Chapter 22: Armed Duty

Chen Fan rummaged through the bag and pulled out the Werewolf Kill cards, curious to see which one was missing today.

“Oh, the Hunter card. That’s always been my favorite when playing—the strongest of the divine cards.” He remembered that the card used to feature a handsome blond youth, and now that he thought of it, the character’s aura seemed somewhat akin to his own.

“What’s the Hunter’s skill? Shooting arrows with deadly accuracy? Taking someone’s life from a thousand miles away?” Chen Fan invented his own scenario, striking the pose of a crane spreading its wings, imagining himself as a supernatural sniper.

“Behold, the divine gun is raised, and even the stars of the empire may fall.” With his hand mimicking a gun, he barked a command at the empty wall before him.

“Bang.”

“Oh my god, thunder? That was sudden—just moments ago, the sun was shining bright outside.” Startled by the thunderous noise, Chen Fan dashed out to the hallway and looked up at the sky. The sun blazed overhead, not a single cloud in sight.

“Huh? Wasn’t that thunder just now?” He glanced at his hand, wondering if he truly possessed the Hunter’s shooting ability.

“Watch closely—the divine gun never misses, behold my peerless aim.” He struck a pose again, trying to recreate the earlier sound.

But this time, not a peep—an awkward, dead silence.

“Was it an illusion?” Unable to make sense of it alone, he cleared a space on the table and respectfully brought out the Elder card.

When the Elder appeared, he was still dressed in full Peking opera garb, a red and black mask covering his face, singing a leisurely tune to himself.

Upon seeing Chen Fan, the Elder lifted half of his mask, revealing part of his face, and with a flourish, pulled off his fake beard. He said loudly, “Young man, you’ve crossed the line. Disturbing an old man’s leisure will bring retribution. Can’t you leave me in peace?”

Chen Fan rolled his eyes—he remembered it was the Elder who had sought him out days before; how quickly the old man forgot. Still, wary of a sudden snap of the Elder’s fingers that might blow him up on the spot, Chen Fan kept any displeasure from showing on his face.

The Elder smirked. “I’m not forgetful at all, my memory’s as sharp as ever. Admittedly, before the contract was signed, we were strangers, but you can’t quite say I latched onto you. If you hadn’t accepted the club owner’s gift, I wouldn’t be bound to you so steadfastly. Honestly, I wish I served a graceful lady instead—a young woman’s secrets are far more