376-380

Chapter 376: Housewarming Party  

In Hollywood, only the top-tier superstars reside in Beverly Hills.  

This may be a marketing strategy for Beverly Hills, but it's undeniable that with Hollywood megastars, world-famous celebrities, and powerful tycoons moving in, Beverly Hills has inevitably become a symbol of wealth and status.  

The real estate prices in Beverly Hills aren’t cheap, but for Allen, that’s no longer a concern.  

After all, the royalties from his movie copyrights alone generate nearly ten million dollars in annual revenue.  

Not to mention the numerous sequels to Paranormal Activity, which are expected to continue bringing Allen incredible wealth in the near future.  

Of course, that’s just the surface-level income.  

In reality, as his scripts continue to materialize and the World Evolution Rate keeps increasing, it’s only a matter of time before Allen truly becomes what his characters describe—the actual creator of this world.  

As a legitimate "creator," living in a Beverly Hills mansion doesn’t seem like an unreasonable choice.  

"Speaking of which…"  

Suppressing the emotions in his eyes, Ron Meyer glanced at Allen beside him, probing with a joking tone.  

"I have to admit, Allen, I’m a little hurt."  

"I thought that, given our working relationship, I would definitely be invited to your housewarming party. But if James Wan hadn’t casually mentioned that he was invited, I wouldn’t even have known about this event."  

If it were someone else, they might have felt uneasy facing Ron Meyer’s complaint.  

However, Allen clearly wasn’t too concerned.  

After all, when it came to his collaboration with Universal, it was now Universal that needed him more than he needed them.  

That was precisely why, upon hearing about Allen’s party, Ron Meyer shamelessly showed up on his own.  

At the end of the day, it all boiled down to one thing—Allen could help Universal make serious box office money.  

Friendship might exist in Hollywood, but business interests always come first.  

That was also why, despite not making much effort to cultivate relationships, Allen still received enthusiastic RSVPs from numerous Hollywood stars once the invitations were sent out.  

"Of course, you’re my friend, Ron."  

"I just thought that, with your recent movie projects, you wouldn’t have time for a party, so I…"  

The moment Allen brought up movies, a bitter smile unconsciously appeared on Ron Meyer’s face.  

Despite his efforts in board meetings to explain that The Witch 2’s failure wasn’t his fault, as the film’s executive producer, he still took a hit.  

The biggest blow? His once-promising path to the CEO position was now out of reach—at least in the short term. Even worse, his current Vice President role seemed to be on shaky ground.  

Feeling his position slipping, Ron Meyer was eager to solidify his relationship with Allen.  

As long as their partnership remained strong, he could at least stabilize his career for the time being.  

So, regardless of whether Allen’s explanation was genuine or not, it was comforting enough for Ron Meyer.  

If it weren’t for the party’s lighthearted atmosphere being unsuitable for business discussions, Ron Meyer would have already inquired about Allen’s film projects for the year.  

Ever since Heroes Gone Rogue, Allen hadn’t released a new movie for several months.  

For other directors, that wouldn’t be unusual.  

After all, making a film isn’t a simple process. Some directors take a year or two to complete a project, and in extreme cases, even three or four years. Of course, someone like James Cameron, even by Hollywood standards, is an outlier.  

But when it came to Allen, things were different.  

Given his track record, finishing a movie in a week or two was normal for him.  

Critics may have disliked his rapid shooting style, but studios absolutely loved it.  

Especially since his films were not only fast to produce but also box office gold.  

And now, this fast-shooting, money-making director hadn’t released anything new in nearly half a year.  

Naturally, Ron Meyer was getting anxious.  

Or rather, before The Witch 2, he might not have been so on edge. But after its box office flop, he became even more desperate to see a new Allen film—one that could save Universal, or, more bluntly, save his career.  

Ron Meyer wasn’t in the best situation.  

But as someone who had climbed his way through Hollywood, he at least had a good sense of timing.  

He knew this wasn’t the best moment to bring up work.  

So, he forcefully suppressed his urge to ask and maintained a composed demeanor, standing beside Allen in the luxurious garden of his Beverly Hills mansion, overlooking the famous Sunset Boulevard as they chatted.  

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Ron Meyer noticed Tom Cruise approaching with a smile. He immediately stopped talking, and as if remembering something, he leaned in to quietly warn Allen.  

"Tom Cruise doesn’t exactly have the best reputation in Hollywood. If possible, don’t get too involved with him. After all…"  

Ron Meyer trailed off, but Allen already understood what he meant.  

The United States prides itself on freedom of speech and religion, but in reality, things aren’t as ideal as they claim.  

Tom Cruise’s association with Scientology was controversial, even within Hollywood.  

However, Ron Meyer had no idea that, in terms of actual influence and power, Cruise’s Scientology was nothing compared to Allen.  

While Scientology took decades to cultivate a single representative figure like Cruise, Allen’s screenplays could instantly reshape the world.  

Chapter 377: Creating a New Show  

"I hope I'm not interrupting."  

Holding a wine glass, he walked over with a bright smile directed at Allen.  

Tom Cruise watched as Ron Meyer walked away, then smiled and spoke.  

Shifting his gaze away from the Universal Vice President, Allen turned to look at Tom Cruise.  

To be honest, Allen was a bit surprised that Tom Cruise had come to this housewarming party.  

After all, their relationship wasn’t particularly close. Their only real interaction had been at the recent Academy Awards ceremony.  

So, for Tom Cruise to attend the party, he clearly had another motive.  

Meeting Allen’s gaze, Tom Cruise maintained his signature smile. "Perhaps you've heard quite a bit about me and Scientology in Hollywood. But don’t worry, Director Allen, I’m not here to persuade you to join Scientology."  

Tom Cruise was obviously aware of the rumors surrounding him. He made a lighthearted, self-deprecating remark to ease the tension.  

Anyone who manages to become a superstar in Hollywood is clearly not a fool.  

Especially someone like Tom Cruise, who has remained at the top for decades—without intelligence, he would have been devoured by Hollywood’s ruthless entertainment industry long ago. Instead, he continues to thrive.  

In reality, his connection with Scientology wasn’t as mysterious as the rumors suggested.  

Simply put, their relationship was one of mutual benefit.  

Scientology needed his fame to expand its influence and attract more followers and financial support, while Tom Cruise leveraged the church’s resources to safeguard his acting career.  

In the U.S., a publicly recognized "for-profit religious organization" inevitably has backing from both capital and politics. And that was exactly what Tom Cruise needed. Besides, Scientology had many devoted followers in Hollywood, including well-known directors and actors—Tom Cruise just happened to be the most visible among them.  

As Tom Cruise himself said, he wasn’t there to recruit Allen into Scientology.  

There were already plenty of Hollywood celebrities who followed Scientology, though they weren’t always public about it.  

The real reason Tom Cruise approached Allen was to invite him to direct a project for United Artists.  

Beyond being a Hollywood superstar, Tom Cruise had also invested heavily in film production.  

In 2006, he and his business partner bought United Artists from MGM and had been trying to develop films independently ever since.  

However, the Hollywood landscape was dominated by major studios.  

While they welcomed Tom Cruise as an actor, they weren’t so accepting of United Artists as a competitor.  

Even a legendary director like Steven Spielberg saw his DreamWorks studio crushed by the industry giants.  

Hollywood’s major studios might compete against each other, but when it came to up-and-coming production companies, they had an unspoken agreement to suppress them.  

After a brief conversation, Allen made it clear that he had no interest in joining United Artists at the moment.  

Tom Cruise didn’t seem too disappointed—perhaps Allen wasn’t the first director to turn down his invitation after the acquisition.  

With a smile, he left a polite remark about future collaboration, then walked off with his empty wine glass toward another guest at the party.  

His destination? James Wan.  

The Next Day at the Beverly Hills Mansion  

As the party’s excitement faded, all that remained was a mess of trash.  

Fortunately, Beverly Hills, known for its affluent residents, had a top-tier housekeeping service.  

Allen didn’t have to lift a finger. One phone call, and a professional cleaning team arrived to restore the house to its pristine condition.  

By the afternoon, when Allen returned with Voodoo Doll, the house looked as good as new—there wasn’t a single trace of the previous night’s festivities.  

Over the next few days, he fully indulged in the luxuries of capitalist society.  

Only then did he remember his other identity. Taking out Clockwork, he casually picked a room in his mansion and entered the "Clockwork Space."  

With the existence of this space, he no longer had to worry about being disturbed while writing his scripts.  

Inside this room filled with constantly turning gears and ticking mechanisms, he began drafting his next screenplay.  

Screenplay #13: Exorcism  

Plot Summary:  

The Haitian Voodoo Festival incident ultimately ended with a successful mission by the BSI squad.  

However, this was just the tip of the iceberg. The darkness had never truly faded—on the contrary, it was on the brink of resurgence. Everything so far had merely delayed its rise, but nothing could stop it completely.  

Bangkok, Thailand.  

The western part of the city—Chinatown—is one of the most bustling commercial districts. Its scale and prosperity make it the most prominent Chinatown in Southeast Asia.  

This authentic "Chinese Town" spans approximately two kilometers and stands in the western part of Bangkok, connected by numerous alleys. As one of the city's oldest districts, it has a history of nearly 200 years. Though the buildings are old, the commercial scene is thriving, and most of the business owners are Chinese or of Chinese descent.  

It is said that many successful Chinese immigrants have moved away, integrating into mainstream Thai society.  

Taoist priest Lin Jiuying receives a message from an old friend he hasn’t seen in decades and travels to Bangkok’s Chinatown.  

But what awaits him there is...  

Bangkok, Thailand.  

This was a location Allen had previously unlocked using the Random Evolution Location Card.  

For a while, he had been thinking about how to incorporate this setting into his new screenplay.  

While browsing through his system’s inventory, he stumbled upon several character cards he had obtained long ago.  

For example, the Lin Jiuying character card had been sitting unused since he first acquired it.  

To be fair, this wasn’t entirely Allen’s fault.  

His screenplay London Zombies had been an experimental project from the start. At the time, he had deliberately created a genre-blending script to test the World Evolution Rate feature.  

In his later scripts, due to the settings of those worlds, there had never been an opportunity to include Lin Jiuying.  

It wasn’t until the Random Evolution Location Card assigned him Southeast Asia—Thailand—that he finally remembered Lin Jiuying.  

Chapter 378: Challenge: Night of Ghosts  

With a mindset of “why not make use of it,” the perpetually disconnected [Lin Jiuying] became a character in the new script Exorcism.  

Since the script’s setting was in Bangkok, Thailand, it was clear that a purely Chinese-style evolution wouldn’t work.  

After spending a few days studying local Thai culture, Allen barely managed to put together a script.  

However, due to his limited knowledge of Thailand, he had to adopt the same approach as his previous script Strange Pool. That meant designing only a rough background plot while letting the participants drive the story forward. Meanwhile, he would act as the mastermind behind the scenes, watching everything unfold.  

Only when the plot deviated from his expectations would he use Plot Points to make adjustments.  

“Phew~”  

After spending days refining the script and double-checking for major issues, Allen finally moved on to the next phase: preparing materials.  

Shifting his gaze from the system’s script panel, Allen began filling the script with necessary materials:  

• Material 1: Buddha Statue — 100,000 Plot Points  

• Material 2: Red Bellyband — 30,000 Plot Points  

• Material 3: Camera — 30,000 Plot Points  

• Material 4: Buddha Amulet — 35,000 Plot Points  

• Material 5: Car Keys — 15,000 Plot Points  

• Material 6: Torture Instruments — 55,000 Plot Points 

Looking at the list of materials displayed on the system panel, Allen remained expressionless. Without hesitation, he retrieved the [Lin Jiuying] card from his inventory and inserted it into the system.  

After a brief moment of consideration, he also added another [Black Iron] card.  

At this point, Black Iron cards had little value to him. Rather than letting them gather dust in his inventory, he figured he might as well put them to good use in the script.  

Besides, since [Lin Jiuying] was already part of the story, it wouldn’t feel right without a troublemaking, unlucky disciple to stir things up.  

Nodding to himself in justification, Allen proceeded.  

Just then, a familiar system prompt appeared:  

“Ding! Certain story elements extend beyond the predetermined plot and will require additional Plot Points for adaptation. Do you wish to continue?”  

As the script’s influence on reality grew, this kind of notification became more frequent.  

Ignoring the slightly messy formatting of the prompt, Allen confirmed without hesitation.  

“Ding! Materials verified. Generating the plot will require 450,000 Plot Points. Please select the evolution location!”  

Seeing the message on the system panel, Allen inserted a Random Evolution Location Card, which he had prepared in advance.  

“Selected evolution location: Bangkok!”  

“Ding! Evolution location confirmed. The total cost for this script evolution will be 850,000 Plot Points. Proceed with evolution?”  

Since the Random Evolution Location Card and character cards didn’t require additional Plot Points, Exorcism ended up costing even less than Allen’s previous script, Divination.  

Looking at the 850,000 Plot Points cost, Allen felt no particular emotion. After all, he had already spent over one or two million Plot Points on previous scripts. Compared to those, this felt like going from blockbuster production back to a low-budget project.  

Shaking off the odd sense of disparity, Allen reminded himself that Exorcism wasn’t actually “cheap.” The reduced Plot Points cost was merely a result of leveraging various cards, which cut expenses by nearly two-thirds.  

Understanding this, Allen no longer dwelled on the numbers and decisively issued the command:  

[Begin Evolution]  

…  

As Plot Points were consumed, an old general store appeared in Bangkok’s Chinatown, standing among tightly packed shops. Above the entrance, a faded sign clearly displayed the name Qian’s General Store.  

Inside a Buddhist temple in Bangkok, a gaunt-looking monk sat cross-legged on a cushion, his expression solemn.  

Meanwhile, on the internet, a promotional campaign for a show called Challenge: Night of Ghosts began to surface.  

…  

Challenge: Night of Ghosts 

A reality show like no other.  

No matter what your reason is—if you have the guts, come and join!  

The infamous Camp 17, once a brutal execution site where countless innocent prisoners were tortured to death, awaits. Participants must endure the eerie remnants of past suffering, facing the risk of provoking vengeful spirits while overcoming unprecedented terror.  

The last contestant standing—the only one who refuses to quit—will win a grand prize of 5 million.  

…  

This sudden appearance of Challenge: Night of Ghosts quickly ignited heated discussions across the Thai internet.  

Due to the strong influence of Theravāda Buddhism, Thai culture, literature, and architecture are deeply intertwined with spiritual beliefs. Naturally, many locals believe in the existence of ghosts.  

So when the show’s promotional material dropped, it instantly attracted a wave of attention.  

Things escalated further when eager netizens discovered that the filming location was none other than Camp 17, a place where over 10,000 prisoners were massacred in a single night in 1986. Since then, the site had been plagued by frequent unexplained deaths, fueling the legend of its haunting.  

Online discussions exploded:  

“This can’t be real, right?”  

“I looked it up—Camp 17 really did see over 10,000 prisoners brutally killed overnight in 1986. Ever since then, strange deaths have been reported there. Does the production crew not fear something happening during filming?”  

“That’s exactly why it’s going to be interesting! I’m so done with all those lame snake-handling reality shows. If ghosts are real, I want to see them for myself. Hopefully, this isn’t just a marketing gimmick and they actually film inside Camp 17.”  

“Five million in prize money… If I could, I’d sign up right now! Anyone know how to apply?”  

“Are you crazy? That place is literally a haunted death trap. If you see a ghost, forget the money—you won’t even have your life.”  

“Dude, I’m already broke and struggling to survive. What’s the point of life without money?”  

“I just called the show’s hotline. Turns out, it’s real! You can actually sign up… But I chickened out and didn’t register for Challenge: Night of Ghosts.”  

Chapter 379: The General Store  

"Come take a look! Don't miss out!"  

"Boss, how much is this?"  

"One hundred baht."  

"Sawasdee ka."  

Bangkok, Chinatown.  

A two-kilometer stretch filled with thousands of shops, their signs boldly displaying both Chinese and Thai characters. Jewelry stores, adorned with dazzling gold ornaments, and general stores stocked with an array of dried and fresh goods create an atmosphere rich with tradition and commerce.  

Among the countless shop signs, the gold shops stand out the most. On Yaowarat Road, spanning less than two kilometers, there are over a hundred gold stores. Their enormous signs tower over the street, while glass display cases gleam with gold jewelry and ornaments. According to statistics, nearly 70% of Bangkok’s gold shops are located in Chinatown.  

Inside these shops, gold ornaments are stacked in piles, almost like merchandise in a wholesale market. The sheer quantity creates an illusion that these valuable pieces are as common as toys.  

A man, head lowered, followed the flow of the Chao Phraya River, carefully weaving through the dense crowds of Chinatown. The mingling aromas of cured meats and medicinal herbs wafted from the surrounding stores, while the air was filled with a mix of Teochew dialects and the occasional Thai phrase.  

Navigating through the throngs of people, he passed by countless storefronts before finally stopping in front of a small general store. He looked up at the signboard and, though slightly faded, recognized the characters "Qian Ji." Letting out a sigh of relief, he stepped inside.  

The store was small, with various trinkets displayed at the entrance. As he entered, he noticed a tall, thin old man, likely in his sixties, with graying hair. The man was holding a radio, squinting as he hummed along to an old opera tune.  

"What are you looking for?" The old man, though squinting, didn’t miss a beat and quickly noticed the newcomer. "Are you here to buy something or to sell? Whatever you need, I have it."  

The man’s gaze swept around the store. There was nothing particularly remarkable, yet his sun-darkened face carried a hint of wariness. Only after glancing around cautiously did he reach into his pocket and pull out a Buddhist amulet, handing it to the old man. In Thai, he asked, "Boss, I heard you also buy things?"  

"A prince’s robe~ brings tears with every stroke~~"  

Click.  

The old man's sharp eyes flickered as he glanced at the amulet. Without hesitation, he turned off his radio and beckoned the man closer.  

Noticing the gesture, the man stepped forward. The old man extended his thin, bony fingers and took the amulet, then adjusted the reading glasses hanging around his neck and perched them on his nose. He examined the piece carefully.  

The amulet depicted a figure covering its face with both hands—Phra Pidta, also known as the "Covered Face Buddha." In Thailand, Phra Pidta amulets are widely known for their protective properties, believed to block misfortune and prevent negative energies from affecting the wearer’s mind and body.  

This particular amulet was crudely crafted, lacking the refined polish of higher-quality pieces. However, what it lacked in craftsmanship, it made up for in material—it was solid gold, and the gold content was considerable. Clearly, the original owner had some wealth to afford such an amulet. But how it ended up in this man's possession was another question entirely.  

The moment the man had taken out the amulet, the old man knew he wasn’t its original owner.  

Still, that didn’t stop him from buying it. The amulet’s past didn’t matter—what mattered was that it was now in his hands, and gold was in high demand.  

Despite his decision to acquire the piece, the old man kept a calm, neutral expression. He carefully examined the amulet, flipping it over a few times, and muttered in Thai, "This amulet's purity is a bit low. Looks like it was mixed with other materials during production, reducing its gold content. Also, see this scratch here? It might have already fulfilled its protective purpose. If it has, then it’s worth even less..."  

The old man deliberately spoke in Thai, making sure the man heard every word.  

As expected, upon hearing this, the man’s expression changed, a trace of anxiety flashing across his face.  

"That’s impossible! I checked when I got it—the gold content isn’t low! If it weren’t for—"  

Mid-sentence, the man suddenly stopped, as if realizing he had said too much. He quickly shut his mouth and stared at the old man, firm in his stance.  

"Regardless, if you don’t offer me 10,000 baht, I’m not selling. I know plenty of other shops that buy amulets."  

The man’s attempt at negotiation didn’t faze the old man. He continued examining the amulet, running his finger over the scratch on its surface before replying in a slow, measured tone.  

"Since you came to Old Qian, I won’t cheat you. I’ve been doing business in Chinatown for years, and I pride myself on honesty. This amulet, while not in the best condition, is quite old—not a recent piece. If it were in perfect shape, 10,000 baht wouldn’t be unreasonable. But this scratch..."  

"You must know that an amulet’s power lies in its ability to protect its wearer. Especially a Phra Pidta—it’s meant to shield its owner from misfortune. But this scratch suggests that it has already done its job once. An amulet that has absorbed disaster is far less effective."  

Pointing at the scratch, the old man shook his head, putting on a look of regret.  

"So, the most I can offer is 3,000 baht."  

"What?! 3,000 baht?!"  

The man was clearly unwilling to accept such a low price. He glanced at the amulet, especially the scratch on the Buddha’s figure, hesitation flickering in his eyes. But outwardly, he refused to back down.  

"No way. 3,000 baht is far too little. I need at least 9,000 baht."  

Hearing this, the old man knew he had a deal.  

Still, he played along, countering with a firm, "The highest I can go is 5,000 baht. That’s already a stretch—most people wouldn’t even buy a ‘used’ amulet."  

"8,000 baht. Sell it to me for 8,000 baht."  

"5,500. That’s my final offer."  

"7,500."  

"6,500."  

Back and forth they went, haggling intensely inside the tiny shop. Finally, they settled on 6,700 baht.  

With the price agreed upon, the old man grinned, revealing a few sparse teeth, and sighed dramatically. "Alright, alright. 6,700 baht it is. I guess I’m taking a loss on this one—but hey, I can’t let you leave empty-handed, can I?"  

Chapter 380: Arrival in Thailand  

“Haha! I made a profit! A big one!”  

Inside a small general store, an old man examined the Buddhist amulet in his hand, his face beaming with delight.  

Buying an aged Buddhist amulet for 6,700 baht was a clear win. Even without considering its condition, the gold value alone made it a lucrative deal.  

“Not bad, not bad. A great way to start the day.”  

“But… what’s with these scratches on the amulet?”  

Carefully, he placed the amulet into a wooden box beneath the counter. As his fingers brushed over the surface scratches, he only now realized something was off.  

“Ah, whatever. No need to overthink it—as long as I can make money.”  

Shaking his head, the old man quickly dismissed his concerns. He turned on the radio and hummed along to a tune.  

However, outside the store, beyond the old man's sight…  

A man stepped out, patting the thick stack of Thai baht in his pocket. But instead of excitement, his face showed nothing but relief.  

Finally… he was free from that amulet.  

Recalling his past experiences, the man shuddered involuntarily.  

Without a second glance at the store behind him—Qian’s General Store—he turned and hurried away from Chinatown.  

At Don Mueang International Airport, Thailand.  

Carrying several large bags, Ah Hao walked out of the airport. He glanced back at the security officers inside and then leaned toward Lin Jiuying, whispering,  

“Master, these Thai people are way more polite than those Westerners in London.”  

“They didn’t ask me a million questions like the Brits did. One of them even smiled at me.”  

“That’s because Thailand is a Buddhist country and has strong ties with China,” Lin Jiuying replied without even turning his head, carrying a small bag as they exited the airport.  

“Theravāda Buddhism focuses on self-liberation, but it still encourages kindness. Unlike those Westerners, who only care about money.”  

From his tone, it was clear that his time in London had left a sour impression. The Westerners at the auction house were so obsessed with money that they were willing to sell someone else’s ancestral relics—almost causing a disaster.  

“So, Master, which is stronger: Theravāda Buddhist teachings or your Daoist techniques?”  

Hearing this, Ah Hao adjusted the heavy luggage on his shoulders and slyly asked the question, pretending it was just casual curiosity.  

“Hm?”  

Lin Jiuying immediately stopped walking and turned to look at his disciple. Without hesitation, he declared,  

“Obviously, my Mao Shan Daoist techniques are superior. I can exorcise ghosts, subdue demons—every skill mastered! How could Theravāda Buddhism compare? At the very least, only a Mahāyāna Buddhist monk would be qualified to challenge my skills.”  

A hint of pride flashed across his face as he spoke of his expertise. However, he quickly composed himself and muttered a silent mantra.  

“Master, since your Daoist techniques are so powerful, do you have a spell that grants superhuman strength?”  

“Of course! My Mao Shan Sky-Supporting Mantra can—”  

Mid-sentence, Lin Jiuying noticed the eager look on his disciple’s face. His expression immediately hardened.  

“The Sky-Supporting Mantra may grant immense strength, but it won’t help you carry luggage. So, you’d better keep hauling those bags.”  

Ah Hao’s face fell instantly. Looking pitiful, he protested,  

“But Master, more than half of this luggage belongs to you!”  

“What? You don’t want to carry your Master’s belongings?”  

“No, of course not!”  

Knowing how petty his master could be, Ah Hao didn’t dare admit the truth. He shook his head rapidly and added,  

“I was just worried that I might accidentally damage your things. I thought a spell could help lighten the load.”  

“No need to worry. My luggage isn’t that valuable. A few bumps won’t hurt anything.”  

Reassuring his disciple, Lin Jiuying patted the small bag in his hand. “The important things are all with me.”  

Ah Hao glanced at the tiny bag his master was carrying, then at the mountain of luggage strapped to his own body. He sighed in resignation.  

“You always think ahead, Master.”  

“Of course.”  

Lin Jiuying nodded, then looked at his disciple with an amused expression. Finally, he reached out…  

“Master…”  

Seeing his master extending a hand, Ah Hao’s face lit up with gratitude.  

But before his emotions could fully settle, he watched as Lin Jiuying casually lifted the lightest bag from his shoulders.  

“Don’t say I never help you.”  

Strapping the small bag onto his back, Lin Jiuying spoke with a serious expression.  

“When I was your age, I carried over 50 kilograms of water every day to build my strength. That’s how I became as strong and skilled as I am today.”  

“…I understand, Master. It’s for my own good.”  

Since Lin Jiuying had already framed it as “training,” Ah Hao had no choice but to accept his fate.  

Struggling under at least 20 kilograms of luggage, he trudged out of the airport.  

As they stepped into the open air, the hot tropical breeze hit them like a wave.  

Ah Hao fanned his face with his hand, squinting against the blazing sun. While enduring the stifling heat, he turned to Lin Jiuying and asked,  

“Master, where’s your old friend?”  

At this question, Lin Jiuying frowned slightly.  

He scanned the crowd outside the airport but didn’t see the familiar face he was expecting. Doubt crept into his mind.  

A few days ago, he had received an urgent call from an old friend—someone he hadn’t seen in decades—requesting his help.  

Yet now that they had arrived in Thailand, the friend was nowhere to be found.  

“Master… could it be that you got scammed? I mean, it’s been decades since you last saw him.”  

After standing under the sun for several minutes, Ah Hao couldn’t help but voice his suspicion.  

“Impossible.”  

Lin Jiuying shook his head. Recalling the tone of his friend’s voice over the phone, he didn’t believe it was a lie.  

“Maybe something came up, and he was delayed. But it doesn’t matter—he already gave me the address when we last spoke.”  

“So where are we heading next, Master?”  

“Chinatown.”  

(End of Chapter)