Chapter Forty-Eight: I Don’t Want Them, I Choose You
Between Zhang Changlin and Luoluo, whom should Du Fang choose to trust?
Was there even a choice?
Du Fang would, without hesitation, choose to believe Luoluo. If Luoluo said there were three Dream Demons lurking in the foot massage parlor, then there were three—no more, no less.
Which meant...
Two Dream Demons were hiding in this establishment, and even Captain Zhang hadn’t noticed? Captain Zhang had been fooled by them both?
That was simply outrageous!
“No, perhaps Captain Zhang did realize it. He plans to quietly deal with the other two himself, leaving the third for me—to train my combat skills for tomorrow’s invitation tournament for rookie Dreamwalkers!”
Du Fang’s mind stirred as he actively tried to interpret Captain Zhang’s intentions.
Most likely, that was the case.
Yet, Du Fang still sensed danger. His scalp tingled.
This foot massage parlor... truly was a perilous place!
Such a small establishment, yet it concealed three Dream Demons. Next time—
He would never come again!
Of course, there was another possibility: Captain Zhang genuinely hadn’t discovered the other two Dream Demons.
Captain Zhang was a high-ranking Dreamwalker, formidable and experienced, yet he had been deceived by two Dream Demons...
If that were true, it meant those two demons were no weaklings; perhaps Du Fang couldn’t handle them.
That would be even more dangerous.
Just this once, never again!
Du Fang hesitated over whether to tell Zhang Changlin, but before he could speak, the distant male manager returned, his face beaming.
“Brother Zhang, this way please. Technicians 19, 20, and 21 are all waiting for you,” the manager said with a gentle laugh.
Zhang Changlin wore an air of calm composure.
“My young friend here is visiting for the first time. Take good care of him. Girl number 18 suits his taste. Introduce her among the other technicians; let him pick. If he chooses correctly, let him enjoy; if not, let him stew.”
Zhang Changlin quietly told the manager.
Number 18—she was the Dream Demon Zhang Changlin had identified, the one he intended for Du Fang’s trial.
With that, Old Zhang strode off toward a distant room.
Du Fang glanced in that direction and saw three stunning, long-legged women in uniforms, badges marked 19, 20, and 21 at their waists.
These must be the technicians Captain Zhang had chosen for his foot massage.
Though, did Captain Zhang have more than two feet...?
Soon, under Du Fang’s gaze, Captain Zhang smiled broadly, pressed his waist, and entered the room with the three technicians.
“Sir, this way. Do you have any requirements for the technician?” the manager bowed slightly, leading the way, asking as he went.
Du Fang thought for a moment. “Honest and sturdy.”
The manager blinked. “?”
Du Fang glanced at the hand of his wife resting on his shoulder and continued, “Strong as a mountain.”
The manager was speechless.
Are you looking for a technician, or searching for the overlord of Western Chu?
Fortunately, Brother Zhang had arranged things in advance.
“Heh, sir, you do love to joke. With your good looks, only a handsome technician would be worthy of you.”
“How about this, I’ll bring in several technicians, and you can take your time choosing.”
“Keep whichever you fancy,” the manager said with a smile.
He led Du Fang to a room and left.
Du Fang wanted to call him back, but the manager slipped away without a backward glance.
At that moment, Luoluo tugged Du Fang’s hand, drooling slightly.
“Daddy, should I kill him?”
“He’s one of the small Dream Demons,” she whispered.
Du Fang’s steps halted.
...
...
Old Chang, the driver, wore sunglasses and a bathrobe. He leaned against the door, peering through the crack as Du Fang walked past outside.
“He really came to this foot massage parlor...”
Old Chang muttered.
The master intended to target Du Fang, so Old Chang was sent to investigate him.
Upon learning that Zhang Changlin and Du Fang had appeared at the foot massage parlor, Old Chang sacrificed himself for the cause, letting the filthy atmosphere of the establishment pollute his body in pursuit of his investigation.
“Zhang Changlin brought Du Fang here, likely to train him in real combat.”
“But Zhang Changlin is bold—there are two wild Dream Demons here. One escaped from a Grade Seven Dream Catastrophe and possesses a forbidden device that blocks detection. If I weren’t of the same kind, I wouldn’t sense it at all...”
“Plus my own domesticated Dream Demon, this small parlor gathers three Dream Demons. Tsk...”
“Can Du Fang win? If not, will the Dream Demons seize his body instead?”
“Du Fang’s body is coveted by the master. If some other Dream Demon gets to it first... the master might go berserk and destroy the world.”
Old Chang continued muttering.
As an all-purpose driver, he knew how to anticipate the master’s desires.
“Test Du Fang’s strength.”
“If necessary, intervene to save him.”
“All for the master.”
Old Chang’s expression was solemn and devout.
“Ahem~ Sir, stop watching and come over. I’ve changed into the driver outfit you like,” came a soft, coquettish voice from behind.
Old Chang’s sunglasses flashed.
“Du Fang’s not in danger yet, so I’ll get some exercise first.”
“Consider it a warm-up before saving someone.”
“My dear, here I come!”
...
...
Zhang Changlin puffed on a cigarette, clouds swirling around him. He lounged lazily on the sofa, bathrobe open to reveal his unusual skin tone.
His face was black, but from the neck down, he was white.
It looked rather odd.
“Brother Zhang, did you smear stove ash on your face today?” one of the female technicians couldn’t help but ask.
Zhang Changlin flicked his cigarette and glanced at her. “Is it black? I paid for this.”
“I went abroad for sunbathing, got a tan. Looks stylish, doesn’t it?”
The three female technicians’ eyes lit up and crowded closer.
“No wonder you’re Brother Zhang—sunbathing only your face.”
One laughed behind her hand.
Zhang Changlin, cigarette in mouth, remained calm.
He was getting used to spinning tales without a script.
It felt...
Wonderful.
“Brother Zhang, shall we begin?” one technician asked, eager.
But Zhang Changlin calmly waved them off, quietly releasing his Dream Spirit.
“Don’t rush. Wait.”
The three women didn’t mind. Their service was paid by the hour, after all.
If Old Zhang wanted to waste time, they were happy to accompany him.
And if possible, best to keep him booking until the end of time.
...
...
Du Fang’s room door opened.
A pungent waft of perfume drifted in.
The clatter of high heels echoed loudly.
Du Fang sat on the sofa and looked up.
One, two, three... too many to count.
A parade of short-skirted, heavily made-up technicians carrying toolboxes, badges at their waists, marched in and formed a neat line.
Each technician’s gaze landed on Du Fang.
The next moment, surprised gasps and barely restrained excitement burst from the group.
“Oh my, so handsome!”
“Such a handsome guy... here to soak his feet?”
“Sisters, nobody fight with me tonight!”
“I feel like I’ve hit the jackpot.”
Low voices rippled among the hearts of the female technicians.
To them, seeing Du Fang was like finding a magnificent blood horse among a herd of ugly donkeys.
The slick-haired, smiling male manager rubbed his hands as he entered.
“Greet the sir.”
“Good evening, esteemed guest.”
Uniform, clear, full of springtime energy and eager anticipation—the simple greeting made Du Fang feel surrounded by danger.
He seemed like a juicy piece of meat eyed hungrily by a pack of tigers.
His scalp tingled.
The technicians were all... big. No, fierce.
He’d asked for honest and sturdy, but these looked ready to devour him.
“Sir, here’s technician number 18—beautiful, kind, skilled. Many customers love to pick her.”
“Would you like to try?”
The manager’s smile bloomed.
Number 18 was indeed gorgeous; under pink lights, her long, pale legs and full figure radiated an irresistible allure.
Her big eyes blinked, long lashes quivered, and she bit softly on her plump, springy lips.
“Good evening, sir. Choose me, and I’ll make you feel every beauty this world has to offer.”
The other technicians erupted in chatter, each self-recommending eagerly.
To have a client as handsome as Du Fang was a rare treasure in this foot massage parlor.
After all, all the world’s dangers seemed to gather in a single face.
The manager smiled brilliantly, watching Du Fang, who sat deep in contemplation.
“Sir, please make your choice.”
The manager said.
At those words, Du Fang, lost in thought, slowly lifted his head, revealing his impossibly handsome face under the pink light.
He glanced at the adorable, smiling Luoluo beside him, and at his wife’s clenched fist.
Then he looked at the manager.
His expression was solemn, earnest, and grave.
Word by word, he declared,
“I don’t want them.”
“I choose you.”
“...”
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