Chapter 3: The Exorcist’s First Assignment

Bai Hao, hearing the woman’s recommendation, did not refuse; instead, he nodded and said,

“Alright, since Sister recommends it so highly, I naturally have to try it.”

Xia Zhiquiu was momentarily stunned by his words, but then she prepared a Long Island Iced Tea for him, a flicker of triumph in her beautiful eyes.

However, after the young man took the glass, he didn’t even ponder for a moment, directly gulping it down in one go!

Witnessing this, Xia Zhiquiu froze, her red lips slightly parted, taking a while to regain her composure.

Bai Hao, unfazed, smacked his lips and chuckled lightly.

“Hmm, that tastes quite good, Sister. Give me another one.”

Not giving up, Xia Zhiquiu poured the young man another glass.

This time, the young man didn’t chug it; instead, he slowly savored it while speaking to her.

“Sister, has anyone ever told you that you’re very beautiful?”

Hearing the young man’s slick remarks, Xia Zhiquiu’s impression of him worsened, and such compliments stirred no feeling within her.

‘After all, I’m a man,’ she thought, ‘even if my body has become a woman’s, my soul is still male, isn’t it? What man would be happy hearing someone praise their beauty?’

Thinking this, her expression remained indifferent as she said,

“No matter how beautiful, it’s merely a facade.”

Bai Hao raised an eyebrow at her words, smiling noncommittally.

A moment later, his eyes shifted, and he began to share his troubles as if genuinely distressed.

“Sister, do you know? Today, my girlfriend and I were on a date when her father discovered us. He strongly opposes our relationship. What do you think I should do?”

Upon hearing this, Xia Zhiquiu was instantly furious; this little scoundrel dared to bring it up!

He should take a look at his own hooligan-like appearance—which parent wouldn’t object?

With this thought, a mischievous idea sparked within her, and she proposed,

“That’s simple. If her father objects, just find another girlfriend. There’s no need to hang yourself on one tree, is there?”

This way, the little scoundrel wouldn’t pester her daughter, though she wondered which girl would be his next victim…

Hearing her words, Bai Hao couldn’t help but smile. He pondered seriously for a moment, then nodded.

“Hmm, that’s indeed a good idea. Thank you for the advice, Sister. If it works out, I’ll definitely repay you well.”

Xia Zhiquiu rolled her eyes internally. She didn’t need any repayment; he just needed to stay away from her daughter.

Though she thought this, she still smiled outwardly and said,

“No need for repayment. Just don’t hold a grudge against me if it doesn’t work out.”

Thus, they continued to exchange pleasantries for a while. Just as Xia Zhiquiu’s patience was wearing thin, the young man finally set down his glass, saying as he settled the bill,

“Sister, it’s getting late. I’ll head back now.”

Hearing him, Xia Zhiquiu couldn’t help but feel a touch of curiosity, so she asked,

“Running off to a bar in the middle of the night—won’t your parents beat you if they find out?”

Bai Hao shrugged casually at her question.

“My parents can’t control me.”

Xia Zhiquiu was taken aback, immediately thinking how utterly lawless this brat was, beyond even his parents’ control.

***

In the early hours of the morning, Xia Zhiquiu glanced at the time, preparing to finish her shift.

She first changed into more comfortable clothes before leaving the bar and getting into her car, where she opened her phone, entered a password, and accessed a mysterious software application.

Suddenly, the other side of this world materialized before her eyes, revealing information like the recent bizarre incidents in Ning City, or terms like ‘Exorcists’ and ‘Ability Users’…

Indeed, this world had inexplicably changed at an unknown point, with numerous ghoulish entities appearing out of thin air and beginning to wreak havoc upon humanity!

Conversely, humans, through various serendipitous encounters, became powerful Ability Users.

After being recruited and cooperating with official authorities, they were dubbed ‘Exorcists’—the crucial force against these ghoulish entities.

To prevent public panic, the authorities suppressed news of the ghoulish entities’ rampage, conducting all exorcism work in secret.

After Xia Zhiquiu transformed into a woman due to that ancient jade bracelet, she also, by a twist of fate, became an powerful Ability User and joined the ranks of the Exorcists.

The software she had just logged into was the official platform for Xia Nation’s Exorcists, known as TNS.

Within it, one could not only learn about various ghoulish entities and information regarding abilities but also stay updated on strange occurrences in the local area.

Most importantly, it allowed them to accept exorcism missions and earn considerable rewards.

Xia Zhiquiu browsed for a good while, finally finding a mission suitable for her, which she immediately accepted.

After all, she had only recently joined this line of work, and her strength was merely the weakest F-rank. Handling minor incidents was manageable, but encountering a stronger ghoulish entity would spell disaster.

She couldn’t afford to die; she still had a daughter to look after.

The content of the mission she accepted this time was to investigate a bizarre incident in a residential area.

The incident originated a few days prior in an urban village residential complex, where female tenants reported encountering a peeping tom. However, when security guards checked the complex’s surveillance, they found no one.

Yet, upon closer inspection, it was discovered that the complex’s main gate sometimes opened automatically, and blood-red footprints would appear on rainy days…

Panic gripped the community, with everyone claiming the complex was haunted. What Xia Zhiquiu needed to do was investigate the truth.

If it truly was the work of a ghoulish entity, she was to eliminate it, then hand over the remaining matters to the Public Security Bureau, who would handle the aftermath.

Upon completing this mission, Xia Zhiquiu would receive one hundred merit points, a currency circulated within TNS, far more valuable than mere money.

With this in mind, she no longer hesitated, stepping on the accelerator and heading towards the urban village.

However, what Xia Zhiquiu didn’t know was that at this very moment, a young man was sitting atop her car.

The gentle breeze ruffled his messy hair, yet strangely, among the many vehicles coming and going, not a single person noticed him…

***

Half an hour later, Xia Zhiquiu reached her destination. She first went to the car’s back seat and retrieved a specially crafted battle saber, covered by a black cloth.

She had spent a considerable amount of merit points to acquire it; it could not only harm ghoulish entities but also provided a certain damage bonus.

Inside the old, dilapidated residential complex, an eerie silence prevailed.

Xia Zhiquiu entered the complex effortlessly. As an Ability User, her perceptive abilities were naturally superior to ordinary people.

Thus, as soon as she entered, she sensed something amiss, feeling a gaze that disgusted her secretly watching her…

Xia Zhiquiu understood the situation. Her beautiful eyes swept towards a particular direction, but that corner appeared empty. Yet, the naked gaze did not vanish.

Seeing this, her red lips curved into a sneer. She absolutely loathed such lewd gazes!

‘They really think I’m just a woman, don’t they?!’

Immediately, in the next moment, Xia Zhiquiu drew her battle saber without hesitation and, with blinding speed, slashed towards that direction!

A tearing sound!

Though seemingly nothing was there, the battle saber produced the distinct sound of flesh being torn apart!

“Ah!”

And what followed, immediately after, was a piercing shriek of agony!