110. A Malevolent Spirit Dwells Within Me

Page (1/3)

“In short, that’s how things ended up—I left White Fox in Chu Jianlai’s care.”

In the study of the Tokugawa Corporation, Chen Shang shrugged with a smile at Yashuang Yichiyo, whose face was clouded with gloom.

“You’re such a rascal...” Chiyo sighed and continued flipping through the documents on the desk.

Originally, upon seeing Chen Shang alive on the winner’s podium, she had nearly been moved to tears, even contemplating whether to greet him with a bone-crushing, deep embrace when they met.

But when she saw Chen Shang standing before her with a cocky grin, enthusiastically recounting how comfortable it was to have White Fox cling to his face, all her feelings of warmth instantly dissipated.

“The Xu Group will likely seek revenge against us later, but Hunter and I don’t mind,” Chen Shang explained. “The only real concern is White Fox. She’s taken a genetic serum, and her explosive condition is now controllable, so I entrusted her to Chu Jianlai.”

After leaving the underground district, Chen Shang had been pondering White Fox’s living arrangements.

Her body was healed now, no longer needing to be an assassin, and she could fully pledge loyalty to him.

However, her former reputation as an “explosive maniac” and her experiences during the Grand Arena made her a target for many.

If left to roam freely, Chen Shang feared that within a week he’d hear from some third-rate tabloid that she’d been captured again, just as before.

Therefore, Chen Shang had considered various options for taking White Fox in.

First to be ruled out was having her stay at his own home. His sister, Dui, would never agree to having a mysterious and dangerous mercenary suddenly appearing in the family. Moreover, if White Fox’s enemies came looking for revenge, his gentle and fragile sister could get caught in the crossfire.

As for the Tokugawa Corporation, it was absolutely out of the question. Though Yashuang Yichiyo had a personal relationship with Chen Shang, she couldn’t repeatedly break corporate rules to help him; eventually, it would cause trouble.

Considering this, Chu Jianlai—a fellow immortal—became the best guardian for White Fox.

Although Chu Jianlai was currently homeless and wandering, he had extensive experience in disguise, concealment, and evading pursuers.

Moreover, his strength was unmatched in the entire Night Pivot City; with him protecting White Fox, she would be absolutely safe.

Most importantly, while White Fox possessed an immortal constitution, her main fighting style involved throwing explosive arms and some mediocre close-combat moves; she hadn’t mastered the full potential of an immortal’s combat advantages like Chu Jianlai had.

If White Fox was willing to learn a few of the specialized overload combat techniques unique to immortals from Chu Jianlai, her strength would rise further, and she could be of greater help to Chen Shang in the future.

After much thought, Chen Shang sent White Fox off to wander with Chu Jianlai. As compensation, he gave most of the prize money to Chu Jianlai, considering it White Fox’s living expenses and labor wages. If all went well, they might even buy an apartment in the slums.

“Since you managed to win the Grand Arena championship, did you come here just to brag to me?” Chiyo closed the last file and approached Chen Shang.

“No... I barely escaped death to win the championship, plus I completed a hidden mission!” Chen Shang shrugged helplessly and complained, “At least give me some praise!”

“Praise you for what?” Chiyo retorted coldly, “For being efficient enough to entangle yourself with another woman again in just a few days?”

Page (2/3)

“Well, if that’s the kind of praise you want...” Chen Shang laughed without guilt. “By the way, White Fox’s hair is really soft; want to feel it next time?”

“No need.” Chiyo instinctively turned her head away and firmly refused. “Is there anything else besides bragging that you want?”

“I want you to help me investigate something,” Chen Shang snapped his fingers, his eyes growing serious. “You might not believe it, but do you believe there are gods in this world?”

“Oh?” Chiyo raised an eyebrow. “Explain.”

“The goddess of the abyss and otherworlds—have you heard that name?” Chen Shang asked bluntly.

As he spoke the name, he suddenly felt a dizzy haze before his eyes. Though no illusions appeared, he caught a faint scent of seawater and a sharp, almost pungent aroma of incense at his nose.

Chen Shang vigorously tapped his head, and the fleeting hallucination finally vanished.

“What’s wrong with you?” Chiyo asked, puzzled by his sudden movement.

“Swatting a mosquito,” Chen Shang replied casually.

“It’s almost winter; where would mosquitoes come from?” Chiyo didn’t press further and said seriously, “I’ll have headquarters look into what you mentioned. But more importantly, what about the promise you made before—can you fulfill it now?”

“What promise?” Chen Shang rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

“As compensation for taking White Fox in for a week, you owe me a date,” Chiyo reminded him.

“Oh, that thing,” Chen Shang nodded. “When do we start?”

Yashuang Yichiyo stepped forward, grabbed his collar sharply, and said, “Now. Immediately.”

...

Two hours later, Chen Shang stood outside a brothel. Chiyo wore a fitted suit, held a katana, and struck an imposing figure beside him.

Just five minutes earlier, over a dozen black-clad thugs from the Tokugawa Corporation, under Chiyo’s command, had stormed the brothel and were conducting a thorough search of the patrons.

“Miss, don’t you think you’re misunderstanding what a date is?” Chen Shang asked, confused.

“You’re the one who takes women to the Black Cage District for dates—do you have the right to criticize me?” Chiyo shrugged coldly. “Anyway, I just received an urgent order from the group to capture a corporate spy here.”

“Then why drag me along?” Chen Shang’s eyes looked deadpan. “Can’t you start the date after you finish the mission...?”

“Ahem... Just stand by me,” Chiyo coughed lightly, avoiding the question. “We’ll start the date after the mission.”

Page (3/3)

Her behavior was understandable. Chiyo was a strong and domineering woman who liked to assert control. Though she had embarrassed herself in front of Chen Shang enough times to count on two hands, she still wanted to maintain an authoritative image before him.

Chen Shang glanced sideways as reports came through Chiyo’s radio. She issued commands crisply to her subordinates. Her long black hair fluttered in the cold wind, resembling a heroic female general.

“He’s fleeing!” Suddenly, a shout crackled through the radio.

The window on the third floor shattered, and a half-cyborg leapt out, landing beside Chen Shang.

Thugs lying in ambush around the brothel sprang into action, drawing guns and aiming at the half-cyborg.

Realizing he was surrounded, the half-cyborg decisively grabbed Chen Shang by the collar and pressed a gun against his temple.

“Don’t move! Or I’ll kill him!”

Negotiating with gangsters over hostages was foolish, but the half-cyborg immediately recognized by comparing faces that the girl next to Chen Shang was the key figure of the Tokugawa Corporation.

And since this young man could stand beside Chiyo, he must hold a high position in the corporation.

Seeing Chen Shang threatened, Chiyo drew her katana and slowly approached the half-cyborg.

“Stop! Or I’ll shoot him!” the half-cyborg’s voice was rough as he pressed the gun to Chen Shang’s head, ready to fight to the death.

Chiyo stared coldly, unfazed.

One hand gripped the sword, while the other readied to draw a handgun from her waist and shoot the half-cyborg’s head in a split second.

Chiyo was confident she could do it. If she saved Chen Shang, this arrogant man would collapse into her arms like a kitten, sobbing with gratitude.

However, just as she imagined this, a strange aura suddenly erupted from Chen Shang.

As if witnessing something terrifying, the half-cyborg’s eyes rolled back and he convulsed. Chen Shang quickly broke free and put distance between them.

The surrounding thugs opened fire, bullets raining down and riddling the half-cyborg.

“What did you do to him just now?” Chiyo asked in shock after the gunfire ceased.

Chen Shang didn’t answer—not because he wanted to remain mysterious, but because the skill’s side effects surged, causing his head to throb and his mind to cloud.

After holding his head and gasping for a while, Chen Shang finally looked up and joked, “I got possessed by an evil spirit.”