35: Chapter 35 Detective Agency

Three days later.

Nie Ning lay on the bed, disheveled with dark circles under his eyes, surrounded by piles of draft paper.

After three days of reading and research, Nie Ning still hadn't found a way to replace the Source of Magic with a crystal core.

However, as someone who doesn't follow the beaten path, Nie Ning thought of another method, though whether it would succeed depended on his Supernatural Adaptability.

This method wasn't actually difficult, and it was inspired by the experimental notes.

The experimental notes didn't record how to use a crystal core, but they did have methods on how to consume the magic power within one.

Nie Ning's train of thought was very simple: consume the magic power in the crystal core so that he could obtain a magic-free crystal core.

As for the bestial nature inside the crystal core...

The Crimson Fire Ape wasn't as strong as he currently was by comparison, so theoretically, Nie Ning's mental power was sufficient to handle the bestial nature inside.

After resolving these two drawbacks, Nie Ning could try to utilize this crystal core to see if his Supernatural Adaptability would react with it.

If everything went smoothly, he might really be able to use the crystal core to replace his magic source.

However, to dissipate the magic power, he still needed to prepare a few things.

...

At this moment, the sun was shining brightly outside. Although he wasn't used to going out during the day, Nie Ning couldn't wait to try becoming a wizard.

Fortunately, he had already finished the garden work in the morning. After telling Norma at the training ground, Nie Ning left the estate through the back door.

Nie Ning went straight to the tavern but didn't find Borton.

Informed by the bartender, Nie Ning then remembered the matter of the Detective Agency.

Walking out of the tavern, under the strange gazes of passersby, Nie Ning unconsciously touched the mask on his face.

"It does seem a bit like I'm not a good person."

After all, what kind of good person would wander around during the day wearing a mask?

If he ran into the city guards, someone like him would be the first target for investigation.

After thinking for a moment, Nie Ning went to a place that sold ladies' rouge and powder. Under the strange gaze of the young saleswoman, he bought some rouge and powder.

Immediately after, he found an inn. After studying how to use the rouge and powder for half a day, he finally managed to apply a makeup look that was passable.

Just like those people who did livestreams in his past life, Nie Ning applied it in a way that made him look as handsome as possible.

"As expected of one of the four great dark arts."

Looking at his irresistibly handsome face in the mirror, Nie Ning couldn't help but give himself a thumbs up.

"It's a pity there's no beauty camera, otherwise I could be even more handsome."

Having solved the makeup issue, Nie Ning headed straight for Borton's Detective Agency.

...

After walking for half an hour, Nie Ning finally arrived at a bustling street.

Looking at the crowded street and the various magnificent shops along the roadside, Nie Ning couldn't help but sigh with emotion.

"To think he could open a shop in a place like this; it seems Borton has quite a bit of life savings."

His current location was the most prosperous place in the south of the city, Shangrong Alley.

The people who came here were almost all wealthy, because no ordinary person would be willing to spend three to five years' salary on an impractical item.

Nie Ning had been here a few times with Lilith.

Although he only stood outside the shops watching, just from the shop assistants' attentive service attitude, he could tell how expensive the goods were.

Nie Ning didn't pay too much attention to the surrounding shops and walked straight into the street.

Perhaps because his face was 'photoshopped' too well, combined with his simple clothes, it led to wealthy women constantly coming up to strike up conversations, all implying 'follow big sister, and you'll eat nine meals a day.'

Nie Ning was quite helpless about this and could only politely decline.

If this were his past life, he wouldn't even hesitate and would have just followed them.

Unfortunately, times were different now; he was now an Intermediate Knight.

What if he became invincible in the future and someone dug up the dirt about him being a kept man? He would want to crawl into a crack in the ground.

...

Walking and stopping along the way, Nie Ning finally saw a flashy, gold-glittering plaque.

Of course, that wasn't Borton's Detective Agency; the quaint, bronze-colored plaque next to it was.

Nie Ning scratched his head and couldn't help but take a few extra looks at the golden sign.

Rose Beauty Salon...

At this moment, Nie Ning didn't know how to describe his feelings; perhaps only he would think this name was a bit tacky.

"Indeed, one cannot look at things of the past with the mindset of a modern person..."

Nie Ning shook his head and then walked into the hallway next to it.

Just as he entered, a young and beautiful woman came up to greet him.

Black hair and black eyes, standard European/American features, wearing a tight-fitting black dress, her ample bosom was even more dazzling to behold.

"Welcome, guest, please come in."

The woman smiled and gestured for him to enter.

Perhaps because Nie Ning's appearance was too heaven-defying, the woman couldn't help but take a few extra looks.

Nie Ning hadn't expected that old guy Borton to actually play this game; he had thought Borton was the only one in this agency.

"I'm here to find Borton."

Nie Ning said straightforwardly.

"What is your name, guest? Do you have an appointment? Would you like tea or something else?"

The woman's three consecutive questions completely baffled Nie Ning. What kind of shop asks questions like that?

Seeming to read Nie Ning's expression, the woman quickly apologized, feeling a bit embarrassed: "I'm sorry, this is my first time doing this job."

Nie Ning's mouth twitched slightly. 'First time' my foot; those who didn't know would think it was some shady business.

"My name is Bronk, I have no appointment, tea will do."

As he spoke, Nie Ning paused: "I am Borton's partner. Where is he?"

Upon hearing that Nie Ning was a partner, the woman's eyes lit up, but looking at Nie Ning's plain attire, she felt it didn't seem quite right.

"The boss is out, he'll be back in a while. Please wait a moment."

The woman said with a professional smile.

Although she wasn't sure if what Nie Ning said was true or false, she certainly couldn't show it at a time like this.

As the woman went to pour tea, Nie Ning began to examine the Detective Agency.

The entire Detective Agency consisted of four rooms. Besides the main hall where he was currently located, through the glass windows, he could see two offices inside, as well as a room with a tightly closed door.

The decor was relatively quaint, made of black wood, and with the surrounding crystal decorations, it looked quite luxurious overall.

...

After waiting for about a quarter of an hour, Borton's voice came from the doorway.

At this moment, Borton was wearing a black suit, his hair and beard had been trimmed, and he looked quite like a successful person.

Behind Borton followed a sturdy man around twenty-five years old, nearly two meters tall.

When Borton saw Nie Ning sitting inside, he inexplicably felt he looked familiar, but for a moment, he couldn't recall where he had seen him.

"This guest is..."

Hearing this, Nie Ning couldn't help but smile: "Have you forgotten even me?"

...