Stronger with More Jobs

Chapter 659 - 286: That Defiant Streak in His Bones

On the street.

Chu Kuanglan’s muscles tensed up like iron in an instant.

The alcohol in his system turned into cold sweat that spread over his body with a "swoosh," making the hairs on the back of his neck stand up.

When did this person get so close?

He hadn’t noticed at all.

The terror of this soundless, stealth approach.

Far beyond the speed he had previously imagined...

His heart pounded violently in his chest, almost smashing against his ribs.

But Chu Kuanglan was, after all, a fierce man who had survived countless battles, and his life-on-the-line instincts overcame his shock.

He jerked his shoulder sharply, forcefully breaking free from the hand.

At the same time, he staggered a step, using the effects of the alcohol as a cover, turned around, his face showing a mix of irritation at being disturbed and drunkenness, shouting angrily:

"Who the hell are you? Do I know you? Walking so silently, trying to scare me to death?!"

In the dim light, standing in front of him was a tall young man in plain clothes with a gentle smile on his face.

The smile seemed warm, but there was a hint of coldness deep in his eyes.

The young man didn’t seem surprised by Chu Kuanglan’s rude reaction, his smile unchanged, even with a touch of apology: "Sorry, sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you, Brother Chu. My name is Ji Wuying, I’m with the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ Security Division. I saw you were a bit wobbly while walking, like you were drunk, so I came over to check on you."

"Ji Wuying?"

A loud alarm went off in Chu Kuanglan’s mind; this name was on the list Wei Banmeng had found today.

Ministry of Internal Affairs’ Security Division, a position of real power.

Yet he feigned enlightenment and a hint of irritation at having his thoughts interrupted.

Using the influence of the alcohol, he slurred, "What? Are you from the Ji Family?"

The probing look in Ji Wuying’s eyes seemed to diminish slightly.

But his smile remained flawless: "That’s right, I heard Captain Fang is recruiting now?"

He inquired as if casually.

Chu Kuanglan smirked inwardly, but outwardly he displayed a matter-of-fact expression, patting his chest: "Yes! He’s waiting for my news in the small courtyard right now! How about it, Brother Ji? With your skills, there’s surely no problem. Why not come back with me and let Qingzi interview you directly? It’s on me!"

He acted like an eager teammate trying to take credit, even reaching out to pull Ji Wuying.

Ji Wuying’s smile stiffened slightly, and he subtly stepped back half a step.

Avoiding Chu Kuanglan’s hand, he repeatedly waved off: "No, no! You’re overestimating me, Brother Chu! My little skills are nothing in front of Captain Fang and everyone else. I know my limits. I just saw that you seemed a bit tipsy, worried something might happen, so I came to check on you. Since you’re alright, I’ll take my leave now."

With that, he clasped his fists in a salute and turned to leave.

"Hey! Don’t leave!"

Chu Kuanglan deliberately raised his voice, carrying a tone of regret and the clinginess unique to the drunken, waving and calling out to Ji Wuying’s quickly vanishing back: "Brother Ji! Are you really not going to give it a try? It’s a rare opportunity! Qingzi has high standards, but for talent like you, he might just make an exception!"

Ji Wuying didn’t pause his steps at all, but instead, amidst Chu Kuanglan’s "pleas," his figure flickered, as if merging into the shadows of the alley, his speed suddenly accelerated, disappearing around the corner in a few breaths, as if he had never appeared.

Not until the figure completely vanished did Chu Kuanglan lean heavily against the cold wall, gasping for breath.

The cold sweat had already soaked through his undershirt, and a gust of wind made it piercingly cold.

That brief encounter earlier, the subtle sense of oppression emanating from the other person.

Gave him the illusion of facing a Tier Three expert.

Definitely not an ordinary Tier Two!

"Damn it... I’ve been targeted..."

Chu Kuanglan wiped off the cold sweat on his forehead, forcefully suppressing the tremor in his heart.

His face again donned a drunkenly irritated look, cursing under his breath "lunatic" before he continued to stagger in the direction of the small courtyard.

He pushed open the gate to the small courtyard; the warmth and light dispelled some of the chill.

But Chu Kuanglan’s heart remained heavy.

Wei Banmeng and Lu Jiuyuan were sitting in the living room, quietly talking about something. When they saw him enter, dripping in sweat and pale-faced, they immediately stood alert.

"Old Chu? Are you alright?"

Lu Jiuyuan quickly stepped forward, supporting his somewhat unsteady body, keenly sensing something was off.

"What happened? Did you run into trouble?"

Wei Banmeng’s calm eyes instantly sharpened.

Her hand instinctively rested on the handle of the Profound Qilin Double Blades.

Chu Kuanglan shook off Lu Jiuyuan’s hand, slumped down on a chair, grabbed the cold water jug on the table, and took several deep gulps before gasping and speaking with utmost seriousness and urgency: "Has Qingzi returned?"

The two exchanged glances and both shook their heads: "Not yet. What’s going on?"

"Found it! Celestial Frost Castle’s Ji Family! They’re the main suspects! And I fear they’ve already discovered our investigation!"

Chu Kuanglan spoke rapidly, recounting the intelligence he had gathered at the tavern about "Er Fu," the connection between the Ji Family and the worship of Er Fu, and his recent encounter with Ji Wuying in the alley.

He emphasized Ji Wuying’s strange body technique and the pressure he felt: "...That bastard is definitely not just a regular Tier Two! I even have a feeling... he might be a disguised Tier Three! Or he has some secret technique! He approached me on purpose and specifically mentioned the Ji Family and Qingzi’s recruitment. This is no coincidence! They’re counter-investigating us! We must act quickly, before it’s too late!"

Wei Banmeng listened, her elegant brows furrowed, her cool face shrouded in frost: "Ji Wuying... Deputy Director of the Security Division of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. His personal appearance to probe means our investigation has already touched their sensitive nerves. Indeed, they must have already sensed something, we cannot delay any longer."