Master, What Dao Do You Cultivate?-Chapter 9: The Master's Task

Master and disciple stepped out of the alley, merging into the increasingly crowded streets.
Since arriving in Bangkok, Yu Ye hadn’t walked around like this before, so she found the street stalls rather interesting.
"Interface wigs! Change colors instantly! Beautiful lady, want to try?"
"
Jade Maiden Sutra 3.0
—going fast! Buy now or miss out!"
Yu Ye ignored the vendors and instead looked at the towering skyscrapers and holographic projections in the distance at the heart of Bangkok.
"Yu Ye, can you hear me?"
Just as she escaped from the hawking vendors, Ji Qinglin’s voice sounded in her ear.
Even though Ji Qinglin was a good distance away, hadn’t turned around, and was surrounded by the shouts of vendors and music, his voice came through crystal clear.
"Yes, Master, no problem."
Yu Ye also didn’t open her mouth, trying to get used to this belly-voice style of communication.
"Stay close and don’t fall behind. These vendors are fine for browsing, but if you install anything, you might end up with malicious ads and viruses. Don’t walk next to me—keep some distance."
After weaving through four or five streets, Yu Ye saw Ji Qinglin finally stop in front of a fairly large bar at a street corner.
Above the bar, a sign read "Nightfall" with holographic swimsuit-clad girls dancing seductively on either side of the words.
Below, a scrolling advertisement played repeatedly:
"Sensual Dao Companions, Cultivate Together. Yin-Yang Harmony, The Most Beautiful Nightfall."
"I’ll go in first. You enter two minutes later."
Mad Yu Ye: So this is his kind of scene, huh?
Watching Ji Qinglin walk into
Nightfall Bar
, Yu Ye hesitated slightly—he hadn’t given any explanations.
Mad Yu Ye: You’re seriously going in? You don’t even know what’s inside or what he wants you to do.
Cold Yu Ye: He’s doing it on purpose. Just like when he made me promise to trust him unconditionally.
Mad Yu Ye: And?
Cold Yu Ye: I’m going to take a gamble and trust him this time. He said there’s a cultivation set. If this turns out to be a trick, I’ll make sure he pays for it.
Checking the time, Yu Ye took a deep breath and walked into
Nightfall Bar
.
The moment the door opened, she was hit by a blast of pounding music and chaotic voices. Under dazzling yet carefully controlled lights, she spotted a massive dance platform where handsome men and beautiful women—whether real people or AI constructs—were dancing tirelessly.
Encircling the stage was a ring of crystal bar counters, where customers had lost themselves in the neon glow. Some of them were even Qi Refiners dressed in cultivation robes.
As soon as Yu Ye stepped in, she instinctively scanned for Ji Qinglin. But before she could spot him, his voice came through her earpiece:
"I was honestly worried you’d run away. Good. Now go wash your hands in the restroom, then come back out. Don’t force it—just act naturally."
Mad Yu Ye: Hmm, this is really starting to feel like some kind of outdoor training session.
Cold Yu Ye: Naturally? He wants me to put on a show for someone.
Although she wasn’t entirely sure why, Yu Ye followed Ji Qinglin’s instructions. She took off her raincoat and made her way to the restroom in the corner of the bar.
Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, except that the man sitting at the bar outside the restroom corridor kept glancing in her direction.
While washing her hands, Ji Qinglin’s voice gave her another directive:
"Now, go to the nearest bar counter and buy three bottles of
Mica Qilin Herb
to-go. If anyone talks to you, just respond naturally."
The nearest bar counter was the one she had noticed earlier.
Cold Yu Ye: Buying drinks wouldn’t be this much trouble—his real target is the man at the bar.
Yu Ye wanted to take a closer look, but she was afraid of giving herself away. Instead, she followed Ji Qinglin’s instructions and approached the bar.
"Three bottles of
Mica Qilin Herb
, to-go."
"Got it, beautiful. One moment."
Sure enough, as soon as Yu Ye walked up, the man who had been staring at her locked his gaze even tighter.
Soft blue-green lights flickered across Yu Ye’s delicate features as she casually glanced around. Her cold and detached demeanor made it clear she wasn’t interested in the lively atmosphere.
That air of aloofness, that sense of being out of place, only made her seem even more untouchable.
The man at the bar leaned in to strike up a conversation.
"Hey there, beautiful. New here? How about a little introduction?"
Yu Ye turned her head and gave him a once-over.
He was on the heavier side, with slicked-back blonde hair, a tacky violet cultivation robe, and a rose-gold prosthetic arm exposed on his right side. His plump face squeezed into an oily smile.
Yu Ye frowned slightly and replied coolly,
"No thanks. Not interested."
"Ah, don’t be so cold.
Mica Qilin Herb
, huh? You must be into soul cultivation. I’ve got plenty of cultivation resources—maybe I could help you out.
"Kirk, put this lady’s drinks on my tab. And bring her a glass of our special ‘Nightfall Dao Fate’ cocktail."
"Got it, boss."
Soul Refiners often took
Mica Qilin Herb
to induce a light sleep state before entering virtual worlds to train. The drink was a common semi-alcoholic sleep aid.
The bartender promptly placed the
Nightfall Dao Fate
cocktail in front of Yu Ye.
The man in violet slid the drink toward her.
"Name’s Sang Feng. I own
Nightfall Bar
. How about we get to know each other, beautiful?"
Yu Ye wanted to ask Ji Qinglin what to do, but speaking now might blow her cover. If she rejected the offer outright and left, wouldn’t that make the whole trip pointless?
Cold Yu Ye:
What the hell are you up to, Ji Qinglin?!
With no time to dwell on it, Yu Ye glanced at the
Nightfall Dao Fate
cocktail and sighed in fake reluctance, preparing to pick it up and play along.
Before she could, Ji Qinglin’s voice came through once more:
"Don’t actually drink it."
Hearing that, Yu Ye felt reassured. She only let her lips brush against the rim before setting the glass down. Then she responded briefly,
"Alright. I’ll remember that."
"And what should I call you?"
"I’ll tell you next time we meet."
"Oof, cold as ice. But I bet you’ve got a wild heart under that exterior—otherwise, why dress so provocatively under that coat?"
Sang Feng smirked and pointed at the glimpse of sailor uniform and lace collar peeking out from beneath Yu Ye’s trench coat.
"Is this… a task from your master?"
Yu Ye yanked her coat closed, eyes blazing with fury.
Sang Feng raised his hands in mock surrender and turned back to the bartender.
"Relax, I was just teasing. Kirk, where’s this lady’s
Mica Qilin Herb
?"
"Coming, coming!"
Taking the drinks that had clearly been prepared long ago, Yu Ye left without a word.
The moment she stepped outside, she scowled and asked,
"What exactly are you trying to do?"
"This isn’t something I can explain in a few sentences. First, confirm—are you alright?"
"I’m fine. I didn’t drink the—hmm? Wait a second… something’s off. I feel a little dizzy. That bar’s house special is that strong?"
"Strong, my ass. That drink was definitely spiked. That guy’s coming outside now—probably looking for you. Turn right down the street and keep going straight. Until I contact you,
do not
let him catch up to you. Don’t worry—I’ll protect you."
Cold Yu Ye:
So that’s it? You’re using me as bait?!
Mad Yu Ye:
Say no more—I’m starting to miss prison.