Gadelia wanted to chase after him. She still had more to say.
“Zhou Ming!” Gadelia reached the doorway and saw Zhou Ming anxiously waiting for the elevator. “Do you have a plan? Are you really just going to spend money to save someone without any preparation?”
“I’ll tell Captain Zhang Chuanlei and ask the Lantern Bearers for help.”
“This isn’t an official mission. He can’t carry a gun, and if something goes wrong, he’ll be held accountable.”
“Aren’t the Lantern Bearers official Awakened?”
“Yes.”
The elevator arrived. Zhou Ming moved to step inside. Seeing this, Gadelia didn’t care about shoes anymore. She rushed over barefoot, grabbing Zhou Ming’s arm with both hands to stop him.
Gadelia felt like she was trying to move a mountain; she couldn’t budge him at all.
“Gadelia, what are you doing? Let go!”
Although he could have easily shaken her off, Zhou Ming didn’t, concerned for her safety. Instead, he coldly reprimanded her.
“Can you just listen to what I have to say? Can’t you trust me?”
“Go ahead.”
Taking a deep breath, Gadelia released her grip on Zhou Ming’s clothes. “Can we go back inside to talk? The floor is cold and hurts my feet.”
Looking down and seeing Gadelia’s bare feet on the floor, Zhou Ming swallowed hard, steadying himself.
“Sorry, I was reckless.”
Back in the apartment, Gadelia quickly washed her feet, put on slippers, and returned to the living room, sitting down beside Zhou Ming.
“Do you have any information on the kidnappers?”
“Kidnapping cases are usually handled by the police. The Lantern Bearers only get involved if it’s confirmed to be non-ordinary people. Can you make that judgment from just one phone call?”
Gadelia analyzed the situation for him.
“Besides, if something goes wrong, there will be consequences. Can you offer enough benefit for them to act? Choosing Zhang Chuanlei and his team isn’t a rational choice for your life, or your friend’s.”
Zhou Ming wasn’t listening at all. He said in a low voice,
“What if? I haven’t even asked yet. It’s not certain whether the Captain will agree or not.”
“But we can’t pin all our hopes on them, can we?”
“Gadelia, just say it directly. Tell me your idea.”
“Since we’re already talking about Awakened, we should naturally go find Awakened to help.”
Gadelia got up, went back to her room to put on black tights and a pair of lace-up, chunky-heeled Mary Janes. Once dressed, she led Zhou Ming out.
Zhou Ming got into her small car, and they left the residential area, heading towards Yu City’s First District.
“Besides official or legitimate organizations like the Dust-Cleansing Union or the Lantern Bearers, there are quite a few Awakened factions active in society. In Yu City, the Tu Family are the local power players with influence in both legal and underground circles. The place we’re going to is an underground black market specifically organized by the Tu Family.”
Gadelia explained Yu City’s underground forces while watching Zhou Ming’s reaction in the rearview mirror. Only after confirming he showed no obvious disgust did she continue.
“We can spend money to hire someone to use their ability to confirm the situation with those kidnappers. If they are Awakened, then we can consider asking Zhang Chuanlei for help.”
“Tell me about your friend,” Gadelia proactively changed the subject.
“You mean Xiao Sui?” Zhou Ming recalled Jiang Jialie, a complicated expression appearing on his face.
“My parents and her parents were very close. Our families lived near each other. I often went to her house when I was little, so we got familiar over time.”
“Xiao Sui was quite clingy to me, just a bit possessive. She interrogated every girl I knew. But she’s a good person, lively, cheerful, and warm-hearted. I used to advise her not to be too helpful, to protect herself more… I never thought this trouble might have come from her trying to help someone.”
“Xiao Sui?” Gadelia chuckled softly, her tone suddenly taking on a meaningful note. “How intimate. I haven’t seen you give me such a unique nickname.”
“You told me to call you Gadelia!”
“If I tell you to call me something, you will? Then from now on, call me… hmm, Master?”
“…”
Zhou Ming fell silent, rendered speechless by her words.
Master? Then maybe he should call her “Earth”? A higher status, could even start a cult, the Gadelia Sect, and become a cult leader.
“Alright, then you can call me ‘Earth’ from now on. I’ll go establish the Gadelia Sect and appoint you as the Grand Hierophant. How about that?”
“Huh?!”
Zhou Ming abruptly shut his mouth, remembering that Gadelia had said her ability allowed her to read the thoughts of those around her.
This was truly social death.
“Get out, we’re here.”
Ignoring Zhou Ming’s flustered expression, Gadelia parked the car, opened the door, and got out first.
The First District was once a prosperous area of Yu City but had gradually declined. The streets were dilapidated, sparsely populated, with few pedestrians.
The black market was located inside a seemingly old hotel. Gadelia went in, took out a black card stamped with the character ‘Tu’ and handed it to the front desk.
The front desk lady handed two black cloaks and masks to them, indicating they should put them on, then led them to the elevator going to the second basement level.
The elevator doors opened, revealing a vast underground space. Shops were densely packed all around, the lighting dim but constant. Everyone coming and going wore cloaks and masks.
“This place was originally Yu City’s air-raid shelter. After it was abandoned, the Tu Family converted it into an underground black market. There are many entrances, but being able to enter from the hotel means you’ve paid protection fees and are under the Tu Family’s shelter. Here, no one will easily touch you.”
Gadelia said, “I can get you a Tu Family card later, if you’re willing.”
She was practically considering everything for Zhou Ming.
She held onto the hem of Zhou Ming’s cloak to prevent him from getting lost, quickly navigating through the complex streets until they reached their destination.
It was a shop filled with weapons. Guns of various types hung on the walls, and strange bottled items sat on the counter.
“Welco—” a burly old man began in a hoarse voice, then froze mid-sentence.
“G-Great One…”
“Enough, skip the formalities. Take us inside.”
Gadelia cut him off. She had already notified the person in charge here in advance using her ability.
This shop served as a base in Yu City for a certain Awakened organization, mainly responsible for recruitment and taking private jobs. Profits went to the individual, with the organization providing support.
In the depths of the shop, a bald middle-aged man served Zhou Ming respectfully.
After Zhou Ming provided the location, the middle-aged man closed his eyes. A faint shadow separated from his body, passed through the wall, and flew out.
After a short while, he opened his eyes and said,
“Five men. Not Awakened. Two women are tied up.”
In truth, the middle-aged man wasn’t entirely sure, but Gadelia had already confirmed it with her ability and slightly modified his statement.
“Alright, the situation is confirmed. What do you plan to do?” Gadelia asked.
“Go directly.” Zhou Ming’s expression was calm.
Having confirmed the other party weren’t Awakened, he was no longer nervous. Instead, he felt somewhat collected.
Before leaving, Gadelia handed him two guns, five magazines, and two boxes of ammunition.
“Let’s go.” She patted Zhou Ming’s shoulder lightly. “We have two hours left.”