"Bang!"
Everyone stared dumbfounded at Hoolay.
They couldn't believe how quickly this had happened—too quickly.
A few people in the room instinctively closed their eyes, because in their view, Hoolay's actions were no different from suicide.
However,
The bullet had merely jammed, stuck right in the chamber—there was sound, but no bullet.
"I consulted Lord Guan Sheng the Great Emperor, and that day, He gave me six auspicious lots. The remaining five bullets all jammed—if even one fires, it's just my bad luck!"
Hoolay's eyes blazed with fury as he ignored the others' attempts to stop him, stubbornly pulling the trigger again.
But this time,
Luck wasn't on his side.
The bullet shot smoothly from the barrel.
The onlookers could already imagine the scene of blood splattering everywhere.
Yet the reality defied all expectations.
Hoolay shut his eyes tightly and extended two fingers,
Catching the bullet between them just before it could hit his head.
"In all martial arts under heaven, nothing is indestructible—only speed is invincible!"
Witnessing this, everyone's jaws dropped so hard that if this weren't the real world, their chins would've left dents in the floor.
For a moment, the entire restaurant seemed frozen, as if under a spell.
After a long silence, only one person at the table stood up—a fat man.
"As expected of the Ultimate Brawler King! We welcome the return of War Chief Hoolay!
All members, follow my command!
Attention! Bow! Salute!"
With that, the fat man took the lead, and the rest followed, bending at the waist in deference.
Hoolay slowly walked up to the fat man. "As long as what you said is true, that's all that matters. I just hope the people inside can actually fight!
But if I find out you're messing with me? I won't care about the face of whoever's backing you!"
"Don't worry, War Chief Hoolay! The people inside will definitely give you a fight!" The fat man lifted his head slightly but didn't dare meet Hoolay's gaze—not even for a second.
"We've arranged a guide for you at the Interastral Peace Film & Television Interactive City. After days of reconnaissance, he's now deeply familiar with the entire layout of the miHoYo Interactive City.
His name is Modu! Once you arrive, he'll come to meet you.
He'll ask you a few questions—just answer 'wolf' to all of them!
He'll ask you…"
"No need. If the answer is already known, why obsess over the question?" With that, Hoolay walked to the dining table, grabbed a piece of "blue rare steak," and stuffed it into his mouth.
His gnashing teeth and ferocious expression sent shivers down the spines of the onlookers.
Only after finally swallowing the meat and washing it down with a gulp of red wine did Hoolay stride out of the restaurant.
"Whew!"
It wasn't until Hoolay's figure disappeared that everyone let out a collective sigh of relief.
A lackey approached the fat man. "Deputy Director… do you really think this'll work?"
"Will it work? After all this time working under me, have you only learned how to kiss ass?" The fat man grabbed a wine bottle from the table and took a fierce swig.
"You know what? Director Topaz's project is struggling because of that Honkai Star Rail web series. She has to keep buying rankings just to maintain performance. Wuwuwu…"
The Deputy Director wept openly, his voice thick with despair. The sorrowful atmosphere instantly infected everyone around him.
"We can't let Director Topaz spend her own money on rankings anymore! We must do something for her! As the team with the best benefits in the entire company, we can't let Director Topaz down!"
"Yeah!"
"Right!"
The Deputy Director cleared his throat. "Ahem! Repeat after me!
I'll buy the rankings! I'll reclaim the land! I'll raise the pigs!"
At once, the surrounding lackeys echoed:
"I'll buy the rankings! I'll reclaim the land! I'll raise the pigs!"
"I embrace the market's unpredictability—long vision, short gains, that's the key to success!"
"I embrace the market's unpredictability—long vision, short gains, that's the key to success!"
"Everything for—Director Topaz!"
"Everything for—Director Topaz!"
"Achoo!" A young woman sitting at a dining table sneezed involuntarily.
"Ugh, what's going on? Did I catch a cold? Tsk…"
She then glanced at the blond-haired man sitting across from her.
"Hey! Aventurine, did you infect me?"
"Pfft. Have you been assimilated by pig-brain logic? I'm not even sick—how could I infect you?
And I've told you before—
Don't call me by my codename outside the company!
My name is—Kakavasha!
Got it, Yelena?"
"Yelena? That's what Lady Jade calls me. You have to call me Topaz—and don't forget to add 'Director'!"
"Hahaha! Are you trying to make me laugh on purpose? Your web series project is performing worse by the day, and you're taking it out on me?" Kakavasha took a sip of wine. "You should just buy more rankings—maybe your position will improve!"
"Buy your [**** ]!" Topaz scowled, but then an idea flashed in her eyes.
She pulled out her phone and snapped a photo of Kakavasha. "Click!"
"Hey! What are you doing?" Kakavasha stared at her in confusion.
"Hehe! You're drinking. I'm sending this to your sister!"
"Hey! That's not fair…"
The two began tussling at the table.
Meanwhile, a mature-looking woman sitting nearby watched the scene with a faint smile.
"Alright, stop fighting. But, little Yelena…
Your Deputy Director has been acting strange these past few days.
I have a feeling something big is about to happen.
Though… I doubt it's anything bad."
At the same time, outside the gates of miHoYo Interactive City.
Yanqing had been sent by Jing Yuan to pick up Jing Yuan's master.
He rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
Jing Yuan's master?
Let's see… that'd make them at least in their sixties, right?
Hmm! The description is pretty clear—gotta keep an eye out.
Just then, an elderly man approached Yanqing.
"Ohoho, you must be Yanqing!"
Yanqing turned to look. The man appeared to be in his sixties, accompanied by a little girl munching on a candied hawthorn stick.
"You are…? How do you know me?"
Suddenly, realization dawned on Yanqing. "Oh?! You're the person Captain Jing Yuan asked me to wait for, right?"
"Jing Yuan?" The old man frowned slightly, stroking his beard.
But soon, his expression relaxed into a smile. "Hahaha! That Jing Yuan… seems he's already guessed why I'm here!
At first, I wasn't sure it was you, but your appearance matches Jing Yuan's description about seventy or eighty percent. Truly, heroes emerge from the young!
I am Huaiyan! And this is my granddaughter, Yunli!"
Yanqing clasped his hands in salute. "Greetings, Elder Huaiyan! Greetings, Miss Yun… li?"
"Good! As expected of Jing Yuan's disciple—such manners!"
Yanqing immediately gestured respectfully. "Elder, please follow me. I'll take you to the 'Xianzhou: The Luofu' zone first. Captain Jing Yuan will return soon!"
...
Not long after Yanqing led Huaiyan and Yunli away,
A man with a fierce expression emerged from the shadows—his name was Modu.
"Damn! They're finally gone. I thought Yanqing was gonna guard the gate forever. Good thing he was just here to pick someone up! Word is Hoolay's about to arrive!
Shouldn't have delayed things!
Where is he anyway? Didn't even send me a photo or anything.
Just said 'this person's aura is extraordinary.' Extraordinary my ass!"
Before he could finish grumbling, a figure caught his attention.
"Damn! That aura… has to be him."
Modu strode over confidently. "Heh, you're finally here?"
"Are you insane?!" The man—brown-haired and wearing round sunglasses—glared. "You popped up out of nowhere! I thought that lunatic was chasing me again!
Watch it next time, or I'll pull out my baton!"
"Hmm!" Modu nodded thoughtfully. "Impressive! You're already itching for a fight before even entering? A true expert!
But we still gotta verify the passphrase!"
"Passphrase?!"
Modu glanced around furtively, then whispered:
"The royal jade nectar wine!"
"A hundred eighty a cup??"
"How's this wine taste?"
"Let me sing its praise???"
"Hahaha!" Modu laughed heartily. "No doubt about it now! Alright, last question—what do people say you are?"
The newcomer's eyes sharpened as he exhaled deeply.
"What am I? I… am Scott. From the moment I was born, I've been a lone wolf!"