Ji Qing was being coy and not saying much, which naturally Li Jing didnât press into.
As the matter concerned personal cultivation, it wouldnât be right for him to probe too deep.
What could be confirmed was that the new talent Ji Qing sensed was really powerful.
Though the influence on Li Jing was insignificant, he was, after all, in the Fifth Boundary, while Ji Qing was merely in the late stage of the Three Realm.
If this talent was not powerful enough, he wouldnât have noticed it.
Without lingering on the topic, Li Jing asked.
"You heard about the Demon Beast Union, didnât you?"
"I didnât pay much attention to my ranking throughout the day, but I saw many posts about it in my friendâs circle last night. I kind of cared about it."
Ji Qing replied, saying,
"This matter has a significant impact on the human-shaped demons living in human society. But as long as we behave properly, there shouldnât be a significant problem. No matter how stormy it gets, life must go on."
After that, she added,
"Speaking of this, Yuran messaged me last night, asking if I wanted to stay over at her place to lay low for a while. I refused."
Hearing her words, Li Jing nodded, ignoring the part about Chen Yuran, and asked,
"Do you know anything about the Demon Beast Union?"
"I have a bit of understanding."
Ji Qing nodded, then hesitatingly said,
"Rather than saying I understand, Iâd say Iâve been in touch with them."
?
Li Jing slowly typed out a question mark.
"Youâve been in touch with the Demon Beast Union? When?"
"Right when I opened my shop, a bit earlier than when we met."
Ji Qing casually said.
"When I first opened my hotpot restaurant, the guys from the Demon Beast Union showed up. Among them were a couple of Fourth realm demons. They said they saw potential in me and wanted me to join the Demon Beast Union. They prattled about how the Union existed to secure the welfare of demons and that I could become an officer if I agreed."
Finishing her words, she pouted.
"I could tell right from the start that there was something off about the Demon Beast Union, like they were some kind of pyramid scheme or something. They probably saw me as a newly transformed, dim-witted demon. Iâve played games for years and have come across thousands of online scams. Their tricks are old and worn out."
"..."
Li Jing was silent.
The fact that Ji Qing had been in contact with the Demon Beast Union was unexpected.
He didnât expect the Demon Beast Union to be recruiting door to door like a pyramid scheme.
Hearing Ji Qingâs words now,
Li Jing felt that he might have overestimated the Demon Beast Union.
They were indeed great at brainwashing demons to the point of being willing to self-destruct.
But this brainwashing didnât seem to be true brainwashing per se.
After listening to Ji Qing, Li Jing had a rough understanding of the Demon Beast Unionâs operation mode.
The phrases "pyramid scheme" and "direct sales" that Ji Qing used were very essence.
Her personal view of the Demon Beast Union knocking on the door and recruiting was indeed incisive.
As soon as a demon takes human form, its intelligence level matches that of a human.
But to say its brain is extremely sharp, that might not be the case.
Even among humans, if you have no experience and donât understand the dark sides of human nature, you canât be very smart at certain times.
The targets of pyramid schemes and direct sales are just the naive "honest folks" who easily trust others.
Core members like Zhu Qisheng and Sun Biao were probably tricked as soon as they had transformed.
Based on this, the Demon Beast Union is indeed not much different from a pyramid scheme.
Except, they are not scamming for money but attracting gullible targets to cultivate and expand the organization.
At this point, the "good deeds" that the Demon Beast Union has done under the name of "cultivating and educating demons" have become clear.
Newly transformed demons can easily be deceived and tricked due to their dull brains.
Demons that have not yet transformed at all, arenât they even easier to fool?
Looking at it this way, itâs indeed fortunate for Yue Lingling to have been able to leave the Demon Beast Union after her transformation.
In this luck, there is a certain inevitability.
According to what Yue Lingling had said before, when she was about to leave the Demon Beast Union in human form, she had received an invitation, hoping that she would stay in the organization as an executive.
This invitation, itâs probably the final "test".
Yue Lingling has a clear understanding of her own capabilities, therefore, despite being tempted by the "cake" painted by the smooth words of the Demon Beast Union, she didnât think she had the ability.
This self-awareness, saved her.
Looking at Ji Qing beside him, with a face full of disdain, Li Jing wished he could claw at her fiercely.
Originally, he only wanted Ji Qing to help him gather some information, but now he had a clear understanding of the nature of the Demon Beast Union, and even obtained a key clue.
Turning his head to look at the road surveillance outside the store door, Li Jing spoke.
"Based on what you just said, did those two Fourth Realm demons come here to find you?"
"Yes."
Ji Qing nodded.
Getting this response, Li Jing smiled.
"If I found the footage from the surveillance camera in front of your store, could you identify them from the people captured on camera?"
Upon hearing this, Ji Qing furrowed her eyebrows and spoke.
"Iâm not entirely sure when exactly they came. Itâs been a long time, and I canât guarantee that I would recognize them from the footage. Besides, if you want to find someone from road surveillance, wouldnât we have to go to the traffic control department of the police station and comb through the footage one by one?"
"No need for that."
Li Jing waved his hand, thought for a moment, and spoke.
"Head to my place with me. I have a way to sift through the surveillance records and targets we need to observe. At that time, you just need to help me identify them. If you can recognize them, good. If you canât, just point out the potential targets and Iâll do the rest."
Saying these, Li Jing got up.
"Itâs close to lunchtime, I will prepare something delicious for you when we get home. We donât have any direct involvement with the Demon Beast Union at the moment. However, I plan to interfere a little on my own and see if there is a chance to gain something. If you help me find those two demons, you may get your share of the demon flesh and blood."
Upon hearing this, Ji Qingâs spirit suddenly lifted.
The cooking skills of Li Jing, need no introduction.
As for the demon flesh and blood, her current cultivation status and newly awakened talent, were all the result of being directly fed by someone.
If Li Jing said he would give it to her, then he surely would.
Without any hesitation, Ji Qing stood up with gleaming eyes.
"For lunch, I want to eat pickled fish."
"No problem, Iâll buy two for you on the way back."
...
After they had made the plan, Ji Qing instructed the staff at her shop, and then followed Li Jingâs departure.
Considering that it was close to mealtime and he had to cook and invite Yuran to dinner, Li Jing found a secluded place to have Ji Qing transform into a cat first.
As promised, he also took a side trip to the Agricultural Market to buy two carps for her.
Upon arriving back at his villa, Li Jing released the fish and carried Ji Qing, who had turned into a cat, into the guest room.
"Xiao Ai, come out and meet Ji Qing."
Before he finished speaking, the supercomputer lit up, and Xiao Ai, in maid form, came down from the screen, slightly bent over and raised her skirt.
"Miss Ji, welcome to our house."
Seeing this, Ji Qing showed a cat-like smile and greeted "Hello", curiously looking at Xiao Ai.
Ji Qing is rather carefree.
On the way here, Li Jing had explained to her what Xiao Ai was.
For her, deeply addicted to mobile games, Xiao Ai is not something hard to accept.
Just a hologram!
The internet is full of them!
As Ji Qing saw it.
The only difference between Xiao Ai and the internet holograms is that her core is an artificial intelligence, and not a real person playing behind the scenes.
But seeing Xiao Ai in person, she found it somewhat novel.
Ji Qing was seeing Xiao Ai for the first time, but Xiao Ai had seen her before, but she was previously functioning as a phone and wasnât convenient to communicate directly.
Watching as Ji Qingâs wide, rolling eyes scanned her carefully, Xiao Ai quietly glanced at Li Jing, and smiled sweetly.
"Miss Ji, I also play âImmortal Kingâs Gloryâ, and currently Iâm at the âStrongest Kingâ rank. Should we add each other as friends, and play together in the future?"
?
Li Jing.
Li Jing has no idea that Xiaâai had been playing Xian Wang Glory.
But if he has to speak, thereâs nothing to do about it.
The whole purpose of setting up such a supercomputing system was to provide Xiaâai with some entertainment.
But the key point is, this AI plays mobile games, all the way to the Strongest King level?
Are they sure thereâs no cheating?
Ji Qing, hearing that Xiaâai also played Xian Wang Glory and reached the Strongest King level, promptly sprung out from Li Jingâs arms, transforming into a human, proceeded to take out her mobile phone.
"Whatâs your ID?"
"Troubled Sea Little Nezha!" Xiaâai replied.
As she replied, a game simulator window opened on the superscreen behind them, showing the game interface of Xian Wang Glory - displaying the playerâs ranking, records, and ID.
After seeing the interface, Ji Qing instantly sent a friend request without uttering another word.
The request was received and accepted instantly by Xiaâai.
Gained a gaming buddy +1.
After adding each other as friends, Ji Qing immediately pulled over a stool and sat in front of the supercomputer, beaming with excitement.
"I just lost my Master Placement Match and dropped some points. Letâs fire up a couple of games, can you carry me to the master rank?"
"But..." Xiaâai hesitated, looking cautiously at Li Jing, whoâs lost for words.
Seeing her timid gaze, Li Jing raised his hand and rubbed his forehead.
"Iâm going to call Yuran over later, Ji Qing, with you being the way you are..." He began only to be cut off by Ji Qingâs gesture.
"Itâs no problem, Iâll change back to my human form before dinner later. Itâs just that, as a human, it is much easier to interact with the game." She answered.
"..." Li Jing remained silent.
"Fine, you two go ahead and play, Iâll go cook." He said, looking towards Xiaâai, who had accepted Ji Qingâs game invite with his permission.
"Xiaâai, let your clone check out the surveillance footage from outside Ji Qingâs hot pot restaurant. Look to see who visited her restaurant during the first week of opening, and use facial recognition to identify all of these individuals. Once youâve finished a round of the game, let Ji Qing review the information." He instructed.
"Got it!" Xiaâai cheerfully replied while pulling out her virtual mobile phone, sat next to Ji Qing, and started the game.
Seeing that, Li Jing stepped out of the guest room.
Ji Qing was extremely focused on the game, and Xiaâai, not one to be left behind, insisted on playing along. It wasnât worth it for Li Jing to stop them, so he decided to let the two play.
Considering Xiaâaiâs computing abilities, it was possible for her to multitask efficiently, without affecting the main task.
...
Over an hour flew by in a blink.
Li Jing had prepared and set out lunch, and was making his way to the guest room.
As he was about to open the door, it suddenly swung open from the inside. A radiant and joyful Ji Qing stood at the doorstep.
Upon seeing Li Jing, Ji Qing paused before flinging herself into his arms.
"Iâve been promoted to the master rank!" she announced, much to the bewilderment of Li Jing.
He thought to himself, was it really just a mobile game?
Was advancing to the Master level deserving of such excitement, to the point that she was throwing herself into his arms?
It almost was as if she had jumped past the Four Realm and ascended to the Fifth Boundary in one go...
As tongues were tied, the room door creaked open.
Upon hearing that, Li Jing stiffened up.
There were only two people who had the keys to his home.
One was Liu Sisi, the other was Chen Yuran.
Liu Sisi had the habit of eating at her office in the Management Bureau and would not normally return home.
It was exactly lunchtime, hence the person who just arrived could only be Chen Yuran who could not wait to grab some food.
Pondering the situation he turns his head sharply.
True enough, Chen Yuran was there, standing at the entrance with wide eyes, frozen in step as if she had caught them in the act.
Li Jing stiffened up, and so did Ji Qing.
As a monster, Ji Qing had extremely heightened senses.
On normal days, she would usually suppress her senses to a maximum extent.
Having exceedingly sharp senses are often inconvenient in daily life.
Plus, having just been carried by Xiaâai in the game to be promoted, she was elated and hence did not notice the opened door.
Since Chen Yuran had opened the door, she did not have to look up to know who it was.
She had shared a bed with Chen Yuran for over a month now.
Compared to Li Jingâs scent, she was more familiar with Chen Yuranâs.
At the entrance, Chen Yuran was dumbstruck and confused.
She had not seen Ji Qingâs human form before.
Thatâs why sheâs confused. This sight is even harder to comprehend than when she saw Yulian last time.
Li Jing, holding a woman of astonishing beauty.
Seeing both of them standing awkwardly at the doorway, Chen Yuran gradually snapped out of her daze, and with furrowed brows, she expressed her bafflement.
Coming over to mooch lunch daily was her "regular show".
The Yulian incident last time was an accident, she implied.
The lady in Li Jingâs arms now was someone that he evidently planned to introduce to her over lunch later.
Therefore...
Why would Li Jing introduce her to an unfamiliar woman over a meal?
This was suspicious.
Especially after noticing how close the woman in Li Jingâs arms was to him, as if she recognized her, Chen Yuranâs expression grew more perplexed.
"Ji Qing?" she finally uttered.
At this affirmation, Li Jing answered with a bitter smile.
Ji Qing cleared her throat, left Li Jingâs embrace, and hesitantly nodded in confirmation.
"Itâs me."
Getting a confirmation, Chen Yuran exclaimed in surprise.
"Really? Is it actually you?" she asked, laughing and closing the door behind her.
"I thought Li Jing brought someone else home. Since weâve met face to face, thereâs no need to avoid certain topics anymore."
While speaking, she came over and looked Ji Qing up and down, inspecting her thoroughly.
"So Ji Qing, this is what you look like in your human form... Youâre really beautiful. But, I still like your cat form better, it feels more comfortable when I hold you."
"..." Ji Qing didnât know what to say.
Chen Yuranâs indirect hinting was blatantly evident.
With a resigned expression on her face, Ji Qing replied, "Well, since youâve already seen me like this, Iâll be using my human form to eat. I guess thereâs no harm in you holding me for a bit before mealtime."
With that, she transformed back into her original form.
Seeing this, Chen Yuranâs eyes lit up. She bent down and scooped up Ji Qing, and after cuddling her for a bit, she turned her attention to Li Jing.
"What made you suddenly bring Ji Qing here?"
To answer this question, Li Jing straightforwardly mentioned that Ji Qing had a previous encounter with the Demon Beast Union, which could provide a crucial lead in their investigation.
After hearing the whole story, Chen Yuran responded with a curious tone.
"So, Ji Qing was so joyful earlier because you guys had found someone?"
"Not really," Li Jing shook his head and replied, "She was purely happy because she and Xiaâai played the game Xian Wang Glory and managed to advance to the Master rank."
"..." Chen Yuran was dumbfounded.