Failing to get an answer from Zhang Qiling, Wu Xie grew even angrier and shook his fist at Zhang Qiling's retreating back to vent his grief and indignation.
"Oh? What's wrong? Did you two fight?" A-Ning asked with her hands in her pockets and a slight smile.
"Why are you eavesdropping? How rude. And why is Xiaoge with you people anyway?"
Already furious that Zhang Qiling wouldn't give him a straight answer, Wu Xie was currently like a firecracker ready to go off, ready to pick a fight with anyone he saw.
Before Hei Xiazi could even introduce himself, A-Ning chimed in from the side: "Black Glasses, known in the underworld as Master Hei. Like Zhang Qiling, he's a consultant for our operation this time."
Wu Xie's puppy-dog eyes widened visibly, as if he was terrified others wouldn't see his shock. "No way, what makes you think Xiaoge would be your consultant?"
"What? Wu Sansheng could afford him, but we can't? Besides, I heard Wu Sansheng never even paid Zhang Qiling a dime. At least we're actually paying him." A-Ning sneered.
This left Wu Xie with no room to retort. In his heart, he fiercely notched a demerit against his Third Uncle, vowing to figure out how to "fix" him once they met again.
Feeling he was in the wrong, Wu Xie could only turn around and storm into a tent.
Inside sat an elderly Tibetan woman, flanked by a young man and woman said to be her grandson and granddaughter-in-law.
A-Ning greeted the elderly Tibetan woman of honor and shot a look at Black Glasses behind her. Receiving the employer's signal, Hei Xiazi stepped forward, took out the porcelain plate brought from the sanatorium, and placed it on the table.
The old woman looked at the chip on the porcelain plate and muttered a string of words. No one understood a word except Hei Xiazi, until her grandson, Zhaxi, stepped forward and said:
"My grandmother says a piece of the porcelain plate is missing. We can't go."
"Where is the rest of it?" A-Ning asked.
"Lancuo," Zhaxi said, turning to consult the elderly Tibetan woman for confirmation.
"Go find it." A-Ning cast her gaze toward Hei Xiazi and Zhang Qiling. Understanding her intent, the two turned and walked out.
Seeing this, Wu Xie immediately gave chase.
"Xiaoge, wait up!" Hearing the voice, Zhang Qiling halted his steps and turned his head to look at the panting Wu Xie.
"You guys walk way too fast. I have something to say to you, Xiaoge," Wu Xie said, catching his breath.
Watching the two of them glaring wide-eyed at each other, Hei Xiazi knew this certainly wouldn't be resolved anytime soon.
He patted Zhang Qiling on the shoulder and said, "I'll go to Lancuo. Judging by the rustic-farmhouse vibe of the name, it sounds just right for Master Hei."
Zhang Qiling nodded. Though he had lost his memories, he knew what Hei Xiazi was capable of—he was someone whose skills were no less than his own.
Driving alone to Lancuo, Hei Xiazi sped through the desert without a single reservation, flooring the accelerator while singing his self-composed "Shredded Pork with Green Peppers Fried Rice Song," completely relaxed.
This caused massive damage to 003. Hei Xiazi's "Shredded Pork with Green Peppers Fried Rice Song" echoed in its ears, being both brainwashing and completely out of tune.
"Stop singing! Other people charge money when they sing, but your singing kills people. No wonder even Zhang Qiling can't stand you," 003 said helplessly.
"Now that's a personal attack. How melodious Master Hei's singing is! Mute Zhang probably loves it to death."
When it came to singing, Hei Xiazi refused to back down. Back in the day, he had studied musicology in Germany. Even though over a hundred years had passed, he felt confident his skills hadn't slipped.
"You're sure that's love? He looked like he was one second away from cleaving your face open with that Black Gold Ancient Saber. Didn't you see his face looking so foul like he wanted to brawl with you the next moment? Only a blind man like you wouldn't see it." As a system, it felt profound admiration for the blind man's thick skin.
Hei Xiazi rubbed his nose and chuckled guiltily, "Well, I was just training the Mute's endurance! Look at how unfazed he is by honor or disgrace now. Even if I stripped naked and stood right in front of him, I bet he wouldn't even blink an eye."
Zhang Qiling: *I really thank you so much.*
Driving and bickering all the way, they finally reached their destination just as the blind man won the argument against 003.
Hei Xiazi raised an eyebrow at the car with a Beijing license plate parked not far away. He hadn't expected someone to beat him to it, and it might even be an acquaintance.
At this moment, 003 popped up again: "Do you want me to help? You just need to say a few words."
"No need. Master Hei has been walking the underworld for so long. If I didn't even have this much skill, wouldn't people laugh their heads off?"
With that, he fished out a tattered piece of clothing from some unknown nook and cranny to drape over his shoulders, casually tapped the motorcycle at the entrance, and waited for the people inside the shop to leave. Then, he calmly walked past the shop owner, entered the store, and took the porcelain shard.
Just then, 003 suddenly spoke up: "Wait, take that blade and whistle next to it as well."
"What is it?" Hei Xiazi looked toward the corner. If not for 003's reminder, he truly wouldn't have noticed those items.
"That blade is a welcome gift from your tribesmen. It's just as good as your little Black Gold. The whistle is used for contacting them," 003 said.
This sudden gift left Hei Xiazi completely bewildered. Recovering his senses, he hurriedly asked, "Are they here?"
"No. But they've arranged for someone to rendezvous with you. If you need anything, take that whistle to a place called the Lanyue Pavilion, and they will help you."
Stroking the blade and whistle before him, the blind man expressed his sincere gratitude to 003: "Thank you, 003."
"You're welcome, Host. This is all part of my job—as long as you roast me a little less from now on."
"Well, that might be hard to do."
Hei Xiazi reverted to his usual unbothered, roguish demeanor, leaving no trace of the vulnerability he had just shown.
After getting the items, Hei Xiazi made a swift exit.
"Look at that! With craftsmanship like mine, you won't find a second one under the heavens."
Just as Hei Xiazi wanted to brag to 003 about his past battle achievements, the porcelain shard in his hand suddenly vanished. Looking up, he saw a rather familiar pair of man and woman standing on the wall.
The man wearing pink clothes was even more familiar—wasn't this the young boss he had met just a short while ago?
"Well isn't this bumping the Dragon King's temple—members of the same family failing to recognize each other? If it isn't Master Hua! What wind blew you here? Had I known you wanted this porcelain shard, I surely would have presented it to you with both hands," the blind man flattered ingratiatingly.
"Hmph, as if you're that kind," Xie Yuchen said irritably.
"Hey, you can't say that! If I had known Master Hua was coming, I would have welcomed him for sure." When had the blind man ever offended an employer?
"Xiuxiu, let's go." Xie Yuchen didn't have time to play games with Hei Xiazi. Since the item was already in his hands, he wasn't in a rush.
Xie Yuchen got into his car and drove off, leaving a face full of exhaust fumes for the blind man. Hei Xiazi stood frozen in place, looking dazed as his mind echoed with 003's exaggerated laughter.
"Bah, ptui, ptui! I almost choked to death! My sacrifice was huge this time—I'm definitely billing Boss A-Ning for reimbursement when I get back." The blind man pushed up the glasses on his bridge and spoke with zero politeness.
"Tch, you really have no shame," 003 once again spat on its host.
"Shame? How much is that a pound?" For someone who had lived for over a hundred years, things like face and shame were items long lost in the river of history.
At this moment, the casual, insouciant veneer completely vanished from Hei Xiazi. All that remained was the exhaustion and detachment of someone who had seen it all.