Absolute VOID
Chapter 54: New Mission (2)

Chapter 54: Chapter 54: New Mission (2)

Chapter 54: New Mission (2)

Li Fei studied him for a moment, then snapped her fingers, the sound crisp in the quiet room. The maid, who had lingered near the door, moved, retrieving a thin file from the desk and handing it to Lin Mu. Her fingers brushed his briefly, cool and fleeting, before she stepped back into the shadows.

’ A file? There’s something inside.’

"What’s this?" Lin Mu asked, his voice steady as he flipped open the file, his eyes scanning the neatly typed documents within and landing on one that said the words: Tian Jiang Academy, stood out in bold, followed by his name and a registration number.

Li Fei leaned forward, her elbows resting on the desk, her fingers steepled. " That’s your academy documents." she said, her tone matter-of-fact. "I’ve enrolled you at Tian Jiang Academy. I need you to do something for me there."

’ Looks like she’s serious about helping me move up. but this is a bit too quick if you ask me, just what is she planning this time.’

Lin Mu’s brow furrowed, but he kept his composure, his fingers tightening slightly on the file. "And what exactly do you need me to do?"

" I’m glad you’re enrolling me in such a prestigious academy but, I’m not dumb enough to believe that’s the only reason you had me enrolled." he said, his voice calm but edged with curiosity.

" Hahahaha, still as bold as ever aren’t you." Li Fei leaned back, her luscious lips breaking into an enchanting smirk.

"I have reason to believe an organization is using certain individuals within the academy for purposes I’d rather not disclose just yet," she said, her words deliberate, each one chosen with care.

"It’s a delicate matter, one that involves students with... complicated backgrounds. Some come from families with influence, others with secrets I haven’t quite figured out yet. I need someone who can blend in, someone who won’t draw attention... for example, a nobody like you for instance."

" With no remarkable abilities, just another student fighting to graduate as a pedigree hero and someone I can be sure I have no reason to worry about their betrayal."

’ After all... Your backgrounds clean enough. And even if you did try to, you wouldn’t be able to get far anyways.’

Lin Mu’s lips twitched, a wry smile breaking through his stoic facade. "So, you want to use me as a lab rat," he said, his tone dry but pointed, cutting through her carefully worded explanation.

’ Not like I haven’t been one before though.’

He wasn’t offended, not really. Li Fei’s blunt pragmatism was part of why he found her easy to be around since he felt as if it was easier to live with a dark queen who didn’t hide her intent than an innocent looking wolf in sheep’s skin—but that didn’t mean he was about to let her dress it up as anything noble.

She didn’t flinch, though a spark of amusement flickered in her eyes. "Call it what you want," she said, waving a hand dismissively. "You’re uniquely suited for this. You’re resourceful, discreet, and you don’t carry the baggage of a prominent name. That’s what I need."

’ I think I’m gonna start hating that word, need, after this...’

Lin Mu leaned back in his chair, the leather creaking softly under his weight, and considered her words. The idea of infiltrating an academy crawling with prodigies and hidden agendas wasn’t exactly appealing, especially after the still lingering trials of the Broken Star dimension: Bloody red desert.

’ Hate the fact that she’s acting like I’m expendable.’

’ But getting into the academy has it’s own benefits. If I can secure a scholarship before completing her task, then I’ll definitely be able to graduate as a pedigree hero from a famous academy.’

’ With that type of title, I’d like to see which idiot would dare mess with me again.’

The opportunity to prove himself, to carve out a place in a world that often overlooked him, stirred something deep within.

He tapped the file against his knee, his mind already weighing the risks and rewards. "I’ll do it," he said finally, his voice steady, catching a flicker of surprise in Li Fei’s expression. "But since you’ve already signed me up for this death mission without asking, I’ll need some compensation."

" After all, shouldn’t a teacher do everything within their power to better foster their student." He said with a grin.

’ One thing I’ve learned in life is that if you can do anything great, never do it for free.’

’ it wouldn’t hurt to ask for some compensation. After all, she did happen to interrupt my beauty sleep.’ he covered his yawning mouth with his hand.

Li Fei’s brows arched, her lips curving into a faint, ominous smile. " I said I liked your boldness but that doesn’t mean I appreciate someone who tries to swallow more than he can chew" she said, her tone carrying a trace of respect. "Nevertheless... tell me what is it you want, After all, I can’t have people thinking my students some cheap, common peasant."

Lin Mu didn’t hesitate nor did he dislike her words, because to him, that was music to his ears! His eyes locking onto hers with a quiet intensity. "Premium-grade monster meat," he said, his voice firm. "Enough to make it worth my while."

The room fell silent, the faint crackle of the incense burner the only sound.

’ Well that’s intriguing... What could he want monster meat for, could it be related to his abilities in any way...’ Li Fei studied him, her expression unreadable, as if weighing his request against some internal calculus.

Finally, she nodded, a slow, deliberate motion. "Done," she said simply, her voice carrying the weight of a promise. "You’ll have what you need in due time. But i would appreciate it if you took this mission seriously... Just so you know, if you get into trouble during this mission, I might not always be able to save you depending on how severe the situation is."

’ The greater the risk, the greater the gains. I’m not about to step out now.’

" Understood! Just leave it to me."

Lin Mu rose, tucking the file under his arm, his mind already thinking about how his cultivation would soar after this.