Chapter 523: Guardians

In the dimly lit conference hall, a video was playing on the projector screen.

The footage wasn’t particularly clear, as if it had suffered electromagnetic interference during filming. The image flickered between light and dark, with occasional snow-like static flashing across.

By the glow of the projector, four people could be vaguely seen sitting around the conference table. At the head sat an elderly man in Daoist robes, with white hair and a youthful face. His eyes, buried in wrinkles, were nearly closed to slits, as if he were resting with his eyes shut, a faint smile lingering at the corners of his mouth.

To the old man’s left, a young man with a tall, upright posture, sword-like brows and starry eyes, dressed in formal attire, sat upright and still, staring intently at the projection screen, his expression grave.

Directly across from the young man was someone who, at first glance, looked about fourteen or fifteen, but on closer inspection, there was a trace of middle-aged weariness between the brows. With delicate features and a slender figure clad in a black Tang suit, shoulder-length, smooth, jet-black hair, their gender was truly indiscernible.

The last was a woman in her early twenties, sitting at the far corner of the table. She had a head of blonde hair, with a few strands of bright blue hanging over her forehead. Under a vividly colored baseball jacket, her long, wheat-colored legs stretched out onto the table, exuding a lithe, leopard-like aura.

All four stared unblinkingly at the images on the projector screen.

In the footage, the sky was dim, lightning streaked through the dark clouds like cracks in the heavens, and wild winds swept endless yellow sand, as if stretching to the ends of the earth–desolate and lonely.

Deep in the desert, a black storm cast a ferocious shadow over the land, and a terrifying roar echoed in the wind.

Tens of thousands of white-robed figures stood in the desert, chanting around the black storm. Their voices merged into a thunderous roar, and among them, the more fervent ones broke into a run, charging toward the heart of the storm, vanishing in an instant.

Time ticked by, and the image suddenly became unstable, with a flurry of static.

A figure slowly emerged from the center of the black storm, like a demon god born from the tempest.

Finally, the image froze at that moment.

In the conference room, the woman in formal attire operating the projector turned on the lights and bowed slightly to the four at the table.

“Guardians, this is the footage sent from Persia yesterday. Please share your thoughts.”

Within the Midnight Watchers Society, internal catastrophe-class psychics were referred to as “guardians,” and the four at the table were precisely four of the nine catastrophe-class psychics belonging to the Society: Dark Emperor, Commander of Armaments, Wordless Book, and Huaijun.

“Tch!” Upon hearing the woman’s words, Qin Huaijun spat impatiently, “What thoughts? Just tell me–who do you want dead?”

“Making decisions is their job. What’s it got to do with me, a hired thug, and…” He paused, glancing at the old man at the head of the table, curling his lip, “and the old teacher here?”

Just as Huaijun said, although more than half of the nine catastrophe-class psychics in the Midnight Watchers Society held important positions internally, there were also those like her, who only participated in operations when combat was needed, and those like Dark Emperor, who mostly focused on training new blood.

Faced with Huaijun’s rather insolent remark, Dark Emperor was neither angry nor annoyed, simply smiling in agreement, “Hehe, young friend, you’re quite right.”

“But…” The woman looked troubled.

But aside from you four, the other guardians all have important duties. Who else can make the decision? she thought.

“In that case, shall I go first?” As the woman hesitated, Commander of Armaments spoke up. “From the footage just now and the intel Assassin sent earlier, this haunting incident should be related to the Miracle Order.”

“It’s not ‘should be,’ it’s definitely related,” Wordless Book interrupted. “Those people in the footage, the white robes they’re wearing, are the medieval-style Miracle Order vestments.”

“But what does this have to do with our Midnight Watchers Society?” Huaijun curled her lip. “The Miracle Order in Country Z was beaten to a pulp; the main members withdrew fifteen years ago.”

“Even if the Miracle Order is suddenly active again, shouldn’t it be Assassin’s crew who’s got the headache?”

Wordless Book glanced sidelong at Huaijun and sneered, “Heh, all brawn and no brains! Did you use the intel I sent you as toilet paper?”

At that, Huaijun’s face darkened. She shot to her feet, slammed the table, and growled, “Bah! Rotten half-and-half, say that again if you dare!”

“What, so young and already hard of hearing?” Wordless Book slanted a look at Huaijun and said coolly.

“You–just you wait! Let’s see if I smash your head in, that’s all!”

“Don’t fight, don’t fight! Peace is precious, everyone.” 

The two glanced at the thin, old man, their expressions clearly saying, “You have the biggest fists, so we’ll listen to you,” and then quieted down.

Seeing the two quiet down, the Commander of Armaments looked at Huaijun and explained to her, “There’s intelligence saying that members of the Miracle Order, active in Central Asia, have recently shown signs of approaching Country Z.”

“So what if they have!” Huaijun turned her head away, crossing her arms over her chest and rolling her eyes. “Aren’t there still those guys in the Yumen Desert?”

Her first reaction didn’t consider the possibility that members of the Miracle Order would enter Country Z via the route near Kunlun Mountain. The hauntings in the Kunlun Mountains were absurdly powerful; entering Country Z from that route was no different from suicide.

“You don’t know. If it were just members of the Miracle Order, breaking through the Yumen Desert would be nearly impossible. However, since the last Miracle Saint Child fell in Country Z, it’s been a xun.”

“So what about a xun?” Huaijun retorted.

“Idiot!” the Wordless Book clicked its tongue. “After the Miracle Order’s Saint Child falls, another will descend after a xun. You don’t know that? By the way, do you even know how long a xun is?”

Hearing this, Huaijun froze for a moment, then gritted her teeth and said, “Of course I know how long a xun is!”

“Oh?” The Wordless Book raised its eyebrows slightly. “How long is it then?”

“I…” Huaijun hesitated, her chest rising and falling twice, rolling her eyes again. “So annoying, I’m going out for some air. When you guys figure out what to do, just tell me who needs to be killed!”

With that, she strode out of the meeting room.

Watching Huaijun leave, the meeting room doors closed again. The Commander of Armaments silently sighed and withdrew his gaze, opened his mouth, and was about to continue the previous topic when he suddenly sensed a faint psychic energy fluctuation from beside him. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the Dark Emperor suddenly stand up from his chair.

Turning to look, he saw the Dark Emperor’s face had gone pale, his half-closed eyes now wide open, pupils trembling slightly.

“Senior, did you… remember something important?” the Commander of Armaments asked in confusion, pondering whether he had overlooked some crucial detail while researching the haunting incidents caused by the Miracle Order.

At the same time, the Wordless Book also furrowed its brows, its expression grave as it studied the Dark Emperor, waiting for him to speak.

The Dark Emperor, Zhang Huainan, current Headmaster of the Great Pure Palace, was rumored to possess not only astonishing strength but also mastery of the Book of Changes and Eight Trigrams, even able to glimpse the secrets of heaven.

For something to agitate him so much, it must be a terrifying disaster!

“Nothing, I just need to use the bathroom!”

The old man tossed out these words and jogged out of the meeting room.

Commander of Armaments: “……”

Wordless Book: “……”

——–

Outside the meeting room.

Beyond the antique corridor, the vegetation was lush, flowers in full bloom, distant green mountains shrouded in thin clouds, the atmosphere tranquil.

“Shasha shasha—-!” Suddenly, a flurry of hurried footsteps came from the building at the end of the corridor.

Immediately after, an elderly man in Daoist robes burst out from the doorway, swift as a gust of wind. He paused midway down the corridor, glanced around nervously, vaulted over the railing, entered the garden, and headed straight behind the rockery.

In the distance, Huaijun, who was “getting some air” in the pavilion, was busy searching “how many years is a xun” on her phone. Hearing the footsteps, she looked up and witnessed the scene, tilting her head in confusion.

What just happened?

Why does this old teacher look like he’s sneaking around?

As she grumbled inwardly, her eyes darted around, the corners of her mouth curling up slightly. She got up and headed toward the rockery.

Suppressing her psychic energy fluctuation and aura, she carefully stepped on the bluestone, making not a sound. Passing through the garden, she had just climbed the rockery when she heard a low murmur.

Peeking over the top, she revealed a pair of eyes and looked down, spotting the old man crouched sneakily in a corner, clutching his phone anxiously.

“Second brother, you’re in charge of the spring operator training review, right? No, no, it’s not about pulling strings again–well, actually, it is! Anyway, just tell me how many spots are left!”

“Only one spot left? Good, good! Hurry up and find any operator who meets the requirements and pass them through the review… Ah, don’t ask why, just hurry, or it’ll be too late!”

“Fang ji? Never heard of them, whoever it is, as long as they meet the application requirements, just approve them. Is it done?”

Hearing his second apprentice’s affirmative reply on the phone, Zhang Huainan put down his phone, wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve, and let out a long breath. “That was close, finally dodged a bullet.”

I’m not the same Zhang Huainan I used to be. If you want to get close to me under my nose, no way!

But since Huá Sāng has already been sent over, the disturbance in the red thread of fate should have been triggered.

Why is that guy still coming to the Great Pure Palace?

Just as Zhang Huainan was pondering, he heard a goose-like laugh from above.

“Hahaha! Old man, I didn’t expect that you, who always look so dignified, would dare to do such shady things behind everyone’s back! Caught you red-handed!”

“Helping someone pull strings, huh? Tsk, shameless!”

Following the laughter, Zhang Huainan glanced at Huaijun, then his gaze landed on the phone screen in her hand. He slowly stood up, straightened his back, and stroked his beard with a smile. “Little friend, one xun can mean ten years, or twelve years. The xun for the Miracle Saint Child’s return is twelve years.”

“You–what are you talking about? I already knew that!” Huaijun feigned ignorance.

Zhang Huainan pointed at the phone in her hand. “Don’t worry, little friend, I won’t tell them you didn’t know. But you have to keep my secret too.”

Huaijun looked at her phone, still on the search page, then at Zhang Huainan’s kindly elder face and his slightly clenched fist, and fell silent.

“……”

This old man is threatening me?

Damn it, and I actually got threatened by him, and I can’t even beat him…

Ugh, so annoying!

Hua City Folk Culture Administration Bureau, Office “V”.

Jiang Li stared at the computer screen, silent for a few seconds, then spoke calmly as if nothing had happened, “It’s normal for this kind of thing to happen near the registration deadline. You know, operator training slots are always in high demand.”

“But don’t lose heart, you still have a chance. If you missed it this time, there’s another operator training in the fall, six months from now. Just remember to submit your application early then.”

“I see…” Lu Yibei nodded thoughtfully.

Going in six months is fine too. That way, I’ll have plenty of time to prepare.

As he pondered, Lu Yibei suddenly thought of something and asked Jiang Li, “By the way, boss, how’s your Spirit Pattern advancement preparation going? It should be soon, right?”

Jiang Li glanced sideways at Lu Yibei and said quietly, “What? Are you hoping I’ll leave sooner?”

This guy, is he plotting something again, waiting for me to go to headquarters for Spirit Pattern advancement so he can make his move? Jiang Li thought.

“How could that be!” Lu Yibei denied. “I’d love for you to stay in Hua City forever! I’m just concerned about you, boss!”

I’m just checking if you’ve compromised and accepted the Spirit Pattern advancement plan offered by headquarters.

By now, the Online Old Pervert should be delivering the Xiezhi Crown to me. Lu Yibei thought.

After hearing Lu Yibei’s words, Jiang Li frowned slightly.

Could it be that he knows where to get the materials I need for Spirit Pattern advancement?

But if those materials could be obtained through official channels, headquarters would have informed me already. That means the channels he knows are probably illegal!

Hmph! Trying to do something shady again? Absolutely not!

At this thought, Jiang Li felt a slight warmth in her heart, then looked straight into Lu Yibei’s eyes and said calmly, “I appreciate your concern, but this kind of thing can’t be rushed. I’ll just wait patiently.”

“Anything else? If not…”

“Yes, of course!” Lu Yibei interrupted.

“Speak!”

“Are you free for dinner tonight?” Lu Yibei raised his eyebrows.

And maybe watch a movie together, then walk you home, and maybe you could stay over. Lu Yibei secretly added in his heart.

“No,” Jiang Li shook her head.

“Why?” Lu Yibei asked in surprise. “It’s not your night shift tonight!”

Jiang Li looked at Lu Yibei expressionlessly and tilted her head, “It’s not that I’m not free, it’s that you’re not free. You’re on night duty tonight, remember?”

Not long after returning from Tang City, because of his “outstanding” performance, the operators of The Midnight Watchers Society unanimously decided to let Lu Yibei take a night shift, and “incidentally” help reduce their workload.

Anyway, except for Tuesdays, the hauntings in Hua City have been pretty quiet lately.

Lu Yibei, “…” I really forgot. It’s been a long time since I had to do this.

Seeing Lu Yibei’s slightly disappointed look, Jiang Li gently shook her head and winked at him.

[But, the day after tomorrow is fine [heart emoji]]

From those clear eyes, Lu Yibei read this message, and his eyes lit up.

[Deal? [doge]]

[Yes, just dinner.]

That’s fine. If not the first time, maybe the second time. First time is unfamiliar, second time is easier, third and fourth time, who knows! Lu Yibei thought, then said to Jiang Li, “Alright then, I’ll get going!”

With that, he left Office “V” with a cheerful step.

Watching Lu Yibei leave, hearing a “Yahoo!” cheer from the corridor, Jiang Li smiled faintly, shook her head helplessly, then refocused on her computer screen, pulled up The Midnight Watchers Society’s internal work interface, and quickly got back to work.

Less than five minutes after she resumed work, a notification popped up in the lower right corner of the webpage.

After reading the notice, Jiang Li’s expression grew serious, “A severe epidemic outbreak in Yan City… Could it be that the Plague Taisui containment zone was breached?”

Muttering to herself, she noted the main points of the notice, shook her head lightly, then forwarded the notice to the other operators in Hua City.

Yan City is quite far from Hua City, so it’s almost impossible for Hua City operators to go support. In this case, it’s usually enough just to let everyone know and stay alert.

——–

Leaving Jiang Li’s office, Lu Yibei bounced his way out of the Hua City Folk Culture Administration Bureau.

Although his face was expressionless, it was clear that he was as happy as a silly deer inside.

It was afternoon, the breeze was gentle, and the bright sunlight poured over the small garden in front of the office building.

Passing by the small garden, Lu Yibei, as usual, greeted the mushroom girl warmly and slipped a few pieces of corn candy he’d prepared into her hand.

Ever since the Night Parade of a Hundred Ghosts, when he witnessed the mushroom girl’s terrifying psychic energy fluctuation at the Hua City reservoir, he’d developed this good habit.

Back then, with the boost from Ley Line Energy, he barely managed to reach a psychic energy fluctuation close to catastrophe-class, while the mushroom girl, without any boost, already had psychic energy fluctuation near catastrophe-class.

If you ignore all external factors, the mushroom girl is basically the top combat power in Hua City.

So, ever since he learned from Shui-Ge that the mushroom girl loves all kinds of corn products, Lu Yibei would offer her a few pieces of corn candy every time he came to The Midnight Watchers Society.

Just think of it as a bribe… buying favor… no, just an offering. If she takes my gifts, maybe if my identity is exposed in the future, she won’t have the heart to kill me. Lu Yibei thought, withdrawing his gaze from the mushroom girl’s sinister smile.

Just as he stood up, he saw Li Xuan and Huá Sāng coming in through the main entrance.

In an instant, recalling last night’s terrifying experience, Lu Yibei’s face darkened.

Seeing Lu Yibei standing in the small garden, Li Xuan’s eyes lit up and he said happily, “Lu Yibei, you’re here! Perfect, perfect, can you do me a favor?!”

“Hmph!” Lu Yibei lifted his chin, looked up at a forty-five degree angle, and let out a cold snort, glancing at Li Xuan out of the corner of his eye.

That look seemed to say, “Just wait, your car tires are gone.”

Li Xuan, “???”

What the heck? What’s going on? Did I offend him somehow?

Yesterday he was still calling me Li-Ge and asking me for Nocturnal Syndrome outbreak data!

He was finally acting normal, and after just one day, he’s back to being weird?

Li Xuan thought, suppressing his doubts for now, and smiled at Lu Yibei, “So, can you do me a favor? Later, can you take my junior sister to the airport? I’m not feeling well today, really can’t make it.”

Lu Yibei is on night duty today, and the airport area, with fewer residents and more likely haunting incidents, is within his patrol range. Having him take Huá Sāng is just right.

Lu Yibei glanced at the half-dead “hero” Huá Sāng, hesitated for a moment, then lifted his chin in another direction and snorted again.

“Hmph!”

Li Xuan, “……”

The second snort made him uneasy.

Something’s not right!

He didn’t know what this guy was plotting, but it definitely felt related to his car.

“Hmph!”

As Li Xuan pondered, Lu Yibei snorted again, then looked at Huá Sāng and asked, “What time is your flight?”

Business is business, not personal. I can’t be all respectful in the investigation report and then refuse to give her a ride when she’s leaving, right?

That would be way too fake. Lu Yibei thought.

Huá Sāng thought for a moment and said slowly, “Four thirty in the afternoon…”