Chapter 298: The Final Thorn

Chen Jun Nan couldn't resist the stubborn Yun Yao and eventually took her along to Di She's game venue.

The two followed the map and walked for about an hour and a half before finally reaching their destination.

It was a very large building, seemingly a spacious museum.

At the museum's entrance stood a hunched figure with a dry, yellowish snake head. His skin looked parched and was covered in wrinkles like an old man's.

He was slightly bent at the waist, his oversized suit hanging loosely on him.

Spotting Yun Yao from afar, his dark yellow eyes narrowed, the pupils turning into thin slits.

"Hey hey..." He chuckled. "Good! Excellent!"

His raspy voice, accompanied by the hissing sounds typical of snakes, was nauseating.

Yun Yao paid no mind to Di She's gaze and stood right in front of him.

"Entrance fee?" she asked.

"Four Dao per person... hey hey..." Di She swallowed hard and said, "For someone with your looks... you could pay with clothes instead—one piece of clothing for one Dao."

"No need." Yun Yao pulled four Dao from her shoulder bag and tossed them to Di She, then asked, "How many people do we need?"

Di She took the Dao with a look of disappointment and replied, "Twelve people."

"Alright, I'll wait." Yun Yao nodded and stepped aside to lean against the wall, while Di She's eyes kept scanning her.

Chen Jun Nan slowly positioned himself between Yun Yao and Di She, blocking the repulsive gaze.

But he felt a bit troubled.

Entrance fee of four Dao?

Yesterday, he had gone out wandering and only earned two Dao. Did that mean he had to borrow two from Yun Yao now?

After thinking for a moment, he stepped forward and handed his two Dao to Di She.

Di She took them and looked at him puzzled. "What about the rest?"

"Just wait a second..."

Chen Jun Nan bent down and fussed around for a bit, then picked up two dirty socks.

"Well... old man..." Chen Jun Nan said a little embarrassed, "Back in our alley, I'm considered a handsome young guy. Today, I'll use these socks to cover the fee. Once I make it big, I'll definitely buy them back. Don't turn them down."

"Wh-what?" Di She quickly hid his outstretched hand behind his back. "I don't want them!"

"Hey, don't be polite! I came empty-handed, so this is my way of showing respect. Take them and wear them—if they fit, great!"

Di She stepped back at the sight of the dirty socks. "Are you crazy?! Who wants your smelly socks?!"

"Are you discriminating?" Chen Jun Nan turned and pointed at Yun Yao. "I'm only a bit less attractive than that girl. Her clothes can cover the fee, so why not my socks?"

"Kid! Are you looking for trouble?!"

"Me, looking for trouble?!" Chen Jun Nan said with a wronged expression. "Sir, I'm just following your rules to pay the fee! If you don't want the socks, I could reluctantly offer my underwear, but you'd have to wait while I take it off somewhere."

"Un-underwear?"

"Young master here didn't shower today, so my underwear is probably just the right level of salty. If you don't mind, take it for your collection. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone."

As Di She backed away in anger, Yun Yao couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"Ha..." She wiped the corner of her eye. "You're quite the character. I'll lend you two Dao."

"Eh? Is that okay?" Chen Jun Nan smiled sheepishly. "Give me a little more time, and I might convince him."

Yun Yao shook her head with a laugh. "Are you planning to convince a 'Di Ji' with those two dirty socks on your hands?"

"Slim chances, but I'm the type who doesn't give up."

Yun Yao took two Dao from her bag and casually tossed them to Di She, then said to Chen Jun Nan, "Remember to pay me back if you win."

"Ah? You're so generous!" Chen Jun Nan put his socks back on and moved to shake her hand.

Yun Yao retreated in surprise. "No need for a handshake... I appreciate the gesture."

"Hey, don't be like that." Chen Jun Nan wiped his hands on his pants. "Just watch me today—I'll definitely pay back those Dao."

Di She frowned as he stared at Chen Jun Nan, sensing something off.

Back when he was still at the "Ren Ji" level, he seemed to have encountered this figure before, but it was so long ago that the memory had faded.

He vaguely recalled that this person was a troublemaker who never played by the rules, which might make the upcoming game tricky.

"Big star, have you been here before?" Chen Jun Nan asked.

"No, but other team members have scouted this place, so I know what kind of character Di She is."

"Alright, for being so generous, I'll protect you." Chen Jun Nan said. "Once the rules are explained, just hang back and relax. Watch me shine."

Yun Yao stared at Chen Jun Nan with curiosity. She had never met anyone like him—say he was a good person, and his words and actions were incredibly frivolous; say he wasn't, and he hadn't done anything improper so far, oddly making her feel safe.

As they waited, they suddenly saw a woman in white approaching from a distance.

Both of them were taken aback at the sight of her.

She looked somewhat familiar, as if they had seen her just yesterday...

But as she drew closer, they realized this white-clad figure was quite different from their memory.

She was an ordinary-looking girl with a determined gaze, though her clothes and hairstyle were similar.

"Hello." She nodded to Chen Jun Nan and Yun Yao, then turned to Di She. "May I ask about the entrance fee?"

Di She eyed the parts of the girl's body exposed by her white dress and said lecherously, "Four Dao. If you don't have enough, you can pay with clothes—two pieces for one Dao."

"Hey! You're quite the businessman." Chen Jun Nan jeered from the side. "Two pieces of clothing for one Dao if she's average-looking, one piece for one Dao if she's pretty. And for someone as extremely handsome as me, even socks and underwear won't do the trick."

"Shut your mouth!" Di She snapped.

The girl in white smiled and said, "I don't need to trade clothes. I have the Dao."

She handed four Dao to Di She, then nodded to Chen Jun Nan and Yun Yao before quietly standing off to the side.

"Am I the only one with this feeling?" Chen Jun Nan said. "This girl has a familiar vibe."

"Her figure is a bit like Qi Xia's wife," Yun Yao nodded, "but her face is completely different."

"Hey, interesting." Chen Jun Nan chuckled and nodded. "If she survives, I'll drag her back to show Old Qi no matter what."

"What for?" Yun Yao asked, puzzled.

"To play matchmaker." Chen Jun Nan scratched his nose. "Old Qi likes this type."