Teacher by day, Farmer by passion-Chapter 180: Deception [7]

A magnificent white tiger padded into the room, its sleek fur gleaming like fresh snow under moonlight. Piercing blue eyes swept over the space before locking onto the untouched meal on the table.

With one fluid motion, the beast lowered its head and devoured the poisoned duck in a single gulp; graceful, powerful, and utterly fearless.

Zhao Yun clapped her hands with satisfaction, dropping to her knees and wrapping her arms around the tiger's massive neck.

"Dixie, now you're satisfied, right? Good boy, good boy—who's the best boy?" she cooed, nuzzling into the thick, luxurious fur.

The usually aloof Princess Soho, caught in the warmth of the moment, brightened with genuine curiosity. "Zhao Yun, let me pet him too!"

"Sure, sure, come—he likes being scratched behind the ears," Zhao Yun grinned, scooting aside slightly.

Together, the two young women crowded around Dixie, their hands buried in his fur as he purred in approval, the deep, rumbling sound resonating in the air.

Meanwhile Ace opened his system tab with a calm expression, eyes relaxed, posture casual.

He hadn't forgotten the earlier notification that had actually saved his life. It had come mid-meal, subtle and brief.

[From the Divine Library: The food is poisoned. It's an odourless poison, its name is Silent Night. It is lethal and can paralyse the user upon digestion.

Tip: Place your fingers down your throat and vomit immediately.]

Ace had followed the instructions without a second thought. But now, with the assassin gone and the tension simmering behind him, frustration lingered.

"Couldn't you just say 'poison' before I swallowed it?" he thought bitterly. "I'm not a damn lab rat testing threshold levels of death."

Still, he said nothing aloud. Princess Soho and Zhao Yun remained nearby, occupied by the summoned beast of Zhao Yun.

With deliberate composure, he moved on to the next log.

[Target Data – Analyzed by Divine Library]

Name: Unknown

Affiliation: Seven Flower Sect (Confirmed)

> Cultivation Techniques:

Cloud Treading Steps (Modified – Earth Grade)

Mortal Concealment (Fragment – Heaven Grade)

Ace turned his head away from the glowing system screen, rubbing his temples.

The scene beside him, two grown women doting over a massive white tiger like children at a petting zoo... was surreal, especially considering what had just transpired.

"Well, I'm glad you two are enjoying yourselves," he said dryly, his voice laced with a calm edge, "but would either of you consider leaving the area? We were nearly poisoned by the restaurant, in case you've forgotten."

"Oh, please," Soho replied, not even glancing back, still buried in Dixie's plush fur. "It's clearly that assassin who tried to kill you. We were just innocent collateral."

Ace opened his mouth, but paused—then narrowed his eyes slightly.

Blue Sea Restaurant.

"I remember now," he muttered, the realization hitting him like a quiet thunderclap. "This is the same restaurant chain where the explosion happened before."

Soho blinked and tilted her head, confused. "Explosion? No, I don't—wait..." Her eyes widened.

"Ahhhhh, right! Haha, yes! The time your two disciples fought and ended up saving everyone from that explosion. I completely forgot!"

Ace just stared at her, expression blank.

Is she acting dumb? Or is she actually dumb?

Nope. Definitely acting.

"You're either hiding something... or really bad at choosing dinner spots," Ace said, tone neutral but gaze sharp, he continued. "Stop dancing around and tell me—why did you exactly

bring us here of all places?"

Soho finally looked away from the tiger, her expression turning more serious though the playful glint in her eyes remained.

"Well," she said, brushing a lock of silver hair behind her ear, "I heard rumors that this particular restaurant chain doesn't just serve meals. They take orders, the kind that involve assassination, not appetizers. I brought us here to confirm that."

She leaned back casually, arms folded. "Didn't expect us to be the targets, though. Guess the rumors were true."

"Well… now what?" Ace asked, his tone dry as dust.

"I want to make a request," Princess Soho replied, completely unbothered. "An assassination attempt."

Ace turned and gave her a long, deadpan look—then slowly looked away again.

"Right. Well then, order another batch of food that isn't laced with poison. I'm starving."

Soho smirked and casually walked off to place the same order as before—duck meal and all, as if nothing had happened.

Meanwhile, Zhao Yun sat stiffly, still in disbelief. "How are you two so calm about this? We were just almost killed, and you're ordering seconds like it's a buffet."

Ace opened his mouth, but no good answer came to mind.

After a beat of silence, he shrugged slightly and admitted, "Honestly? You could say I'm not fully developed in the head."

He didn't even try to justify it. The logic just wasn't there. He was still in the same place that had nearly poisoned him to death.... still willing to eat the same exact dish.

It was beyond reckless and borderline stupidity.

That was just insanity.

Right on cue, the system sent a cold ping across his vision.

[Host, the system advises immediate departure from the premises. Please be sensible—like the girl sitting next to you.]

Ace sighed, rubbing his forehead. "Perfect timing as always," he muttered. Then he stood. "Yeah… makes no sense for me to still be here. We should just go."

Zhao Yun glanced over. "Wait, what about Princess Soho?"

"She said she needed to make a commission," Ace replied, pausing to think. "Let's just leave her a message."

"Got it." Zhao Yun nodded and grabbed a nearby stick of charcoal, quickly sketching a small pine tree symbol on the wooden table.

"There. That's our retreat signal," she said, brushing her hands clean. "If she sees it, she'll know we left safely."

"Good, good," Ace nodded. "I'm still hungry but definitely not for anything this place is going to serve."

With that, the two quietly exited the restaurant. To their surprise, no one tried to stop them.

The establishment felt unnervingly quiet, like the eye of a storm already passed.

The doors closed behind them with a soft thud, and just like that.... they were out.