NOVEL NEXT Ch. 14
Undercurrent
Aili walked step by step down the streets of Mengqi. The looks cast from the shadows stirred uneasily; though not full of malice, there was certainly no kindness to be found.
At a corner, two silhouetted figures were talking in hushed tones.
"Hey, boss, we've been following her for quite a while now. Do we keep following?"
"Of course. She might be after that thing as well—maybe there'll be some clue."
"But what if she's just an ordinary person? That'd be a hell of a waste of time."
"Well, not many people would just wander around the streets so late, especially with the current situation being what it is."
"Alright, I get it. Then we'd better hurry up."
When they turned their gaze back to the street, they found their target had completely vanished.
Just then, a powerful force pressed down on the backs of their heads. "Bang!"
With a crash, both had their faces pinned into the ground.
In the darkness, Aili looked at the two now clutching their heads, groaning in a daze. She sneered and said, "So, even someone from Anmu would show up here? Is there some treasure that you people couldn't resist?"
"Oww, Anmu? What are you talking about? I—I don't understand a thing you're saying," one of them feigned ignorance, but the shock in his eyes betrayed him.
"Don't pretend. From the way you're tailing people, I can immediately tell it's you. Who else but upper-level Anmu elites can do this sort of thing?"
Aili sneered.
Who is she, to subdue us in an instant and call out our organization's name right away?
"What's the matter? As soon as Chensing Pavilion disbanded, your Anmu started getting bold?"
Aili dusted off her clothes.
"You're from the underground world too?" one asked, his voice trembling. He realized that he might've kicked a steel plate this time.
Aili didn't answer his question and instead said, "Are you done watching? If so, why not just come out? Or do you want me to put on a stage play for you?"
Quietly, two women emerged from the darkness. This startled the two from Anmu even more—neither had sensed that anyone was behind them.
One woman, dressed in white, held a medallion of the sun and said, "I'm the captain of the First Squad of the Empire's Primary Intelligence Division, 'Sky Net'. You can call me Jin Xue."
A girl in blue beside her asked, "Captain, is it really okay to reveal our identities like this?"
"It's fine. This person can be trusted."
"Oh," the girl replied. Since the captain had spoken, she had no further objections.
Aili wasn't surprised that the other side knew her identity. If "Sky Net" didn't even have that much ability, they didn't deserve to be called the Empire's top intelligence division.
"You seem to know me pretty well?"
Aili casually asked as she trimmed her nails with her silver scissors.
"Of course. You're Miss Aili, maid and bodyguard to Princess Yinhua."
Jin Xue replied.
"This feeling of being seen through is unpleasant. So, what brings you here?"
"I'll explain the situation to you. But before that, please hand those two over to us. We've set up a temporary base ahead, and we can talk in detail there."
Aili flung her scissors into the air. They spun several times before falling into a dark alley. A scream immediately rang out.
Jin Xue glanced back to see that the scissors had split in two in midair and pinned themselves into that person's legs. She quickly moved to the person's side and knocked them out with a chop.
Aili lifted the two Anmu members by hand, then tossed them toward the blue-clad girl.
"Buy two, get one free."
"Eh—eh—eh?!"
The girl had no time to react and scrambled to catch them both.
"My time is valuable. Don't bother with formalities. Just tell me the current situation in the city."
Jin Xue paused, then said, "There are currently many assassins and killers from the underground world lurking in the city."
"Why?"
"Snake-haze herb."
"... You mean there's a large amount of snake-haze herb in the city?"
Snake-haze herb was a relatively rare plant, originally used medicinally as an anesthetic.
Later, it was discovered that it could induce hallucinations and numb the mind. People then used it as a drug, and it fetched a good price on the black market.
"No, it's even more serious."
Jin Xue shook her head. "Someone has figured out how to manufacture snake-haze herb."
"Ara..."
Aili opened her mouth slightly in surprise.
If someone mastered the production method, it meant tons of drugs would flood the market.
That would yield huge profits, and monopolizing the process could greatly boost one's power—since in the black market, money was king.
The blue-clad girl said, "That's why we came here—to catch the person who invented the method. If the formula falls into underground organizations' hands, it wouldn't be a laughing matter."
"So, have you made any progress?"
"Certainly. We already have the target's location, but it seems he's reached understandings with several groups. Many underground killers are there. We're requesting support from the Imperial Capital now. Once it arrives, we'll net them all at once,"
Jin Xue explained.
"Is that so? Where is the target then?"
"No. 168, Shanke Street."
"Really? Well, then you can go back to headquarters."
The blue-clad girl clapped her hands, "Then we shouldn't delay! Let's... ehh?"
"Shouldn't the three of us go bust their lair together right now?"
Aili tilted her head.
"Why?"
"Because—that's how it's always written in manhua!"
Aili, Jin Xue: Gazes filled with sympathy for the intellectually disabled.
"Just go back and say it's settled. Also, tell that old woman Xing Sha she still owes me money. That's it, goodbye."
"Take care," said Jin Xue.
Not long after Aili had left—
"Hey, Yi Wei, you know, every time I see this woman here on our side, I feel lucky. If she were the enemy, just the thought sends shivers down my spine,"
Jin Xue murmured.
"Captain?"
Yi Wei glanced at her. Her captain ranked among the Empire's very best, but was this maid really so terrifying?
"Don't look at me like that. Even I have a few people I'd never want as an enemy,"
Jin Xue said, wiping the cold sweat from her brow.