Chapter 97: A Camellia Flower

A light rain pattered down as the sky gradually brightened.

The evil spirits had retreated, leaving behind only a devastated small city.

Inside an old residence, Lu Ran answered one phone call after another; survivors were checking on each other's safety.

Among them was a call from Jingcheng.

His mother, my lord, must have just withdrawn from the battlefield when she heard about Rain Alley City's plight.

Clearly, of the two special events, "The Demon Lord's Descent" carried far greater impact than "The Night of a Thousand Ghosts"!

Even a thousand evil spirits roaming the Fog Creek River Realm could not compare to the appearance of a single Sea Realm Demon Lord.

"I'm truly fine, Mom," Lu Ran said, sitting on the small bed. "I was far from where the Yin Hua Dan appeared."

"Moreover, the moment she appeared, before she could even perform much of her opera, the Wu Sheng believers lured her out of the city."

Jiang Qiao Jiang Qiao Wanjun said, "Rain Alley City seems cursed."

"Don't stay there; come home."

Lu Ran remained silent, offering no response.

The perennial gloomy clouds and the seemingly endless drizzle of Rain Alley City had long been a source of complaint.

Two consecutive special events had only added an even heavier shade of gloom to this storm-tossed little city.

The question was... go home?

This place has always been my home.

"Ranran?"

"Isn't this happening everywhere across the country?" Lu Ran spoke up.

This time, it was Jiang Qiao Jiang Qiao Wanjun who was left speechless.

Indeed, if this was happening everywhere, how could it be limited to just the nation?

The race of evil spirits was growing increasingly brazen and visibly more powerful!

These various signs made the world unable to help but worry, wondering if the race of gods could still suppress the evil spirits.

Lu Ran continued, "In Jingcheng, even an ordinary fifteenth-night moon festival is far more intense than the Night of a Thousand Ghosts experienced by Rain Alley City, isn't it?"

"That is true, but such a comparison shouldn't be made," Jiang Qiao Jiang Qiao Wanjun said gently. "The defensive forces here are stronger."

His mother's words were still quite euphemistic.

Jingcheng's defensive strength was countless levels higher than that of Rain Alley City.

Believers of Liangye Master Jian Yi as powerful as her were stationed in the city year-round.

And what of Rain Alley?

Had the Demon Lord not descended, Lu Ran probably would never have seen a Wu Sheng believer appear in Rain Alley in his entire life.

"I'm fine, Mom, I—"

Lu Ran paused mid-sentence, suddenly twitching the tip of his nose.

Sniff~

"Sigh," Jiang Qiao Jiang Qiao Wanjun let out a sigh.

It had to be said, Lu Ran truly possessed considerable skill.

To make such an aloof believer of Liangye Master Jian Yi helpless enough to sigh repeatedly.

If this were Jiang Qiao Jiang Qiao Yuanxi, Jiang Qiao Jiang Qiao Wanjun would have simply issued an order.

Don't understand?

Your thoughts are unimportant; just understand while executing the order.

Won't obey?

Then kneel; kneel until you obey.

During those years living in Jingcheng, Lu Ran had witnessed with his own eyes the overly mischievous little Jiang Qiao Yuanxi being punished by his mother, my lord, to kneel.

She was not even allowed food or drink.

He still remembered that day, when he had hidden a hamburger and secretly delivered it to little Jiang Qiao Yuanxi in the night.

It seemed that was precisely when little Jiang Qiao Yuanxi fell in love with that food.

Thinking back on it now, it was truly amusing.

Little Jiang Qiao Yuanxi, kneeling in punishment in the living room, had gulped down the hamburger like a little refugee, making "wu-wu" sounds as she ate.

And at that time, his mother was resting in the bedroom; how could she not have heard?

"Mom, you should rest now; guarding the city all night consumes immense spirit and strength."

Jiang Qiao Jiang Qiao Wanjun stopped persuading him and instead asked, "This month, will you still undergo training with Jiang Qiao Yuanxi?"

Lu Ran immediately replied, "We'll see how things go; I'll discuss it with her."

"Mm," Jiang Qiao Jiang Qiao Wanjun responded softly before hanging up the phone.

Lu Ran put down his mobile phone, stood up, walked to the wardrobe, and took out a yellow raincoat from within.

Subsequently, Lu Ran approached the windowsill, opened the window with one hand, and said, "Eavesdropping?"

Outside the window, Deng Deng Yuxiang stood leaning against the wall, holding a blade in one hand.

She turned her head to look at Lu Ran. "Very heartwarming."

Lu Ran looked at the soaking wet Great Da Da Mengyan. "Here to assign me a mission?"

Deng Deng Yuxiang shook her head. "I just happened to patrol through here; wanted to see if you were still alive."

Lu Ran carefully observed her expression, feeling a surge of joy in his heart, and tentatively asked, "Team Leader Sun, he...?"

"He was saved," Deng Deng Yuxiang said, a rare trace of a smile appearing on her face.

On this fifteenth night, the wind and rain tossed the world about.

The small city of rain-soaked alleys had suffered devastating ravages.

Yet at this moment, Great Da Da Mengyan's smiling face clashed jarringly with this world full of scars and ruins.

Lu Ran felt as though, amidst a stretch of rubble, he had spotted a camellia slowly blooming.

Bright and beautiful.

"Let's go." Deng Deng Yuxiang exerted force with her back, using the rebound to straighten her body.

She had come here for only two things: first, to see if Lu Ran was unharmed, and second, to deliver good news.

Now that matters were settled, she ought to continue executing her mission.

"Your raincoat," Lu Ran said immediately.

Deng Deng Yuxiang halted her steps: "Planning to return it to me?"

"Isn't that only right and proper?" Lu Ran held out the raincoat. "Besides, I still have one myself."

"Keeping so many is useless; two pieces can't combine into one of higher quality."

Deng Deng Yuxiang: "Yutang said you're quite the little money-grubber."

Lu Ran: "Huh?"

Deng Deng Yuxiang gestured toward the raincoat: "This garment isn't much cheaper than his red scarf."

Lu Ran was a bit bewildered; if he remembered correctly, that red scarf was worth several thousand yuan?

Good heavens~

Something that costs nine ninety with free shipping, and you spend several thousand to buy it?

"Truly willing to spend money." Lu Ran touched the fabric; it was indeed quite excellent, but the price was absurdly high.

Deng Deng Yuxiang reached out and took the raincoat: "Perhaps one day, I'll be gone."

"If you like it, buy it; why care so much?"

Lu Ran: "."

There was really no refuting that.

Especially for someone like Deng Deng Yuxiang, a Moon Gazer who always charged on the front lines, truly living with her head strapped to her waistband.

"Since it's only right and proper, shouldn't you return the other one to me as well?" Deng Deng Yuxiang draped the raincoat over herself, speaking casually.

Lu Ran abruptly changed tack: "Sister, I have a favor to ask?"

"Hmm?" Deng Deng Yuxiang looked somewhat startled.

That topic shift was incredibly stiff.

What puzzled Deng Deng Yuxiang even more was that she had never before heard the word "beg" or "ask a favor" from Lu Ran's mouth.

Given their bond forged through life and death, was such a grand gesture necessary?

Lu Ran spoke: "Help me speak to the Divine People Bureau; next month, let me join the Patrol Squad?"

Deng Deng Yuxiang understood immediately; after a moment of contemplation, she said: "The evil spirits invading the city are growing stronger."

"The intensity of our city-defense patrols is increasing as well."

Lu Ran nodded: "Then you need me even more."

"Heh heh." Deng Deng Yuxiang laughed dryly.

She very much wanted to refute him, but just last night, she had personally visited to seek his help.

Lu Ran pleaded his case: "I am a radar; I can provide control without needing to engage enemies up close, so it's not as dangerous as you imagine."

"With me stationed within the team, everyone can carry out their work more effectively."

Deng Deng Yuxiang nodded gently.

The only problem was that Lu Ran was still a student.

Say what one will, he belonged to the group that needed protection.

"Will you speak to the Divine People Bureau for me?" Lu Ran's face was full of expectation.

Deng Deng Yuxiang looked straight into Lu Ran's eyes: "Have you really thought this through?"

"Of course I have." Lu Ran pushed his luck: "Not just next month; I want to patrol with you every single month."

Deng Deng Yuxiang suddenly reached out.

That wet palm pressed onto Lu Ran's head, rubbing it neither lightly nor heavily:

"So afraid of me dying?"

Lu Ran: "."

Wasn't this just self-flattery?

I'm doing this to better nourish the Divine-Demon Statue.

Hmm... well, one couldn't blame Great Da Da Mengyan for misunderstanding; she didn't know he possessed a garden of divine-demon statues.

Moreover, there was nothing wrong with what Deng Deng Yuxiang had said.

Lu Ran certainly did not wish to see his comrades come to harm.

"Hmm?" Deng Deng Yuxiang raised an eyebrow slightly, her expression probing.

"You are the biological sister of my brother; rounding it off, that makes you my sister too!"

Lu Ran's mouth was stubborn; he added another sentence: "Taking care of family is only proper."

"Heh." Deng Deng Yuxiang smiled, her eyes rarely showing such softness. "I'll give it a try."

With that, she turned and departed.

"Don't just 'give it a try'!" Lu Ran watched her retreating figure. "You must go all out and strive with all your might!"

Deng Deng Yuxiang did not turn back; she merely raised a hand and waved casually.

The figure in the yellow raincoat took flight, carrying the long Slash-Night greatsword, soaring over the rooftops of the residential buildings before vanishing without a trace.

"Snap." Lu Ran shut the window, stepped back diagonally, and plopped down right in front of the shrine.

I've done my best,

now we just wait for good news.

(End of Chapter)