414: Sequelae of the Western Sichuan Cave

Shen Bei recounted his experiences in Chuan Prefecture over the phone.

"I'm facing a bit of a problem now, and you need to leverage your connections to get me into the Quyi Garden to learn Sichuan Opera Face Changing."

Shen Bei chattered on, continuing, "Oh, and you also need to give me money. You have to help me with this."

"Hold on a second—"

The sound of a chair moving came from Zhuang Bifan's end, as if he had left the room and entered the hallway, asking loudly with a slight echo, "You mean, not only do I have to use my connections to satisfy your interests, but I also have to give you money, right?"

Shen Bei nodded in affirmation, speaking into the phone, "Remember when I said I would solve the backlash problem of the odd object mask back in Xing Sha Dungeon?"

Zhuang Bifan was momentarily dazed, thinking for a long time before recalling that Shen Bei had indeed said that.

At the time, he thought Shen Bei was just idly fantasizing and joking.

After all, even Fang Han, the original owner of this odd object mask, hadn't mentioned solving this problem.

You, Shen Bei, can solve the backlash effect?

That's utterly ridiculous.

Zhuang Bifan didn't take it to heart then.

Who would have thought, Shen Bei, you were actually serious!

But what Zhuang Bifan couldn't understand was what exactly was the connection between this odd object mask and Sichuan Opera Face Changing?

They were completely unrelated!

Zhuang Bifan hesitated for a moment, then tentatively asked, "Are you sure you're not just trying to learn Sichuan Opera Face Changing to make your girlfriend happy, and you're just tricking me?"

Shen Bei was a little annoyed: "Am I that kind of boring person?"

Zhuang Bifan spoke bluntly: "Do you think you're a reliable guy? You're a student, but do you fulfill a student's duties? Not long ago, I learned through chatting with Professor Gu Xinrou that you're currently failing all your courses at Shencheng Martial Arts University, making you the first in history."

Shen Bei's mouth twitched.

Damn it, isn't this bringing up what shouldn't be brought up!

Even if he didn't go to school, would he not fail his courses?

From this, it can be seen that studying also leads to failing, and not studying also leads to failing.

Therefore, studying equals not studying.

So, what's the point of studying?

But for you, Zhuang Bifan, to bring this up is a bit too much.

Shen Bei was about to retort but thought better of it.

Their conversation had gone off track, seemingly entering a rather 'feet off the ground' Domain.

Shen Bei decided to bring the conversation back to a more practical realm: "Stop with the useless talk, hurry up and get this done for me, quickly."

"How can I do that for you! That's Chuan Prefecture, the territory of the Western Military Region." Zhuang Bifan's voice in the phone faded in and out: "Let's just say, if Bai Wei were here, we could negotiate and find connections, but Bai Wei went down to the Abyss to rescue people, didn't she?"

Shen Bei simply said directly, "I'll only say this once: learning Sichuan Opera Face Changing might solve the backlash effect of the odd object mask. You decide what to do."

He said "might," but his tone was almost a definite assertion.

Zhuang Bifan, on the other end of the phone, was silent for a moment before grumbling, "You really know how to give me a hard time. Wait, I'll contact my superiors and see if we can communicate."

He hung up the phone.

Shen Bei glanced at the Quyi Garden, then turned and left, strolling through the streets and alleys.

It must be said.

Chuan Prefecture is indeed a paradise for "programmers."

All kinds of men with chubby faces, round glasses, and small mustaches on their chins are everywhere.

Shen Bei also arrived at the famous "Taikoo Li."

Good heavens, all sorts of unconventional attire, like a damn parade of ghosts at night.

It truly was an eye-opener.

Honestly, just Taikoo Li alone, Shen Bei could sit there and watch all day without getting bored.

It truly was a great place to pass the time.

Afterward, Shen Bei found a hot pot restaurant.

There were many customers in the bustling hot pot restaurant.

The noisy shouts, bragging, and conversations were incessant.

At this moment, the whispers of a few customers at the neighboring table piqued Shen Bei's curiosity.

"The last Abyss riot, it still hasn't been resolved?"

"It's not unresolved, but it hasn't been completely resolved."

"What's the situation? It's been years!"

"I heard that an abnormal Cultivator, even more powerful than a Martial God, appeared at that time and performed some unknown spell. A portion of the Military were trapped in a dream."

"Hiss!! You mean they can't wake up?"

"I don't really understand the specifics. That area is still under lockdown. No Martial Artist is allowed into the Abyss either. All the Martial Artists in our Chuan Prefecture are bored to death and have gone to other provinces."

...

Shen Bei's ears twitched.

If he remembered correctly, back when a temporary Abyss appeared at the Diaobingshan Coal Mine in Lingnan City Martial Arts University, the Martial Arts Management Bureau wanted to deploy Martial Artists to suppress it.

As a result, the Sichuan West Abyss rioted at that time, and Vicious Beasts and abnormal people caused a lot of trouble, even running out to the surface.

Governor Yu Qi of Liaobei Province personally led a team to assist in the suppression.

Even when an anomaly occurred at Shanhai Pass Abyss, Liaobei Province's support was insufficient, and it was the surrounding provinces that provided strong support.

Shen Bei didn't inquire about the subsequent situation, as it was too far removed from his concerns at the time.

He didn't expect that years had passed, and the aftermath of the Chuan Prefecture Abyss riot still hadn't been resolved.

Shen Bei smacked his lips.

He didn't think much of it.

The bright red hot pot bubbled, and Shen Bei's mouth watered. He picked up a slice of meat and began to eat.

Chuan Prefecture hot pot's worldwide fame was truly no joke.

As enjoyable as it was to eat, that's how much he suffered that night.

He was truly defeated by the spice.

That day, Shen Bei did not receive a reply from Zhuang Bifan.

He stayed at a hotel for one night.

He didn't get much rest; the landline in the room kept ringing occasionally.

It was either a lonely sister looking for a brother to play with, or a noble lady alone at home.

Of course, there were also men calling, asking if he needed special services.

Annoyed, Shen Bei simply unplugged the phone line, and only then did he get a good night's sleep.

Early the next morning.

As soon as Shen Bei woke up, Zhuang Bifan's call came in: "Go to the Quyi Garden now; someone has recommended you to enter."

"It's done?" Shen Bei gave Zhuang Bifan a thumbs-up, even though he couldn't see it, he could definitely feel the sentiment: "Dealing with you is always straightforward!"

"Oh, come on."

Zhuang Bifan said in a low voice on the other end of the phone: "I merely reported it to my superiors, and they coordinated across regions. If you don't achieve anything, expect to be scolded."

"What do you mean? Who are your superiors?"

"Of course, the supreme commander of the Military."

Shen Bei's mouth twitched. According to the country's tradition, this supreme commander was...

Ah...

"Such a small matter, does it need to alarm such a big figure?" Shen Bei asked strangely.

Zhuang Bifan's voice was quite heavy: "It was originally a small matter, but your identity is on their list. They are watching your every move. No matter how small your matter is, when they magnify it, it becomes a big deal."

"Also, your request is damn unusual. Students always pay tuition fees, but now they even have to give you money. The stranger you are, the higher the attention from above."

"But to be honest, it's only because you're quite capable, cutting down the scum of the Apocalypse Cult and the Headhunter Tribe, otherwise, the superiors wouldn't even bother with your unreasonable request."

Shen Bei made a sound like air quickly leaking through the gaps in his teeth, as if he had suddenly eaten something spicy.

This...

This was getting a bit out of hand.

Shen Bei thought that with Zhuang Bifan's connections, a simple greeting and a local person could handle this small matter.

He didn't expect it to alarm the higher-ups.

Shen Bei smacked his lips. This feeling of being in the spotlight... was a little uncomfortable, more or less.

But that was all there was to it.

As long as he could learn Sichuan Opera Face Changing, it was fine.

"Thanks."

Shen Bei said to the phone, then hung up and hurried to the Quyi Garden.