Chapter 93 I Accept Your Challenge
The woman in black narrowed her beautiful eyes behind her gold-rimmed glasses. The click of her high heels echoed as she stepped closer to Xia Feng.
Despite the bustling crowd and the noise around them, Xia Feng felt as if the world had narrowed to the sharp, rhythmic sound of her heels striking the ground. His chest tightened inexplicably.
Then—
She stopped right in front of him, so close that her body nearly pressed against his. The black crystal heels brought her height almost level with his. Leaning in slightly, she brought her lips close to his ear.
Her warm breath brushed against his skin, sending a faint itch through him. Xia Feng arched an eyebrow, his usual confident smirk unwavering. Then, the cold, mocking voice of the Witch of Destruction whispered into his ear:
"Mr. Xia, I accept your challenge. Just you wait~"
With that, she straightened up, meeting his gaze for a brief moment before turning away.
"..."
Xia Feng stayed silent for two seconds, then rolled his eyes.
No hints about power-ups, no insights into spiritual attire—nothing useful at all.
He clicked his tongue and hurried after her. "Oh? If you're so confident, why not settle it right now?"
Mu Qingtong spared him a glance. "I have other matters to attend to."
"Tch. Don't tell me you're scared, Miss Mu?" Xia Feng taunted.
Just then, a woman in a professional pencil skirt approached, holding a document folder. With a polite smile, she handed it over.
"Miss Mu, your registration is complete. Here are your agent credentials and entry guidelines. Please review them."
"Thank you." Mu Qingtong accepted the documents with a slight nod.
Xia Feng blinked, catching a clear glimpse of the text on her certificate:
[Imperial Holy Department Agent Certificate]
[Name: Mu Qingtong]
[Affiliation: 7th Squad, District 51]
[Position: Clerk]
"Mr. Xia, these are yours." The woman handed him an identical folder and certificate.
Xia Feng took it and scanned the contents:
[Imperial Holy Department Agent Certificate]
[Name: Xia Feng]
[Affiliation: 8th Squadron, District 51]
[Position: Honorary Vice Captain]
"Honorary Vice Captain?" Xia Feng frowned. "Since when does the Holy Department have a position like this?"
The woman smiled. "Mr. Xia, as an Honorary Vice Captain, you are exempt from routine duties and are not bound by the captain's orders. Your only obligation is to respond to emergency summons in the event of an A-rank or higher supernatural incident within District 51. Your monthly salary is 18,000, with full benefits, including the Empire's special military allowances and survivor compensation—equivalent to a standard Vice Captain's package."
Well, damn. Xia Feng was impressed. The Xuanwu Bureau Chief had actually delivered on his promise—a cushy job with zero responsibilities.
After a few more administrative explanations, the woman bowed and left.
Xia Feng turned to Mu Qingtong, transmitting his voice. "Why'd you join the Holy Department? Not hiding your strength anymore?"
Mu Qingtong shook her head. "After spending so much time with you in the Evil Dragon Forest, my spiritual pressure would've naturally reached at least Tier 1. There's no hiding that."
"Oh. Right."
"I told Chen Xingdao I stumbled upon a 'Spirit Storage Fruit' in the forest. Since you didn't need it, you let me have it. After consuming it, my spiritual pressure surged to its peak, pushing me into Tier 1. If anyone asks, remember to stick to that story."
Spirit Storage Fruit? As if those grew on trees! Who'd believe that?
Xia Feng gave her a dry look. "So… you're begging me to cover for you?"
Mu Qingtong smiled faintly. "Mr. Xia, I'd advise against reckless words. Unless you'd like us both to reveal our Tier 2 strength?"
"..."
Damn. With no leverage left, Xia Feng could only drop the subject.
"Then what does your job as a clerk actually involve?"
"Recording, analyzing, and providing battlefield guidance."
"Guidance? You? On the battlefield?" Xia Feng gave her a skeptical look.
By now, the two had entered a large hall. Li Sheng, overhearing their conversation, stood up with a smile.
"Vice Captain Xia, don't underestimate Secretary Mu. While she may lack practical combat experience, her knowledge of spiritual theory is extensive—even mastering the efficient structuring of spiritual attire. Such expertise is rare in the Holy Department."
"..."
Ah, I see. Xia Feng finally understood. Mu Qingtong's current cover was that of a brilliant theorist with no field skills. That must be how she slipped into the Holy Department after the Wang Jue operation.
His eyes narrowed. Something about this witch's scheme felt off.
"Brother Sheng, the Bureau Chief wants the [Peach] organization's files compiled and sent to him ASAP," a young man interjected.
Li Sheng sighed. "Right, right—damn Red Peach showed up again on Bloodnight Street last night. Who knows what they're plotting this time." He rummaged through a drawer, pulled out a thick folder, and waved at the pair.
"You two go ahead and familiarize yourselves with the place. I've got work to handle."
The middle-aged man hustled to the office area, where a dozen clerks scrambled to consolidate [Peach]'s intel under his supervision.
Xia Feng and Mu Qingtong observed the flurry of activity around them, then slowly turned to face each other.
"Miss Mu, something tells me we shouldn't linger here. Thoughts?"
"Agreed."
Mu Qingtong left to attend clerk training, while Xia Feng sought out Old Wei.
Wang Jue, enraged by Wei Shutong's betrayal, hadn't killed him outright—instead, he'd subjected him to relentless torture.
Had reinforcements arrived any later, Wei Shutong would've died in the northwest.
Though stabilized, Old Wei remained unconscious.
Xia Feng sat silently by the bed for hours, hands stuffed in his pockets. One of them curled around the USB drive Wei Shutong had entrusted to him—its purpose still a mystery. Back then, Wei Shutong had given him two things: a stack of photos and this drive.
The photos went to the Xuanwu Bureau Chief. The drive? "Keep this safe. Don't let anyone know—not even the Bureau Chief."
Clearly, whatever was on it mattered far more. Xia Feng hadn't dared to peek.
Over the next five days, Mu Qingtong vanished into another spiritual song competition. Xia Feng's repeated provocations went unanswered, leaving him both frustrated and oddly restless.
Something's wrong with Mu Qingtong. Something's very wrong with that competition.
Finally, though, she snapped. Next Thursday, she declared, would be his "death date"—she'd find a secluded room where no one would interrupt her as she "taught him his place."
Today was Sunday. Four days to go. Xia Feng couldn't wait.
With time to kill and boredom gnawing at him, he turned his attention to disciplining the princess.
Time for some human lessons—like how sticking out her tongue halfway was the proper way to apologize.
Between training sessions, he kept vigil at Old Wei's bedside each night, chatting aimlessly to the unresponsive man.
Then—
[Player No. 11, take note.]
[The third evolution phase begins shortly.]
[Teleportation in: 3 minutes.]
(End of chapter.)