Chapter 52 - An info-gathering date

The night air in Heavenly Jade City was cool, carrying with it the hum of neon lights and the faint sound of bustling streets. Adam, Chloe, Kazue, and Katya roamed through the maze of modern towers and traditional pavilions, their eyes soaking in the bright glow of casinos, bars, and exotic shops. The city, though contemporary in design, retained an almost mystical atmosphere, with signs of martial prowess everywhere, from the statues of warriors that lined the streets to the occasional demonstration of hand-to-hand combat by street performers. However, it wasn’t all glamor—beneath the city’s sparkling facade, Adam could sense an undercurrent of tension.

Chloe and Kazue darted from place to place, filled with curiosity and chatter. They were drawn to the street vendors, peering into window displays of flashy artifacts and glancing at martial arts memorabilia with wide eyes.

"Look at that!"

Chloe said excitedly, nudging Adam as they passed by a small shop selling ornate weapons. The boy groaned in response, already exhausted by her teasing, but she caught his expression and grinned, knowing she’d gotten under his skin.

"Come on, lighten up! It’s not every day we got to sightsee in a city like this."

Said Chloe with a smile.

“It’s not a sightseeing trip… We truly need to search for information to…”

But before Adam could finish his sentence, the pink-haired girl had already wandered off again. Chloe’s boundless energy seemed unstoppable, and Adam could only watch in exasperation as she darted toward yet another alleyway lined with shops.

Kazue was no less energetic, her gaze flickered from one display to another as she tried to soak in every sight.

"Do you think any of these places will give us clues?"

She asked suddenly while approaching Adam, her voice bubbling with enthusiasm.

"There’s got to be something useful in one of these shops, right?"

The boy had to admit that even with how little he knew Kazue, he had learned that despite her odd behavior and peculiar attitudes, she was often someone who had a clear sense of urgency, and this time was no exception, at least she seemed to remain aware of what they were searching for.

But as they had already learned, the city was far less forthcoming than it seemed. Despite talking to several merchants and patrons, they had come away with nothing useful.

Trailing behind them was Katya, the most reserved of the group. She walked quietly, her steps light as if unsure of her place amidst the city’s chaos, but every now and then, though, the energy of Chloe and Kazue drew her in. Bring the latter the one who hooked an arm around her at one point, dragging her toward a row of brightly lit shops.

"Katya, you’re too quiet. We should see this place, it looks amazing!"

Katya resisted but couldn’t help but smile softly, a rare moment of warmth breaking through her shyness.

Despite the high spirits of the girls, Adam felt out of place. His eyes darted around, not at the sights, but at the people—many of whom had started to act strangely as they passed by. A few had stopped in their tracks, staring at them before quickly moving away. Others, with wide eyes, seemed to recognize something about the group and immediately turned and ran. It was unnerving, and Adam didn’t understand why, however, this situation parallels what had happened when they first arrived at the scenario, along with the misunderstanding they had experienced in the restaurant. This left Adam with only one possible conclusion: someone among the four of them was the person they were being mistaken for. But who exactly could it be?

"But still, why do they keep running from us?"

He muttered, more to himself than anyone else, it was clear that, whoever the person they were being mistaken for was, they inspired quite a lot of fear in others, but Chloe overheard him.

"Maybe they’ve heard about your charming personality."

She joked, nudging him again. Adam shot her a glare, but Chloe only smirked in response, clearly enjoying every moment of his discomfort.

The night dragged on, and though they continued to ask around, no one gave them useful information. Their lack of money didn’t help, as many of the people they approached lost interest once they realized they wouldn’t be making a profit. Yet, despite the setbacks, Chloe and Kazue remained upbeat, and even Katya seemed to be loosening up a little. Adam, on the other hand, grew increasingly irritated—not just by the lack of progress, but by the girls’ constant shenanigans.

By the time they stopped to rest in front of a small tea shop, Adam’s shoulders were slumped.

"I don’t know how you three are still going, we haven’t gotten anywhere."

He said, running a hand through his hair.

"Come on, don’t be such a downer."

Chloe rapidly said with a playful wink.

"Besides, maybe the information will find us instead. You never know what might happen in a place like this."

Adam finally lost his patience. This was the most ridiculous thing he had heard all day, and frankly, he was tired of the way the girl had been teasing him throughout their entire walk, even if, in reality, it hadn’t been that bad. He was probably exaggerating a bit due to the impatience he was feeling.

The boy scoffed, ready to retort, but before he could say anything, the shopkeeper of the tea shop they stood outside of emerged from the entrance, holding a bag of trash. His eyes fell upon the group, lingering for a moment, while a flicker of recognition crossed his face, though it was impossible to tell who exactly he was looking at. His gaze softened, and his demeanor shifted to one of welcoming warmth. He seemed almost surprised, but quickly recovered, offering a deep bow.

"Ah, esteemed guests, I must insist you come inside and rest for a while. It's been a busy night, and surely you could use some tea, yes? Please, come, it's on the house."

The shopkeeper said with deference, while Adam blinked, glancing at Chloe, who was now wearing a smug smile just to nudge him lightly with her elbow soon after.

"See? I told you."

Still taken aback by the sudden turn of events, Adam muttered something under his breath, following the others inside. The shop itself was a stark contrast to the more modern and chaotic streets outside, unlike the flashy, neon-lit establishments they had passed earlier, this place had a much more serene and traditional feel. The furniture was crafted from dark wood, elegantly carved with intricate designs. Hanging scrolls decorated the walls, depicting beautiful calligraphy and old scenes of martial masters in meditation or combat; the atmosphere was calm, with soft lantern light casting a warm glow over the room. It felt like stepping into a different time, a peaceful pocket within the loud city.

Kazue and Katya were both wide-eyed as they entered, with Kazue marveling at the intricate décor, while Katya, though shy and reserved as always, allowed a small smile to surface as she glanced around. Chloe, still smug, wandered in confidently as if she'd orchestrated the whole thing.

The group was led to a low table where plush cushions awaited them. The shopkeeper personally tended to them, serving a fine selection of fragrant teas in beautifully painted porcelain cups. His every movement was precise, respectful, and imbued with care, as though he were handling something sacred.

"Please, enjoy."

He said, pouring the tea carefully. The aroma of herbs and flowers filled the air, and Adam, despite his earlier frustration, couldn’t help but relax a little as the steam from the tea curled upward. As they sipped their tea, the shopkeeper spoke up again.

"It’s rare to have unannounced members of the 'White Flower Divination School' visit my humble shop so suddenly, you know? The vice leader of your school is a very esteemed regular here, so it is always an honor to serve all of you. May I ask what brings you all here tonight?"

Adam’s mind raced for a moment, quickly recalling what Zhou Tianhe had told them earlier. He straightened up and answered with measured confidence.

"We’re here on a mission, sent by our leader, the Divine Bloom Seeress."

The shopkeeper's eyes widened slightly in understanding, and he bowed his head respectfully.

"Ah, I see. A mission from such an honorable leader… That explains much. Well, in that case, allow me to help in any way I can."

Grateful that his little story had worked, Adam proceeded to tell the shopkeeper that they were not familiar with the city. He explained that while they intended to participate in the tournament taking place in two days, they wanted to learn as much as they could about the area, and fortunately the man seemed to understand perfectly.

"This city, well… it’s not the place it once was. My grandfather told me how, as you may know, once proud martial sects, schools, and alliances under the guidance of the Supreme Immortal King have devolved into little more than criminal organizations, ruling their territories like petty warlords, it had been this way for nearly a hundred years since Lord Varek's coup."

He sighed heavily, his expression tinged with regret.

"It's true, business and commerce thrive here, but only because the city’s mob rulers find it profitable to allow it. The traditions, the old ways of martial honor and discipline—those are long gone for most. Except for a few… like the White Flower Divination School. One of the last to hold onto the old values."

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Adam leaned forward, his interest piqued.

"So, this city really is run by… gangs?"

The shopkeeper nodded solemnly, explaining with a very sad tone what had happened to the city, and even what had happened to the once prideful Murim World the group saw in the bugged scenario synopsis.

"Indeed. What used to be schools of great martial prowess have become factions of influence, no longer bound by honor but by power and fear. That is why I appreciate that schools like yours still exist. They remember the traditions and they are not ruled by greed."

After hearing that, Chloe leaned back with a light grin.

"Guess we’re lucky to have connections, huh?"

Adam shot her a look but said nothing, not wanting to argue. Kazue, on the other hand, was captivated, her eyes lighting up at the mention of ancient traditions, while Katya remained quiet but attentive, her cup resting between her hands as she listened to the conversation unfold.

The shopkeeper continued, offering them more insight into the city’s underbelly and how things worked, describing how those in power had created a delicate balance between allowing trade to flourish while keeping a tight grip on every corner of the streets. His words painted a vivid picture of a city still clinging to its former glory, though now, it existed only in echoes of what it once was.

By the time their tea cups were empty, the group had a much clearer understanding of the world they were stepping into. And, just as Chloe had predicted, the information they sought had indeed found them—though not in the way Adam had expected.

With not much else to do there, and after thanking the shopkeeper sincerely for the help and free tea, the group excused themselves, ready to leave the establishment. Now armed with the basic information they needed to share with the others, Adam realized they had already spent several hours walking, and it was likely past midnight, so the best thing to do at this point would be to return and rest. However, both Chloe and Kazue seemed to have other plans, as they still appeared full of energy.

"You're not thinking about going back yet, are you? The night’s just getting started, and there’s still so much more we can explore!"

"Yes, yes! We haven't even been to a casino yet. I'm sure we'll find something there!"

Chloe and Kazue said respectively as the group was just exiting the tea shop, flashing an excited grin over the prospect of continuing the exploration of such an awesome city.

“No way, we already have the information we need for now. There's no need to risk it anymore, we're heading back to the hotel and discussing this with the others.”

Adam said firmly, with a hint of exhaustion in his voice. Not even all the tea in the world could make these interactions more bearable for him. Luckily, Katya stood quietly at his side, showing no signs of wanting to join in on the other two girls' insistence.

Kazue immediately pouted and crossed her arms, clearly trying to play the part of being offended by Adam's words. But Chloe, on the other hand, wasn’t going to accept a "no" without putting up a fight. She took a couple of steps forward, positioning herself directly in front of the boy just outside the shop, her eyes gleaming with playful defiance.

"Oh come on, you’re not really tired already, are you? Who knows what kind of information we might find? Or what kind of fun..."

She teased, leaning closer with a smirk. Adam rolled his eyes, already at the end of his patience.

"Enough! I’m not in the mood for more of this. We’ve been wandering around for hours, we already have what we needed, and I’m not about to keep chasing after whatever wild idea pops into your head."

His voice was edged with frustration, as he had explained this a dozen times already, but it seemed like it was going in one ear and out the other with her.

"It’s late, we’re tired, and frankly, I’d like to avoid ending up in any more trouble tonight, if that’s alright with you."

Even then, the boy was really trying to calm down, but Chloe, clearly unfazed by his irritation, gave him a sly smile and took a step closer.

“Oh? Are you sure you’re not just scared of having a little more fun?”

She whispered, her voice soft yet teasing, as if daring him to challenge her. Adam’s brow furrowed as he prepared to brush her off, but then she did something that completely threw him off guard. Chloe leaned in, her face hovering dangerously close to his.

Adam’s eyes widened in alarm at the sudden movement. What the hell is she doing!? He thought, frozen in place as he tried to process the situation. But before he could react, the girl’s body slumped forward, her eyes fluttering shut as she collapsed into his arms.

“Huh—!?”

Adam blurted, automatically catching her before she hit the ground, noticing that she was completely limp, fast asleep in his arms without any warning. He blinked in confusion, the irritation from moments ago quickly replaced by bafflement. Did she just... fall asleep? He shook his head, half-annoyed and half-bewildered.

On the other side, Kazue, who had been following Chloe’s lead with boundless energy, suddenly lost her balance as well. She slumped forward, her body falling over Katya, who was too late to react. Kazue leaned heavily on her, causing the blonde to stumble awkwardly as she tried to catch her.

The girl in school uniform stammered, her face turning a bright shade of red as she struggled to hold her comrade up. Kazue, however, was already sound asleep, her head resting on Katya’s chest like a child.

Flustered, she managed to steady herself, but her cheeks remained flushed from the sudden contact. She then glanced over at Adam, who was standing there with Chloe still in his arms, looking just as confused as she was.

“Did... did they both just...?”

“Yeah.”

Adam muttered in response, still trying to process what had just happened and continue to speak.

“They both just passed out. Out of nowhere.”

He glanced down at Chloe, who was snoring softly, completely unaware of the chaos she’d left in her wake.

Adam let out a long sigh, adjusting Chloe in his arms… This was just great, and by “great” it meant obnoxious, as he was already feeling the weight of carrying her. He glanced over at Katya, who was awkwardly trying to keep Kazue from slipping off her shoulder.

"Looks like we’re stuck with the heavy lifting for the rest of the night, are you okay? I can carry both."

But Katya gave him a sheepish smile, still flushed.

"I-It’s alright, at least they’re... peaceful now."

She said, though her arms were already starting to ache from Kazue’s unexpected nap. She shifted the weight, trying to make it easier on herself, but the shorter girl was practically draped all over her.

Without much choice, the two began making their way back to the hotel, not noticing that behind, watching them from the tea shop’s open door, the shopkeeper was clicking his tongue.

Their footsteps echoed through the now-quiet streets, and Adam’s irritation simmered as they walked since Chloe’s soft snores somehow managed to annoy him even more. It felt like an eternity as they trudged along, the silence between him and Katya filled only by the sound of their unconscious companions’ gentle breathing. At times, Adam would glance over to check on the blonde, only to notice that the redness in her face hadn’t faded. He found it quite odd but didn’t realize it was because of the way she was carrying Kazue, who was unknowingly breathing on her neck the entire time.

When they finally arrived at the hotel, Adam nudged the door open with his foot, both of them exhausted from the walk. The moment they stepped inside, they were greeted by the surprised stares of the rest of the group that had already returned. Drake was the first to speak, his eyes wide with concern.

“What happened? Are they okay?”

Adam shot him a tired look but didn’t take long to answer to calm him down.

"They’re fine. Apparently, they just... fell asleep. Out of nowhere."

He shifted Chloe slightly to prove his point, still carrying her limp form as though she were a sack of potatoes.

"I don’t know why, but they were knocked out in the middle of a conversation, I guess it’s because they were running everywhere the whole time."

Drake’s concern deepened, but before he could voice it, Nikolai, leaning casually against the wall, grinned.

"Looks like someone had too much fun tonight. Never knew you two were such party animals."

He crossed his arms, an eyebrow raised as he eyed Adam and Katya, both still burdened by their sleeping friends, and began to laugh. Adam groaned in response, rolling his eyes, gesturing to Chloe, who was still fast asleep and drooling slightly onto his jacket.

"Yeah, hilarious, you try carrying this around all night."

Nikolai chuckled, clearly enjoying the situation.

"Hey, I’m just saying, maybe next time I should tag along. Sounds like you had quite the adventure."

Despite being visibly flustered by Kazue’s weight, Katya also managed a small laugh. It wasn’t that bad, she thought, adjusting Kazue one last time before finally setting her down on the bed. Drake, though still worried, seemed to relax a bit after seeing the girls safe, though he gave Adam a nod of understanding.

"You guys did good getting them back here. Let’s just get them settled in for now, we had also our share of incidents to talk about."

With a final sigh of relief, Adam gently placed Chloe down next to Kazue, finally free of the unexpected burden. He glanced around at the group, catching Nikolai’s smirk one last time.

"Yeah, smile, next time you’re the one carrying them."

——————————

Once both girls were settled and sleeping next to the small Emir on the single large bed in the room, Adam and Katya made their way to the rest of the group. The latter was somewhat anxious, trying to stay behind the boy, which didn’t really bother him... For some reason, the only one who got on his nerves was the pink-haired girl, all because of her quirky behavior.

"Well, first things first, what information were you able to gather on your end?"

Li asked once everyone was paying attention, prompting Adam to share everything that had happened to them and the information they had gathered about the place. This important information would complement what the other group had discovered. After Adam finished his account, Li took the floor again and explained how they had managed to enter a casino and make a considerable sum of money by gambling, while Nikolai had used his skill to loosen the tongues of many of the people present in that establishment.

Adam felt momentarily confused. How had they managed to win money when they didn't have anything to bet in the first place? His questions were quickly answered by Drake, who simply smiled and pointed at Sebastian, who wore a nervous grin. It seemed he had utilized his Plot Device “Equal-Opportunity Evil” and had quickly made friends with one of the gamblers at the venue, who happened to be an executive of a group called the ‘Five Poisons Cult’. This executive explained that he was there as a delegate from his group to supervise the members planning to join the Don’s tournament. He also indicated who the confirmed participants were and, on top of that, lent them some money—with interest, of course.

"The tournament doesn't seem complicated in itself. According to what we've heard, most of the participants are just students and low-ranking recruits from various places and gangs. But two individuals stand out among the rest and are considered the favorites to win: A brute called Kai Zhang from the ‘Dragon Gate Gang’ and someone named Wei Lin from the ‘Shaolin School’... For some reason, almost no one, except for those two groups, has dared to enlist truly powerful fighters. We don't know why that is."

That was interesting, but Adam also thought that, given their new skills ready to be showcased, the tournament wouldn't be an issue if only low-level characters were participating. However, after hearing what they had said, something caught his attention.

"One question: none of the characters you interacted with recognized you as members of the 'White Flower Divination School'?"

“No, it all was just normal.”

Drake responded, causing Adam to raise an eyebrow and glance at Katya, who was still semi-hidden behind him, before shifting his gaze back to the sleeping girls.

"Well, it seems that one of the three girls is who they are confusing with a member of that school, which gives us quite an advantage... Does that sound familiar to you?"

Adam said this before finally turning to Katya and asking her directly. She simply shook her head nervously, unsure of what the boy was referring to, and she certainly seemed to had no idea whether she was the one the characters in the scenario were confusing her with or not.

"Hmm, if that's true, then I think I have an idea we can test tomorrow, taking advantage of the day and afternoon."

Li concluded, considering his options and smiling to himself. It seemed that fortune was smiling upon him once again.