Chapter 286.2: Deal
A few minutes later, in a private room, an old folklore professor and several researchers examined part of the technique.
"These few lines contain profound truths. Clearly extraordinary!" said the professor in awe, muttering to himself. "I've read countless ritual texts and ancient mystical writings, but none evoke such a feeling... Strange. Is there some incense here?"
He didn't know the technique itself contained traces of the dao. Even hearing or thinking about it could uplift the mind.
The younger researchers were also intrigued. "It's somewhat similar to martial arts... equally mysterious."
With the advancement of technology, martial dao was also being studied. Several researchers expressed that martial dao had no future as it was limited by the human physique. Rather than learning martial arts, people might as well take an injection for gene-enhancing drugs.
Kuang Huan couldn't help but ask, "This isn't a martial arts technique, is it?"
The young researcher shook his head. "No, it's not. Though it's somewhat similar in certain aspects."
Of course, the similarity was like a rat and ratatouille. Sharing a name, but little else.
"If you can provide us with the full version, we might be able to extract more useful information," the male researcher said eagerly, seemingly very interested in the technique.
Kuang Huan refused outright, "No need."
Even these researchers and the old professor hadn't found any issues with the technique. He let out a sigh of relief.
After all, Qi Yuan had a record of mental illness. What if the technique was just something he made up? Since even these experts couldn't find any problems, then it was probably fine.
Relieved, his thoughts became active again. He thought of Qi Yuan as an enigmatic figure shrouded in mystery.
***
In a dressing room not far from the cruise area, Wu Qi was admiring herself in the mirror.
She deliberately puffed out her chest. "This makeup looks pretty good. How can those old women with cosmetic injections compare to me?!"
Thinking of something, she gritted her teeth and reached into her gown. She pulled off a pair of pure white, lace-trimmed undergarments, letting them rest at her pale ankles before removing them completely. Her gaze turned resolute.
Just then, her manager called from outside, "Little Qi, hurry up, the big boss is here!"
Wu Qi quickly responded, "Coming!"
She hurriedly tidied herself up and rushed out.
In the spacious corridor outside, four tall and beautiful women stood waiting. Wu Qi felt a sense of inferiority upon recognizing most of them. They were her seniors, and two of them were even international stars. Their status far surpassed hers.
Her pride and confidence wavered. Soon, she still lifted her head, her gaze firm. Although they had better conditions than her, she had thicker skin and was willing to lower herself!
The five of them stood together, chatting carefully.
Not far away, at a higher level of the cruise ship, a man in uniform appeared excited.
One man craned his neck to look. "So many celebrities! See that? That's Er Jian, the female lead from Gene Crisis. Those long legs, that figure. Damn!"
Wang Xu also widened his eyes. "Hey, that's Wu Qi! She's from our school!"
Back at the office, he had even bragged that a senior from their school had become a star, and that he often saw Wu Qi on the school bus.
"I'm so envious of these celebrities. An outfit they wear so casually, I couldn't afford even after working half my life," Wang Xu said with envy.
Although his job was respectable, envied by former classmates, it was nothing compared to someone like Wu Qi. Their living standards and social status were on completely different levels.
Unlike Wang Xu, Wu Qi could meet powerful figures and elites.
"Judging by them, they're probably attending some private banquet. Damn capitalists, damn rich second-generation brats!" the man beside Wang Xu said, his eyes slightly red.
The murky side of high society wasn't a secret to the lower classes. Of course, there were still those who idolized celebrities. People always sought something to lean on spiritually.
Wang Xu smiled. "Stop being jealous. Just focus on work."
They were here to deal with a batch of sea monsters. Some of the smuggled creatures had made their way onto the Hai Xing Ya. He represented the maritime bureau to recover them. The ship's liaison had been cooperative, handing over part of them, but more remained onboard.
Wang Xu knew this, but had no opinion. If his superiors didn't object, what difference would his opinion make? The two took breaks when they could, occasionally glancing at the celebrities in the distance. Unfortunately, their phones had been confiscated upon boarding, or they could have taken photos.
At this moment, Wu Qi naturally had no idea she had been spotted by a former schoolmate. She wore a shy smile as she chatted with her seniors.
One of the seniors said, "This time, the host inviting us is an imperial noble, he’s a viscount by lineage."
From that, Wu Qi learned about the big boss they were to accompany.
Wu Qi beamed in admiration. "A noble by lineage?"
Titles in Qin Yuan weren't easily obtained, and such a viscount was nobility among nobility, equivalent to land-owning lords in ancient times. Even today, such nobles enjoyed tax advantages in business, which was why many entrepreneurs aligned themselves with them. A viscount by lineage was someone Wu Qi could only look up to.
At that moment, someone murmured, "Viscount Kuang Huan has arrived!"
Wu Qi and the others quickly turned to look. A tall, burly man in a black jacket appeared, with a faint scar on his face. To the actresses, it gave him a certain charm. Behind him were eleven equally burly men carrying black crates, drawing attention.
Kuang Huan walked forward. The voluptuous Er Jian quickly stepped up and wrapped her arm around his. A hint of satisfaction flashed in his eyes as he looked over the elegantly dressed women.
He said gruffly, "I have a distinguished guest. Serve him well, and you'll be well paid."
Unlike when facing Qi Yuan, he didn't bother hiding his nature in front of them. He was like a wild nouveau riche, lacking the refinement of true nobility.
The actresses' eyes lit up, especially Wu Qi. A guest worthy of a viscount... Could he also be a noble?!
After all, this was the nobility they were talking about. If Wu Qi could attach herself to such a person, her status and life would change instantly. As one of the most powerful countries on the planet, Qin Yuan was a kingdom ruled by old aristocratic families
