Chapter 64

A sleek black luxury sedan drove through the rain-slicked alley, utterly out of place in this old little town.

In the passenger seat, Lu Ran gazed out the window, watching the Wuli River draw nearer.

This river ran north to south through the town, nurturing generations after generations.

Lu Ran mostly lived on the west bank, since his home, high school, and other places were all on the west side.

Judging by Deng Yu’s demeanor, she was driving to the east bank, which was relatively more prosperous, at least boasting a central commercial plaza.

“Little Lu Ran, want to hear a story?” Deng Yu said casually as she drove onto the bridge.

“What kind of story?”

“Once, there was a man who wanted to file a complaint,” Deng Yu said with a faint smile, “then he got hungry.”

“Damn.” Lu Ran was baffled.

Did the story involve someone chasing him to kill him?

“Hahahahaha~”

Deng Yu hadn’t been this happy in a long time.

Since joining the job, everything had been serious.

Lu Ran’s presence reminded her of the joyful days when she used to tease Deng Yutang.

Too bad those good times were gone forever.

Deng Yutang was now absurdly well-behaved, with no spirit of rebellion—boring now.

“Actually, jumping off a building is pretty thrilling,” Lu Ran suddenly spoke, cutting off the woman’s laughter.

Deng Yu: “You didn’t say that just now.”

Lu Ran shrugged, forced to admit it really was a unique experience.

Don't even mention that Lu Ran was a Fog Realm cultivator—even if he were a Stream Realm or River Realm cultivator, he wouldn't dare jump off a rooftop.

Lu Ran watched the Wuli River flow southeast and hummed softly:

“We who don’t know how to show tenderness still think suicide pacts are just ancient legends~”

Deng Yu: ???

“Cough.” Lu Ran cleared his throat and quickly changed the subject, “By the way, is Uncle Sun a follower of Biwu?”

Deng Yu suddenly laughed: “Keep that spirit.”

Though she said that, she added silently in her mind: Don’t you dare become like Yutang—give up resistance, surrender without a fight.

That would be too dull.

Lu Ran was puzzled: “What spirit?”

Deng Yu didn’t answer, instead saying: “Captain Sun is a follower of Biwu.”

The Sixth-Rank Deity, Biwu, resembles a phoenix tree.

This is an auxiliary deity, capable of defense and control, but especially renowned for healing.

Every fifteenth night of the lunar month, altars in every shelter display statues of Biwu.

Who would’ve thought a disciple of a Sixth-Rank Deity could be a squad leader?

Lu Ran: “So your squad is three protectors and one DPS?”

Two Prisoned Demon believers, one Biwu believer.

Is Deng Yu the only offensive specialist?

Deng Yu explained: “Wei Hu was specially assigned by the Bureau to protect you.”

“Captain Sun is deputy leader; we have a main leader named Ge Bin—you’ll meet him in a couple days.”

“Which deity does Captain Ge follow?” Lu Ran immediately became interested.

“Nuo Sha.”

“Nuo Sha?” Lu Ran’s heart stirred—Ma Tianchuan, the top student at school, was also a Nuo Sha believer.

Deng Yu nodded and warned: “You’d better shape up. When you meet our captain, don’t piss yourself from fear.”

Lu Ran nodded firmly: “I’ll try.”

He, usually so confident, gave this response for good reason.

The Third-Rank Deity, Nuo Sha.

A full deity whose name contained the character “Sha”—could that possibly be a gentle, friendly god?

In the 1980s, when the Demon Clan first appeared, everyone believed demons were the most cruel and violent.

But the emergence of the Deity Nuo Sha completely overturned that conclusion!

Nuo Sha was even more cruel than demons, more vicious than vengeful ghosts!

Honestly, only because Nuo Sha protects humanity.

Otherwise, given his appearance and terrifying methods, people would have classified him as a demon!

Too! Scary!

The car slowed to a stop, and Lu Ran saw the large gilded sign: Yuxiang Fang.

The floor-to-ceiling windows were clean and bright; the interior glittered with gold and splendor.

This place was among the finest restaurants in this small county.

Deng Yu turned off the engine and stepped out, saying casually: “I heard from Yutang that when you trained in Dog’s Den, you always covered your eyes with a red cloth?”

“Yes,” Lu Ran replied with gratitude, “you told me to listen for the wind’s voice—I tried it.”

Deng Yu nodded: “Then this meal is on you.”

“Fine!” Lu Ran gritted his teeth and stomped his foot.

Though Yuxiang Fang wasn’t cheap, he truly owed her this meal.

“Just kidding,” Deng Yu smiled, “when you’re out with me, you don’t pay.”

Lu Ran: “.”

He silently watched this domineering rich girl.

Why did that sound so weird?

Deng Yu continued: “After dinner, we’ll return to the Wuli Riverbank and train some more.”

“Still training? I already finished my trial!”

“You forgot—I haven’t even warmed up yet.”

“Sis, I know there’s a bun shop on the west bank… uh, do you like tea eggs?”

Night fell, evening arrived.

Lu Ran dragged his weary body back home.

After a shower, he grabbed a towel, dried his wet hair, and collapsed onto his small bed.

He idly picked up his phone beside the bed and noticed a message Jiang Ruyi had sent that morning.

Jiang: “If you’re upgrading the Banlü Sword, which material would you choose?”

Lu Ran was puzzled—hadn’t she already chosen Bai Hongshi and submitted it?

He checked the time: 7:10 PM, and immediately replied on WeChat.

Ran: “Bai Hongshi.”

As the saying goes: Beauty is like jade, sword like rainbow.

Jiang Meiren deserved that phrase.

Unexpectedly, she replied quickly.

Jiang: “Mm.”

Lu Ran stared at the screen and couldn’t help grinning.

Some people really need face-to-face interaction.

Too cold on the phone!

Lu Ran didn’t reply further, opened the four-person group chat, and found it lively—earlier that afternoon, the three had been discussing Demon types.

He thought for a moment, then tapped on the screen.

Ran: “Deng Shao, what did you do today?”

Deng Yutang: “I’ve been training nonstop, dare not slack off! What about you? Why haven’t you messaged all day?”

Ran: “Your sister took me to breakfast.”

Deng Yutang: “Huh?”

As Lu Ran typed his reply, Deng Yutang sent another message immediately:

“Your sister?”

Then Deng Yutang sent message after message—he was clearly panicked.

“Didn’t I tell you? Don’t ever provoke her!”

“You’re foolish, Lu Brother!”

“Is her food something you can just eat?”

“Then what was the price?”

Lu Ran winced, twitching his lips.

No wonder he’s her brother—he hit the nail on the head. That question was too soul-crushing.

After a long pause, Lu Ran finally typed a reply.

Ran: “She beat me up all morning.”

Deng Yu:「.」

Tian Tian: (#Д)

Deng Yu:「It’s already past seven at night. Were you knocked unconscious and just now woke up?」

Lu Ran rolled his eyes, fingers tapping rapidly on the screen, sending multiple messages:

「I did a reconnaissance with the Wangyue Team this afternoon.」

「Checked out neighborhood terrain, visited shops and homes—felt like a local cop.」

「By the way, did you know? Chang Ying’s family runs an auto repair shop—that Chang Ying, the one who does fortune-telling.」

「Her shop is on the street I’m assigned to. I ran into her while doing my rounds—she was wearing a white tank top, changing a tire!」

「Damn! Those muscle lines—pure streamlined perfection, cooler than the car itself! I’m so jealous.」

Deng Yu:「This fifteenth, is it my sister’s team leading you?」

Ran:「Yeah, I can’t avoid her! Tomorrow morning, my sister’s taking me to breakfast—what do I do?」

Deng Yu:「Lu Brother, listen to me—be a statue.」

Whatever she says, agree. Whatever she does, don’t resist. In a few days, she’ll get bored.」

「She’s got too many twisted whims. With people like her, don’t engage at all!」

Ran:「Screenshot taken.」

Deng Yu:「Ran Brother.」

Jiang:「Patted Deng Yu on the shoulder」

Jiang:「Is this team strong?」

Seeing the squad leader appear, Deng Yu’s eyes lit up as if he’d found a savior.

Deng Yu:「Squad Leader, please talk some sense into Lu! I still want to live another two years!」

Ran:「One River Realm, Fifth Stage—Biwu Follower; one River Realm, Fifth Stage—Beifeng Follower; two River Realm, Fourth Stage—Qiumo Followers.」

「And one River Realm expert—a Nuo Sha Follower.」

「He’s the team captain, but he’s busy—I didn’t meet him today.」

Jiang:「What a powerful team. Looks like we’ll see you on opening day.」

Deng Yu:「Ran Brother!!」

Tian Tian: ()(._.`)

(End of Chapter)