Asianovel

"It's a letter written in blood," she said, biting her lip.

Gu Changjin's expression remained unchanged as he asked, "Who wrote it?"

"It was written by me, or rather, it was written in my name," Xu Li'er lowered her gaze. "I don't know who that person is. Whenever they came, they would speak in a muffled voice behind me. I... didn't dare to turn and look at them. They told me that if I died and left that letter behind, Eunuch Yang from the Eastern Depot would pay for my mother's death. Furthermore, it could save Lord Gu's life. That person said that Lord Gu's assassination on Changan Avenue was orchestrated by Eunuch Yang. As long as Eunuch Yang lives, you, Lord Gu, will never find peace. They also said that an official as righteous as Lord Gu shouldn't die at the hands of those barbarians."

Xu Li'er paused here and lifted her eyes, looking earnestly at Gu Changjin.

"I originally agreed to it. I planned to hang myself obediently once the incense burned out. My worthless life, if it can avenge my mother and save your life, then it would be a worthwhile trade. Except—"

As the incense burned down little by little, she suddenly found herself unwilling to let go.

She didn't want to die before mourning for her mother, before hugging the little kitten she had raised herself, or before seeing the locust trees in front of her house bloom one last time.

When Yang Rong had taken her away, her cat was pregnant and lazy all day. She didn't know how many kittens it had given birth to. The locust tree in the courtyard was planted together with her father when she was young. In a few days, it would be covered in blooms, and her father used to love picking those flowers to give to her mother and her.

All these memories suddenly became vivid and beautiful amidst the fragrant smoke of sandalwood in the inn.

It was strange, but when her mother closed her eyes, she had truly lost the will to live. She thought it would be better to join her mother and father in the afterlife sooner rather than later.

When the time truly came to die, she found herself reluctant to let go.

Perhaps it was because she was a timid person by nature.

Tears welled up in Xu Li'er's eyes as she asked, "Would Lord and Lady think that Li'er is cowardly and afraid of death?"

"How could we?" Rong Shu said with a serious expression. "If you were truly afraid of death, you would have confessed your crimes when you were first interrogated at the Northern Supervisory Office." She continued earnestly, "This isn't cowardice; you're simply taking responsibility for your own life. Miss Xu must understand that no one can force you to die if you don't wish to. It's not shameful to cherish life. You have the right to live well without any guilt. Don't think that closing your eyes and tightening a noose will make death easy—it's a painful experience. Besides—"

She softened her tone and spoke with absolute certainty, "Lord Gu won't die so easily. Don't worry, that eunuch Yang from the Eastern Depot won't be able to kill Lord Gu."

After all, he was the future prince, and the only one who could die at the hands of Yang Xu was Gu Changjin, not the other way around.

Rong Shu had never doubted Gu Changjin's capabilities. Otherwise, she wouldn't have sought his help to save Xu Li'er.

Upon hearing this, the Lord Gu she mentioned slightly turned his gaze and glanced at her.

It was peculiar, but the irritation in Gu Changjin's heart suddenly dissipated.

A faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he gazed out the window.

She wasn't entirely wrong. Yang Xu didn't have the capability to take his life, and Xue Lier shouldn't have died either. There was no path that needed to be paved with the blood of the innocent.

If there were, it wouldn't be the one Gu Changjin would tread.

The carriage jolted along the road until they reached Wutong Lane, where Mama Zhang had already led Yingyue and Yingque to wait in the Songsi Courtyard.

Upon entering the yard, Rong Shu instructed, "Prepare the eastern chamber for Miss Xue to spend the night. Tonight, all of you rest in the main house. That's it, take Miss Xue to settle in first. I still have some words to speak with Second Master."

Gu Changjin stood by the Moon Cave Gate, not entering the courtyard. Hearing Rong Shu's words, his foot, about to step forward, paused.

Rong Shu approached him and carefully said, "The black-clad assassin who attempted to kill Miss Xue at the inn today carried a distinct scent. If this concubine didn't smell wrongly, it should be agarwood."

Authentic agarwood was incredibly rare, mostly offered as tribute from foreign regions, making it extremely hard to purchase on the market.

Many aristocratic families enjoyed using agarwood to display their noble status, but the agarwood they used wasn't genuine; instead, it was a compounded fragrance made from agarwood, dragon's brain, and osmanthus juice.

In the capital, the number of households that could afford genuine agarwood could be counted on one hand.

Gu Changjin immediately understood Rong Shu's meaning.

"Are you sure it was agarwood?"

Rong Shu pondered for a moment before nodding. "This concubine is quite sensitive to scents. My mother once had a piece of agarwood the size of a fist. When I was learning how to make incense, I often played with it. Although the scent on that person was very faint, this concubine believes she didn't smell incorrectly."

Worried that she might have been too boastful, she added, "My lord should only take it as a reference, not rely on my words as evidence."

Gu Changjin neither agreed nor disagreed, simply nodding and saying, "Madam has had a busy night. You should return and rest early."

After Rong Shu left, he narrowed his eyes slightly.

Agarwood?

Chang Ji asked from behind him, "Master, shall I investigate which families in the capital use agarwood?"

Gu Changjin shook his head. "No need to investigate. In this capital city, there are some people who don't use agarwood, yet still carry its scent on them."

Chang Ji pondered Gu Changjin's words for a long while before finally understanding. "Master means that the person is—"

"Well, tell Heng Ping to return tomorrow and stop keeping an eye on that person," Gu Changjin said, glancing at the sky. "I'll make a trip to Liu Mo Hall. You go back to the study first."

Chang Ji's heart sank as he watched Gu Changjin's figure disappear towards Liu Mo Hall, a worried look on his face.

Madam disliked it when the master showed mercy and weakness. Now that the master had saved Xu Li'er today, would Madam blame him? One could never predict Madam's methods...

In truth, the master had already instructed him earlier, when he finished his duties for the day, to secretly guard the posthouse once the people in Liu Mo Hall had retired for the night.

Chapter 78: "I've Got This" (3200+)

With two diverging paths ahead, he couldn't bear to part ways.

Huo Lanjing instructed, "Sit to the left."

The moment his voice faded, Uncle Wang and another person promptly moved to the left side.

Just as Huo Lanjing was about to drive forward, a car suddenly rushed ahead of them, cutting them off.

The car swerved to block the other path in a desperate maneuver.

It was a nerve-wracking scene that made Huo Lanjing's heart skip a beat.

The trapped vehicle came to a halt.

Three men then emerged from the car, with one holding Chen Chen in his arms. They pressed a laser dagger against the child's neck.

Luo Le and Huo Lanjing alighted from their cars almost simultaneously, their eyes inevitably meeting.

They both turned their gazes toward the three individuals in unison.

Huo Lanjing stood slightly ahead.

Luo Le said, "Let the child go. What do you want?"

The first kidnapper exchanged a glance and replied, "You come with us to a place."

Huo Lanjing said, "No way."

Luo Le responded, "Alright."

Both spoke almost simultaneously.

Huo Lanjing looked at Luo Le disapprovingly.

The first kidnapper's dagger inched closer to its target.

Luo Le quickly interjected, "Stop, I agree. Let him go."

Chen Chen glanced at his father, his tiny face as pale as a sheet.

The first bandit sized them up and suddenly chuckled. "I've changed my mind. Both of you are coming with us."

Luo Le frowned. They were nothing but a bunch of thugs.

But he had no choice.

He summoned a dagger from his spatial ring and concealed it in his sleeve.

"Alright, I agree," Luo Le said.

The first bandit replied, "Then come here, and you two, step back."

Pointing to Huo Lanjing's group not far away, the bandit continued his instructions.

Luo Le walked forward step by step. Huo Lanjing's heart hung in the balance, unable to divert his gaze from them.

Luo Le's pace was unhurried, yet it didn't take long for him to stand before the knife-wielding bandit.

The dagger suddenly shifted its trajectory toward him.

Luo Le took a step back, "What do you want?"

The bandit waved the dagger, "What's in your hand?"

It seemed they were more alert than he expected.

Luo Le gritted his teeth, retracting the dagger back into the space.

Then, he extended his empty hand.

The bandit glared at him fiercely, "Don't try anything funny. My dagger isn't just for show."

Luo Le nodded without responding.

He reached out to embrace Chen Chen.

But his hand was suddenly swatted away by the bandit.

Before the culprit could utter a word, a searing pain shot through his hand, causing him to loosen his grip involuntarily.

"Brat, dare to bite me?" he growled, advancing menacingly toward Chen Chen with bulging veins on his arm, ready to strike.

The moment Chen Chen fell, Luo Le swiftly caught him and darted to the side.

Despite this, Luo Le's hand was still slashed, revealing a dark wound from which a crimson streak oozed out.

"What are you waiting for? Go catch him!" someone shouted.

The two men, now realizing the situation, rushed forward only to be repelled by Huo Lanjing, who had already arrived at the scene.

Another assailant joined the fray, engaging the knife-wielding criminal in a fierce battle.

Luo Le hastily retreated with Chen Chen towards Uncle Wang.

Still uneasy, he pulled open the car door and nestled Chen Chen inside.

He then caressed his head and said, "You were really great, darling. Stay here quietly, don't come out."

By the time Luo Le began to focus on the commotion, the three individuals were already crouching with their hands over their heads.

Huo Lanjing turned to look in that direction, about to say something.

But suddenly, he saw Luo Le shout anxiously, "Be careful!"

In the next instant, a tearing pain surged from his side, causing the other person to abandon the crouching suspect and rush over.

However, the attacker was like a madman, plunging a dagger into Huo Lanjing's arm.

The other man quickly pulled the attacker away and caught the one clutching his stomach.

"Master! I'll take you to the hospital right now."

Huo Lanjing pushed him aside. "Don't worry about me, catch them."

A young master's command is not to be disobeyed.

The man hesitated for a while before turning back, only to find that nobody was behind him anymore.

"I'm sorry, Young Master, they... have fled."

Before Huo Lanjing could unleash his anger, he was supported by another pair of hands.

Luo Le said, "Let's go to the hospital first."

Due to excessive blood loss, Huo Lanjing's face appeared rather pale.

Huo Lanjing slightly turned his head and saw Luo Le, whose expression was filled with concern. A small smile involuntarily tugged at the corners of his lips.

Luo Le still cared about him.

"What are you smiling about?"

Huo Lanjing paused, his eyes growing hazy as if he were about to faint at any moment.

Luo Le sighed. "Never mind, don't talk anymore. Uncle Wang, take him to the hospital."

Huo Lanjing leaned heavily against him. "It's fine, don't worry about me..."

How could they ignore that? After all, Huo Lanjing was injured because of them.

Luo Le pondered and decided to send him to the hospital first.

Both of them helped Ho Lanjing into the car.

To prevent Chen Chen from being frightened by Huo Lanjing's blood-covered state, Luo Le asked Uncle Wang and the other person to sit in the other vehicle.

In the car, Luo Le saw Huo Lanjing with his eyes closed, his lips pale.

A sense of urgency flickered in Luo Le's heart, and she promptly retrieved a tourniquet from her space.

She then moved sideways, tightening the tourniquet around Huo Lanjing's arm. Just as she did, he suddenly opened his eyes and leaned forward, their noses almost touching due to their already close proximity.

Their breaths intertwined, the scent of cold pine mixed with the fragrance of pomelo, raising the temperature inside the car.

Luo Le pressed her hand against his chest, gently pushing him back onto the cushion.

The air of intimacy vanished instantly.

Continuing her task, Luo Le said, "I'm stopping your bleeding. Don't move."

Huo Lanjing acknowledged her and lifted his gaze to meet her focused expression as she tied the bandage around his wound.

The bandage wrapped around the injury in concentric circles before being securely knotted.

Luo Le glanced at the crimson seeping through, a flicker of emotion in her eyes.

Unexpectedly, Huo Lanjing suddenly grabbed Luo Le's hand and asked, "Do you have another bandage?"

Luo Le assumed he needed one for his hand.

She reached into her spatial pocket and retrieved another bundle, saying, "Here."

Can't he bandage his own hand?

Huo Lanjing reached out to take it, then firmly held onto Luo Le's hand.

Luo Le struggled, "What are you doing?"

Huo Lanjing replied, "Don't move."

Then, with one hand, he took the bandage to wrap around Luo Le's hand.

Luo Le saw this and said, "I'll do it myself."

Huo Lanjing ignored him, grasping one end of the bandage and offering it, "Hold this."

After a moment of hesitation, Luo Le reached out to take it.

Once the bandaging was done, Huo Lanjing lay back down.

Luo Le glanced sideways at Huo Lanjing, whose head was resting against the car window. Perhaps due to blood loss and weakness, he now appeared somewhat docile.

The compartment fell silent all of a sudden.

After a moment, Huo Lanjing suddenly spoke up, "Qin Chen from Wind City..."

Luo Le replied, "What about him?"

"Oh..."

Huo Lanjing drew out his vowels and continued, "Qin Chen is back."

Luo Le asked, "Who's Qin Chen?"

Huo Lanjing explained, "The Second Prince. Qin Chen is his assistant in Wind City."

Luo Le paused, suddenly recalling the four suitcases in the trunk of Wind City's car.

"And what about it?"

"The Emperor has intentions to abdicate. Qin Chen is back for that reason."

Luo Le understood now. As Qin Chen was Wind City's assistant, if there was a struggle for power, they would need his assistance.

With Wind City on the horizon, work would ensue once more.

"Hoping for my agreement, perhaps?"

Huo Lanjing replied, "Mm-hmm."

Luo Le lowered his gaze. Their mentor's return was unpredictable. If Wind City didn't come back, those individuals would surely return. Moreover, he was still at risk of exile.

After this incident, Huo Lanjing was determined to assign someone to follow Luo Le. It was better to be disliked than to risk anything happening to him.

Receiving no response, Huo Lanjing remained silent. The group arrived at the hospital in a grand procession, proceeding to the exclusive floor designated for the Huo family.

The doctor had been waiting and Luo Le helped Huo Lanjing into the examination room to sit down.

After the doctor took his seat, he looked at the three people standing in the room and pointed outside. "You can step out for now."

All three of them left, with Uncle Wang even kindly closing the door behind them.

The hospital had been constructed with top-notch materials. The sound insulation in the rooms was excellent; even standing by the door, Luo Le couldn't hear anything from inside.

He decided to take a seat on one of the waiting chairs.

Uncle Wang approached and said, "Madam, please don't worry."

Luo Le lifted her head. "Please stop calling me that. I'm no longer Mrs. Huo of your family."

Uncle Wang shook his head, unsure if he would ever get the chance to address her with that title again in front of her.

Chen Chen looked at Luo Le with confusion from the side.

Luo Le gently rubbed his head and asked softly, "Are you tired? Do you want to sleep?"

Chen Chen shook his head, but Luo Le still picked him up.

After a while, the door opened.

Huo Lanjing followed the doctor in, with his arm suspended in a sling and his abdomen wrapped in thick bandages.

Luo Le stood up and glanced at him, asking, "Didn't you use a healing chamber?"

His question was directed at Huo Lanjing.

But the doctor stepped forward to explain, "The laser dagger that injured the Admiral contained a special substance. Not only was it poisonous, but it also interfered with the healing chamber. Therefore, the Admiral's wounds can only be treated with medication. The ointment has already been applied, and we'll change it in two days."

Poisonous?

Luo Le inquired, "Will his hand recover to its previous condition?"

Huo Lanjing would still need to operate mechas in the future. If his hand's dexterity was compromised, it would significantly decrease his compatibility with the machine.

A nation's supreme general would bear tremendous guilt if he were incapable of operating a mecha.

The doctor replied, "As long as the recovery goes well, there shouldn't be any major issues."

Luo Le heaved a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Doctor."

"It's my duty."

Huo Lanjing pointed at Luo Le. "Help him with the medication."

After that, Luo Le went in and the doctor applied the medicine for him.

After bidding farewell to the doctor, Luo Le carried Chen Chen and walked alongside Huo Lanjing.

When they reached the parking lot and were about to part ways, Luo Le called out to Huo Lanjing.

Huo Lanjing turned back. "Hmm?"

Luo Le placed Chen Chen in the car and said to him, "Sweetheart, Daddy needs to have a talk with Uncle. Can you wait for Daddy in the car for a bit, okay?"

Chen Chen nods in agreement. "Okay."

Gazing at the obedient Chen Chen, Luo Le feels a sense of guilt toward him.

After entrusting the two to look after Chen Chen, Luo Le slides into Huo Lanjing's car.

Huo Lanjing follows suit, shutting the car door behind him.

Now, they are alone in the vehicle.

With a serious expression, Luo Le deliberated on his words, not rushing to speak.

Huo Lanjing inquired, "What's the matter?"

Luo Le said, "My ID has been canceled by Gu Heting."

Huo Lanjing's brows faintly knitted. An ID was unique to an individual; it shouldn't be falsifiable.

The previous sovereign was quite warlike, promptly dispatching troops to aid any planet that sought assistance.

Over the years, the national coffers had been depleted.

Upon this sovereign's ascension, troops would still be dispatched for support.

The demand for IDs was substantial, and the profits they generated were considerable.

To replenish the treasury, His Majesty had turned a blind eye to this matter.

But now, it seemed intervention was necessary.

Huo Lanjing asked, "Are you willing to be Luo Le again?"

Luo Le hesitated. Of course he wanted to, but...

He said, "But Chen Chen...he..."

Huo Lanjing knew what he was going to say and interrupted, "I'll find a way, as long as you're willing."

Luo Le replied, "Then...thank you."

Huo Lanjing disliked Luo Le's formal demeanor towards him.

"There's no need for such formalities between us. Take Chen Chen back and make sure he gets some rest. Don't worry about anything else; I've got it covered."

Chapter 126: "Happiness"

Shen Xingyu and Mrs. Shen hurried to the hospital, where they found Shen Xingzhuo lying on a bed in the emergency room with a cast on one leg.

The driver who had brought him there wore an expression of overwhelming disaster, unable to hold back his tears.

Upon seeing Shen Xingyu and Mrs. Shen, he rushed to explain, "The light was green at the time. I didn't expect him to suddenly dash out like that, and I wasn't speeding either..."

Shen Xingyu's expression was far from pleasant.

With too many incidents happening at home lately, Shen Xingzhuo's car accident was like pouring oil on the fire.

However, looking at the driver, he still sighed and said, "We'll deal directly with the insurance company."

To their surprise, Shen Xingzhuo spoke up at this moment,

"It's alright, you can go. I'll cover the medical expenses myself."

The driver was even more confused. "This...?"

"I crashed the car myself. It has nothing to do with you. You can go," Shen Xingzhuo said.

As he spoke, Shen Xingzhuo looked radiant.

The accident seemed to have suddenly freed him from his previous state of despair.

Mrs. Shen was somewhat distracted, standing by the bedside.

She didn't look at Shen Xingzhuo nor did she speak to the driver.

Shen Xingyu glanced at the driver but didn't say anything.

The driver hesitated for a long time, unable to figure out the situation, but still left his phone number. "Y-You call me if you need anything."

After the driver left the ward, Shen Xingzhuo didn't even glance at the string of digits before crumpling it and tossing it into the trash bin.

Closing the main door to the ward, Shen Xingyu turned to Shen Xingzhuo with a grim expression. "You crashed the car on purpose? What's going on?"

"Nothing much," Shen Xingzhuo replied, lying on the bed and playing with his phone without looking at the other two. "Alright, you can leave now. If I need help, I'll call a nurse myself."

Watching Shen Xingzhuo's demeanor, Shen Xingyu closed his eyes briefly.

"Shen Xingzhuo, can't you be more mature? Do you still think you're that second young master of the Shen family from before?"

"I'm quite mature now, don't try to manipulate me with your tactics," Shen Xingzhuo countered.

Shen Xingyu's gaze shifted to the leg in a cast belonging to Shen Xingzhuo.

"What do you call this then?" he sneered. "Atoning for your sins?"

Neither brother explicitly stated it, but both were aware of what "atonement" referred to.

Shen Xingzhuo's expression soured instantly. The earlier sense of ease deflated like a punctured balloon.

Shen Xingyu spoke sternly, "That's only because you're still alive. If you were dead, would that driver deserve to be implicated?"

"Stop talking!" Shen Xingzhuo abruptly waved his hand.

The needle on the back of his hand was dislodged, sending translucent medicine and scarlet blood splattering everywhere.

Shen Xingyu's headache returned momentarily.

He sighed but didn't say anything more.

However, Shen Xingzhuo pointed at him and Madam Shen, "That's still better than both of you!"

"I've never hit him! I've never helped the old man deceive and guard against him, knowing full well about the inheritance he has!"

Shen Xingyu lowered his gaze, his fingers clenching the railing of the hospital bed until they turned white before he gently released them.

He didn't say anything in retort.

"And you too! I didn't lose him either!"

Mrs. Shen, who had been in a daze, suddenly snapped back to reality.

Hearing words reminiscent of her memory, she looked up sharply at Shen Xingzhuo.

Once again, she saw the familiar reproach in her son's face.

"Is it all my fault?!"

Mrs. Shen stumbled backward, trembling. "None of you are without fault!"

She pointed at Shen Xingyu, then at Shen Xingzhuo, panting as she spoke:

"How could your brother have gone missing if not for you?"

"Mom, that's enough." Shen Xingyu reached out to pull Mrs. Shen back.

But she waved his hand away.

On the way to the mountains, the argument between her and Shen Hongyuan had erupted because of Shen Xingzhuo.

The last small cake in the car refrigerator was devoured by his younger brother.

Shen Xingzhuo was displeased because he had one less slice than his sibling.

He approached Madam Shen, pestering her to buy more.

Madam Shen, engrossed in her phone, casually appeased him, "You're the older brother, it's alright to let your younger brother have his way sometimes."

Beside them, a four-year-old with chocolate crumbs on the corner of his mouth listened attentively.

He awkwardly fiddled with his fingers, then tugged at Shen Xingzhuo's sleeve, saying, "The cake was so delicious, I couldn't resist. I'm sorry, big brother."

Six-year-old Shen Xingzhuo glanced at him but didn't comment. He merely stated, "I'll go back and buy more."

"Enough, your brother has apologized to you. Look how well-behaved he is? Now look at yourself!"

Madam Shen was getting slightly annoyed by the commotion.

Yet, Shen Xingzhuo burst into tears because of his words:

"Why does Elder Brother have things that I don't, and Younger Brother has things that I don't as well! Only I have nothing!"

Shen Hongyuan happened to step out of the car at this moment and heard the commotion, so he walked over.

He looked terrible, as if he hadn't had a good night's sleep in a long time.

Upon seeing Shen Xingzhuo bawling, he immediately scolded, "What are you crying for?!"

Mrs. Shen was also rather troubled. In her opinion, a small cake wasn't a big deal at all.

In a family like theirs, could they not afford a cake?

So she said to Shen Hongyuan, "He wants to eat the cake from the dessert shop we just passed. Husband, why don't you drive back and get some more? That cake was quite delicious."

Unexpectedly, upon finishing her sentence, Shen Hongyuan grabbed Shen Xingzhuo by the neck and threw him back into the RV. "All you know is how to eat!"

Mrs. Shen was startled by his actions and quickly stood up. "Hey, what are you doing? It'll only take half an hour to drive back. If you don't want to go, just let the driver do it. Why are you getting so angry?"

"How did he turn out like this if not because of you? Look at Ranran, she doesn't throw tantrums like this!" Shen Hongyuan scolded.

But when he lowered his gaze to see his youngest son standing by, he paused and shifted his eyes away as if nothing had happened.

Madam Shen was also provoked by his words. "What do you mean by that? Are you crazy, Shen Hongyuan? You were the one who suggested this vacation, yet you're acting all sulky now?"

"Can't you just give me a break? I've already taken you on vacation, what else do you want?"

The couple started bickering again.

Shen Xingyu drew the curtains of the RV shut with his hand.

In his own RV, Shen Xingzhuo was being held and comforted by the nanny. Seemingly hearing the voices of their parents arguing, he cried even louder.

The youngest stood still, looking up alternately at Madam Shen and Shen Hongyuan, at a loss for what to do.

After the argument, Madam Shen stormed back into the RV in a huff to cry.

Shen Hongyuan got into his SUV.

The child was left standing there. After a moment, he slowly returned to the motorhome he shared with his brother.

Inside the motorhome, Shen Xingzhuo was still crying.

The nanny offered him other snacks, but they were snatched away by Shen Xingzhuo and flung aside.

Spotting his younger brother's return, he pointed at the child and yelled, "It's all your fault that I got scolded by Dad!"

"Big brother, don't cry."

The child approached, his own voice quivering as he tried to hold back his sobs. "Next time, I'll let you have the small cake, okay?"

Shen Xingzhuo held back for a moment but eventually couldn't resist. Rubbing his eyes, he burst into tears again.

"I don't want cake! I-I want to go to the amusement park, I want... ice cream!"

Upon hearing the word 'ice cream', the child's reddened eyes lit up.

For they both recalled that just a few days ago, they had visited an amusement park, each holding their own ice cream cone.

There were no arguments, no anger.

Mom and Dad hadn't fought or scolded anyone.

Everyone was happy.

That was the happiest time they'd ever had.

Children didn't understand much else; they believed that replicating that scene would bring back the joy of that day.

Without an amusement park, ice cream would suffice!

And they remembered passing by an ice cream shop just a moment ago.

"Big brother, I'll go find Mom and ask her to buy us ice cream."

The child eagerly hopped out of the car.

He rushed towards the RV where Mrs. Shen was.

The auntie peeped out and, upon seeing him enter, felt reassured and focused on calming down the one inside the vehicle.

"Mom, Mom!"

The child stood in front of the RV, knocking on the door.

However, there was no response from within.

Only sobs could be heard.

The child knocked twice more on the door.

Spotting that the door wasn't properly closed, he lifted his foot to pull the door handle.

But he was too short and couldn't reach it after struggling for a while. He could only use his fingers to pry open a gap in the door and slowly squeeze himself inside.

Inside the RV, a woman was weeping.

The child cuddled up to the woman, hugging her legs and comforting her, "Mommy, don't cry. Let's go get some ice cream. Once we eat it, we'll be happy!"

He even knew the distance and elaborated, "The ice cream shop is really close!"

With his fingers counting, he said, "It's just a one, two, three... five-minute walk! Let's go back and buy some..."

But this remark infuriated Mrs. Shen. "Go back? You want to go back? Can't you both behave more maturely?"

The child was taken aback by the sudden outburst and called out, confused, "Mommy?"

Mrs. Shen broke down. "Can't you just leave me alone for a while? If you want ice cream, go ask your father!"

With a slam, the RV door shut.

Dark clouds blanketed the sky, casting an oppressive gloom.

Shen Xingyu had turned on the lights in his RV, still troubled by a finance case on his computer.

Soon, knocks sounded on the door of his RV.

The weather was so stuffy that he hadn't bothered to close the door.

Shen Xingyu assumed it was the driver, reminding them that it was time to leave.

But when he looked up, he saw only a child's head peering in.

Despite the open door, the child didn't climb in immediately.

He seemed to recall the "order" not to step into Shen Xingyu's study.

From outside, he softly called, "Big Brother."

Upon seeing that Shen Xingyu remained silent, the child slowly climbed the steps inside.

The steps were high, and the child had short legs, so they had to lean on the car door sideways and climb up step by step.

After climbing up, he stood by the doorway, gazing at the youth seated before the computer within, softly uttering:

"Big brother, would you take me to buy some ice cream?"

Shen Xingyu furrowed his brow subconsciously.

Agitation seems contagious, for just now Shen Hongyuan had engaged in a heated argument with Madam Shen.

Currently, Shen Xingzhuo was still weeping.

Shen Xingyu's mood was equally grim.

He couldn't help but say, "Can you stop bothering me?"

The child immediately took a step back.

Shen Xingyu pressed his lips together and added, "Go find Mommy first. I'll accompany you to buy it after I'm done with my work."

"But..."

The child didn't say anything and obediently climbed down the steps to leave.

He wandered for a while on the way.

Then, he still jogged over to the last SUV in the line of vehicles.

Dad's angry appearance was terrifying, even more so than Big Brother's.

The child hesitated for a moment before reaching out to pat the car door.

He patted it ever so gently, as if afraid of waking the monster inside.

He called softly twice, "Daddy? Daddy?"

Yet, the dark SUV remained silently parked in place.

The tinted windows reflected a dark sheen, obscuring the view of what was happening inside.

Looking up for a moment, the child withdrew his hand.

He paced around for a while before heading back towards the RV he shared with his brother.

Shen Xingzhuo was still wailing inside.

A cold and restless atmosphere permeated the convoy.

After walking a short distance, the child paused again.

He lowered his head to search through his small yellow duck backpack, checking the pocket money within.

Gathering courage by clenching his fists, he muttered to himself, "I can buy it myself!"

He lifted his foot and started walking in the direction he remembered the ice cream shop to be.

However, fear eventually caught up with him, making him stop once more.

"Ice cream will make Mommy, Daddy, and Brother not be angry anymore."

The child muttered to himself.

As if those words had given him courage, he counted silently again, "Just five more minutes!"

Eventually, the child lifted his short legs and ran in the opposite direction from the convoy.

Holding onto his small yellow duck backpack, he ran alone on the road for quite a while.

It was a short distance, but it seemed exceptionally long due to his slow pace.

Dark clouds were gathering, and there were few people on the street as rain was about to fall.

Every passerby appeared particularly menacing to the child.

He grew scared, beads of sweat trickling down his forehead.

It wasn't until he saw the colorful sign of an ice cream shop and the large waffle cone models standing on either side of it that he felt a sense of relief.

"It's ice cream!"

The child's eyes lit up, as if sharing this delightful discovery with an imaginary companion along this brief yet perilous path.

He started running again, reaching the shop and placing both tiny hands on the counter.

Addressing the owner inside, he said, "I want ice cream."

The proprietor, surprised to see such a young child alone, leaned forward and asked, "Little one, are you by yourself? Where are your mom and dad?"

"Mommy and Daddy are just over there," the child pointed in a direction and then nodded, "They're really close!"

Assuming the child was referring to tourists outside the shop, the owner inquired, "How many ice creams do you want, and what flavors?"

The child counted silently:

"One for Mommy, one for Daddy, one for Big Brother, and one for Second Brother."

"Mommy and Daddy like vanilla, Big Brother wants lemon, and Second Brother likes strawberry."

At last, it was done.

Unaware that he had omitted himself, the boy proudly held up four fingers to the vendor, as if he had solved a complex problem: "I'll take four!"

"Four of them... I'll have to pack them nicely then..."

In no time, the child emerged from the shop, carrying four ice creams.

The return journey became a delightful and anticipated one.

The boy ran along the way, yet handled the box with great care, as if cradling a bundle of joy for his family.

The familiar path no longer instilled fear in him.

The child eagerly anticipated the joy on his parents' faces when they received the ice creams.

He even felt a sense of proud accomplishment.

He silently praised himself inwardly: "I'm so amazing!"

Until he returned to the location where the convoy was stationed.

The child stared blankly ahead.

The sky was dark and gloomy.

There were no vehicles in sight, only an empty, unfamiliar stretch of land.

With courage mustered, he embarked on an unfamiliar and perilous journey, painstakingly carrying the most exquisite happiness from his memories with utmost care and effort.

Yet, nobody was waiting for him.

Madam Shen ultimately voiced the words she had been holding back:

"had you not insisted on eating, how would your brother have gone missing?"

"Mother, please don't say anymore!"

The one speaking was Shen Xingyu.

His voice was deep, urgent, with a subtle rasp to it.

His complexion was unnaturally pale.

But Shen Xingzhuo had already heard him.

That very night, Shen Xingzhuo left the hospital despite still having his cast on.

At the airport.

Shen Xingran, wearing a cap and a mask, gazed at the international flight ticket on his phone.

He was strikingly handsome, exuding an air of poise that came from being well taken care of.

Some people at the airport mistook him for a celebrity, stealthily taking pictures of him with their phones.

In the past, Shen Xingran had relished such attention.

Yet now, he was secretly avoiding it all.

Shen Xingran sat in a corner of the departure lounge, lost in thought for a while.

Too many things had happened recently, and they'd unfolded in rapid succession.

The once prosperous Shen family had suddenly stumbled, on the brink of bankruptcy.

They were even entangled in a legal dispute.

Their once harmonious family was now in disarray.

Shen Hongyuan's fake inheritance scandal still made headlines in the media.

Up until now, Shen Xingran couldn't quite grasp the reality of it all.

Even though he had orchestrated these events himself.

Sitting in his chair, Shen Xingran gazed at the airstrip outside.

In his mind, he relived the scene where he fiercely reprimanded Madam Shen, Shen Xingyu, and Shen Xingzhuo at the Shen residence.

In truth, Shen Xingran was somewhat fearful when he returned to the Shen family back then.

He was only nineteen, and despite his extensive experiences, it was his first time doing something like this.

The incredulous expressions of Madam Shen and Shen Xingzhuo were still vivid in Shen Xingran's memory, leaving him somewhat bewildered.

How had things escalated to this point?

Just a year ago, he was still the beloved young master of the Shen family, with Shen Hongyuan indulging and protecting him.

Madam Shen doted on him unconditionally, as did Shen Xingzhuo. Clearly... he had also been attached to Madam Shen.

He truly regarded Shen Xingzhuo as his older brother in every sense of the word.

Yet now, everything seemed utterly ridiculous.

Shen Xingran delved into his memories.

It probably started when Madam Shen learned about the rumors of an "illegitimate child" outside.

Back then, Shen Xingran realized for the first time that Madam Shen's affection for him wasn't unconditional.

Similarly, Shen Xingzhuo had, for some inexplicable reason, begun treating Lu Ran as his younger brother.

The rift between them emerged abruptly and spread.

Then came the day when he overheard Shen Xingyu stating his intention to bring Lu Ran into the Shen Corporation.

And at Shen Xingyu's birthday party, he witnessed the conversation between Lu Ran and Shen Xingyu, overhearing Shen Xingyu's promise to Lu Ran.

Suddenly, Shen Xingran felt a surge of panic.

He always remembered that he was just an orphan with nothing to his name.

Even within the Shen family, there was no one he could truly rely on.

That was why he had to take matters into his own hands.

Capitalizing on Shen Hongyuan's trust, Shen Xingran entered the company during summer vacation, becoming Hongyuan's assistant.

Under Shen Hongyuan's name, he accessed and copied the Shen Corporation's technical data.

Initially, Shen Xingran had no intention of using this information for any purpose.

But as he began interacting with Jin Linuo and heard the terms offered, Shen Xingran's interest gradually grew.

At first, Shen Xingran cautiously negotiated and maneuvered, hoping to reap benefits from the situation.

It wasn't until Jin revealed to him Shen Hongyuan's forgery of the will that things changed.

Fifty percent of the shares under the late Mr. Shen's name, along with the majority of the remaining assets, were rightfully Shen Xingran's.

Upon hearing this news, Shen Xingran didn't react with overwhelming joy.

It was more like a rude awakening for him.

He suddenly realized that perhaps his adoption and the name Shen Xingran were part of a deceit from the very beginning.

Perhaps...

Initially, Shen Hongyuan had adopted him to secure a "Shen Xingran" to inherit Grandpa Shen's estate. Later, due to mistrust in this unrelated orphan, he altered the will.

And he, this "Shen Xingran," was merely Shen Hongyuan's fallback option.

Kept close by, in case the tampering of the will was exposed, there would still be him, this "Shen Xingran," to fall back on.

It turned out that from the start, he was nothing but a complete laughingstock.

Shen Xingran had previously felt a twinge of guilt for his plan to betray the Shen family.

Upon hearing this, his guilt vanished, and he promptly agreed to Jin's conditions.

Regarding this "inheritance," Shen Xingran had thought it through thoroughly.

If luck was on his side, and Lu Ran couldn't prove that he was the "Shen Xingran" mentioned in the will, then of course, he would fight for the inheritance.

By then, the entire Shen Corporation would be his, and with the collaboration with the Lino family, he would firmly establish himself in the industry.

If things didn't go as planned, and the inheritance fell into Lu Ran's hands, Shen Xingran wouldn't suffer any losses either. He could simply take the money and shares offered by the Lino family and escape abroad.

With the Shen family entangled in the inheritance dispute, they wouldn't have the time or energy to pursue him.

By the time the Shen family realized what had happened, he would already be hiding overseas.

Shen Xingran had long prepared for this scenario.

But now, as he stood at the airport, he felt unusually downcast.

Yet, Shen Xingran quickly regained his spirits.

He realized that he was different from Lu Ran.

Lu Ran shared an unbreakable blood tie with the Shen family, but he didn't.

They weren't his real family, so why should he be upset?

Shen Xingran even began to harbor some hope.

He had a substantial amount of money in his possession now, and unlike when he was with the Shens, this money was entirely under his control.

With this money, he could live quite comfortably.

Once the turmoil passed, he might even be able to return home and find his biological parents, experiencing the genuine love of a family.

With such prospects in mind, Shen Xingran felt exceptionally relieved.

He was about to board the plane with his suitcase in hand when a shadow fell across his path.

Two officials stood before him, flashing their IDs.

One of them spoke:

"Good day, you've been summoned to court for the crime of corporate espionage. Due to the severity of the case, it's now a public prosecution, and as of now, your exit from the country has been restricted..."

In the end, Shen Xingran had underestimated Shen Xingyu.

Amidst all the chaos, he had remained cool and collected, gathering evidence to sue both him and the Lino family.

Throughout the entire summer, troubles within the Shen family had unfolded one after another.

Aside from some complications with identity verification, Lu Ran's life had been relatively calm.

With his experiments temporarily concluded, he could finally indulge in some leisure time at home.

Returning from an evening walk with the dog, Lu Ran knelt on the ground, sorting through Big Yellow's leashes and chest harnesses.

Big Yellow sat by, watching him.

Lu Ran rummaged through them and picked out the beige leash adorned with a rabbit toy.

After a moment of contemplation, he tossed it into the trash can beside him.

Addressing Big Yellow, he said, "This one is dirty, so we'll discard it. Daddy will get you a new one."

Big Yellow didn't object, sitting quietly with his round eyes fixed on Lu Ran, seemingly puzzled as to why a seemingly clean leash was deemed dirty.

Lu Ran neatly put away the remaining leashes. As he stood up, he stumbled, nearly falling to the ground.

Ji Min walked in through the door just in time to witness this scene.

Promptly reaching out, he pulled the person into his embrace.

"What's wrong? Is your knee hurting? Or is it somewhere else?"

Ji Min appeared slightly nervous, his brows tightly knitted together.

Recently, even though Lu Ran hadn't mentioned anything, Ji Min could sense the intermittent tension in Lu Ran's demeanor.

For a good while, Lu Ran was wordlessly held and caressed in his arms.

Eventually, unable to bear it any longer, he explained with a touch of exasperation, "Thank you, I just squatted for too long and my legs went numb."

Chapter 111: Station 23: Cataclysm

Amidst the crumbling mountains and splitting earth, countless crimson threads surged forth, intercepting the horrifying barrage of debris for everyone!

Fifty carried the bound Sibu forward, and the others immediately followed suit.

Fortunately, the collapse wasn't continuous. Although the fissures kept spreading, the tsunami-like madness eventually subsided.

However, when they all turned back, they discovered that the once-majestic White Manor had transformed into countless fragments piercing out from the ground, floating towards the skyward-split starry expanse.

Tiles, white walls, ornate beams, and painted rafters had all become a staircase of fragments ascending to the heavens, spiraling up and down in the air.

Ming Yiyang and Si Shuhao had both witnessed this scene before.

Si Shuhao was worried for Yan Qiling's safety.

On the other hand, Ming Yiyang knew that this signaled the beginning of Yan Qiling's consumption of space.

A sudden, ominous premonition welled up within him.

This foreboding wasn't about his personal safety but rather an unsettling distrust in the inexplicable bond between humans and spirits.

He reached for his ring finger.

The band, as pristine as new, snugly encircled the contours of his bone.

That peculiar sense of distance still fragmented into multiple directions, but to Ming Yiyang, who now understood the situation, it offered some relief to his currently strained nerves.

Ever since he entered this world, the tail ring had been reflecting the presence of several "Yan Qiling"s moving about in different locations.

That was why on the first day, he suspected Yan Qiling of concealing something from him.

But now he knew that Yan Qiling must have set up some sort of array for this world's Wujian Master.

Though he was unsure of its exact function, it seemed unlikely that this Wujian Master could escape.

Fifty placed sorghum cakes before the grave.

Due to the absence of paper money, the wind at the gravesite had turned ominous.

As if sensing something, Shiweng Guang fumbled in his bosom and presented the red cloth shoe tremblingly.

The red shoe slapped onto the ground, and moments later, a woman dressed entirely in red appeared before everyone's eyes.

Her face was covered by a damp piece of gauze, and her melodious voice, tinged with sorrow, echoed like a lament carried by the wind:

"The golden hairpin is a willow branch, the small box contains willow seeds... I, Chun Yufen, have finally awoken."

"In this mortal world, relationships between rulers and subjects, and ants, are no different. All joys, sorrows, and vicissitudes are but fleeting dreams in the Southern Apricot Kingdom. Where then can one ascend to heaven? I, a mere mortal, have always been captivated—"

With that, she transformed into a trail of fading red and flew away. Countless beams of golden light shot out, dispersing the malevolent spirits hovering around the gravesite. Instantly, the sky brightened, the gloomy atmosphere dissipated, and a sense of clarity washed over everyone.

The source of the golden radiance was a tiny, floating silk box.

Ming Yiyang gently set Si Shuhao down and retrieved the enigmatic golden hairpin from his chest. Inserting it into the lock of the silk box, he opened it.

A vivid red gemstone emitted a blinding glare that made it difficult for those nearby to look directly at it.

Ming Yiyang's eyes shimmered with the fragmented brilliance of diamonds.

The gem seemed to pulsate with a life of its own.

In this moment, Ming Yiyang witnessed the cycle of human emotions—joy, sorrow, anger, and pleasure—tangled and swirling around him like a carousel of memories.

This was the first time since unlocking the restrictions on his Qingdu Ziwu Yin-Yang Pupils that Ming Yiyang found himself trapped in an illusion!

He quickly realized that this must be the core of the Mystic Rank Wujian Lord, though he never imagined it would be hidden here!

But the Qingdu Ziwu Yin-Yang Pupils could penetrate all illusions in the world. How could he be ensnared by something like this?

"You think it's an illusion?" Fifty's voice rang out clearly from outside. Then, the gem was suddenly gripped by an outstretched hand and crushed fiercely.

The surrounding illusion dissipated, and Fifty looked at him with a smile. "It's true that the Qingdu Ziwu Yin-Yang Pupils can see through illusions. But what if it isn't an illusion?"

Without any warning, Zero swallowed the precious pearl whole!

Yao Kunrui's facade vanished instantly, and Yan Qiling's face reappeared. The lake-blue hue in his eyes slowly flowed, and even his voice returned to its crisp, jade-like tone:

"This object is called the Manifestation Pearl. A hundred years ago, that centipede ghost secretly consumed it and hid it away. Father was magnanimous enough to confine it within the Nineteenth-Level Lotus Pagoda without further restraint, but this is precisely what I need."

Ming Yiyang displayed an expression of disbelief for the first time:

"Yan... Qiling?"

"Ahh, no need to worry, you can certainly call me that. I was previously concerned about whether this Manifestation Pearl possessed the legendary power, but the fact that your Pure Capital Violets Yin-Yang Pupils couldn't penetrate it indicates that it indeed has remarkable effects."

The man with Yan Qiling's face gazed at the full moon hanging above, as his traditional Chinese attire danced suddenly with an unseen breeze:

"Well then, the sacrificial array has been activated. I must leave..."

A silver Spirit Binding Rope latched onto the man's wrist, with the other end held tightly by the youth with purple eyes.

Ming Yiyang stared directly at this figure and asked:

"How could you have opened my Yin-Yang Pupils just for today?"

"Why would you think that?"

Ming Yiyang had just let out a sigh of relief when the man with blue eyes chuckled softly.

"Whether it was guiding you to unlock your Yin-Yang Pupils or agreeing to accompany She Lingshuang into the Profound Realm, all of this was for today. I've laid so many groundwork, why do you only mention the Yin-Yang Pupils?"

A tremor flickered across Ming Yiyang's expression before it faded entirely.

He still held the man's wrist tightly, refusing to release the Spirit Shackles.

"You couldn't possibly have predicted everything so precisely. Although there are few Voids of the Profound Realm, how could the Prison Train coincidentally deliver you right to your target?"

"The Prison Train couldn't, but I could."

The man revealed a wry smile, as if mocking Ming Yiyang's naive innocence.

"Do you truly believe that the night sky beyond the Prison Train is the work of a Void of the Profound Realm? If they possessed such abilities, none of you would have survived until now."

"That veil of darkness is what I use to direct the Prison Train's trajectory. Since it's taking us to a Dark Rank Infinite Lord, why can't it be the one in the space I desire?"

"Oh, you must be wondering why I didn't use this method before."

The man gave a standardized smile as he answered his own question:

"Because the time was not ripe."

"Didn't I mention that I hope our next encounter with certain individuals will be more pleasant? For that, I've prepared various tactics and means. However, these techniques need to be tested, and besides, there are treasures I need to acquire. Like this Manifestation Treasure Pearl, for instance."

"There's no need to reveal myself before I'm fully prepared," the man said with a soft chuckle. "But now, everything is perfectly timed."

The Spirit Binding Rope suddenly loosened without any warning. In an instant, the man transformed into a vortex of swirling red threads and vanished without a trace, leaving only an echoing residue of sound behind.

"Sesame is at your mercy, and furthermore, take note, the sky is falling!"

Suzhuo's face was deathly pale. The wound on the back of her neck, which had been left untreated, had started bleeding profusely during the frantic escape, soaking through her collar and the shirt on her back.

As the recent victim of an attempted assault, Si Shuhao merely cast her a glance, paying no attention to the other's emotions. Instead, she looked towards Ming Yiyang.

What did Wuliao just mean by those words?

Ming Yiyang was also unable to respond.

For that ring, which was famously claimed to be obtainable only by venturing to Mount Sanqing.

When Fifty departed.

Shattered.

It fell like stardust and silver flakes, showering the tiny world with a ruthless meteorite rain.

Within Ming Yiyang's heart, there was a contrasting dichotomy of ice and fire.

In his memory, the unique Yan Qiling who had always treated him differently overlapped with the one who just smiled ruthlessly, creating a conflicting image that tore at him.

This left him experiencing an unprecedented sensation, akin to acute pain.

The agony came swiftly and fiercely, leaving no means of respite.

If possible, he wished he could handle this situation like a throat-slashing emergency, pressing down on the bleeding point on the major artery to at least slow down the pace of his own demise.

But now, he was inexperienced and had no reference materials to consult.

No one had ever taught him what to do in a situation like this.

Yet, reality didn't afford him much time for contemplation.

The heavens and earth suddenly trembled violently!

As the full moon above their heads tilted, they all abruptly realized that the sky was genuinely collapsing upon them!

All thoughts of trivial details were abandoned as everyone frantically dashed forward in a desperate bid for survival.

In this tilted world, no one could remain untouched.

Yet, as they ran further down the slope, the path ahead gradually turned into a steep decline. With time passing, the incline grew steeper, and the crescent moon hanging upside down drew closer with each step they took.

Liao Xinya swiftly grasped the key to their escape:

"The moon! The moon is the exit!!!"

Hope flickered back into everyone's eyes—except for Ming Yiyang, who remained silent.

Struggling through the rolling gravel, they managed to reach the moon's edge before the slope became a perpendicular ninety-degree drop.

A train roared into view, stirring excitement within them all.

Ming Yiyang reached into his inner pocket, only to find it empty, mirroring the emptiness he felt inside.

He sensed that something had pierced him somewhere, causing a dull ache.

It wasn't until Si Shuhao let out a startled cry that...

"Ming Yiyang, your leg!!"

He looked down and saw blood oozing from the calf of his left leg. The warm liquid had already soaked through his pants and into his shoes, yet he hadn't felt anything before.

"Hurry, get in the car!"

The girl reached for him, concern etched on her face as she gazed at his wound:

"Oh no, what do we do now? If only Yan Qiling were here... Why hasn't he returned? Is 50 really part of Yan Qiling's team? If so, why have I never seen them both appear together?"

Ming Yiyang merely stared at his injured leg.

Of course, he knew the right thing to do was to get in the car immediately, then disembark in five minutes and return to reality. He should promptly open his first-aid kit, tend to his injury, and seek medical treatment.

There was no need to worry about Yan Qiling; this man was an unparalleled master at the Heavenly Rank, capable of holding his own against an opponent at the Mystic Rank within their shared space.

Moreover, everything that had happened was part of the other person's plan. As the pawn in this game, did he have the right to be concerned about the strategist?

Ming Yiyang took two steps towards the train, each stride tugging at his calf and sending jolts of pain through his nerves.

In a sudden impulse, he reached out to touch the bandage covering his face.

For a moment, he was startled, then he regained his expressionless demeanor and turned to push Si Shuhao into the car:

"Get in first, don't get out."

Before Si Shuhao could respond, she witnessed Ming Yiyang rip off the bandage from his face and run backward without any hesitation!

Her eyes widened! It was as if she was witnessing madness reminiscent of Yao Kunrui in another world all over again.

But this time, the one who had lost his mind was Ming Yiyang.

Ming Yiyang had gone mad!!!

Chapter 64: This Seat Will Tell You a Story

Mo Ran looked in the direction of the voice and saw the answer suddenly appear, stumbling down the stone steps of the government office.

It was a child of about three or four years old, holding a small bamboo whirligig as he skipped towards Young Master Chu. He wore a simple little outfit with a jade pendant, a talisman for good fortune, and a red silk amulet hanging from his chest. He was like a miniature version of his junior brother.

"…" Mo Ran now understood why those cavalrymen had been whispering to each other.

He couldn't help muttering, "Junior Brother, you and our Master both come from Lin'an, and our Master also has the surname Chu. Could it be that the Chu family from two hundred years ago is your ancestral family? Are the two of you distant relatives…? I think that's highly likely."

Chu Wanning didn't say anything, but he too stared at the pair.

He had never known his origins, and his memories from childhood were hazy.

Could this Young Master Chu really be one of his ancestors...

Just as he was pondering this, it was Mo Ran's turn in line.

Young Master Chu lifted his gaze, about to hand Mo Ran a talisman, but when he saw an unfamiliar face, he was slightly taken aback. Then he smiled warmly. "A stranger, newly arrived here?"

His voice was deep and refined, a stark contrast to Chu Wanning's cold and stern tone.

"Ahh... Yes, yes."

Suddenly, there was someone who looked so much like his master speaking to him in such a friendly manner. Mo Ran didn't know how to react; he felt at a loss.

The young master of the Taishou family smiled slightly. "My name is Chu Xun. May I ask for your esteemed surname, sir?"

"I, I have the surname Mo. My name is Mo Ran."

"Where did Young Master Mo come from to reach Linan?"

"V-Very far away, in Shu... Shu Province." Even though Young Master Chu Xun had a gentle demeanor, Mo Ran still felt as if this man could see right through him.

Chu Xun was slightly taken aback, then smiled politely. "Indeed, quite a distance." He paused and lowered his gaze a few inches, noticing Chu Wanning standing nearby. A hint of surprise flickered across his refined face.

"This must be..."

"I am Xia Sini," Chu Wanning replied.

Mo Ran brought him closer and patted his head with a dry laugh. "This is my younger brother."

He doesn't resemble me but you.

Perhaps due to the imminent battle and the urgency of the situation, Chu Xun didn't have time for further contemplation. Or maybe because he was just a character in an illusion, it was difficult for him to react strongly to matters outside this illusion. Anyway, he frowned, took a longer look at Chu Wanning, then handed them each a finished talisman with both hands.

"As guests who've come from afar, and considering the current suffering of the people, please accept these two talismans. If you have no other plans, why not stay in the city for a couple more days?"

Mo Ran said, "I've heard about your plan, Sir, to lead the citizens to Putuo? What do these talismans do?"

"These are Soul Extinguishing Talismans," Chu Xun explained. "Wearing one can conceal the aura of a living person."

Mo Ran immediately understood. "Ah, I get it now. By sealing the aura of a living being, ghosts won't be able to tell whether we're alive or dead. So even if we walk right past a vengeful ghost, they'll be confused and unsure how to react."

Chu Xun smiled. "Exactly so."

Seeing that Chu Xun was busy, Mo Ran didn't think it appropriate to ask more questions. Thus, he thanked Mister Chu Xun and led his junior apprentice brother aside.

They sat by the wall, and Mo Ran turned his face to see his junior apprentice brother lost in thought, holding the talisman. He asked, "What are you thinking about?"

"I was considering that it truly was an effective method," Chu Wanning mused quietly. "But I wonder why they didn't end up leaving."

"Didn't the book mention why?"

Chu Wanning replied, "Two hundred years ago, the calamity is most thoroughly recorded in the Lin'an Annotation. But even then, it only fills a few lines."

Mo Ran asked, "What did the book say?"

"The city of Lin'an was besieged, and the situation inside was unknown. When the rebellion's forces broke through, they found corpses strewn along the roads, with nine out of ten homes empty. The governor's office and seven hundred and forty households were wiped out."

"..." Mo Ran said, "It didn't say how they died?"

"There were no records. At the time, Lin'an was under siege, and very few people survived. Later, a few survivors were rescued by the Feathered, but the Feathered generally don't involve themselves in mortal affairs. Their thoughts and considerations differ from those of ordinary humans. To them, the truth wasn't important; even if they knew, they would have no reason to tell the world."

Chu Wanning paused before continuing, "However, since they were leaving in two days, we'll soon find out what really happened. Let's walk around some more, perhaps we can discover some clues."

The two stowed away their Soul Extinguishing Charms and were about to leave when they heard footsteps. Immediately after, Chu Wanning's sleeve was tugged on.

"Little brother."

Chu Wanning turned around to find the young master who bore a striking resemblance to himself. The little lad was exceptionally young, his voice still laced with the softness of infancy as he said, "Big brother, my father mentioned that you have no place to stay here. If it doesn't trouble you, you're welcome to spend the night at our home."

"Well..."

Chu Wanning and Mo Ran gazed at each other, their eyes locking in an unspoken understanding.

Mo Ran inquired, "Is it convenient? Your father is already so occupied."

"No problem at all," the little one replied with an endearing smile. "Our home is already filled with people who have nowhere else to go. We all live together. With Father around, there's nothing to fear at night. No ghosts."

Though his speech was still somewhat disjointed, his sincerity and warmth tugged at one's heartstrings.

Mo Ran said, "Alright then, we'll be bothering you at your place tonight. Thank you, little brother."

"Hehe, no need to thank me, no need to thank me."

Watching the boy skip away, Mo Ran tugged on Chu Wanning's hand and said, "Hey, let me say something seriously."

"I know what you're going to say, so just shut up."

"Ha ha ha. You know again?" Mo Ran chuckled, ruffling Chu Wanning's hair. "When we get back to the mountain, I really have to ask our Master about this. The two of you resemble each other, one like a big brother and the other like a little one. If you told me you weren't related to Governor Chu, I wouldn't believe it."

Chu Wanning: "...So what if we're related?"

"Huh?"

Chu Wanning glanced indifferently at the father and son beneath the tree, then said calmly, "It was all two hundred years ago anyway. They're both dead."

With that, he turned and left.

Mo Ran stood there for a moment before hurrying after him, muttering as he walked, "Hey, you little one, why do you have such a heavy aura at your young age? If someone's dead, they're still an ancestor, right? If it were me, I'd definitely build them a shrine, carve a nine-foot-tall golden statue to venerate, with fragrant incense and jewels adorning it, ensuring the offerings never cease. I'd be counting on my ancestors to look out for me... Hey hey, don't walk so fast."

As they walked through the city, they saw every household collecting straw and weaving scarecrows.

Upon inquiry, they learned that this was also something Young Master Chu Xun had instructed the citizens to do. Regardless of their age, each resident was required to have a corresponding scarecrow, containing paper wrapped in their own blood. These were called "false puppets."

The logic was similar to how, if a river deity demanded human heads, people would make buns stuffed with meat and throw them into the river as offerings to appease the deity.

One must know that some spirits, due to their origins, lack sharp intellect. They could easily be deceived by simple illusions; for instance, the previous ghost conductor Chu Wanning and Mo Ran had encountered was a dullard, incredibly gullible.

From this perspective, Chu Xun had at least made two layers of preparation for the citizens. The first was the Soul Extinguishing Talismans, ensuring they would remain undetected by ghosts during their evacuation.

The second was the straw dummies, as once the ghosts realized the sudden disappearance of the entire city's population, they would become extremely agitated. These dummies would serve as distractions, temporarily calming the spirits and buying time for the mass migration.

However, this only deepened Mo Ran and Chu Wanning's suspicions.

Why, despite Chu Xun's meticulous planning, did everything still fall apart?

With these questions weighing on their minds, they returned to the Governor's Mansion. It was already dark by then. Many who lived in remote areas refused to return home, instead bringing their families to spend the night within the Upper Clear Barrier.

The mansion gates remained open all night, with the same white-robed guards patrolling as they had seen during the day.

By the time Mo Ran and Chu Wanning arrived, there were no more available rooms. Every corner was packed with people, with three or four households huddled together in each chamber, leaving no space to spare.

Eventually, the duo had no choice but to settle down in a corridor. There were no bedding available, so Mo Ran asked the guards for some straw, which he used to create a makeshift bed on the ground before gently placing Chu Wanning on it.

"I apologize for having you sleep here today."

Chu Wanning said, "Not bad at all."

"Mm?" Mo Ran smiled. "I agree."

He sprawled beside Chu Wanning, stretching out before propping his arm behind his head and gazing up at the intricately carved wooden ceiling of the corridor.

"Ning, you have to admit that those Feathered people are quite skilled in creating dreams. Even though this dream is based on the memories of survivors, it's remarkable how detailed it is—right down to the patterns on the wooden arches."

Chu Wanning replied, "After all, the Feathered are half-divine beings. Their powers might not be at the peak, but they possess abilities beyond what ordinary humans can achieve."

"True." Mo Ran blinked, rolled over, and propped his chin on his hand as he looked at Chu Wanning. "I can't seem to fall asleep."

"..." Chu Wanning glanced at him. "Then let me tell you a story to lull you to sleep."

It had been a sarcastic remark, but to his surprise, Mo Ran had an incredibly thick skin. He chuckled and said, "Sure, sure. Little Junior Brother, tell me the story of the Seven Fairies and Dong Yong."

Chu Wanning hadn't expected him to take it seriously. He froze for a moment before turning away with a sullen expression. "You wishful thinker. You're not a child anymore; don't you feel embarrassed?"

Mo Ran chuckled. "Look here, people often yearn for what they can't have, regardless of their age. When I was young and nobody told me stories to soothe me, I would always think about how nice it would be if someone could do that for me. As time passed and no one showed up, I grew up and stopped thinking about it. But the longing remained in my heart."

Chu Wanning: "…"

"You didn't have anyone to tell you stories when you were little, did you?"

"Mm-hmm."

"Haha, so you actually don't know how to tell the story of Dong Yong and the Seventh Fairy either, right?"

Chu Wanning: "............ There's no point in discussing such lewd language."

"It's fine if you don't know, don't make excuses with words like 'lewd'. If you keep acting like this, you'll end up just like my master, becoming an incredibly boring person that nobody wants to bother with."

Angered, Chu Wanning retorted, "If they don't want to bother with me, then so be it. Goodnight."

With that, he laid down and closed his eyes.

Mo Ran laughed so hard that he rolled around, eventually rolling over to Chu Wanning's side. Gazing at his junior apprentice brother's sleeping face, with his dark, evenly long eyelashes, Mo Ran found him quite adorable. So, he reached out and pinched the other's cheek.

"Really asleep?"

"Asleep?"

"Haha." Mo Ran chuckled. "Then you sleep, and I'll tell you a story."

"You know how to tell stories?"

"Sure do, just like how you talk in your sleep."

Chu Wanning fell silent.

Mo Ran lay down beside him, both their heads resting on straw, very close together. Mo Ran laughed for a while, but when his junior disciple didn't respond, his laughter gradually softened. Still, his eyes remained curved in a warm smile as he gazed at the ceiling, occasionally inhaling the rugged scent of rice straw. His voice was tranquil and soothing.

"The story I'm going to tell you is one I made up myself. Back then, no one told me stories, so I was envious. But there was nothing I could do about it. So every day, lying in bed, I would tell stories to myself. This one is my favorite. I gave it a name: 'The Cow Grazing Grass.'"

Author's Note:

Little Scene: "Bedtime Story"

When Fei Yu tells a bedtime story, it starts like this: A long, long time ago, there was a child...

Chu Wanning began his storytelling with: "The Tao that can be spoken is not the eternal Tao; the name that can be named is not the eternal name. What story shall I tell? No, let me recite a scripture instead."

Xue Meng protested: "I won't listen, I won't listen! Turtle nonsense... Tch! Fine, I'll listen!"

When Xue Meng started his bedtime tale, he said: "Let me tell you, I'm a genius, topping the charts countless times since I was young. Tonight, I'll share with you how I became the champion of the 14th Mystic Realm Teenage Swordsmanship Tournament."

Shi Mo began his storytelling hesitantly: "Uh... Well, I'm not very skilled at this, and my storytelling might not be great. Please don't mind."

Ye Wangxi offered his narrative with warmth: "Want to hear a story? Alright, give me a moment to fetch a book to read aloud. Lie down first, cover yourself well, and don't catch a cold."

Mei Hanxue invited with a smile: "Storytime? Great! Senior Brother can tell you a tale about two gay tigers affectionately cuddling. I can also tell you one with a male and female tiger. Which version would you like?"

When Su Yu left Lin Shuicheng's house that day, he felt as if he was walking on air. In a short span of time, his worldview seemed to have undergone a complete transformation, and his spirit had been deeply shaken.

He had no idea what had transpired between Lin Shuicheng and Fu Luoyin, nor did he dare to ask. Checking his phone, he saw that Fu Luoyin had called him twice and sent a message asking how he was doing.

With trembling hands, Su Yu marked the read message as unread, muttering to himself, "I don't know... I really don't know..."

He was even considering staying at home for the next few days to help with Yan Zi's birthday party preparations. Yan Zi enjoyed organizing her own celebrations, and without giving him a chance to argue, she had kicked him out to intern. At this moment, Su Yu began to miss the warmth of home.

As he scrolled through his phone messages, a new incoming call notification popped up: "Dong Shuoye calling. Answer?"

It was already eight in the evening.

Rubbing his eyes, Su Yu pressed the answer button.

"Have you had dinner? Want to grab some late-night snacks?" Dong Shuoye asked. "There's a new barbecue place near Star University High School. It's from the same chain as the one across the street before, I wonder if it's still as tasty."

Su Yu replied, "I just finished eating, but sure, why not?"

"Did you find a job yet?" Dong Shuoye inquired. "When I called your place the other day, Auntie said you were interning at the hospital?"

"Yes, I'm almost bald from worrying. I studied two majors, but I don't want to work in either field. The only options seem to be hospitals, forensic science, or law." Su Yu sighed. "What have you been up to lately?"

It had been a few days since he last contacted Dong Shuoye, and Fu Luoyin as well. However, he knew Fu Luoyin was busy, and he hadn't kept track of what Dong Shuoye was doing.

"Not much, let's grab a meal then," Dong Shuoye replied. "I've missed you, little fish. It's been a few days."

Su Yu's goosebumps were rising. "Scram, scram! Alright, eight thirty it is. If you arrive early, remember to order me braised tofu and crispy chicken feet, the softest ones."

"Sure, see you then."

As Su Yu hailed a taxi to head over, he slowly recalled that Xia Ran seemed to have returned recently.

The Xia family had moved to the old North American branch, along with their businesses in Star City which had gradually shifted there over the years, some rented out, others sold. Since no one from the Xia family was in Star City, Xia Ran appeared to be staying at the Dong residence this time.

There was a history of conflict between the Su and Xia families. No wonder Dong Shuoye hadn't mentioned these matters to him.

When he arrived, Dong Shuoye was already there, having ordered double servings of the braised tofu and chicken feet as requested, as well as takeout from Su Yu's favorite milk tea shop.

Su Yu happily joined in for the feast, while Dong Shuoye asked, "Why are you so early? I thought you'd still be on your way."

Su Yu said, "I just came back from Star University."

Dong Shuoye raised an eyebrow. "Star University?"

As Su Yu spoke, his gossip spirit was about to burst out. He divulged the news in a very mysterious tone, "Let me tell you, Elder Brother's partner has moved to Star University! It seems like they had a fight, and they're breaking up—um, I think it was Elder Brother who wanted to break up, but Number Two didn't agree. But Elder Brother has already moved out and returned all of Number Two's money!"

Dong Shuoye looked surprised. "Lin Shuicheng?"

"Yup!" Su Yu affirmed. "He moved out in just one day, and do you know what Elder Brother asked me? He asked how much breakup compensation would be appropriate for Number Two!"

Su Yu covered his face. "This sounds like Number Two got dumped! And Elder Brother said that they weren't really dating!"

Dong Shuoye was momentarily at a loss for words. "...Is he really breaking up with Number Two? Why?"

Su Yu shook his head. "Elder Brother didn't say. He just said it wasn't suitable. He even took the cat with him. He just moved today... I haven't dared to tell Number Two yet. Would you like to be the one to break it to him?"

Dong Shuoye smiled bitterly. "Stop tormenting me."

After a moment of silence, he spoke as if surprised, "That doesn't make sense. Why would he break up with Number Two? Wasn't he just a substitute?"

Su Yu whispered, "How unappealing it sounds to be a substitute. I think Elder Sister might not like Second Brother that much. We were wrong about their relationship from the start. As outsiders, we have no right to intervene, don't we?"

Dong Shuoye merely smiled but didn't comment, his expression turning somewhat solemn as if deep in thought.

"Let's not talk about this. Will you be free to come to my mother's birthday celebration in a few days? No, wait, your family should be attending, right?" Su Yu asked.

"I've heard about it. My dad and a few of my brothers will be there," Dong Shuoye glanced at Su Yu with a hint of a smile. "Xia Ran might also attend."

As expected, upon hearing those two words, Su Yu deflated like a punctured balloon.

He lowered his head to scoop up a spoonful of scorching tofu smothered in garlic paste, salt, and cumin. "Why should the Xia family attend my mom's birthday? I didn't invite him."

"Aunt will invite him, Yu," Dong Shuoye still wore a cheerful smile. "Now that everyone knows Xia Ran is back, it wouldn't be proper not to invite him, especially after all these years."

In their circle, no matter how much discord existed on the surface, they would still put on a show of unity when necessary. Yan Zi had never made a big fuss over her birthdays before, but this time was an exception, likely to pave the way for Su Yu's future.

The Su family business wasn't meant for Su Yu to inherit. Su Yue and Yan Zi were progressive parents who had changed various pharmaceutical companies and research institutions under their names into a board of directors system a decade ago. In the future, Su Yu would only need to sit back and collect profits. If he genuinely didn't want to take over, it wouldn't be a significant issue.

A thorn pierced Su Yu's heart. "Anyway, I don't like him."

"Dong Shuoye, you can share this with us, but don't spread it around." Dong Shuoye raised his finger to hush Lin Shuicheng. "There's no need to worry about these matters. But when Minus Two and Xia Ran are both there, I assume you've already invited Lin Shuicheng, right? What do you plan on doing when the three of you meet?"

Su Yu was taken aback.

After dinner, as usual, Dong Shuoye offered to drive Su Yu home. Su Yu had sampled the restaurant's new fruit fizzy wine, mistaking it for plain juice. After a few glasses, he was tipsy.

Even in his drunken state, Su Yu panicked and pleaded, "No, no, don't send me home. I'm not going back; my mom will scold me if she sees that I've been drinking."

"Then come to my place," Dong Shuoye promptly decided, lifting Su Yu into the car.

The Dong family resided in an estate of villas. Dong Shuoye preferred to occupy a standalone building, allowing no one inside except for cleaning robots.

Occasionally, his grandparents would visit, bringing vegetables they grew themselves and inquiring about his work. His uncles and father would also drop by, mostly to discuss business matters. The villa felt more like another office than a home.

But since Dong Shuoye had been placed under investigation, their visits had dwindled.

As Dong Shuoye led Su Yu inside, a boy on the sofa turned to greet them. Seeing the person in Dong Shuoye's arms, he was momentarily stunned. "Good... evening."

Dong Shuoye explained, "Su Yu is drunk. I'll take him upstairs to freshen up. You should get some rest."

Xia Ran observed him pressing the elevator button, guiding Su Yu upward before diverting his gaze.

Su Yu was utterly drunk, disoriented and unable to find his bearings. Dong Shuoye took him to his own room, tossing him onto the bed, then rising to search for something on a bookshelf.

By now, Su Yu had regained some clarity. His eyes gleamed as he said, "This is your room? Young Master Dong, you never used to let us come over to your place before."

Dong Shuoye replied coolly, "I was going to put you in the guest room, but I was afraid you might vomit during the night and choke on it. If you were found cold in the morning, they might suspect I killed you." He continued, "Would it be reasonable to say I'm afraid you might die if we're in the same room together?"

Surprisingly, Su Yu pondered this seriously for a moment. "That makes sense. You're really a kind person." With that, he buried his head and fell asleep.

Dong Shuoye resumed his search through the bookshelf, pulling out a notebook and examining it under the light.

The notebook was entirely blank, yet Dong Shuoye's gaze remained fixed. If memories could be projected, this would serve as the medium when he needed to access certain recollections – just an empty notebook. It was the safest way to store information in the world.

Chu Shihan's file was a thick packet of documents, totaling nearly two hundred thousand words.

His approach to searching and scrutinizing was straightforward. Any disparities from the initial police records would undoubtedly hold the key to the problem.

After skimming through it previously, he had only found differences that he and Fu Luoyin had already discovered:

In the first and second editions of the records, additional distant acquaintances, such as Lin Shuicheng and Han Huang, were listed in Chu Shihan's social circle.

Secondly, there were over fifty pages of communication records from the year before Chu Shihan's passing. Detailed information like phone numbers, call durations, and call origins were included. To verify these extensive records would require police authority, which he had lost. Nonetheless, he had noticed something peculiar within them recently.

Among thousands of entries, he found a phone number starting with 0027, an unregistered domain typically used by high-ranking officials. For instance, Department Seven used 003C, while the Police Bureau's code was J2004.

However, after checking all current institutions' internal codes, he couldn't find any starting with 0027.

He planned to investigate these two anomalies separately.

Lin Shuicheng piqued his interest significantly.

This person exuded a strong sense of world-weariness, coupled with a rebellious core, making him a paradoxical figure. Despite lacking concrete evidence, Dong Shuoye instinctively sensed a connection between him and Chu Shihan.

And that connection was through Fu Luoyin.

The only unforeseen turn was that this bond had broken—Lin Shuicheng had initiated a breakup with Fu Luoyin and swiftly vacated their shared home.

Such behavior threw off his intuition, a rare occurrence for him.

After some contemplation, Dong Shuoye traced a line in the air with his finger on his notebook, indicating that he would temporarily set this matter aside.

He dialed Fu Luoyin's number and glanced back at the sleeping Su Yu before stepping out of the room to wait in the corridor for the call.

"Hello?" Fu Luoyin answered.

"I've encountered an issue during the investigation. Could you confirm which organization's phone number 0027 belongs to?" Dong Shuoye asked. "There's an unknown number in your brother's call logs that I need to verify."

"0027, you say?" Fu Luoyin had just left the reception room and was being led by He Muya's assistant to post bail for Jin Li. He suddenly paused in his tracks.

Something about the number felt vaguely familiar, so he quickly scrolled through his recent call history on his phone.

The number starting with 0027 was the private contact he had obtained from Fu Kai a few days ago – it belonged to He Muya.

Fu Luoyin's meeting with He Muya hadn't gone particularly smoothly. Apart from Fu Kai, who worked at the Defense Bureau, the Fu family had no other means of accessing information or communication with the Aerospace Administration or the space station. Even Fu Kai's authority in these matters was limited, as his responsibilities centered around the Alliance's ground security and heavy military defense network. Matters concerning aerospace, information, and technology were primarily handled by He Muya. It was also He Muya who had proposed the establishment of Department Seven back then.

At that time, He Muya wanted to create a research organization completely independent from the administrative level. In a sense, she had succeeded but also failed. Department Seven had become independent, free from any direct supervision, with their primary mission being the national security of the Alliance and the advancement of technological progress. However, it had simultaneously evolved into a covert power structure that couldn't be ignored. In recent years, it had even become a department on par with Department Nine, the Defense Bureau, the Aerospace Administration, and the Security Bureau.

This time, he was up against an experienced senior.

He Muya's determination was unwavering, but Fu Luoyin had come prepared. He had gathered a wealth of information and case studies, subtly implying that He Muya was being used as a pawn – the ongoing investigations involving prominent figures like Jin Li, Yang Shen, Pei Rui, and Fan Feng had already caused significant repercussions.

He Muya had always been strong-willed and authoritarian. Many had previously attempted to advise her, but she remained steadfast in her decisions.

However, once she realized that the rules she had established could potentially be exploited as weapons by malicious individuals – especially after discovering the connection to the RANDOM organization – her pride wouldn't allow such a situation to persist.

As Jin Li was escorted out by Fu Luoyin, he appeared significantly worn out. Rubbing his bloodshot eyes, he croaked, "CEO Little Fu."

Fu Luoyin replied, "Take a few days off to rest. The contract will proceed as usual. You've worked hard these past few days."

Jin Li had thought there was no way he could escape this ordeal, and that his contract with the Fu Military Industry would be terminated. His eyes widened as he asked, "What do you mean?"

"Jin Li, I've heard you're one of the smartest individuals in the entire Alliance. What do you think this incident is related to?" Fu Luoyin inquired.

Jin Li recalled the repetitive questions during his detention – his relationship with Luo Song, his interactions with all high-tech personnel, the theoretical faction within the old European branch...

He asked, "Are you suggesting someone is targeting me or B4? Is something major happening outside?"

He was still unaware of the existence of the RANDOM organization.

However, given RANDOM's modus operandi, it wasn't impossible for them to stir public panic in the future.

"Fu Luoyin says, 'Be more confident; this is targeted at you.' Or, to put it another way, it's because of your taking over B4. The B4 project has been running for five years without interruption. Its core technology, progress, and objectives have remained unchanged. The only difference now from before is that the project leader has changed."

"And there are too many differences between you and the previous B4 leader, Chu Shihan. We'll investigate any connections between you two, and I'll assign people to handle that. From now on, your personal safety will be upgraded to level A, authorized by General Fu Kai." Fu Luoyin extended his hand. "Pleasant cooperation."

In just one day, everything had turned upside down.

Fu Luoyin transmitted the edited content to Dong Shuoye via the spatial vehicle.

Firstly, he requested Dong Shuoye to follow up on the connection between Kim Li and Chu Shihan.

Secondly, he concurrently instructed an investigation into He Muya's relations.

As a result, what was once concealed in Fu Kai's archived file at the police department was gradually unraveling – the connection between Kim Li and his old European faction, as well as the link between Chu Shihan and He Muya... All these points could become highly suspicious.

On the other hand, the social connections they initially discovered involving Lin Shuicheng and Han Huang were temporarily dismissed. These details were likely excised for brevity and were not deemed significant; they needn't be taken into account.

Fu Luoyin was once again caught up in a busy schedule. Originally, He Muya had hoped that he could stay for another day to visit the space agency, but Fu Luoyin politely declined.

Zhou Heng promptly booked him the fastest flight available – not knowing when Fu Luoyin's business would conclude, coupled with the recent ban on private jets during martial law, Zhou Heng reserved every first-class seat on flights back to Star City.

Lowering the sunshade, Fu Luoyin glanced at his text messages one last time before turning off his phone.

For two days and one night, neither Lin Shuicheng nor Su Yu had contacted him.

He could understand Lin Shuicheng's silence, perhaps he was still sulking, but Su Yu's disappearance was unsettling. It didn't feel reliable at all.

As soon as Fu Luoyin landed, he rushed straight home.

The anxiety and pent-up emotions from a couple of days ago resurfaced in his mind, causing him to feel slightly feverish.

This year, snowfall in Star City had been delayed. Even though it was winter, the rain that fell was icy and damp, sending a chill through his body that seemed to provoke a faint ache in his stomach.

By the time Fu Luoyin reached his neighborhood, the rain had intensified into a downpour that even umbrellas couldn't withstand. The city's drainage system was working frantically, with warning lights flickering ominously.

The last time he experienced such heavy rain in Star City was two years ago, during Chu Shihan's funeral.

Fu Luoyin stepped into the elevator and casually grabbed a tissue from inside to wipe off the raindrops on his body.

Arriving at his doorstep, he took a deep breath, trying to suppress his emotions. After adjusting his breathing, he gently unlocked the door with his fingerprint and opened it with a soft click.

The house was pitch black.

He pushed the door open softly and reached out to switch on the light, surveying the living room.

The small balcony's door was securely closed, and the windows were clean. As Fu Luoyin entered, everything seemed as it usually was.

Yet, it was eerily quiet.

Checking the time, it was nine in the evening. This wasn't typically Lin Shuicheng's bedtime, but there was always the chance that the little kitten had altered its routine.

With quiet steps, Fu Luoyin entered the bedroom.

At first glance, he could tell no one was there.

A new duvet was on the bed, covered with a dust protector. Fu Luoyin walked over, lifted a corner of the protector, peered underneath, and then carefully let it fall back into place.

The room was suffused with a subtle fragrance, the lingering scent of the body wash Lin Shuicheng usually used.

Fu Luoyin murmured, "What on earth did he do? Why would he put this here?"

He took a deep breath and felt a sharp pang in his stomach that seemed to be intensifying. He pressed his hand against his abdomen and surveyed the surroundings once more.

Soon, he noticed the first change in the bedroom: the chief's cat bed was missing.

Opening the wardrobe door, Fu Luoyin found it had been cleaned out.

This ceiling-high wardrobe had nine enormous compartments, but only one ninth of it was used for their everyday clothes. Usually, his clothes were mixed in with Lin Shuicheng's—Fu Luoyin was simply lazy, but every time Lin Shuicheng found out, he would sort them out again, only for Fu Luoyin to mix them up the next time.

Now, the wardrobe contained only his own clothes, folded neatly, with the frequently worn pieces hanging tidily, ironed flat. The remaining spaces were filled with unopened boxes of their clothing, stacked in perfect order.

Fu Luoyin's expression turned cold.

He strode out and pushed open the door to the study.

He had seldom ventured into this space before, the only exception being when he carried Lin Shuicheng in for intimacy. This was where Lin Shuicheng worked and studied. Many times, he had passed by and seen Lin Shuicheng mixing his light blue storm bottle, deeply engrossed in thought. With his head tilted slightly, Lin Shuicheng would read the scale and softly recite the numbers with his pleasant, mild voice as he titrated.

This small space, initially used as a storage room, had been claimed by Lin Shuicheng after he moved in. With his boxes and computer placed here, Chief (a term of endearment for Fu Luoyin) had strolled through once with his tail held high, effectively marking it as Lin Shuicheng's private territory—unauthorized persons were not allowed.

The transformation in this area was the most evident. The numerous stacked cardboard boxes had vanished, Lin Shuicheng's computer was gone, and the neatly arranged reference books were no longer present. The trash bin had been emptied and turned upside down on the ground, while all power strips were coiled up and stored out of reach.

Lin Shuicheng had been an impeccable tenant, the kind every landlord dreams of. Before vacating, he had even cleaned the place and tidied everything up.

Fu Luoyin's knuckles cracked under the strain, his face a terrifying shade of black.

Lin Shuicheng had run away!

Without any explanation or leaving anything behind, all within the span of just one day and two nights—Lin Shuicheng had fled with his cat!

At three in the morning, Su Yu woke up from a deep sleep, parched. Along with his thirst, the glow of his phone screen also roused him.

He discovered Dong Shuoye lying fully clothed on the other side of the bed, sound asleep.

Rubbing his eyes, Su Yu grabbed his phone and got out of bed to fetch some water. As he walked into the adjacent lounge and opened the fridge, he glanced at the caller ID and the barrage of text messages—twenty-seven from Fu Luoyin, with the number still climbing.

Su Yu was instantly sobered by the shock, almost losing his grip on the ice-cold cola in his hand – he accidentally pressed the answer button in the process.

Fu Luoyin's deep voice boomed through the line, "Hello, Su Yu?"

Su Yu froze on the spot, stunned.

After about five seconds, he regained his composure, not daring to breathe loudly as he cautiously pinched the phone between two fingers –

– and then stuffed it into the fridge, gently closing the door behind it.

Relieved, Su Yu exhaled audibly. Listening to Fu Luoyin's voice being contained within the fridge, he tiptoed back to his room.

Yet, a person determined to write a blood-stained letter in protest against Yang Xu shouldn't be as hesitant and fearful as the one before her eyes.

When Rong Shu had merely inquired about the incense burner, terror had instantly flickered across Li'er's face like a startled bird.

In her previous life, Gu Changjin had mentioned that Li'er didn't actually want to die.

Considering this scene before her, what else could Rong Shu not understand?

"Your mother was an admirable woman. If Miss Xu doesn't mind, I'd also like to pay my respects with a joss stick."

As she spoke, she removed her cloak and headed for the high table by the window.

Li'er's lips trembled, about to protest.

But just then, a sudden change occurred.

A flash of silver light appeared, and a nimble figure crashed through the window, heading straight for Li'er.

"Be careful!" Rong Shu instinctively shouted, throwing the warming hand warmer at the black-clad intruder.

With a sharp sound, the black-clad figure brushed aside the hand warmer and brushed past her, slicing a gap in the hem of her sleeve with his blade.

Although Rong Shu's interference momentarily disrupted the person's movements, they still swiftly lunged towards Xu Li'er.

Rong Shu picked up a perfumed box, ready to throw it again, but her waist suddenly tightened.

Gu Changjin wrapped an arm around her, the other gripping the black-clad man's shoulder, his expression grim.

The two engaged in a fierce exchange of blows.

With Gu Changjin holding her tightly by the waist, she moved with him. The scene in the room spun before her eyes, making her dizzy.

If he was going to fight, couldn't he set her down so she could find shelter?

She was about to vomit...

Spotting Xu Li'er standing there, dazed and motionless, Rong Shu suppressed the churning in her stomach and shouted, "Miss Xu, hide quickly!" This black-robed person was clearly targeting Xu Li'er!

No sooner had she spoken than everything before her eyes blurred once more.

Rong Shu: "..." Her stomach was about to rebel.

Fortunately, Chang Ji arrived promptly with several soldiers. Gu Changjin pushed Rong Shu towards Chang Ji and turned to engage the black-clad figure in combat.

With Rong Shu no longer hindering him, he began to gain the upper hand.

Realizing the situation was hopeless, the black-clad man retreated toward the window, pulled something from the bottom of the incense burner, and swiftly leaped out through the opening.

"Chang Ji!"

"At your service!"

Chang Ji, standing protectively in front of Rong Shu, felt a sudden lightness and immediately gave chase.

The room was in disarray. Gu Changjin's face was as dark as water as he surveyed Rong Shu from head to toe. He then picked up the cloak on the floor, tossed it at her, and said, "Take Miss Xu away from here."

Without hesitation, Rong Shu draped the cloak over Xu Li'er and hurriedly led her out of the inn.

Chang Ji returned, his face flushed with shame. "Master, he got away."

"Nonsense, let's return to Phoenix Avenue first."

Gu Changjin bowed and climbed into the carriage, pausing for a moment to glance once more at Rong Shu sitting across from him, his irritation intensifying.

Xu Li'er sat beside Rong Shu, staring anxiously at Gu Changjin, and exclaimed, "Sir is injured!"

Only then did Rong Shu notice the cut on Gu Changjin's arm, which seemed rather deep, with blood seeping through his clothes.

They were in her own magnificent carriage today, and she recalled Yingyue had placed a medicine box inside. Hurriedly searching under the side tables, she indeed found the box.

"Let me apply some medicine to you, Sir," she offered.

However, Gu Changjin looked at her and said, "Come here."

Rong Shu thought he wanted her to dress his wound and hesitated for a moment. As she lifted her gaze and noticed the increasingly grave look in his eyes, her eyelids twitched, and she could only hold the medicine box obediently and move over.

Gu Changjin took the box, rummaged through it, and pulled out a bottle of ointment for external wounds. He tilted his chin towards her left forearm and instructed, "Apply it yourself."

Lowering her eyes, Rong Shu realized that she too was injured. There was a faint trace of blood on her sleeve, but not much. It must have been a small cut, likely caused by the edge of the blade when her sleeve got caught.

Yet even a tiny cut can be painful, and she has always been someone who fears pain since she was young.

Back then, when she stumbled or bruised herself, her mother would always comfort her in various ways, nurturing her to be extra fearful of pain and rather pampered.

To be honest, if Gu Changjin hadn't pointed it out, she probably wouldn't have noticed this injury. But after his mention, the pain became immediately noticeable.

Rong Shu rolled up her sleeve, revealing a thin, long scratch on the inner side of her fair forearm. It wasn't severe—the bleeding was almost stopped—but applying medicine on it would undoubtedly cause some discomfort.

Rong Shu hesitated. Seeing her like this, Gu Changjin's inexplicable irritation was about to surface, visible in his eyes.

He wasn't usually someone who struggled to control his emotions, but at this moment, looking at that slender cut on her arm, heaven knew how much self-restraint he exerted to refrain from sarcastic remarks.

How difficult could it be to tend to such a small cut?

Why couldn't she be more decisive and promptly apply medicine to that damned wound?

Feeling his intense gaze, Rong Shu suddenly remembered that he was also injured and probably waiting for the same medicine.

No wonder a hint of impatience had crept onto his usually aloof face.

Certainly, she did not wish to delay others from attending to their wounds. Thus, she inhaled gently and scattered the medicine powder onto her injury, immediately feeling a searing pain. However, she endured it, her long eyelashes fluttering slightly.

When the pain subsided, she managed a weak smile and said to Gu Changjin, "My lord, my head is taken care of now. Please tend to your wound quickly."

She pushed the medicine bottle slowly towards him but remained still, showing no intention of helping him apply the medicine.

Rong Shu was both perceptive and self-aware.

Applying medicine was an intimate act, and with a simple thought, she knew he would dislike it. Likewise, she was unwilling as well.

Gu Changjin acknowledged her with a soft "hum," took the medicine bottle, but did not rush to apply it. Instead, his gaze shifted to Xu Li'er, fixing his eyes on her as he unexpectedly asked, "Miss Xu, what exactly was under that incense burner?"

Chapter 24

Since getting into the carriage, Xu Li'er had been in a state of constant anxiety. Gu Changjin's sudden question was like a spring thunderbolt, startling her so much that cold sweat broke out on her body.

Chapter 153: Challenge

"It can't be. I can count the high-ranking combatants on one hand: Beros, His Highness, Levimo, Lilith, Phileus, and so on. Even if he manages to defeat one, there's no way he can handle so many in succession. He'll definitely fall in a battle of attrition!"

Some demons whispered, "I feel like Wen Ying is up to something sinister. He always seems to push things towards the impossible."

Several betting houses in the capital grew in size as most demons placed their bets on Wen Ying not being able to retain his first place. They absolutely didn't believe that a weakling like a Mirror Demon could triumph over a group of renowned powerful demon races!

The ranking matches had the entire capital abuzz with excitement.

If it weren't for the fact that the Lucifer Demon Academy only allowed its students to spectate the matches, they would have rushed in to witness the entire process.

Many demons eagerly awaited the start of the ranking matches and the results. Meanwhile, Wen Ying leisurely placed his bets in all the known gambling houses in the capital, wagering that he would maintain his first position.

It wasn't exactly leisure for Wen Ying, who was still adjusting to his sudden leap in power. Aruda's accelerated growth had made him feel somewhat "unworthy" of his newfound strength, preventing him from fully showcasing his current abilities. Thus, Wen Ying spent all his time before the match adapting.

As the Blood Tree grew, his connection with it deepened. The summoned Blood Tree branches felt like additional limbs under his control.

The demons within the academy sharpened their blades, ready to topple him. In response, Wen Ying also honed his skills, preparing to show them what a Mirror Demon was truly capable of.

As Wen Ying adapted to his newfound power, he practiced his innate magic, noticing that the process of creating magical replica cards was significantly quicker and had a higher success rate. He also sensed an improvement in the effect of his Doppelganger Magic Mirror, but without any test subjects, he couldn't be sure.

Despite seemingly accomplishing much, only a day had passed.

With three days left for the ranking tournament, Wen Ying received a notification from the Lucifer Academy on the third day before the end, informing him that a demon had issued a challenge and requested a battle.

Arriving near the entrance of the Lucifer Academy, Wen Ying saw a sea of demons and momentarily thought he had wandered into the wrong place. After carefully examining the surrounding buildings, he confirmed that it was indeed his school.

Wen Ying descended and patted the shoulder of the demon in front of him, asking, "Big Brother, is there some event happening at the Lucifer Demon Academy today? Why are there so many demons gathered here?"

The turning demon replied, "I heard that the ranking tournament of the Lucifer Academy has started, and there's a demon challenging someone."

Wen Ying: ".... Even you can't enter, right?"

"Technically, yes, but most of us are here mainly to witness..." The demon big brother hadn't looked directly at Wen Ying while speaking, as the young demon only reached his chest. However, when he turned to face Wen Ying properly, he suddenly froze in surprise.

Confused, Wen Ying asked, "What's the matter?"

"That Mirror Demon is here!"

Wen Ying: "?"

The unified gaze of those around him made Wen Ying feel uneasy. He rubbed the goosebumps on the back of his hand. This kind of stare was as heavy as tangible pressure.

Without thinking, he took a step back. Suddenly, he suspected that there might be extremists among these demons, or perhaps some unlucky demons who had been trying to buy his magic cards but never got the character they wanted.

"One look and it's clear he's nothing special. No sense of authority."

"How strange. How did he manage to surpass all those outstanding demon offspring to get first place? Surely, the academy wouldn't favor him, right?"

"It can't be that bad. If there were any biases, those powerful demon offspring would have caused a ruckus long ago."

"Although I've seen him on magic cards, he's really small in person. I feel like I could knock him down with one punch."

"The main issue is his lack of presence! Which powerful demon doesn't exude a strong aura? This Mirror Demon doesn't seem to have any intimidating vibe at all."

Listening to the chattering demons around him, who seemed to forget he was standing there, the corner of Wen Ying's mouth twitched. They want authority, huh? He straightened his face, adopting a cold and stern tone. "I suspect there might be extremists among you. Conveniently, since you're here, just stay."

The noisy scene, akin to a bustling marketplace, quieted significantly. Some whispered to each other, while others exchanged glances.

Wen Ying had only spoken casually, but he keenly noticed a few demons in the crowd change color and secretly retreat into the throng. He muttered to himself about true radicals, then raised his hand. The silver-white branches of the Blood Tree sprang from his shadow, darting through the demonic mass directly towards the suspicious demons.

The appearance of Wen Ying's branches caused a commotion in the crowd. There were too many demons, and with any movement, they jostled one another. The more irritable ones started pushing and shoving.

The branches lifted the four of them into the air. The demons instinctively looked up, wondering if these were really radicals. They often heard news about them, but had never seen one alive.

"A radical?" a demon queried doubtfully.

"How dare you accuse me of being a radical!" one of the bound demons flushed with anger, "Don't think that just because you're a Mirror Demon, you can be so arrogant! If you want to fight, then let's go..." As he spoke, he struggled fiercely.

The other three bound demons also angrily protested and struggled.

The demons couldn't tell if it was true or not, but there was one thing they could judge: this Mirror Demon's magic seemed rather formidable. Despite their struggles for half a day, they couldn't loosen the magical branches binding them in the slightest.

Chapter 199: Winter

The next morning, the Feng brothers and Gan Erlang arrived early, each carrying a heavy load on their shoulders. From the appearance of their baskets, they seemed to be carrying grain, beans, cured meat, and dried fruit. However, the majority of their load was filled with yams.

Upon setting down his goods, Feng Daolang greeted Shen Lie first, calling him "Shifu." Shen Lie observed the yams they had brought and asked, "What's this?"

"It's a gift of gratitude for my shifuren."

Sang Luo had initially approached to watch the commotion, but her curiosity was piqued by the term "shifuren." Her eyes widened as she overlooked the word "gift" entirely.

"What?"

Feng Daolang was unaware that Sang Luo's question pertained to the title. He didn't think anything was wrong with addressing her as "shifuren." Since he was about to take Shen Lie as his master, it was only natural to call Sang Luo "shifuren." Age didn't matter in terms of hierarchy; in these times, a man in his twenties could still have a five-year-old uncle. It was quite common.

Assuming Sang Luo was asking about the gift, he replied with a smile, "These yams are excellent. Knowing they can serve as food has made everyone so happy. This is all the yams our village dug yesterday. As our first harvest, we've decided not to keep any for ourselves but to bring them all here for you, shifuren. The bags of meat and dried fruits on top are our gifts for your family as a token of respect. Shifu, where do you live? We'll carry them over for you."

Their words flowed smoothly.

The corners of Shen Lie's lips lifted involuntarily. Noticing Sang Luo's reaction, he quickly turned away. The group of children, already laughing and chatting, led the way, and soon, they were all heading out of Shen's cave.

The entrance to the cave was locked. Shen An and the others looked at Shen Lie and Sang Luo. Shen Lie said, "Go ahead, help move them to the shed first."

The cave couldn't accommodate so many items. As for accepting such a large amount of yams, Shen Lie didn't see it as an issue. What Sang Luo gave away was actually a lifeline for everyone. Feng, Zheng, Zhou, Gan, Dong Ge's family, and even those living nearby would benefit. It was only natural that they wanted to express their gratitude.

The men moved swiftly, and soon, everything was handed over to Shen An and Shen Ning.

For young adults in their twenties and teenagers, learning martial arts was swift. Especially with a good master guiding them and a group of peers learning together, their enthusiasm was high. When it came to sparring and coordinating with the staff formation, the children were completely absorbed.

Did they need the master to carry them, hit them, or chase them to learn? No, that wasn't necessary. They found peers of similar skill levels to practice with even during breaks.

The staff technique that Shen Lie taught, originally a spear drill from the military, had been refined by his innate talent and passion for research. On the battlefield, improving oneself was the top priority to survive. While other soldiers rested, he would discuss martial arts with Chen Dashan. When others slept, he and Chen Dashan would still secretly practice.

He had turned the long spear into an art, and now, the same applied to the staff. Thrusts, jabs, taps, strikes, hooks, wraps, and presses—long-range sweeping or short-range close combat, combining spear and club techniques, all for defense and protection. There were no fancy moves; everything was honed through real combat. Not just the young men, but even Sang Luo, Shen Ning, and Xu Wenying found it engaging.

Each day spent outside the valley learning martial arts, the changes in the valley residents were visible. Their martial skills, strength, agility, courage, and vitality all improved. Since Chen Dashan and Lu Dalang left, after secretly practicing for half a month, Xu Wenqing and Zhou Cunzheng's third son showed significant progress. Xu Wenqing, in particular, could be called a martial arts enthusiast. Apart from regularly sparring with Zhou Sanlang, they often continued training outside the Shen family's cave after Shen Lie finished teaching Sang Luo and the others late into the night.

This remarkable transformation in both physical prowess and vitality stirred a deep sense of envy within Zhou Dalang, who had initially deemed himself unsuited for martial arts and had planned to focus on foraging nearby. Eager to follow suit, he would occasionally summon his two younger brothers at night to teach him a thing or two.

In just twenty days, Chen Dashan and Lu Erliang's predicament had greatly alleviated. This was because Xu Wenchao and Zhou Sanlang's combat abilities had been swiftly enhanced. Coupled with the group of half-grown boys behind them, many of whom were thirteen or fourteen years old, each wielding a long staff, they were like a pack of young wolves. The younger ones like Shen An, Shen Ning, Shen Jin, Erniu, Xu Wenhao, and Xu Wenying, if they teamed up in pairs or threesomes and held onto their long staffs, they could even hold their own against two malevolent adults.

The hunting expeditions beyond the village resumed their orderly groups, with everyone except Shen Lie departing in rotating shifts, including the younger ones.

Shen An and Shen Jin have a strong attachment to hunting and gathering, often following Xu Wenqing's team. Sang Luo, on the other hand, doesn't take Shen Ning out much, and spends a considerable amount of time practicing archery and stick techniques.

During this time, a peculiar incident occurred.

One morning, as everyone returned from their morning jog, they discovered that something had been added to the path they inevitably took back to the village.

At first, there were a dozen or so yams, but soon, a variety of items began appearing, mostly consisting of wild produce - besides yams and fiddlehead ferns, there were also wild fruits, eggs from both birds and chickens.

Shen Lie instructed Xu Wenqing and his group to station themselves at different points, and when they managed to intercept someone, it turned out they were there to thank Sanlang's mother from Li Shi Village.

As Sang Luo had predicted, the number of people in the inner circle had indeed been growing. Whether it was those living in the valley or the folks from the Zhou family area, whenever they ventured out to hunt, gather, or dig for yams, if they encountered strangers, especially inquisitive ones, they would willingly share any edible finds.

Things like fiddlehead ferns and yams, after years of unchecked growth in these uninhabited mountains, were abundant. As long as one dared to venture out and search, they would never go hungry.

If this wasn't a life-saving grace, then what was it?

Those who had received such kindness and resided in the vicinity, if they held gratitude in their hearts, would inevitably inquire from neighboring households about the benefactor's whereabouts. News travels fast once one person knows, and thus, there were occasional visits from people bringing gifts as a token of appreciation.

Fortunately, it was only the nearby residents, and after a while, the gestures subsided. As a result of these visits, the villagers began to notice the staff training happening outside their village. During daylight practice sessions, curious young lads would stealthily approach and hide behind trees to watch from a distance.

A few wooden huts had been constructed outside the village, using timber selectively cut from an area designated by Shen Lie. It was impossible to truly conceal the training, but since the villagers knew that the inhabitants were from the nearby mountains, Shen Lie didn't explicitly reveal their presence, allowing them to observe. For anyone to learn from such a distance, it could be said that they possessed a natural talent.

...

Time swiftly advanced into November, and the mountainous climate began to exhibit contrasting temperatures. The peaks towering high were dusted with snow, while the lower regions only experienced biting cold, though not yet reaching the point of snowfall. Nevertheless, this weather was significantly more frigid than what they had previously endured outside the mountains.

Winter survival became a daunting challenge for many households.

For Sangluo and those who were always active, their robust constitution helped them cope. However, the elderly and children in the valley suffered, particularly during chilly nights in the caves.

Shen Lie and Sangluo would visit the valley every six or seven days. On their most recent trip, Shen Yin and Shen Tie were so frozen that their noses dripped with snot.

They rummaged through their cave to retrieve the wolf pelts they had collected over the year. Two were allocated to the Shen Yin brothers for a bed mat and a blanket, while the rest were reserved for themselves, Shen Lie, and Shen An. They also prepared rabbit and sika deer hides, crafting fur vests and boots.

The leather outfits of Shen Yin and Shen Tie were taken over by Mother Chen and Qin Fangniang, while Sang Luo and Shen Ning only attended to the outer garments. What they lacked were actually boots. As for the clothes, they could be made gradually, and it was uncertain if they were even needed. With martial arts practice, not only would combat abilities improve, but physical strength would also genuinely increase. On cold winter nights, their hands and feet would remain warm. Just for this reason, Wei Lingzhen was overjoyed and urged Xu Wenying to leave the valley as well.

Chen Dashan and Lü Er and San returned in mid-November, not empty-handed. They carried several large bags of furs and dried meat. Upon seeing the group of boys wielding their staffs with vigor, they were both stunned.

Xu Wenqing was the first to spot them. He called out to Shen Lie, who had his back turned to Chen Dashan, "Master, Brother Dashan is back!"

Chen Ersan nearly jumped with excitement and yelled, "Brother!"

Shen Lie turned around to see Chen Dashan and Lü Er and San, who looked like wild men. He waved his hand, and the group dispersed. Chen Ersan hurried over to Chen Dashan. His parents and grandparents had missed him dearly during his long absence.

Sang Luo also went to greet them.

Chen Dashan and the others looked so familiar at that moment, much like how Shen Lie did when he returned home last winter.

He laughed heartily, "Why have you stopped? Show me your moves."

He ruffled Chen Ersan's head and asked with a smile, "How's your progress?"

Chen Ersan, now more outgoing, replied with a smile, "Dad doesn't dare to spar with me anymore since I have this staff."

Chen Dashan chuckled. "Alright, you've grown some skills."

...

Since it was daytime, they couldn't enter the valley. Thus, Chen Dashan gave the items to Chen Ersan and instructed him to store them in their family's cave.

Shen Lie glanced at Chen Dashan, Lu Erlang, and Lu Sanlang, asking, "How was the trip? Did everything go smoothly?"

Chen Dashan remained silent. Lu Erlang and Lu Sanlang nodded, saying, "We managed to settle things down. We'll temporarily keep the items in the cave."

After the others left, Chen Dashan continued, "Wang Chunniang is gone, and Shuanzhu sustained some injuries."

Turned out they had encountered two blind bears on the way. Wang Chunniang had pushed Dazhu out of harm's way, and Shuanzhu reacted quickly, grabbing hold of Dazhu. Lu Dalang only cared for himself, while Lu Sanlang protected his younger nephews. He and Lu Erlang joined forces to save Shuanzhu and Dazhu, but they were too late to save Wang Chunniang. Even if they had been in time, they wouldn't have wanted to save someone like her.

"Both bears were killed by my arrows. Wang Chunniang was severely injured with one arm mangled from being bitten and several bruises all over her body. Uncle Lu gave her some medicine, but her injuries were too severe. She didn't last more than two hours."

There was no hint of remorse in Chen Dashan's voice when he spoke. Even the Lu family's eldest branch's children, who had witnessed their mother pushing Dazhu away, couldn't cry anymore. Why should an outsider like him feel sorry for such a person?

Shen Lie and Sang Luo didn't ask further, not caring about these matters.

Shen Lie said, "Uncle Tian is out and won't be back so early. You should go back first, boil some water for a bath, and rest. It's better to return home at night; your family is worried about you. Granny has asked me twice."

Chen Dashan chuckled, then, remembering something, he hooked Shen Lie's shoulder and whispered something to him on the side. Sang Luo found it amusing. When Shen Lie returned, she laughed and asked, "Did he ask you about the Zhou family?"

Shen Lie smiled, which was his way of acknowledging it.

...

Chen Dashan returned to the valley late at night. The next morning, Sang Luo saw the joyous old lady, Chen Po, outside the village. The elderly woman, who had never left the valley before, had come out before dawn for her grandson's life-changing matter. She wanted to see the Zhou family with her own eyes and ask Aunt Gan to mediate on his behalf.

As it was Chen Dashan's marriage, he couldn't participate in the discussion himself. So, the old lady asked Shen Lie to accompany her and Aunt Gan. Naturally, Sang Luo was also dragged along by the old lady to keep her company.

It was a great joy to be able to contribute to such an event. Besides, how long had it been since Shen Lie and Sang Luo had left the Outskirts Village? Since Chen Dashan and Lu Er needed some time to rest, their presence in the Outskirts Village allowed Sang Luo and Shen Lie to take a break as well. They quickly prepared and accompanied the old lady.

With a quiver full of arrows on her back and a long stick in her hand, Chen Po was fascinated and whispered to Sang Luo, "When my Dashan's wife comes in, bring her along too. Not only can she protect herself, but this will also keep her body healthy."

Sang Luo chuckled, "She should learn too. They train over there, and besides, if I join in, I'll mostly just practice alongside her. As for teaching, isn't Dashan the one to do that?"

On hearing this, Old Madam Chen's face lit up, her eyes crinkling with joy. "That's right, that's right, you're absolutely correct."

Listening in on their conversation, Madam Gan's face also blossomed into a smile.

"Moving out?"

Su Yu almost bit his tongue.

Lin Shuicheng smiled. "Yeah, I've already arranged it. Come over for dinner tomorrow after I've settled everything." He glanced at the coconut chicken on the plate. The dish from the Third Courtyard cafeteria was made with mass-produced coconut water and frozen chicken, resulting in a rather dry texture and an odd fishy smell.

However, Su Yu genuinely seemed to enjoy it, as he was almost done with his second helping and still looked eager for more.

Startled, Su Yu nearly dropped his plate. "Sister-in-law, you're leaving right away?"

"Mm-hmm. We've separated. I'm not sure if he's told you," Lin Shuicheng said softly. "It wouldn't be appropriate for me to stay there any longer. I found a new place beforehand, but I need another day to move and settle in. It might not be convenient for you to visit, but that'll change soon. You can let me know what you'd like to eat in advance, or would you prefer the coconut chicken?"

Su Yu was stunned.

All he could recall was Fu Luoyin telling him over the phone that Lin Shuicheng wanted to break up, but he had no idea that Lin Shuicheng would leave so decisively. In just a short while, Lin Shuicheng had apparently already planned out his future.

He nervously asked, "Sis... Sister-in-law, is it because of Xia Ran that you're breaking up with him?"

Lin Shuicheng froze for a moment. "Who?"

Su Yu: "… Don't you know who he is, Sister? He's the minus two ex-boyfriend I mentioned before… But Sister, do you think it would be better to wait until Minus Two comes back before deciding to break up? He told me he was serious."

Lin Shuicheng fell silent for a while. "It's not because of this or anything else. I just don't want to be with him anymore. I hope to return to my original life."

Su Yu was stunned. "Then, Sister, you're breaking up too abruptly. You should at least talk it out with Minus Two and come to an agreement. If you just leave without saying anything in a relationship, it can really hurt the other person…"

"Me and him aren't in a relationship. We both understand that," Lin Shuicheng said.

Su Yu was dumbfounded again. "Huh? Sister, you're not… You didn't fall in love with Minus Two at first sight… No, what I mean is, weren't things going well between you two?"

He had met Lin Shuicheng once a year ago when he hadn't resigned from the forensic system yet. He went to Fu Luoyin to submit Chu Shihan's special autopsy report and coincidentally caught Fu Luoyin visiting Lin Shuicheng at Star University. The three of them ended up having dinner together.

Back then, he truly believed that Fu Luoyin had moved on from his feelings for Xia Ran, and he was genuinely happy for him.

There was a glow in Lin Shuicheng's eyes when he looked at Fu Luoyin, and that kind of expression couldn't be faked.

And Fu Luoyin cared more about Lin Shuicheng than others. Su Yu still remembered the time Fu Luoyin called him in the middle of the night, asking him to pick someone up from Unit Seven. Fu Luoyin never begged anyone, but today he had threatened him by complaining to Yan Zi and even called him 'Little Fish' to entice him.

Lin Shuicheng pursed his lips. "It's not a romantic relationship. I wanted to say this earlier, but you might have misunderstood. He and I are just..." After some thought, Lin Shuicheng chose his words carefully. "Sexual partners."

Su Yu: "..................."

At that moment, Su Yu didn't even know how to help Fu Luoyin comfort Lin Shuicheng. He even wished Fu Luoyin wouldn't come back, hoping he would be so busy with meetings outside that he would forget about the breakup altogether. Su Yu couldn't bear to imagine the consequences of Fu Luoyin hearing those words!

The world was going to end! He couldn't handle it!

Lin Shuicheng had more than ten boxes. Eighty percent of them were filled with books and documents, each weighing several dozen kilograms, making them difficult to move.

Despite this, Su Yu still went over the next day, unsure why he was doing so. Was he planning to tell Fu Luoyin that he helped by assisting Lin Shuicheng to move out?

Just the thought of it made Su Yu's scalp tingle.

Lin Shuicheng was on the phone with a shipping company. He sat on the sofa with Chief curled up on his lap, snoring softly. The cat's fur was soft and smooth.

"Is that not allowed? My cat has vaccination and health certificates. It's only two years old and never scratches people." – except for occasionally swatting at the annoying Fu Luoyin.

Lin Shuicheng continued, "And my documents are just ordinary academic materials. I've organized them in order. It's impossible to take out tens of thousands of items and disrupt their sequence."

The person on the other end spoke politely, "I'm sorry, but that's the current regulation. There's a strict investigation across the entire alliance, and all registered goods, equipment, and documents need to be inspected before we can accept the order. Furthermore, no animals are allowed for transportation. You could send over all the other items first and then personally take a taxi to bring the cat."

Lin Shuicheng frowned. "Regarding document inspections, does your privacy policy include this? What if they're confidential business documents?"

"The authorization was just issued today, so theoretically, all commercial projects need to pass safety clearance. If there's a security clearance for confidential documents, we can transport them directly." The person apologized repeatedly, "I'm really very sorry about this..."

Lin Shuicheng replied, "I understand."

He hung up the call.

Su Yu asked, "Sister-in-law, why not just forget about moving? Or wait a few days until my dad comes back and returns the car to me, then I can help you drive the items over."

His mind was already calculating how he could stretch one day into several days, and perhaps even years. In essence, he would then be able to attend Fu Luoyin and Lin Shuicheng's wedding!

Lin Shuicheng glanced at him. Su Yu felt exposed but still maintained his position with a thick skin, gazing at him sincerely.

Seeing that Lin Shuicheng didn't move or respond, just engrossed in his phone, Su Yu asked, "Sister-in-law, what do you think of my suggestion?"

Lin Shuicheng didn't give a direct answer. Instead, he said, "Let's watch some TV."

He turned on a movie and went to the kitchen to fry some chips, fries, and phoenix tails. He brought them back for Su Yu to enjoy.

Su Yu didn't dare move, obediently eating while sitting upright to watch the film. The Chief, being friendly to this newcomer, took one of the phoenix tails from his hand and playfully placed its furry paw on his palm.

After a while, Lin Shuicheng received a call and stood up, saying, "Come on, I'll need your help driving."

Seeing him grab a folding trolley, load four boxes, and head for the elevator, pressing the button for the "long-term freight elevator" special access, then returning to carry more boxes, Su Yu asked, "Have you found a car, Sister-in-law?"

"No, given the current situation, it's inconvenient to hire a freight company. So I bought a car," Lin Shuicheng replied. "My grandfather mentioned how troublesome it was to buy a car in their time, but when I looked into it today, all the procedures can be outsourced to the seller, and it can be registered and delivered within hours. It's parked downstairs right now."

"???" Su Yu was stunned. "Buy a car? Do you know how to drive, Sister-in-law?"

"No, that's why it's fortunate you're here," Lin Shuicheng said, picking up the Chief and placing it in a cat carrier, stuffing a punctured calming snack stick inside. With a glance, he signaled for Su Yu to follow him down.

Su Yu's perception of Lin Shuicheng was overturned once again—wasn't Fu Luoyin supposed to have said that Lin Shuicheng's family was very poor?

He had always imagined Lin Shuicheng as someone who lived frugally, but clearly, that wasn't the case.

Lin Shuicheng purchased an affordable car, an old yet reputable brand with excellent value for money and an attractive appearance.

Su Yu examined the vehicle and commented, "Sister-in-law has great taste. This car is really nice."

"Is that so?" Lin Shuicheng smiled. "My father used to have a car just like this one."

With numerous boxes to carry, Lin Shuicheng and Su Yu made two trips to fill the trunk and backseat to the brim. Surprisingly, they managed to fit everything in despite the tight space.

At Star University, Su Yu held the cat carrier while assisting Lin Shuicheng. He made way for Lin Shuicheng as they entered the new place.

Upon arrival, Su Yu was impressed with Lin Shuicheng's organized manner. First, he arranged the boxes systematically, cleaned the living room, and invited Su Yu to sit down. Then, he released the Chief to acquaint itself with the surroundings.

The nervous dairy cat clung closely to Lin Shuicheng, following him around in its new environment. Fortunately, although the apartment was old, it was still very clean. Lin Shuicheng had already taken the time to tidy up previously, making the current cleaning process swift.

Seeing that there was still plenty of time, Lin Shuicheng even ventured to the nearby fresh market to buy green coconuts and a freshly slaughtered free-range chicken. He planned to cook coconut chicken for Su Yu.

Throughout the day, Su Yu had been too embarrassed to comment but had diligently helped with cleaning and organizing. However, upon seeing the mouthwatering coconut chicken served on the table, Su Yu mustered the courage to speak: "Sister-in-law, this time, you really...

After some contemplation, he closed his mouth and softly asked, "Can I still come over to play with you in the future? I mean... if you and Number Two really break up."

Su Yu was well aware that this question held little weight. Their circle and someone like Lin Shuicheng didn't have much overlap to begin with, and ordinary friends tended to drift apart when they no longer shared the same social circles.

Not to mention the awkwardness of a breakup.

Lin Shuicheng smiled. "Of course. You're Fu Luoyin's friend, but also Dr. Yan and Nian Nian's benefactor. If there's anything I can do for you, please let me know."

That day, Su Yu devoured a pot of coconut chicken, leaving not a single drop of broth behind. Lin Shuicheng packed the remaining coconut flesh and juice into sterile bottles for him. Before the meal, Su Yu had taken pictures—the clear and fragrant coconut chicken, accompanied by stir-fried oil lettuce, garlic pork, and fish-flavored shredded meat.

Yet this time, he didn't dare to send it to Fu Luoyin.

Lin Shuicheng ate swiftly. As Su Yu was eating, he turned back to search through the box for something.

The Chief remained glued to his side.

Lin Shuicheng pulled an envelope out of the file folder, inadvertently bringing out a crumpled pink memo pad. He wondered why it was there.

He picked it up and found a scribbled message on it: "Remember to eat your meal, little lazy cat."

Flipping the card over, there was a sketch of a cat's head on the back, specifically a tabby cat, drawn to resemble Chief Fu with black ears.

Lin Shuicheng studied it for a moment before carefully placing it back into the envelope. Then, he stood up and handed a letter to Su Yu. "In a few days, I'll be rather busy. If Fu Luoyin returns, please give this to him."

Without thinking, Su Yu asked, "What is it?"

"Ah... It's the money I owe him," Lin Shuicheng replied, then suddenly inquired, "By the way, how much is an appropriate amount for a breakup fee?"

Su Yu had thought he had accepted the reality that Lin Shuicheng was determined to break up with Fu Luoyin. However, the situation still felt surreal to him.

"Brother... Sister-in-law, you're giving Second Bro a breakup fee..." He stammered, confused.

"Mm, initially, I just wanted to settle our debts, but I still owe him some favors that can't be repaid," Lin Shuicheng explained, his gaze lowered, his tone somewhat distant. "It seems like... he has developed feelings for me."