Free Web NovelInside the dimly lit conference hall, video footage was being played on the projector screen.
The video footage was not very clear; it seemed to have suffered electromagnetic interference during filming, with the picture flickering between bright and dark, and occasionally displaying static.
Illuminated by the projector, four figures could be vaguely seen seated around the conference table; the one in the main seat was an Old man wearing a Taoist robe, with white hair and a youthful face. His eyes, hidden behind layers of wrinkles, were almost squinted shut, as if he were resting with his eyes closed, a faint smile seemingly playing on the corner of his mouth.
To the Old man's left, a tall and straight young man with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, dressed in formal attire, sat upright, staring intently at the projection screen with a solemn expression.
The person directly opposite the young man appeared at first glance to be fourteen or fifteen years old, but upon closer inspection, there was a hint of middle-aged weariness in their brows. They had a delicate face, a slender body dressed in a black Tang suit, and smooth, shiny black shoulder-length hair, making it impossible to discern their gender.
The remaining person was a woman in her early twenties, sitting in the furthest corner of the conference table. She had blonde hair with a few strands of azure blue hanging over her forehead. Beneath her brightly colored baseball jacket, her long, wheat-skinned legs stretched out, propped up on the conference table, and her whole demeanor exuded the agile aura of a cheetah.
All four people were watching the images on the projector screen, their eyes fixed.
In the video footage, the sky was dim, lightning streaking through the dark clouds like cracks in the firmament. A fierce wind swept up endless yellow sand, whirling as if to reach the ends of the earth, desolate and lonely.
Deep in the desert, a black storm cast a monstrous shadow over the land, and terrifying roars could be heard in the wind.
Tens of thousands of figures in white robes stood in the desert, calling out around the black storm. Their voices converged, shaking like thunder. Among them, some were frantic with emotion, running wildly towards the center of the storm, disappearing in an instant.
Time passed little by little, and the screen suddenly became unstable, with a lot of static flickering across it.
A figure slowly walked out from the center of the black storm, like a demon god born from the tempest.
Finally, the picture froze at this moment.
In the conference room, the woman in formal attire responsible for operating the projector turned on the lights and bowed slightly to the four people at the conference table.
"Guardians, this is the video footage sent from Persia yesterday. Please share your opinions."
Within the Night Watch, internal Calamity Psychic are referred to as "Guardians." The four people seated around the conference table were precisely Black Emperor, Lord Bing, Nameless Book, and Lord Huaiyuan, among the nine Calamity Psychic belonging to the Night Watch.
"Tsk!" After hearing the woman's words, Qin Huaijun spat and said impatiently, "What opinions? Just tell me who needs to be killed, isn't that enough?"
"Making decisions is their business. What does it have to do with me, a thug, and..." She paused halfway through, glanced at the Old man in the main seat, and pouted, "...and the Old man who teaches?"
As Qin Huaijun said, although more than half of the nine Calamity Psychic belonging to the Night Watch hold important positions within the Night Watch, there are also those like her, who only participate in actions when combat is needed, and special existences like Black Emperor, who mostly focus on cultivating new blood.
Facing Qin Huaijun's slightly impertinent remarks, Black Emperor was neither angry nor upset, just smilingly agreed, "Heh heh, my young friend is right."
"But..." The woman looked troubled.
But, besides the four of you, the other Guardians all have important duties. Who else can make the decision? the woman thought.
"In that case, let me speak first?" Just as the woman was in a difficult position, Lord Bing spoke, "From the video footage just now and the intelligence received from the Assassins earlier, this urban legend incident should be related to the Miracle Order."
"Not'should be', it's definitely related," Nameless Book interrupted, "The people who appeared in the video footage were wearing white robes, which are medieval-style Miracle Order robes."
"But what does this have to do with our Night Watch?" Qin Huaijun pouted, "The Miracle Order within Z Country was beaten to a pulp; their main members withdrew from the country fifteen years ago."
"Even if the Miracle Order has suddenly become active again, shouldn't the Assassins be the ones with the headache?"
Nameless Book glanced at Qin Huaijun out of the corner of her eye and sneered, "Heh, big chest, no brain! Did you use the information sent to you as toilet paper?"
Hearing this, Qin Huaijun's face darkened. She suddenly stood up, slammed the table, and roared, "Pah! You rotten yin-yang person, dare to say that again?"
"What's wrong? At such a young age, is your hearing already failing?" Nameless Book looked sideways at Qin Huaijun and said faintly.
"You... you just wait. See if this grandma doesn't smash your head in!"
"Don't argue, don't argue! Peace is paramount," Black Emperor said, waving his hands to soothe them, adopting the posture of a peacemaker.
The two of them glanced at the skinny Old man, showing an expression that said, "Your fist is harder, we'll listen to you," and quieted down.
Seeing that the two had quieted down, Lord Bing looked at Qin Huaijun and explained to her, "There is intelligence saying that members of the Miracle Order active in Central Asia have recently shown signs of approaching Z Country."
"So what if they are!" Qin Huaijun turned her head away, crossed her arms over her chest, and rolled her eyes, "Aren't there still those guys from Yumen Sand Sea?"
Her initial reaction did not consider the possibility that members of the Miracle Order would enter Z Country via a route near the Kunlun Mountains. In the Kunlun Mountains, there were an absurd number of powerful urban legend; entering Z Country via that route would be no different from committing suicide.
"You don't know, if it were just members of the Miracle Order, it would be almost impossible to break through Yumen Sand Sea. However, it has been a xun since the previous Miracle Saint fell in Z Country."
"What about a xun?" Qin Huaijun retorted.
"Idiot!" Nameless Book clicked her tongue, "After the Holy Child of the Miracle Order falls, they will descend again after a xun. You don't even know this? By the way, do you know how long a xun is?"
Hearing this, Qin Huaijun was stunned for a moment and said through clenched teeth, "Of course I know how long a xun is!"
"Oh?" Nameless Book raised an eyebrow slightly, "How long is it?"
"I..." Qin Huaijun hesitated to speak, her chest rising and falling twice. She rolled her eyes, "So annoying! I'm going out for some air. When you've discussed it, just tell me what to do and who to kill!"
After speaking, she quickly walked out of the conference room.
Watching Qin Huaijun leave, the conference room door closed again. Lord Bing silently sighed and withdrew his gaze. He opened his mouth, about to continue the previous topic, when he suddenly sensed a faint fluctuation of Spiritual Energy beside him. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Black Emperor "whoosh!" stand up from his chair.
Turning to look, he saw Black Emperor's face was pale, his slightly squinted eyes were now open, and his pupils trembled slightly.
"Senior, are you... remembering something important?" Lord Bing asked doubtfully, while secretly pondering whether he had overlooked any important details when researching the information related to the urban legend incident caused by the Miracle Order.
At the same time, Nameless Book also frowned, looking at Black Emperor with a solemn expression, waiting for him to speak.
Black Emperor Zhang Huainan, the current head of Da Chunyang Palace. It is rumored that not only is his strength astonishing, but he is also skilled in the I Ching and Bagua, and can even glimpse heavenly secrets.
Anything that could make him so emotional must be a terrible Calamity!
"Nothing, just need to use the restroom!"
The Old man left a sentence behind and then trotted out of the conference room.
Lord Bing, "..."
Nameless Book, "..."
----
Outside the conference room.
Outside the antique-style corridor, the vegetation was lush, the flowers were red, and distant green mountains were shrouded in thin clouds, creating a tranquil atmosphere.
"Shashasha—!" A series of hurried footsteps suddenly came from inside the building at the end of the corridor.
Immediately after, an Old man wearing a Taoist robe rushed out from inside the doorway, as fast as a gust of wind. He then stopped in the middle of the corridor, glanced around nervously, climbed over the railing, entered the garden, and headed straight towards the back of the rockery.
In the distance, Qin Huaijun, who was "getting some air" in the pavilion, was engrossed in searching her phone for "how many years is a xun". Hearing the footsteps, she looked over, witnessed this scene, and tilted her head with a look of confusion.
What happened?
Why is this Old man who teaches acting like a thief?
As she muttered inwardly, her eyes darted around. The corners of her mouth curved slightly upwards, and she got up and walked towards the rockery.
Concealing her Spiritual Energy fluctuations and aura, she carefully stepped on the bluestone slabs without making a sound, passed through the garden, and just as she climbed the rockery, Qin Huaijun heard a low murmur.
Climbing to the top of the rockery and peering down, she saw the Old man crouching sneakily in a corner, holding his phone with an anxious expression.
"Second Disciple, you're in charge of the review for the spring agent training, right? No, it's not about using connections again... no, well, it is using connections! Anyway, just tell me how many spots are left!"
"Only one spot left? Good, good. Quickly find any agent who meets the requirements and approve them... Oh, don't ask why, hurry up, it'll be too late if you're any slower!"
"Fang Ji? Never heard of him. It doesn't matter who it is, as long as they meet the application requirements, just approve them. Is it done?"
Hearing the affirmative reply from his second disciple on the other end of the phone, Zhang Huainan put down his phone, wiped the cold sweat from his forehead with his sleeve, and let out a long sigh, "That was close. I managed to escape a disaster."
This Old man is no longer the Zhang Huainan of yesteryear. Trying to get close to this Old man right under his nose? No way!
However, Hua Sang has already been sent over, so the disturbance of the red thread of destiny should have been triggered.
Why would that guy come to Da Chunyang Palace again?
As Zhang Huainan was thinking, he heard a goose-like laughter from above his head.
"Gaggle gaggle! Old man, I didn't expect you to look like a respectable teacher normally, but secretly engage in such activities? Caught you, didn't I?"
"Helping people go through the back door, huh? Tsk, aren't you ashamed!"
Zhang Huainan followed the laughter and looked over, sizing up Lord Huaiyuan slightly. His gaze fell on the phone screen in her hand. He slowly stood up, straightened his back, and stroked his beard with a smile, saying, "Little friend, a xun can refer to ten years, or it can refer to twelve years. The xun of the Miracle Saint's reappearance is twelve years." free𝑤ebnovel.com
"You, what are you talking about? I've known that for a long time!" Lord Huaiyuan feigned ignorance.
Zhang Huainan raised a finger and pointed at the phone in her hand. "Don't worry, little friend, I won't tell them you didn't know. However, you also have to keep my secret."
Lord Huaiyuan looked at the phone in her hand, which was still on the search interface, then looked at Zhang Huainan, who looked like a kind old man, and his slightly clenched fist. She fell silent.
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"......"
Is this Old man threatening me?
Damn it, I'm actually being threatened by him, and I can't beat him...
Argh, so frustrating!
————
Huacheng Folk Culture Research Administration, inside office "V".
Jiang Li looked at the computer screen, remained silent for a few seconds, and then calmly said, as if nothing had happened, "It's normal for this kind of situation to occur as the registration deadline approaches. After all, the training slots for operatives are always highly sought after."
"But don't be discouraged, there's still a chance. If you missed it this time, there will be autumn operative training in half a year. Remember to submit your application earlier then."
"Is that so..." Lu Yibei nodded thoughtfully.
It's fine to go in half a year. That way, I'll have plenty of time to prepare.
As he was thinking, Lu Yibei suddenly seemed to remember something and asked Jiang Li, "Oh, Leader, how are your Spirit Mark advancement preparations going? It should be soon, right?"
Jiang Li glanced sideways at Lu Yibei and said faintly, "What? Are you really looking forward to me leaving soon?"
This guy, is he brewing some mischief again, preparing to make a big move while I'm at the headquarters completing my Spirit Mark advancement? Jiang Li thought.
"How could that be!" Lu Yibei denied it. "I wish Leader would stay in Hua City forever! Aren't I just concerned about Leader?"
Aren't I just confirming whether you've compromised and settled for the Spirit Mark advancement plan provided by the headquarters?
Calculating the time, Netizen Laosepi should have sent me the xiezhi crown by now. Lu Yibei thought.
After listening to Lu Yibei, Jiang Li slightly frowned.
Could it be that he knows where to get the materials needed for my Spirit Mark advancement?
But if those materials could be obtained through legitimate channels, the headquarters would have informed me long ago. That means the channel he knows about is likely an illegal or disruptive one!
Hmph! Trying to do something bad again, are you? Absolutely not!
Thinking of this, Jiang Li's heart warmed slightly. Then, she looked directly into Lu Yibei's eyes and calmly said, "I appreciate your good intentions, but this kind of thing can't be rushed. I'll just wait slowly."
"Is there anything else? If not..."
"Yes, of course there is!" Lu Yibei interrupted.
"Speak!"
"Are you free to have dinner together tonight?" Lu Yibei raised his eyebrows.
And then conveniently watch a movie together, and then conveniently send you home, and then you conveniently stay over at my place. Lu Yibei added secretly in his heart.
"No time." Jiang Li shook her head.
"Why?" Lu Yibei was surprised. "It's not your Night Watch duty tonight!"
Jiang Li looked at Lu Yibei expressionlessly, tilted her head, and said, "It's not that I don't have time, it's that you don't have time. You're on Night Watch tonight, did you forget?"
Not long after returning from Tang City, due to his "outstanding" performance, the Night Watch operatives discussed and unanimously decided to let Lu Yibei take on one day of Night Watch duty and "incidentally" alleviate their work pressure.
Anyway, recently, except for Tuesdays, the urban legend in Hua City have been quite well-behaved.
Lu Yibei, "..." I really did forget. After all, I haven't done this in a long time.
Seeing Lu Yibei's somewhat disappointed look, Jiang Li gently shook her head and blinked at him.
【But the day after tomorrow is possible 【heart emoji】】
Reading this message from those clear eyes, Lu Yibei's eyes lit up.
【It's a deal? 【doge emoji】】
【Yes, just dinner.】
That works too. If the first time doesn't lead to anything, the second time might. Practice makes perfect, and after a few times, you'll end up in bed! Lu Yibei thought, and then said to Jiang Li, "Alright then, I'll be going first!"
With that, he left office "V" with cheerful steps.
Watching Lu Yibei leave and hearing a "Yahoo!" cheer from the corridor, Jiang Li smiled slightly, shook her head helplessly, and then withdrew her attention. She looked at the computer screen, brought up the Night Watch internal network work interface, and quickly entered work mode.
Less than five minutes after she resumed work, a notification ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) popped up in the lower right corner of the webpage.
After reading the content of the notification, Jiang Li's expression became solemn. "A serious epidemic has broken out in Salt City... Is it suspected that the Plague Tai Sui Ban Circle (seal circle) has been damaged?"
She muttered to herself, noted down the main content of the notification, gently shook her head, then copied the notification and sent it to the other operatives in Hua City.
Salt City is quite far from Hua City, making it almost impossible for Hua City operatives to go for support. In this situation, it is usually sufficient to just let everyone know about it and be appropriately vigilant.
————
Leaving Jiang Li's office, Lu Yibei skipped and hopped towards the exit of the Huacheng Folk Culture Research Administration.
Although there was no expression on his face, it was still evident that his heart was as cheerful as a silly roe deer.
It was afternoon, the breeze was gentle and pleasant, and the bright sunlight shone on the small garden in front of the office building.
Passing by the small garden, Lu Yibei, as usual, greeted Gu Niang warmly and then slipped a few pre-prepared corn candies into her hand.
Since witnessing Gu Niang's terrifying Spiritual Energy fluctuation at Huacheng Reservoir during the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons, he had developed this good habit.
At that time, relying on the enhancement of the earth's energy, he barely managed to achieve a Spiritual Energy fluctuation close to Calamity level, while Gu Niang already had a Spiritual Energy fluctuation close to Calamity level without any enhancements.
If various external factors were disregarded, Gu Niang could be said to be the top combat power in Hua City.
Therefore, ever since he learned from Shui Ge that Gu Niang loves all kinds of corn products, Lu Yibei would offer a few corn candies every time he came to the Night Watch.
Just consider it bribery... buying off... no, just consider it tribute. When you take from someone, you're short-handed, and when you eat from someone, you're short-mouthed. If my identity is exposed in the future, she definitely won't have the heart to kill me. Lu Yibei thought, withdrawing his gaze from Gu Niang, who was giving him a sinister smile.
Just as he stood up, he saw Li Xuan and Hua Sang walking from the main entrance.
In an instant, recalling the terrifying experience of last night, Lu Yibei's face darkened.
Seeing Lu Yibei standing in the small garden, Li Xuan's eyes lit up, and he said happily, "Lu Yibei, you're here, that's great, great, can you do me a favor?!"
"Hmph!" Lu Yibei lifted his chin upwards, looked at the sky at a forty-five-degree angle, let out a cold snort, and glanced at Li Xuan from the corner of his eye.
That look was as if to say, "You wait, your tires are gone."
Li Xuan, "???"
What the heck? What's going on? Did I offend him somewhere?
Yesterday, he was calling me Brother Li one moment and asking me to help provide black night disease epidemic information the next!
He finally seemed a bit normal, but how did he have a relapse after just one day?
Li Xuan thought, temporarily suppressing the confusion in his heart, and smiled at Lu Yibei, "Well, can you do me a favor? Could you help send Junior Sister to the airport later? I'm not feeling well today, so it's really inconvenient."
Lu Yibei is on Night Watch today, and the airport area, which has fewer residents and is prone to urban legend incidents, is within his patrol range. It's perfect to have him send Hua Sang.
Lu Yibei glanced at the half-dead "hero" Hua Sang, hesitated for a moment, then lifted his chin in the other direction and let out another cold snort.
"Hmph!"
Li Xuan, "..."
This second cold snort made him feel a bit uneasy.
Something's not right!
Although I don't know what mischief this guy is planning again, I have a feeling it's related to my car.
"Hmph!"
Just as Li Xuan was pondering, Lu Yibei let out another cold snort, then looked at Hua Sang and asked, "What time is your flight?"
It's about the matter, not the person. You can't be full of admiration for someone in the investigation report one moment, and then not even see them off when they're leaving the next, right?
That would be too obviously fake. Lu Yibei thought.
Hua Sang thought for a moment, and said slowly, "Four-thirty in the afternoon..."
