Chapter 36: Return to Linjiang City

Hearing these whispers, Jiang Xia wanted to rip Wang Teng’s hair out right there and use it as a feather duster.

He yanked Wang Teng’s arm hard, lowering his voice to growl, “Can Itachi stop being so self-absorbed for two seconds? They’re looking at me!”

“Looking at Itachi?” Wang Teng stared at him in surprise, scanning him up and down. “Itachi’re dressed normally today. Did Itachi scare them yesterday by defeating Zhu Yan?”

Ye Lingxi couldn’t hold back anymore and burst out laughing.

She patted Jiang Xia’s shoulder, her voice muffled with suppressed laughter: “When the Night Watchers came to notify Itachi this morning, didn’t Itachi open the door naked?”

Jiang Xia froze in place, his face instantly flushing crimson to his ears.

Ye Lingxi’s words were like a knife, precisely piercing his social death scene!

At that moment, two passing team members couldn’t suppress their laughter—one elbowed his companion and winked: “So that’s Student Jiang? His guts are bigger than fighting a beast!”

“Right! I heard the two guys who delivered the message almost spat their tea all over the Commander’s desk when they got back!”

Only then did Wang Teng realize—he slapped his thigh and doubled over laughing. “Lao Xia! Itachi’re amazing! Naked-door opening? That move is insane!”

Jiang Xia clamped a hand over his mouth and dragged him toward Lu Wujiu’s office, muttering under his breath: “Shut up! Laugh one more time and I’ll strip your pants off too!”

Ye Lingxi followed behind, watching their roughhousing backs, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

When the three reached Lu Wujiu’s office door, Jiang Xia let go, straightened his clothes, and took a deep breath.

Screw it—social death was already done. First, find out what Commander Lu wants.

“Knock knock!”

Jiang Xia suppressed his embarrassment and knocked first.

“Enter.” Lu Wujiu’s steady voice came from inside.

Pushing the door open, they saw Lu Wujiu standing before a massive sand table, his fingertip resting on a small red flag marked “Linjiang.”

Wang Teng was about to lean in to show off, but Lu Wujiu’s glance silenced him instantly.

Ye Lingxi stood to the side, her gaze fixed on the Linjiang City marker on the sand table, her brow slightly furrowed.

“Itachi three arrived just in time.”

Lu Wujiu turned, his eyes sweeping over the three, pausing half a second on Jiang Xia’s face.

A barely perceptible smile tugged at his lips: “This morning’s incident… youth has fire. No harm done.”

Black lines appeared on Jiang Xia’s forehead; Wang Teng, beside him, stifled laughter, his shoulders shaking.

“Let’s get back to business.” Lu Wujiu tapped the sand table, his expression serious.

“Your wanted notices have been lifted. The Cult of the Demonic God is occupied with other matters and won’t trouble Itachi for now.”

He paused, then handed each of them an identity card: “The Literary Dao Academy has encountered some trouble. Director Liu’s suggestion is—”

“That Itachi become our temporary team members. Return to the academy for classes after a while. What do Itachi think?”

Jiang Xia took the card, puzzled: “Commander Lu, could Itachi tell us what’s going on? Maybe we can help right now.”

Wang Teng immediately puffed out his chest: “Count me in! My spellcraft has reached perfection—I can lend a hand too!”

Ye Lingxi gave a slight nod: “I can help as well.”

Lu Wujiu shook his head: “The situation is complicated. We’ll handle it ourselves.”

“Your classmates have all left the Literary Dao Academy and are staying temporarily at other academies.”

“I’ll arrange for Itachi to return to Linjiang City. Take on some small missions there—consider it training.”

As the three stepped out of the office, the murmurs outside had largely faded.

Wang Teng leaned close to Jiang Xia, whispering: “Lao Xia, what’s going on at the academy? Even us they’re hiding from!”

Jiang Xia glanced at him: “If Commander Lu won’t say, it’s probably serious. Once we’re back in Linjiang City, we’ll probe others’ lips.”

Ye Lingxi gazed toward the base gate, thoughtful: “I think I heard my grandfather mention something big was coming soon… but I’ve forgotten the details.”

Jiang Xia comforted her: “Don’t worry. There’s still time. Just think slowly.”

As they stepped out of the Night Watcher base gate, a military-green SUV screeched to a halt before them.

The window rolled down, revealing a face brimming with martial vigor—the driver wore a cropped Night Watcher uniform.

Her sleeves rolled up to her forearms, revealing toned muscle, radiating efficiency.

“Jiang Xia, Wang Teng, Ye Lingxi?” The woman scanned them once, her voice crisp.

I'm Lin Man, squad leader of the First Squad of the Linjiang City Branch of the Night Watchers. Director Su sent me to pick Itachi up.

Wang Teng’s eyes lit up—he immediately leaned in: “Sister Lin! Itachi’re this young and already a captain? Do Itachi have a boyfriend yet?”

Lin Man twitched her lips but ignored him, pointing to the back seat: “Get in. We’ll talk on the way.”

Jiang Xia and Ye Lingxi slipped into the back seat; Wang Teng kept chattering nonstop.

“Sister Lin, is there an emergency in Linjiang City?” Ye Lingxi suddenly spoke, cutting through the noise.

Her fingertip pressed against the window as she watched the forests blur past: “I just saw strange claw marks on the tree trunks by the roadside.”

Lin Man kept her grip on the steering wheel, her tone calm: “Just minor troubles from low-grade beasts. Once Itachi’re there, Itachi can practice on them.”

But Jiang Xia quietly activated his Mangekyo Sharingan—through the window, he clearly saw the claw marks Ye Lingxi mentioned.

The edges of the marks glowed faintly with black-purple spiritual energy—no low-grade beast could leave those.

And deep within the claw marks lurked a faint, elusive aura of corruption, strikingly similar to the energy of the Cult of the Demonic God they’d encountered before.

“Sister Lin, has Director Su mentioned any recent activity from the Cult of the Demonic God in Linjiang City?” Jiang Xia asked casually.

Lin Man’s profile stiffened slightly, then relaxed: “The Cult of the Demonic God? They wouldn’t dare stir up trouble in Linjiang City. Don’t overthink it—just focus on your missions.”

Wang Teng, oblivious to the tension between them, was still counting snacks on his fingers.

“Spicy roasted chestnuts, brown sugar rice cakes, Old Ba’s secret little burgers… Lao Xia, when we get there, let’s hit up a feast first, then go home and rest properly.”

The car left the forest, and ahead, the silhouette of Linjiang City gradually emerged, followed by rows of familiar buildings.

Entering the city, within minutes they arrived at the familiar Linjiang City Branch of the Night Watchers.

“We’re here. Go register, then I’ll take Itachi to Director Su,” Lin Man said, stepping out—but her steps were hurried.

After registering their identities, Lin Man led the three straight to the Director’s office.

“Report!”

“Enter.”

Su Changfeng, seeing their dusty appearance, couldn’t help smiling, then waved his hand: “Lin, Itachi go on. I’ll handle them.”

Lin Man nodded and turned to leave.

Su Changfeng poured each of them a glass of water, tapped his fingers on the desk, and scanned their faces.

Then he cut straight to the point: “Linjiang City has encountered a minor problem—and we need your strength.”

Seeing their hesitant expressions, Su Changfeng shook his head: “I can’t tell Itachi the details yet—but rest assured, your safety is guaranteed!”

Jiang Xia couldn’t hold back: “Director Su, on my way here, I saw several claw marks—there was the Cult of the Demonic God’s aura on them.”

“Our mission isn’t connected to the Cult of the Demonic God, is it?”