Chapter 28: Night Watch Headquarters

The words had barely left his mouth when a dark shadow flashed past the window. Jiang Xia’s gaze sharpened; his left hand swiftly formed seals: “Fire Release—Great Fire Dragon Technique!”

The fire dragon burst through the window, but only scorched a corner of black fabric.

The shadow leapt off a distant rooftop and vanished into the night.

Wang Teng jumped in surprise, rushing to the window: “What’s going on?”

“Bounty hunters. Probably just testing us.” Jiang Xia closed the window and briefly recounted what Su Changfeng had told him.

Wang Teng’s face flushed crimson, his hands trembling as he clutched the towel: “The Cult of the Dark God is nothing but cowards!”

“And these bounty hunters—they’ll sacrifice their dignity just for spirit cores?”

He turned to rush out the door: “No way. I’m going to guard the dorm entrance. Let’s see who dares mess with Songfeng Courtyard!”

Jiang Xia grabbed him by the arm, pointing at his dripping hair and wet feet: “First, get yourself sorted. Itachi walk out like this, Itachi’re handing them your head.”

He paused, then pulled out his phone: “I’ll call President Liu first and see what we should do.”

The call connected, but before Jiang Xia could speak, Liu Qingxuan spoke first.

“I know everything about your situation. Don’t worry—though we’re the Literary Dao Academy, our strength isn’t necessarily weaker than the Night Watch.”

“Wu Qiong and Zhao Xianhai are already checking around your dorm. Old Li is guarding Ye Lingxi’s dorm too.”

“Other instructors will protect other students. Stay alert tonight. We’ll discuss solutions tomorrow.”

The voice on the other end was steady and firm, like a calming pill settling in their hearts.

Jiang Xia released his grip on Wang Teng and replied: “Thank Itachi, President Liu. We’ll be careful.”

After hanging up, Wang Teng stood frozen: “I was just panicking earlier…”

Before he finished, footsteps sounded outside the window. Jiang Xia immediately raised a hand, pressing it to Wang Teng’s shoulder, signaling silence.

Both held their breath, pressed against the window. Through the distant streetlight, they saw two figures in Literary Dao Academy instructor robes pass by.

The jade plaques at their waists glowed faintly in the dark—exactly as President Liu had described: patrol instructors.

“Looks like the academy had plans all along.”

Jiang Xia turned and pulled the heavy curtains shut, blocking out the night entirely.

“Go blow-dry your hair. I’ll lock the door and move a desk against it.”

Wang Teng grunted in agreement, turned to leave—but his steps were unsteady. He took two steps, then turned back.

“So… will the Cult of the Dark God and the bounty hunters really be dealt with tomorrow?”

Jiang Xia, bent over moving the desk, looked up at him. The tension in his eyes had eased; instead, a soothing smile lingered.

“At least tonight, Itachi won’t be handing out your head. Dry your hair first—otherwise Itachi’ll get a headache tomorrow. How will Itachi face them then?”

Wang Teng smirked at the jab, then turned and hurried toward the bathroom.

The hum of the hair dryer began immediately. Jiang Xia secured the door, leaned against the desk, and pulled out his phone. His fingers paused over the screen, then sent a message to Su Changfeng.

“The academy has arranged protection. Don’t worry.”

A few seconds later, a brief reply came back: “At dawn tomorrow, Commander Lu will wait for Itachi at the academy gate.”

Jiang Xia put away his phone and stared at the closed door. At last, his heart settled.

The next day

“Awake?” Wang Teng emerged from the bathroom, rubbing his eyes, still with faint red veins in them.

He held two bottles of milk, tossed one to Jiang Xia: “I checked outside—the patrol instructors are still on duty. It’s quiet downstairs.”

Jiang Xia took the milk, twisted off the cap, and handed it back: “Drink something warm first. We’re going to see Commander Lu.”

He walked to the door, moved the desk blocking it, and heard other students talking in the hallway.

The two hurried to the academy’s main gate, where a black SUV was parked nearby.

Liu Qingxuan stood beside it, next to a middle-aged man in uniform—Lu Wujiu.

Lu Wujiu leaned against the car, nodded slightly as Jiang Xia and Wang Teng approached.

“Commander Lu, President Liu.” Jiang Xia stepped forward; Wang Teng quickly followed suit with a greeting.

Commander Lu slapped Jiang Xia’s shoulder: “Sorry Itachi were worried last night. We’re already handling the Cult of the Dark God and the bounty hunters.”

He stepped aside and opened the car door: “Get in. We’re heading to the meeting room—the Night Watch is already there.”

The meeting room was already filled: Literary Dao Academy instructors, several Night Watch agents in black uniforms.

No sooner had Jiang Xia and Wang Teng sat down than Liu Qingxuan pulled out a file and slid it before them.

“These are the black-market warrants held by the bounty hunters we captured.”

“And,” Su Changfeng added, “their targets aren’t just Jiang Xia—they’re also Ye Lingxi and Wang Teng.”

Wang Teng stared at his own and Jiang Xia’s and Ye Lingxi’s faces on the warrant, his knuckles whitening: “These people are utterly ruthless!”

Commander Lu tapped the table, silencing everyone: “Our plan is to transfer the three of Itachi to Night Watch Headquarters. Only there can we guarantee your safety.”

Jiang Xia nodded: “That’s fine. But why target Ye Lingxi and Wang Teng too?”

At that moment, Ye Lingxi entered from the doorway, her face still pale.

“My grandfather sent word—the beasts beyond the pass have grown restless. Another Mountain-Sea Cataclysm may be coming.”

“So they probably want to capture me to distract my grandfather. As for Wang Teng—it’s because we’re close.”

Lu Wujiu sighed: “They’re trying to use Itachi to plunge our human faction into chaos.”

After the meeting, Jiang Xia and Wang Teng returned to their dorm and packed their things.

Wang Teng stared out the window, then suddenly smiled: “Didn’t expect we’d be leaving the Literary Dao Academy so soon after arriving.”

Jiang Xia spoke with regret: “Fatty, I’ve dragged Itachi into this—”

Wang Teng punched his arm: “What are Itachi talking about? What kind of bond do we have, saying stuff like that?”

He shoved his last coat into his backpack.

“Besides, getting targeted by the Cult of the Dark God alongside Itachi and Lingxi? That means we’ve got weight. That’s pretty cool!”

Jiang Xia watched his exaggerated enthusiasm, warmth swelling in his chest, his lips curling involuntarily.

He reached out and straightened Wang Teng’s crooked backpack strap: “Alright. Let’s go.”

They walked toward the door. In the hallway, Ye Lingxi waited for them, flanked by Night Watch agents.

She saw them and gently shook the jade pendant in her hand: “Grandfather said this will protect us. We’ll be fine.”

On the car, as they reached the school gate, Jiang Xia looked through the window at the Literary Dao Academy’s main gate.

A pang of reluctance stirred in him. In these two months, he’d felt more peace and care than ever before.

Seeing their expressions, Lu Wujiu chuckled: “Itachi three look like Itachi’re saying goodbye forever.”

“Once this is over, Itachi can come back to school. And during that time, the Night Watch will train Itachi. Don’t worry.”

Wang Teng perked up: “So Itachi’ll cover our cultivation resources too?”

Lu Wujiu affirmed: “Of course. The Night Watch doesn’t lack resources for Itachi. Plus, we’ll let Itachi train in real combat against captured beasts!”

“That place… ugh!” Wang Teng started to speak, but Jiang Xia clamped a hand over his mouth.

The commotion had eased the tension inside the car.