Chapter 427: Chapter 427

Leaving the underground passage unimpeded, what appeared before Zhu Haomiao was a delicately Zen-inspired Japanese garden. At first glance, it felt like stepping into an enlarged and simplistic bonsai landscape.

The servants along the way seemed to have gotten the message. Although they sneaked curious and reverent glances at him, not one came up to question him; they all just bowed from a distance.

The black-clad youth smiled confidently and nodded, as if he were the master of this place.

After leisurely strolling around the premises, his figure disappeared beyond the large gate. Soon after, a middle-aged man in a suit hurriedly followed.

On the other hand, walking down a bird-chirping, flower-scented tree-lined path, Zhu Haomiao looked around in wonder. He found himself still within the confines of the manor, enveloped by a huge barrier.

It wasn’t until he walked out of the intricately crested gate, as if piercing through an invisible film, that the clamor of noise rushed to greet him.

Looking at the bustling traffic in front and the serene, picturesque classical Japanese courtyard walls behind, Zhu Haomiao couldn’t help but click his tongue in amazement.

Such tranquility amid chaos, this Abe Waka family is quite powerful...

But he quickly brushed off this minor detail, Zhu Haomiao stepped forward and casually stopped a passing girl.

"Go away, I have a boyfrie—"

Before she could finish, the girl’s impatient wave was interrupted when she caught sight of Zhu Haomiao’s face. Her original icy and irritated expression froze for a moment, and then her demeanor made a complete 180-degree turn, instantly becoming all smiles.

"Hello, is there something you need?"

A deep growl shifted instantly to a chipper voice, and Zhu Haomiao blinked, his mouth twitching slightly at the corners.

"I wanted to ask, is this Dongmu City?"

Eyeing the tall and handsome figure of the black-clad youth, her gaze sweeping over his low-key yet fashionable casual black suit, the girl finally rested her eyes on his picture-perfect face. She couldn’t help but squeeze her legs together shyly, fidgeting.

"No, this is Tokyo. Are you a foreigner? I could be your guide for free..."

Though an average person might not notice the subtle differences in the youth’s accent, as a Japanese language teacher, the girl could precisely discern which country’s exchange student he was.

In addition to the youth’s rather unique charm, distinct from local boys, the girl swallowed anxiously.

"You’re Chinese, right?"

"How did you know I’m Chinese?"

Zhu Haomiao was stunned for a moment, curiously looking at her.

I thought I didn’t have an accent...

"Because I’m a Japanese teacher, I can tell the difference. If you need, I could teach you Japanese for free~"

Noting the girl’s enthusiastic approach, sensing the burning desire suppressed in her heart, Zhu Haomiao forced a chuckle, awkwardly grinning.

Learning in bed, right?

I wouldn’t blame you, you just want to teach me Japanese?

No, you’re just lusting after my body, you shameless fiend!

"No thanks, I have things to do, I’ll be going now."

Initially intending to fish for some intel, Zhu Haomiao couldn’t stand the increasingly fiery gaze of the girl and gracefully made his exit.

Watching the black-clad youth stride away, his silhouette quickly disappearing into the crowd, the girl stood dumbfounded.

"He... just left? Wasn’t he trying to hit on me?"

"What did he ask you?"

Suddenly, a cold, deep voice echoed in her ear. As the girl turned around, she met a pair of eyes swirling with magic vortex, and her once bright gaze quickly went unfocused and glazed over.

"He... asked if this place was Dongmu City..."

The besuited middle-aged man withdrew his gaze, puzzled, frowning.

"Dongmu City? Is there such a city?"

Unable to think of any city with a similar pronunciation after much pondering, the middle-aged man raised his gaze, looking toward the direction where the youth had disappeared, his pupils suddenly contracting sharply.

In just a blink of an eye, the other party had completely vanished from his perception.

Elsewhere, Zhu Haomiao’s brow emitted a mysterious aura invisible to others. Glancing back at the way he came, he couldn’t help but scoff derisively.

Having shaken off his pursuers, he smoothly turned into a dim alley, heading toward a gloomy, deserted corner.

Lifting his coat, he took a delicate pouch from his waist and released two "smugglers."

Diao Chan eagerly leapt onto her master’s head, standing upright like a meerkat, looking around.

On the other side, Wilson, dressed in vintage suit and white gloves, reverently touched his chest, awaiting his master’s orders.

"Establish an intelligence network, gather information about this world."

"Attempt to construct an Anchor of Faith."

Though his existence was already bound to the Human Pillar Power of Abe Waka, Zhu Haomiao still wanted to attempt establishing a new anchor point.

With concise instructions given, the black-clad youth turned and left straightforwardly, leaving only Wilson to watch his departing back, reverently and earnestly touching his chest in salute.

Slipping out of the alley, Zhu Haomiao wandered aimlessly. Unknowingly, the sun on the horizon gradually sank as neon lights quietly flickered on, glowing with an ambiguous, bewildering red hue.

Wait... did I end up in the red light district?

The night streets were even more crowded, with heavily made-up men and women casting wandering glances, like lions searching for prey, pouncing on targets they spotted.

Standing amidst the bustling street, feeling the frothing, boiling aura of debauchery surrounding him, Zhu Haomiao weirdly pursed his lips.

How did I subconsciously end up in such a place?

I’m supposed to be a good guy!

Just as Zhu Haomiao was about to make his exit, a subtle sense of being watched surged, and he immediately understood that he was being targeted.

His already lifted footstep halted, Zhu Haomiao’s expression turned even more peculiar as he licked his lips.

I barely know what’s going on, and yet you want to gift me something so quickly, how embarrassing is that?

No longer in a hurry to leave, Zhu Haomiao acted like it was his first time in such a place, looking around curiously and bashfully, now and then getting flustered by the [guide] along the way.

Meanwhile, in the shadows, several greedy gazes continued to rove over him.

"That suit’s definitely custom-made, fits perfectly... must’ve cost at least tens of thousands of yen!"

"I just asked the [guide], and they say he’s a tourist from China!"

"Tsk tsk, with that air, he’s definitely from a wealthy family!"

"Boss, let’s pull a job. Otherwise, we won’t even have money to eat!"

As they spoke, they all looked toward a leading middle-aged man, who hesitated briefly and then asked the black man beside him.

"Brother, what do you think?"

"Yo~bro, nothing can stop me~"

Patting his jangling waist, the black man inhaled a puff of white powder, revealing a gleeful grin of pure gold teeth.

The black man’s words carried a peculiar rhythm, almost like he was singing. Though the English was cryptic, the local Yakuza members understood it uncharacteristically.