Chapter 21: Patrol

Zhang Yu glanced back at Zhao Tianxing, who was still frozen in place, and urged, “Get to work, Xiao Zhao. You spacing out here to slack off?”

Only then did Zhao Tianxing snap out of it and hurry after him, but he couldn’t help sneaking another look at Bai Zhenzhen, who was carrying a tray of dishes. He thought to himself,

No way anyone at school would believe this. Bai Zhenzhen… working part-time? Did something happen to her family?

After another round of patrolling, the two ducked into an empty emergency stairwell, where Zhang Yu suddenly sat cross-legged and said, “Don’t just stand there. Take a break too.”

“Huh? But the captain told us to patrol non-stop. If he catches us…” Zhao Tianxing said hesitantly.

“The art exhibit hasn’t even started yet,” Zhang Yu replied. “What’s there to patrol? Besides, we’re inside Central Tower. What kind of trouble do you think could possibly happen here?”

He grinned and added, “Besides, didn’t you want to talk to me? Let’s chat about your ‘Way of the Security Guard.’”

That reminded Zhao Tianxing of Wang Hai’s instructions.

But Zhang Yu’s next line hit like a thunderbolt: “Being a security guard is all about slacking off!”

“Huh?” Zhao Tianxing blinked.

Zhang Yu continued, “You think patrolling more or less will change how much we’re paid?”

“…Probably not?” Zhao Tianxing said, unsure.

“And this venue—do you really think it’d be any less safe without us?”

“…I guess not? But—”

“But the time we sneak for ourselves is ours alone,” Zhang Yu cut in.

“Alright, I’m taking a break. Once the exhibit officially opens, we’ll head back out.”

As Zhang Yu shut his eyes and began to breathe rhythmically, Zhao Tianxing grew nervous, worried their slacking would be discovered.

But seeing Zhang Yu already deep in Active Breathing, he couldn’t help but feel both admiration and unease—impressed that Zhang Yu squeezed in cultivation at every moment, but also thinking

this guy’s nerves are steel.

Wait a sec. Wasn’t I supposed to ask him about the pills? How’d we end up talking about slacking off?

Suddenly, Zhao Tianxing’s eyes lit up. He replayed Zhang Yu’s words in his mind.

Zhao Tianxing wasn’t great at socializing, but he was thoughtful, sensitive, and often obsessed over what others thought. Now that he mulled it over, it all clicked.

Would Wang Hai stop mentoring me just because I asked fewer questions?

Would he be unable to gather intel if I didn’t help?

Did Zhang Yu already see through my motives? Was he hinting for me to back off and slack too?

Looking again at Zhang Yu’s steady breathing, he suddenly found it deep and inscrutable.

As spiritual energy flowed through his body, Zhang Yu silently pushed his Zhou Tian Qi-Gathering Technique to 13/80. And right then, the exhibit officially began.

…

“No wonder it’s hosted by Ms. Li—every guest here is loaded.”

Zhao Tianxing looked around the art gallery, genuinely awestruck.

He didn’t recognize anyone by name, but just their lavish outfits and accessories screamed wealth.

Even though his dad was a mid-level manager and their family lived decently, he could still tell that these people wore things they could never afford.

“Old Zhao, check that out,” Zhang Yu whispered.

Zhao Tianxing followed his gaze and immediately spotted a dazzling golden figure entering, surrounded by admirers.

He stared, realizing the man’s skin shimmered like gold foil, reflecting a faint golden light.

“What is that?” Zhang Yu whispered. “A robot?”

Zhao Tianxing immediately clamped a hand over Zhang Yu’s mouth, only letting go once the golden figure passed without noticing them. He exhaled in relief and said, “That’s the Xianyun Group’s Songyang City Director. You better watch your mouth.”

“Xianyun Group?” Zhang Yu asked, eyeing the golden man. “Why is he so… shiny?”

“That’s a Law Husk. You’ve never heard of it?”

Zhang Yu’s blank look confirmed it.

“They’re kind of like prosthetics, but way more powerful,” Zhao Tianxing explained patiently. “In Immortal Dao tech, they’ve expanded the concept to the whole body. Think: replacing parts with artifacts that not only retain function but vastly enhance it.”

“But you need at least 100 Mana to get one implanted…”

That number made Zhang Yu’s eyes flicker. He knew 100 was the upper limit for the Qi Refining Realm.

“So is 100 Mana enough, or do you need to reach the Foundation Establishment Realm?” he asked.

“100 Mana is enough,” Zhao Tianxing replied. “But that guy really is at the Foundation Establishment Realm. Comes from a prestigious family. Graduated from Wanfa Sect University.”

Zhang Yu understood now. A big-shot from Foundation Establishment playing in the rookie leagues just to flex on them. Typical.

As more guests poured in, Zhang Yu spotted two others who likely had Law Husks—one with gemstone eyes, the other with a halo floating behind his head. They, along with the golden man, became attention magnets. Low-level cultivators practically swarmed them, hoping to kiss up.

Zhao Tianxing was now more at ease in his security uniform, no longer looking stiff as he watched the flow of guests.

During patrols, they even overheard some conversations.

Some praised Ms. Li Xuelian’s wealth.

Others admired the artworks and debated their value.

Naturally, many brought up the Celestial Martial Diagram personally painted by Gold Core Cultivator Xinghuo.

“Brother Li, are you also here to study the diagram drawn by Senior Xinghuo?”

“Of course. It’s all over the Songyang Immortal Dao world—any genius under 20 who can master a technique from it will be accepted as his disciple.”

Wait, what?

Zhang Yu thought.

How come I didn’t hear about this, if it’s all over Songyang’s Immortal scene?

Guess small fries like me don’t get the memo.

Still, Zhang Yu pushed aside his curiosity and returned to his patrol duties.

He walked over to the speakers, politely asking, “Excuse me, sir, is everything alright?”

The young man had sharp brows and a proud expression. “Do I look like I’m not? I’m talking with a friend.”

“I’m Lian Tianji from Purple Cloud High. Can’t you see I’m chatting?”

Zhang Yu and Zhao Tianxing looked at him, then looked at his “friend”—a wooden box with intricate grain patterns, sitting on the table like an urn.

Split personality? Cracked under academic pressure?

Zhang Yu wondered.

Purple Cloud High rang a bell—it was one of the top three schools in Songyang City, even above Songyang High. The old Zhang Yu never even dared to apply there.

Rumor had it their principals ruled with cruelty and iron discipline. Their infamous caste system meant weaker students had to eat in the bathrooms and bow to the strong.

Now, seeing Lian Tianji having a conversation with an urn, Zhang Yu couldn’t help but think Purple Cloud High had truly driven people mad.

But then, the “urn” spoke: “Brother Lian, I think the security guards just misunderstood.”

“I’m Li Xingyu, a Soul Cultivation Student from Mangshan High.”

Mangshan High? Soul Cultivation?

Zhang Yu remembered that one—he’d considered applying back in the day. Soul Cultivation students needed lower test scores and were admitted for their talents.

But they also had to give up their physical bodies.

Seeing that “urn” talk confirmed it for Zhang Yu—

Mangshan High literally turns people into ghosts!

He and Zhao Tianxing apologized and hurried off.

Then Lian Tianji and Li Xingyu chatted a bit more, before the “urn” sprouted four rotors and flew off like a drone.

Zhang Yu watched, silently thanking the heavens that he never chose the Soul Cultivation path. Without a body, how was he supposed to exude Daoist grace?

Wait… if Soul Cultivators don’t have bodies, how are they supposed to practice martial arts from the Celestial Martial Diagram?

That reminded him of what those two had said earlier.

If that rumor’s true, then this exhibit’s going to attract a ton of under-20 prodigies hoping to master one of those legendary techniques?

That thought made Zhang Yu even more hyped about the event.

Four hundred per hour, plus free drama and a shot at enlightenment? Who said this job was lame? It was amazing.

He turned to Zhao Tianxing and asked, “What do you think, Old Zhao? Interested in the Celestial Martial Diagram’s secret techniques?”

Zhao Tianxing shook his head without hesitation.

He knew his limits. Those techniques were for true geniuses or the rich. Guys like them had no shot.

Not only did he have no interest, he just wanted to back away. Even if the diagram was unveiled, he’d rather not try. Being a laughingstock under so many eyes was worse.

A moment later, the just-getting-used-to-it Zhao Tianxing wanted nothing more than to rip off his uniform and run.

Zhang Yu noticed him suddenly turning his back, so he looked where Zhao had been facing.

“Oh? Isn’t that Qian Shen? And those others… they’re from our school, right?”

Qian Shen was the perennial runner-up in scores after Bai Zhenzhen. The second-ranked genius since day one.

Zhang Yu clapped Zhao Tianxing’s shoulder. “Old Zhao, isn’t that our classmate?”

Zhao Tianxing yanked him aside in a panic. “Turn around! Don’t let them see us!”