Chapter 40: Care for a Spar?

“Three billion? Hmph.” Ye Fei sneered in disdain.

“When I’ve absorbed every trace of spiritual energy from this Qilin Jade Seal, it’ll be time to deal with the next round of troubles, one by one.”

With that, Ye Fei entered a state of deep meditation.

This was no ordinary training—it was a true moment of enlightenment.

Once he entered this state, Ye Fei’s blood and all his internal organs slowed to an almost imperceptible rhythm, while only the energy center in his abdomen spun at its peak, drawing every wisp of spiritual energy from the jade seal into himself, making it his own.

...

It was not until evening that Ye Fei was jolted awake by the shrill ringing of his phone.

He glanced at the Qilin Jade Seal in his hand, now dulled and dim, yet felt a surge of vitality coursing through him.

Unfortunately, when he tried to channel the Nine Dragons Divine Art, he found that an unyielding barrier still blocked his path to a breakthrough.

“Just as I thought.”

“It’s not a hurdle so easily crossed.”

Ye Fei was not particularly disappointed. After all, his spiritual energy had already doubled—this was more than enough for now.

He quickly picked up the phone beside him. Seeing that the caller was his ninth senior sister, Zhou Danzhuang, he answered with curiosity.

“Hello? Ninth senior sister?”

“Hey, it’s me, Zhou Danzhuang!” came a boisterous voice from the other end.

“My dear ninth sister, what made you think of calling me all of a sudden? Missing me, were you?” Ye Fei teased.

“Hey! Cut the nonsense, I’m warning you!” Zhou Danzhuang huffed. “Didn’t your second sister kick you out last night? Where did you end up sleeping? I worried about you all night, afraid you’d get snatched up by some crook!”

“Do I really look that foolish?” Ye Fei sighed helplessly.

“Pfft! You absolutely do!” Zhou Danzhuang snorted. “It’s almost eight o’clock. You’d better grab a cab and wait for me outside the police station!”

“What’s this, a summons?” Ye Fei replied with a half-smile.

“It’s about what you asked me to investigate. Just come.” Zhou Danzhuang’s words carried a hidden meaning, and before Ye Fei could respond, she hung up.

“Oh?” Ye Fei’s eyes lit up as he thought for a moment. He rushed out without hesitation.

...

The police station was only about seven or eight kilometers from the Eternal Group. Ye Fei took a taxi and soon arrived.

He spotted Zhou Danzhuang scanning the area, dressed in shorts and a shirt that showed off her curvy figure and gave off a charming girl-next-door vibe.

“Hey, why aren’t you wearing your uniform?” Ye Fei waved at her.

Zhou Danzhuang gave Ye Fei a quick once-over and jogged over, her figure swaying with each step.

“I’m off duty today. I’m treating you to a meal.” Zhou Danzhuang casually draped an arm over Ye Fei’s shoulder. “Where do you want to eat? I’ll warn you, my monthly salary isn’t much. If you want something expensive, we’re splitting the bill. If you want something cheap, it’s my treat!”

“How is that treating me?” Ye Fei rolled his eyes.

“Why not? If you bleed me dry, who am I supposed to complain to?” Zhou Danzhuang said cheerfully. “Even though you’re my junior, I’m an officer. I have to set an example.”

“You still haven’t said why you’re treating me.” Ye Fei asked curiously.

“To thank you, of course!” Zhou Danzhuang lifted her chin mysteriously. “Do you know what reward I got for investigating that jade pendant you mentioned?”

“What reward?” Ye Fei’s face was full of confusion.

“I solved a murder case in passing.” Zhou Danzhuang giggled. “If nothing goes wrong, in six months’ time I’ll be deputy chief of the station!”

“Murder case?” Ye Fei frowned. “Does it have to do with my jade pendant?”

“I just thought of a great place—I bet you’ve never eaten there!” Zhou Danzhuang sidestepped the question and pointed to a corner ahead. “Come on, let’s grab a taxi and go!”

...

Staring at the modest “hole-in-the-wall” restaurant ahead, Ye Fei didn’t hesitate. He and Zhou Danzhuang went inside and ordered several home-style dishes.

“I ate here every day when I first arrived in Hang City!”

“The place isn’t much, but the food is amazing!”

Zhou Danzhuang’s face was alight with happiness, as if she’d rediscovered a beloved childhood toy.

“Sister, stop keeping me in suspense. What did you find out? Tell me already!” Ye Fei put a piece of meat in his mouth, unable to hide his curiosity.

“What’s the rush?” Zhou Danzhuang huffed. “Listen, here’s how it went…”

She hadn’t even finished when seven or eight punks with dyed hair charged in from the street, making their way straight to the table.

The leader, a blond-haired thug, held a photo in his hand, eyeing Zhou Danzhuang brazenly, as if comparing her to the image.

Instinctively, Zhou Danzhuang set down her chopsticks and narrowed her eyes. “What do you want?”

“You’re Zhou Danzhuang, right? Got an uncle named Huang Duocai?” The blond slammed the photo onto the table, his tone menacing.

Zhou Danzhuang frowned and nodded. “Are you here to collect a debt?”

“Exactly! Your uncle not only refuses to pay, he lost a pile of money at our casino. Now he says you have to come ransom him. Move it!”

With that, the blond reached for Zhou Danzhuang.

Before she could react, Ye Fei gave a cold snort, picked up a chopstick, and flicked it with a wave of his hand. The chopstick shot out like an arrow towards the thug’s hand.

“Ah!!”

The blond howled in pain, clutching his hand.

Had Ye Fei used any real force, there would’ve been a hole through the thug’s palm.

The blond’s face twisted in fury. He jabbed a finger at Ye Fei and roared, “Who the hell are you? Mind your own business!”

“Oh?” Ye Fei replied, a hint of a smile at his lips. “Want to try me?”

The blond’s face darkened. With a wave, his lackeys surged forward.

“Get him!”

“Damn it!”

“You think you can act tough on my turf?”

As the group lunged at Ye Fei, Zhou Danzhuang wasn’t really worried, but she did feel that getting involved could get Ye Fei into trouble. She was about to join in when she saw a blur dart back and forth—within seconds, Ye Fei had knocked every thug to the floor, one punch at a time.

The restaurant owner stood frozen in terror. The other diners were equally stunned.

Zhou Danzhuang herself gaped for several moments before snapping out of it. She quickly pulled out her badge and revealed her identity to everyone nearby.