The Profile of the Master of No Trace

Zhang Yuanqing picked up a black jade token. A notification popped up in his vision:

[Name: Dream Entry Jade Talisman]

[Type: Consumable]

[Function: Dream Summoning]

[Description: A sub-item produced by the Nightmare Machine, capable of opening a dream channel connected to the main entity.]

[Note: One day, an indescribable existence happened to read a comic called "X Nightmare Machine" and was inspired, thus the Nightmare Machine appeared.]

A dream realm item — if he remembered correctly, dreams were a specialty of the Illusionist class. Could this Master of No Trace be an Illusionist? Zhang Yuanqing pocketed the talisman and looked at Xie Lingxi beside him.

"Let's go."

He nodded toward the stunning woman by the elevator door:

"Sorry to bother you. We haven't been here today and don't even know this hotel exists."

The woman snorted lightly, "Quite sensible!"

She pressed the elevator's down button, leading Zhang Yuanqing and Xie Lingxi back to the first floor.

Once seated in the car and with the No Trace Hotel fading farther and farther behind until it disappeared from view, Xie Lingxi finally relaxed and said,

"Brother Yuanshi, that Master of No Trace is definitely a very high-level Illusionist."

She pulled out the black jade token, sighing,

"I don't know if I should use it if danger comes..."

Although the Master of No Trace hadn't harmed them, the fact he belonged to an evil profession made her genuinely wary.

"If it's truly life or death, then you have to use it. It can't be worse than dying," Zhang Yuanqing said.

Xie Lingxi nodded, her voice tinged with sadness:

"When I was little, elders said evil professions are criminals with blood-stained hands, deserving of endless punishment. But I never thought that some who commit those crimes might be forced, have reasons — they aren't born bad. They want to redeem themselves too."

Zhang Yuanqing's mind unexpectedly drifted to Ou Xiangrong, the beguiling demon who suffered brutal school bullying as a child, left with deep psychological scars and twisted mentality, eventually walking down a dark path.

If someone had reached out back then, maybe the world would have one less vicious villain.

Of course, Ou Xiangrong deserved to die—he had completely broken, becoming violent and bloodthirsty. But what about those like "unworthy fathers" and other evil figures?

Zhang Yuanqing said slowly,

"Evil professions are humanity's own karmic flames. You can't change the big picture or human nature. Overthinking only makes you hate this world more."

Xie Lingxi looked disappointed. Those words were realistic but powerless. She had hoped Brother Yuanshi would give her some inspirational words — a kind of soul-soothing "chicken soup" that helps in times like these.

Zhang Yuanqing changed the subject:

"The big picture can't be changed, but we can change ourselves. After understanding evil professions better, I believe you already know how to face these groups correctly. When you encounter evil figures like the 'unworthy fathers' in the future, try to help them if possible."

Xie Lingxi gave a sweet smile, then coyly acted like a fragile young girl, fluttering her voice,

"Brother Yuanshi, you're amazing. Even though you're young, you have firm opinions, unlike me, who only feels sorry for them."

Just as Zhang Yuanqing was about to reply to this delicate girl, the speaker in his pocket suddenly crackled with static, then a deep voice filled the car:

"Always a weak and cowardly look... always a weak and cowardly look..."

The phrase repeated on loop.

Xie Lingxi's face instantly stiffened.

"Oh, that's the item we found in the underground parking lot. It randomly makes noise sometimes," Zhang Yuanqing almost laughed.

Xie Lingxi: "..."

...

Xie's car dropped him off at the entrance of Kangyang District Security Bureau. Xie Lingxi leaned her head out the window, waving,

"Brother Yuanshi, I'll be in Songhai for the next few days. Come find me if you have time."

"Sure!"

Zhang Yuanqing gave a casual reply, waved goodbye, and entered the bureau.

As he approached the glass building, he heard cheers and laughter — noisy and lively, like a party.

What's going on? Zhang Yuanqing entered with curiosity. The office was empty; the ladies and young women gathered in the leisure area, surrounding Chief Shi, Guan Ya, and Wang Tai.

On the table were cakes, delicacies, and drinks — a lavish feast. Everyone held wine glasses or food, chatting happily in a warm atmosphere.

"Oh, our hero has arrived! Everyone, welcome!"

Li Dongze looked toward the door, leading the applause.

Clap clap clap... the hearty clapping filled the room, the staff smiling warmly.

Zhang Yuanqing's heart stirred. Tentatively, he asked,

"Have the bonuses and merits come through?"

Guan Ya smiled and nodded.

"Oh my god, heavens, did you hear my prayers? Yes, you must have heard them!" Zhang Yuanqing's face lit up with joy.

Li Dongze remained silent.

He tightened his grip on his cane but then relaxed and decided to join the party.

After the celebration, Zhang Yuanqing leaned back in his office chair with a full belly and asked,

"Chief Shi, what are my bonuses and merits? Is there a list?"

Li Dongze looked at Guan Ya, who opened her pink notebook and placed it before Zhang Yuanqing.

Zhang Yuanqing sat upright, eyes scanning the screen:

[Cleared Sheling Tunnel: D-level merit, 50,000 bonus (individual award).]

[Killed Ou Xiangrong: D-level merit, 300,000 reward (team award).]

[Cleared Jinshui Amusement Park: B-level merit, 500,000 reward (individual award).]

Sheling Tunnel was a spiritual trial realm of the Night Wanderer. Its significance was granting the Five Elements Alliance the future Night Wanderer spot tied to the tunnel's creation, plus the awakening of the Mountain Goddess.

But because the intel was used to repay a favor, the Five Elements Alliance did not make a direct profit, so it was only given a D-level merit.

Killing Ou Xiangrong was a team merit — 200,000 bonus total, Zhang Yuanqing got 100,000, and the remaining 200,000 was split among the team, including the staff.

Li Dongze was happy because team merits benefitted the chief the most. The more team merits, the higher his chance for promotion.

This was why captains like Qingteng Bailong envied him so much — more talented subordinates meant more benefits for the captain, and a capable subordinate can let the captain win easily.

The B-level merit for clearing Jinshui Amusement Park was impressive. Theoretically, B-level merit was the highest official operatives could achieve; even executive-level operatives would envy it.

Basically, once Zhang Yuanqing reached Level 3 Night Wanderer, he would certainly become a captain-level figure.

Many Level 3 official operatives still linger as elite members because they lack merits to get promoted.

The total merit bonuses added up to 650,000. "My god, I've never seen so much money in my life..." Zhang Yuanqing's heart pounded wildly.

Guan Ya patted his shoulder, laughing,

"You ate too much at today's party. Tomorrow night, you have to treat me. I'm going to squeeze you dry."

Zhang Yuanqing shot her a sideways glance,

"Woman, who are you talking to? How dare you talk so casually to a rich man worth 650,000?"

"You're quite arrogant..." Guan Ya gritted her teeth.

Li Dongze smiled as he watched them.

"The merits have been approved, and your privileges have been upgraded. You can now access higher-level data. You can check the database yourself later.

"Also, your proposal to participate in the hunt for Black Wuchang was approved by Captain Fu this morning. From now on, you will act alongside me and Guan Ya."

Captain Fu agreed? Zhang Yuanqing felt a surge of joy.

Having a superior who appreciates you is truly pleasant — it means most of your requests get approved.

After seeing Li Dongze back to his office, Zhang Yuanqing rubbed his round belly and suddenly wondered if, with his current privileges, he could look up info on the Master of No Trace.

Without hesitation, he opened the official database, logged in with the Yuanshi Heavenly Venerable account credentials, and typed into the search bar — Master of No Trace.

Unlike last time when no relevant info appeared, this time a result popped up:

"ID: No Trace of the Past, Dominator-level Illusionist, C-level wanted criminal."

"Note: This person once severely injured the elder of the Chihuo Gang. Not bloodthirsty. No strong hostility toward official organization personnel. If encountered, do not provoke, just avoid..."

Dominator-level? Zhang Yuanqing's pupils suddenly constricted.