298: Night in District 24

"There are 24 districts in total, with Districts 10 to 18 being industrial zones, mostly consisting of factories."

"I see your requirements are for an area with high foot traffic that is as normal as possible."

"In that case, I recommend you go to District 24."

"This is a newly designated district from recent years. Since those Gangs have finished their turf wars, they won't exploit District 24 too harshly for the sake of future profits; they'll give the area a chance to recover."

"So in the last year or two, it has undoubtedly been the fastest-growing and most stable district overall."

Yelena's sudden seriousness made Mo Ran look at her in a new light.

Aside from anything else, she was indeed very strong in terms of her professionalism as a guide.

She had only taken Mo Ran around the sights and main buildings on her motorcycle, yet she had already explained the situation of the district quite thoroughly.

She drove very fast, and in about two hours, she had introduced most of the places except for the Gang territories and heavy industrial parks.

From the look of it, the guide Senior Qing spent 1999 star coins on was unexpectedly reliable.

"Alright, those are the specifics. My work for today is done."

"So, Mr. Mo, what about my final payment?"

After saying this, she flipped her hair, refusing to give up on trying to test Mo Ran one more time.

But in the next moment, a gun was pointed at her forehead, causing her to break out in a cold sweat instantly.

"Wait, don't—"

"Ding, 1200 star coins have been credited to your account."

Mo Ran casually put the device, which looked like a temperature gun, back into his ring.

"I'm an Outlander; I don't have a modified brain-computer interface, and I don't have spare change, so I paid with a handheld payment device."

"Did you receive it on your end?"

Karina could only manage an awkward smile, losing any desire to continue teasing Mo Ran.

"Well then, I'll be going now."

"If you need more help, you can call me. The price is fair, and I'm familiar with this place."

Watching Karina flee in panic, Mo Ran breathed a sigh of relief. He had actually done that on purpose just now to make her feel awkward and end the conversation between them.

Because he really couldn't be sure if this woman was sent by Wilde.

Given the other party's power, there was no telling what they might do.

Karina's behavior throughout had been a bit strange, keeping Mo Ran on guard. Especially after encountering that inspector, his vigilance had risen by a Rank.

Street thugs, nobodies, philistines, women, those who look friendly on the outside, and those whose reputations are gray but don't cross the line—these were the characters his Master had mentioned as common in honey traps and among betrayers; they were the people one should be most careful of.

"Alright, stop looking. That woman probably really doesn't have any issues."

Qing Xuan's voice sounded beside Mo Ran, making him relax instantly and return to his previous simple state.

"Why? She looks very suspicious."

Qing Xuan just gave Mo Ran a meaningful look.

"You're handsome, rich, and simple-minded, looking like someone easy to cheat."

"What's so strange about her wanting to get close to you and scam some money?"

"Ah? So she just wanted to scam my money, not because Wilde sent her to monitor me?"

Qing Xuan shook his head.

"I have materials on psychology and behavioral science in my library."

"That kind of person might sell you out for profit, but clearly, with Wilde's arrogant nature, a street-level character like that wouldn't be his chosen target."

"Even if you two got close and Wilde's side wanted to use that relationship to monitor you, it wouldn't be his personal arrangement. It would only be his subordinates taking the initiative."

"Just like he won't publicly say he's targeting you, but his subordinates will spontaneously target you because they know his attitude."

"Given the time lag, you're still safe for now."

"But tomorrow might be a different story."

"So it's right for you to keep your distance from that woman."

Mo Ran was still confused, but at least he knew he wasn't being watched for the moment, so he was safe for now.

He took out a metal strip and gave it a pull, and a holographic map emerged.

This was a simple map of the Pasture Area that Karina had suggested he buy earlier.

He was currently located in the northern part of District 24, an area governed by a Gang called 'The Tavern.'

According to Karina, The Tavern mainly profited from operating entertainment venues and selling alcohol, and it was an overall orderly organization.

So the northern part of District 24 was indeed suitable as a site for the second church.

Checking the time, it was currently the hour of the Ox. According to the Eastern Region's reckoning, it was past one in the morning, not a very suitable time to visit The Tavern.

"If it's not suitable for a visit, let's just wander around first and find a good location."

"It'll be dawn soon anyway, so treat it as getting familiar with the environment. Of course, considering your state this afternoon, if you need to rest, I suggest finding a nearby inn."

Mo Ran wrapped his newly changed coat tighter and took a deep breath, but since there were pollutants in the air, this action didn't help soothe his mood.

But he still intended to continue.

"Senior, it's alright."

"I was like this when I first encountered the Dao of Curses. Master said as long as I raise my tolerance threshold, it'll be fine."

"So now is the perfect Opportunity to understand the environment. Otherwise, if I wait until I've rested and then get hit with the impact again, I'll have to readapt all over again."

Since Mo Ran didn't mind, Qing Xuan didn't care either; he had said what needed to be said.

After all, since the powerful and wealthy of Grace City were already so unscrupulous on the surface, there was no telling how chaotic the lawless zones of this place were.

"Senior, how should we choose a site?"

"Just keep walking forward; leave the rest to me."

Although he didn't understand, it felt reliable!

The Pasture Area was much quieter in the middle of the night, and at the same time, some not-so-pleasant sights came into view, like that homeless man lying in the gap between buildings.

While getting a quick overview of the Pasture Area earlier, they had caught glimpses of many of its dark sides.

Dragging in alleys in broad daylight, scantily clad men and women soliciting customers, and a large number of beggars.

But those were just flashes; they weren't as clearly visible as they were now.

It was already the twelfth lunar month. Although it hadn't snowed in the Eastern Region yet, it was close.

The weather here was colder than in the West River, and the homeless people on the streets were basically all Mortals.

The homeless man in front of them was currently wrapped in old cotton clothes, rolling himself up in layers of old quilts, trying to make a sleeping bag.

But Mo Ran could see that he was riddled with illness, his life force was fading, and an ill omen had already gathered above his head.

It was no exaggeration to say that while it was hard to judge other homeless people, if the one before him didn't find an Opportunity, he likely wouldn't survive past the first lunar month.

"Hello, do you need help?"

Mo Ran didn't keep walking but instead approached the person who had wrapped himself into a cocoon.

At that moment, a small head popped out from inside.

It was a boy who looked eight or nine years old, his hair yellowed from malnutrition.

What surprised Mo Ran most was that his eyes were covered with a white cloth; he seemed to be blind.

But soon, a scanning beam was projected toward Mo Ran, and Mo Ran also noticed a miniature camera on the boy's temple.

The boy saw Mo Ran's clothing through the camera and hurriedly stood up, haphazardly rolling up the two half-torn quilts while apologizing repeatedly.

"Sir, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have been an eyesore. I'll leave right now."

Seeing the boy about to leave, Mo Ran called out to him.

"Wait, I'm not trying to drive you away."

"I'm just asking if you need help. Your current condition is very bad."

Perhaps startled by being called out suddenly, the aura of illness on the boy grew a bit heavier.

The boy was very surprised by Mo Ran's actions. He looked carefully through the camera; there was indeed no look of discrimination on Mo Ran's face, making him look like a good person who truly wanted to help.

"Oh my, sir, you must be a kind person."

"Even though I can't see, your heart has illuminated me."

"Are you really willing to help me?"

"Yes, I can give you a sum of money, at least enough to let you—"

"No, no, sir, please don't do that!" The boy waved his hands hurriedly, then lowered his voice after realizing it was too loud. "Sorry, I lost my composure, but please, you must not do that."

This was the first time Mo Ran had seen a beggar who didn't want money, as if money were some kind of monster.

But the boy immediately provided an explanation.

"Thugs often come here to shake us down."

"If you give me money or anything of value, they will definitely steal it."

"Not only will I be unable to keep it, but I'll also be beaten."

"If it's not too much trouble... could you buy me two portions of food?"

"If that's too much trouble, even one meal is fine! One meal would already be a huge help."

Mo Ran said, "Wait a moment," and went to a nearby shop to buy two cans of instant food and a box of specialized medicine.

After handing over the food and the hot water he had brought, the boy ignored the heat and began eating in large gulps, huffing and puffing as he ate.

Only after finishing one portion did he carefully pull a brick from the wall and stuff the other can inside.

"Aren't you going to take the medicine?"

When Mo Ran handed it over, he had specifically explained it was specialized medicine and that the hot water was for taking it, but the boy only cared about eating and drinking, not even looking at the medicine.

The boy wiped his mouth, stood up, and was about to kneel down to kowtow when Mo Ran held him up.

"What are you doing?"

The boy said with a serious expression,

"This is the only thing I can do."

"I have nothing on me; this is the only way I can express my gratitude."

"Actually, I know I don't have long to live... I didn't think I'd even get to see the snowflakes, but I didn't expect to meet you today."

"A hot meal... it really, really helps me a lot."

"And thank you for being willing to listen to a homeless man's request."

This scene moved Mo Ran somewhat.

He had also been picked up by his Master while he was wandering as a beggar.

At this moment, it felt as if time were overlapping, except this boy was in even worse shape than he had been back then.

"Get up, there's no need for this."

"I am a Pope, and the doctrine of my faith is to save the world."

"If you want to repay me, then you only need to repay the Taiyi God."

"He is a merciful deity who asks for nothing from you; a word of thanks is enough."

He was just saying the usual words to induce someone into the faith; after all, he had been a Pope for a while now, and these words were already second nature to him.

But in the next second, his eyes widened.

A cluster of the most dense Power Of Faith he had ever seen to date manifested before his eyes and flowed into the small yuanwu xielü in his ring.