Word Count: 2,907 Words
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Heavenly Soul Empire, Jialing City.
The Heavenly Soul Empire was located in the northern part of the Douluo Continent, and its cities naturally exuded a bold northern character. Jialing City, once Jialing Pass ten thousand years ago, served as the final battlefield where Gods fought Gods. This bit of history made Jialing City one of the most famous tourist destinations in the Heavenly Soul Empire.
Sunlight blazed down, and the city bustled with life. Flocks of migratory birds swept across the city, seeming as if they were about to dive into the clusters of low-hanging clouds at the horizon.
Three figures entered this picturesque city, drawing attention as they walked down the lively streets. Many young women in light, summery outfits cast unabashed glances at the youth in the center of the trio.
A girl skateboarding in the distance greedily took a couple more glances and, thwack, crashed into a pillar. She felt dizzy, unsure if it was from the impact or from seeing the young man who was as dazzling as Jialing City's sky.
Opportunity waits for no one. The girl quickly picked up her skateboard, intending to rush over and introduce herself to the youth, but then she spotted the woman at his side.
Wine-red hair that fell to her waist, a curvy and alluring figure, fair, slender legs beneath her hot pants, and a face of striking beauty. The skateboarder girl instantly felt completely overshadowed and, stepping on her skateboard, fled in the opposite direction of the trio.
At that moment, the third person looked at the pair who seemed like a match made in heaven. Cross-shaped veins bulged on his forehead as he angrily said:
"Meng Hongchen, show some restraint! Clinging so closely, what kind of behavior is that? It's improper!"
"Not listening, not listening, just a fool chanting nonsense!"
Meng Hongchen shook her head, not sparing her brother even a glance. She even stepped forward and wrapped her arm around Ling Bai's. Ling Bai turned his head slightly, his gaze meeting a pair of beautiful, aggrieved eyes. Her lively expression seemed to say:
See? He's just here to ruin our moment!
Xiao Hongchen understood Meng Hongchen all too well. He instantly deciphered the play in her eyes and covered his face with a sigh.
Girls shouldn't be too forward, or else scummy men won't treasure them. He was clearly trying to help her!
Xiao Hongchen wished he could crack open his sister's head to see if it was filled with water or tofu pudding.
One calm, one sweet, and one with a sour face, the three-person team grabbed a simple meal and then began searching for a place to stay. After all, Shrek Academy had not provided the Soul Reaper's exact location, so they might need to spend several days investigating.
About fifteen minutes later, they found a distinctive hotel.
The hotel was three stories tall. Its exterior decor was rose red, and the entire hotel's architectural style resembled a blooming rose, exuding a bright and charming feeling. Four large characters were carved onto the red signboard.
Rose Hotel.
Meng Hongchen rubbed her chin with her jade-like hand, secretly glancing at Ling Bai beside her.
"Brother, Ling Bai, let's stay here," she said, pointing at the Rose Hotel.
"This hotel looks familiar... like I've seen it in Star Luo City," Xiao Hongchen muttered.
Ling Bai nodded in agreement. He recalled killing Chen Yu of the Body Sect on a bed in the Rose Hotel in Star Luo City back then. If the Rose Hotel was a chain, then this place was likely... an adult-themed hotel.
"What does it matter if you've seen it before or not? I think the décor here is great! Once we take care of the Soul Reaper, we can spend a few days having fun in Jialing City and visit the site of the Battle of the Gods while we're at it!"
Meng Hongchen frantically tried to conceal the emotional stirrings in her heart as she pushed the two of them into the Rose Hotel.
The instant they stepped inside, a heady fragrance of roses assailed their nostrils. The captivating scent seemed to ensnare the soul, as if a soft, delicate hand was gently tickling their hearts, making them feel pleasantly restless.
The hotel's décor featured just three colors: gold, pink, and rose-red. These warm hues combined to create an intimate, heated scene, and the Rose Hotel's atmosphere readily evoked a sense of ambiguous romance.
As Meng Hongchen walked, her pretty face suddenly flushed. She faltered for a moment, and Ling Bai, who was beside her, strode past.
Ling Bai walked straight to the front desk and said, "Three standard rooms, please."
The female attendant behind the counter quickly stood up, her gaze shifting from Ling Bai to Meng Hongchen, and then to Xiao Hongchen. A glimmer of 'Wow!' flashed in her eyes.
A super handsome guy, plus a pair of top-tier twins; this kind of two-men, one-woman combination was truly a rare sight.
"Sir, are you sure you want three rooms at the Rose Hotel?"
The attendant deliberately emphasized the name 'Rose Hotel,' as if it held some deeper meaning.
"Yes."
The attendant felt Ling Bai hadn't caught her hint, but it wasn't her place to be explicit. She lowered her head to check the room availability and said, "Very well, sir, but we only have two rooms left."
"Two rooms?"
Ling Bai fell silent in thought. Meng Hongchen grew so nervous she curled her toes against the floor, while Xiao Hongchen's guard instantly shot up. He could turn a blind eye to other things, but this final step? Absolutely not!
The attendant explained, "I apologize, sir. Jialing City is currently in its peak tourist season, so all major hotels are nearly booked out. The Rose Hotel has only these last two rooms available.
But please rest assured, all our rooms are large bed rooms with full facilities, more than spacious enough for two or three people."
Having said that, she gave Ling Bai a look that could only be understood, not spoken.
"We'll take both rooms. For a week."
"Very well, sir. One room is ten spirit gold coins per day, totaling one hundred and forty spirit gold coins for the week."
Ling Bai paid without hesitation. With the wealth of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and Illustrious Virtue Hall, known as two of the richest factions on the Douluo Continent, the trio had no shortage of spirit gold coins, and he didn't bother splitting the cost with the Hongchen siblings.
After receiving the payment, the front desk attendant's smile grew even more cordial. She handed Ling Bai two room cards and said, "Your rooms are on the top floor. The door signs read 'Red Romance' and 'Green Mood.' I wish all three of you a pleasant stay!"
At the innermost end of the top floor, Ling Bai found the door marked 'Red Romance.' 'Green Mood' was directly across from it.
The doors' colors matched their names. Beautiful dark red crystal roses adorned the crimson door of 'Red Romance,' and beside them, a vertical line of small text read: 'Red Romance: giving each other the most passionate love.'
"So it really is an adult-themed hotel, just like the one in Star Luo City."
Ling Bai handed the 'Green Mood' room card to Xiao Hongchen. Don't ask why; the reason was simply that Ling Bai did not like the color green.
Swiping the card to unlock the door, Ling Bai stepped into a world of red romance. No wonder this high-end hotel cost ten spirit gold coins per night—just the living room alone spanned over fifty square meters. Every piece of furniture in the hall gleamed gold, intricately carved with exquisite patterns.
In the center of the scarlet carpet, a heart shape crafted from roses was laid out. A slender silk ribbon hung above it, inscribed with flamboyant, flowing script that read: 'One thousand and one, you are my only one.'
A rich rose fragrance permeated every corner of the room, creating a charming and amorous atmosphere that was both dazzling and captivating.
Ling Bai's brow arched upon entering the bedroom. A heart-shaped king bed dominated half the space. Pale red gauze curtains cascaded from the ceiling, veiling the area above the bed and imbuing the room with a dreamy, surreal beauty.
Suddenly, the sound of light footsteps came from behind him. Ling Bai froze for half a second before whipping around. Meng Hongchen had followed him inside!
"Is there a chance that, with two rooms, one is mine, and the other is for you and your brother?"
Meng Hongchen's face flushed with a bashful shyness. "No! I want to have a world of two with you…"
Bang, bang, bang!
Urgent knocking suddenly thundered at the door, immediately followed by Xiao Hongchen's furious shout from outside:
"Meng Hongchen, get your butt out here right now!
If you don't come out in three seconds, I'm blasting the door down!"
"Tsk..."
Meng Hongchen pouted, a barely perceptible trace of frustration flickering in her eyes. She took a few quick steps, opened the door, and looked at her brother, who was bristling like an enraged lion. In a low voice, she said:
"Brother, what are you doing? I was just one step away!"
"Cut the nonsense. Either come back and stay with me, or you stay alone, and I'll room with him."
Having carelessly let Meng Hongchen slip away just moments before, Xiao Hongchen was now the very picture of stern impartiality.
"Alright, both of you come in. Let's discuss the matter of the Soul Reaper."
Ling Bai's voice came from the room. The Hongchen siblings both snorted coldly in unison and walked into 'Red Romance' together, where they found Ling Bai had already taken out the files on the victims.
"So, what's the plan?"
Xiao Hongchen cut straight to the point. He'd read through the surveillance assignment several times over the past two days and knew the victims' shared characteristics by heart.
Yet, after mulling it over for two days, he still had not figured out how to catch the Soul Reaper. In any case, Ling Bai was the team leader, so he decided he would just switch off his brain and act as the muscle. Ling Bai would be responsible for finding the enemy, and he, Xiao Hongchen, would be responsible for opening fire and blasting them to smithereens.
Ling Bai had already formulated the outline of a plan. He said slowly, "The victims are female, with outstanding appearances. Their deaths always occur at night. They frequented bars and dance halls, and generally lived rather decadent lives. The Evil Spirit Master killed them and seized their souls.
Jialing City covers a vast area. If we rely solely on searching, we could be at it until next year, and we don't have that kind of time.
The three most recent victims all visited the same bar before their deaths. I believe we can start from that angle and set up a fishing plan.
Meng, would you mind... using your feminine charms a little as bait?"
"Huh?"
Meng Hongchen raised her head, looking dazed. She had not heard the latter part of his sentence; only one thought occupied her mind.
Wah, he called me Meng~
...
Time flashed by. As night fell, Jialing City glowed with dazzling lights. Meng Hongchen wore a fiery red short skirt that boldly displayed her sexy figure. The ends of her hair were styled into loose waves, and she radiated a sultry, irresistible aura.
She left the Rose Hotel alone and strolled toward the city's most famous nightlife district. The night wind slipped beneath her short skirt, occasionally revealing the pale skin of her flank. Two figures trailed her from a distance.
The streets were mostly filled with tourists, laughing and chatting as they strolled along, creating a harmonious urban scene. However, occasionally, groups of youths could be seen, sporting earrings, lip rings, and backward baseball caps. Each of them clutched and smoked a hand-rolled cigarette of what appeared to be hemp leaves.
When gathered, youths dressed in this manner were the local undesirables whom Jialing City residents made a point to avoid. Among them were Spirit Masters and commoners alike, all sharing the common goal of trying to take advantage of tourists, particularly lone female travelers.
Very unfortunately for these youths, they set their sights on the provocatively dressed Meng Hongchen. They secretly followed her, preparing to relieve her of both her money and her virtue. Xiao Hongchen, observing this, was so delighted he felt he could soar. Giddily, he grabbed them by the scruffs of their necks, dragged them into an alley, and unleashed a 'loving' beating to vent his pent-up anger.
Meng Hongchen entered 'Night Bar' as per the fishing plan. Ling Bai and Xiao Hongchen waited a few minutes before they too entered, posing as customers simply looking to have fun.
The moment he stepped inside Night Bar, Xiao Hongchen's eyelids twitched violently. Dreamy, suggestive lighting bathed the scene. At the bar, in the corners, and in the center of the main floor, young couples were intimately entangled, arms around shoulders, embracing closely, their frivolous, coquettish laughter rising and falling.
"Cough, cough, cough!"
The impact of this scene on a hot-blooded virgin like Xiao Hongchen was immense. He hurriedly lowered his head, yet found himself reluctant to look away completely. In the end, he convinced himself it was merely to ensure Meng Hongchen's safety, and so, with eyes wide like copper bells, he gazed around, taking in all the surrounding... beauty.
Ling Bai, who had at least 'eaten meat' before and was constantly surrounded by all manner of stunning beauties, appeared far more composed in comparison. He casually picked a spot, sat down, and summoned a waiter. Before long, glasses of strong liquor were piled high on their table.
Xiao Hongchen grabbed a glass of strong liquor and downed it in one gulp. A fiery heat immediately began to surge and churn within his body.
Amber liquid in delicate crystal glasses bubbled with tiny beads, sending a rich fragrance wafting through the air.
Ling Bai held the glass, moved it before him, and examined the fragrant liquid. As the liquor slid down his throat, it delivered not only a mellow flavor but also a burning sensation, as if a fierce fire raged within.
His gaze shifted to the dance floor, where the dim lighting sprinkled over Meng Hongchen, casting a faint, hazy glow upon her snow-white skin.
Given her stunning looks, she effortlessly outshone every other woman present. The music throbbed with passion as the beauty danced, blossoming under the lights. Her short skirt clung tightly, outlining her voluptuous curves, making her resemble a succubus from the abyss, tempting all who watched to sin.
"Meng won't be in any danger, will she...?"
Xiao Hongchen said worriedly, his gaze sweeping over the pairs of wolfish eyes in the crowd around them.
"Don't underestimate your sister. If she were to fully unleash her Red Eyed Ice Toad poison, even an 8-ringed Spirit Douluo would have a hard time."
Sensing the time was about right, Ling Bai picked up a glass of liquor, walked onto the dance floor, and took Meng Hongchen's slender, jade-like fingers. After a dance, he left Night Bar with an arm half-embracing her.
The next two days followed the same pattern. Meng Hongchen would go to Night Bar and effortlessly captivate everyone with her beauty. Then, in full view of the crowd, a man would embrace her and lead her away, ostensibly to spend the night. Each night, the man was different.
At first, Ling Bai had planned to use the Thousand Illusion Charming Appearance to change his face and do it himself. However, Xiao Hongchen stayed up all night to craft a Class 6 Spirit Mask that altered appearance, determined to prevent Meng Hongchen from getting too close to Ling Bai, and took to the stage himself to pull his sister away.
It was now the fourth night. The face-changed Ling Bai and Xiao Hongchen once again sat in Night Bar, drinking and watching Meng Hongchen steal the spotlight in the center of the dance floor.
"This is the fourth day. Do you really think this will work?" Xiao Hongchen asked doubtfully.
"Fishing requires patience. A fish will always test the bait repeatedly before it finally bites."
Ling Bai replied, twirling the liquid in his glass. "You recall that minor incident on the second day, don't you? I sent a voice transmission to Meng then, telling her to display the cultivation of a Spirit Ancestor.
In Jialing City, which has largely become a tourist destination, a Spirit Ancestor is already considered an upper-middle tier Spirit Master. How many playboys would have the guts to hit on a beauty at the Spirit Ancestor level? Besides, haven't you noticed? Over these four days, we've seen two or three familiar faces at Night Bar every single night.
And look, speak of the devil. Someone's making a move now."
"Beautiful lady, may I ask if you are here alone?"
Standing before Meng Hongchen was a smartly dressed man. He wore a smile as bright as a spring day and looked to be about twenty-four or twenty-five, his medium-length black hair neatly combed.
"Yes, I am."
Meng Hongchen's smile brimmed with allure. "And you?"
After a pleasant exchange, the two left Night Bar together…