Chapter 87: An Unexpected Encounter and Money

July 5, 2004. Another day had passed, and the aftermath of Typhoon 0407, “Dandelion,” had all but faded away. The vehicles trapped on the elevated highway had been cleared and dispersed.

With all schools in the city closed for three days, there were already numerous students visible on the streets—especially from the more disciplined, tightly regulated institutions.

In this age, as the economy and technology advanced, students had more and more to learn. Under normal circumstances, you’d rarely see so many of them out in public except on special holidays.

Liu Tian stepped out from the snail noodle shop. Even an extra-large bowl was hardly enough to fill him, so he quickly decided to seek out another place to eat.

In the world of secret martial arts, he had spent most of his time in Western societies, either cooking in rotation with the Heavenly Way, or attending “high-end” banquets. It had been years since he’d enjoyed such street-side snacks.

What should he eat next? It was still too early for the late-night barbecue joints to open. Perhaps some grilled meat?

Liu Tian yawned. Chu Zihang, who had just finished paying, emerged from the shop, her hand still gripping that long blade.

Neither of them made any attempt to hide the fact they were carrying a formidable weapon, strolling along the street as if it were perfectly natural. Luckily, Chu Zihang was a teenage girl; Liu Tian, though more developed than his peers, was clearly a boy.

Most curious onlookers assumed they were participating in some newly popular activity—cosplay.

Quite a few people tried to approach and ask for a photo, but retreated under Chu Zihang’s expressionless, icy glare. The rare few who pressed their luck felt a sudden, bone-chilling cold, their limbs locked and unable to move.

No one suspected that the beautiful, stoic girl actually wielded a blade capable of slicing through iron with ease, and that the paralyzing sensation was none other than the legendary “killer intent.”

Such was the advantage of their genders; were their roles reversed, even if Liu Tian appeared younger, they could never have moved so calmly through the crowd.

This was becoming a little too conspicuous.

Chu Zihang frowned unconsciously, but since Liu Tian said nothing, she remained silent as well.

After all, it was just a bit of attention. She was used to stares—whether on the street or at Shilan Middle School, she often felt the gaze of others. Chu Zihang had long grown accustomed.

This time, there were simply more eyes, more intense scrutiny. Nothing she couldn’t handle.

“Isn’t that Chu Zihang? And Liu Tian?” A hunched figure passed by the pair, then, several meters later, suddenly spun around, staring at their retreating backs. “The more I look, the more it seems like them. How did they end up together?”

“Is Chu Zihang dressed up as the Lord of Hell?”

“There are fans of Sea Tiger here, too? No, maybe it’s just a coincidence—there are so many characters with trench coats and Japanese swords…”

With a hint of delight at meeting fellow enthusiasts, Lu Mingfei, who was something of an otaku himself, found no answer and lacked the courage to ask. Just pausing and turning back had used up all his bravery; if not for the fact one was a senior and the other a classmate, he might not even have glanced back.

Never mind, it doesn’t concern me.

Lu Mingfei shook his head, hunching over as he continued toward his familiar internet café.

That guy gave me a feeling—not lively, a bit thin, but the quality is as good as Odin’s. This place really is a spiritual hotspot; Shilan Middle School is full of hidden talents.

Was it the Lost Empire’s intention that I was born here?

Even separated by dozens of meters and surrounded by the noise of life on the avenue, Liu Tian heard Lu Mingfei’s words clear as day.

Hungry as he was, Liu Tian wasn’t interested in striking up a conversation, but the chance encounter changed his mind about leaving school right away.

Besides, that guy seemed to be under constant surveillance, though he himself was unaware.

Liu Tian glanced back, scanning a few seemingly ordinary people. Interesting. Perhaps I should stay in school a bit longer—there may be more surprises here, in this so-called Shilan Middle School.

…

“Thank you for your patronage, that’ll be three thousand eight hundred seventy-two. Let’s round it to three thousand eight. Will you be paying in cash or card?”

The receptionist handed over the bill, addressing the two guests who clearly weren’t ordinary folk.

“Card,” Chu Zihang said, pulling out a credit card. She’d spent almost all her cash on snacks, and besides—no regular student would carry four thousand in cash. The paper alone would make a thick stack.

But it wasn’t ideal to keep paying for everything herself. She’d have to find a way to get more money.

As Chu Zihang went to swipe her card, Liu Tian thought to himself—how long has it been since I worried about money?

Years. No, decades. Except for that first time hunting antiques, I haven’t fretted over money since. How did I manage it after that?

Full and satisfied, Liu Tian let his thoughts drift. It had been ages since he’d been so relaxed.

I remember, after leaving the antique street, I rescued Alice that night. The early antiques were all bought up by the Gaiyan family, then I went to the Crimson Cloud Empire. After my breakthrough, I started seizing things outright. Later, with Lilith’s rise as my bargaining chip, I monopolized the antiques again.

Afterward, I repeated the process, gaining control of neighboring kingdoms. Then, wherever I went, the local palace covered the bills; where that wasn’t possible, Alice paid. I never touched money myself.

Speaking of which, the Rose Princess—oh, the Rose Queen—still owes me several years’ worth of antiques.

Liu Tian paused, realizing he had no legitimate way of making money. In his past life, apart from gratitude and business, everything else was little more than a joke. In truth, perhaps he’d lived off Alice for five years.

But Alice wasn’t shortchanged. Two life-saving debts alone were worth the price, and with Shadow Dragon Step, Heavenly Martial Arts, and Liu Tian’s personal guidance as one of the strongest, it was an investment with infinite returns.

Tsk! How did I earn a living in my last life?

Liu Tian frowned. With little understanding of this world, he wasn’t inclined to use special means to make money—besides, he was quite law-abiding, at least by the law of the jungle.

But since this society was relatively stable, he had no intention of stirring up chaos.

Let me think. Back then, I was a game programmer. The original version of the “Effort” panel was born from my ideas.

Ah, forget it. I never want to be a coder again. Time to find another way to make money.

I remember in the slums, there were plenty of generous people willing to give money for free—quick, efficient, generous.

Liu Tian stroked his chin, pondering how to quickly and conveniently earn some cash.

“Your card seems to be damaged, it won’t swipe. Do you have another?”

The waitress spoke softly.

“It’s broken?” Chu Zihang took back the card. She only had this one, forced upon her—she rarely needed to spend money, and this was her first time using it, only to find it failed.

This card’s quality is lacking; next time, I’ll carry more cash.

Chu Zihang thought, then asked, “Can I run a tab? I’ll return with the money from home.”

“I’ll have to ask the manager.” The waitress turned and went to consult the manager.

“Card’s broken?” Liu Tian approached Chu Zihang and asked.

“Hmm, maybe it was damaged during that incident, or perhaps soaked through,” Chu Zihang replied, waiting for Liu Tian’s decision—at worst, they’d dine and dash. Surely Liu Tian wouldn’t slaughter everyone in the shop just because they couldn’t pay. That would be far too deranged—though for some reason, Chu Zihang had entertained the idea the moment she realized her card was broken.