Afternoon, Tokyo – Shinjuku Ward.
After wrapping up things in Arakawa, Xi Shenlian began wandering aimlessly, no longer confining his movements to just that area.
His first stop: Shinjuku—a bustling district known for its bars, nightclubs, dance halls, and nightlife hotspots.
He remembered that in his previous life, Tokyo was divided into twenty-three wards.
But in this world, Tokyo City was split into sixty-five.
The Tokyo metropolitan area, with Tokyo at its heart, had a population of 220 million—a full third of Japan's total population.
The other two-thirds were split between:
The Kyoto metropolitan area, centered around ancient Kyoto.
And the remaining regions—normal towns and countryside across the country.
In short, Tokyo and Kyoto symbolized the present and past of Japan.
One, a modern coastal megacity. The other, a timeless inland capital brimming with history.
Because Tokyo was so massive in this world, even with a high-speed rail reaching over 500 km/h, it still took several hours for Xi Shenlian to get from Arakawa to Shinjuku.
But when he finally stepped off the train and into the endless crowd, a satisfied smile bloomed on his face.
Compared to the dull quiet of Arakawa…
This place actually felt alive.
---
Just then, he casually used up today's [Mood Value Lottery Draw].
Not long after, a purple card appeared in his hand.
> [Extra Talent Card – Control over the Circulation of Genetic Information]
Effect: Grants the user complete control over the circulation of their genetic information.
Unless permitted by the user, no one can extract any genetic data—
Including, but not limited to: hair samples, bodily fluids, blood, bone tissue, etc.
"…?"
It took Xi Shenlian two seconds to grasp what it meant.
Once activated, even if someone managed to get his blood or tissue, they would only retrieve random junk data or false information.
DNA cloning, bloodline tracking, curses—completely nullified.
But that wasn't all.
Just holding this card, Xi Shenlian instinctively glanced at a massive digital screen nearby.
It showed a transit map of the Shinjuku district.
One area on it stood out like a sore thumb:
> Kabukicho.
Seeing that name, and then the card in his hand—
Xi Shenlian instantly understood its "real" use.
"Damn it!!"
"This card's basically tempting me to sin!"
His fists clenched in mock indignation.
Still, he activated the card.
He wasn't the kind of person to waste resources, after all.
No matter how immoral they seemed…
---
Walking out of the subway, he hailed a cab.
The driver looked young—maybe in his twenties—but his face was full of despair, as if life had chewed him up and spit him out.
"Where to, kid?"
The question came cold and deadpan.
Xi Shenlian's answer?
Ten 10,000-yuan bills.
Just their presence was like divine healing.
The driver's lifeless eyes suddenly glowed like he'd been hit with a resurrection spell.
Rejuvenated. Reborn.
Then Xi Shenlian spoke righteously:
> "Take me to the best place in Kabukicho."
"I'm going there… to criticize the filth and corruption of modern society."
The driver grinned slyly.
> "Don't worry—I'll make sure you see everything that needs criticizing."
---
Before long.
The taxi dropped him off at the heart of Kabukicho.
Neon lights blazed. Music thundered. People bustled by.
Xi Shenlian saw beauty. Glamour. The night's endless possibilities.
But he wasn't impressed.
He just had one problem:
> "Damn it… which store's the best?"
For once, he wanted directness, not fanfare.
But he was new here. A little lost.
Still, beauty draws attention.
And like fate, the right person appeared.
A mature woman in a sleek black kimono and wooden clogs approached him with a graceful smile.
She looked him up and down and gestured toward a luxurious-looking building:
> "Hey handsome, wanna come in and play?"
"We've got lots of beauties. And some very special services~"
Just two lines.
And that meaningful smile—
Instant trust unlocked.
> "Let's go!!"
---
Minutes later.
Xi Shenlian sat inside, tapping through a tablet's character selection screen.
The saleswoman watched, confused.
> "Why's he picking the average ones? He doesn't look broke at all..."
She had sharp instincts.
From the way he dressed, walked, and talked—this was a top-tier client.
Honestly, if she hadn't switched careers, she might've taken this one herself.
Then she heard Xi Shenlian say:
> "Set aside the ones I've marked."
"I'll take all the rest."
The counter on screen showed:
> 17 / 82 selected.
"...?"
Then he looked up.
> "Also, do you take orders?"
The woman hesitated a second… then smiled:
> "...Sure."
---
And just like that—
Xi Shenlian disappeared.
In that wicked, depraved, capitalist hellhole of Kabukicho—
He vanished for ten whole days and nights.
Truly…
Worrisome.
Very, very worrisome.