Strange Happenings

"Even though our tribe had been rehabilitated, the scar is still there and things haven't been brought back to normal", the waitress said almost shedding tears.

"Till today, I find myself serving in this coffee shop", she said.

"A sad story indeed, sorry for the loss, take heart", Chen Feng said.

"But sincerely speaking, if you know of anyone who needs our services, you can let us know", Hu Mei chipped in.

"Not to worry, so far you are willing to do it for money, I know of someone who is in need of your service", the waitress said with a mischievous smile.

"Permit me to get your coffee first, so that we can discuss better", she said.

After this, she went on ahead and to bring the coffee. They waited for a while and here she is coming with two cups of coffee.

As she approached, one of the customers suddenly hit her from the back by mistake, so one of the tea cup slipped from the tray and was falling to the ground.

But something amazing happened. Just as the cup was about to hit the floor and shatter, she quickly caught it while she held on to the tray.

This was something exceptional, and no ordinary individual can have such reaction time unless one possessed excellent martial arts.

Although Chen Feng had his doubts about her identity during the conversation, but this had confirmed his suspicion of her as a member of the poison tribe.

She then arrived at their table and served them both tea.

"My lady, don't mind my curiosity, but just how were you able to do that?", Hu Mei asked.

"Nothing special, just some stunts i picked up as a child", she said with pretence written all over her face.

Considering the way she caught the cup, Chen Feng and Hu Mei could tell that she was a very skilled martial artist.

"Hmmm..., back to our discussion, you were speaking of offering us a job with a good pay", Chen Feng cut in.

"Yes! But it depends if you guys are willing to carry out the tasks you would be assigned", the waitress said.

"Yes of course, there is no job that we wouldn't do inasmuch money is involved. 

"Okay, the both of you should meet me by 9pm just behind this coffee shop to get assigned to your jobs", he said.

"Once you're done with it, you'll be paid accordingly", she said.

"Then it's a deal", Chen Feng said as he sipped the coffee.

After spending some time in the coffee shop, Chen Feng and Hu Mei decided to return back to the inn.

Instead of taking the normal route they came from, they took another route in order to prevent stalkers and spy from tracing their residence.

They finally got to the inn and heaved a sigh of relief.

"Huh..., this mission isn't really an easy one, I'm happy that we were not followed, if otherwise, our plans would have been soiled", Hu Mei said.

"Yeah you are right", replied Chen Feng.

Just then they entered the inn as they walked to their room. Although Elder Si Yin saw them come in, he didn't welcome them specially, but treated them like every customer in order to avoid suspicion.

Upon getting to their room, Hu Mei and Chen Feng discovered that they were the first team to return.

"I knew it. Hahaha...I knew they can't beat us to it", Hu Mei said.

"Beat us to what?..., Hu Mei please stay focused and don't act sarcastic", Chen Feng said.

"Okay... okay, but I'm just being honest...", Hu Mei said as he grumbled.

So they decided to relax a bit while they awaited the others.

...

*Team 2*

Bi Yao and Qin Feiye had walked some distance that morning but haven't discovered anything unusual.

"Senior Qin, why don't we enter that pawnshop to see if we can make some exchanges and get some information", Bi Yao said pointing at a pawnshop nearby.

"Good idea, why didn't it occur to me before", Qin Feiye said as they head that direction.

Together, they entered the pawnshop not knowing what they'll exchange.

"Good morning ma", they greeted a woman which seems to be the pawn broker.

"Morning lovelies, how may I help you? Do you have anything you want to trade for money?", she asked.

"Yes", Bi Yao said as she slipped a bracelet from her hands and presented it to the broker.

The bracelet was a gift her father presented to her during her eighteenth birthday.

"From what I see, the both of you don't seem to be from around here", the broker said.

"Ehmm...you are right, we are travellers who just happen to pass through Sushi village", Bi Yao said.

"Yes, we're just regular travellers", Qin Feiye said as she nodded in agreement.

"Interesting! But I think you are not ordinary travellers, from your accent and the bracelet you presented, I can tell you came from a prominent family",

"No commoner or mere traveller can possess such bracelet of high value", she said.

"I've seen this bracelet somewhere before. But I can't just place it...", the broker stated.

"I decline to accept your offer as our shop can't pay for a bracelet with such value", she said.

"Don't worry ma'am, we don't mind trading it for some intel about the village", Bi Yao said.

"Don't bother, I'll tell you everything you need to know, just keep the bracelet to yourself", she said.

Bi Yao in agreement took back the bracelet and both of them were all ears ready to grasp what she has to say.

"I'll advice you girls to stay away from trouble, I smell danger in the village", she said.

"Why do you say so ma'am", Qin Feiye asked.

"For some time now, a lot of terrible things have happened in the village", she said.

"People are being abducted and the number increases daily",

"Every night, from my window, I always see young men and girls been abducted by some gang of people. I can't interfere because I know no martial arts", she said in tears.

"None of them have ever returned. Some people known as the poison tribe loyalists seem to be behind this scheme", she said.

"But ma'am, any idea of what these people are used for?", Qin Feiye asked.

"From what I overheard, they are used by members of the poison tribe to improve their cultivation and make medicine", she said in a hush tone.

"Such a wicked act", Bi Yao said in an angry tone.

"But you girls should stay out of trouble and not fall into their hands", the broker said.

"No problem ma. Thanks for your advice, we'll do our best to stay out of trouble", Qin Feiye said.

After the conversation, they bid the woman farewell as they left the pawnshop.

Just as the first team did, they took another route different from the one they took while coming in order to avoid being spotted by the spies that may be watching.

Fortunate for them, they were able to get out of sight, so they headed back to the inn to make further plans.

They arrived at the inn and climbed to the second floor.

As they walked down, Hu Mei heard footsteps, so he assumed Gui Shan must have returned.

But to his surprise, as he opened the door, it was Bi Yao and Qin Feiye.

"Seems Gui Shan ran out of luck this time, considering how long he has been away", Hu Mei said.

"Stop saying such things, I believe Gui Shan is fine wherever he is", Bi Yao fired back at Hu Mei.

"Don't be so defensive, I only said that because I cared", Hu Mei said in a mocking manner.

Bi Yao got pissed off and returned to her room alongside Qin Feiye. They relaxed while they awaited what comes next.

...

*Team 3*

Meanwhile, Gui Shan and Tan Ning were still walking down a street with their eyes full of curiosity.

"Senior Tan, we've been walking all this while and we've discovered nothing",

"Where do you think would be the best place to get information?", Gui Shan asked.

"I think we should look for a tavern and give it a try. Besides, lots of men would be there and they often spill out some classified information when they get drunk", Tan Ning said.

"Okay, let's give it a try", Gui Shan said.

They both asked around for the closest tavern and were given direction to the most famous one.

They finally made their way to the best tavern.

"Senior Tan, I think we should be extra cautious considering the fact that most of the men there may be members of the poison tribe", Gui Shan said.

"You are right", Tan Ning replied.

They both entered into the tavern and headed for the drinking bar. They were directed by a bar attendant to an empty table. They made their way there and took a sit as they ordered for some wine.

They sat close to some men who were also drinking. These men were in group of four. Gui Shan and Tan Ning greeted them as they took their seat.

... continue reading from the next chapter...