Inside the dimly lit conference hall, video footage was being played on the projector screen.
The video footage was not very clear; it seed 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 deanor 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 firmant. 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, so were frantic with emotion, running wildly towards the center of the storm, disappearing in an instant.
Ti passed little by little, and the screen suddenly beca 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 mont.
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, Naless 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 who needs to be killed, isn't that enough?"
"Making decisions is their business. What does it have to do with , 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 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," Naless Book interrupted, "The people who appeared in the video footage were wearing white robes, which are dieval-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 mbers withdrew from the country fifteen years ago."
"Even if the Miracle Order has suddenly beco active again, shouldn't the Assassins be the ones with the headache?"
Naless 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, slamd 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?" Naless 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 mbers 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 Yun Sand Sea?"
Her initial reaction did not consider the possibility that mbers 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 mbers of the Miracle Order, it would be almost impossible to break through Yun 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!" Naless 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 mont and said through clenched teeth, "Of course I know how long a xun is!"
"Oh?" Naless 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 so air. When you've discussed it, just tell 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... rembering sothing 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 sa ti, Naless 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, "..."
Naless 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 ca from inside the building at the end of the corridor.
Imdiately 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 so 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 how many spots are left!"
"Only one spot left? Good, good. Quickly find any agent who ets the requirents 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 et the application requirents, 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 co 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 ashad!"
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."
"You, what are you talking about? I've known that for a long ti!" 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 ?
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 ti, there will be autumn operative training in half a year. Rember 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 ti to prepare.
As he was thinking, Lu Yibei suddenly seed to rember sothing and asked Jiang Li, "Oh, Leader, how are your Spirit Mark advancent preparations going? It should be soon, right?"
Jiang Li glanced sideways at Lu Yibei and said faintly, "What? Are you really looking forward to leaving soon?"
This guy, is he brewing so mischief again, preparing to make a big move while I'm at the headquarters completing my Spirit Mark advancent? 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 advancent plan provided by the headquarters?
Calculating the ti, Netizen Laosepi should have sent 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 advancent?
But if those materials could be obtained through legitimate channels, the headquarters would have inford long ago. That ans the channel he knows about is likely an illegal or disruptive one!
Hmph! Trying to do sothing bad again, are you? Absolutely not!
Thinking of this, Jiang Li's heart ward 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 ho, and then you conveniently stay over at my place. Lu Yibei added secretly in his heart.
"No ti." 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 ti, it's that you don't have ti. 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 ti.
Seeing Lu Yibei's sowhat disappointed look, Jiang Li gently shook her head and blinked at him.
【But the day after tomorrow is possible 【heart emoji】】
Reading this ssage 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 ti doesn't lead to anything, the second ti might. Practice makes perfect, and after a few tis, 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 resud 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 beca 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 ti, relying on the enhancent 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 enhancents.
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 ti he ca to the Night Watch.
Just consider it bribery... buying off... no, just consider it tribute. When you take from soone, you're short-handed, and when you eat from soone, you're short-mouthed. If my identity is exposed in the future, she definitely won't have the heart to kill . 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 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 sowhere?
Yesterday, he was calling Brother Li one mont and asking to help provide black night disease epidemic information the next!
He finally seed 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 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 mont, 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.
Sothing'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 ti is your flight?"
It's about the matter, not the person. You can't be full of admiration for soone in the investigation report one mont, 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 mont, and said slowly, "Four-thirty in the afternoon..."
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