Chapter 163: A Trap, Two Princesses, and a Golden Girl Walk into a Tea Shop

"Maybe I also wasn't clear enough. If you hurt anyone else in this village…

...I will kill every last one of you"

The disciple that Viel was staring at could not help but slightly back away due to the weird pressure he was feeling. It was not really a heavy pressure, and yet it felt like a hand was slithering through his neck. A hand that can snap his neck at any time it wishes.

Liu Bai, however, could not help but get even more excited. This really was a big find. If he trains this green-haired kid under him and makes him his direct disciple, then there was a chance that he could become an elder. Although it might be harder to brainwash the kid since he already had strength, it will all be worth it to take him under his tutelage.

And so, Liu Bai laughed. "I am liking you more and more, brat", Liu Bai's weapon disappeared.

The 3 other members of the Heaven Bamboo sect also removed their weapons. Although they wanted to get revenge on this green-haired kid for making a fool of them, they knew the mission comes first.

Besides, they could just make his life harder since he will be their junior from now on.

"As promised, we will be leaving the village alone", Liu Bai said as he stared at the confused villagers. He then signaled his juniors to give back the children that they have already rounded up.

"T...thank you!"

"Thank you very much for saving the village!"

The mother that he saved earlier could not help but widen her eyes. This boy knew that this would happen. So that was what he meant earlier when he said that he will keep them safe 'later'.

And so, with a deep sigh of gratitude, the mother bowed towards Viel, "Thank you for saving… your brother"

Hearing this, Viel chuckled as he once again winked towards the mother, "You don't have to thank me, mother", he said as he turned away and walked towards the Heaven Bamboo sect disciples.

"Let's go", Liu Bai nodded his head and signaled for his juniors to leave.

"What about the rest of the Explorers?", one of the juniors said.

"The two of you, stay with them and help them kill the target", Liu Bai said in a cold tone as he pointed at two of his juniors,

"Make sure they go straight to the portal, if not, kill them. We can't risk anyone talking to the locals… and do not harm any more villagers. I am a man of my words", he looked at Viel as he said the last words.

"Are you sure? We can just kill all the Explorers now while they are busy fighting the Target", one of the juniors muttered.

Liu Bai shook his head. "If only the four of us survived again, the Explorer association will start investigating. Too many eyes are watching us already", he sighed, "We already have what we came here for. Let's just leave smoothly"

"Okay!", two of the juniors bowed before they quickly disappeared.

"Let's go", Liu Bai once again as he started to walk away from the village.

"Where… are you taking me?", Viel paused in his words, his expression showing signs of worry. Of course, he already knew where he was being taken, but he had to use his acting skills to make it even more believable.

"It is a place far away from here, Xia Ka Ri boy", Liu Bai said in a soft tone, "You... will never see your family again". Although Liu Bai's voice was soft, he did not really care about the green-haired kid's circumstances. All he cared about was to lure him in now so that when the time comes, he can make him his disciple.

Liu Bai once again could not help but be excited. If he was this strong without knowing the ways of the dao, he could not imagine how strong he would be once he does. The people from the dungeons truly are marvelous creatures.

[Successfully eliminated all targets!]

[Not eligible for participation rewards]

[Portal will be closed in 72 hours. Please exit the dungeon before the portal closes]

As they were talking, Liu Bai instinctively looked up as the windows of completion popped up above him.

"They are done, let's hurry up"

They started to run and hastened their pace. Liu Bai took numerous glances behind him as they ran. He could not help but be in shock as the green-haired kid seemed to be matching their pace, and he didn't even seem to be having a hard time.

Viel, however, as soon as he realized that Liu Bai was looking at him, started panting heavily and a struggling expression formed on his face.

"Hmph", Liu Bai could not help but scoff. 'Not bad kid, not bad', he thought. It was already a miracle that he could follow them. Once again, Liu Bai could not help but praise himself for making the decision to only take this green-haired kid called Xia Ka Ri.

And soon, they reached the portal.

"Make sure no one is outside", Liu Bai swiftly ordered the remaining junior.

The junior nodded as he casually stepped outside. And after a few seconds, he returned to confirm that no one was outside.

"Go in the portal, boy", Liu Bai nudged Xia Ka Ri to go inside.

"W...what is this!?", Xia Ka Ri had a confused and scared expression.

"It's fine!", Liu Bai clicked his tongue as he pushed Xia Ka Ri straight into the portal.

Viel slightly pretended to tumble as he jumped inside the portal. Viel's confusion, however, became genuine.

What the junior said was true. The standby unit was no longer here.

Shouldn't the stand by unit… stay outside the portal until it closes? Could it be…

...they all started to pee at the same time!?

He must report this to his sister Xing Cai as soon as he finds the time.

***

A few kilometers away from the Heaven Bamboo sect, 4 robed individuals were casually having tea in a small shop. While one of the robed individuals, who was wearing spectacles, was about to sip on her tea, the ring she was wearing started to light up.

"He's back", the woman muttered.

"Then let's go immediately!", a deep voice resounded throughout the shop as one of the robed individuals stood up.

"No, it will take them a day before they arrive here. Sit down, you are gathering unwanted attention"

Three of the four robed individuals were Xing Cai, Sofia, and Jiff.

The other one was a… member of the Royal Palace. Since they were here to investigate a matter concerning the illegal trafficking of drifters, Xing Cai contacted her old friend in the royal palace, Princess Cha Jin-ri, about it.

It's just that…

"I see you are uptight as ever, wrinkled raisin", an alluring and seductive voice whispered through their ears as the last robed individual spoke. Even as the robes covered her entire body, the voluptuous shape of the woman could not be hidden as her bosom caused her robes to stretch.

"And I see you are as fat as ever, royal cow"

"Y...you!"

Xing Cai did not expect that Princess Cha Jin-ri herself would be the one coming with them. So right now, at their table, were seated two Princesses.

Jiff could not help but chuckle awkwardly as he stared at the two bicker with each other. Didn't Xing Cai tell her to not garner unnecessary attention? But why were they the one making noise now?

"This tool… how exactly does it work?", Sofia took a sip of her tea as she muttered. She was currently looking at the ring on her finger. "Does it detect the mana of the other wearer?"

"We honestly do not know", Xing Cai instantly started ignoring Princess Jin-ri as she answered Sofia's mutters. "Even now, the rewards that the Dungeon has been giving us have remained… mystifying".

Throughout the years, Xing Cai has collected hundreds of rewards from the dungeon. Some are just collecting dust, as she had no idea how to use them.

"Our scholars have also been working for a long time to uncover the mysteries of the dungeon", Princess Jin-ri also started to calm down as she added to the conversation, "Unfortunately, it remains a mystery"

"...Interesting", Sofia placed her hand on her chin.

The conversation just naturally died down as Sofia got lost in her own world. The four then continued to quietly enjoy their tea. It will be a day before Viel and the members of the Heaven Bamboo sect can get here.

"Hey guys, I have something to report"

"!!!"

The group flinched in surprise as a voice suddenly resounded beside them.

"V...Viel!?"

"What are you doing here!?"

"Aha!", Princess Cha Jin-ri stood up as she pointed at Viel, "I knew it! You're the one Xing Cai sent! You were back!"

"Ah!", Viel also pointed at her, "I remember you! The big tittied princess!"

"T...this…", Jin-ri could not help but twitch her eyes.

"A...anyway. I don't have long...", Viel casually said as he sat on an empty seat, "... I just told them I wanted to pee", he then proceeded to eat some of the snacks on the table.

"I mean… how are you here!?", Xing Cai squinted her eyes.

"...I flew?"

"Ugh…", Xing Cai could not help but groan in frustration. Now that Viel was back, her common sense was once again washing out of the river. "So… why did you fly all the way here?"

"Ah, yes!", Viel grabbed a snack again before his expression turned serious.

"...I have something to report"

***AUTHOR's ANNOUNCEMENTS***

I have another book called "My Hermes System" which is in a contest. I would very much be glad if you could vote for it if you have the spare powerstone! Please, and thank you! I really hope to win a contest once in my life. lol