Chapter 98

Yu Yingnan looked down and realized she was still wearing the tactical jacket, which was unbuttoned. This short jacket, when she moved, revealed her chest from Qian Ye's perspective.

Yu Yingnan said indifferently, "It's not like you haven't seen it before. If I get injured on a mission in the future, you might see even more. What's the big deal?"

Qian Ye didn't know what to say and could only stand stiffly as she fiddled with him.

It wasn't until she had reset and stabilized his broken ribs and cleaned and bandaged all his external injuries that Yu Yingnan finally sighed in relief. Looking at her blood-soaked hands, she casually tried to wipe them on her clothes.

"Wait!" Qian Ye grabbed Yu Yingnan's hand and forcibly dragged her towards the bathroom.

Qian Ye's strength was unusually great, almost irresistible. Even in her best condition, Yu Yingnan couldn't resist. She stumbled along, feeling both panicked and a bit scared, thinking, "Does he... does he like to do that in such a place?"

At the thought, Yu Yingnan suddenly felt her body go weak, and the strength she had regained seemed to vanish.

Qian Ye pulled her into the bathroom, turned on the faucet, and held her hands under the water, washing away the blood. His movements were delicate and careful, even cleaning under her nails, a technique he used when treating wounds.

Yu Yingnan was initially stunned, then gradually became calm and gentle, quietly watching Qian Ye's half-long hair fall over his ear, which seemed to glow in the dim light.

After washing all the blood away, Qian Ye sighed in relief and said, "That's better. I need to go and pack some things."

"Now that Tianshe is dead, do you want to come and live with me? It would be good... ah, to have someone to look after each other!"

For Yu Yingnan, this was a minor matter; she had had hunters stay with her before. But this time, she stuttered a bit.

Qian Ye thought for a moment and nodded, "Sure, but I might leave here soon."

Yu Yingnan wanted to ask where he was going, but the words turned into, "Okay, go pack your things. I need to go see Second Master."

After Qian Ye left, she stood there for a while, then changed her clothes and headed to the Hunter's Home.

The Hunter's Home was very quiet at night. Second Master was still sitting behind the counter, wearing his old glasses and reading a book.

Seeing Yu Yingnan push the door open, Second Master said, "You're later than I expected. It's about time. Go and close the front door for me!"

Yu Yingnan kicked the door shut with her leg and then plopped onto the counter, tapping it and asked, "Do you have any alcohol?"

Second Master brought out a jar of traditional liquor and said, "Only this."

Yu Yingnan frowned, "I'm not used to this, but it's fine as long as there's alcohol."

Second Master handed her a glass, and Yu Yingnan filled it to the brim, drank it in one gulp, and then her face turned bright red, and she started coughing violently.

Second Master sighed and shook his head, "Again."

"I always forget how strong this stuff is, but it's fine, the stronger the better!"

Second Master glanced at Yu Yingnan over his glasses and asked, "Did you lose something this time?"

"No." Yu Yingnan laughed bitterly, "Men don't like someone like me."

Second Master smiled silently, "It's good that you didn't lose anything. Even if you did, it's not a big deal. But you seem to be in a bad mood?"

Yu Yingnan grabbed her hair forcefully, "I don't know what's wrong. I just feel very confused, very messy, and can't think clearly. Ah!!"

"Want a cigarette?" Second Master offered one at the right moment.

"Thanks!" Yu Yingnan lit it, took a deep drag, and exhaled the remaining smoke after a while, feeling much better.

"Qian Ye might leave here soon. This city is no longer suitable for him."

Hearing this, Yu Yingnan's hand trembled, and a burning ash fell on her hand, immediately forming a small blister.

Yu Yingnan frowned, wiped away the ash, and said, "Oh, he'll leave. It's inevitable. I might leave here too after a while."

"Even though he'll leave, there's a mission he can take on."

"What mission?" Yu Yingnan's eyes lit up. If there was a mission, she could roughly track the hunter's movements and he would have to return to Dark Blood City to submit the mission and receive payment.

"It's the mission Miss Qiqi posted. It can't be delayed any longer."

Yu Yingnan's face showed surprise and disgust, "Qiqi? I hate that woman!"

"But we don't have anyone else suitable besides Qian Ye. I used to be able to push it back, but not now. Qian Ye might listen to you. Can you persuade him?"

Yu Yingnan leaned forward, staring at Second Master, and said, "I, very, very, hate that woman!"

Second Master smiled, "But we can't afford to offend her, can we?"

"Let me think about it!" Yu Yingnan's tone lacked sincerity.

Second Master muttered, "The city seems unusually quiet tonight."

Yu Yingnan paused, thought for a moment, and said, "I was wondering why the expeditionary force never showed up. It was you, old man. That's a big favor!"

"Whether big or small, it's enough if it works."

Yu Yingnan jumped off the counter and said cheerfully, "Alright! I'll take care of it."

She walked towards the door, but stopped just before pushing it open, looking suddenly exhausted.

"What's wrong?" Second Master was surprised.

Yu Yingnan clutched her chest, enduring a strange pain she had never felt before. She took a deep breath, didn't turn around, and said calmly, "Old man, I have a feeling you've been screwing me over my whole life."

Qian Ye returned to the small inn, packed his things, and headed to Yu Yingnan's place. He didn't even think about going back to his own house, which was probably already trashed by Tianshe's gang.

The door was as he had left it, and Yu Yingnan hadn't returned. This fierce and bold female hunter was actually quite attractive, young, and talented. Even when sitting still, she exuded a natural aura of dominance. When she spoke or moved, her presence was even more commanding.

Qian Ye didn't know when Yu Yingnan would return, or if she would return in a few days. She had set some traps around the house and on the doors and windows, but they were mostly to deter petty thieves. Of course, what Qian Ye considered petty thieves were actually hunters of at least three-star level, who were mid-level leaders in the major gangs of Dark Blood City.

Qian Ye threw his equipment into an empty room, but felt uneasy. The key was the level-four Eagle Strike, which cost over a thousand gold coins. Even losing a small part would be a significant loss.

After hesitating for a while, Qian Ye, though feeling a bit condescending towards Yu Yingnan, disguised the place where he put his equipment and set up two traps. One was to alert, and the other to injure. Yu Yingnan should be able to discover and avoid or dismantle them.

However, Qian Ye forgot one thing: he thought Yu Yingnan "should" be able to discover the traps, but in reality, this bold and careless female hunter often messed up tasks that required attention to detail and patience.

Satisfied with his setup, Qian Ye left and walked into the night. Although his craving for blood energy had temporarily subsided, he still felt a bit restless and decided to wander around and take a last look at the city he was about to leave.

Dark Blood City was always lively at night, and most of the day was night. Passing a bustling bar, Qian Ye saw men and women inside indulging in their desires. He suddenly missed his time in Lighthouse Town and the Mandarava there.

He walked into the bar, and the bouncer at the door glanced at the Butcher on Qian Ye's waist, his face changing to an indescribable mix of flattery and servility. He led Qian Ye through the crowded dance floor to an empty table.

This table was in a prime location, and Qian Ye understood the rules. He took out his money bag, dropped two silver coins into the bouncer's hand, and said, "This is for you. Also, bring me two bottles of alcohol."

The bouncer was delighted and left. Qian Ye put away his money bag. After a moment, two large bottles of strong liquor were placed on the table. The two silver coins danced in Qian Ye's fingers, then flew accurately into the deep cleavage of the waitress, earning a round of applause. Some who had been eyeing Qian Ye with hostility now looked elsewhere.

Anyone who could handle silver coins so well could also handle a knife just as well.

A heavily made-up woman squeezed next to Qian Ye and said in a coquettish voice, "Can I sit here?"

"No," Qian Ye said coolly.

The woman was wearing a strong perfume, but Qian Ye's nose detected a foul smell. He was now particularly sensitive to the smell of blood in living beings, and this woman's blood made him feel nauseous.

The woman was visibly upset, huffed, and stormed off.

Qian Ye paid no attention to her. In this chaotic place, the Butcher on his waist was enough to keep even the boldest thugs in check. He watched the various desires of the men and women, reminiscing about his time in Lighthouse Town.

Back then, in Mandarava, people also indulged in their most primitive desires without restraint, even more openly. Sometimes, men and women would rush out the door and start right there, while here, they at least went to the bathroom.

Unconsciously, Qian Ye's glass was empty, and he had drunk a whole cup of strong liquor. He immediately felt a slight intoxication, his thoughts floating and wandering.

Qian Ye suddenly felt that there was nothing he couldn't do, nothing he couldn't achieve.

He slammed the glass on the table.

At that moment, the empty glass filled itself again. Qian Ye looked up and saw a young girl standing by the table, slender and not particularly pretty, but with a clean, small face. She looked younger than Qian Ye and was pouring him more alcohol.

Qian Ye sniffed and suddenly reached out, pulling the girl into his lap and burying his nose in her neck, taking a deep breath.