Chapter 12: Red Witch Xi Ya

"Your idea is indeed bold, but why do you think the Church would place ads for you in newspapers and magazines?" Even Xi Ya thought Lei Keton's thinking was quite out of the box; she couldn't guess what he'd do next.

"Can't we just pay money? Share the profits! Besides, this also benefits the Church's extraordinary members, so the Church should have room for negotiation, right, Sister Xi Ya?" Lei Keton said, then grew uncertain; after all, a huge Knowledge Church would find it hard to use its channels for such a trivial matter, even if it benefits him somewhat.

"Yo! Didn't expect the little guy to be so pragmatic; when you need help you call Sister Xi Ya, otherwise it's the aloof Ms. Xi Ya—did I misplace my trust!" Xi Ya, playing her role, teased Lei Keton.

Seeing the sorrowful expression before him, as if a scumbag had broken his heart and he needed comfort—a beautiful yet pitiful lady—Lei Keton was at a loss for words. As for Qiao Xi, his eyes were fixed, speechless; Lei Keton thought if Qiao Xi spoke now he'd stammer.

"Tsk tsk tsk! A drama queen, wasting talent by not taking the witch path." Lei Keton muttered internally, even thinking that if Xi Ya chose the witch path she'd likely earn the title Red Witch.

"I have a feeling you're thinking of something not so good." Xi Ya's gaze suddenly sharpened, dangerously fixed on Lei Keton.

"Huh? Why?" Lei Keton stared innocently into Xi Ya's eyes.

"Nothing, kid, keep going, don't give me a chance to catch you off guard! By the way, if you want to realize your idea you first need an actual deck of game cards, not this shoddy thing made by doodling a few tarot cards. It should be something already circulating within our Church, so we can prove the game has potential to become popular." Xi Ya returned to her previous tone.

"Hmm, good suggestion. Tonight I'll have the steward look for a suitable factory and produce a few decks." Lei Keton nodded thoughtfully.

"Sigh! No wonder you're the little master from a rich family! You have a steward, unlike me—everything I have to run myself, no one pities this delicate lady." Xi Ya's words remained forceful as always.

"Fine tea!" Lei Keton wanted to complain but dared not.

"When you say 'delicate lady', do you mean the kind who slaughters an entire pirate crew alone?" Captain Yi Kangdon returned while the group was discussing.

"Captain, there's a reason you're still single!" Xi Ya rolled her eyes.

"One person wiping out a pirate crew? What kind of heroine novel is this!" Lei Keton swallowed.

"Is senior Xi Ya really that strong?" Qiao Xi's eyes already sparkled.

Only Mr. Ke Si heard this and gave no notable reaction, seeming to have known all this already.

"The reason I'm single is that I feel I can't provide a stable family for a wife." Captain Yi Kangdon explained.

"Captain, your solemn explanation only makes this witch Xi Ya's game more exciting!" Lei Keton silently mourned his captain for a second—only a second because the show was about to start.

Xi Ya, not disappointing, uttered more cutting words: "Can't provide a stable family because you, captain, like to cheat? So wildflowers outside are more tempting than home, huh?"

Captain Yi Kangdon's face turned pale then black again, finally weakly retorted: "No!"

"Ha ha! Ha ha! Captain, you're amusing—none of these little boys here are interesting." Xi Ya's laugh was a bit wild, ending only when the captain's complexion darkened again.

"I'm just an old man out of step with the times; it's normal I can't keep up with your youthful thinking." Yi Kangdon shook his head, speaking helplessly.

"Captain, why are you alone? Where are Ms. Jie Xi Ka and Yue Se Fu?" Lei Keton, having had his fill of gossip, interrupted the captain and Xi Ya's conversation, rescuing the captain from trouble.

"They stayed at the outskirts' cemetery, observing the situation. Undead‑type creatures rarely emerge by day, which is unfavorable for them. You all go there later to lend a hand; they're both poor at combat. I need to take two people to a private hospital on Huo Ke Street in the northwest. Who's coming?" Yi Kangdon explained, then looked at the four for opinions.

"Captain, may I go with you? I doubt I could help Yue Se Fu's side either; I'm even less combat‑capable than them." Lei Keton said self‑aware.

"Eh? So you're saying the little boy can help over there?" Xi Ya sarcastically teased.

"She holds grudges, just now she clearly slipped through." Lei Keton internally labeled Xi Ya as petty and vindictive.

"Buy two get one free, I'm the free one. I just want to gain some experience; I know almost nothing about mysterious incidents! May I, captain?" Lei Keton gave a reason for wanting to go; his real motive was simply not wanting to see the pile of books on the seat, though curiosity was genuine too.

"Alright, Xi Ya, you go to the outskirts' cemetery, but don't stay too late; Jie Xi Ka and Yue Se Fu can't handle sudden situations. Ke Si, Qiao Xi, and Lei Keton, you come with me to the poet's hospital on Huo Ke Street in the northwest." Yi Kangdon quickly formed the groups.

"So I'm that important in the captain's mind? To be sent to the suburban cemetery as the finale—I thought you'd send Mr. Ke Si instead." Xi Ya said with disbelief.

"Yes." Captain Yi Kangdon nodded solemnly.

"I thought you just wanted to sideline me, not stay with me! Since I'm so important, captain, I'll head to the suburban cemetery now; it's not a short distance! Remember to reimburse my carriage fee!" Xi Ya flirted then turned away gracefully.

Captain Yi Kangdon's face darkened again unsurprisingly.

"No wonder, Red Witch, no—now should be called Reimbursement Hero! If you can get reimbursed, never spend money; I should really recommend this lady my Master Fool." Lei Keton's inner sarcasm burned brightly.

"Let's go too, aim to finish early, otherwise we'll have to work overtime today." Captain Yi Kangdon spoke with a worker's self‑awareness.

"Yes, captain!"

"Alright, captain"

"Alright, may I keep a book on me? If it's too late to return here, I can take it home to read. Um, these books should be okay to take home, right?" Lei Keton asked uncertainly.

"Sure, just register on the first floor, and remember to return on time, or your salary will be docked." Yi Kangdon nodded.

(End of chapter)