After knowing Bai Qi was coming, Tie Tou had planned to send someone to pick him up, but Bai Qi refused; he wanted to keep a low profile and avoid attracting the attention of S.H.I.E.L.D. or other American intelligence agencies. Bai Qi even used magic to alter the appearance of the three "idiots," to the point where their own mothers wouldn't recognize them.
Stepping out of the airport, Bai Qi looked at the three idiots beside him and said, "Go, take the Pan Ku Treasure Box and find the location of a Hell Gate."
As the saying goes, great rewards attract brave men. While the three idiots weren't exactly brave men, Bai Qi's offer was simply too generous. At the beginning, Bai Qi had promised the three of them that whoever among them found the location of a Hell Gate would have their year-end bonus doubled. If they found multiple gates, the bonus would increase proportionally. Su Tan Novel Network.
So, upon hearing Bai Qi's command, the three idiots instantly became excited because they knew that finding a Hell Gate meant money. What they were holding in their hands wasn't a Pan Ku Treasure Box, but the key to a vault of wealth.
"Don't worry, Master, we will definitely find it."
"That's right, trust us, finding things is what we do best."
"We'll go right now."
Bai Qi was very satisfied watching the three idiots brimming with confidence.
He had initially thought of asking Tie Tou to help them search, but seeing their confidence, he couldn't help but trust them. However, the warm-hearted Bai Qi added a little more fuel to the three idiots' enthusiasm.
Bai Qi stepped forward and patted La Su on the shoulder, saying, "I certainly trust you all, but as the saying goes, rewards and punishments must be clear. If there are rewards, there must also be penalties. You will certainly be rewarded if you find a Hell Gate, but if you fail..."
Bai Qi smiled and said, "Then you can forget about your year-end bonus this year."
Bai Qi's words struck the three idiots like a bolt from the blue.
You could hit them, you could scold them, but to talk about deducting their bonuses or salaries—that was asking for their lives.
As soon as they heard Bai Qi's words, the three of them could no longer sit still. They hurriedly hailed a taxi and headed straight for the center of New York City. Judging by their demeanor, they were determined to find the Hell Gate.
Watching the three of them leave, Bai Qi stretched his arms widely, let out a long sigh, and felt a sense of relief.
After dumping the task on the three idiots, he could finally have some time to rest.
Bai Qi didn't walk too far. After leaving the airport, he went directly into a coffee shop and found a quiet spot to sit down.
Soon, a staff member approached Bai Qi's table and handed him a menu, asking, "Hello, sir. What would you like to order?"
Bai Qi didn't reach for the menu. Instead, he looked at the staff member and said, "Do you have any recommendations?"
The staff member was prompt and immediately recommended an Americano coffee, stating it was the shop's specialty and very popular among customers.
Whether it was popular with customers or not, Bai Qi didn't know. However, in terms of price, it was the most expensive coffee.
It was evident that the staff member had a little personal agenda.
But it didn't matter. Bai Qi's intention in coming here wasn't for the coffee. He just wanted to enjoy a moment of peace. As for the coffee itself, it was of little consequence.
"Alright, I'll have that. For the pastries, you can decide."
When the coffee arrived, Bai Qi gently picked it up and took a sip.
The taste was acceptable. Primarily, Bai Qi wasn't a big coffee drinker and didn't have a standard for what constituted good coffee, so he would just make do.
After all, this was a coffee shop, and Bai Qi couldn't exactly order a bucket of "Happy Water for Otakus" to drink.
However, the environment here was genuinely pleasant. Ignoring the occasional roar of planes flying overhead, everything else was quite good.
Bai Qi sat there, enjoying his fleeting moment of tranquility.
Unlike Bai Qi, who was enjoying his peaceful time, Chen Long had been frantically searching for Xiao Yu at the antique shop these past few days.
More than two months had passed since Xiao Yu ran away from home. How could Chen Long not worry about a young girl controlled by dark energy being out on her own?
If anything were to happen to her, how would he explain it to Xiao Yu's parents?
"Chen Long? Your phone. It's Sheriff Black calling."
Upon hearing that it was Black on the phone, Chen Long immediately put down his work and rushed to the counter.
There was no other way.
On the third day after Xiao Yu's disappearance, Chen Long had intended to report her missing to the police to help search for her whereabouts. However, he was stopped by Old Man Fu at the door.
The reason was simple: magic.
In Old Man Fu's opinion, Xiao Yu had been possessed by dark energy because of the Talat pattern on her.
Only magic could counter magic. The American police were useless in this matter, and their involvement would only make things worse.
Seeing that Old Man Fu wouldn't let him report to the police, Chen Long had no choice but to seek Black's help.
Black had readily agreed to Chen Long's plea, saying he would do his best to help find her and would inform Chen Long immediately if there was any news.
Therefore, during this period, the phone ringing was the sound Chen Long most wanted to hear. Every time the phone rang, Chen Long would be the first to answer it.
"Sheriff Black, how is it? Is there any news about Xiao Yu?"
On the other end of the line, Black said, "Chen Long, don't worry. I'm also just getting the information. According to regulations, I'm not supposed to tell you this, but I thought you have the right to know."
Black paused and then said, "According to reports from agents embedded by Section 13 in Ku'ertuo, a girl matching Xiao Yu's age, height, and appearance was seen on the streets of Ku'ertuo. However, she was accompanied by soldiers, so our agents couldn't get close for a proper observation. The last thing they could confirm was that she entered a palace."
"A palace?"
Chen Long scratched his head, feeling increasingly confused.
"That's right. About two months ago, shortly after Xiao Yu left Section 13, Shendu built another palace not far from his original one. Its scale, area, and grandeur were no less than the first palace."
"Could it be that Xiao Yu..."
Listening to Black's words and his tone of voice, Chen Long's pupils involuntarily widened, and a bad premonition surged in his heart.
Indeed, Black's next words confirmed Chen Long's premonition.
"It's speculated that your niece, Chen Xiao Yu, might be involved with Shendu..."
"Impossible!" Chen Long interrupted Black before he could finish, "Impossible. I know my niece best. She would never associate with demons. Xiao Yu might be a little mischievous, but she understands basic right from wrong, good from evil, and beauty from ugliness."
On the other end of the line, Black sighed helplessly and said, "Chen Long, I understand your feelings, but just because I understand doesn't mean those above me do. Besides, when Xiao Yu occupied Section 13, she controlled a group of shadow ninjas. You know how they can appear and disappear without a trace. If Xiao Yu was indeed abducted by Shendu, she could have used the ninjas' power to escape. So..."