Chapter 143: Chapter 117: Competitors

Before Sang Que and Kou Yushan could say anything, the chubby middle-aged man ran up to them and blocked Xiao Liu.

“Brother Xiao Liu, we’re really short on people over on the Day Travel side, Captain Cui said if we don’t recruit more, I’m done for. Could you please show me some mercy?”

Xiao Liu was anxious upon hearing this, “Yu Da, you’re talking like we’re not short on people at Night Travel. You guys have nearly two hundred people in Day Travel, we have less than twenty at Night Travel. You call that short on people? I saw them first, step aside!”

The person called Yu Da was much older than Xiao Liu and had no airs about him. He wore a smile but refused to budge.

“Brother Xiao Liu, you see, when a supernatural case arises, it’s us Day Travelers who go investigate and make inquiries. Most of the time, we handle it on the spot and don’t pass it to you Night Travelers.”

“We do all the dirty and tiring work, so naturally, we need more manpower. Otherwise, if we encounter a tough supernatural case and don’t clear things up before handing it over to you, wouldn’t Captain He be the one to get angry? Your Night Travelers are elite, and elites are better drawn from the military. These ones…”

Xiao Liu forcefully pushed Yu Da aside, “No, our Captain made it clear, we have to recruit more for Night Travel no matter what. Besides, this young lady caught our Captain’s eye first, she’s been summoned here!”

Yu Da turned around, tugging on Xiao Liu’s arm, “Brother Xiao Liu, my good Brother Liu…”

“Let go, no way, I saw them first…”

The two of them started tussling, while Sang Que and Kou Yushan looked at each other, speechless. Had they not known they were here fighting over cannon fodder for the front lines, Sang Que might have thought himself really important.

“Are they playing tug of war? Little Chan wants to play too…”

Xia Chan clutched Sang Que’s arm, her dark eyes blinking, watching Xiao Liu and Yu Da tug back and forth.

Xiao Liu and Yu Da paused, simultaneously looking at Xia Chan, who quickly hid behind Sang Que again.

“Ahem, could I have a word?” Sang Que interrupted, “Since neither of you will give in, why don’t you let us decide for ourselves?”

Xiao Liu and Yu Da looked over, with Yu Da reacting quickly, “Young lady, you look like someone extraordinary, and this warrior, a practitioner, right? If you join us Day Travelers, the monthly salary is three thousand coins and a courtyard with a set of three rooms.”

“During the day, you’ll just patrol the streets, occasionally visit nearby counties and villages, reporting for duty and leaving on time, without any delays. Even if you encounter a supernatural case, you’re investigating during the day, mainly gathering information, nothing dangerous.”

Yu Da glanced at Xiao Liu, “Unlike the Night Travelers, who are idle when they are, but they’re always dealing with deadly supernatural cases, and solving them requires working around the clock with no possibility of leaving on time.”

“Hey? Yu Da, are you looking for trouble!” Xiao Liu raised a hand.

Sang Que interrupted again, “I just have one thing to say, we came for the incense burner. Can either the Day Travel or Night Travel provide us with one?”

Sang Que spoke bluntly, knowing that everyone ’volunteering’ to join the Evil Suppression Bureau had their own reasons, typically needing something from the Bureau.

Most have had supernatural troubles and come to the Bureau for protection out of necessity.

The main characteristic of those entangled with supernatural matters is a rapid descent in the Nine Netherworld. If they can’t ignite the Heart Lamp in a short time, it won’t last long.

So it was reasonable for Sang Que to make such a request.

Kou Yushan also nodded from the side. Already in his forties, he didn’t care whether it was Night Travel or Day Travel, the main thing was to survive.

Yu Da’s offer sounded good, but Kou Yushan understood clearly: With supernatural cases, regardless of size or time, the threat of death always looms, hinging on one’s caution and luck.

Having an incense burner for protection from the Heart Lamp increases the chances of survival.

On hearing this, the two fell silent. Then Yu Da scratched his chubby cheeks, gruffly saying, “For Day Travel, the rule is after three months’ work and passing the assessment, you can officially become a Day Traveling Envoy and receive your personal incense mask.”

Xiao Liu added, “We do have spare incense masks in Night Travel, providing more incense than Day Travel, but… that decision is for our Captain.”

Hearing this, Sang Que felt inclined towards joining the Night Travelers, for three reasons.

Firstly, the incense from Night Travelers could offer more incense, helping her Heart Lamp quickly surpass the fourth layer, preparing for Ghost Level advancement.

Second, as they mentioned, Day Travel requires strict attendance, while Night Travel does not. Night Travelers handle cases at night, allowing her to skip night self-study to work.

Sigh…

Thirdly, though Night Travel cases are dangerous, they are fewer in number than Day Travel, giving her time for other things. Plus, Night Traveler status holds higher prestige, possibly making it easier to access various information.

But the incense burner is up to He Buning to decide.

“I can give you the Night Traveler’s incense burner.”

He Buning’s voice suddenly came from the corridor. Sang Que and Kou Yushan looked up to see a man in a dark blue fitted outfit, standing tall like a pine, with a resolute face, sword-like eyebrows, starry eyes, and an unruffled demeanor.

He appeared young but exuded a calm and restrained air as if he had experienced many trials.

This was the first time Sang Que saw He Buning’s full face under the mask. The vision of half his face scorched to bone by Yin Fire at the bandit lair was still vivid in her mind.

He Buning glanced at Sang Que, then quickly looked beyond her to Xia Chan, with eyes slightly narrowed, carrying scrutiny and curiosity.

Sang Que sharply noticed and instinctively shielded Xia Chan, fearing He Buning would discover Xia Chan was among the Evil People.

Behind He Buning were four others, one with a robust stature and firm features, whom they saw earlier—Xiao Wu.

It’s likely Xiao Wu and Xiao Liu weren’t their real names, just as the plump one from Day Travel was called Yu Da.

The three behind Xiao Wu were unfamiliar to Sang Que, and even Xiao Liu showed a puzzled expression. However, they walked with synchronized steps and shared a commanding aura similar to Xiao Wu, showing a military essence.

“Fifth Brother, who are they…” Xiao Liu asked.

Xiao Wu whispered, “They are transferred from the garrison, preparing to join Night Travel. This one…”

Xiao Wu nodded at the leading one among the three with his chin.

He had a firm face and a strong build, but his body was damp, exuding a fishy smell, leaving clear water stains wherever he walked.

“His name is Qin Ze, a squad leader in the military. Recently, he encountered a supernatural incident on his way back from escorting supplies in Jinzhou. The entire team was wiped out, and he was the only survivor, unexpectedly becoming a Yin Walker.”

Xiao Liu’s eyes lit up, “Fifth Brother, you’ve kept such a tight lip. You found someone and didn’t tell me, leaving me to compete with Day Travel here.”

Xiao Wu rolled his eyes slightly, as if to say, “You never asked.”

Sang Que didn’t expect competition to appear right after she decided to join Night Travel. Maybe it’s just her mom adding drama to the story?

Sang Que thought it casually, understanding that since her mom’s story is published online and not on paper with the Power of Incense, it wouldn’t have much influence. Her mom would love her to become a god tomorrow, not trip her up.

He Buning withdrew his gaze from Xia Chan, “Our Night Travel only recruits those who can survive. If Miss Sang urgently needs a Night Traveler’s incense burner, I can make an exception and give Miss Sang an opportunity.”

He Buning’s appearance made Yu Da fall silent instantly. However, He Buning’s demeanor towards Yu Da was respectful, as if towards a revered elder.

“Old Yu, if I recall, there is a case in Day Travel that has been investigated for half a year without progress?”

Yu Da quickly replied, “Yes, yes, the ghost fog in Pinghu Village. No one dares to approach that place, and anyone sent in hasn’t returned. It’s too eerie, and we’ve been understaffed, so we shelved it temporarily.”

“Leave it to them. Within a month, whoever solves this supernatural case first will officially become a Night Traveler and immediately receive a Night Traveler’s mask.”

“But let me make it clear first, this case is indeed tricky. If you want to back out, it’s best to decide soon.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep