"What is it?" Zhang Yuanqing already had a guess.
"There's been a conflict between spiritual realm walkers in the Fenghui District. One dead, one injured. We need you to perform a spirit summoning."
On the other end of the line, Li Dongze's voice was almost drowned out by a noisy commotion, as if people were arguing.
Just as he thought. It had to be a spirit summoning. A squad leader wouldn't call him for reinforcements, and Zhang Yuanqing couldn't be of much help otherwise—after all, he was still a kid.
"Where's the Night Wanderer stationed in Fenghui District?"
Taiyi Sect had assigned a Night Wanderer to every district in Songhai. Kangyang had Yuan Ting.
Naturally, Fenghui would have one too.
"The deceased was a Witch Gu Master. Their spirits are notoriously sinister and violent. But this one's even more dangerous… the risk of spirit devouring is high. The Taiyi Sect's Night Wanderer refused to take the risk and started arguing with our people," Li Dongze said grimly.
The noise on the phone grew louder.
A Witch Gu Master's spirit? Zhang Yuanqing was pleasantly surprised. He'd been reading up on professions lately. By mental power ranking, Night Wanderers and Illusionists topped the list, with Witch Gu Masters trailing close behind.
That meant serious experience points.
However, he frowned. "Isn't Taiyi Sect also an official organization? Isn't this within their duties? No one's regulating them?"
If they're enjoying official resources and privileges, they should be doing their job—not just enjoying the title.
"Taiyi Sect isn't like the Five Elements Alliance. Their Night Wanderers are few, and their Elder Council is based in the capital. The Night Wanderer squad leaders across regions are all on equal footing," Li Dongze said helplessly.
Of course, complaints could be filed—but those had to be submitted to the capital. There was no local authority in Songhai.
Eventually, they would complain. But the issue now was getting the job done.
And because of how dangerous the Witch Gu Master's spirit was, no Night Wanderer from another district would risk themselves for someone else's turf.
That's where our own Night Wanderers become crucial.
"I'll be right there," Zhang Yuanqing said.
From the speakerphone, he vaguely heard someone say, "Li Dongze, this is inappropriate. I know we need a spirit summoning, but he's still just level 1—"
The voice cut off. Li Dongze had hung up.
Zhang Yuanqing put his phone away. Across from him, the "Old Seductress" spun her chair around, smiling.
"Judging by the voice, that was Li Yuanfang from Team 2... Fenghui District's Team 2 hasn't scored any merits in ages. They're always at the bottom, which is probably why their Night Wanderer's acting so arrogant."
Li Yuanfang? What a name. Zhang Yuanqing couldn't help but mock it in his head.
Guan Ya added, "Their team leader is also from our White Tiger Soldiers."
Old Seductress winked flirtatiously.
She's hinting I should build some good relationships with White Tiger mid-tier officers... Zhang Yuanqing's expression was complicated. He asked:
"Guan Ya-jie, are you being so nice to me because you've fallen in love with me? Thinking of robbing the cradle?"
Pffft! Wang Tai, seated at the adjacent desk, spat out a mouthful of water.
He stared in horror at the two of them. When did this happen? I didn't notice a thing!
"Robbing the cradle?" Guan Ya's brows arched sharply, a vein popping on her smooth forehead. She bit her plump lips and said coldly, "Yuanshi, I think we've got time for a little sparring before the squad leader's ride gets back."
"I was wrong!" Zhang Yuanqing immediately admitted defeat.
———
The black business car pulled into Fenghui District's security bureau. Through the window, Zhang Yuanqing saw Li Dongze waiting outside the office building, leaning on his cane.
After getting out, they nodded at each other and went inside.
A few minutes later, they arrived at the morgue.
Outside the room, in the wide, brightly lit corridor, seven or eight spiritual realm walkers had gathered. Zhang Yuanqing glanced around, guessing their professions by appearance and aura.
That muscle-head looks volatile—definitely a Fire Walker. That guy with a bird on his shoulder? Squad Leader mentioned Wood Goblins from the Hundred Flowers Society love animals… the blank-faced one's gotta be an Earth Monster...
All of them looked disgruntled.
Finally, Zhang Yuanqing's gaze landed on a middle-aged man walking toward him. He looked about forty, sunken eyes, hawk-like nose, thin lips. Sharp and severe.
"This is Team 2's leader from Fenghui District. Level 3 Scout. His spiritual realm ID is 'Datang Li Yuanfang,'" Li Dongze introduced with a faint smile.
"Li Dongze, you love introducing my ID, don't you?" the man sighed, then looked at Zhang Yuanqing. His strict face softened into a smile.
"I was obsessed with Tang Dynasty dramas back in the day. That's how I chose the name. You must be the new Night Wanderer White Tiger recruited. Young, and quite the looker."
Hope there's no one named Di Renjie… You two bumping into each other would be tragic. No, hilarious. Zhang Yuanqing suppressed a laugh and warmly shook hands, addressing him with respectful "Captain"s.
Li Yuanfang's smile deepened. "It's good to have our own Night Wanderer."
He sighed, then continued:
"You've heard the situation from Li Dongze, yes? I apologize. Taiyi Sect's Night Wanderer stationed here refused to perform the spirit summoning. We had no choice but to turn to you."
A muscular young man snorted, "Sure, spirit devouring is risky, but not fatal. What, we risk our lives fighting evil professions on the front lines, and that's okay? Every time we need them, the Taiyi Sect acts like they're above it all."
The man with a bird on his shoulder smiled, "Exactly. Our own people are better."
Li Yuanfang raised a hand to stop the complaints, then said gravely:
"Li Dongze vouches for you, but I must remind you: Witch Gu Masters have powerful, chaotic, and violent spiritual energy. This one was level 3.
"His residual spirit is extremely dangerous. Are you confident?"
All eyes turned to Zhang Yuanqing, full of hope.
Zhang Yuanqing nodded. "I'm confident."
The group visibly relaxed. Li Yuanfang's expression softened as well, looking more approvingly at him.
"Much appreciated," he said.
Li Dongze led Zhang Yuanqing into the morgue and shut the door behind them, barring the Fenghui team from gawking.
He walked to a steel corpse trolley, pulled back the white sheet, and revealed the body.
Zhang Yuanqing recoiled in surprise.
The corpse had short dark green hair, coarse brown skin, thickened keratin armor over elbows and knees, and long, venomous black nails.
Even the face was brown-skinned, with dim serpent-like amber eyes and vertical pupils.
Leaning on his cane, Li Dongze explained:
"At the Transcendent level, Witch Gu Masters have two major techniques: raising Gu worms to kill invisibly, or fusing with them to gain traits like regeneration, enhanced vitality, strength, speed, or venom."
Zhang Yuanqing commented, "Sounds powerful. No wonder it's an evil profession."
Among native professions, Witch Gu Masters, Illusionists, and Seducers were all top-tier, on par with Night Wanderers.
That's why there were only three evil professions, and they were far outnumbered by official walkers.
Li Dongze said, "He was killed mid-fusion, so the body stayed like this. Died without dignity. Because of the fusion, his spirit is beastly and violent—high mental pollution. That's why Taiyi's Night Wanderer didn't dare touch it."
Zhang Yuanqing nodded.
With the Subduing Demon Pestle to protect him, he feared no mental pollution.
Li Dongze continued:
"The attacker was also a Witch Gu Master. Our people killed one, but the other escaped wounded. We suspect they were either from the Psychic Society or subordinates of Black Wuchang.
"Hurry. Let's see what you can extract. The others are itching to know."
Zhang Yuanqing nodded, retrieved the Subduing Demon Pestle and handed it over, then approached the corpse and awakened its lingering spirit.
A blurry figure emerged—face blank, but exuding savagery and gloom.
Even more feral than Ou Xiangrong's spirit… I want to devour it, but I don't. Zhang Yuanqing sighed. Black light oozed from his eyes as he opened his mouth and inhaled the spirit.
Pain bloomed at his brow. A chaotic storm of memories erupted in his mind.
Fragmented glimpses showed the deceased's past:
Before becoming a walker, he was a violent thug, extorting debts, working nightclub security, running sex scams, coercing women into prostitution.
A scumbag living lavishly off dirty deeds.
Fate granted him a role card and pulled him into the spiritual realm.
He named himself Outlaw Maniac. As a walker, he engaged in charity to build virtue points—only to slaughter civilians and rape women in private to unleash his darkest impulses.
The flood of memories shook Zhang Yuanqing's worldview. Rage and contempt churned within him.
Finally, a vital memory surfaced.
A lavishly decorated tea room. A man wearing a silver half-mask sat at a glass table, sipping tea from porcelain.
He looked across the table at "Zhang Yuanqing" and said:
"Ghost Eye Judge is dead. The East District branch of the Psychic Society is now the Master's to command. The long struggle between the two vice-chairmen is finally over."
"How did Ghost Eye Judge die?" the host's voice asked.
"That's not for you to know," the masked man snapped.
"Apologies, sir."
The man's gaze softened. He poured another cup of tea.
"Black Wuchang has hidden himself, taking the Holy Grail and the Ledger with him. The Holy Grail is a rule-type item essential to Witch Gu Masters. The Ledger records all the slaves Ghost Eye subdued over the years.
"Control the Ledger, and you control a host of spiritual realm walkers. Both items are vital. Maniac, we have a chance to earn great merit. Help the Master find Black Wuchang, and consolidate the East District branch. Then we can challenge the Five Elements Alliance's Songhai branch."
"What must I do, sir?" the Maniac asked, breathless with excitement.
"I have a list of Black Wuchang's subordinates. Start hunting them down—some may lead us to his hiding place. Of course, they've long gone underground. The names are: 'Unruly Tyrant,' 'Heaven Is Unjust,' 'I Kill Without Blinking,' and 'Juicy Housewife'... Their real-world identities are…"