Chapter 268: Don't You Have Your Own People in District 13?

Chapter 268: Don't You Have Your Own People in District 13?

"Collection complete."

In the enclosed warehouse, Chen Xiaoyu removed the magic glasses that could detect Dark Qi and set down the chopsticks imbued with Bogang's magic energy. She reported the situation to the other person on the phone.

Sneaky, curled up into a small ball beside her, let out a satisfied burp and affectionately rubbed against her cheek.

The Wave Magic energy was within its body, stored instead of digested.

"Just as you said, when demons appear in the world, their corresponding magic energy becomes more active and easier to capture."

A light laugh came from the other end of the line, the voice calm and gentle.

"It seems that my future self chose you for a reason. It wasn't just a random pick."

In the original story, the future Xiaoyu and Devil Dragon were the key to unlocking the magic energy arc. Xiaoyu possessed various tools from the future, perfectly aligning with his plan.

Not only did she symbolize the unlocking of magic energy, but she also had access to Zhou Lan's magic glasses and an air motorcycle from the future. With these, she could quickly locate and sense the presence of magic energy in a specific area.

Sneaky, the magic snake transformed by Bogang's magic, served not only as a powerful ally but also as a storage vessel for magic energy. Its body was incredibly resilient, and Bogang's ability to 'Devour' and 'Grow' made it an ideal temporary container for storing magic energy.

"You've worked hard, Xiaoyu."

"It's not hard work, just bad luck."

"If you keep this up, we won't be able to have a friendly conversation."

Xiaoyu sighed as she held the phone, "I thought I would be promoted from subordinate and part-time friend to partner, but it seems I still have to keep working. I was working for you before I came through, and I'm still working for you now that I'm back."

"Well, those who are capable should work harder. The company is still in its early stages and we're short-staffed. I appreciate your hard work and overtime. Once we become successful, I'll remember your contributions and give you stocks and dividends."

"The way you're speaking now sounds just like the capitalists you used to hate the most."

Xiaoyu couldn't help but laugh, "Let's speed things up. There are six more demons waiting for you."

"Don't worry, the process will be much faster from now on. You'll be busy."

Lu Ke finished speaking softly into the phone and hung up, looking out the door.

Through the faint light seeping through the door crack, Lu Ke saw Dragonfang questioning Xiaoyu sternly.

"The task was completed smoothly, but Xiaoyu, you need to explain why you have the Ox Charm."

He rubbed his throbbing temples, feeling a headache coming on.

This wasn't the first time Xiaoyu had taken a charm without permission. Misusing the power of charms was a frightening prospect, even if it wasn't intentional.

"I can explain about that."

Xiaoyu awkwardly spread her hands, unsure why she had specifically taken the Ox Charm. It was as if her subconscious was telling her to give the charm to someone.

Someone... someone...

The leader of the Black Hand gang who she had gone to the Deer Park with? She had lost a bet to him and promised the Ox Charm as a wager.

Xiaoyu felt a bit dazed. She had been planning to renege on her promise, just as she had done with Dragonfang or her dad in the past, playing word games.

Although she knew that breaking her promise was wrong, she also understood that giving the charm to the Black Hand gang would be a bad idea.

Yet, she had unconsciously taken the Ox Charm and even brought it with her on the plane.

Xiaoyu fell into deep thought.

It was strange; if she were so committed to keeping her word, she should have given the charm to him personally or delivered it to the business tower he had mentioned. But she hadn't seen the big guy...

"Xiaoyu, don't avoid the issue with silence! Give me the Ox Charm and reflect on your actions!"

Xiaoyu wanted to hand over the charm but hesitated, feeling an inexplicable force preventing her from doing so.

Seeing her attitude, Dragonfang became angrier.

"Xiaoyu, you're not allowed to watch TV for the rest of the month!"

Lu Ke stepped forward and intervened, "Calm down, Dragon Uncle. At least Xiaoyu helped this time, right?"

"This isn't about whether she helped or not. Fighting demons is dangerous, and if something happened to her, I wouldn't be able to face her parents."

Seeing Lu Ke siding with Xiaoyu again, Dragonfang felt helpless.

He always thought of Xiaoyu as a mature and reliable child, but Lu Ke always spoke up for her, preventing him from properly disciplining her. This was a real nuisance.

Just as he was about to say something to Lu Ke, Dad, who had been reading the newspaper, quietly put it down and shot two sharp death rays at him.

Dragonfang: ...

He had already lost favor with Dad.

Lu Ke sided with Xiaoyu, and Dad sided with Lu Ke, leaving him, the reliable adult, at the bottom of the family food chain...

Was there no one to care for his fragile heart?

After Dragonfang left in disappointment, Lu Ke turned to Xiaoyu, sighing inwardly.

Making a promise to the God of Charms was something that had to be kept, which was why Xiaoyu unconsciously held onto the Ox Charm, intending to exchange it with her evil self. She just hadn't noticed the presence of her evil self.

"Xiaoyu, give me the Ox Charm."

"Okay."

This time, Xiaoyu handed over the charm with ease. The connection between the two was the closest, being the embodiment of the concept of 'Lu Ke'.

"Now, I have none left."

After handing over the Ox Charm, Xiaoyu felt a bit down. This was the first time she had lost so badly, well... the second time.

Lu Ke gently reassured, "Xiaoyu, although you lost, no one has ever denied your abilities, not now or in the future. Remember, you kicked the Mountain Devil flying with one kick, and you even defeated the Dark Lord and Devil Dragon with ease."

Xiaoyu paused, feeling embarrassed, and lowered her head, her gaze shifting uneasily. Just then, she caught the eyes of Tru, who had just finished cleaning the kitchen and was silently passing by. She instinctively moved closer to Lu Ke.

During the fight for the Rooster Charm, Tru was the only member of the Black Hand who had laid a hand on her.

His action added a hint of melancholy to Tru's usually expressionless face.

...

Tru had arrived at Papa's Antique Shop two days ago. Initially, Papa was reluctant to accept this former kidnapper from the Black Hand, but Lu Ke stepped in, playing the role of a good guy.

"Everyone deserves a chance to change. Please help him sincerely."

The slightly sanctimonious line made Lu Ke feel a bit ashamed, but he was in his good-natured state, which made it easier to say.

If he were in his complete state, he would have said something like, "Forgiveness is God's business, but I'm here to send you to meet Him."

In that moment, Tru, who had been resisting the undercover mission and pretending to be a good guy, suddenly felt that perhaps his time here wouldn't be as unbearable as he thought.

He became the jack-of-all-trades at the antique shop, taking on tasks like cleaning, laundry, cooking, and assisting Lu Ke and Papa in fetching books and magic materials. He was quite efficient.

In return, Papa provided him with food, accommodation, and guidance in magic, and Tru was learning quickly and gradually becoming a part of the place.

Lu Ke patted Xiaoyu's head, "You're not afraid of this big guy, are you?"

"Of course not, I've defeated demons before!"

Most of the time, this tactic worked well on Xiaoyu. Watching her take the initiative to approach Tru and try to communicate, Lu Ke smiled and returned to his study to continue reading his magic book.

The peaceful moments flowed by in the warm aroma of hot tea until Dragonfang burst into his room, informing him that traces of the Dark Lord and his gang had been found in District Thirteen.

Lu Ke stared at the photo Dragonfang handed him, his gaze fixed on the Pandora's Box held by Ice Cold.

"The trigram symbol is Xun, indicating the presence of the Wind Devil, Xiao Feng."

A second devil had appeared!

...

"The prison holding the Wind Devil, Xiao Feng, is located in the vast Seventh Plateau, one million and one feet north of the equator, in a quiet forest surrounded by undulating mountain ranges."

The Dark Lord, looking pitiful and disheveled, gazed at the prison before him.

"My brother is locked up in the depths of hell, and here I am, standing outside another prison."

"That's not the point. The important thing is that we need to get in there and release him quickly."

Dragon Blade's tone was tinged with frustration. Previously, in his wizard tower, he had lived a worry-free life as the most feared Dark Qi Mage.

But ever since he followed the Dark Lord, he had been constantly on the run, hungry for days, and chased by the people of District Thirteen and Dragonfang's gang.

If it weren't for the promise of the charms, he would have abandoned the Dark Lord and the rest of the useless bunch long ago!

Dragon Blade turned to look at Ice Cold, Venomous Snake, and Fist Master, who were holding the Pandora's Box.

"We can't take the Pandora's Box, so you three go and get yourselves caught and sent to prison."

"No way, sir!"

"Who would want to go to prison?"

"We're not doing it!"

The three, with no loyalty to speak of, were only following the Dark Lord for the promised wealth and power. Upon hearing that they had to go to prison, they immediately lost their enthusiasm and wanted to run away.

"I'm not asking for your opinion!"

Dragon Blade's eyes turned cold, and with a wave of his magic staff, he buried Fist Master and Venomous Snake in the ground, sparing only Ice Cold due to the Pandora's Box in his hands.

"Hurry up."

He waved his staff, and dark energy enveloped him, the Dark Lord, and Devil Dragon, turning them into a cloud of smoke that infiltrated the prison and hid within.

...

"When these three entered the prison, the guards didn't find the Pandora's Box on them. They must have hidden it somewhere else, but we've searched thoroughly and haven't found it."

Chief Black pointed at the surveillance footage of Ice Cold and his team operating a sewing machine.

"We need an informant to monitor their movements, prevent them from obtaining the box and releasing the devil, or at least send the devil back immediately. The contact code is South American Rat."

"But why me?"

Dragonfang's mouth twitched as he looked at the prisoner uniform in front of him, identical to his own.

Are you kidding me? Another prison sentence? Am I some kind of natural-born prisoner?

Chief Black's face was filled with apology, "I'm sorry, but... you can't let them go to prison, can you?"

Dragonfang looked behind him, scanning each person.

Xiaoyu: "I'm just a child."

Papa: "You're my nephew."

Lu Ke: "I'm a Saint Fighter."

None of them were suitable for prison.

After a moment of hesitation, Tru stepped forward, "I can go to prison. I have a criminal record, so it'll be easier to get arrested."

"Forget it. The Dark Lord knows you, and your large build makes it impossible to go unnoticed."

Dragonfang resignedly put on the human skin mask, beginning another stint in prison.

It wasn't until he was escorted into the prison and the iron gate closed that he finally couldn't hold back his outburst.

"Don't you guys have your own police in District Thirteen?!"

He was an archaeologist, not a secret agent!

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end