Chapter 27: The Sound of Wind

The 14th day of the sixth lunar month, the entire school was on holiday.

More accurately, the whole nation was on holiday.

Every lunar month, from the 14th to the 18th—the day before and three days after the 15th—all of society was put on pause, except for designated essential services.

This five-day holiday was both an official mandate and a social custom.

“Wuuuu~”

“Boom boom boom!”

The morning alarm, accompanied by rolling thunder, woke Lu Ran from his deep sleep.

“Hmm.” Lu Ran rubbed his eyes drowsily, picked up his phone beside him, and checked the time.

Seven o’clock sharp.

Although the demonic race appears on the night of the lunar 15th, on the 14th, authorities sound the alarm to warn citizens.

“Good morning, Immortal Goat.” Lu Ran got out of bed and instinctively approached the altar to pay respects.

Since the Dog Village trial, Immortal Goat hadn’t manifested in a long time.

In truth, this was the proper demeanor of a deity—the divine beings, elevated above all, were not to be seen at the whim of mortal devotees.

“I feel I’m on the verge of advancing to Mist Realm, Third Stage.”

Lu Ran muttered to himself, hoping the deity would hear.

Since his advancement on the 5th, up until today, the 14th of the lunar month, Lu Ran had trained relentlessly—even on the training ground, wisps of mist clung to him.

Now, the mist within his body had been compressed to a critical point.

His body, nourished by divine power, had grown stronger and more robust, fully prepared for advancement to Mist Realm, Third Stage!

Lu Ran looked forward with anticipation: “Then I’ll be able to learn the Divine Art: Immortal Hoof.”

Yet the jade carving of the Immortal Goat inside the altar remained silent.

Lu Ran waited a long while, confirmed Immortal Goat offered no instruction, then bowed respectfully.

Then he stepped sideways to the windowsill.

The low, prolonged alarm still echoed through the city, deepening the gloom of this rainy, overcast day.

“It’s raining again.”

Lu Ran gazed at the rain-soaked neighborhood, watching the branches sway in the slanting drizzle.

The weather forecast said tomorrow would be cloudy—would he even see the full moon?

Lu Ran took a deep breath and turned toward the bathroom to wash up.

A few minutes later, he stepped out the door, umbrella in hand, wooden sword slung over his shoulder.

The rain-drenched Alley City carried a bleak, desolate air.

Compared to recent days, the streets were noticeably emptier, shops shuttered tight.

After searching for a long while, Lu Ran found one small store still open and bought a carton of milk and a can of fish.

His destination remained the banks of Wu Lie River—the abandoned residential complex.

As for why Lu Ran came here,

On one hand, to honor his deceased father; on the other, he kept thinking of that little mottled cat.

Since their last parting, Lu Ran had made a point to stop by every day on his way to school.

On the 6th, Lu Ran had been distracted by Wu Shanshan’s departure from the team, and in his absentmindedness, let the mottled cat slip away.

Back home, every time he thought of that little cat, Lu Ran felt anxious.

Stray cats and dogs rarely survived the night of the lunar 15th.

Unless someone took them in, or the mottled cat sneaked into a citizen’s home and hid beside the altar’s divine statue, otherwise—

“Baa~~~”

In the light drizzle, Lu Ran held his umbrella and arrived at the overgrown riverside complex of Wu Lie River.

He called out “Baa baa” all the way—from outside the building, to inside, then up to the dilapidated seventh-floor rooftop.

Unfortunately, the mottled cat still didn’t appear.

“Dad, the mottled cat isn’t here again.” Lu Ran walked to a corner of the rooftop, placed the milk and fish can on the railing, “Here, eat up.”

Lu Ran put away his umbrella, his figure once again exposed to the rain:

“Hurry up and eat—I’ll eat what’s left.”

Lu Ran gripped his wooden tang sword, imagined an opponent in his mind, and began training immediately.

Thanks to the cat, for many days now, father and son had eaten fish can for breakfast.

Lu Ran was getting tired of it.

As for Dad—well, it didn’t matter.

Whether he liked it or not, he couldn’t speak anyway~

“Little Lu Ran?”

A voice suddenly came from the rooftop stairwell.

“Huh?” Lu Ran turned and saw a tall figure in a yellow raincoat.

Lu Ran was startled!

This was—uh, Little Nightmare?

The little thing had grown so big—her figure was amazing—

Lu Ran wiped his rain-drenched eyes, confirming she was still there.

In an instant, his heart leapt to his throat!

How could anyone possibly be here, in such a desolate place?

And she knew his name!

Could she be some demon arriving early?

The woman reached up, pulled back her hood, revealing a distinctly East Asian face.

Lu Ran was even more stunned.

The woman before him was radiant and striking—like her yellow raincoat, she stood out vividly against the gray, gloomy world.

“Rain Alley?” Lu Ran exclaimed, disbelief on his face, “What are the odds?”

“What odds?” Deng Yu Xiang shot him a look, “I followed the baaing to find you.”

Lu Ran: “...”

“You’ve got guts,” Deng Yu Xiang stepped onto the rooftop, “Daring to come here on the 14th of the lunar month?”

“This is my secret training ground,” Lu Ran held up his wooden sword, pointing south, “Look over there.”

“Hmm?” Beneath the hood, the woman’s dark eyes pierced through the rain, gazing far to the south.

Through the misty rain, Wu Lie River surged onward.

Mighty, majestic.

“The view is indeed impressive,” Deng Yu Xiang gazed into the distance, then asked, “Tomorrow you’re joining Yu Tang on the city defense mission—how prepared are you?”

“Pretty well. I figured I’d train a bit today to stay sharp,” Lu Ran frowned, “Why are you here?”

Deng Yu Xiang didn’t answer. Instead, she turned her gaze to the milk and fish can on the stone railing.

“Want some, sister?” Lu Ran was quick, “I’ll give it to you.”

Deng Yu Xiang rolled her eyes with a smile.

I climbed seven floors just to steal your milk and fish can?

Deng Yu Xiang turned toward the stairwell, her voice drifting back: “Take your snacks home and train. Don’t loiter outside.”

Snacks?

Lu Ran felt a pang.

That’s the mottled cat’s food—my father’s offering—my breakfast, okay?

What’s this, one fish, three meals?

“You haven’t changed a bit,” Lu Ran muttered under his breath, then resumed his sword practice.

A few days ago, after dropping him off at his door, she’d floored the accelerator, her sports car roaring into the rain.

Now, she’d said one line and vanished again, offering no chance for small talk—truly decisive.

Lu Ran hadn’t expected that just one minute later, Deng Yu Xiang returned to the rooftop: “Do I have to take you home?”

“No no no,” Lu Ran shook his head rapidly, “I’m leaving, right away.”

Deng Yu Xiang smiled: “I see now—you’re all talk, aren’t you?”

Lu Ran sighed: “Just a little longer. Just a moment.”

What if the mottled cat shows up?

Deng Yu Xiang nodded slightly: “It seems Yu Tang hasn’t told you much about me.”

Lu Ran was confused: “Told me what?”

Deng Yu Xiang waved her hand—immediately, a semi-transparent, slender wind blade formed in her palm: “In front of me, Yu Tang dares not utter a single refusal.”

Instantly, a chilling aura surged forth, making one’s blood run cold.

“North Wind!” Lu Ran’s eyes narrowed, “You’re a devotee of North Wind Blade?”

Second-Rank Deity: North Wind!

Folklore calls this deity “North Wind Blade”—its divine statue depicts a stern, sword-wielding man, stationed on the distant northern frontier.

Alongside South Sea Bow, Western Wasteland Axe, and Eastern Thunder Spear, it is known as one of the “Four Martial Heroes.”

Lu Ran’s former teammate Wu Shanshan was one of the Four Tyrants’ followers—the believer of the Southern Sea Bow.

“You don’t need to struggle,” Deng Yu Xiang’s lips curled with a faint, elusive smile, “I’ll break your legs, then carry you home myself.”

How about it, little Lu Ran?

This time, Lu Ran had no interest in the glossy lipstick on her lips.

“Misunderstanding! Big sister, I’m going home right now!” Lu Ran cowered in utter terror.

He never imagined such a dazzling, captivating big sister could be a living hell-lord.

No wonder Deng Yu Tang dared not say “no.”

She acted the moment she spoke—not a shred of room for hesitation!

“I said before I’d teach you two moves.” Deng Yu Xiang weighed the wind blade in her hand, “No need to wait—today will do.”

Lu Ran’s face stiffened; a terrifying pressure crushed his entire body.

“Don’t!” Lu Ran stepped back slowly, “I’m on guard duty tomorrow with Deng Yu Tang—if I get hurt—”

“Shh!” Deng Yu Xiang issued a command to silence.

She slowly closed her eyes, as if listening to something: “Can you hear it?”

The woman suddenly grew eerily cryptic; Lu Ran was stunned, then stunned again:

“Hear what?”

Deng Yu Xiang suddenly shattered the ground beneath her feet and lunged straight at Lu Ran, a faint smile tugging at her lips:

“The sound of the wind.”

(End of Chapter)