I, the creator of the evil god!

Chapter Twenty-Four: Night Falls, the Yellow Cloak Walks

“You sound convincing, but how do I know you’re not just a liar? Are you really from the Awakened Forum?”

Lu Yu’s reply was like a sharp blade stabbing into Sun Jun’s heart, filling him with frustration he had no way to vent. After all, the statement was true—Sun Jun didn’t have access to the forum. All the information he shared came from his friends, heavily embellished by his “artistic touch.”

“A scholar’s embellishments can’t be called lies—it’s artistry!”

Admitting the truth was out of the question. The online world was his only sanctuary. Sun Jun paused, pondering his next move. Suddenly, an idea struck him. Laughing, he replied:

“Normally, I wouldn’t bother explaining myself. But since I’m in a good mood today, I’ll tell you. I have an invitation to a night market where many Awakened individuals from various cities gather to trade and buy resources. This invitation is priceless and reserved for the strongest among us—people like me.”

The invitation was indeed real, though Sun Jun had obtained it by pulling strings and spending most of his savings. Despite the steep cost, the chance to attend the night market and gain new bragging rights for his online persona made it worthwhile. If he managed to snag a rare treasure there, even better.

Night Market!

Lu Yu’s eyes narrowed. He hadn’t expected his fishing expedition to reel in such a big catch. Night markets, also known as bazaars, were night-time venues where Awakened individuals conducted trades. These markets emerged as a practical solution for exchanging or selling items obtained during battles in the wild. Often, they were treasure troves of rare materials and valuable knowledge from the extraordinary world.

Even if Lu Yu couldn’t find anything tangible, the exposure would be valuable—far better than wandering aimlessly in the dark.

But Lu Yu didn’t press for the location. Fishing required skill, and pulling too hard might snap the line. Smirking, he typed:

“Anyone can blow their own trumpet. I’ve received an invitation to a Federation banquet where I’ll be introduced to a fair-skinned, beautiful princess from a small nation. Shall I keep going, or is this enough?”

“Outrageous!”

Sun Jun leapt to his feet, slamming the table in anger. Yet, staring at the screen, he had no outlet for his rage. Normally, he was the one nitpicking others; today, he had encountered someone just as obstinate as himself.

After fuming for a moment, Sun Jun grabbed his invitation and snapped a photo of it, address included. He refrained from posting it openly, knowing the risks of exposing Awakened affairs. Instead, he opted for a private message with a five-second viewing limit, ensuring it couldn’t be screenshotted.

“Let’s see you argue now, keyboard warrior!”

Staring at the screen, Sun Jun imagined the other person’s shock upon realising he was truly an Awakened. He envisioned an apologetic reply, complete with tears of regret.

“Perhaps they’ll even cry bitterly. How amusing that would be!”

Sun Jun mentally rehearsed his lines, preparing to lecture the other person in a magnanimous elder’s tone before graciously forgiving them. Surely, this middle-schooler would idolise him after such a display.

“Ah, the simple joys of an Awakened’s life!”

Ding!

The notification pulled Sun Jun’s attention back to his screen. Eagerly, he opened the message:

“Toolman, goodbye!”

Sun Jun froze, his fingers instinctively typing three question marks:

“???”

(You have been blocked by the recipient. Please add them as a friend to send messages!)

Meanwhile, Lu Yu had already noted the address in the bottom corner of the invitation: North Suburb of Hang City, 17 East Hundred Flowers Alley. The location was on the outskirts, near the wilderness—a secluded area perfect for discretion.

Having secured the information, Lu Yu discarded his “toolman,” opting to block him rather than delete him. Should he need further assistance, he could always unblock the contact, extract what he needed, and reblock them. After all, a toolman should act like a proper tool.

Grinning at the thought, Lu Yu glanced at the setting sun and began preparing his attire for the night. His previous disguise had been used, and reusing it might attract unwanted attention at the night market.

Rummaging through his wardrobe, Lu Yu found a yellow trench coat and a white mask bearing a sinister grin. Placing the mask over his face, he spoke in a low voice:

“When night falls, the Yellow Cloak walks!”