Chapter 12: Sister Dan Enters Seclusion

Over the next few days, Shen Xin stayed in the compound—not only because she was worried about Tang Ziran, but also to keep a watchful eye on Chen Jiawang. After all, when a man and a woman are left alone together, it’s all too easy for things to take an unexpected turn, especially since Chen Jiawang was a superhuman with enhanced strength. If he ever forced himself on her, Tang Ziran would have no way to resist.

Fortunately, neither situation occurred.

Tang Ziran seemed to possess a natural affinity with the strange beasts. Normally, such creatures—or even ordinary wild animals—were instinctively hostile to humans, but Tang Ziran was an exception; they became docile around her, even affectionate.

Chen Jiawang went about his usual training in the compound by day, but every night he would slip out and not return until late. No one knew what he was up to.

As for Old Mo, he hadn’t visited once since the holiday began, which piqued Shen Xin’s curiosity. After all, Old Mo was from Ox City, not far from the compound. Why hadn’t he stopped by, especially with such delicious meals being served?

Seizing an opportunity, Shen Xin asked, “Brother Wang, what’s Old Mo’s family situation?”

Chen Jiawang replied, “Old Mo? He’s lived a life more colorful than mine. When he was young, all he wanted was to master martial arts and roam the world with a sword in hand. You might not know this, but most boys born in the ‘80s grew up dreaming of heroics, inspired by gangster flicks and wuxia novels.”

“Oh? And then?”

“So he started learning kung fu on his own as a kid. When he grew up, he worked as a private bodyguard. Eventually, he seriously injured someone and spent over a decade in prison. After being released, he worked as a traditional martial arts trainer for a few years, then finally got married in his thirties.”

“That doesn’t sound so extraordinary,” Shen Xin said, puzzled.

Chen Jiawang’s eyes widened. “Not extraordinary? You make it sound simple, but every word is backed by a life hard fought. Still, things haven’t been easy for him. Now, it’s just him and his daughter.”

“What about his wife?”

“She was killed by one of his enemies.”

“Damn. Did he get revenge? For the murder of a parent or the loss of a wife, only blood can repay such debts!”

“Of course he avenged her, but what good does it do? The dead can’t return. Old Mo’s like me now—alive, but dead inside.”

Shen Xin countered, “But he still has a daughter in elementary school. There’s hope, so how can his heart be dead? Why don’t we go visit him?”

“No need. He insisted we not disturb him. He just wants to live peacefully with his daughter.”

Shen Xin glanced at Tang Ziran, who was playing with the strange beasts, and uneasily asked, “Brother Wang, do you have a girlfriend?”

Chen Jiawang shook his head. “No, but I do have a few close friends.”

“You scoundrel! If you dare make a move on Tang Ziran, I’ll fight you to the death!”

“Of course not! I have boundaries. A friend’s wife is off-limits. Besides, if Ziran summons her beasts, I wouldn’t stand a chance anyway.”

“That’s more like it!”

Five days passed in a flash. Shen Xin returned to his rented place to tidy up, then checked the dormitory building. He found nothing unusual; the “white event caretakers” seemed reliable after all. Now, all the dorms had security bars and the rooftop was welded shut—jumping was no longer an option.

Life returned to normal. Mornings were for classes, afternoons and evenings for training at the compound.

Sister Dan finally returned, though she looked unwell. If not for the arrival of the new recruit, Tang Ziran, she would have struggled to muster a smile. After learning about Tang Ziran’s abilities, she offered only a few words of encouragement.

Then she opened her suitcase and took out a delicate wooden box, handing it to Chen Jiawang. “Jiawang, there are two adamantine claws inside. Try them on.”

“Ha, Sister Dan, you’re generous!”

Delighted, Chen Jiawang hurriedly opened the box, slipped on the claws, and moved to the horizontal bar. With a single sweep of his right arm, the thick steel bar snapped in two.

Sister Dan produced another small box. “Shen Xin, inside is a specially made flying dagger—perfect for your abilities.”

“Thank you, Sister Dan.”

Shen Xin received the box with delight. Inside lay a flying dagger over a foot long, thin as a reed—barely two millimeters thick and almost translucent. He tossed the dagger, activated his ocular technique, and with a flicker of his eyes, the dagger embedded itself in the wall. In the blink of an eye, it appeared in several other spots.

Perfect for surprise attacks.

Shen Xin was certain that, with practice, not even twenty or thirty second-tier monsters could get near him in the future.

Sister Dan nodded in approval. “Not bad. Keep training—maybe you’ll earn a spot in the Holy City.”

She turned to Tang Ziran, apologetic. “Ziran, I didn’t know you’d be coming, so I didn’t prepare a gift. Let me transfer you thirty thousand yuan for now—use it as you need.”

Sister Dan could tell Tang Ziran was strapped for cash, and to her, thirty thousand was nothing.

“Oh, Sister Dan, I couldn’t possibly…”

Shen Xin laughed. “Just take it. In the city, you need money for everything, and you don’t have a cent to your name.”

In truth, Tang Ziran had a little money, but by their standards, it was as good as nothing.

With that, Sister Dan added Tang Ziran on social media and transferred her the thirty thousand.

Finally, she looked at Old Mo. “Old Mo, come with me.”

She wheeled her suitcase upstairs, Old Mo close behind.

Tang Ziran stared at her phone, stunned by the sudden windfall.

Shen Xin laughed. “Work hard—Sister Dan is a great boss. Soon you’ll be counting money until your hands cramp, and before you’re twenty you’ll marry tall, rich, and handsome and reach the pinnacle of life!”

“Mhm. I’ll go feed the beasts now.”

The strange beasts’ appetites were voracious. If they ate meat, they’d need at least two or three thousand pounds a day. Thankfully, Sister Dan had prepared plenty of spirit beast pellets; one a day was enough, along with some water. The only hassle was cleaning the cages.

Before Tang Ziran came, the beasts were kept locked in special iron cages in the basement. Within days of her arrival, she’d trained all five to obedience.

Now, the five beasts roamed the courtyard, serving as makeshift guards.

They weren’t exactly friendly toward Shen Xin and the others, but they didn’t attack, either. Only with Tang Ziran were they utterly submissive.

With these five beasts, Tang Ziran’s strength had soared.

Before long, Old Mo returned from upstairs. “Sister Dan will be in seclusion for a while. Unless it’s urgent, there will be no missions. She’s given me the mission phone, so we’ll be taking jobs ourselves from now on.”

Chen Jiawang’s joy vanished. “Without Sister Dan anchoring us, we won’t get the high-bounty jobs. Our income will take a big hit!”

“Still, we have to learn to stand on our own. Sister Dan’s done plenty for us,” Old Mo said, regretful but quick to compose himself.

He turned to Tang Ziran. “Ziran, you’ll start training with us from today. Work on your teamwork—next mission, you’re coming too.”

“Okay!” Tang Ziran showed no trace of fear; in fact, she looked eager.

Shen Xin, however, couldn’t hide his worry. Tang Ziran was his fellow villager—only seventeen, and already going on missions. How could he not be anxious?

But he had no grounds to object. All he could do was train harder, hoping that sweating more in practice would mean bleeding less in battle.