Volume One: First Steps in the City Chapter Twenty-Nine: Encounter

“Hello?” Lu Yi answered the phone as he sat in the taxi.

“Lu Yi, we’ve got news about what you asked us to look into. When do you plan to meet the master?” Ke Yun Yao’s melodious voice came through the line.

Lu Yi abruptly sat up, hitting his head on the roof of the car. Quickly holding his head, he said, “There’s news already? Great, I’ll come right over. Where are you now?”

Lu Yi returned to pick up his car, collected Ke Yun Yao, and then drove off following her directions.

“Yun Yao, I really have to thank you this time,” Lu Yi said with a smile to Ke Yun Yao, who was sitting in the back seat.

“It’s nothing, really. All the credit goes to Ran Shi Han. You know, I don’t really believe in this stuff,” Ke Yun Yao replied, a little embarrassed.

“Ran Shi Han?” Lu Yi recalled the bright, youthful girl from the party. “Hey, when did you and Ran Shi Han get so close?” At this moment, Lu Yi had to thank Fang Hao for the information he’d left behind. Without it, Lu Yi would have found it hard to untangle these relationships.

“No, not at all,” Ke Yun Yao waved her hands, “Actually, Ran Shi Han had something come up and couldn’t make it herself.”

“I see. Then I’ll have to find a chance to thank her in person later,” Lu Yi said with a hint of a smile.

“Thanking her is fine, but I don’t think you need to do it face-to-face.” Ke Yun Yao noticed Lu Yi’s confusion and added quietly, “When I called, I heard a man’s voice in the background, and there was the sound of running water. From their conversation, the two seemed very close. Ran Shi Han seems to be drifting away from our little circle.”

“Is that so?” Lu Yi nodded slightly, recalling what Fang Hao had said about the original Lu Yi’s studio and the mysterious help that had appeared during its founding and operation.

Looking at the information he’d just obtained, he suddenly felt that if he could recover that mysterious aid, his future tasks might be much easier. At the same time, his curiosity about this mysterious force grew stronger.

Meanwhile, in a spacious bedroom, Ran Shi Han was brushing her hair in front of the mirror. Behind her, the bathroom door opened and Dong Xing Teng emerged, wearing a bathrobe. He placed his hand on Ran Shi Han’s shoulder. “Baby, who were you talking to just now?”

“Oh, that was Ke Yun Yao, a friend from university,” Ran Shi Han replied casually.

“Is she a close friend of yours?” Dong Xing Teng squinted, gently stroking her hair.

“Not really. Actually, it was just that Lu Yi asked us for help finding someone, and I had her pass the message along,” Ran Shi Han said, not noticing the change in Dong Xing Teng’s expression. His previously impulsive look suddenly turned thoughtful.

“It’s odd, though. With all of Lu Yi’s connections, why would he need our help?” Ran Shi Han murmured to herself.

Dong Xing Teng chuckled inwardly. “Naturally, it’s because this Lu Yi is no longer the one you knew. Not every challenger has people flocking to curry favor around them like I do. It’s perfectly normal that the connections he once relied on are now out of reach.”

He wrapped an arm around her waist. “Lu Yi… I’ve heard of his reputation. What kind of trouble is he in this time?”

“I don’t know. He just wanted us to find an exorcist or someone who could handle supernatural forces,” Ran Shi Han replied, picking up her clothes and heading towards the bathroom.

As the bathroom door closed, Dong Xing Teng’s expression darkened. “Why is Lu Yi seeking out someone like that? Did he discover something else that night at Shanel, or did he realize something during the attack?”

He picked up his phone and dialed, “Hello, keep an eye on someone named Lu Yi over the next few days.”

The car wound its way into a place that resembled a slum. Following the map, Ke Yun Yao led the way to a low, dingy door.

Lu Yi stepped forward and knocked. There was an immediate fit of coughing inside, and then a neutral voice called out, “Come in.”

They pushed the door open and found a figure in a long robe sitting opposite them, bundled up so tightly that even their face was hard to make out.

“Hello, I was sent by Ran Shi Han,” Ke Yun Yao said, showing the person a message on her phone.

“Alright, I understand. What brings you two here?” the genderless voice continued.

It occurred to Lu Yi that if even a formidable old woman was powerless against what they’d encountered, sending an amateur exorcist might only get someone hurt.

Lu Yi’s eyes flickered. “I wonder if you, Master, have the skill of face-reading? Would you mind taking a look at me?”

The robed figure let out a soft laugh. “I’m afraid I haven’t studied that art.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Lu Yi decided to test the person’s abilities first. He smiled, “Well, here’s the situation—”

He then recounted his visit to Tu Xiao Xi’s house and some of what happened there. The robed figure listened with great interest.

Lu Yi concluded, “I feel like both Tu Xiao Xi and I had extremely bad luck that day. I can’t tell if it was just a run of misfortune or if someone had a hand in it. The main thing is, Tu Xiao Xi is about to leave the city, and I’m worried something sinister might follow her and harm her without her realizing it.”

The robed figure nodded, then rose and poured tea for both of them. “It’s admirable that you care about her so much. Wait here while I prepare a few things, then I’ll come with you to take a look.”

The figure slipped into a back room. Out of sight, they removed their hat, revealing a twisted smile.

“Master, this way please,” Lu Yi said, opening the car door.

“No need,” the robed figure replied with a wave. “Just because the incident happened in that house doesn’t mean the origin lies there. Walking over might reveal more clues.”

Left with no other choice, Lu Yi turned to Ke Yun Yao. “Yun Yao, if you have something to do, you can go back first.”

Ke Yun Yao hesitated, then shook her head, determined to go with him.

The three left the dilapidated neighborhood and made their way along a narrow path, arriving at a park. Lu Yi checked the map; if they cut through the park, they’d be close to their destination.

As they pressed on, Lu Yi suddenly saw someone dash through the trees on the other side. Turning his head, he realized a film crew was shooting a scene here.

He wasn’t planning to get involved, but Ke Yun Yao suddenly transformed into a fangirl. “Wow, that looks like Zhong Jin! I hadn’t heard he was filming anything lately.”

Lu Yi frowned. A film shoot meant there’d be a crew and plenty of people around, which gave him a sense of unease.

“Hey, there are more people over here,” a familiar voice called from the other side. Someone stood up and walked toward them—it was Xu Yuan Bin.

Lu Yi glanced at the busy crew, then at Xu Yuan Bin, who was slowly approaching. Suddenly, he realized the source of his apprehension: he’d stepped into Xu Yuan Bin’s story. And Xu Yuan Bin was probably about to face a crisis.

Lu Yi remembered clearly that he’d only survived last time because Deng Zhi had triggered Death’s design and died in his place.

“Fancy running into you here. Where’s Xia Rong?” Lu Yi took a step back, asking.

“Do we know each other? Xia Rong? Who’s that?” Xu Yuan Bin put on an expression of confusion. In reality, he had already notified the senior challengers—they were on their way. Of course, he wouldn’t tell Lu Yi the truth. If he did, it would be the same as admitting that he was the one about to be in danger.

As Xu Yuan Bin took a few more steps closer, Lu Yi drew his pistol and fired a shot into the air, then aimed it at Xu Yuan Bin. “Back up. Stay away from us.”

A chorus of screams erupted from the film set.

Ke Yun Yao and the robed figure were also startled by Lu Yi’s sudden action. “Lu Yi, what are you doing?” Ke Yun Yao stammered.

“There’s no time to explain,” Lu Yi replied hurriedly, keeping his eyes on Xu Yuan Bin. “I don’t intend to hurt anyone. We’re just passing through, but I want this man to keep his distance.”

The robed figure glanced at Lu Yi, then at Xu Yuan Bin, the corners of his mouth twitching slightly.

The famous actor and the rest of the crew exchanged glances and silently moved back; some urged Xu Yuan Bin to hurry along.

Xu Yuan Bin suddenly let out a cold laugh. “So you figured it out. Executioner.”

Executioner? The robed figure and Ke Yun Yao looked at Lu Yi in confusion.

“You can call me what you like, but if you care about your life, you’d better do as I say.” Lu Yi flicked the barrel of the gun.

“Ha, getting desperate, aren’t you? Am I wrong? The one fated to die in the apartment block was supposed to be you. You traded an innocent life for your own survival,” Xu Yuan Bin accused.

Ke Yun Yao stared at Lu Yi in shock. “Lu Yi, is what he’s saying true?”

“No—” Lu Yi started to deny it, but just then the boughs overhead rustled. He realized something was wrong, but it was too late—a figure dropped from above, tackled him, and kicked the pistol from his hand.

Xu Yuan Bin sneered and rushed forward, suddenly producing a katana. Gripping the blade, he plunged it toward Lu Yi’s heart.

Ke Yun Yao screamed, but the blade struck solidly against Lu Yi’s chainmail.

“Armor? How—” Xu Yuan Bin’s heart pounded in panic, but before he could strike again, a javelin fell from above, piercing straight through his heart.