hotmtlnovel Chapter 65 You *f*** Li Muxuan!
Chapter 65 You *f*** Li Muxuan!
Chapter 65 You *f*** Li Muxuan!
Lu Linglong knelt on the muddy ground, her body trembling violently, panting heavily, each breath causing excruciating pain throughout her body.
She raised her hands blankly, palms up, stained with her own blood and dirt—were these the very hands that had just seemed to "summon" that devastating golden rain of swords? No, she hadn't done anything, she had only shouted—yet the power was undeniably real.
She stiffly turned her neck, only to find nothing behind her. Not only was the short man who had grabbed her hair and slammed her head against the ground gone, but the tall man who had been abusing her mother had also vanished.
There were no severed limbs, no bloodstains, not even a trace of ash left behind, as if the two had never existed, completely erased from the most basic level of existence by that dazzling sword light, turning into dust.
Lu's mother slumped a few steps away, her disheveled pajamas barely held together by her hands to cover her body. Her face was still wet with tears, mixed with dust, but her eyes were fixed on Lu Linglong, unblinking, her pupils churning with extremely complex emotions—the disorientation of surviving a calamity, the immense shock of not being able to comprehend it, and—an almost fanatical, ignited hope.
Just then, within the pale golden passage in the air that had not yet completely dissipated, Zhou Yi, dressed in Republican-era attire, spoke again. His gentle voice rang clearly in Lu Linglong's ears: "Do not mention my existence with Miss Li to anyone else regarding today's events. Otherwise, it may bring unpredictable disaster upon you in this world."
As his words fell, the two golden mist passages connecting different times and spaces rapidly faded and dissipated, like morning mist blown away by the wind. The two figures within the passages also vanished.
Only the strange armor plate that had once hung at the core of the talisman's light and connected to the passage—the "Three Truths Under the Same Moon Token"—had its radiance restrained and slowly drifted down from mid-air, falling into Lu Linglong's palm.
Lu Linglong subconsciously reached out her trembling hand, wanting to catch this object that seemed to have changed everything.
However, a faster and more abrupt hand reached out from the side, its five fingers clenched, and it deftly and accurately caught the armor plate that was about to fall.
"What is this thing?" A female voice with a heavy Sichuan accent but a flat tone rang out.
Lu Linglong was startled and was horrified to discover that someone had silently appeared beside her without her noticing!
The person who came was a girl who looked to be eighteen or nineteen years old, with long, straight black hair that looked like it hadn't been properly styled in a long time and was slightly messy and disheveled.
She was wearing a slightly oversized, outdated gray uniform, somewhat like the uniform of a factory or company.
What was most striking was her face—delicate features, yet expressionless, with a blank, vacant gaze that carried a natural dullness. Her shoulders were slightly hunched, and her whole demeanor exuded a slovenly and bewildered air that clashed with the tense atmosphere around her.
She was looking down, curiously examining the ancient-looking nail plate in her hand.
"Baby! Stop! Don't touch anything!" Another slightly hurried male voice came from behind.
A young man wearing glasses, with a slightly disheveled suit, who looked refined but was panting, ran over quickly.
His face showed lingering shock, and sweat beaded on his forehead, clearly indicating he had just experienced a high-speed chase. He glanced at the nail plate in Feng Baobao's hand, then warily scanned his surroundings, especially Lu Linglong and her daughter, his eyes filled with awe and unease.
The towering golden sword formation he had just witnessed was far beyond his comprehension. He couldn't even fathom what kind of master could have unleashed such a technique! Feng Baobao's rash act of taking the other's belongings might have angered that master—
"It's alright." Feng Baobao straightened up, still with that dazed expression. She turned her head and looked around, her eyes sweeping over the empty lakeside and the mother and daughter who were still in shock. Her tone was as calm as if she were stating what she had for dinner. "The one who set up the sword formation seems to have left. Now, it's just the two of them left here."
"Wait! That thing—give it back to me!" Lu Linglong snapped out of her daze and anxiously reached out to snatch the Token of the Same Month from Feng Baobao's hand. It was left to her by Zhou Yi; it was her only connection and proof of that incredible conversation and that rescue!
Feng Baobao reacted quickly, raising her hand to easily avoid Lu Linglong's weak grip. Lu Linglong was already extremely weak, and this sudden exertion caused her vision to go black, her legs to go weak, and she almost collapsed to the ground.
"Linglong!" Lu's mother exclaimed, scrambling to her feet and staggering to Lu Linglong's side, pulling her tightly into her arms. Her arms trembled, but the strength in her embrace was astonishing. Looking down at Lu Linglong's pale, blood-stained face, the fervor in her eyes could no longer be concealed, her voice trembling with emotion: "Linglong! My daughter! Tell your mother, just now—what just happened? How did you do it? Was it—was it that immortal?! Was it a method he left behind?! He responded to you, didn't he?!"
Her questioning was rapid and urgent, her fingers unconsciously tightening, pinching Lu Linglong until it hurt a little.
"Mom—?" Lu Linglong was startled by her mother's unprecedentedly frantic and agitated state. For a moment, she forgot the pain in her body and stared blankly at her.
"I knew it! I knew my decision was right!" Mother Lu seemed lost in her own logic, her eyes shining as she rapidly muttered to herself, "It was the right thing to keep you away from the cultivation of those extraordinary people! Those are all unorthodox paths, they will only taint your spirit! How noble that person's method is! So supreme! If you had learned something else so early, you would probably have been forever deprived of this supreme righteous path in this life!"
She became more and more agitated as she spoke, even with a hint of indignation through gritted teeth: "The Three True Methods! Humph, they've been guarding the opportunity for immortality for decades, yet not a single disciple has been able to receive the true teachings! Linglong, you're different. You've always been clean and pure—your great-grandfather was biased and didn't accept you into the sect, but instead accepted Lu Lin, and yet you're the most promising one!"
Suddenly, as if she remembered something, she looked up sharply, her gaze piercingly fixed on Feng Baobao, who was holding the armor plate and looking completely bewildered, and Xu San, who looked tense behind her.
Despite her disheveled appearance, disheveled hair, and tear stains, Lu's mother straightened her back, adopting an unusually arrogant, even somewhat aggressive, demeanor. Her voice rose: "You! You're the one who knows everything in the company, aren't you? Look at your outfit!" She pointed at the nail plate in Feng Baobao's hand, her tone resolute, "Let me tell you, this thing belongs to my daughter Linglong! It's a treasure personally left to her by that immortal for protection and guidance! It's not something you can touch! Give it back immediately!"
She paused, her chin slightly raised, a glint of fear mixed with bluff flashing in her eyes, and threatened, "Otherwise—hmph, if you anger that being, and one strike comes down with a sword, can your company bear the consequences? Things won't look good then!"
Feng Baobao was a little stunned by her string of excited words. She blinked her empty big eyes, slowly turned her head, and looked at Xu San, who had a headache and was desperately trying to wink at her.
Then, she raised her free right hand, extended her index finger, pointed to her temple, then to Lu's agitated mother, and asked Xu San earnestly in her signature flat tone, with a hint of doubt, "Xu San, is there something wrong with this woman here?"
Xu San's eyelids twitched uncontrollably.
Whether the Three Truths Sect has "immortals" or not, he dared not say for sure. But in the years he had been involved in the circle of extraordinary people, whether it was from the few words he occasionally heard from some elusive senior masters, or the company's deep-seated reluctance to discuss certain files, all pointed to the extraordinary nature of this sect.
If this matter truly involves some highly accomplished individuals within the Three Truths Dharma Gate, then it could become quite troublesome.
At this delicate moment, the shrill ringtone of Xu San's cell phone suddenly broke the eerie silence of the lakeside.
Who would call at this time?
Xu San's heart tightened. He took it out and saw the name flashing on the screen, which made his breath catch in his throat for a moment: Zhao Fangxu.
The chairman of Nadutong Company, a true giant who controls the official order of the supernatural world in H country.
He dared not delay in the slightest, and immediately answered the call, his voice unconsciously becoming respectful: "Chairman Zhao?"
The voice on the other end of the phone, Zhao Fangxu's usual calm tone, now carried an unprecedented seriousness and urgency. His words were rapid and clear, without a trace of pleasantries: "Xu San, listen up. Keep an eye on the people and belongings at your current location! No one is allowed to take them without my orders! Tell Feng Baobao to stop hiding. If she encounters any obstacles, I authorize her—to go all out! Kill them all! Everyone in the North China region who can move is already on their way to your location to provide full support!"
He paused, then his voice suddenly became more forceful, carrying an undeniable, authoritative tone: "If either a person or something goes missing, I'll hold you responsible! Do you understand?!"
"Yes!!! I guarantee I will complete the mission!" Xu San straightened up almost reflexively, standing at attention in front of the phone, his forehead instantly beaded with cold sweat.
Chairman Zhao personally ordered, even at the cost of mobilizing all resources in the North China region, that Baobao "go all out" —
This is beyond just being "in big trouble"; it's like stirring up a hornet's nest!
Just as Zhao Fangxu hung up the phone, before Xu San could even catch his breath, another call came in seamlessly, the caller ID showing—his father, Xu Xiang.
Xu San's heart sank further. He quickly answered the call, only to hear his father, Xu Xiang, speak with even greater anxiety, and a rare hint of sternness: "You brat! Where are you now? Your exact location!"
"I'm in the Hebei District, XX Lakeside Villa Area, the specific address is ————" Xu Sanfei quickly recited the address.
"Stay where you are! Don't move an inch! I'm coming right away!" Xu Xiang's voice was mixed with the wind noise and engine roar of the speeding car. "Tell the baby to be alert! If something's wrong, forget about the mission, get out of here and run! Survival is the priority!"
"But—Chairman Zhao just gave the order—" Xu San tried to explain.
"Zhao Fangxu is nothing!" Xu Xiang practically roared into the phone, his curses directed at Xu Si, the driver, audible in the background. "When that guy from the Sanzhen Sect arrives, Zhao Fangxu will be kneeling outside! Listen, son, this place is too deep, unfathomable! It's not something our Xu family, or even the company, can mess around with! Save your lives first, wait for me!"
The call was abruptly ended, leaving only a busy tone.
Xu San gripped his phone, his palms drenched in cold sweat. Chairman Zhao's stern orders were like a mountain, while his father's warnings were like knives; the two contrasting pressures sent shivers down his spine.
"Gouwazi's phone call?" Feng Baobao moved closer, seemingly unconcerned about the conversation between Xu San and his son. She tilted her head, her empty eyes glancing at Lu's mother, who was still shaken but trying to appear calm, then at Lu Linglong's pale face. In her characteristically flat and straightforward tone, she asked, "Looks like you guys are really in trouble, huh? You have some powerful connections, don't you?"
"Hmph!" Although Lu's mother hadn't heard everything, Feng Baobao's words and Xu San's sudden change in expression when he answered the phone seemed to give her a bit more confidence. Despite her own inner fear and unease, she still held her head high, her voice sharp but her tone weak, "Good that you know! You have no idea what Linglong represents right now! That is—"
"Mom—I—I feel a little unwell, dizzy—" Lu Linglong weakly interrupted her. Her face was as pale as paper. Although the wound on her forehead was no longer bleeding heavily, the weakness brought on by blood loss and the intense mental shock was coming in waves, making her vision go black and her stomach churn violently.
Lu's mother suddenly woke up and saw her daughter's pained appearance. Her heartache overwhelmed everything else.
"Linglong! Don't be afraid, Mom is here. Mom will take you home and treat your wounds!" She quickly bent down and carefully helped Lu Linglong, who could barely stand, to her feet. She didn't even bother with Xu San and Feng Baobao, and walked unsteadily toward the door of her villa not far away.
Xu San and Feng Baobao exchanged a glance, but did not stop them. Instead, they silently followed. Their task was to "keep an eye on people and things," so naturally they couldn't let anyone out of their sight.
Back in the villa's living room, Lu's mother gently settled Lu Linglong on the soft sofa, helping her lie down. Then, like a headless fly, she began frantically searching through drawers and cabinets for the first-aid kit, muttering repeatedly, "Where's the gauze? Where's the disinfectant?!"
Xu San and Feng Baobao stood guard near the living room door, maintaining a safe distance to avoid provoking each other while ensuring they could keep an eye on the situation. Xu San's gaze fell again on the antique nail plate that Feng Baobao was playing with in her hand. He held out his hand to Feng Baobao: "Baobao, let me see."
Without much hesitation, Feng Baobao tossed the armor plate to him. Xu San carefully caught it; it was slightly cool to the touch, and felt like part of some ancient bone or tortoise shell, with a hard texture.
He examined it carefully, turning it over and over. The patterns on it were ancient and mysterious, with three tomoe (magatama) encircling the central design.
He did feel that it looked familiar, as if he had seen it somewhere before, but he couldn't recall the specific source at the moment.
More importantly, the armor plate was dull and lifeless at this moment, and there was no flow or special fluctuation within the patterns, just like a well-made antique replica.
After repeated checks yielded no results, Xu San cautiously handed the armor plate back to Feng Baobao. This was something Chairman Zhao had specifically requested; it was safer for Baobao to handle it.
"Can you give me back my things?" On the sofa, Lu Linglong, who had caught her breath a little, opened her eyes. Her voice was still weak, but her eyes were fixed on the nail plate in Feng Baobao's hand.
Xu San stepped forward, trying to keep his demeanor as gentle as possible, but his tone carried an uncompromising official stance: "I'm sorry, Ms. Lu. This item is related to the special incident that just occurred—its nature is unclear, but it may be very important. I have no authority to decide its ownership on my own. However, please believe me, we come from 'All-Access', a national agency specifically established to manage matters related to supernatural beings and maintain social stability. The final disposal of this item depends on the investigation and decision of higher authorities. In the meantime, we will be responsible for your safety."
O
Feng Baobao began to gently toss and catch the nail plate with her fingertips again, her eyes fixed on Lu Linglong, when she suddenly asked:
What exactly is this thing?
Lu Linglong pursed her pale lips and hesitated for a moment.
Her upbringing and natural trust in state institutions made her less wary of strangers when faced with Xu San's official statement.
She glanced at her mother, who was anxiously searching for the first-aid kit, and then at the two company employees in front of her who seemed to have no intention of harming her. She answered softly, "It—it's called the Three Truths in the Same Month Order."
"The Three True Ones in the Same Month Token?" Feng Baobao repeated, her fingers stopping their tossing and catching. She held the nail plate close to her eyes, examining it closely, tilting her head, her tone filled with pure curiosity. "What's this thing used for? It looks like—a token? A decoration?"
Lu Linglong shook her head, closed her eyes, and frowned slightly, seemingly aggravating the wound on her forehead: "I'm sorry, I can't say."
"Is someone telling you not to talk about it?" Feng Baobao pressed, her questions always so direct, without any beating around the bush.
Lu Linglong's body stiffened almost imperceptibly, but she remained silent, though her silence itself was an answer.
"Oh, I see." Feng Baobao nodded, as if confirming something, then continued to ask, her logic simple and direct, "Who was that person? Was it the one who just—released the sword formation?"
"Don't ask anymore," Lu Linglong said wearily, opening her eyes again to look at Feng Baobao. "I won't tell you."
Feng Baobao blinked, then stopped asking questions. She looked down at the nail plate in her hand, lost in thought.
The living room fell silent for a moment, with only the rustling sound of Lu's mother rummaging through things upstairs and the faint sound of wind coming from outside the window, which seemed a little denser than usual.
Xu San subtly adjusted his position, his sharp gaze sweeping across the doors and windows, his nerves still on edge.
Just as Lu's mother finally retrieved the white first-aid kit from the storage room and hurriedly carried it to her daughter on the sofa, an unexpected event occurred.
Feng Baobao, who had been standing quietly at the edge of the living room, seemingly absentmindedly playing with her nail art, suddenly moved without warning.
Her movements were so fast they almost left afterimages; she teleported in a single step, cutting into Lu's mother's path. Her left hand shot out like lightning, seemingly casually pressing on a spot on Lu's mother's neck—
Before Lu's mother could even fully show her astonishment, her eyes glazed over, her body went limp, and the medical kit in her hand fell to the carpet with a thud.
With her other hand, Feng Baobao smoothly supported her limp body and gently laid her down on the other side of the single sofa, allowing her to lie in a relatively comfortable position. The whole process was silent and happened in the blink of an eye.
"Mom?!" Lu Linglong's exclamation was almost choked. Ignoring her dizziness and weakness, she suddenly propped herself up on the sofa, her eyes instantly filled with terror and anger as she glared at Feng Baobao and Xu San, "What are you doing?!"
Aren't you people from a government department?! Why are you hurting my mother?!
"Calm down! Miss Lu, please calm down!" Xu San immediately stepped forward, raising his hands to indicate that he meant no harm, and tried to keep his tone calm and gentle. "We mean no harm and will not hurt her. This is just to let her rest temporarily to avoid—causing any unnecessary trouble or conflict. She will wake up soon and will not have any aftereffects, I guarantee."
Feng Baobao had already released her grip on Lu's mother's hand, as if she had simply straightened a tilted bottle. She bent down to pick up the medical kit from the ground, dusted off non-existent dust, and then walked to Lu Linglong's side. She naturally opened the kit and began rummaging through it for disinfectant and gauze, her movements surprisingly practiced.
Lu Linglong looked at them with suspicion and uncertainty. Seeing that Feng Baobao was indeed just preparing to treat the wound on her forehead, and that her mother was lying on the opposite sofa with steady breathing and a normal expression, as if she had just fallen asleep, Lu Linglong's tense nerves relaxed a little, but the vigilance in her eyes did not completely disappear.
She slowly leaned back against the sofa, letting Feng Baobao carefully wipe the wound on her forehead with a cotton swab soaked in disinfectant. The cool touch made her gasp.
"What—unnecessary trouble?" she asked in a low voice, glancing at Xu San, who seemed easier to communicate with.
Xu San sighed, took out his phone, unlocked the screen, brought up a chat interface, and showed it to Lu Linglong.
The screen displayed a few short messages from someone whose contact name was "Erzhuang":
[Third son, the target mother's phone attempted to make a call; the target number has been marked with Lu Yun's name. The instruction to isolate this communication path has been executed. Continuing monitoring.]
[Online public opinion control completed. Eyewitnesses have been identified and their cases handled by personnel arriving later. Trace removal is underway.]
He put his phone away, his tone complicated: "When your mother was looking for the first-aid kit, she was actually trying to contact your father by phone. She probably wanted to contact some people through your father as soon as possible, such as your great-grandfather, Lu Jin."
He paused slightly, seemingly choosing his words carefully: "Gao Erzhuang, our colleague, is a very special temporary worker. Under orders from her superiors, she took over and temporarily disabled the outgoing communication functions of your and your mother's cell phones. That's why your mother can't make calls."
"Why?" Lu Linglong was even more confused. The stinging pain from her wound made her frown, but the doubts in her heart grew even stronger. "Why can't my father know? Why can't my—great-grandfather know? Isn't this a good thing? Someone will come to help—"
"The reasons behind this involve many high-level considerations and some complex relationships left over from history." Xu San shook his head, a frank helplessness on his face. "I'm not entirely clear on the specifics either. But one thing is certain, Ms. Lu, you and the incident you caused today—well, the incident—are extremely important. So important that even our company's Chairman Zhao Fangxu personally issued the highest order, requiring us to ensure your safety and the safety of this item, and to await further arrangements."
He glanced at Feng Baobao, who was carefully applying gauze to Lu Linglong, and continued, "Therefore, we cannot complicate the situation further before receiving clear instructions. Please understand, and please believe, that at least for now, staying here and being cared for by us is probably the safest option for you and your mother."
Lu Linglong listened in silence. Feng Baobao's bandaging movements were unexpectedly gentle, but she could sense the gravity behind Xu San's words.
Father, great-grandfather, the Three Truths Dharma, company executives—these terms and relationships, which were originally incredibly distant from her life, now felt like an invisible net, tightly enveloping her. And she couldn't even see how big or how complex this net really was.
She glanced at her sleeping mother on the opposite sofa, then at Xu San's serious face, and finally her gaze fell on the antique armor piece—the One-Three True Moon Decree—that was temporarily placed on the coffee table in Feng Baobao's hand.
"I—I understand," she finally whispered, closing her eyes wearily. The wound on her forehead was treated, but the tangled mess in her heart had only just begun to entangle her.
Outside the window, the night was as dark as ink, but the lights emanating from this lakeside villa stubbornly shone, like a lonely lighthouse on a dark sea, inevitably attracting more and more eyes, both bright and dark, to converge from all directions.
There was a sense of unease in the air, as if a storm was brewing, and even the occasional ripples on the lake seemed to be deliberately suppressed.
I don't know exactly how much time passed, maybe half an hour, maybe longer.
The roar of engines, growing louder as they approached, broke the silence of the lakeside, and beams of headlights pierced the night.
These weren't ordinary civilian vehicles, but black vans and special vehicles bearing the "NaDuTong" logo. They entered the residential area in an orderly fashion, blocking off the relevant intersections. Moreover, the faint sounds of heavier, more synchronized footsteps and the scraping of metal could be heard from the surrounding area—the sounds of armed personnel in standard uniforms, fully armed, rapidly deploying. On the rooftops of several high-rise buildings in the distance, with the best views, frequent shifts of reflective dots could be seen in night vision goggles—sniper positions were being established.
This far exceeds the standards for handling ordinary cases involving supernatural individuals.
The first person to break through the layers of security lines and enter the villa was Xu Xiang, the real person in charge of NaDuTong in North China.
He was over fifty years old, with a resolute face, travel-worn, and his eyes held an inescapable solemnity and a hint of weariness.
Upon entering, his gaze first locked onto Feng Baobao, quickly scanning her up and down to confirm she was unharmed. Only then did he let out a barely audible sigh of relief, his tense shoulders relaxing slightly.
"Dog Boy, you're here." Feng Baobao looked up at him and greeted him in a flat tone, still holding the nail plate in her hand.
Xu Xiang nodded without saying much, then turned his gaze to the others in the living room. Following closely behind him was Xu Si, Xu San's younger brother, who was also wearing the uniform of Na Du Tong, but with his collar casually open, an unlit cigarette dangling from his mouth, looking nonchalant as he scanned the room.
"San'er," Xu Si nudged Xu San, who had a serious expression, with his shoulder, his tone teasing with a hint of amusement, "You really should go outside and take a look. Good heavens, this commotion—it seems like all the relevant forces in the entire Hebei region have been mobilized, with the blockade line stretched for several kilometers. What incredible treasure is hidden here?"
Xu San gestured with his chin, indicating to Lu Linglong, who was sitting on the sofa with a pale face and a bandage on her forehead.
Xu Si walked to the single sofa opposite Lu Linglong, plopped down, and slung it over his shoulder, recalling the information he had quickly browsed on his way here: "Lu Linglong, the divorced daughter of the third son of the Lu family, the information shows she has never had any cultivation records, just an ordinary high school student—tsk, is it worth all this fuss? Could it be that she has researched some amazing technology?"
His eyes darted around as he looked at Lu Linglong, half-jokingly probing, "Little girl, tell your fourth brother in secret, what amazing thing have you come up with?"
"Get lost! Get out of here! We need to focus on important business, don't gossip here!" Xu Si walked up to him irritably, took the cigarette out of his mouth, and twisted it in his hand with practiced ease.
"Dad, what do we do now?" Xu Si turned to Xu Xiang, his joking expression disappearing.
From the moment Xu Xiang entered, aside from confirming Feng Baobao's safety, he only glanced deeply at Lu Linglong, but asked nothing else. He walked to the living room window, his back to everyone, as if he were resting with his eyes closed, or perhaps waiting for something, only the old-fashioned cell phone in his hand was tightly gripped in his hand.
Time ticked by, the atmosphere in the living room heavy and oppressive. Then, Xu Xiang's phone screen suddenly lit up and vibrated. He immediately opened his eyes and opened the message. The screen displayed only three brief words, without a signature:
【I have arrived. 】
Xu Xiang's eyes sharpened, and he quickly replied with a single word. Then he turned around and said in a low but authoritative tone, "Go."
Xu Xiang led the way.
Outside the villa, the scene was even more astonishing. Police lights flashed silently, clearing a dedicated passage, and armed personnel stood solemnly in a tight protective formation. Lu Linglong was carefully but quickly escorted to the middle seat of a specially modified black minivan. Feng Baobao followed closely behind, sitting right next to her. Xu Xiang sat in the passenger seat, while Xu San and Xu Si boarded the escort vehicles in front and behind.
The convoy slowly started moving, and with police cars leading the way at the front and rear and armed vehicles on both sides, it drove away from the no longer peaceful lakeside residential area and sped off in a certain direction of the city.
The atmosphere inside the car remained heavy. Lu Linglong leaned back in the comfortable leather seat, watching the scenery rushing past outside the window.
On the deserted streets, temporarily under lockdown, I couldn't help but whisper, "Where are we going?"
"Going to the company." Feng Baobao, sitting next to her, answered without looking up. She pulled out a gleaming dagger from somewhere and was gently wiping the blade with her fingertips, her movements as casual as if she were playing with an ordinary toy.
The sharp blade occasionally reflected a cold light in the dim light inside the car, making Lu Linglong's heart tremble. She subconsciously shrank to the other side, moving further away from Feng Baobao.
In just a few hours of contact, she had come to realize that the seemingly dull and slovenly girl next to her had a completely different way of thinking and behaving than ordinary people. She couldn't understand her using common sense, and even felt that the other person might really have some mental problems. Not only were her words erratic, but her behavior also often revealed an unsettling "unconventional" quality.
Exhaustion, pain, tension, and the constant shocks had already drained Lu Linglong's energy. Amidst the smooth ride and oppressive silence inside the car, she finally succumbed to drowsiness. Her eyelids began to droop, her consciousness gradually blurred, and she drifted into a semi-conscious state.
I don't know how much time had passed, perhaps just a short nap, when I felt a slight tremor and heard the click of the car door unlocking.
The sound startled her awake.
"We've arrived." It was Xu Xiang's voice, brief and forceful.
The electric sliding door of the van opened silently to the side, revealing bright but not glaring light outside. Lu Linglong rubbed her sleepy eyes, adjusted to the light, and looked out.
A slightly overweight leader, dressed in a crisp white shirt and a dark tie, stood outside the car door. His hair was neatly combed, and he wore a pair of elegant round-framed glasses. With a warm smile on his face, he quietly watched Lu Linglong inside the car.
"You must be Linglong," Zhao Fangxu said softly, with the gentle warmth of an elder, extending his hand. "You must be tired from your journey. I am Zhao Fangxu, the head of Nadutong Company. On behalf of the company, I welcome you here."
"Ah? -- Hello." Lu Linglong awkwardly reached out and gently shook the warm, thick hand.
The other party's attitude made her feel flattered. Her vague premonition seemed to have been confirmed. She, or more accurately, what happened to her, seemed to be really "important" enough to make such a high-ranking person wait for her in the middle of the night and greet her so politely.
Accompanied by Zhao Fangxu, Xu Xiang, and several key personnel, Lu Linglong walked through a quiet but heavily guarded corridor and was led into Xu Xiang's spacious but simply furnished office in the North China branch.
The door was closed, shutting out Xu San, Feng Baobao, and the others, leaving only her, Zhao Fangxu, and the taciturn Xu Xiang inside.
Here, Zhao Fangxu uses the simplest and clearest language possible to unveil another side of the world for Lu Linglong. She learns about the existence of "extraordinary people," understands the special energy called "Qi" that lies dormant in some people's bodies, and the various incredible "extraordinary arts" derived from it.
She finally gained a basic understanding of the "Lu family" from which she came—one of the four great families in the world of supernatural beings with a long history and great influence.
The so-called Three Truths Sect is a sect in the world of supernatural beings. Although it cannot compare with large sects like Longhu, Quanzhen, Wudang, and Shaolin, which have disciples all over the world, it is still quite well-known.
As for "Na Du Tong," he clearly stated that it is an official institution established by the state to specifically manage and regulate the non-human community and maintain the balance between the two worlds.
The sheer volume of information overwhelmed Lu Linglong's already confused understanding.
"How was it, Linglong?" After introducing the basic information, Zhao Fangxu changed the subject, his face showing an encouraging smile, his tone like that of an elder caring for a younger generation, "Are you interested in joining Nadutong? We really need young people with potential and a clean background like you. The salary and career prospects are quite good."
Lu Linglong was stunned, and subconsciously shook her head: "But—but I'm not an extraordinary person. I've never cultivated, I don't understand anything about Qi or techniques—"
Zhao Fangxu subtly feigned surprise, as if he had just remembered this, before smoothly steering the conversation back to the main point: "Oh? Is that so? Then—not long ago by the lake, that rather noisy commotion—"
What's with the sword formation?
The surveillance cameras near Lu Linglong's home had been destroyed before the incident, so Zhao Fangxu did not witness the specific process of the sword formation being activated. However, some people were familiar with that sword formation, and some had even seen it many years ago. It involved a person who was someone the company and even the entire H country kept secret.
Lu Linglong was silent for a few seconds, seemingly organizing her thoughts, before calmly saying, "That wasn't my method."
Zhao Fangxu's eyes narrowed slightly, and he unconsciously leaned forward slightly, pressing for an answer: "Then could you tell me, who actually executed that sword formation back then?"
Lu Linglong paused again, as if considering, before finally saying, "I am the one who will unleash the sword formation."
Zhao Fangxu was genuinely stunned this time, his warm smile freezing for a moment. He subconsciously turned his head to look at Xu Xiang, who had been resting with his eyes closed as if he were invisible since entering the room.
Xu Xiang then slowly opened his eyes, his gaze calmly falling on Lu Linglong's face. His voice was deep and clear: "You mean, the sword formation was activated with you at its center, through your hand, but the power didn't originate from you. Someone else, through some means, temporarily bestowed or guided the power upon you, allowing you to use it?"
"Yes, yes, yes! This uncle is absolutely right!" Lu Linglong nodded quickly, as if she had found someone who truly understood her situation. Her tone even became lighter. "I'm just an ordinary high school student, where would I get such great abilities? I'm terrified myself!"
"Then, who is the person who 'lent' you their power?" Zhao Fangxu immediately followed up, his gaze fixed on Lu Linglong.
Lu Linglong's expression softened, and she slowly shook her head, her expression a mixture of apology and determination: "I'm sorry, this—he specifically instructed me not to tell anyone."
"Uh—" Zhao Fangxu's smile faltered slightly. He tried to use his official position and gentle manner to persuade her, "Linglong, look, I'm the person in charge of Na Du Tong. I represent the government, and we have a responsibility to understand the situation, and it's also to protect you—"
Before he could finish speaking, Lu Linglong shook her head firmly again, with a touch of childlike stubbornness: "No, no, really no. I promised him I wouldn't tell, and that means I won't. A person has to keep their word."
Zhao Fangxu was speechless for a moment, and the atmosphere in the office became somewhat awkwardly tense.
Xu Xiang, who had been observing from the sidelines, spoke up again, asking a tricky but practical question: "Since you can't reveal your identity, then—what about your gender? Surely you can reveal that? It wouldn't break your promise."
Lu Linglong blinked, thought for a moment, and felt that this didn't seem like a direct revelation of her identity? She hesitated, then whispered, "—male."
Xu Xiang nodded almost imperceptibly and didn't ask any further questions.
Zhao Fangxu took a deep breath, stood up, and resumed his composed and responsible demeanor, though a complex emotion still lingered in his eyes. "Linglong, I understand. Given the current situation, your current predicament may be somewhat unique and carries certain risks. I suggest that you stay at the company-arranged accommodation for the foreseeable future and avoid going out unnecessarily. We will ensure your safety."
"Oh? But I have to take the college entrance exam tomorrow!" Lu Linglong was anxious; for her, that was still the most important thing.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Fangxu waved his hand dismissively: "You don't need to worry about the college entrance exam. Which university do you want to go to? Tell me, and I'll have them send you the admission notice directly."
Lu Linglong was skeptical, but the other party's imposing manner made her blurt out, "Tsinghua... Tsinghua University is fine too?"
"Okay. Tomorrow, or at the latest the day after, someone from Tsinghua's admissions office will contact you." Zhao Fangxu's tone was calm, yet it contained an undeniable force. "You're exhausted tonight, so get some rest. I'll personally speak with your mother later to explain the situation and put her mind at ease."
"Okay—alright." Lu Linglong stood up in a daze, and at Zhao Fangxu's prompting, walked out of the office in a daze. The amount of information was too much, the promises too astonishing; she felt like her mind was filled with a tangled mess, unable to make sense of it all.
Outside the door, Xu San and Feng Baobao were indeed still waiting there.
"Lu Linglong, for the next few days, you will stay with the baby. She will be responsible for your daily life and safety."
"Xu San explained, speaking in a businesslike tone."
Inside the office, the door closed again.
The warm smile on Zhao Fangxu's face vanished completely, replaced by deep thought and solemnity. He sat back down in his chair and looked at Xu Xiang, who remained expressionless across from him.
"Old Xu, what do you think—how much of what she said is true, and how much is false? Or rather, how much is she hiding?"
Xu Xiang picked up the now-cold tea, took a sip, and slowly said, "She doesn't need to lie to us completely; at least the part about the power not being hers is very likely true. This girl isn't stupid; you could even say she's quite clever. She could have simply insisted she knew nothing, or claimed it was a coincidence, but she deliberately pointed out that she had promised someone she couldn't say anything. This clearly tells us that she has someone backing her, and that person doesn't want to be revealed."
She was using that person's influence to make us hesitate and think twice before acting.
He put down his teacup, his gaze distant, with a touch of emotion: "If that monkey who caused havoc in the Heavenly Palace back then had half of her shrewdness in assessing the situation and using others' strengths against her, she wouldn't have been imprisoned under the mountain for five hundred years and caused so much trouble."
Zhao Fangxu nodded silently, his fingers tapping lightly on the table unconsciously. After a long while, he spoke in a low voice, a complex and unreadable emotion in his voice: "To be honest, about that person—over the years, the industry has made him out to be almost mythical, a figure of legend. But including myself, none of the people in the company who are truly qualified to access the core files have actually seen him in person. All our knowledge comes from scattered records and anecdotes passed down orally from decades ago, and we don't even know if they're true or false."
"Ha, you think you're worthy?"
A clear, disdainful sneer suddenly rang out in the quiet office.
Zhao Fangxu's face darkened, and the muscles in his cheeks twitched slightly, revealing a faint blue vein.
The person speaking was certainly not Xu Xiang.
It was his cell phone, which was in use and connected to another device, in his pocket.
"Li Muxuan, don't take yourself too seriously!" Zhao Fangxu said through gritted teeth.
"What can you do to me?" Li Muxuan ignored Zhao Fangxu's warning and instead let out a cold snort that carried a deeper meaning.
"Zhao Fangxu, I'll pass the same message on to you. Don't take yourself too seriously!"
The office suddenly fell silent.
Then, the pen holder was slammed to the ground, and a violent storm ensued.
"You son of a bitch, Li Muxuan!"
"Zhao Fangxu, I'll f*** your grandpa!"
Xu Xiang silently hung up the call and lit a cigarette.
His cheap master, though often unreliable, was actually right this time.
It's really not something they can comment on.
Zhao Fangxu became anxious.
Or rather, today's events have made some people in Central China restless.
Please vote with your monthly tickets and give me a reward!
This chapter is a bit boring, I'll post another one later.
After midnight.
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