"Yuanzi, Yuanzi, are you asleep? I'm coming in now. Your beautiful and adorable Aunt is here!"
Jiang Yu'er didn't knock. She whispered furtively outside the door, her voice hushed and conspiratorial.
Zhang Yuanqing took a deep breath, suppressing his negative emotions. He rubbed his face and murmured, "Come in."
The doorknob twisted, and the door cracked open. His aunt tiptoed in, sneaking through the gap before quickly shutting the door behind her.
Jiang Yu'er wore a white nightgown with lace trim at the neckline. The knee-length hem revealed her jade-like calves, and her delicate feet were clad in pink sandals, the toes perfectly rounded and polished with vibrant red nail polish.
"So sneaky," Zhang Yuanqing grumbled, annoyed.
You'd think you were having a secret rendezvous with a lover, he thought.
It's worth noting that after the day's events, all the on-duty doctors at the clinic were granted a week-long vacation.
When his aunt returned home, she embellished her account of the crisis, weeping in Grandmother's arms and wailing, "I almost didn't get to see you again, Mom!"
Grandmother was terrified, and the mother and daughter wept in each other's arms.
This incident earned Aunt Grandmother's sympathy, and her tolerance for her aunt's antics increased dramatically. She couldn't bring herself to scold her, no matter how she misbehaved.
Jiang Yu'er padded over to the bed in her slippers, sat down with a little bounce, and whispered, "Where did you go afterward? When the Security Officers stormed in, I couldn't find you anywhere."
By the time the Security Officers rescued the hostages, Zhang Yuanqing had already been taken away by Li Dongze and the others for medical treatment.
Zhang Yuanqing gazed at his aunt. Her eyes sparkled with anticipation and excitement, like a little girl who had discovered a secret.
Such a naive aunt, Zhang Yuanqing sighed inwardly, his expression turning serious.
"It seems my true identity can no longer be kept hidden. To tell you the truth, I'm a member of the National Paranormal Special Task Force. We specialize in dealing with evildoers lurking in the shadows. By day, I'm a student, but by night, I roam the city streets, punishing the wicked and upholding justice."
"The Paranormal Special Task Force?" Jiang Yu'er gasped, covering her mouth with her small hand.
"Yes, Aunt," Zhang Yuanqing replied. "The truth is, there are many people with superpowers in the world. To maintain social harmony and stability, we have to conceal our identities and become unsung heroes. I awakened my abilities long ago and joined the Paranormal Special Task Force, becoming one of these anonymous heroes. According to the Organization's rules, I'm not supposed to reveal my identity, but since you've already discovered it, I have no choice but to confess. You must promise to keep this a secret."
Aunt nodded repeatedly. "I understand, I understand. I signed a confidentiality agreement today."
Her excitement grew with each passing thought, but her brow furrowed with concern.
"Yuanzi, this Paranormal Special Task Force... it sounds incredibly dangerous."
"Don't worry!" Zhang Yuanqing scoffed. "Don't let my youth fool you. I'm actually a high-ranking member. The entire Paranormal Special Task Force Department in Songhai respects my opinions and follows my commands. You saw it yourself—I handled everything today single-handedly."
"You're that powerful?" Aunt finally relaxed, her face radiating admiration.
It was as if she were seeing her nephew in a completely new light.
Zhang Yuanqing maintained a calm facade, secretly relishing his aunt's admiration.
"Do you think I could awaken too?" Jiang Yu'er asked, her eyes filled with longing.
"Well..." Zhang Yuanqing shook his head. "Not to brag, but awakening depends on innate talent. Only those with exceptional gifts like me can awaken. If you haven't awakened by eighteen, you probably don't have the aptitude."
As he finished, he noticed his aunt's cheeks puff out, her expression tinged with disappointment.
"You're truly amazing," Jiang Yu'er said, her voice filled with genuine admiration.
She believed every word. I could see the worship in her eyes, the adoration. Ha! No wonder those charlatans can swindle people out of their money and dignity. Zhang Yuanqing cleared his throat and said:
"You must never reveal this to anyone. Our line of work is extremely dangerous. We constantly have to guard against retaliation from evildoers. If my identity is exposed, it could endanger my family."
"Like drug enforcement agents?"
"Exactly."
Jiang Yu'er peppered him with questions, which Zhang Yuanqing answered smoothly and confidently. When she asked him to demonstrate his superpowers, he firmly refused, quoting a "great leader" who once said: "Superpowers aren't circus tricks. We only strike hard against evildoers."
"Hmm, that 'big shot' was me!"
"What's the salary like?" Aunt asked, having covered most of her questions but suddenly remembering to ask about the pay.
Zhang Yuanqing perked up at the mention of money, thinking to himself, I've got over two million yuan burning a hole in my pocket, but no one to show off to.
He deliberately adopted a slow, measured tone as he said, "The income is quite good. I only worked for five months this year and earned five million yuan."
Praise me! Admire me! he mentally urged.
Aunt gasped, "Five million yuan? If you save up for a few years, you'll be richer than your Aunt!"
Zhang Yuanqing replied with righteous indignation, "In our line of work, money isn't the main thing. It's about serving our country and benefiting the people."
Aunt said gleefully, "Then I can spend your money from now on, since you don't have a girlfriend anyway."
Woman, you're dreaming! Zhang Yuanqing scoffed, "Absolutely not. My money is for benefiting the people, not for buying you clothes and bags."
"You cheapskate!"
"Woman, watch your tone. You're sitting next to a millionaire."
Jiang Yu'er stayed in his room until 2 a.m., finally leaving with reluctance.
Phew, I finally managed to handle that! Zhang Yuanqing had performed a miracle before his aunt, earning her admiration and envy. His mood inexplicably improved, the lingering frustration from his earlier defeat gradually dissipating, leaving him feeling completely relaxed.
Turns out, people really do need to show off sometimes. Showing off can relieve stress. He pulled the air conditioning blanket over himself and drifted off to sleep.
Tomorrow, I'll meet up with little green tea. This kind of "comforting" is best left to her. Heh, I wonder if the Xie Family's attitude toward me will change because of Li Xianzong's situation.
I still need to go to work these next few days, but I'll have to disguise myself. I should also learn some martial arts from Guan Ya. I've been putting it off for too long, lacking both the time and motivation. No more excuses.
Before the third Instance opens, I absolutely must improve my martial arts skills. By the time I return and take down Li Xianzong, I hope Elder Miao will have retrieved the Red Dancing Shoes.
Lost in thought, he drifted into a deep sleep.
As dawn broke over the Capital City, the first rays of sunlight filtered through the courtyard house, illuminating the locust tree. Its tender green leaves shimmered with iridescent hues.
A gentle breeze rustled through the branches, creating a sound like children's laughter and playful chatter.
The recliner beneath the locust tree sat empty, its master having not rested there for days.
Suddenly, the scenery of the Courtyard House distorted, rippling like water. In the next instant, a figure materialized on the recliner.
The man had graying hair, wore a white undershirt and loose shorts, and looked no different from any ordinary elderly man in the Capital City.
But as soon as he appeared, cracks split open across his skin, and scorching golden light erupted from within his body, spewing from his eyes, mouth, and nostrils.
The old man's body rapidly carbonized, transforming into a charred corpse within seconds.
The searing golden light scorched the leaves of the locust tree, causing the "children" hidden within its branches to emit panicked, terrified cries.
After a dozen seconds, the charred corpse opened its eyes. The carbonized skin peeled away in chunks, revealing fresh, tender red flesh beneath.
The heart in his chest began to beat again. Elder Sun slowly exhaled a foul breath and said:
"Go fetch me some clothes, you clueless brats."
A gust of yin wind shot out from the treetop, flung open the window, and moments later, it returned, carrying an undershirt, underwear, and loose shorts, swaying precariously as it floated.
Elder Sun shook off the carbonized flesh, changed into the clean clothes, and then added:
"Find Little Wang."
The yin wind that had brought the clothes didn't leave. Instead, it retreated back into the treetop. From within the dense foliage came the sound of childish bickering:
"You go! It's your turn!"
"I'm not going."
"I'm not going to hit you."
After a few seconds, one side relented, transforming into a gust of yin wind that drifted out of the Courtyard House.
Elder Sun lay back in his rocking chair, eyes closed in meditation. His complexion was slightly pale, and dark circles shadowed his swollen eyes.
Minutes later, hurried footsteps approached. A middle-aged man in black attire, guided by the yin wind, stepped over the threshold and entered the Courtyard House.
"Elder Sun, you've finally emerged!" Little Wang exclaimed with delight.
Elder Sun hummed in acknowledgment. "Contact Elder Miao of the Songhai Branch. I need to speak with him."
Among the Five Great Organizations of the Five Elements Alliance, the Hundred Flowers Association and the Taiyi Sect maintained the closest ties. Consequently, Elder Miao and Elder Sun were frequent collaborators.
"Elder Miao is already in the Capital City. He arrived yesterday and has been waiting for you," Little Wang reported.
Elder Sun opened his eyes. "He's in the Capital City? Go fetch him."
The middle-aged man in black retreated. About half an hour later, a curly-haired poodle, its elegant gait and haughty head held high, graced the Courtyard House with its presence.
The middle-aged man followed behind, carrying a silver tray in both hands. On it lay a pair of faded red dancing shoes, looking like tattered relics abandoned by their master years ago.
"I calculated that you'd be emerging from the Spirit Realm soon," Elder Miao remarked, scrutinizing him. He paused, then let out a soft "Hmm." "You're quite injured. Do you require my healing assistance?"
Elder Sun naturally wouldn't miss the opportunity to use the Recovery Sorcerer. "Trouble! Heh, even though Nightwalkers possess remarkable self-healing abilities, this injury is... different."
Poodle nodded slightly and slowly approached the rocking chair. He raised a paw and placed it on Elder Sun's leg.
A bright yet gentle green light surged forth, bathing the courtyard in an emerald glow. Under this light, Elder Sun's complexion gradually regained its rosy hue, and the puffiness around his eyes subsided.
"Hah..." Elder Sun exhaled deeply, feeling refreshed. "That's enough. Did you come to the Capital City seeking my help?"
Poodle lowered his paw and said calmly, "Not exactly seeking help. Just a small favor. Consider the healing I just provided as payment."
With that, he glanced back, signaling the middle-aged man in black to approach.
The man stepped forward, carrying a tray. Poodle said, "This item has been tainted by Witchcraft."
Elder Sun stared at the Red Dancing Shoes, feeling an inexplicable sense of familiarity, yet unable to place it.
"Easy fix!"
Without hesitation, Elder Sun extended his hand, palm hovering above the Red Dancing Shoes. A clear, searing golden light erupted, enveloping the shoes. The shoes twisted and writhed as the dull, ashen coating on their surface peeled away like grime being washed off.
Within seconds, they were restored to their original pristine condition.
Tap-tap-tap
The Red Dancing Shoes leaped joyfully off the tray, bouncing wildly around the courtyard.
Quite lively, Elder Sun thought, and clearly self-aware. He initially assumed it was expressing its joy at being freed, until a message floated above the shoes:
[ Will you dance with me? If so, please tap your foot in place. ]
[ Huh? Where did everyone go? ]
He suddenly realized the shoes were searching for someone, but having failed to find their target, they were now aimlessly wandering the courtyard.
At the same time, Elder Sun finally recognized the shoes. They were the Rule Item from the She Ling Tunnel, matching the description in the old strategy guide.
This meant their Master was the Primordial Heavenly Venerable!
Elder Sun averted his gaze and turned to Poodle, his voice grave.
"Are these shoes the Primordial Heavenly Venerable's?"
Poodle nodded.
"I was just about to contact the Five Elements Alliance," Elder Sun said, choosing his words carefully. "In the Nightwalker Exclusive Spirit Realm, I encountered the Goddess of Sandaoshan. She was the one who injured me."
Poodle raised the fur above his eyes.
"The Goddess is incredibly powerful. I barely escaped with my life, but I also gained valuable information. I now understand why she's searching for the Primordial Heavenly Venerable," Elder Sun said with a sigh.
"That boy stole the Goddess of Sandaoshan's Yang Soul. Without that fragment, she can't advance further, let alone break through the Spirit Realm."
Elder Miao's face shifted with human-like emotions: shock, astonishment, and then wild joy.
That kid actually controls the Yang Soul of an ancient Daywalker!
This was something most Rule Items couldn't even compare to.
Elder Sun cleared his throat, cutting straight to the point. "The Goddess of Sandaoshan will undoubtedly do everything in her power to reclaim her Yang Soul. The Primordial Heavenly Venerable's cultivation level is too low to bear such karmic burden. The Taiyi Sect is willing to trade—name your price."
Elder Miao fell silent.
Elder Sun frowned, surprised. "You refuse? The Five Elements Alliance has no Nightwalkers. Her Yang Soul would be of little use to you. You might never even see her."
"We don't need it, but Primordial does. By retaining the Goddess of Sandaoshan's Yang Soul, he'll naturally be able to bear its karmic burden when he becomes a Sovereign," Elder Miao countered.
Elder Sun stared in disbelief. "You have such high expectations for him? Do you even realize how difficult it is to ascend to Sovereign?"
"Ah!" Elder Miao sighed. "He's now the Five Elements Alliance's top priority for cultivation. As long as he passes the Grand Inspection, we'll spare no expense in nurturing him."
"Why?" Elder Sun asked, struggling to understand.
Elder Miao explained, "Because he cleared two S-rank spirit realms. Because he was just awarded A-Rank Merit Points a few days ago. And now, with this karmic burden, he's even more worthy of investment, isn't he?"
Elder Sun froze, staring at Elder Miao. "A-Rank Merit Points? Are you joking?"
Given the difficulty of earning A-Rank Merit Points, one would need to slay a Sovereign-level Evil Class, resolve a major crisis, or seize a significant Item. Only Sovereign-level Elders could accomplish such feats.
How could a low-level Walker possibly achieve this?
Elder Miao glanced at him, his tone tinged with pity. "Old Sun, you're confused!"
Confused about what? Elder Sun didn't understand, yet the words felt strangely familiar. Just as he was about to ask for clarification, the Red Dancing Shoes clattered over and stopped before the rocking chair.
A message materialized:
[ Will you dance with me? If so, please step in place. ]
Elder Sun waved his hand dismissively, gesturing for them to leave, and continued his earlier line of thought. "If you can't make the decision, I'll have the Sect Lord and the Female Marshal communicate directly."
Before he could finish speaking, a resounding slap knocked him senseless.
He turned his head in stunned disbelief, his gaze landing on the Red Dancing Shoes beside the rocking chair.
In this day and age, there's an Item that dares to slap me?
Elder Sun's dismissive gesture had triggered the Red Dancing Shoes' attack rule: for anyone who refused to dance with them, the shoes showed no mercy.
Thump, thump, thump. The Red Dancing Shoes leaped onto Elder Sun, launching a relentless assault. Each heavy step crushed the frail old man.
Miao's gaze softened with pity. "Have you forgotten the shoes' rule?"
"Refuse to dance, and you die," Elder Sun recalled.
"Their pursuit ignores all obstacles. There's no escape, no way to destroy them—unless you dance with them," Miao added.
"..."
Miao's eyes gleamed with amusement. "I never imagined I'd have the honor of witnessing Elder Sun's dance. I'll grant you one dance's worth of time."
Elder Sun snorted. "Such a crude rule."
He closed his eyes, allowing the Red Dancing Shoes to trample him as his Spectral Entity detached from his body.
Elder Sun's aura vanished instantly. His heart stopped beating, leaving no trace of life.
For Nightwalkers, Spectral Entity detachment was routine. Once consciousness left the body, the physical form entered a state of suspended animation.
The Red Dancing Shoes slowed their relentless stomping, pausing beside the rocking chair to observe for a few seconds. Suddenly, they lashed out with a kick, delivering another resounding slap, but Elder Sun remained unresponsive.
Realizing he was dead, the Red Dancing Shoes immediately changed direction, clattering over to Miao. A message materialized:
[ Will you dance with me? If so, please step in place. ]
Elder Miao's canine face froze.
Elder Sun's Spectral Entity returned to its body. He opened his eyes and said mockingly, "I never thought I'd have the pleasure of witnessing your dance. I'll grant you one dance's worth of time."
Elder Miao sneered. "As if I have no tricks of my own. Do you think these Dancing Shoes can harm me in the slightest? Enough. My business in the Capital City is concluded. I'm returning to Songhai. I won't agree to give you the Goddess of Sandaoshan's Yang Soul unless the Alliance Leader approves."
With a cold snort, he strode away with elegant steps, forcing himself to endure the relentless stomping of the shoes.
Watching the Poodle disappear beyond the courtyard gate, Elder Sun withdrew his gaze, frowned in contemplation for a moment, then suddenly asked:
"What happened while I was away? How did that Primordial Heavenly Venerable get awarded A-Rank Merit Points?"
The middle-aged man in black, relieved that the shoes hadn't targeted him, recounted recent events to Elder Sun.
"I see," Elder Sun murmured, enlightened. "That boy's growth rate is truly astonishing. It was a mistake not to recruit him back then."
He paused abruptly, realizing the meaning behind Elder Miao's earlier remark about him being "muddled."
After a moment of silence, Elder Sun asked cautiously:
"Have there been any rumors circulating about me within the sect lately?"
The middle-aged man in black hesitated, his face conflicted. Under Elder Sun's unwavering gaze, he reluctantly pulled out his phone, opened the Nightwalker official website, and typed into the search bar: "Elder Sun is muddled!"
He carefully handed the phone over. "See for yourself."
Elder Sun took the phone with a mixture of suspicion and gravity. His eyes widened as he scanned the forum: over two hundred posts contained the phrase "Elder Sun is so foolish!"
The venerable elder's hand began to tremble slightly.
He scrolled rapidly through the posts, each one condemning his foolishness and missed opportunity to recruit talent. Gradually, "Elder Sun is so foolish!" became the Taiyi Sect Nightwalkers' catchphrase for expressing deep sorrow.
Whenever they felt down, heartbroken, or furious, they would exclaim: "Elder Sun is so foolish!"
Elder Sun's hand shook even more violently.
As he scrolled further down, he discovered that the initial dozens of "Elder Sun is so foolish!" posts originated from a single person, bearing the same name:
Yuan Ting!
"Audacious! These dogs dare to slander me on the forum!"
"Not just the forum," the middle-aged man in black replied.
"Hmm?" Elder Sun glanced at him.
"They're also mocking you in the chat groups."
"..." Elder Sun erupted in fury. "Summon Yuan Ting here immediately! If I don't see him tonight, I'll personally go to Songhai and break his dog legs!"
"Elder Sun is so foolish!"
In the Nightwalker chat group, Yuan Ting habitually voiced his lament before continuing the discussion:
"I think that even though the Primordial Heavenly Venerable nearly died at Li Xianzong's hands yesterday, it doesn't mean he lacks potential. We all know the massive gap between Level 2 and Level 3. Besides, Li Xianzong has experienced far more Spirit Realms and possesses a greater number of Items."
Jian Ji: "Yuan Ting, you need to be careful too. If Li Xianzong can't find the Primordial Heavenly Venerable, he'll try hunting other Level 3 Walkers. As a Nightwalker, your bounty will be higher than other Orderly Classes."
Yuan Ting: "Heh, I'll show him just how powerful a Level 3 Nightwalker can be."
As they were chatting, an incoming call replaced the group chat interface.
"Deacon Wang is calling me?"
Yuan Ting paused, staring at the caller ID. Deacon Wang was Elder Sun's assistant and confidant, and they rarely interacted.
Though they had exchanged contact information, they hadn't spoken once in the entire year.
Yuan Ting answered the call. "Deacon Wang, what can I do for you?"
Deacon Wang's deep voice came through the speaker:
"Yuan Ting, Elder Sun has emerged. He's learned about your mockery of him and is furious. He specifically demanded to see you by name.
"Ah, Yuan Ting, what can I say? Good luck to you."
Is it too late to write my will? Yuan Ting felt himself slowly turning to stone, his face a mask of utter despair.