154: Chapter 154 The Strange Cleaner

Kyoto Old Street.

The weather today wasn't very good, with a light drizzle pattering down outside.

Inside a coffee shop, a gentleman wearing a top hat was savoring his coffee.

He looked calmly at the pedestrians coming and going outside the window, occasionally zoning out for a moment.

Another cup of coffee sat on the opposite side of the table; he seemed to be waiting for someone.

"Ding-a-ling~"

Suddenly, a clear chime rang out from the bell hanging at the coffee shop's entrance.

He slowly set down his coffee cup and lifted his gaze to the newcomer. The calm expression on his face gave way to a gentle smile.

A girl wearing a face mask walked in. She wore a black baseball cap, with a white high ponytail cascading down her back. Her white shirt, printed with a bear pattern, paired with blue casual pants, gave her a very efficient and energetic look.

She neatly folded up her still-dripping umbrella and placed it in the umbrella stand. Then, she scanned her surroundings, her gaze quickly settling on the only other customer present—that gentleman.

"Hello?"

She sat down opposite him, asking tentatively.

"Greetings, this beautiful young lady... Although you are wearing a mask, I can sense your extraordinary and noble aura. Oh~ To me, you are like a pearl in the deep sea, holding a fatal attraction..."

At this point, as if suddenly remembering something, he quickly stopped himself. His gloved hand made a grasping motion in the air, instantly producing an exquisite business card.

"How terribly rude of me... I almost forgot to introduce myself. My name is Rigel Moss. You may address me as Mr. Moss."

"Hello, Mr. Moss. I am Xing."

The girl accepted the business card from the gentleman with both hands, nodding slightly to him.

This was the first time Xing Yaoyan had been so respectful to a stranger. After all, he possessed the star marrow she needed for her Breakthrough. Showing a bit more respect could significantly increase the chances of a successful transaction.

What reassured her was that Mr. Moss seemed quite pleased with her gesture. It seemed her initial guess, based on observation, was correct. This Mr. Moss valued etiquette greatly, and her attitude had undoubtedly won her considerable goodwill from him.

"Mr. Moss, this place is a bit too public, with many eyes around. Perhaps we should..."

Xing Yaoyan glanced around, just about to suggest...

*Tap.*

A small transparent vial was just placed on the table by Moss.

Inside the vial was a white, viscous liquid, faintly shimmering with specks of sparkling, multi-colored light.

"This is star marrow."

"This..."

Xing Yaoyan was immediately caught off guard by his action.

This was a coffee shop, and not even a private room! To just place something like this directly on the table? Wasn't he afraid someone with ill intentions might report it on the spot?

"Mr. Moss... This isn't appropriate, is it... Oh, right, our witness hasn't arrived yet. Perhaps you should put it away first? When he arrives, we can find a safer place for the transaction..."

Xing Yaoyan suggested thoughtfully.

Although the gentleman before her appeared utterly composed, she was very anxious. She was determined to obtain this hard-won star marrow. If the transaction were halted because they were discovered, when would she ever get a chance to Breakthrough to the Four Marks again...

As the Star Calamity approached, the intensity of human and Yao Race strikes against Star Beasts would only increase.

It was worth noting that she had only become the Saintess of the Demon Race because, at Tushan Qing's request, a Star Beast had pretended to transform into a Yao. This was why she hadn't faced extreme rejection from the Yao masses.

And she didn't want things to remain this way. She hoped that one day she could openly reveal her true self, no longer having to hide as she did now.

And this... undoubtedly required powerful strength as support...

"Miss Xing, there's no need to worry. This place is already perfectly safe..."

Moss took another gentle sip of his coffee. He glanced at the girl before him and, noticing she seemed to have no interest in the coffee in front of her, gave a somewhat helpless shake of his head.

"Moreover... hasn't our witness already arrived?"

Sensing something, Xing Yaoyan turned to look. An old man wearing intricate formal attire was standing behind her, though she had no idea when he had appeared.

He wore a half-face mask, revealing only his taut chin. His pale hair was meticulously combed, and his entire demeanor seemed very rigid.

"Greetings to you both. My name is 'Ming.' I am the witness for this transaction. At the same time, I am also the owner of this 'Masked Coffeehouse.'"

"H-hello... to you too..."

Xing Yaoyan's pupils contracted slightly.

The fact that this old man could approach her without her noticing meant his strength was unfathomable. Moreover, he was actually the owner of this coffee shop, which made it all the more interesting.

Could it be that this place was also one of the Dark Pavilion's offline strongholds...

"Oh, right! Didn't I also order a 'Cleaner'?"

Actually, for this kind of business where buyer and seller meet directly, it was common practice to order a Cleaner from the Dark Pavilion. This wasn't just for safety; it was more like an unspoken rule everyone tacitly understood.

After all, if the deal was done through direct negotiation, the Dark Pavilion's commission would be much smaller. So, the buyer ordering a Cleaner was essentially a way of giving the Dark Pavilion a small tip.

"Him? Of course he's here..."

"Owner! The coffee is ready!"

At that moment, a man also dressed in formal attire and wearing a half-face mask lifted the curtain and emerged from the kitchen.

He was holding a tray with two cups of steaming hot coffee.

He walked over and placed the coffees from the tray in front of Moss and Xing Yaoyan respectively.

Although his movements were quick, Xing Yaoyan still keenly noticed the slight tremor in the man's right hand as he set down the coffee.

His right hand was still injured...

Xing Yaoyan glanced at Ming beside her, her eyes carrying a hint of confusion and dissatisfaction.

Although this was an unspoken rule, I still paid ten thousand spirit crystals! And the Dark Pavilion sends a Cleaner like this? His aura is only around the third tier, and his hand is injured. Isn't this just too perfunctory!

Ming made no move, as if he hadn't noticed the girl's gaze.

However, the slight downturn at the corner of his mouth undoubtedly revealed his own dissatisfaction.

He then cleared his throat softly. The Cleaner quickly hugged the tray, gave a slight bow to everyone, and retreated to the side with his head lowered.

"This is our shop's latest coffee blend. We specially invite you both to taste it."

Ming stepped forward, his low voice resonating in the space.

*Snap!*

He suddenly snapped his fingers.

In the next instant, Xing Yaoyan felt a strange wave of spiritual energy instantly envelop the entire coffee shop.

The previously noisy sound of rain from outside vanished completely, as if someone had pressed the mute button.

"Hmm?"

Suddenly, Xing Yaoyan felt a peculiar gaze fixed on her, as if glued to her body.

Among the people present now, both Ming and Moss were within her line of sight. So, the source of that extremely impolite gaze was undoubtedly that Cleaner.

Was the professionalism of the Dark Pavilion's Cleaners really this low?

Xing Yaoyan was very puzzled.