Trafford's Trading Club

Chapter 1021: Chapter 65: Where in This World Is There a Path to Immortality? (27)

In the metallic room, everything seemed cold.

The floor, the air, the body.

How many were there, thirty? Forty? Or even more… The room was full of corpses.

They weren’t very old, maybe between seven and eleven years old?

Only one was left.

The only one still able to stand… holding a silver fork used for eating, dripping with fresh blood… the feeling of suffocation.

Suddenly, an unopenable metal door in the room unexpectedly opened, and a strong light streamed in.

In front of the strong light, there were several tall human figures, the light elongated their shadows, reaching into the room like the tentacles of a devil.

“The one who survived in this room, is it you?… One hour and seven minutes, just before the oxygen ran out, not bad. You can enter the next room now. The next round will be shorter, try your best to regain your strength, or you might end up as a failure… just like these failures lying at your feet.”

Clang—!

That was the sound of the silver fork hitting the floor.

…

…

Suddenly opened eyes and a moment of deep breathing, greedily as if wanting to inhale all the oxygen in the world.

Alive.

…

When Nero awoke, the club’s hall was still quiet.

She sat up cross-legged immediately and looked around.

“Hey, beautiful lady. And… the righteous fellow.”

She greeted the maid who was reading not far away—of course, You Ye also politely nodded in response.

“Congratulations on waking up, Ms. Nero.” You Ye smiled slightly, stood up, and walked over to Nero, “I’ve reattached your arm, and the nerves have been properly restored to their original state, there shouldn’t be anything missing. But if Ms. Nero feels there’s still any discomfort, I can make further adjustments.”

Placing her palm on the originally broken shoulder, she then slightly rotated her arm twice, and Nero said happily, “This technique is so much better than the club’s, there’s no awkward feeling at all. It’s really a big help, I thought I would have to eat with one hand forever.”

The maid smiled slightly and then returned the box used to store souls to Nero’s hand.

“The retreat cost and treatment fee have already been deducted,” the maid said softly, “Of course, there’s still a balance… would you like me to recommend a few items of equivalent value?”

Nero shook the box, “It’s really expensive… only one is left. But never mind, there seem to be plenty of places nearby to earn some ‘money.ʼ”

“Then, I wish you can earn a bit more.” The maid smiled slightly.

“Certainly.” Nero also smiled, then stood up, stretching her neck and limbs, “Ah, I’m a bit hungry, can I have a meal here? I must say, I really miss your cooking, beautiful lady.”

“If you don’t mind, please wait a moment.” The maid nodded.

Entertaining guests is, after all, part of a maid’s responsibilities.

“It’s fine, there’s nowhere else to go anyway, I’m always very patient.” Nero sat down, stretched lazily, and said, “By the way, is it possible to take a bath here since only one is left, may I borrow the bathroom?”

“Such a generous guest,” You Ye said indifferently, “but just for a bath, that seems a bit much… Okay then, consider it a freebie for the transaction this time?”

“Alright!” Nero stood up straightaway.

But at this time.

“Why…”

Mo Mo’s voice.

The voice made Nero and You Ye both look at Mo Mo—during this short time, he never left. Why he didn’t leave, whether he was waiting for Nero to wake up or waiting for something else, even he couldn’t be sure.

He couldn’t figure out why he stayed… simply because he hadn’t been driven away by the maid. But… why?

“Mr. Mo Mo, is there something the matter?” You Ye asked softly, “Oh, the tea’s cold, sorry, I’ll replace it right away.”

“No!!”

Mo Mo’s gaze slightly averted, his palm tightened slightly with force… even after witnessing the horror of the beautiful maid’s power, even as fear filled his heart, “Why can you still discuss these things so casually? Is it truly just… just ‘currency’?”

You Ye placed her palm on her cheek, tilted her head, and followed Mo Mo’s gaze to the box on the table, “Mr. Mo Mo is talking about the matter of souls,”

Mo Mo nodded silently.

You Ye said, “But last time, didn’t I already tell Mr. Mo Mo the rules of some trades here?”

“I know!”

Mo Mo became somewhat agitated, “But I still can’t believe it! Even after seeing it with my own eyes, I still can’t believe it! Why… why would the senior’s shop do such a thing! Why… why would the senior, someone so kind-hearted, and Ms. You Ye, someone so noble, do something so cruel?!”

“I’m really grateful, Mr. Mo Mo.” The maid said softly at this time, “It’s heartening that you praise my master. But… what you see is the true appearance of this shop, there’s no deception. Anyone who comes here and offers something equivalent can get what they want. We trade all precious things, and always, what people use the most is… souls.”

“You… the senior, collecting souls, what is it for…” Mo Mo suddenly felt a chill.

Even though inside the shop it was different from the cold weather outside, the chill arose from the bottom of his heart.

“It’s a matter of the shop’s secrets, I’m sorry I cannot answer your query.” The maid said indifferently, “Of course, if Mr. Mo Mo really wants to know, you could exchange something equivalent.”

“Oh! I want to know! I want to know! Here!” Nero, on the side, quickly opened the box containing the soul.

“Ms. Nero, you’re being playful.” The maid smiled at this time.

“What a scary look.” Nero shrank her neck and obediently closed the box.

But at this moment, suddenly came the sound of the bell at the entrance of the hall—not because of a guest coming in, but because Mo Mo lowered his head and rushed out from here.

You Ye looked on indifferently.

“Righteous fellow, not sticking around to have a meal to celebrate my narrow escape from death? Hey~~~~”

Nero shouted a couple of times, then looked at You Ye, shrugged, and said, “It seems he’s really gone… but to be honest, beautiful lady, weren’t you a bit strict?”

“Because there was no need or intention to deceive.” You Ye said softly, “This gentleman seemed to have some misunderstandings before, it’s better to correct them quickly.”

“I’m going to take a shower.” Nero yawned and stood up.

“Take care.” You Ye gracefully bowed to Nero.

…

…

He didn’t know why he rushed out like this… Mo Mo kept his head down, charging forward, feeling like he was a soldier fleeing.

Sprinting through several streets, with the special traits of a Taoist, this amount of exercise only made his body slightly warm, and the wind blowing on this cold day became a refreshing breeze.

Mo Mo exhaled, white mist puffing out from his lips and nose. The street wasn’t desolate at this time.

This place seems to be… where Nero and those two powerful Martial Artists battled.

Now the thick fog has dissipated, but the street is blocked off with barricades at both ends, and traffic police not on New Year’s Eve duty are supervising the area.

There are reporters here conducting interviews but they’re blocked by traffic police from entering the street… Nearby residents have also come out of their homes.

Mo Mo heard some conversations among the crowd.

The public doesn’t know much but it seems a family of three had a car accident, none survived… From a distance, the car involved in the accident, the vehicle that crashed, was already covered by a huge black tent by the traffic police, making it impossible to see its condition.

Meanwhile, Mo Mo saw two men who seemed different from ordinary policemen and traffic police… From these two men, Mo Mo sensed something familiar.

They wore a small badge… Remember that Captain Ling Feng of the Management Bureau seemed to have a similar ornament.

“People from the Management Bureau… Did they intervene in this matter?”

Mo Mo glanced a few times in the crowd, then quickly left the crowd.

He had heard from Elder Changhe that besides managing affairs between the Dao and Demon Realms, the Management Bureau often plays the role of a cleanup department, handling things like crazy demons damaging society or arresting Taoists who have fallen into the Demon Path.

Wondering if this matter will end up tracing back to Senior’s involvement… Mo Mo instinctively thought.

But he quickly slapped his cheeks with both hands and said self-mockingly, “At this point, why am I still thinking about him…”

…

Those who initially fainted in the thick fog have already begun waking up one after another, and how things will be handled afterwards is no longer Mo Mo’s concern.

Anyway, with the management bureau supported by the country, there’s bound to be a way to handle such matters, right?

Qingdao Beer.

It was bought on the way back… Mo Mo rarely drinks.

He had already returned to another guesthouse where Zhan was placed later, in an empty room, sitting in the corner, with several empty cans beside him.

“Let’s leave tomorrow… I really wonder when you’ll wake up.” Mo Mo, feeling tired, looked at Zhan on the bed, “Sometimes I really envy you, with nothing to worry about.”

The fatigue deepened.

Suddenly, a noise startled Mo Mo from the brink of sleep… It was the sound of the wind blowing, cans hitting the foot of the bed.

Mo Mo opened his eyes, a bit dazed— but he soon fully came to his senses.

Because he saw a shadow elongated by the moonlight, casting upon the room’s floor… Mo Mo suddenly turned toward the sliding glass door to look at the balcony.

Under the night light, a figure was standing there.

“It’s you!” Mo Mo’s intoxication dissipated in an instant.

The person suddenly appearing here was the mysterious Bronze Masked Man he encountered not long ago beneath the ancient well at the Song Ancestral Mansion!

Just like that day, the person still wore an ancient bronze mask, standing with hands behind.

Mo Mo instantly reached for the Black Wooden Sword placed beside him, feeling ashamed of his lack of vigilance while becoming tense… How did this mysterious figure find him twice?

However, just as Mo Mo’s hand was about to reach the sword, the mysterious person flicked their fingers, and the sword placed by the wall was instantly flicked away by a gust of wind.

Mo Mo, both surprised and angry, watched as the mysterious Bronze Masked Man quickly acted again, his fingers deftly flicking a yellow sigil paper and throwing it.

The yellow sigil instantly turned into a beam of golden light, like a rope, wrapping Mo Mo tightly— Mo Mo fell directly to the ground.

“Although I don’t know what happened to you, you seem like a lost dog now.”

Bronze Masked Man walked into the room and approached Zhan on the bed.

“Stop! What are you trying to do!”

“I’m just retrieving some necessary things.” Bronze Masked Man said indifferently, “You all thought obtaining the Imperial Edict was his opportunity and luck. But to me, it doesn’t matter who gets it… as long as it’s brought out smoothly.”

“Who exactly are you! What’s your purpose?”

Mo Mo, lying on the ground, first knelt then stood up, exerting all his mana to try and break free from the binding— however, he couldn’t break free from this golden light!

The mysterious figure looked at Mo Mo, “You’re quite talented, you should have greater potential. But this world just restricts you. Soon… you’ll see an era suited for you.”

“What?” Mo Mo was taken aback.

In fact, whether it was under the ancient well or this time, Mo Mo never sensed any murderous intent from this mysterious figure.

Otherwise, he could have taken action before Mo Mo sensed anything, instead of just tying him up like now.

“That person doesn’t seem to be here.” The mysterious figure whispered, “So this time, no one will hinder me… perhaps it counts as avoiding disaster.”

But Mo Mo, unable to escape, suddenly charged at the mysterious figure, using the simplest and most brutal method.

“Did something stimulate you today?” The mysterious figure said indifferently, “But it’s best not to take it out on others.”

Bronze Masked Man struck Mo Mo’s chest with a palm, sending him flying against the wall.

Mo Mo spat out blood and upon landing, fainted directly.

“The preparations are almost complete, now just left with…”

The mysterious figure pondered for a moment, then picked up Mo Mo and Zhan, jumping out of the window, disappearing quickly into the night.