Chapter 30: The Annoying Pest Who Disturbs My Meal

“Master, I’ll return your phone later!” Xiao Ke’ai brought out Wu Zui’s phone and activated the recording function. She played another piece, then imported the audio into her own computer. Only then did she hand the phone back.

“What are you up to now?” Wu Zui watched as Xiao Ke’ai, instead of writing her report, began tapping away at code, curiosity piqued.

“Setting an alarm for him, so he won’t forget next time!” Xiao Ke’ai had finished her work and replied casually.

“Alarm?” Wu Zui was confused.

Meanwhile, Director Sun, who had just hung up the phone, was still stewing in frustration. Dealing with a spirit investigator wasn’t as simple as he claimed. The country needed them to protect the people; far from punishing them, the higher-ups were preparing to grant more benefits!

“I am the God of Song—please, don’t hold back your guidance! Duang~ Duang~ Duang~”

Out of nowhere, a synthesized, uncanny voice blared from his phone, nearly shocking Director Sun’s heart into failure. Xiao Ke’ai hadn’t used her own voice, but a computer-generated one that sounded eerie. His hand trembled, and the phone dropped to the floor.

After thirty seconds of this bizarre performance, just when Director Sun thought it was over—

“I am the God of Song—please, don’t hold back your guidance! Duang~ Duang~ Duang~”

The same maddening voice sounded again.

“Intolerable! Absolutely intolerable!” Director Sun snatched up the phone and smashed it against the wall, shattering it instantly.

“Wu Zui! Xiao Ke’ai! I’ll have your heads!” Director Sun roared in anger, then suddenly remembered something and hurried to retrieve his phone. All his contacts were in there; losing it would be troublesome. Backup? It’s hard to expect a forty-something relic to set that up himself.

Better just pick up the pieces.

Coastal Detective Bureau

“Where did you learn that trick? That’s vicious… thumbs up!” Wu Zui praised Xiao Ke’ai. He reckoned Sun Ming would be furious, otherwise he wouldn’t have kept hanging up without even realizing it. Wu Zui was very satisfied.

“Saw it online, designed for dealing with harassing calls. Seems super effective!” Xiao Ke’ai explained, though her computer was still downloading data. It was her first time hacking someone’s phone—she wanted a souvenir. Sun Ming’s phone data would do nicely!

“Nice!” Wu Zui gave a thumbs-up.

“Master~ Where’s my reward?” Xiao Ke’ai’s eyes sparkled as she eagerly asked.

“Write your report first!” Wu Zui instantly put on a stern face.

“Oh~” Xiao Ke’ai replied with hopeful anticipation, donned her long-unused bunny ears, and hummed a song as she worked, her ears swaying gently.

“La la~ la la~ la~”

The room was filled with Xiao Ke’ai’s cheerful tune.

Soon enough, both finished their reports and sent them off to the Monster Handling Center via phone, with two photos of the irregular forms exploded from the lizard monster attached.

“Master~ Reward!” Xiao Ke’ai clasped her hands together, looking like a cat begging for food.

“Let’s go! To the training ground!” Wu Zui nodded to Xiao Ke’ai.

“Training ground? What for?” Xiao Ke’ai asked, puzzled.

“Your kicking technique is better than your punching. If you get caught in close combat you’ll be at a disadvantage! Since you’ve called me Master, I can’t let that go unrewarded. I used to rely on Bajiquan to deal with trouble; today, I’ll teach it to you.”

Wu Zui genuinely cared for Xiao Ke’ai; with Bajiquan, her unarmed skills would be complete.

“Alright, Master!” Xiao Ke’ai replied loudly, though her lack of enthusiasm was obvious. Did she become his disciple just to learn martial arts?

Did she? Hmph!

She grumbled inwardly, but had to pay attention to Wu Zui’s lesson. So annoying~

“If I had you start from basic stance training, you wouldn’t last, and with the monster outbreak, there’s no time. I’ll teach you how to generate power. I’ve experimented with magnetic energy—Bajiquan with magnetism hits even harder! You can use it against people!” Wu Zui explained.

He believed that, for protection against monsters, Xiao Anguo would have provided plenty of small magnetic field devices. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be at ease with Xiao Ke’ai so far from him, out in the world.

But besides monsters, there were human criminals to deal with. Gold weapons and magnetic energy wouldn’t help much against them—not for now, at least!

“I’ll teach you two moves, both lethal. If you decide to act, don’t hold back, remember?” Wu Zui advised her. Given her current situation, if she ever had to use them, she must not hesitate.

“Yes, Master!” Xiao Ke’ai replied solemnly, seeing Wu Zui’s serious demeanor.

“Good! First move: the Heart-Piercing Elbow! It’s a joint technique, the target is the enemy’s…”

Wu Zui explained two lethal moves that could be enhanced with magnetic energy: the Crushing Fist and the Heart-Piercing Elbow. He demonstrated the power-generating method until he was sure she had mastered it, then let her practice.

…

“Heart-Piercing Elbow!”

With a cry, Xiao Ke’ai slammed her right elbow into a wooden post at the training ground, creating a small dent. Instantly, blue magnetic energy enlarged the groove, and the entire post snapped.

“Crushing Fist!” Xiao Ke’ai turned, punching another post. It broke cleanly, the blue magnetism even scorching the wood black.

“Master~ how did I do?” Xiao Ke’ai hurried over to Wu Zui to show off her results.

“Your Crushing Fist is fine, but that’s not how you use the Heart-Piercing Elbow! The force should be concentrated. Let me show you.” Wu Zui patted her fluffy head, watching her radiant face.

He walked over to a larger post and drove his elbow into it. A deep hole appeared. Unlike Xiao Ke’ai’s crisp strike, his attack was heavy and muted, but the post remained intact.

“Come take a look!” Wu Zui called her over.

“Coming!” Xiao Ke’ai ran to examine the post. It had been pierced through, with the other side charred black. If that hit a person, it would leave a gaping hole—if to the chest, the heart would be obliterated.

“Amazing!” Xiao Ke’ai exclaimed.

“With monster outbreaks and magnetic energy awakening, once magnetism can be further enhanced, it will easily harm humans. When facing people, you must be even more cautious than when facing monsters. Monsters don’t have much intelligence for now,” Wu Zui cautioned her earnestly.

“Master, as long as you’re with me, I’m not afraid!” Xiao Ke’ai replied straightforwardly.

“There’ll always be times when I’m unavailable. Remember, only when you’re strong yourself are you truly strong.” Wu Zui looked at her innocent face with seriousness.

“Don’t worry, Master!” Xiao Ke’ai nodded.

“Come on, let’s eat! I’m starving!”

Wu Zui sensed the conversation had turned grave and changed the subject.

“Let’s go to the same place as last time! I’ll lead the way!” Xiao Ke’ai’s attention shifted instantly.

Xiao Ke’ai drove Wu Zui, winding through city streets until they arrived at the old warehouse.

Same ingredients, same flavors, the monster outbreak hadn’t affected anything. What was different was that this time the English-style butler greeted them with unusual enthusiasm.

Wu Zui was a bit worried; he recalled that last time, they might have dined and dashed.

This time, they chose a room called the Starry Courtyard. The room was dome-shaped, star patterns moving across all surfaces, even the floor, creating a mesmerizing scene.

After the butler left, Wu Zui voiced his doubts to Xiao Ke’ai.

“Dined and dashed? Why do you think that? I paid with my mother’s card when I showed it. They charge per table, so every dish costs the same.” Xiao Ke’ai looked at her master disdainfully. How could she ever dine and dash?

“Oh? I see!” Wu Zui felt profound shame at the narrowness of his own knowledge and experience.

Soon, the table was laden with dishes.

This meal featured high-molecular gastronomy, mainly seafood from the coastal city, combined with other ingredients to create planets of food.

The carefully selected sea fish were delicious, skillfully prepared to remove all fishiness and bones. Each bite burst with flavor, different textures mingling on the palate.

Delicious~~

Xiao Ke’ai and Wu Zui both closed their eyes in bliss, the feast easily capturing their hearts.

Just as they reached halfway—

Ding~

Ding~

Wu Zui’s hand froze, chopsticks poised, as both he and Xiao Ke’ai received a message on their phones. It almost certainly meant trouble.

[Is this place cursed? Second time now!] Wu Zui’s hand trembled as he checked his phone.

I’m arriving in Coastal City soon, wait for me at the City Detective Headquarters! — Xiao Anguo.

“Your dad?” Wu Zui asked Xiao Ke’ai.

“Yeah, always ruining our meals!” Xiao Ke’ai grumbled, then pressed the call bell.

When the English-style butler returned, Xiao Ke’ai pointed to several dishes. “These, pack them up!”

“Of course, honored guest!” The butler went to the door, produced specially prepared boxes, and swiftly packed up the dishes.

That speed! Wu Zui was sure the man was prepared, anticipating they’d want takeout, and now he was even faster than last time.

[Did you… secretly practice?] Wu Zui wondered about the butler.

“Honored guest, your food!” The butler handed the boxes to Xiao Ke’ai, his tone respectful.

“Much faster than last time!” Xiao Ke’ai remarked in surprise.

“Thank you for your praise, it is my honor!” The butler bowed slightly.

Xiao Ke’ai lingered, reluctant to leave the Starry Courtyard, but the two soon drove straight to the Detective Bureau.