After Boss Qin left, I told Jeane to stay inside while I went out for breakfast as usual. Stein, Antonio and the others had already claimed a table, with Philip joining them too. Only the little fox was missing.
This was strange. Could something have actually happened to the little fox? But she was a demon - surely she wouldn't lose to a mere Living Dead? I glanced outside. The sun was already high - if she meant to return, she would have done so by now. Whatever the case, after breakfast I'd need to search for both Daphne and the little fox. Too many missing pieces to track down.
"Hey Little Boss," Stein whispered, his eyes darting to the upper right corner where none other than the Living Dead sat. "Where's that woman from last night?"
The Living Dead looked even worse than last night - probably still fuming. Surrounding him were various underworld profiteers of bizarre appearances. One man even had a jiangshi standing obediently behind him as if it were perfectly normal. In any ordinary hotel, this would have terrified people, but here everyone ignored the undead servant completely.
Truth be told, compared to these others, the Living Dead didn't seem that strange. When you're dealing with underworld profiteers, eccentricities come standard. Best not to judge.
The hotel had everything covered - they'd even opened a restaurant on the first floor. Guests could eat there, though it cost extra. With so many customers, Boss Qin must be raking in money hand over fist. And not just his place - every hotel in town was packed full. The recent influx had filled all available rooms, forcing some newcomers to pitch tents outside Beiwang Town.
"Little Boss, don't worry," Stein whispered, pulling me from my thoughts. "This Living Dead keeps nocturnal hours - he'll go back to sleep after breakfast. We'll sneak the girl out then. Clean getaway, no confrontation needed."
I grunted noncommittally, sipping my tea while formulating plans of my own.
Avoid confrontation? I intended to kill the bastard today. That inhuman monster - letting him walk away unpunished wasn't an option. If we hadn't found Jeane, that poor girl would have been devoured last night. The thought made my blood boil.
Finishing my tea in one gulp, I stood and made for the upper right corner.
"Where are you going? Don't start trouble." Philip, seeming to sense my intentions, tried to dissuade me.
"Stay out of this. It's personal." My cold reply left no room for argument. Philip returned to his doughnut without further protest.
Approaching the Living Dead's table, I sat down uninvited. My previously stern expression melted into a friendly smile. As the saying goes: "Reach out to strangers with a smile." This would help me get closer to the Living Dead... faster.
"Kid, who are you?" The Living Dead eyed me warily, his voice even shriller than last night - like a eunuch's. Who knew what he'd been through? Probably screamed his voice raw with rage.
"Your Excellency must be the legendary Ghost Police! The rumors don't do you justice - such distinguished handsomeness! I'm in awe!"
I laid on the flattery thick, nearly making myself vomit. The brown-nosing was disgustingly transparent, but necessary to get close.
The Living Dead immediately perked up, preening as if my words held truth.
"You've got eyes, kid. Your name? And which underworld sect do you belong to?" he demanded.
I bowed slightly. "Roger, heir to the Tattoos of Gods and Ghosts tradition. May I ask the elder's honorable name?"
"Call me Francesc. We Living Dead don't use real names." He studied me. "This 'Tattoos of Gods and Ghosts'... I've not heard much. Does it involve yin magic?"
"Of course!" I proclaimed. "Our yin magic tattoos can manipulate three fates - destiny, fortune, and geomancy's influence... The possibilities are endless. Whatever effect you desire, I can ink it."
Francesc's eyes gleamed. "That powerful? You must tattoo me sometime - a free trial first though. If it works, I'll pay."
"No problem!" I agreed cheerfully. "Would the great Ghost Police ever cheat me? I'll give you a God of Wealth tattoo - guaranteed riches and good fortune!"
While my mouth smiled, inwardly I cursed: This cunning turtle wants free work then plans to renege. Disgusting!
"Ah, brother, you truly understand me!" Francesc clapped my shoulder. "So... you're here to climb Zhongnan Mountain?"
Here comes the real game, I thought coldly.
Returning his shoulder pat with false camaraderie, I said, "Indeed, Francesc. But the mountain's shrouded in poisonous miasma, teeming with monsters. Too dangerous! I dare not ascend yet - just observing first."
At this, Francesc produced a small vial. "Know what this is, Roger my boy?"
"What treasure is this?" I feigned eager curiosity.
"Holy water! Drink it, and no miasma can touch you. No poison penetrates. With this, Zhongnan Mountain becomes child's play!" he boasted.
Putting on my best skeptical-yet-tempted face, I asked, "Truly so miraculous? Then why hasn't elder brother used it himself?"
"Why would I need it? I'm the Ghost Police - neither ghosts nor miasma frighten me." Francesc waved dismissively. "Take it if you want it, my boy."
He extended the bottle toward me, but just as I reached for it eagerly, he suddenly pulled back.
"Now now, brother. Though we've hit it off, nothing comes free in this world." Francesc's lips curled into a sinister smile. "Many covet this treasure. If you truly want it, you'll need to offer something in exchange!"
Ah, just as I expected. While he thought he was setting a trap, little did he know I was laying one of my own.
"What... what would you have me exchange for it, brother?" I asked, playing the fool.
Francesc's finger rose to point at the Copper Coin Sword strapped to my back. "That blade on your back - how about that?"
Clever bastard. His eyes were sharp enough to recognize my sword's extraordinary nature.
Leaning close, I whispered in his ear, "Brother, this is a Holy Bronze Sword from the Taoist Priests of the Three Pure Ones. Trading just for your holy water seems... unbalanced. You'll need to sweeten the deal."
Francesc's greedy gaze lingered on my sword, yet he refused to increase his offer - exactly as I'd anticipated. Men like him only sought to take advantage; equal exchange was beyond their comprehension.
"Very well, brother. But simple barter lacks excitement." I feigned contemplation. "I could trade with anyone. Why don't we make it interesting? Let's gamble. If you lose, my Copper Coin Sword is yours. If I lose, your holy water becomes mine. As for additional stakes... that's for you to decide."
Oh, how he must have thought I'd taken the bait! The fool never realized he was the one being played.
"Agreed!" Francesc's eyes gleamed. "If I lose, the holy water is yours - and I'll strip naked and run laps around Beiwang Town!" I mirrored his wicked grin.