Chapter Twenty-Eight: Clubs and Extraordinary Organizations

In the dark of night, the waiter’s figure stood out starkly against the environment. He led Chen Qing southward, guiding him into a narrow alley reeking of filth, the stench of waste mingling with alcohol, moss growing so thick that it crept into the center of the path.

“This isn’t the address,” Chen Qing halted at the alley’s entrance, gazing at the man before him whose back was turned. At this proximity, the man’s cologne did its best to mask the surrounding chaos.

He bowed slightly, a trace of apology on his face. “Forgive me, sir. I didn’t expect the entrance to open here this time.” He removed his hat in greeting, every movement precise and meticulous.

Chen Qing frowned, parted his lips to speak, but after a moment’s hesitation swallowed his words. “Never mind. Let’s go.” Pressing a hand to his forehead, he was about to step forward when he noticed the man hadn’t moved at all, despite Chen Qing’s signal to proceed.

Still standing, the waiter turned, smiling gently, hat held level against his chest, and spoke politely. “Sir, to prevent conflict and accidents, please refrain from using any investigative or prying artifacts once inside the club. Also, do not inquire into the identities or tasks of other guests. In the club, any act probing another’s identity is considered a declaration of war. Afterward, any casualties between parties are outside the club’s management. Additionally, do not use artifacts to investigate the club’s entrance, bulletin board, staff, butlers, or managers. Violation will be deemed a declaration of war.”

Chen Qing frowned, the vertical pupil beneath his forehead quietly closing. He regarded the man with curiosity. “Why are you telling me all this?”

The man smiled, ever courteous. “Serving you and answering your questions is my duty. Especially for newcomers such as yourself.”

Chen Qing’s body stiffened. Had he been exposed? Was it his earlier question? “Rest assured,” the waiter said, turning calmly to explain, “As club staff, I have certain privileges. Besides, you haven’t registered here before, so I know who you are.”

Chen Qing nodded, though something still felt off. But he couldn’t keep the waiter here to answer questions any longer. With that, the pair walked to the alley’s end.

The waiter reached out and tapped the wall twice, then—without waiting for a response—stepped straight through it. Chen Qing hesitated, but then followed, finding no resistance as he passed through. His vision was obscured for an instant, then he emerged into a dazzling, bizarre world.

He stood before a door, facing a hall lit by countless neon lights, their glow illuminating only parts of the space. The center was brightest, the lights focused there, but the circle of radiance seemed confined, unable to spread outward.

Just outside that circle, mere centimeters away, lay an abyss. Chen Qing didn’t ponder its depth; his sight alone could discern hundreds of meters. Beyond the circle, innumerable round booths spread out, some so dark they seemed erased from existence—a void, a black hole. The unoccupied booths revealed their contents: long sofas, bottles of liquor, a few cigars, untouched for ages.

Beyond these booths, a standing-only dance floor throbbed with energy. The people there danced with wild abandon, moving frantically to the beat.

Chen Qing focused, quickly spotting his previous targets. Just then, a hand landed quietly on his shoulder. Alarmed, he tensed, ready to counter, but the hand withdrew instantly.

“Sir? I’ve called you several times now.”

He turned to find the same waiter behind him. “Are you still serving me?” Chen Qing asked, surprised.

“Yes, sir.” Smiling, the waiter half-bowed and drew aside the curtain to a private booth.

Inside were several young women, bottles of liquor, and boxes of contraceptives. Chen Qing frowned, questioning the waiter, “Are they part of the task handover?”

The waiter shook his head. “They belong to you.”

“Send the unnecessary people out first,” Chen Qing said, already noting the girls inside striking seductive poses.

“Understood. Prioritizing your needs.” The waiter clapped his hands, and the girls departed through the back door, disappointment showing in their faces.

Once they’d gone, Chen Qing and the waiter entered the booth together. Faint sandalwood incense lingered in the corners.

The waiter pulled out a table, revealing a desk covered in information. “Let me introduce myself, sir. I am your butler and club liaison. You may call me ‘Karans,’ or use any name you prefer. From today onward, all your activities in the club will be handled through me. Please, introduce yourself.”

Chen Qing hesitated, then asked, “Will you be responsible for only me from now on?”

Karans nodded. “Whenever you need to communicate, simply call for me. Unless you are in the back rooms, I will reach you within twenty seconds, so long as you are in the material world.”

“You’ll follow me everywhere?” Chen Qing frowned.

“Yes. From today, I am assigned solely to you.”

“To monitor me for the club?”

“No, to monitor the club for you.”

He stood, bowing respectfully, his tone solemn. “Please provide your name.”

The excessive reverence made Chen Qing uncomfortable. “Chen Qing.”

“Please provide a unique trait of yours.”

Perplexed, Chen Qing listened as Karans explained, “Your voice, iris, fingerprint, or an artifact that will never leave you except through death.”

“These can all be forged,” Chen Qing objected.

“Rest assured,” Karans smiled, extending his hand.

“How am I supposed to give it to you?”

“Just place your hand here.”

Chen Qing did so. Instantly, information about an artifact flooded his mind.

“F-Class Artifact—Unwavering Loyalty.
Once used, the contracted party is completely controlled by the master.
The user is the contracted party; upon contact, the master is established.
Conditions: None.”

He paused, realizing the contract had already formed. Now he understood why Karans claimed to monitor the club for him. With a mere thought, Chen Qing could end Karans’ existence.

Looking at Karans, Chen Qing asked, “Was your founder mentally unstable? Why assign butlers to every guest?”

Karans shook his head, smiling as he explained, “Our founder trained as a butler. He built connections through this method. We—his gifts to the guests—are simply extensions of his intent.”

Chen Qing sighed, then nodded once he understood. “I won’t find you a place to stay.”

“Don’t worry. The club will arrange everything before I settle in.”

He asked, “Will you answer every question I ask?”

Karans shook his head. “I can only respond within my service permissions.”

“Fine.” Chen Qing nodded. “Answer as thoroughly as you can. If it’s outside your permissions, just remain silent.”

He gestured outside. “The center, booths, dance floor—do they represent hierarchy?”

“Yes, but it also relates to identity.”

“And here?”

“Between the booths and the center.”

He was silent for a moment. “Are there ordinary people here? People who know about artifacts, back rooms, supernatural powers?”

“Yes, and many of them. Those three girls earlier, for instance.”

“And the dance floor?”

“Mostly ordinary people. Investigators rarely have time for mundane tasks, so they commission ordinary people to complete them.”

“I noticed a term—artifact. How did you start using that word?”

“Oh?” Karans seemed surprised. “A cadre from the Church of Divine Grace provided it. She pushed for the change in terminology and left a message.”

“What message?”

‘You owe me two favors.’

“To whom did she say it?”

Karans shook his head. “I don’t know. She said it to everyone, but added, ‘Those who know, will know.’”

Chen Qing pinched his brow. Yes, he already knew. The speaker was himself—there was only he who used that term, and only she who knew that those who used it were the target. She had indirectly helped him conceal his identity—but why?

“What is the Church of Divine Grace?”

Karans appeared puzzled, but his professionalism prevailed. “A church founded by investigators, extraordinary beings, even entities. Their organization is formidable. In the same cohort, there’s the Foundation, the Human Life Alliance, the Taoist Tribunal, and the club itself. Except for the Taoist Tribunal, who rarely appear, all the others frequently interact.”

“Oh, but don’t worry,” he hastened to add. “Organizations among investigators are quite pure. If you commit murder or robbery, they won’t seek revenge, at most reclaiming artifacts and knowledge. The only ones who truly want vengeance are your intended victims.”