Mountain includes techniques for searching for people, but Mo Mo felt the intentions of those also searching for the female thief might not be sincere, so he kept quiet.

“But thinking back…”

Watching the paper crane flying slowly down the corridor, Mo Mo murmured to himself—if pickpocketing was common among ordinary people, then it seemed unusual for those in the Taoism-cultivated field to fall victim too.

Taoists possess mana, and their six senses are significantly sharper than typical people… so perhaps the female thief herself is quite skilled? Daring to steal in a place like Wolong Mountain Villa suggests she’s more than just a prankster—likely an habitual offender or similar.

Mulling over it, the paper crane suddenly stopped before a heavy door, and Mo Mo paused—because the paper crane was immediately destroyed by someone, and he himself was stopped by none other than Captain Ling Feng who had received him at the train station.

“Are you… Mr. Mo Mo?” Ling Feng furrowed his eyebrows. “Mr. Mo Mo, is there anything wrong? Entry is temporarily forbidden here because Daoist Association representatives are negotiating activities with Yao Association’s guests.”

Yao Association… it really exists, considering there’s a Daoist Association.

Stifling his thoughts, Mo Mo explained the situation from start to finish, and Ling Feng also frowned after hearing this—Wolong Mountain Villa was his responsibility for security, and if there’s trouble here, he would be to blame.

“White hair, looks eighteen or nineteen?” Ling Feng pondered for a moment. “Most guests were received by our staff, and I don’t recall such a person among them.”

“Could it be someone who arrived on their own, or just today?” Mo Mo asked immediately.

Ling Feng shook his head, “That’s impossible, because we have recorded all the participants. The number of disciples, who leads them, everything is clear. Even Zhan who came with you, we later confirmed with Daoist Master Yang Taizi.”

Mo Mo traced his chin, “So, just an unlisted person… in that case, could it be that she’s not a human?”

“You’re suggesting she’s from the demon world?” Ling Feng furrowed his eyebrows, “I need to confirm that. Kun Peng Mountain Villa is led by another captain.”

“It would be best to hurry.” Mo Mo nodded. “The female thief has repeatedly succeeded, indicating her theft skills are truly advanced. Dragging things out may result in more victims.”

“You wait here, Mr. Mo Mo.” Captain Ling Feng nodded.

At that moment, the meeting room door suddenly opened, and a dignified woman with her hair up and dressed formally walked out, “Captain Ling Feng, is there an issue? I felt a mana disturbance outside. Hmm… who is this?”

The dignified woman glanced at Mo Mo.

Ling Feng promptly answered, “Miss Gong, this is Mr. Mo Mo, a successor of the Taoist Master of Dragon Tiger Mountain, here on behalf of Long River Daoist, Dragon Tiger Mountain’s sect master, to attend the Penglai conference… there was just a small problem, nothing major, don’t worry.”

“So, the disciple of Long River Daoist.” The woman named Miss Gong nodded, then suddenly asked, “Are you called Mo Mo?”

“This Miss Gong is a successor of Tai Su Palace, currently serving as secretary for the Daoist Association.” Ling Feng briefly introduced the dignified beauty’s background.

“Ah, from True Martial Great Emperor’s lineage, my respects.” Mo Mo quickly saluted.

The Taoist lineage of Qi Yun Mountain, which he’s connected to through Dragon Tiger Mountain, is jointly regarded as one of the nation’s four great Taoist holy places, though without direct connections, they are often associated by the public.

Miss Gong suddenly asked, “Mr. Mo Mo, are you available?”

“Um… for what?” Mo Mo asked in response.

Miss Gong replied, “We happen to need a volunteer, preferably someone trained in protective cultivation techniques. The Divine Beating Technique of Dragon Tiger Mountain would be ideal… but participating is voluntary.”

Mo Mo hesitated for a moment, then suddenly asked, “Is the successor of Clothed Daoist in there?”

“Representative Lai?” Miss Gong was taken aback, then answered, “Yes, he is.”

“Being a volunteer is fine, but before we start, can I speak privately with Representative Hui?” Mo Mo requested.

After all, the item has been stolen, Mo Mo feels responsible to inform the heirs of the Clothed Daoists—he doesn’t intend to hide it, and once the item is retrieved, he’ll pretend as if it never happened.

Furthermore, since Yang Taizi instructed that the item should be given to the Clothed Daoists’ people, they should know what’s in the Embroidered Box, and whether it is important.

“Please wait a moment.” Miss Gong didn’t say much, directly entering the conference room.

…

“Mr. Mo Mo, Representative Lai has agreed, you can come in with me.” Miss Gong soon returned.

Mo Mo breathed a sigh of relief, then looked at Captain Ling Feng and said, “Captain Ling, regarding the matter I mentioned earlier, please handle it with care.”

“Rest assured, we’ll deal with it promptly.” Ling Feng looked at Mo Mo gratefully—as Mo Mo hadn’t brought up the matter of thieves appearing at Wolong Mountain Villa in front of Miss Gong, it was a favor to his department.

Miss Gong merely gave a curious glance at the two, not saying much, and directly led Mo Mo into the conference room.

As Mo Mo stepped into the conference room, he felt several extremely sharp gazes fall on him all at once, making him feel the immense severity.

He took a deep breath and looked around.

Guests from the Taoism-cultivated field and the demon world were seated on either side of a long conference table. Mo Mo immediately recognized Representative Lai, seated on the left side in the third position.

Typically, in such meetings, seating is arranged according to status… it seems that Representative Lai holds a high position in the Daoist Association.

As for the two seated above Representative Lai, Mo Mo sensed an immense mana fluctuation emanating from them… far more terrifying than his master, Elder Changhe.

On the right side were members of the Yao Association. Since coming down from the mountain, Mo Mo rarely encountered demons, and those he did were disobedient little monsters, easily dealt with, and not reported to the local Management Bureau.

In contrast to the solemnity of the Daoist Association, the members of the Yao Association appeared much more casual, their attire varied… there was even someone very young.

Mo Mo glanced at the nameplate of the fifth-seat guest from the Yao Association on the right: Purple Star Young Master of the Greedy Wolf Clan.

At this moment, Representative Lai suddenly stood up and said, “Everyone, please wait a moment; I have a few words to say to this volunteer.”

No objections came from those present, so Mo Mo was quickly brought into a small room within the conference room.

Representative Lai smiled and said, “Mr. Mo Mo, may I ask what brings you here?”

For some reason, Mo Mo felt that Representative Lai already knew, making him rather uncomfortable, and he awkwardly said, “Well, Master Yang Taizi has something for you. But it was stolen on my way here… I’m truly sorry.”

“I understand.” Representative Lai nodded, “It must have been a hard trip. That item isn’t particularly important, and it will soon be returned to me, so don’t worry too much.”

“Is this… calculated?” Mo Mo looked at the confident Representative Lai in surprise, unconsciously furrowing his brow.

Representative Lai smiled and said, “We call ourselves Clothed Daoists, we always know a few tricks… let’s not discuss this for now, let’s talk about the trials involved this time. I heard from Miss Gong that you’ve agreed, right?”

Mo Mo nodded.

Representative Lai said, “Let me briefly explain the background to you… This time, the focus is testing a peculiar drug called ‘Tears of Heaven’. And the developers of this ‘Tears of Heaven’ belong to a secret organization from western time.”

“A secret organization?” Mo Mo was taken aback, pondering, “I’ve heard my master mention that western time has its transcendent organizations, like the Magician’s Association, The Holy See, and there are also the Thirteen Clans, among others.”

“Indeed, these age-old organizations do exist.” Representative Lai nodded: “And this time, the developer of ‘Tears of Heaven’ is an organization called ‘Michael Club’.”

“Michael Club?”

“Yes.” Representative Lai nodded and said, “This club dates back about a hundred years. For unknown reasons, the western world was engulfed in a war a hundred years ago. After the war, the transcendent talents in western time dwindled, almost suffering a devastating blow. After a century, they have only partially recovered their vitality. And this ‘Michael Club’ emerged after that war.”

Mo Mo listened intently.

Representative Lai continued, “Over the past century, ‘Michael Club’ has been absorbing talents from various fields and has gathered a group of powerful transcendent individuals. According to our intelligence, ‘Michael Club’ houses the so-called ‘Twelve Divine Generals’, each one a powerful entity with dangerous personality flaws. Moreover, they have different levels of infiltration in technology, economy, healthcare, and even politics. No other organization has ever extended its reach as widely as ‘Michael Club’.”

Mo Mo expressed, “Astonishing that such a vast organization exists!”

Representative Lai gravely said, “Yes. Originally, this organization only acted within the western world. But in recent years, we’ve discovered they seem to be reaching into our nation as well, which must be guarded against.”

Mo Mo agreed and nodded, “So this ‘Tears of Heaven’ is?”

Representative Lai explained further, “This drug is a product of ‘Michael Club’ research. Strictly speaking, it’s a drug that induces rage. A common person who consumes the Tears of Heaven will quickly deplete their own qi-blood and life in exchange for a short burst of power. As for the extent of the burst, it can enable an ordinary person to contend with weak lower-tiered demons.”

Ordinary people and monsters have an insurmountable gap… but if there’s a drug allowing ordinary people to directly leap to the battle power of lower-tier demons…

“We’re discussing this matter.” Representative Lai rather helplessly remarked, “However, the Yao Association seems somewhat skeptical. They even suggested having someone from our side, who has consumed ‘Tears of Heaven’, compete against their representative.”

Mo Mo frowned, “Isn’t this a bit too much?”

Representative Lai said, “Though seventy years ago, under the leadership of a great person, we signed an agreement, seventy years have passed, and the demon world has been in a poor state. Meanwhile, the Taoism-cultivated field historically harbors many who prefer to suppress demons… In short, consider this an excuse for the demons to vent. Of course, taking ‘Tears of Heaven’ carries certain risks, I must first make this clear to you. But rest assured, everyone present possesses Daoist Magic and Divine Skills, and they will ensure your safety.”

Mo Mo thought for a moment, then nodded and said, “After all, I am part of the Taoism-cultivated field, and since this matter is so intertwined, Mo Mo can’t refuse!”

Representative Lai smiled slightly, squinting as he looked at Mo Mo and said, “We are truly grateful, Mr. Mo Mo.”