A God Cultivator Reborn in the Modern Age

9.

“Who is it?” Alex asked again, his voice low but alert.

“Alex… it’s me.”

The woman’s voice sounded calm, slightly hesitant, yet clearly trying to remain polite.

Alex frowned. The voice wasn’t unfamiliar.

He walked slowly toward the door and opened it just a crack. A woman stood outside, wearing a simple beige coat. Her hair was neatly tied back, her face beautiful with sharp features and intelligent eyes. In her hand was a black leather handbag—expensive, but understated.

“Wine Clara?” Alex asked flatly.

The woman smiled faintly, relief evident on her face. “Thank goodness you still remember me.”

Alex opened the door fully. “Come in.”

Clara was slightly surprised. She had expected questions—or even to be driven away. But Alex’s demeanor was far too calm for someone who had once been at odds with her over a trivial matter.

Once inside, Clara immediately observed the house. Simple. Clean. Yet cold and eerily quiet.

“Are you alone?” she asked.

“Always,” Alex replied briefly.

Clara nodded, then sat on an old wooden chair. She opened her bag and took out a thin folder.

“I won’t beat around the bush,” she said. “I came to offer you a job.”

Alex leaned against the wall, folding his arms. “I’m not someone you can recruit easily.”

“I know,” Clara answered honestly. “That’s precisely why I came.”

She opened the folder. Inside were several photographs—a luxurious auction hall, several antique items, and one photo that made Alex narrow his eyes.

A piece of jade.

Deep green. Smooth surface. It emitted a gentle luster even through the photograph.

“High-quality jade,” Alex murmured.

“Not just high-quality,” Clara replied. “It’s Ancient Spirit Jade. Extremely rare. Its value isn’t limited to money.”

Alex looked at her calmly. “And?”

“At an auction three days from now,” Clara continued, “I’m certain certain parties will be targeting it. If that jade falls into their hands, the consequences for my business won’t be small.”

Alex finally stepped closer and picked up the photo. Just a glance was enough for his mind to start working.

In his past life as a God Cultivator, he had seen far too many artifacts like this. Jade of this kind could store energy, trigger formations, even serve as a key to ancient inheritances.

“You want me to steal it?” he asked flatly.

Clara shook her head quickly. “No. I don’t need a criminal.”

Alex raised an eyebrow.

“I only want you to observe it,” Clara said. “And make sure—by your own methods—that the jade doesn’t fall into my enemy’s hands. Because there will be three jades displayed together… and two of them are likely low-grade.”

“Who is your enemy?”

Clara fell silent for a moment. “The Han family.”

At the mention of the Han family—known for their dirty methods and underground connections—Alex’s gaze turned cold.

“So you’re playing on a big board,” Alex said.

Clara smiled bitterly. “I don’t have a choice.”

Alex returned the photo to the folder. “A light job, but the risk to me isn’t small.”

“I know,” Clara replied firmly. “That’s why I came to you.”

Silence followed.

“Why me?” Alex finally asked.

Clara met his gaze. “Because you’re not tied to anyone. Because you see things differently. And…” she paused, “because I’m certain they won’t bother dealing with you—since you have no background.”

Alex let out a soft laugh. “If they really have that many dirty methods, someone like me would become their primary target instead.”

“Maybe,” Clara said. “But my instincts are rarely wrong.”

Alex walked to the window, gazing at the darkening evening sky.

In his mind, the image of that jade resurfaced. He knew it was no ordinary object. If it fell into the wrong hands, the consequences could ripple far and wide.

“Fine. I’ll help you—for three days,” Alex said. “But on one condition. You must pay me a fair price.”

Clara nodded. “Don’t worry. If you succeed, I’ll never shortchange you.”

“I’ll make them fail to obtain it,” Alex continued. “Either by driving the price so high they retreat—or by making them believe it’s a defective item.”

Clara was slightly startled. “You can do that?”

Alex turned his head, his gaze calm yet unfathomably deep. “Jade isn’t judged by appearance alone. There are ways to make it look ‘dead’ to ordinary eyes.”

Clara fell silent, then slowly smiled.

“In that case,” she said, “I’ll leave everything to you.”

“But I have another condition besides payment,” Alex added coldly. “Will you agree?”

“Whatever it is, I’ll do it,” Clara replied without hesitation.

“Find the identity of a young woman—someone of similar standing to me—named Olivia,” Alex said calmly. “And once our business is finished, you are not allowed to ask who I am, nor drag me into your games again.”

Clara nodded without hesitation. “I promise. And the information you want will arrive within an hour… What’s your phone number?”

Alex gave it to her directly. When he saw her stand up and extend her hand, Alex looked at it briefly before shaking it once, briefly.

“Tomorrow night,” Clara said. “I’ll pick you up.”

“For what?” Alex asked in confusion. “The auction starts in three days.”

“Dinner,” Clara replied. “Since I happen to have time.”

“No need,” Alex answered. “I have other matters to handle out there. And remember—you must send me the information about Olivia as soon as possible.”

Clara smiled faintly, not offended, and walked to the door.

“Just wait.”

When the door closed, Alex turned back to the photo of his mother on the table.

“A debt is a debt. A promise is a promise,” he murmured. “All these small troubles will soon be resolved… and perhaps a storm is about to arrive.”

One hour later—just as Clara had promised—a message made his simple phone ring.

‘The Olivia you’re looking for is the heiress of the Jack conglomerate family. Address: Draken City Center No. 01.’

The message was clear. Alex immediately put on his jacket.

Not to meet Olivia, but to meet three debt collectors, even though it wasn’t yet time to pay.