Chapter 190 – The Sleepless and the Day Keepers

At 8:30 in the morning.

Lu Yuan sat in a clean and tidy breakfast shop, which was filled with steam. He leisurely savored the freshly made buns from the shop, accompanied by a dish of vinegar and a dish of chili sauce.

He had ordered a total of five steamers, each containing ten buns.

When he was eating the third steamer, the sound of crisp high heels clicking on the ground came from the entrance of the breakfast shop.

A woman with exquisite makeup appeared in Lu Yuan’s sight.

The person he was waiting for had arrived. The woman had beautiful, wavy, dark red hair and very fair skin. She stood tall, unlike most women from Xia, which made it easy to identify her as someone of mixed heritage.

She wore an elegantly tailored dark green dress and carried a delicate black handbag. Her appearance and demeanor stood out starkly from her surroundings.

Clearly aware of this, she repeatedly checked the sign outside the breakfast shop.

It wasn’t until she made eye contact with Lu Yuan that she finally walked in.

It wasn’t Lu Yuan’s striking looks or demeanor that attracted her and made her recognize him as the person she was about to meet. It was the fact that he was the only customer in the shop, smiling and waving at her.

The woman walked up to Lu Yuan, removed her sunglasses, revealing lake-blue eyes, and hesitantly spoke, “Lu Yuan?”

Her Xia Language was fluent, without any accent.

“Yes.”

Lu Yuan nodded. He always used his real name online.

“I am White Glowing Grass, but you can call me by my Xia State name—Bai Ying.”

“Alright.”

Lu Yuan ordered two bowls of hot soy milk from the shop owner and then invited the woman to sit, “Sit down, let’s chat while we eat.”

The woman looked at the old wooden table and chairs in front of her, hesitated for a moment, but then put down her bag and sat in front of Lu Yuan.

Lu Yuan handed her the prepared utensils with a smile, “Jiaoyan is a small place, there aren’t any high-end coffee shops here. I figured you might be tired of those, so I thought I’d let you try some local snacks. The steamed buns here are quite good.”

“Thank you.”

Bai Ying picked up a steamed bun with a pair of disposable chopsticks and placed it in the white porcelain bowl in front of her. She paused and then said, “Steamed buns aren’t exactly a local specialty. Actually, I lived in Xia until I was fifteen, so I’ve had most of the things you’ve eaten… But, it’s a taste I haven’t had in a long time.”

Bai Ying took a gentle bite of the steamed bun, her movements elegant, looking every bit like someone from high society.

After politely tasting the “delicacies” recommended by Lu Yuan, Bai Ying put down her chopsticks and looked around.

Seeing the breakfast shop owner’s couple busy in the back and no one else around, she whispered to Lu Yuan, “How is your friend involved with the elephant deity sect doing now?”

“It’s my sister, Lu Jing.”

Lu Yuan picked up a steamed bun and dipped it slightly in some chili sauce.

The chili sauce in this breakfast shop was homemade, using fresh green peppers. It tasted tangy and spicy, which suited Lu Yuan’s taste perfectly.

“She’s doing well. But one of her mentors went missing not long ago.”

“Is his surname Xia? Named Xia Weimin?”

Bai Ying’s lake-blue eyes flickered as she quickly asked.

Lu Yuan showed an “astonished” expression, “How do you know?”

“Being in the same archaeological community, I’ve heard some things.”

Bai Ying replied vaguely, then turned serious and said to Lu Yuan, “Actually, the real purpose of my visit is to warn you. Stop digging into this matter.”

“Why?”

Lu Yuan couldn’t help but “frown” and put down the steamed bun he was about to bite into.

“Lu Jing’s archaeological team really encountered terrifying monsters, just like the sketch photos I sent you before. I’m now convinced that the elephant deity sect curse is real. Without figuring out the truth and lifting the possible curse on Lu Jing, I won’t be at ease.”

Bai Ying frowned, seeming to weigh her words, then said with a complex tone, “But the truth might be far more complicated than you think. The monsters seen by the Xia State archaeological team at the elephant deity sect site in Xixu are just the tip of the iceberg of this horror. I’ll tell you directly…”

Bai Ying paused, then said in a deep voice, “Lu Jing’s mentor, Xia Weimin, is probably already dead. Because he took the ‘key’ without permission…”

“Key?”

Lu Yuan’s eyes flickered as he caught this word in Bai Ying’s speech.

“Yes, a key to unlock certain hidden aspects of the elephant deity sect’s history,” Bai Ying emphasized. “Many people want this key. It’s a massive whirlpool, and you’re currently outside of it. But if you keep digging, you might get sucked in and eventually be torn to pieces…”

“Can you be more specific?”

Lu Yuan glanced at the breakfast shop owner, who was bringing over two bowls of soy milk.

Bai Ying remained silent until the owner placed the soy milk on the table and left. Then she spoke seriously to Lu Yuan, “What I’m about to say might sound shocking, but I assure you it’s true. Be prepared.”

“Go ahead.”

Lu Yuan took a gentle sip of the freshly served hot soy milk.

Bai Ying took a deep breath, then spoke with unusual solemnity, “Do you believe… that ancient deities like the elephant deity truly exist in this world?”

“Hmm?”

Lu Yuan’s expression changed, his attention fully on Bai Ying as he held the soy milk.

“Although I’ve been working in archaeology, I always thought that the deities mentioned in ancient myths were just the imaginations of early humans trying to explain the unknown forces of nature. But now…”

She shook her head, “I’ve realized I was wrong. This world is far more mysterious and vast than we ever imagined.

I’ve recently learned that there has always been a group of people pursuing the traces and shadows of ancient deities. They have even obtained some powerful evidence.”

Bai Ying paused, then stared directly at Lu Yuan, speaking each word clearly, “Have you ever seen superhumans who can wield the power of deities, without relying on any technological modifications, and can stand against mecha and firearms with just their innate abilities?”

“Cough, cough-“

Lu Yuan choked on his soy milk, looking “astonished” at Bai Ying.

Bai Ying seemed to have expected this reaction and continued with a look of understanding, “I know it sounds absurd. But it’s true. I’ve seen such people with my own eyes.

They can command thunder and fire, control crows, rats, and bats as their messengers, and even their bodies transform in ways that are far from normal. They call themselves envoys of the deities, walking the line between light and darkness…”

Lu Yuan looked “bewildered.”

Bai Ying continued, “…The ‘key’ is essential to unlocking the deities’ treasures. This time, the Xia State archaeological team unearthed the ‘key.’ So, the elephant deity sect incident is deeply intertwined and extremely dangerous.”

Bai Ying glanced at Lu Yuan and advised, “I know you have considerable strength, far superior to most of your peers. But this matter is not something an ordinary person like you can get involved in.

Lu Jing doesn’t have the ‘key,’ so she should be safe. It’s best for you to immediately stop investigating and withdraw from this matter.

Consider what I’ve told you today a secret and keep it to yourself…”

Bai Ying stood up, picked up her small handbag, and looked at Lu Yuan earnestly, whispering, “Think about it carefully. I hope we… have a chance to meet again.”

With that, Bai Ying turned and quickly left the small shop.

Lu Yuan sat alone in the breakfast shop, silently drinking the two bowls of hot soy milk.

He seemed to be pondering Bai Ying’s words.

In reality, he was using his access level to search for information and issuing a command to the hidden white bear to “escort Bai Ying away.”

“Key…”

Lu Yuan searched the internal database of the Yellow Bear and quickly found the information he was looking for.

“…Most secret realms of the evil deities are open. But a small portion requires special items to be sensed and opened. Generally, the latter type has higher danger levels and exploration value…”

Lu Yuan looked at the information displayed and thought to himself, “So the glowing stone ball that Lu Jing’s team unearthed in Xixu is the key to the elephant deity sect’s secret realm. This means the elephant deity sect’s secret realm is quite important…

This time, the Yellow Bear indeed overlooked it… No.”

He quickly shook his head in denial.

“I am now the Golden Bear. Since I’m already paying attention to this matter, it means the Yellow Bear is also taking it seriously and getting involved.

Not just for Lu Jing, this matter should continue to be investigated.”

Watching Bai Ying’s departing figure, Lu Yuan recalled her serious explanation about the existence of the Evil Deity’s divine servants.

He couldn’t help but smile slightly before continuing to eat his unfinished breakfast.

…

“Click, click, click”

Bai Ying, in high heels, briskly walked up to a black business car.

The car door opened, and she quickly got in.

“Finished talking?” A tall man with blonde hair and blue eyes in the front passenger seat asked her in Javier language.

Bai Ying nodded, “I’ve given all the warnings. If he still decides to continue and something happens, it’s not on me.”

The tall man chuckled lightly and said, “Your online friend is a core disciple of an ancient martial arts style from the Xia State. His strength is quite impressive among ordinary people. That’s probably the source of his confidence…”

Bai Ying shook her head, “Some people always measure the world with their limited knowledge.

But often, this only reveals their ignorance and foolishness. It’s a tragedy…”

“Alright, since you’ve delivered the message, there’s no need to focus on these insignificant individuals.”

The tall man said, “The organization predicts that the recently revealed secret realm of the elephant deity sect is likely the most valuable one in decades. The Xia State hasn’t realized this yet, but they will soon and get involved.

What we need to do is gather as many ‘keys’ as possible before the Xia State reacts. This way, when the secret realm truly opens, we’ll have more leverage and gain greater benefits.

Miss Irina, you are an expert in the history of the elephant deity sect. We will inevitably need your expertise in the upcoming operations, so we hope you can cooperate with us as much as possible…”

“I understand.”

Satisfied with Bai Ying’s response, the tall man glanced around through the car window.

In a low voice, he said, “The extraordinary organizations of the Xia State have sharp noses. They’ve already noticed us. We must leave quickly to avoid exposing our true intentions.”

With that, the man instructed the driver to start the car, and they swiftly left the area.

…

In the breakfast shop, as Lu Yuan was eating his last basket of steamed buns, he noticed a request for a communication from a subordinate.

The applicant was one of the White Bear Guards stationed nearby, code name “Peregrine Falcon.”

This was Lu Yuan’s first face-to-face conversation with a subordinate member within Yellow Bear.

He hesitated for a moment, then chose to accept the call.

“My Lord.”

The person on the other end seemed much more nervous than he was, his voice trembling as he spoke.

That was understandable. Generally, White Bear Guards had few opportunities to interact with Red Bears.

Let alone someone like him, a Golden Bear.

In the Old City Circle, he was undeniably a super big shot, residing in the clouds.

“Speak.”

Lu Yuan didn’t bother disguising his voice, responding as he slowly chewed on his steamed buns.

“The Javier woman you met with has left. She seems to be accompanied by a Sleepless from Javier.”

“Sleepless?!”

Lu Yuan’s eyes flickered for a moment, then he nodded, “Alright, I understand.”

“Sorry to disturb you, my Lord. Goodbye.”

Peregrine Falcon ended the communication.

“Sleepless.”

While dipping his steamed bun in chili sauce, Lu Yuan took the opportunity to search for information on this organization.

He found that the “Sleepless” was an official extraordinary organization in Javier.

Similar to the Yellow Bear in the Xia State.

The Distant Star Federation also had a similar organization, named “Day Keepers.”

“Sleepless, Day Keepers.”

Lu Yuan simply noted these two organizations’ names, finished his last basket of steamed buns, and drank the last mouthful of soy milk from his bowl.

He then settled the bill, left the breakfast shop with a calm expression.