Netherworld Retrograde

27: Chapter 13 Be Wary of Those Who Carry Umbrellas on Clear Days_2 27: Chapter 13 Be Wary of Those Who Carry Umbrellas on Clear Days_2 Cheese nodded in agreement—Li Yelai indeed saved her life.

“Being able to kill Sufferers and Void Realm Creatures on one’s first Awakening is indeed rare and powerful, but one mustn’t be arrogant or take such risks.

I have seen too many talented Spiritual Ability Users sink in the gutter…

Instead, it’s those like me, with mediocre talent, who survive.

Caution is critical!”

‘Had I not seen that battle just now, I might have believed you,’ Li Yelai thought to himself.

Yang Chen picked up a case and opened it, pulling out a Crimson Long Sword.

It was Li Yelai’s Spiritual Ability Equipment.

“I heard you’re about to take on a private job.

I don’t object, since it’s your personal matter.

The Processing Department neither refuses nor advocates for it, so we won’t arrange support or logistics for you.

Just in case, you should take this Spiritual Ability Equipment with you,” Yang Chen replied.

“Is such a weapon necessary for just a private job?” Li Yelai was slightly taken aback, having prepared a Jet Axe, which he thought should suffice.

According to the detective, it was a private family matter, and Li Yelai was merely taking on the job as a detective’s assistant to earn some extra money.

“You never know.

I once took a private job to investigate a jewelry theft, only to unexpectedly encounter a Second Awakening Sufferer.

I ended up fleeing with my tail between my legs,” Yang Chen commented, “It’s always good to be cautious.”

As he spoke, he handed the Crimson Long Sword to Li Yelai, “Now try out this Spiritual Ability Equipment and hone your skills with it.”

Li Yelai nodded, took the Crimson Long Sword, and asked, “How do I use this ability?

There doesn’t seem to be a button…”

“Channel your Spiritual Energy into the weapon, and then you’ll understand,” Cheese reminded him, “Since you managed to master the Spiritual Barrier and Aerial Stepping so quickly, this shouldn’t be too hard.”

‘Actually, it’s still pretty tough,’ Li Yelai thought to himself.

The reason he had mastered the Spiritual Barrier and Aerial Stepping on the first try and even rapidly improved his combat skills was entirely due to Xiang Yu’s Battlefield Illusion, which immersed Li Yelai and greatly accelerated his learning.

Overlord Xiang Yu had no Spiritual Ability Equipment, probably because it had not been developed in his era.

Now, he could only rely on his own understanding.

Li Yelai calmed himself and followed Cheese’s instructions, feeling his own Soul Well.

A few minutes later, he faintly sensed a force emanating from the Spiritual Power Well.

That was the Spiritual Energy.

Humans unlock the Spiritual Power Well and gain power from the Void Realm.

Next, Li Yelai channeled the Spiritual Energy into the weapon and suddenly felt the weapon become an extension of his limb, becoming more intuitive to use.

“Good, now harness the power of the Spiritual Ability Equipment and monitor its energy consumption,” Cheese’s voice came from nearby.

Li Yelai nodded his head.

The next second, several eyeballs moved on the Crimson Long Sword.

Both Cheese and Yang Chen’s gaze shifted slightly.

Because, for a fraction of a second, Li Yelai vanished from their sight.

“Visual disruption!” Yang Chen acknowledged, “What’s the consumption like?”

Feeling his Spiritual Energy, Li Yelai answered, “About five percent.

That means I can only use it twenty times before my Spiritual Energy is depleted.”

“That’s normal; Spiritual Ability Equipment uses someone else’s powers, so the consumption is higher.

Also, this doesn’t count the consumption of your face mask and Spiritual Barrier,” Yang Chen replied, “Now use your abilities and calculate the duration.

Figure out how long you can last in combat.”

Li Yelai nodded and then left the office for the spacious training room to prevent Calamity from strike by chance.

Then, he activated the Overlord Face…

An hour later, Li Yelai had a more detailed data on his abilities.

The Wanxiang Face Mask consumed 1% per minute.

When attacked, the triggered Spiritual Barrier consumed between 1% to 5%, based on the strength of the Barrier Li Yelai had reinforced.

Using the Spiritual Ability Equipment’s visual disruption once consumed 5%.

Even if continuously attacked and activating the Spiritual Barrier, Li Yelai’s face mask could last about half an hour.

The restoration of Spiritual Energy, generally, requires the Spiritual Ability Users to rest or meditate.

Recovering Spiritual Energy in combat is a highly difficult technique and not very efficient.

After obtaining this data, Li Yelai and others began to consider how to conceal the Crimson Long Sword.

“Don’t we Spiritual Ability Users have something like a Storage Ring?” Li Yelai asked, “Captain, how did you secretly carry it out?”

“Well…

after the Fifth Awakening, a Spiritual Ability User can toss their Spiritual Ability Equipment into their own Soul Well and pull it out when needed,” Yang Chen replied, “You can’t do that now.”

“Such a long weapon…

wouldn’t even fit on the map of Yan Country, right?” Cheese also mocked.

Three people squatted in the corner, intensely observing the Crimson Long Sword, discussing how to have Li Yelai carry the long sword overtly while doing his task.

At that moment, a person dressed in a panda doll suit passed by the training room and approached them after seeing the three.

That was “Doll,” a powerful Spiritual Ability User.

It was said that he was the strongest Processor at the East City Branch.

But his terrible curse made everyone who saw “Doll’s” true face feel infected by fear.

The voice that came from “Doll’s” mouth was enough to drive one to madness.

Thus, he could only wear the doll suit every day, not allowing the outside world to see any skin and not uttering any words.

Communication was entirely reliant on typing Spiritual Ability Techniques; reportedly, he typed extremely fast.

Usually stationed at the branch, he was highly active in forums and group chats.

It wasn’t that he was a chatterbox, but rather he was too lonely.

And Li Yelai was suspicious that his own sister’s curse was similar to “Doll’s.”

“Doll” was someone an outsider could not look directly at, as if facing a flood or fierce beast, a source of fear.

His sister, on the other hand, could not directly look at outsiders, as if everyone was a flood or fierce beast.

One couldn’t be looked at directly, the other couldn’t look directly at others.

They were two extreme results of a curse.

At this time, “Doll” picked up a signboard, and text appeared on it.

[What are you guys up to?

Bring me along!

(ノ￣▽￣)]

“Doll, we’re discussing how to properly hide this thing,” Cheese responded.

“Do you have any ideas?”

Despite the curse that made it difficult for people to interact directly with “Doll,” people were very friendly towards him.

“Doll” first showed surprise [This big??!!!∑(ﾟДﾟノ)ノ Can’t the branch just transport it when needed?]

Then, understanding the situation, the panda doll immediately crossed its arms, and the signboard displayed words.

[I have an idea (^_−)☆]

…

Half an hour later, in an apartment in the Old City District.

Wearing pajamas and with disheveled hair, Li Yunyan looked at the door where Li Yelai was lost in thought.

“Big brother…

are you setting up a stall?” Li Yunyan tried to ask.

At that moment, Li Yelai had a backpack on his back and was carrying a Big Black Umbrella.

His look was indeed quite strange.

Yes, this was the idea “Doll” had mentioned—hiding the Crimson Long Sword inside the sunshade.

Honestly, it was a method; indeed, street vendors did just that.

However, Li Yelai couldn’t always be carrying a Big Black Umbrella, could he?

Li Yelai mocked internally, but he didn’t have any better ideas.

After returning home, he contacted the Detective.

“Detective, I’m almost ready, when do we start the private job?”

“Tomorrow, I will come to pick you up.

Then, we can just go to the dinner party together,” the Detective replied.

“Oh, the employer is a bit particular, so I’ve prepared a suit for you as a gift.”

“Uh…

it might not match well,” Li Yelai glanced at the Big Black Umbrella and hesitated for a while.

“Don’t worry, I’ve estimated your height and weight.

It will fit perfectly!” the Detective confidently assured.

Thus, the next day.

When they saw a tall and handsome man in a suit holding a pitch-black large umbrella standing by the roadside.

The Detective gasped deeply.

And his employer, a senior but physically strong old butler, upon seeing Li Yelai’s attire, was even more startled and horrified.

He inexplicably remembered the Family Head’s caution.

‘Be wary of anyone carrying an umbrella on a clear day!’