Chapter 615: Club Gathering

Dracula: You guys have been in the club for a while now, right?

Old Guy With a Different Name: Bullshit. The newbie’s only been here for three days.

Dracula: After so much communication and some collaborations, I believe we’ve all grown close. As one of the elders of the club, I’ve decided to organize an offline meet-up. I hope you can all spare some time to deepen our bonds.

Old Guy With a Different Name: A bunch of lunatics planning an offline meet-up? Aren’t you afraid someone might get hurt?

Red Dancing Shoes: Hey, upstairs, I’m not a lunatic.

Old Guy With a Different Name: I am—I’ve got proof.

Night Owl: Is there any benefit to attending the meet-up?

Mechanic: What suddenly inspired the idea of an offline gathering?

Dracula: There are many reasons. As you all know, the global order is undergoing severe shocks. Especially with Flame and the Technology Church in the South, things are getting crazier. We in this club are some of the most promising ability users. So, if we can understand each other’s needs in advance, even form alliances, it would benefit everyone.

Old Guy With a Different Name: Are you saying that by taking each other out early, we could reduce the competition?

Night Owl: Is there any benefit to attending the meet-up?

Red Dancing Shoes: I didn’t expect that even after the Red Moon incident, we’d have an offline gathering. It’s kind of exciting…

Mechanic: We were once too afraid to reveal our true identities; now we’re actually meeting face-to-face…

Night Owl: Is there any benefit to attending the meet-up?

Dracula: There are perks in keeping secrets and advantages in showing up. I don’t expect everyone to attend—it’s a personal choice. As the organizer, I’ll set the time and place. Those who want to come can, and those who don’t—losers—won’t be forced.

Old Guy With a Different Name: I just don’t want to go.

Dracula: That’s exactly why I called you a loser.

Old Guy With a Different Name: You’re insulting me?

Red Dancing Shoes: I’m so tempted now—what should I do?

Night Owl: Is there any benefit to attending the meet-up?

Clockwork Orange: Share the time and place, you idiot. Who the hell would know whether to go when the invitation comes from all directions?

Night Watchman: Heh, I know exactly why you’re organizing this meet-up.

Night Watchman: If you want to know the real purpose of the gathering, PM me—three million.

Just as Lu Xin was about to tap Night Watchman’s profile, his finger retracted.

Seeing everyone’s lively discussion, he found it rather amusing.

Although he wasn’t really interested in such a gathering, he decided to join in the fun and quickly typed: No matter what the meet-up is about, if you pay me five million, I’ll attend.

“Beep beep…”

While he wondered if he’d gone too far, a private message suddenly popped up.

Lu Xin casually clicked it open and was momentarily stunned.

Dracula: Approved.

“?”

Lu Xin was taken aback: “He’s wiring himself five million?”

Before he could ask further, another message appeared in the chat from Dracula:

Meet-up Invitation Target: All club members

Meet-up Purpose: To deepen our bonds

Meet-up Time: 7:00 PM sharp on March 12

Meet-up Location: Chaos Zone, Flame City, Gate of Hell

Member Passphrase: Heaven’s Might, Earth’s Fury ******

……

……

Hell?

Lu Xin was confused. Is this Hell the one that Xia Chong and the others are investigating?

Or is it just a name?

Curious, he immediately messaged Dracula: Is it really Hell? And by the way, is that five million genuine?

Dracula: Transfer 2000000.

Dracula: That’s the deposit. The rest is due upon meeting.

Lu Xin glanced at the amount and nearly hurled his communicator in excitement. Staring at that number, his head felt dizzy. This guy actually wired him money?

Two million?

There are really idiots like this in the world?

Even as Lu Xin began to question life, the chat room was flooded with new messages.

Mechanic: I’ve learned the true purpose of the meet-up from Mr. Night Owl, so I’m out. Everyone.

Red Dancing Shoes: Hehe, I already got paid, so I’m coming.

Old Guy With a Different Name: Damn it, I’m going too. I’m going to kill Dracula.

Dracula: Loser, you come then.

Clockwork Orange: See you in Hell then—it works out. I’m already here, waiting for you idiots.

Nine-Headed Serpent: Now this is getting interesting.

Night Owl: So, is there any benefit to attending the meet-up?

Lu Xin quickly replied: There is. Get in touch with Dracula privately.

Night Owl fell silent for a moment before responding: Okay, see you on the 12th.

Then he sent a private message to Lu Xin: Thanks, brother. When we meet, you owe me a massage.

……

……

Ten minutes later, Lu Xin stared blankly at his communicator.

He had verified that the two million were real and had even exchanged them for cash.

From Night Owl’s actions, he was sure that the five million wasn’t meant for him—it was the same for everyone else.

So why is Dracula in such a rush?

Furthermore, the meet-up details have basically been set.

Although only four or five members (out of more than thirty in the club) have confirmed their attendance, it wasn’t too shabby for such an unconventional gathering.

But the key question remains: Does he really want to go?

After a moment of contemplation, Lu Xin realized the real issue now was: When should he leave?

……

……

A club meet-up like this is indeed rather abnormal…

But since he already received two million and there’s another three million pending,

After weighing his options, Lu Xin quickly decided. He picked up the phone and called Manager Liu’s office to extend his renovation leave. Manager Liu agreed enthusiastically.

However, Manager Liu specifically asked about Lu Xin’s return time to make preparations.

Then Lu Xin called Han Bing, saying he was leaving town to handle some business and would be back soon. He asked her to keep an eye on the renovations.

At first, Han Bing was a bit serious—even nervous—and quickly asked where he was headed and if it was safe to say.

After a long pause, Lu Xin finally answered: “Visiting a friend.”

“?”

Han Bing was momentarily stunned before agreeing to meet him the next day to discuss the renovations and report to Headquarters.

After all, Lu Xin is now a Level 6 Special Talent, and leaving town is a big deal.

Although he doesn’t need special permission to leave, Headquarters must be informed.

With that, Lu Xin felt a wave of relief and began packing his things.

……

……

“So what’s the reason for this Single Soldier leaving town this time?”

In the Special Cleaning Department, when Chen Jing heard the news of Lu Xin leaving town, she frowned slightly: “Last time he left under the guise of a ‘visit,’ but he actually sabotaged the Black Table’s ‘Creating Gods’ plan in Central City. Now he casually says he’s visiting a friend…”

She didn’t say more, but it was clear she was very worried.

“It must have something to do with Hell.”

Professor Bai suddenly answered her question softly: “The Research Institute is probably planning to take action against Hell.”

“Hell?”

Chen Jing blinked in surprise: “You mean the Soul Nation we just got news about?”

“For us, the news is recent, but in reality, this place has existed for quite some time.”

While continuing to study the materials for the Heaven’s Kingdom Plan, Professor Bai added: “Though we lack evidence, consider that the Hell that houses souls was built jointly by Flame and the various sects of the Chaos Zone. Hidden under Flame’s protection all these years, now that the news is spreading wildly, it represents Flame’s stance…”

“There will be plenty who foresee a second coming. Maybe Flame is preparing in advance.”

……

Listening to Professor Bai, Chen Jing couldn’t help but feel worried: “Aren’t they afraid of sparking a massive catastrophe that condemns everyone?”

Professor Bai replied: “In the early stages of the Heaven’s Kingdom Plan, some thought we in Qinggang were playing with fire.”

Professor Bai: “When facing a crisis, some choose a radical step—and that shows a kind of courage.”

“So what about us…”

“This isn’t something Qinggang can interfere with. Pushing forward the Heaven’s Kingdom Plan is what matters most.”

Professor Bai shook his head slightly: “Even though Qinggang’s Heaven’s Kingdom Plan has put us far ahead, compared to giants like the Research Institute and Flame, our foundation is still pitifully weak…”

“So watch and maybe enjoy some sunflower seeds.”

……

As he spoke, he couldn’t help but chuckle softly:

“For the Research Institute, nothing is more important than unraveling the mystery of the Red Moon.”

“So, if something can capture their attention—enough for them to personally arrange its destruction—it must be something that seriously threatens them. I just didn’t expect the Research Institute’s move to be this massive…”

“Everyone in that club is a monster!”

“Even if it’s just a few of them, when they gather in the Chaos Zone, the chaos will be unimaginable…”

……

He shook his head with a cold expression.

Chen Jing, listening to Professor Bai, felt a surge of bewilderment and had many questions.

But then she suddenly remembered something and looked at Professor Bai with a strange gaze: “How do you know so much?”

Professor Bai casually slid a black communicator into a drawer and said: “I saw it.”

……

……

“Only someone really rich would pay a person five million just to attend a meet-up, right?”

“A guy this generous must host a seriously fun party, huh?”

As Lu Xin packed his things, he also considered the matter while stuffing his gun and bullets into his bag.

With the meet-up set for the 12th, and accounting for travel and preparation time, his remaining time was short. He’d need to leave early tomorrow, and as always, he had to pack everything he needed.

Glancing at his sister and father, he decided there was no need to inform them.

His sister is playful and would certainly go with him; his father… well, he’s very clingy.

As for Mom…

Lu Xin thought about how Mom, who rarely comes home due to work, suddenly hesitated. At that moment, the red phone behind him rang sharply. His sister and father immediately peeked out from the ceiling and kitchen.

He quickly put his things down, picked up the phone, and heard Mom’s voice: “Are you going to that friend meet-up?”

Lu Xin was stunned for a moment before simply replying, “Mm.”

“Ahem, go ahead. It’s about time you went to see someone.”

Unexpectedly, Mom didn’t stop him—she outright agreed.

Just as Lu Xin felt a surge of pleasant surprise, he sensed something was off. Over the phone, Mom’s voice was as gentle and refined as ever, yet sounded a bit feeble. Moreover, she had cleared her throat twice just moments before, as if something was wrong.

“Are you injured?”

Lu Xin’s expression turned cold as he spoke into the phone.

After a pause, Mom let out a soft laugh: “I’m fine, don’t worry.”

“Just head out. I’ll meet you there.”

……

Long after Mom hung up, Lu Xin’s face remained cold and expressionless.

In the Old Apartment Building, several workers safely renovating on the third floor suddenly felt something was amiss and instinctively shrugged their necks.

A strange, indescribable pit of dread surged in their hearts as hallucinations flared before their eyes.

The ordinary building facade began to warp and decay, like a face twisted by enraged emotion.

“Wasn’t this building proven to be secure?”

Several professionals on the construction team experienced overwhelming panic: “Why does it feel like it’s coming alive?”

PS: Today is the last day for the Red Moon Card event. Hurry if you haven’t drawn yet. The final chapter’s extra page has a direct link. Sales are approaching two thousand—let’s see if we can break through one more time.