Han Rui strolled along the crowded streets, whistling a catchy tune as he weaved through the sea of people. Every now and then, he paused to admire a pair of beautiful women, though his interest never lasted more than a few seconds. Less than twenty minutes had passed since he’d left the teahouse, yet his destination remained ambiguous—not only to the throngs around him but especially to the young boy and girl tailing him.
The pair didn’t acknowledge each other, expertly mingling with the crowd as they tracked Han Rui’s every move.
“He’s stopping again,” muttered Five, a young girl with unremarkable features but unusually bright eyes. She huffed in annoyance. “That makes it the tenth time. What is he even doing?” Her sparkling blue eyes locked onto Han Rui, who had stopped again, gawking at a group of beauties strolling leisurely ahead. Like him, several other men in the bustling street had paused, their faces betraying a mix of admiration and longing.
Five glanced at her partner and frowned. All men are the same, she thought with disgust. Nothing but perverts. Without hesitation, she unleashed a sharp slap to the back of Ten’s neatly shaved head, the sound ringing out and startling him from his daze.
“Ow!” Ten yelped, clutching his head as tears pricked the corners of his eyes. He turned to glare at Five. “What was that for? Are you trying to turn me into an idiot?”
“Why would I waste my time on something you already are?” Five snapped, rolling her eyes. “Did you forget this is a surveillance mission? Are you watching the target, or are you just here to ogle women?”
“Who says I can’t do both?” Ten shot back defiantly. “Just admit it—you’re jealous because you’re a flat-ch—”
The insult was cut short by a flurry of slaps, punches, and kicks. Ten stumbled back, his face swelling rapidly, making him look more like a pig than a boy.
Five, fuming like an ogre, grabbed his robe and hoisted him up. Her bloodshot eyes bored into his. “What were you saying?”
“N-nothing, Senior Sister,” Ten stammered, his voice trembling as he clutched his bruised face. His lips had ballooned to three times their size, and no matter how many times he blinked, stars danced in his vision. Why there were three Fives, he couldn’t say—but he knew better than to risk angering her—all three of them—further.
Five raised her hand to strike again. Ten flinched, closing his eyes and throwing his arms up to block—but the blow never came. He cracked open one swollen eye to find Five staring blankly into the distance, confusion flickering across her face.
“Huh? What’s gotten into her?” he wondered aloud, only to find himself unceremoniously dropped to the ground.
“He’s gone,” Five muttered, her voice laced with unease.
“Who?” Ten asked, dusting himself off.
“Our target, you idiot!” Five barked, her eyes darting across the bustling street. No matter how hard she searched, Han Rui was nowhere to be found.
Ten joined in, scanning the area, but came up equally empty-handed. “Maybe he slipped into one of the shops?” he suggested hesitantly.
“And the Ki-Beetle dust trail?” Five shot back without looking at him. “The last trace ends right where he was standing. There’s no one there now.”
“What if he stripped naked and turned invisible?” Ten offered, furrowing his brows in seriousness.
Five’s mouth opened, then closed, as if struggling to find words. Finally, she let out a long sigh and massaged her temples. Why did I get stuck with this idiot?
----------------------------------------
A fair distance away, Han Rui—now in a different disguise—strolled casually in the opposite direction of his original path. A chuckle escaped his lips as his footsteps carried him forward.
[Are you really that excited about outsmarting some kids?]
Han Rui shook his head, a smile playing on his face. “Not exactly. I think I just stumbled upon a hidden network,” he replied mentally. “It’s a shame I have work to do—I’d love to investigate further.”
As if on cue, a familiar chime reached his ears. Han Rui paused by a shadowy alley, retrieving his QiPhone. A new message had appeared.
Han Rui’s brows shot up as he glanced at the sender of the new message. A wicked grin spread across his face.
$$$ ElderYating $$$: Young Master, I just returned from that mysterious realm. I needed some time to stabilize my cultivation. The formation has been set up with the app’s help. We can go back as much as we want now!
Han Rui burst into laughter, startling a few passersby who turned to glance at him. Ignoring their curious stares, he quickly typed out a reply.
Han Rui: Great work, Elder, and congrats on the breakthrough! We’re going to be so rich! Keep all the spirit stones for now—I don’t need them yet. Feel free to top up the clan’s coffers if we’re running low. The rest? Yours to keep.
A typing bubble appeared almost immediately.
$$$ ElderYating $$$: Thank you, Young Master! I’ll handle it as you’ve instructed. I trust you want this arrangement to remain discreet, yes?
Han Rui’s grin widened.
Han Rui: You know me too well. 😈
$$$ ElderYating $$$: 😈 😉
Han Rui chuckled softly, slipping his QiPhone back into his robes. Who would’ve thought that random bead I picked for the demonstration would lead Elder Yating to a realm overflowing with spirit stones? Now that a route has been established, isn’t this the same as having my own spirit stone quarry?
Of course, the realm’s pure qi didn’t interest him in the slightest—he couldn’t cultivate anyway.
What if I opened a cultivation theme park? Charge cultivators a fortune to bathe in the purest qi… His smile broadened at the thought.
[Slow down there, cowboy!] the system interjected, its tone amused. [One step at a time.]
The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
Han Rui snapped out of his reverie, wearing a rueful smile. “You’re right. Let’s deal with Master Zixuan first.”
He summoned the Item Shop, and a familiar system window materialized in front of him. Browsing through the categories, he selected Beasts and Pets. Over forty thousand subcategories appeared, but Han Rui didn’t hesitate—he used the search bar, typing: Tracking Beasts.
[The search function allows further customization,] the system chimed in helpfully. [You can specify Fame Points, tracking method (smell, voice, memory, etc.), size, shape, personality, and more.]
“Oh, so it’s that detailed?” Han Rui muttered in surprise.
[Enjoy!] the system quipped before going silent.
Han Rui sighed, staring at the search bar. It would have been best to find a broker who can point out Zixuan’s residence, but there’s no telling if those brokers would alert whoever is running that teahouse, and I don’t want to spend too much fame points either…
Han Rui pondered for a moment. Fuck it. I can always earn more fame points later, and this will be a valuable experience for me on using the item shop. All right, he resolved. I’ll keep it simple.
Wasting no time, he entered his criteria:
* Budget: 1,000 Fame Points
* Size: Small
* Appearance: Cute
* Functionality: Can track a target using the host’s memory
* Diet: Will not eat the host
Han Rui reviewed the criteria, tapping his chin. Am I missing anything? After a few seconds, he shrugged and hit Search.
[No tracking beasts meet these criteria,] the system informed flatly. [The cheapest option that matches is priced at 3,000 Fame Points. Would you like to adjust your budget?]
Han Rui scowled. “Why is everything so expensive?” Still, he begrudgingly approved the adjustment.
Moments later, a single result popped up. Han Rui’s eyes widened as he stared at the image—a chubby golden hamster with a pink bow tied to its head, nibbling on a black-blue acorn.
“Aww…” he whispered, captivated. “It’s so cute!” His fingers hovered over the screen. “Totally worth the 3,000 Fame Points. Grandfather will love this. Heck, it might even go viral on FaceSect and SectTok!”
Without hesitation, Han Rui selected the hamster, confirming the purchase. Three thousand Fame Points vanished from his balance, and a shimmering light filled the alleyway.
The hamster materialized before him, its round body wobbling slightly as it took in its surroundings.
“SO CUTE!” Han Rui squealed, whipping out his QiPhone and snapping pictures from every angle. “Look at its tiny arms! And that little bow! Aww…”
The hamster blinked, confused at first. Then, as the incessant shutter clicks filled the air, its expression soured.
“Cut that crap out, pal!”
Han Rui froze, blinking multiple times as he stared at the chubby hamster before him—Chubby Theo, a name he’d already chosen based on his first-ever pet, a rotund parakeet. He had clearly seen the hamster’s mouth move, but there was no way he could reconcile the deep, menacing voice—one that sounded more intimidating than a New York street thug—with the tiny creature before him.
Han Rui turned toward the bustling walkway, then back again, hoping for some explanation. His eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. Not only was the hamster still there, but now it was puffing on a fat Cuban cigar.
“What the…” Han Rui’s jaw dropped. Where did it even get that cigar? And how can a hamster smoke?
“You’re the sonva’beech who summoned me, huh?” Chubby Theo exhaled a cloud of smoke, his tiny paw beckoning Han Rui forward.
Han Rui didn’t move, too stunned by what he was witnessing. In both my lives, I never thought I’d live to see the day a hamster threatened me like some mob boss.
“You deaf, boy? Come here.” Chubby Theo’s tiny eyes narrowed; his gravelly voice laced with impatience.
Han Rui finally snapped out of his stupor. “System! What the hell is this?” he demanded, his eyes twitching uncontrollably.
[I’m not sure what you’re referring to. What’s wrong?]
“What’s wrong?” Han Rui’s voice rose. “You mean aside from the gangster furball over there smoking a Cuban? Where’s the cute little guy I picked? I didn’t pay 3,000 Fame Points for this hardboiled, cigar-chomping thug!”
“Hey!” Chubby Theo snapped, puffing another cloud of smoke. “Who the hell are you calling a thug, punk? You got something against gangsters?” He flicked the ash from his cigar with a practiced motion.
Han Rui stared at the hamster, utterly at a loss. “System, I demand a refund. Give me back my Fame Points!”
[No refunds. You may, however, select a different beast if this one doesn’t meet your expectations.]
“Like hell I’m gambling again!” Han Rui shot back.
He turned to Chubby Theo, who was now glaring at him, the last of the cigar smoldering away.
“What are you looking at?” the hamster growled. “Haven’t you seen a handsome fella before?”
Han Rui sighed, shaking his head. No one can ever see me with this thing…
He took a step forward. “So, how good are your tracking skills?”
“Who’s asking?” Chubby Theo grunted, spitting on the ground.
“Me, obviously,” Han Rui replied, his patience thinning.
“Then screw off,” Chubby Theo muttered, turning away. “I don’t talk to punks like you.”
Han Rui’s eyes twitched dangerously. He reached into his robes, rummaging through his belongings. Chubby Theo didn’t even glance at him, casually puffing on his cigar.
Suddenly, Han Rui’s hand emerged, holding a colorful, perforated plastic fly swatter. He slapped the swatter against his palm with a sharp smack and stared at Chubby Theo with a menacing grin.
The hamster froze. Its tiny eyes darted to the swatter, and the cigar tumbled from its mouth. “Wait… wait! What are you planning to do with that?” Chubby Theo stammered, retreating on its stubby legs.
Han Rui said nothing, advancing at a slow, deliberate pace, smacking the swatter against his palm with every step.
“Don’t come any closer, you sonva’beech!” Chubby Theo yelled, panic creeping into his voice. “This is animal abuse! You know that, right?”
Han Rui remained silent, his grin widening as he closed the distance.
“Wait! I’m sorry!” Chubby Theo’s voice suddenly softened, now high-pitched and bubbly, perfectly matching his adorable face. “I only acted that way because I wasn’t sure if you were a good person!”
“And now?” Han Rui asked coldly, still approaching.
“I-I can see now that you’re a righteous, upright man!” Chubby Theo’s smile was nervous, his gaze fixed on the swatter as though its existence would be eroded if such a weapon touched it.
“Apologize. Properly,” Han Rui demanded, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Without hesitation, Chubby Theo dropped to the ground, prostrating himself. “I’m sorry! I deeply regret insulting you earlier, great sir! I’m sorry for my disrespect, and I beg your forgiveness! Please don’t use that… that thing on me!”
Han Rui’s frown softened as he looked at the chubby hamster quivering before him. Damn it… I hate to admit it, but this fatso is really cute. I can’t even stay mad at him.
He smacked the fly swatter against his palm one more time for emphasis and said, “Listen up. I don’t ever want to hear you use that voice again. The day I hear it, you won’t believe the things I’ll do to you. Got it?”
Chubby Theo nodded aggressively, his tiny body trembling.
“And another thing,” Han Rui added, his eyes narrowing. “No acting like a gangster. No smoking. Not in front of me, not ever. Understood?”
“Yes, master!” Chubby Theo squeaked, nodding even harder.
“Oh, and from now on, your name is Chubby Theo.”
“But I already have a—” Chubby Theo stopped mid-sentence, his gaze darting to the swatter as Han Rui swung it threateningly in his palm. “I understand! Chubby Theo greets master,” he said, his voice wobbling on the edge of tears.
Han Rui nodded, satisfied, and tucked the swatter away. “Good. Now, let’s see if you’re actually worth those three thousand Fame Points. How good are you at tracking?”
Chubby Theo straightened up, puffing out his chest. “I’m the best tracker in my family, master! Just give me a target, and I’ll sniff them out in no time!”
“Good, that’s what I like to hear.” Han Rui crossed his arms, leaning forward slightly. “I’m looking for a certain pretty boy. You should be able to find details about his description in my memory. Is that enough?”
Chubby Theo nodded confidently. “That’s more than enough, master. Leave the rest to me!”
Intrigued, Han Rui stepped back and watched as Chubby Theo got to work. The hamster’s beady eyes suddenly turned pitch-black, silver mist swirling faintly within the void-like depths. The eerie transformation lasted only a moment before his eyes returned to normal, and Chubby Theo’s face lit up.
“Master, I’ve found him!”
So quick? Han Rui thought, his suspicion rising. He narrowed his eyes. “Alright, lead the way. But just so you know…” He retrieved the fly swatter and smacked it against his palm with deliberate force. “If you’re trying to deceive me, you won’t like what happens.”
Chubby Theo flinched at the sound, visibly shuddering. “I wouldn’t dare, master! Please, follow me—I’ll guide you straight to his current location!”