Chapter 179: The truth about private matters

Actually, there were some questions Jiang Sui had wanted to ask the Black Cat for a long time, but she never found the right opportunity given their relationship.

However, Jiang Sui felt she had to speak up now.

The bar owner had just mentioned that he was not the first owner, and the previous one had died under mysterious circumstances a while ago.

No matter how pleasant he tried to make it sound, it was just a fabricated story about a nonexistent friend who supposedly owned the club.

The person behind the bar and the club had always been this owner; he was merely using the excuse of “rebuilding the club” to scout for gullible victims looking for a cheap deal.

If that were all, it would be one thing, but the Black Cat’s reaction when she saw that photograph earlier, combined with the “private matters” she had mentioned before, made it difficult for Jiang Sui not to connect the dots.

The assassin who killed the former owner was likely the Black Cat herself.

Hearing Jiang Sui’s clear and logical analysis, the Black Cat was silent for a moment before sighing softly:

“That’s right, it was indeed me.”

“Could you tell me the story behind it, Senior? You see, it’s affecting me now too.”

If Jiang Sui were the only one involved, it would be fine, but now that Xia Youqing was dragged into this, she could no longer stand by and watch.

At this point, there was no need for the Black Cat to hide anything further.

The “private matter” she had mentioned earlier was actually the assassination of her enemy. The target was a Bishop of the Black Star Cult, so she had invested a significant amount of time and effort.

After the success, the Black Cat had found a place to hide for a while to recover, only returning to Jiang Sui’s side afterward.

“Have you considered the consequences of such an action?”

“No.” The Black Cat replied helplessly, “Honestly, based on what I know of them, the low-level members are just a rabble that will disperse the moment their leader falls.”

However, what she did not expect was that after her enemy died, someone else quickly took the position and began organizing a vendetta, searching for her trail.

The search eventually led them to Jiang Sui, which resulted in the current situation.

“So, the person in that photo is…”

“Ahem, that was just a look I abandoned for a while.”

“I see.”

Jiang Sui had long suspected that the woman in the photo was related to the Black Cat, but she hadn’t expected it to actually be her.

After receiving confirmation, Jiang Sui couldn’t help but tease:

“You were a great beauty in the past, Senior.”

She had imagined what the Black Cat looked like before, and felt she must have been beautiful, but she hadn’t expected it to be to such an extent, even carrying a certain noble air.

“And you were wearing such an exquisite black formal dress; your life must have been quite luxurious back then.”

“I am just a cat now, so let the past remain in the past.”

The Black Cat rolled her eyes at her.

“Until my grudges are completely settled, I cannot show myself in that guise; it would only bring danger to you.”

“Hasn’t danger already come knocking?” Jiang Sui retorted.

Even after all this, the Black Cat still did not reveal her full identity.

Jiang Sui could only speculate: the Black Cat came from an extraordinary background, likely a prominent clan in the Secret Arts World, and held such deep resentment toward the Black Star Cult that her first act after arriving in Central City was to assassinate her enemy.

As for her relationship with the Luo Family, that was yet another mystery.

It seemed unlikely that these questions would be cleared up anytime soon.

Jiang Sui looked down at the Black Cat lying on her lap and whispered:

“So, the enemy we are facing now is a newly promoted ‘Bishop-level’ threat?”

“Just a self-proclaimed one.” The Black Cat replied with disdain, “Not just anyone can be a Bishop.”

“Since you know the Black Star Cult so well, tell me about them.”

The Black Cat nodded:

“Aside from the cult’s headquarters, other cities usually only have one Bishop responsible for the local influence. Once a Bishop dies, it is far more likely for a new one to be transferred from above rather than a subordinate taking their place.”

“To advance from a Budaoshi to a Bishop, one requires sufficient strength and accomplishments.”

“Based on my observations, this owner does not have the qualifications. He is likely just reporting upward, lost in his own delusions of promotion and a raise.”

“At most, he is just a Budaoshi.”

“I just hope he isn’t as difficult to deal with as a Mistmaster.”

There were differences in strength among Budaoshi, and Jiang Sui had not sensed much of a threat from this owner.

After a brief discussion, the human and the cat decided to resolve this Black Star Cult force tonight.

After coming out of the booth, Jiang Sui washed her face to compose herself, then started observing her colleagues on the first floor, waiting for an opportunity.

She soon found her target.

“Excuse me, is this for Room 7 on the third floor?”

Jiang Sui stopped a colleague and asked with a smile.

“Yeah, what about it?”

“I’m new here, let me take that. You go get some rest, Senior.”

“Oh, I see. Alright then, be careful not to mess it up.”

“Don’t worry, I’m very reliable.”

After taking the tray, Jiang Sui went upstairs quickly and reached Room 307.

Pushing the door open, she set the food down but did not leave immediately.

Scanning the room, she quickly found Xia Youqing.

She was sitting there drinking, her face full of satisfaction.

Jiang Sui approached quietly and pretended to bump into her just as she was getting up.

Bump.

“Sorry, you aren’t hurt, are you?” Xia Youqing asked with a smile.

“I’m fine.” Jiang Sui waved her hand, “Um, miss, I heard that you are all members of the same club, is that true?”

“Huh? What?” Xia Youqing was already a bit drunk. “Are you talking about that fortune-telling club?”

“Yes, I heard that the guests here are all regulars there.”

“How would I know?”

Xia Youqing burped.

“A friend called me and said it was a good place, so I came.”

“So, is this your first time?”

“Yeah, the very first time.”

Hearing this, Jiang Sui felt a secret sense of relief.

Her mother was not a member of the cult.

However, her current state caused Jiang Sui’s heart to sink.

Her eyes were no longer clear, but appeared somewhat clouded.

If this continued, she would eventually be exploited.

“You might not believe this, but I actually have a daughter.” Xia Youqing suddenly said, “I came here specifically for her.”

“Huh?” Jiang Sui was stunned.

“She has grown up, and there is less and less I can do for her.”

Xia Youqing swirled her glass, her smile turning gentle.

“I heard the fortune-telling here is very accurate, so I wanted to pray for her and help her avoid disasters.”

“If she knew, she would definitely laugh at me.”

Despite saying that, there was no regret on her face.

“You… did all of this for your daughter?”

“Yeah, otherwise I would have been asleep at home tonight. She even lectured me when I left the house.”

Her tone carried a hint of bitterness.

Amidst the noisy laughter surrounding them, that smile looked particularly jarring.

Jiang Sui remained silent for a while, saying nothing more.

After leaving the private room, her expression grew even more determined.

The plan was simple.

The owner usually stayed on the fourth floor, which was heavily guarded and difficult to infiltrate.

But soon, he would personally host the event and appear on the first floor.

That would be the best opportunity.

The division of labor was clear: the Black Cat would be responsible for creating chaos, while Jiang Sui would prioritize getting Xia Youqing out.

Once her mother was safe, she would return to finish off the enemy.

The event began.

The owner stood on the stage, holding a microphone to stir up the atmosphere.

The guests from the third floor were also brought to the first, responding enthusiastically under his control, creating a lively atmosphere.

It was almost time.

Jiang Sui clenched her fists, waiting for the Black Cat’s signal.

However, in the next second—

“I knew there was something wrong with this place!”

It was not the Black Cat who broke the situation, but Lu Yunze below the stage.

He held his Heavy Sword high and drove it deep into the floor, causing spiderweb-like cracks to spread outward.

Jiang Sui was completely stunned.

She had forgotten that Lu Yunze was still here.

Why would he take action suddenly?

But soon, she witnessed something even more important—

Lu Yunze was shielding Xia Youqing behind him.

Jiang Sui was taken aback for a moment, then joy appeared on her face.

The chaos had erupted early.

Just as the owner was about to give an order, a flash of light flew from afar, striking his forehead and knocking him to the ground.

“Lord Bishop!”

“There’s an assassin!”

“Protect the Bishop!”

The bar instantly descended into total chaos.

Jiang Sui took the opportunity to push through the crowd and reach Lu Yunze.

“You came just in time. Take her out of here, she mustn’t get hurt.”

Lu Yunze pushed Xia Youqing directly into Jiang Sui’s arms.

He wielded his Heavy Sword, shielding the two of them as he proactively faced the incoming assassins.

“…Thank you.”

Jiang Sui whispered.

After glancing at him one last time, she quickly evacuated toward the exit with her mother.

Her words of thanks were swallowed up by the noise and screams surrounding them.