Familiar Yet Strange

After the matter in Donglai ended, Mo Yu returned to Nandu.

The main reason was naturally that Lu Su had gone to Jizhou Town, and as an illegal Card Master, he had no way of blending into such a military stronghold.

With no assignments for the time being, the middle-aged man could only return to Nandu and resume the idle life he had longed for.

But the Good Days did not last long. Just two days ago, Mo Yu had clearly sensed that the contract in his mind had changed owners.

Yet he knew nothing about the new owner’s identity, which left him feeling uneasy and apprehensive.

With that thought in mind, Mo Yu put on a slightly ingratiating smile and looked at the enchanting woman beside him. He asked fawningly, "Lady Miao, do you have any leads on this lord’s identity?"

In the middle-aged man’s eyes, Miaoxuan held a higher position than him and ran so many brothels to gather information, so she might know some gossip about this.

Miaoxuan did indeed know some insider information.

For example, after the contract changed, a world-shaking battle had broken out along the Shanghai City coast.

What she was considering now was whether she should tell Mo Yu this information.

In the end, remembering that the middle-aged man could barely be considered half of Sixth Master’s confidant, she decided to do him a favor. "Something probably happened to the President. It’s possible that some of the Society’s plans were discovered by the Association."

"The worst possibility…"

"Is that we’ve already been sold to the Association."

As she said this, Miaoxuan could not conceal the embarrassment on her face. Her heart was also filled with unease about this trip.

Hearing her words, Mo Yu’s expression immediately fell. He opened his mouth, not knowing what to say.

Even though he had prepared himself for the ship to sink ever since boarding the Spirit Summoning Society’s vessel, he never imagined that day would come so soon.

"We’ve arrived."

At that moment, the train announcement drew their attention.

Since they did not know the new owner’s background, they had chosen to take the train obediently.

After getting off, the two surveyed the somewhat crowded station and could not help frowning slightly. They could sense an unusually large number of Card Masters among the crowd.

Miaoxuan glanced around the station and said in a low voice, "Something’s wrong. The area is full of Association Card Masters."

Mo Yu gave an almost imperceptible nod.

Fortunately, both of them were of considerable Card Master rank and proficient in concealment, so they did not let the Association’s lackeys discover them.

The man and woman calmly walked out of the station. Once they saw that no one was paying attention to them, they could not help letting out a sigh of relief.

"Let’s find that lord first."

"Mm."

Having made their decision, Mo Yu and Miaoxuan immediately headed toward the location sent through the contract.

Yet as they got closer and closer to their destination, their mouths gradually opened wider and wider.

Mo Yu looked at the Shanghai City Card Master Association Headquarters in the distance, then at the upscale apartment building before him. "I-Is this hiding in plain sight?"

"Maybe?"

Seeing the scene before her, Miaoxuan was uncertain for a moment as well.

But soon, a voice sounded beside their ears.

"Come up and see me. Twenty-fourth floor."

Hearing the somewhat familiar male voice, both of them froze. Then they instinctively exchanged glances, seeing the same stunned expression in each other’s eyes.

Without hesitating further, Miaoxuan and Mo Yu immediately made their way to the twenty-fourth floor.

Before they could knock, a Ghost Shadow Soldier opened the door and led them into the study.

Seeing that familiar figure, the man and woman hurriedly called out, "Sixth Master."

Hearing them, Lu Su opened his eyes. "You’re here. Sit."

The two sat down stiffly upon hearing that.

Lu Su did not pay them any attention. He merely pinched the bridge of his nose tiredly.

After a while, he let out a long breath and said, "I’m with the Association. From now on, you’ll be working for the Association."

"Huh?"

Miaoxuan and Mo Yu were instantly stunned upon hearing this, unable to understand what the Youth meant for a moment.

Still, neither of them was particularly ruthless. Despite being full of doubts, they lowered their heads and replied, "Understood."

As members of the Spirit Summoning Society, what they were best at was kneeling without hesitation. In their eyes, it made no difference who held their leash.

Mo Yu also recalled his experiences in Donglai and could not help muttering inwardly, No wonder Sixth Master has always been helping the Association.

Although he was extremely curious about how Lu Su had escaped Jin Ping’s control, the middle-aged man knew better than to ask.

Seeing how quickly they accepted it, Lu Su immediately felt much more at ease.

The Spirit Summoning Society simply had too many members. For the past two days, he had personally been handling the arrangements for these people.

Fortunately, the workhorses had arrived. He could dump the work on them from now on.

"You two should find a base in Shanghai City and help me deal with the Spirit Summoning Society members arriving here later."

"I’ll send you a form. When the time comes, ask them the questions on it and sort them accordingly."

After most of the Spirit Summoning Society’s members had fallen under the Association’s control, they naturally could not simply be executed.

After all, they were Card Masters. Even the weakest among them were Black Iron Grade Card Masters.

Under the contracts’ control, some of the more dangerous missions could be assigned to these people.

Of course, the punishment for Spirit Summoning Society members was not life imprisonment. Once they made enough contributions, their contracts would be lifted, and they could gain limited freedom under the Association’s supervision.

Miaoxuan and Mo Yu looked at each other. In the end, they could only force themselves to agree. "Yes."

"Alright, you can go now. Wait."

Just as Lu Su was about to tell them to leave, he seemed to recall something. Turning to Miaoxuan, he said, "As for your brothels, disband them after you return to Nandu."

"Or turn them into legitimate massage parlors. Your choice."

Miaoxuan froze at his words, then pressed her lips together and nodded. "Yes."

With that, she and Mo Yu left Lu Su’s home.

Downstairs.

Mo Yu looked at the bright sky and tugged at the corner of his mouth. After a moment, he said in an odd tone, "Do you think this means we’ve landed positions within the Association?"

"You wish." Miaoxuan could not help rolling her eyes. "Before our contracts are lifted, there’s no difference between this and working for the Spirit Summoning Society."

"At most, we won’t have to do anything heinous."

"Come on. Let’s find a place first."

Watching Miaoxuan’s retreating figure, Mo Yu scratched his head before following after her.

Elsewhere.

After handling the Spirit Summoning Society matter, Lu Su stood and headed into the living room.

At that moment, a young woman holding a Little Fox was sitting on the living room sofa.

Noticing the Youth’s arrival, she turned around and asked with a grin, "Is it settled?"

"More or less." Lu Su nodded, then sighed. "It’s been a long time, Nanxi."

The woman was Jiang Nanxi, Lu Su’s old classmate.

Hearing Lu Su’s words, Jiang Nanxi’s face revealed a teasing smile. "Of course. You’re a busy man now, President Lu."

As she spoke, she tapped her cheek with the index finger of her right hand. "Come to think of it, your position is even higher than Old Jiang’s."

Lu Su did not feel displeased by her attitude. He knew that their relationship had not grown distant.

After gesturing for a Ghost Shadow Soldier to prepare some tea for Jiang Nanxi, he asked, "What did you come to see me about this time?"

"Can’t I visit you without a reason?" Jiang Nanxi said in feigned anger. Then she coughed. "There actually is something."

"Principal Xie wants us to return to school as outstanding graduates and share some of our experience."

She seemed somewhat embarrassed as she said this. It was not because she truly had business with the Youth, but because she felt she had only been included among the outstanding graduates by riding his coattails.

Incidentally, Jiang Nanxi was currently a Silver Grade Card Master.

Although that was already quite impressive for someone her age, compared with Lu Su…

Lu Su’s first thought upon hearing Jiang Nanxi’s words was what experience he could possibly share. Was he supposed to teach others how to plagiarize literature?

Still, he was a Diamond Grade Card Master after all. If he truly had to teach, there was definitely something he could offer.

So after considering it briefly, Lu Su agreed. Shanghai City No. 1 High School had treated him well, after all. It was merely returning the favor.

"That’s great!" Jiang Nanxi immediately sighed in relief. Then she leaned back onto the sofa and raised the Little Fox high in the air. "Come on, say it with me. Thank you, Lu Su."

"Thank you, Lu Su."

Hearing the soft, childish voice emerge from the Little Fox’s mouth, Lu Su smiled and patted her fluffy head.

Clearly, the Three-Tailed Fox Jiang Nanxi had made at Black Iron Grade was no longer what it used to be.

"When is it?"

"Three days from now. Lin Yue will be there too."

Three days later would be Friday, and Lu Su happened to be free then.

Rather, he had been quite free lately.

The Spirit Summoning Society was no longer a threat for the time being, and no high-level secret realms had appeared around Shanghai City. The Youth had been quite idle recently.

"Understood. I’ll be there."

Three days passed quickly.

Morning.

After washing up, Lu Su set off for his alma mater, Shanghai City No. 1 High School.

Seeing Principal Xie and the others waiting to greet him at the school gate so early, he could not help feeling a little emotional.

Since when had he become someone important enough that no one could ignore him?

With somewhat complicated feelings, Lu Su approached Principal Xie with a smile. "Principal."

"President Xiao Luo." Principal Xie joyfully grasped the Youth’s hands. "Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to return and share your experience with the school."

The old man had originally wanted to address the Youth before him as he had in the past, but upon recalling his current status, he hurriedly changed his wording.

"It’s only right. Shanghai City No. 1 High School has treated me well too." Lu Su sighed inwardly. "Principal, you can just call me Xiao Luo."

Hearing this, Principal Xie immediately beamed from ear to ear. He patted the Youth’s shoulder while looking proudly at the surrounding Teachers.

Under normal circumstances, the principal should have taken Lu Su on a tour of the school before bringing him to the auditorium for his lecture.

But since the Youth had graduated from Shanghai City No. 1 High School, that process could naturally be skipped.

Principal Xie had actually wanted to do it, but Lu Su declined.

After arriving at the auditorium, Lu Su saw Jiang Nanxi and Lin Yue, who had arrived early.

After greeting them, he began waiting for the host to call his name.

Lin Yue went on first, followed by Jiang Nanxi. Lu Su was the finale.

That made sense. He was the highest-ranked Card Master present, after all.

Once he stepped onto the stage, the Youth swept his gaze over the excited students and began his speech.

For him, sharing experience with some Black Iron Grade Card Masters was quite simple.

However, throughout the speech, Lu Su’s gaze remained fixed on a third year high school boy seated in the front row.

"Strange."

"Have I seen him somewhere before?"

A trace of doubt flashed through his mind.

Lu Su searched through his memories but could not find a face resembling the boy’s.

Yet despite that, he still felt that the boy’s aura was vaguely familiar.

After the speech ended, the Youth called Principal Xie over. "Principal, what’s the name of the student who was sitting over there just now?"

As he spoke, he pointed to where the boy had been sitting not long ago.

Faced with Lu Su’s question, Principal Xie almost instantly gave the boy’s name. "Xiao Luo, are you talking about Xingu?"

"He’s the best prospect Shanghai City No. 1 High School has had in the past two years."

At this point, the old man sighed, then said regretfully, "It’s just that he’s the only one left in his family. From now on, he’ll have to rely entirely on himself."

Lu Su froze. He had not expected the boy to be an orphan like him.

But Principal Xie immediately added, "The school has given him plenty of subsidies as well. I just hope he can achieve a good result in the Four Districts Joint Examination."

At that moment, the old man stopped speaking, hesitation appearing on his face. After a while, he asked quietly, "By the way, Xiao Luo, would you be interested in being a judge for the Four Districts Joint Examination?"

"You’d only need to attend the finals."

Lu Su felt rather helpless for a moment. So this was what they had been waiting for. No wonder they had suddenly arranged for outstanding graduates to return to school.

Still, idle time was idle time. It seemed he had reached the age where he needed to shield Great Ming’s flowers from wind and rain.

"If I’m free, I’ll go."

Lu Su did not make a firm promise. After all, who knew whether anything might happen in Shanghai City during that period?

But Principal Xie had already received the answer he wanted. He nodded repeatedly, afraid that the Youth might change his mind. "That’s enough, that’s enough."

"I’ll send you the schedule later. Xiao Luo, if you have time, you can come watch the earlier matches too."

Lu Su nodded slightly to show that he understood, then prepared to leave Shanghai City No. 1 High School.

But at that moment, he suddenly froze in place.

Having reached Diamond Grade, the distance at which the Youth could maintain his cards was now extremely far. Thus, he had left Sister Lie, Aizen, and several other cards skilled at handling administrative work at Headquarters.

And just then, Unohana Retsu had sent him an extremely urgent message.

An incredibly intense energy fluctuation had appeared in the sea near Shanghai City. It was suspected that a high-risk secret realm had emerged.

"Looks like I don’t have time after all."

Lu Su had not expected the piece Principal Xie had placed to be removed so quickly.

With a trace of helplessness, the Youth vanished from where he stood.