Chapter 54: Chinese People Don’t Rave In Clubs
The bar’s name is EMO, but even though it’s called emo, everyone here is nearly crazy, dancing wildly in their spots like a group of demons, no different from being high on drugs.
After passing security, as soon as he stepped into the inner venue, deafening sound waves crashed toward Jiang Ce like a tidal wave.
Even after boosting the Golden Bell Shield’s output power, the feeling of the bass pounding on his chest one by one finally disappeared.
The bar staff responsible for hosting tables immediately came up with a professional smile.
“How many guests, sir?”
Jiang Ce tilted his ear to hear what he was saying, then shouted back: “Just me.”
“So, are you planning to open a booth, a casual table, or just go to the high seats?”
“The most expensive one, what’s the most expensive?”
“Uh, depending on the set meal you need, we’ll arrange the area based on your set meal, but since you’re alone, I suggest you choose a single-person set meal or a regular set meal for wherever you want to sit. That would be more cost-effective.”
Jiang Ce was satisfied in his heart, secretly praising that it was indeed a nightclub representing the city, quite considerate of customers, no wonder the reviews were high.
But unfortunately, he was all alone with no worries, no driver’s license besides, no ideas about cars for now, Su Feng could arrange the house, cultivation resources couldn’t be bought with money anyway, and since he wasn’t happy right now, if he didn’t spend some money to have fun, he really wouldn’t find any joy.
Money is earned for three things: happiness, happiness, or damn happiness!
So, Jiang Ce said very confidently: “Bro wants the Dragon set, the one with six Black Gold Aces!”
The staff was first startled, then confirmed in disbelief: “Are you sure?”
“I’m sure! Don’t ask anything else, asking means I have too much money and am seeking fun!”
The staff nodded quickly, immediately adopting an even more respectful posture: “This way, please.”
Since Jiang Ce was a new customer, to prevent him from pulling an Empty Fort Strategy and eating a king’s meal, the bar manager politely asked him to pay first. Jiang Ce didn’t hesitate, swiped his bank card, and 88,000 was gone.
The manager immediately gasped, and promptly arranged the top-tier service for Jiang Ce.
The music in the venue abruptly stopped, and all the men and women who were swaying halted their movements, looking puzzled at the resident DJ above the dance floor.
The DJ took the microphone and shouted in an extremely passionate tone: “Welcome Mr. Cao to activate the Dragon seat again!”
In an instant, countless light signs flashed, and cheers and screams filled the air endlessly.
But at that moment, the DJ adjusted his earpiece and apologetically said he had misspoken—it wasn’t Mr. Cao, it was Mr. Jiang.
At the same time, Jiang Ce had just sat down in the booth elevated above the surroundings, lounging on the leather sofa like an emperor arriving, overlooking everything in the bar.
He raised an eyebrow: “Mr. Cao? Even the name got twisted?”
As expected, Jiang Ce became the focus of all eyes. No one cared what his surname was; they only knew he was the flashiest guy tonight, the most generous, the one splurging Purple Gold like dirt.
It could be said that men watched in silence, women watched in tears.
Just as the DJ was about to start heating things up again, he was called by Jiang Ce.
“Can I request a song?”
The DJ was puzzled but nodded: “Yes, what song would you like to request, Mr. Jiang?”
“China folks don’t disco to foreign beats, so let’s have some little religious shock!”
Cao Zheng had just finished a day’s business and suddenly felt like going to the bar to relax.
But as soon as he reached the bar entrance, the solemn and majestic Buddhist music jolted his lazy mood.
He was stunned at first, then stepped back two paces, looked at the sign, and confirmed he hadn’t gone to the wrong place.
“What’s going on? Why did they start playing the Great Compassion Mantra?”
He strode into the bar, casually greeting: “Same rules, I’ll go in first and see what’s up.”
But the manager stopped him, somewhat surprised: “Mr. Cao, why are you here?”
Cao Zheng frowned: “Why can’t I come?”
“That’s not what I meant.” The manager knew he’d said the wrong thing and quickly explained: “I mean, you usually book in advance, and this sudden visit caught us unprepared.”
“What preparation is needed?”
“No, there’s a new customer today.”
The manager explained Jiang Ce’s situation to Cao Zheng, then said:
“Unfortunately, our stock is also short. Thinking you were coming in a couple days, we kept one Black Gold, and gave the rest to that Mr. Jiang.”
“No Purple Gold either?”
“None left.”
Cao Zheng sighed, looks like he came at a bad time—right when his craving was strongest, the booze happened to be out.
“So what’s with this Great Compassion Mantra?”
“That was also requested by Mr. Jiang.” The manager looked helpless, seemingly not understanding why Jiang Ce would do this. Though it’s music, it was too eerie for a bar.
“Just this one?”
“No, you know the rules—can request three songs, plus one Sutra of Rebirth and one Diamond Sutra.”
“Can you dance to this?”
“Actually, you can. Go take a look.”
Half-believing, half-doubting, Cao Zheng entered the inner venue and found that under the DJ-remixed electronic Buddhist Music, the people here were even crazier than usual.
Cao Zheng was silent for a long time, looking at Jiang Ce laughing uncontrollably on the high platform, suddenly taking an interest.
Normally, he might have left, but with his booze craving hitting and running into such an interesting person, he didn’t want to leave anymore.
He got the last Black Gold from the manager and walked toward Jiang Ce.
Jiang Ce, immersed in the electronic Buddhist Music and unable to extricate himself, didn’t notice the stranger approaching until Cao Zheng had already sat beside him.
“A Black Gold-less Ace of Spades set is always missing something.”
Cao Zheng placed the bottle on the table, as if regretting it.
Jiang Ce turned to look at Cao Zheng, still smiling: “Who are you? Who said you could sit?”
“Let’s make a deal.” Cao Zheng grinned: “The manager said your set is missing this Black Gold, and I really want to drink Purple Gold. How about we share a table? You’re welcome to split the set meal cost, or if you’re up for it, put it on me, I don’t mind.”
Jiang Ce suddenly understood: “Oh, it’s you. No wonder the manager wouldn’t give it to me—it was saved for you. But I don’t have any special preferences, just seeking fun, trying something new, no rules. No need to split; with the booze you’ve brought, help yourself to whatever you want.”
Seeing Jiang Ce so reasonable and generous, Cao Zheng didn’t refuse, picked up a cup, and poured himself a glass of the booze he’d been craving.
One sip, endless aftertaste. Though it was just ordinary liquor, he loved this taste and didn’t care about anything else.
“Faith in Buddhism?” Cao Zheng initiated conversation.
“Sort of.” Jiang Ce knew he was asking about the song requests, shrugged: “But not entirely because of that.”
“Then why?”
“Of course because it’s fun.” Jiang Ce rolled his eyes: “Otherwise because I like listening? My ears are about to grow calluses from these.”
“Oh?” Cao Zheng burst out laughing, finding Jiang Ce truly interesting, and couldn’t help asking a few more questions.
Jiang Ce was slightly tipsy, and being a chatterbox by nature, he became even more talkative now. After a few rounds of drinks, the two were suddenly calling each other brothers.
But when Jiang Ce heard he was surnamed Cao, his expression became a bit odd.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, just feels dangerous making someone with your surname my brother.”
“Why?” Cao Zheng was puzzled.
“Boss Cao only loves married women. You look all proper but seem like no good.” Jiang Ce said righteously.
“Hahaha.” Cao Zheng laughed heartily, not angry at all, instead teasing Jiang Ce: “You’re so young, doesn’t look like you have a wife.”
“Hey, true, but hard to say in the future.” Jiang Ce squinted and yawned: “Best if it’s a fox spirit that can turn human, turning into whatever she wants.”
“That’s tough, there are no monsters in the world.”
As they spoke, both suddenly froze, as if sensing something, and simultaneously looked toward the corner.
There was a woman propping against the wall, kneeling on the ground vomiting. At first glance, nothing unusual, but Jiang Ce felt something attached to her.
“Oh? You saw it too.”
Seeing Cao Zheng also looking that way, Jiang Ce got excited: “Bet with me. I go pat her, she’ll sober up instantly. Bet after my business trip, we set up another party—the loser pays.”
“Wait, you’d better not get close.”
Before Cao Zheng finished, Jiang Ce had already lightly approached, not hearing his words.
Not just Jiang Ce had noticed the oddity; worried, Cao Zheng followed.
But before getting close, he stopped, expression slightly surprised.
He saw Jiang Ce patting the woman’s back behind her, like helping her catch her breath, but in Cao Zheng’s eyes, a black mist no weaker than a Ninth Rank vengeful spirit was gripped tightly in his hand, and with a gentle squeeze, the black mist instantly dispersed.
The woman lifted her head, full of confusion, as if unaware she’d brushed death’s door.
Cao Zheng, who had always seen Jiang Ce as an ordinary person, now reassessed him, and after a moment, showed a thoughtful expression.
