Chapter 83: Leisurely Life in City C

After deftly sidestepping the quarrel between the two women, Wu Jue and Xiao Yang found a small tavern nearby to rest for a while.

Having ridden their bicycles for quite a distance, even these two with their remarkable stamina felt the need to relax. They ordered half a dozen beers to start. Xiao Yang enthusiastically recommended the pleasures of ice-cold beer, and though monks are forbidden to drink, Wu Jue had long since cast aside such austere rules. He did not refuse.

Each downed half a bottle, savoring the crisp refreshment. Xiao Yang sighed with delight, “It’s been too long! This is like discovering a spring in the desert—rare and wonderful.” Wu Jue agreed, “When I first became a monk, I’d sometimes sneak a little liquor, but back then the spirits didn’t taste like this... What do you call this one?”

“Beer!” Xiao Yang replied, never missing a chance to educate him. “It’s much milder than white spirits. And if you’re worried about getting drunk, there are similar drinks like pineapple beer or kvass. Would you like to try those, Master?”

Wu Jue waved him off. “No need to break so many precepts! To enjoy a moment of leisure like this is already rare enough. I wonder how the others are faring right now?”

“Indeed. Xiao Han’s disappearance is truly baffling.” Xiao Yang took out his tablet and connected to the wireless network. “I gathered information from the Heaven’s Retribution Clan’s system earlier, but there was no warning at all. Could they have discovered the backdoor I installed?”

He tried to hack into the enemy network once more, throwing himself into his work. Wu Jue sat by the window, gazing at the streets of City C. The people went about their lives as usual, as if untouched by calamity. Perhaps, when the war is finally won, this peaceful normalcy will be the greatest reward.

Suddenly, Xiao Yang exclaimed excitedly at his computer, “I found it! Just intercepted a message: they’re transporting a valuable object, codename H. Looks like we need to investigate.”

Wu Jue put down his glass. “Then let’s go.”

Xiao Yang started to rise, then suddenly sat back down. “Wait, they seem to have noticed my program again—trying to counterattack. Let’s see how they like it!” He refocused on his screen, launching into a hacker’s duel. Wu Jue yawned, resigned to a wait.

So, holding his beer, he patted Xiao Yang. “Take your time. I’ll stroll outside.”

He stepped out of the tavern, breathing in the fresh air and stretching, ready to savor this rare moment of leisure. Just then, An Yi and Lily appeared, walking together, apparently having bonded after their earlier spat. Upon seeing Wu Jue, An Yi approached to scold him, “We were just talking about you! For a Buddhist, your conduct is far from pure. I know exactly what kind of clothes you found for her!”

Wu Jue spread his hands and smiled. “I swear, I’m innocent. I had no choice. Ask Xiao Yang—he was there.”

“Where’s Xiao Yang?” An Yi peered inside. “I was looking for him. Weren’t we supposed to meet here? Now there’s only the three of us. What’s next?”

Wu Jue replied, “He’s busy inside, working on some backdoor program. If you don’t mind interrupting him, go ahead and ask.”

Lily, meanwhile, looped her arm through An Yi’s, saying, “We don’t have time! An Yi promised to help me pick out some pretty clothes. We’re off shopping—don’t forget to reimburse me later!”

Wu Jue touched his head and laughed, “A monk owns nothing. Do as you wish!”

An Yi dragged Lily away, calling back, “No point talking to him, he’s just wasting time.”

Watching the three women leave, Wu Jue mused on the old saying: “Three women make a play.” Trouble indeed—this poor monk’s ears are never at peace.

He tipped back his bottle, draining the last drop, but found himself still unsatisfied. He returned to the tavern for more. Xiao Yang was engrossed in his digital battle, fingers flying across the keys. Not wanting to disturb him, Wu Jue ordered another beer with ice and settled into a quiet corner.

In the otherwise silent tavern, with only a few patrons scattered about, a lilting melody suddenly filled the air—a woman’s voice sang: “Who is knocking at my window…” The atmosphere was unique. Wu Jue gazed at the dreamy stage lights, wondering who had selected this song from the jukebox. Though he had never heard it before, its distinctive melody stirred something ineffable within him.

Someone quietly took a seat beside him, deliberately turning their back. With a voice half casual, half enigmatic, the newcomer said, “Reminiscing about the good old days? Life rushes by, but some memories never fade.”

“Yes,” Wu Jue replied absently, “often it’s only in looking back that we realize we’ve grown old.” Only then did he realize he was conversing with a stranger.

He was about to turn when the other spoke softly, “Don’t look. It would spoil the mood. Let’s just talk like this.”

“Who are you? Do you know me?” Wu Jue, now alert, sensed this person was no ordinary presence—he had not noticed such a formidable figure in the tavern until now.

The stranger chuckled, “Not exactly acquainted, but we have shared goals. My organization has already paid you its respects.”

“So you’re from that mysterious group? What do you want?” Wu Jue tensed, quietly gauging his position and that of the stranger, also noting the placement of everyone in the tavern in case he needed to alert Xiao Yang for a quick escape.

The stranger remained calm. “You may call us the Bringers of Light. Just as the world needs light, we are warriors who cleanse the darkness.”

“There’s no need to be alarmed. For now, we have no intention of opposing you.”

Wu Jue countered, “Are you here about the hotel incident? If my actions disrupted your plans, it can’t be helped. I had a friend taken—I have no interest in getting tangled up with you.”

“No, no. That’s not it.” The stranger slid a box onto the table beside Wu Jue. “Here are some clues that may help you find your friend. In exchange, we want you to retrieve a certain file for us.”

“What file?” Wu Jue pressed.

But the stranger was already standing. “You’ll understand once you look inside. Just be sure to do so somewhere private.”

Before Wu Jue could rise, the stranger had crossed to the door. With a snap of the fingers, the exit beckoned. Wu Jue had just picked up the box when Xiao Yang burst out excitedly, “I did it! Unbelievable luck. During their system maintenance, I got a lead on the codename H shipment. It’s Xiao Han! If we follow the trail, we’ll—”

“Perhaps we don’t need to look for other clues after all,” Wu Jue interrupted, showing Xiao Yang the box. “We’d better find somewhere private to talk.”

End of Chapter 83: The Leisurely Life in City C.