Chapter 82: The Female Host

Chapter Eighty-Two: The Female Host

“Turn yourself in?” Shi Bai pondered for a moment, realizing this must be the effect of the task, but he was still somewhat suspicious. “Why would you turn yourself in?”

The criminal wore an expression of deep regret and remorse. “I didn’t know who you were! Had I known, I never would have targeted you!”

“What identity are you talking about?”

“You’re the author of ‘The Adventures of Zhang Dog!’ Let me tell you, I’m your super fan! Whether it’s the comic or the game, I love them all. To support your game, I bought five hundred boxes on the first day!”

Shi Bai felt a bit embarrassed hearing this, scratching his head. “Really?”

The criminal’s face lit up with excitement as he continued, “What I hate most are those unscrupulous merchants who will do anything for profit, with no morals or integrity. If I’d known you were the creator, I never would have taken this job!”

Hearing this, Shi Bai suddenly remembered what he wanted to ask. He darkened his expression, “Taking this job—are you saying you’re an assassin?”

“That’s right,” the criminal replied. “I’m ranked eighth on the Assassin List.”

“Assassin List?” Shi Bai was stunned. “This world has such a thing?”

“There is,” the criminal confirmed.

“What’s your name? Who hired you to kill me?”

“My name is Night Crow. As for who hired me, I don’t know. In our line of work, buyers’ identities are always kept confidential.”

“I see.” Shi Bai stroked his chin, “So the task isn’t completed. Think carefully—is there any clue that could reveal their identity?”

“Clue?” Night Crow fell into deep thought. After a while, he suddenly said, “Got it! I remember this matter is connected to a female host!”

“Female host?”

“Yes! She’s the one who hosted the martial arts tournament.”

Shi Bai’s mind flashed, “Right! She even gave me her business card before!”

He immediately recalled her, remembering she’d written that she was waiting for him at the LOLI Hotel.

Shi Bai narrowed his eyes, “Interesting, so it’s a honey trap?”

But he’d already thrown away the card and didn’t have her room number or phone.

Shi Bai thought for a moment, then summoned the system. “Custom task: Make Night Crow tell the truth.”

“Custom task successful. Task activated.”

Shi Bai raised his eyes to Night Crow, his voice serious. “Is your name really Night Crow?”

Night Crow paused, “Yes, my real name is Night Crow.”

“Who’s trying to kill me?”

“I don’t know. All I know is it’s connected to that female host.”

Shi Bai breathed a sigh of relief, satisfied. He untied Night Crow’s acupoints. “You may leave.”

Night Crow stared at Shi Bai for a moment, “No, let me help you get rid of your enemy.”

Shi Bai looked him over and shook his head. “No, I’d rather do it myself.” He paused. “That’s what makes it fun.”

Night Crow gazed at Shi Bai, a smile appearing in his eyes. He understood Shi Bai—this was the mindset only the strong possess. He wanted to embrace the challenge himself.

“Alright.” Night Crow pulled out a black card with a red X printed on it. “This is my contact info. If you need anything, call this number.”

Shi Bai accepted the card, trusting the man—after all, the system had tested him, so there was no reason to doubt.

“Alright, I’ll be off then.” Night Crow cupped his hands and Shi Bai escorted him to the door.

After Night Crow left, Shi Bai dialed Ye Rulong’s number; he needed the female host’s phone.

“Hello, Rulong—right, do you have the number for the female host from the last martial arts tournament?”

Ye Rulong was taken aback, “Master, why do you need her number?”

Shi Bai replied, “I have an important matter to investigate.”

“Oh? Could you tell me, so I can assist you?”

“No need,” Shi Bai said. “I’ll let you know when I need you.”

“Alright.” Ye Rulong quickly agreed.

Shi Bai hung up. Coincidentally, Ye Ying’er was beside Ye Rulong. Upon hearing that Shi Bai wanted to contact the female host, she felt inexplicably agitated.

“Grandfather, why does he want to see that woman?”

Ye Rulong frowned and shook his head, “I don’t know.”

“Could it be he’s interested in her?” Ye Rulong looked at Ye Ying’er, “What, are you jealous?”

Ye Ying’er quickly turned away, “Who… who would be jealous of him!” She stomped upstairs, but her mind sank.

About five minutes later, Ye Rulong sent the female host’s number to Shi Bai. Shi Bai memorized it and called her.

As the colorful ringtone played, a charming voice answered.

“Hello, who’s this?”

Shi Bai paused, “Hello.”

The female host hesitated, “Who are you?”

Shi Bai chuckled, “I’m Ye Xiaobai.”

“It’s you! Aren’t you…” The female host was clearly startled, needing a moment to collect herself before continuing, “What… what can I do for you?”

Shi Bai said, “Didn’t you give me your business card?”

“Business card? Oh! That… You… you want to come to the hotel to see me?”

Shi Bai’s lips curled into a mischievous smile, “That’s right.”

The female host considered, her tone suddenly coquettish, “Alright! When are you free?”

“Tonight.”

“Tonight!” she exclaimed, “Alright… alright! Come to room 8508 at the LOLI Hotel tonight, I’ll be waiting for you.”

“Good.” Shi Bai hung up, a wicked smile appearing. “This should be interesting.”

At eight o’clock that evening, Shi Bai arrived punctually at the LOLI Hotel—a five-star establishment with a fresh decor, the kind girls prefer.

Shi Bai entered, gave his room number, and was escorted upstairs by staff.

He looked around carefully and noticed that some people in the hotel had strange eyes. On closer inspection, he realized these weren’t staff—they were trained martial artists. Shi Bai took note; he was sure this visit wouldn’t be wasted.

Taking the elevator to room 8058, Shi Bai entered. A wave of powdery fragrance greeted him. The curtains, sheets, and decorations were all pink—clearly a woman’s room.

The female host wore a white spaghetti-strap dress, her long hair cascading down, her tall figure casual yet seductive. “Oh, Mr. Ye! Please, come in.”

The attendant closed the door. Shi Bai smiled slightly as he walked in. He knew this was a trap, so he’d activated a task beforehand—not only to guarantee his safety, but also let Master Qiao possess him.

And he guessed right: besides Shi Bai and the female host, eight others were hiding in the room.

These eight were the top experts of the ancient city, concealed under the bed, in closets, behind curtains, and in every possible hiding spot, ready to strike.

The female host smiled, pulling Shi Bai’s hand to sit at a small table, where food and wine were already prepared. She poured him a cup.

“Mr. Xiaobai, you truly are a prodigy. Your performance at the martial arts tournament was simply dazzling!”

Her eyes sparkled with charm as she handed Shi Bai the wine. “Sir, please drink this cup with me!”

As she handed it over, her fingernail discreetly dipped into the wine. Others wouldn’t notice, but that touch introduced the deadliest cyanide known—fatal upon ingestion.

Shi Bai looked at her, not taking the cup immediately. The female host’s heart began to pound wildly. “Did he notice?”

Her hand holding the cup trembled as she prepared to lower it, but Shi Bai grasped her hand and took the wine. “Alright.”

The female host breathed a sigh of relief, though a wave of greater anxiety washed over her.

“Will he drink it?”