Edited by Jules
As the air between Xiao Lan and Luo stagnated, the understanding Father Michael took the initiative to break the impasse.
They saw him gesture for the sweet-talking women around him to scatter.
Then, Father Michael refused their company as he left the pool on his own and headed to the changing rooms.
Xiao Lan had been paying attention to him the whole time. Seeing this, he put down the ice cream in his hand. “He left.”
Luo also put away his thoughts about this complicated human society.
The two acted as if they were done playing, and followed behind Father Michael into the changing rooms.
They tailed the priest up until the target swiped his card and entered a private VIP changing room.
Seeing this, Luo also took out his own card and entered the empty changing room next to his.
For the sake of convenience, Xiao Lan had previously stuffed his clothes into his storage space. Now, he changed into his clothes at the quickest speed; in passing, he also put on 【Emperor’s new clothes ver 2.0】.
Luo didn’t even need a second before he changed back into his usual three-piece suit.
Then, the two exited through the window, dialing their presence down to the absolute minimum before they silently observed the movements next door.
Father Michael was changing his clothes.
He was even singing as he changed. “Wu~ wuwuwu~~ wulala~~~~”
As he sang loudly, he also swung his hips, and the loose fat on his belly jiggled along as he danced.
Xiao Lan, who just happened to witness this scene: “…”
He couldn’t help but cover his eyes, suddenly feeling that they hurt and perhaps were about to go blind.
He slightly regretted wanting to come and peek at a vulgar, greasy man changing his clothes.
But very soon, Xiao Lan saw an even more astonishing scene.
Father Michael didn’t stop after taking off his swimming trunks.
The man reached up to the back of his neck with both hands and forcefully pulled the skin apart before taking off this entire human skin as well.
It was very tidily done, as if it was just a piece of clothing.
Xiao Lan: “!”
He restrained the urge to blurt out ‘fuck me’, and continued watching.
Father Michael still had a human form after shedding his skin, but his body was covered with a layer of scarlet scales. From afar, he looked like a muscle figure with no skin, but that had no impact on how big his belly was.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
A long tongue even stretched out of his mouth, its tip forked like a lizard’s.
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Xiao Lan felt that this mission of his wasn’t as simple as it seemed.
On the surface, it was just helping someone deal with a priest who was connected to missing cases. However, if this priest wasn’t human, then those missing cases became a lot more complicated.
Did the person who commissioned this mission know that Father Michael in fact wasn’t human?
Xiao Lan surmised that the person probably didn’t know.
Although saying this was a little offensive, if the person had known, they probably wouldn’t have entrusted this mission to this sort of unreliable, unregistered organisation.
If people from this organisation dealt with Father Michael under the assumption that he was human, the outcome would probably be a little thrilling.
Xiao Lan couldn’t help laughing a little bitterly. Everyone else had human targets, but when it came to him, his target turned into a strange and slightly vulgar pot-bellied lizard man.
Even the rumoured very simple main mission had this many twists and turns; unlucky people truly led very difficult lives.
Father Michael finished washing his human skin and put it back on.
This time, he changed into formal wear, and even very properly paired it with a bow tie. He also combed back his thinning hair tidily. He looked like an elderly, elegant gentleman, and there was no trace of his previous vulgar old man appearance.
Inconsistent with his appearance, however, Father Michael took out a can-shaped object from a cupboard. He opened it, and it didn’t contain an ordinary thing.
A fist-sized heart lay inside. When the can was opened, a grotesque smell spread outwards.
Father Michael took a deep whiff and slowly sampled this heart.
He couldn’t help closing his eyes as his head swayed with an intoxicated expression on his face, as if he was enjoying some delicacy.
Seeing this, Xiao Lan couldn’t help thinking about those missing cases related to this man.
Perhaps… A few of these people had already met an inauspicious end ba…
When Father Michael finished eating the heart, he smacked his lips and tossed the can into the rubbish bin.
After that, he took out an invitation letter from an exquisite envelope. Opening it and reading it, he revealed a satisfied smile.
Father Michael put away the invitation letter, tidied up his formal wear, then pulled open the door of the changing room and walked out.
Only after seeing that Father Michael had left for good did Xiao Lan quietly ask, “If I didn’t see wrongly, that seems to be an invitation letter to a ball?”
Luo nodded. “Yes.”
Xiao Lan said, “I want to slip in for a look. I feel like we can find clues to a side task on him.”
Luo cupped his chin. “If sir wishes to go, there is also an invitation letter like this in my room. It’s a ball, but only guests from the top-grade VIP rooms are invited. It’ll be held tonight.”
Xiao Lan: “Then we can walk right in.”
The treatment for those staying in the top rooms truly was different ah; there was no need to sneak in.
Luo’s lips curved up. “However, you need a dance partner for the ball, and we don’t have the time to find any.”
He gave Xiao Lan a small bow and made an inviting gesture. “I wonder if sir would be willing to be my dancing partner?”
Xiao Lan smiled and took his hand. “Alright.”
The two first returned to Luo’s room to pick up the invitation letter to the ball.
Luo changed into formal attire, while Xiao Lan, under the other’s guidance, switched 【Emperor’s new clothes 2.0】to formal wear.
They wore clothes in a similar design, and headed for the venue of the ball together.
Furthermore, it was a masquerade ball. Guests who hadn’t prepared masks would be provided one by the organisers which covered the upper half of the face.
The place had gorgeous decorations. A huge crystal chandelier shimmered over their heads, famous paintings hung on the walls, and a live band performed on the side.
On one side was a display of fruits, refreshments, and alcohol for the participating guests.
Everyone who passed by was dressed glamorously, with exquisite hairstyles and matching ornaments.
They all wore courteous smiles, and chatted politely in quiet voices.
It looked like all those who were able to participate in this ball were most likely wealthy and respectable people. Regardless of what their characters were like, they at least looked very restrained on the surface.
The two put on their masks and walked into the crowd, searching for Father Michael’s figure.
Although everyone had masks, a rotund and big-bellied person like Father Michael was still extremely conspicuous.
Very soon, Xiao Lan spotted him in the crowd.
Before the two could draw closer, the lights suddenly dimmed and the music slowly picked up.
The host onstage thanked the guests for coming, then livened up the atmosphere with witty comments, charming the audience into occasionally bursting out in laughter and applause.
Soon, the ball began.
The guests around them started to dance.
Luo also stretched out a hand and wrapped it around Xiao Lan’s waist, using a bit of force to pull him closer before softly saying in Xiao Lan’s ear, “Sir, will you give me a bit of your attention?”
His tone carried a trace of danger and jealousy.
Only then did Xiao Lan reluctantly shift his gaze away from Father Michael’s compelling and quirky butt-shaking.
He leaned closer to Luo’s ear. “I suddenly remembered that I… don’t know how to dance…”
Although this moment of realisation had come just a little too late…
Luo’s quiet laughter rang out next to Xiao Lan’s ear, tickling it a little. “Don’t worry, sir, I’m here.”
After that, Xiao Lan followed Luo’s guidance and danced with him.
Luo’s directions were extremely concise, but enabled Xiao Lan to grasp the idea in the shortest amount of time. Coupled with his player’s physique and his physical reactions honed through countless battles, Xiao Lan grasped the main dance steps very quickly.
The two danced while pressed very close to each other, their steps changing according to the music.
They even occasionally leaned closer to each other to talk quietly, and they looked warm and clingy.
Using the crowd and dance steps as cover, they slowly approached Father Michael.
Currently, Father Michael was dancing with a woman dressed in black who was a whole head taller than him. The two were conversing quietly, but their voices were too soft and furthermore drowned out by the music, so Xiao Lan couldn’t hear clearly at all.
Luo promptly said in Xiao Lan’s ear, “This woman is extending an invitation to Father Michael to participate in a private auction.”
Xiao Lan observed Father Michael’s expression. He seemed a little interested but didn’t directly declare his intentions.
Luo continued, “She’s saying that Father Michael will have a chance to see the person he wishes to see at the auction.”
When Father Michael heard this, he appeared extremely excited and directly nodded in agreement.
It was clear that the ‘person he wanted to see’ was a big lure which surpassed even the black-dressed beauty dancing with him.
Right at that moment, Xiao Lan received a system notification:
【Triggered side task: Father Michael’s secret】
【Task explanation: Investigate what Father Michael wants to do (0/1)】
【Tip: This task is part of a chain of side tasks; the next task will be triggered after its completion. The side task is non-compulsory, and can be abandoned at any time. There is no penalty for abandoning the task.】
Xiao Lan’s eyes shone slightly. Sure enough, there was a side task!
It looked like Father Michael truly didn’t have a simple backstory. If Xiao Lan had chosen to assassinate him in the first instant, he would have missed this side task.
Xiao Lan asked, “Did they mention that person’s identity?”
Luo: “No. They’re so cautious they didn’t even mention a name. However, we can personally go and verify it.”
Xiao Lan was doubtful. “This is a private auction. Are you sure we can sneak in?”
Luo smiled. “No need to sneak in. With my current identity, if I ask the room’s exclusive butler whether there’s a place like this to while away the time, they would probably be very happy to give me recommendations.”
Xiao Lan: “…”
He once again experienced a vicious beating by capitalism.
There was simply no such thing as ‘sneaking in’ in the world of the rich; with an invitation in hand, they could enter with great fanfare.
The “sneaking in” is only for the poors like you, Xiao LanLan.. 😂
🤣🤣🤭
Thank you for the chapter ❤️
Poor poor xiao lan
Money is the power.
Thank you for the chapter
Haaa~ the power of money, eh? :’D
Thx for the ch ٩( >ヮ<)۶
gives XL eye drops May they clean your eyes~
I would personally recommend bleach and holy water but eye drops might do fine too ٩( >ヮ<)۶
I need a Luo in my life, plz and thank you
thanks for the chapter <3
Money is the reason we exist 🤑
Everybody knows its a fact kiss kiss 💋
People always say Money can’t buy happiness
I kinda doubt that now hmm😶