Chapter 181: Action Begins

After obtaining the spiritual‑realm knowledge he wanted from the green‑light Selapis, Lei Kedun has been immersed in books and the development of secret techniques.

Until the sweat‑drenched Ke Lai En knocked on the downstairs main door, Lei Kedun still used the parsed opening ability to link the study's door with the downstairs living‑room door.

After Ke Lai En noticed the change on the door, he pushed it open and entered the second‑floor study.

Lei Kedun glanced at the sweat covering Ke Lai En's forehead and asked a question:

"You're hot?"

"A bit, I bought a magical item; its downside is that it makes you feel like you're in a scorching summer."

While speaking, Ke Lai En displayed the dark‑golden, sun‑bird‑shaped brooch he was holding.

"Hmm." Lei Kedun nodded slightly, snapped his fingers, and a cool breeze instantly filled the study.

In the cold winter, the chill was a little biting. But for Ke Lai En it was just right; he felt the heat on his body dissipate considerably.

This time he didn't pour coffee for Ke Lai En, but a glass of juice; the poured juice was held by Lei Kedun, and a thin layer of white frost quickly covered the cup.

"Here, chilled juice; I think this suits your current appetite better!"

Ke Lai En took the icy cup, let out a long exhale, and a faint smile appeared on his face as he said:

"When it comes to casting, you seem especially proficient."

"That's inevitable; whether reader or secret‑seeker, both are paths that excel at casting."

Lei Kedun gave a noncommittal nod, then added:

"Don't drink too fast; the burning sensation you feel is just an illusion, your body's truest feeling should be cold."

Ke Lai En lightly bowed his head and said:

"I understand."

"Miss Sha Lun is already selecting an ambush site; we should be moving in the next couple of days."

Lei Kedun gave a slight nod in response:

"Got it. Just let me know when you're ready to act; I'll be staying home reading during that time."

Ke Lai En's eyes, tinged with a hint of doubt, scanned Lei Kedun repeatedly several times.

Lei Kedun returned a puzzled look.

"Cough, I feel like you've changed a bit."

Ke Lai En waved the chilled juice in his hand and said very seriously.

After a brief silence, Lei Kedun quickly readjusted his expression and said:

"A couple of days ago Hongguang Aier·Mo Rui Ya warned me that my humanity was a bit unstable; these past two days I've been adjusting my condition."

Ke Lai En furrowed his brows slightly, his tone tinged with worry, and asked:

"Humanity unstable? Is there any way to fix it?"

"Advance quickly."

Lei Kedun pointed at the stack of books on the desk.

Ke Lai En's gaze swept over the roughly bound books on the desk, guessing that this was again preparation for developing a new secret technique.

"I understand, so I won't disturb you further. If you need help, you can come find me anytime."

He nodded toward Lei Kedun, then took his leave.

After Ke Lai En left, Lei Kedun once again immersed himself in the sea of knowledge.

While flipping through the books he couldn't help but exclaim:

"Unwittingly, I've come to love reading; half a year ago I probably would have drowned in the sea of knowledge!"

The next morning, after getting up and washing up, Lei Kedun went downstairs to the restaurant to enjoy the breakfast prepared by Tu Ba Ge.

"Dong dong~"

The knocking sound rang, and the main door creaked open by itself.

Ke Lai En glanced at the automatically opening door, then turned to look at the newspaper and envelope that had slipped out of the mailbox behind him.

Ke Lai En restrained the urge to activate his spiritual sight; he thought a crow‑recovered spirit could not be normal, so he chose not to see these spirits lest they pollute his eyes.

After entering the house, Ke Lai En walked straight to the restaurant, dragged a chair, sat down, and said:

"Miss Sha Lun's side is ready; tonight at 10 p. m., meet at the back door of the Brave One Bar."

"Hmm, I understand. You go ahead then; the vengeful spirit is also good at divination, I need to conceal my existence, otherwise those reckless ones might just run away."

Lei Kedun answered while eating breakfast.

Ke Lai En lightly nodded and said, "Alright."

10 p. m. that night, in the alley behind the Brave One Bar.

Ke Lai En wore a black double‑breasted long formal coat, a black semi‑high top hat, and strolled casually toward the nearest street.

Just as he reached the alley entrance, a carriage stopped in front; behind the glass window were a pair of black eyes that constantly suppressed malice.

Ke Lai En calmly tipped his semi‑high hat, gripped his solid staff, and boarded the carriage.

"Is there another one?" Marichi scanned Ke Lai En and the empty alley behind him, his brows gradually knitting.

"He's hidden; the vengeful spirit excels at divination and doesn't want the other party to retreat because they sense his presence."

Marichi pinched his furrowed brows, his tone still a bit doubtful, and said:

"Your attire isn't suitable for combat."

Ke Lai En gave a relaxed smile and said:

"My extraordinary ability differs from yours, so does my combat style; this outfit causes no negative effect, and actually suits me well."

While explaining, he also took three tranquilizers from a hidden pocket inside his clothes—special tranquilizers he had bought from that fat pharmacist at the previous gathering.

On the opposite side of the carriage window, a translucent phantom quickly took shape.

It was Miss Sha Lun, dressed in a black court‑length gown and a small soft hat.

Sha Lun's azure eyes looked at Ke Lai En, and in a drifting tone said:

"You explain too much, it's not natural."

"Probably because I'm a bit nervous."

Ke Lai En eased his own awkwardness with a smile and replied.

He then handed the three tranquilizers he was holding to Ma Lichi:

"Find a chance to drink them yourself; you're certainly more experienced than I am."

Ma Lichi, after taking the tranquilizers, gently shook the liquid inside, looking at the sealed, transparent glass tube:

"No problem."

Ke Lai En gave a slight nod and turned to ask other questions:

"Will you be harmed by purification?"

"The undead will, and I will when I become a spirit form."

Sha Lun's answer was very concise and clear.

Ke Lai En nodded, then asked about the effects of other types of damage.

After about ten minutes, the driving undead tightened the reins. The carriage stopped in a dim, layered area of a dilapidated building, and the sound of rushing water could be heard nearby.

Ma Lichi explained:

"This place has been abandoned for a year and will soon be rebuilt into Xi Bairang Shipyard; our planned ambush site is in the warehouse area."

Ke Lai En stepped down from the carriage, looked around, and began recalling the surroundings in his mind.

The abandoned shipyard. If something goes wrong, Ta Suo Ke River is the best escape route. From what I know, heading northwest about two kilometers from here leads to a Lever Church belonging to the God of Steam and Machinery.

After walking for a few minutes, Ke Lai En and the others arrived at a clearing surrounded by several warehouses.

Ma Lichi pointed to a wooden crate quietly placed in a dim corner and said:

"That's still the explosives you wanted."

Sha Lun looked around, his gaze lingered on the roof of a warehouse for a moment, then shifted away.

A faint, ethereal voice said to Ke Lai En:

"Prepare here; we'll lure the enemy over. It won't exceed thirty minutes, so manage the time well."

"Coordinate with your friend; it's best to wait until the Crimson Moon Crown appears, then use that eye to locate Shi Di Fu and launch a sudden attack on him."

Ke Lai En listened carefully, gave a slight nod, and chuckled low:

"Simple plan."

"The simpler the plan, the more effective," Sha Lun replied calmly.

After the exchange, Sha Lun's figure vanished instantly, and Ma Lichi hurried away from the shipyard.

Ke Lai En went to the wooden crate containing explosives, removed each charge, and prepared to bury them in different corners and warehouses.

The shadow beside him suddenly twisted; Lei Ke Dun, wearing a light‑brown long trench coat over a standing‑collar gray wool sweater, stepped out holding a Bone Staff.

Ke Lai En's gaze lingered on the Bone Staff in Lei Ke Dun's hand, about the length of an adult's forearm, and it gave him a strong sense of ominous darkness.

"After spotting a wronged spirit, attack it first; I won't actively observe its position, as that would break my concealed state."

Having reminded Ke Lai En, the surrounding shadows writhed again, covering Lei Ke Dun's figure, which vanished on the spot.

"Alright," Ke Lai En said to the open ground ahead, regardless of whether they heard, and left the corner with the gunpowder.

After burying all the explosives, Ke Lai En drew his revolver, adjusted the bullet composition, loading three purification rounds and two exorcism rounds.

He also tossed some matches and cut‑out paper figures in inconspicuous spots.

Having finished, Ke Lai En surveyed the surroundings, confirmed nothing was missed, then took the Sun Brooch from the iron box and pinned it to his left chest.

He climbed to the roof of a neighboring warehouse and hid in the shadows.

"Snap!" He snapped his fingers, and the paper figure he had placed between the two warehouses instantly sprang to life, taking his own form and standing there.

On the opposite warehouse roof, Lei Ke Dun sat in a patch of shadow, his aura and silhouette completely concealed, silently watching Ke Lai En's bustle below.

Not long after, three figures appeared in the distance, racing toward them at great speed.

Leading the charge, Ma Lichi moved faster than a steam train at its peak; in a flash, his figure reached the entrance of the clearing.

(End of chapter)