"Xiao Qi, has your teacher left?"
After seeing off Zhao Kongcheng, Aunt hurriedly came out of the kitchen, "Oh, why didn't you let him stay for a meal before leaving! This child..."
Lin Qiuye shook her head, "He has something to attend to and won't stay for dinner."
"What did your teacher say?"
"Nothing much, just mentioned some sports test and specifically came to inquire about my eye condition."
"Teacher Zhao is such a good person. He even came to a student's home to ask about their well-being. By the way, before you came back, he was helping me wash vegetables in the kitchen. He looks burly, but surprisingly meticulous at work."
Aunt wiped her apron with her hands, turned off the roaring range hood, and said to Lin Qiuye:
"Dinner is almost ready. Call your brother to join us."
"Alright."
After a while, the family of three gathered neatly around the table. Seven dishes were laid out on the table, a feast for the eyes and taste buds. Yang Jin couldn't help but salivate as he looked at the spread.
"Tomato and egg stir-fry, stewed chicken soup, dry-fried string beans... and sweet and sour spare ribs?!" Yang Jin looked at the table full of dishes and swallowed, "Mom, it's been a long time since our meals were this abundant!"
"Xiao Qi's eyes have recovered. This is a bigger celebration than the New Year. Of course, we need to make it grand!" Aunt said matter-of-factly.
Lin Qiuye lowered her head, looked at the eagerly wagging tail of Little Black, and smiled, "It seems that tonight, Little Black can also enjoy a feast."
"He deserves it." Aunt raised the tea cup in front of her with a smile, "To celebrate Xiao Qi's recovered eyesight, cheers!"
"Cheers!"
"Cheers!"
...
Under the dim clouds, the twilight had long disappeared, and the world seemed to be shrouded in a black veil.
Rain swayed in the wind.
Light sparkled in the distant downtown area.
In this short, old residential area, a figure wearing a dark red cloak was running in the rain, carrying a large suitcase in hand.
Raindrops fell on Zhao Kongcheng's face, even though it was summer, the rain carried an inexplicable chill.
"Are you sure the Ghost-Faced King is really coming in this direction?" Zhao Kongcheng frowned.
Through the earpiece, the voice of Wu Xiangnan sounded, "Not certain. Ten minutes ago, our search team found the Ghost-Faced King's bloodstains in the nearby sewer network. Judging by its traces, the destination could only be this old residential area or the city center."
"Two possible destinations?"
"Yes."
"What should we do? Split into two teams to guard?"
"In theory, yes. But the city center has a massive flow of people, and we can't easily evacuate them. If the Ghost-Faced King appears in the city center, it will not only cause a lot of casualties but also easily lead to panic. So, we have sent most of our forces to guard the city center."
"What about the old residential area? What if the Ghost-Faced King shows up there? People there will also be in danger!"
"The old residential area has fewer residents, more dispersed, and easier to evacuate compared to the city center. Besides..."
"Even if the Ghost-Faced King comes here, it won't cause much damage, is that it?" Zhao Kongcheng's voice carried a hint of anger. "These are still living people!"
"Calm down, Lao Zhao!" Wu Xiangnan's voice became extremely serious. "I have never said we would give up on the old residential area. Right now, Hongyan has already led people there, and you and your team's task is to evacuate the residents of the old residential area as quickly as possible."
"Also, even if the Ghost-Faced King really goes there, don't confront it directly. You can't handle the Ghost-Faced King. If necessary, activate the 'No-Ji Void Zone' to temporarily trap it."
Zhao Kongcheng slowly released his clenched fist, sighing.
"Understood."
Although there was some reluctance in Zhao Kongcheng's heart, he knew this was the most correct course of action.
After all, if the Ghost-Faced King were to go to the city center, where the population was so dense, it could easily hide in a dark corner, killing a few people to restore its strength. Moreover, once exposed to the public eye, it would inevitably cause panic.
So, no matter how many people were sent to the city center, it would never be enough.
On the other hand, the old residential area had fewer residents, and even if the Ghost-Faced King came there, it would take time to recover its strength. The chances of exposure were also much lower.
In this situation, it was already quite considerate for Wu Xiangnan to send people to the old residential area.
Now, Zhao Kongcheng had to make the most of his time to evacuate the residents of the old residential area.
It was a race against time!
Zhao Kongcheng's figure darted through the rain at an astonishing speed. Raindrops fell on the suitcase in his hand, creating sparkling water splashes.
Not far away, in the misty moisture, a familiar short building became clearer.
A few minutes ago, he had just come out of there.
Zhao Kongcheng's heart was filled with complexity. Calculating the time, that family should have started their dinner by now, right? He remembered there were sweet and sour spare ribs, tomato and egg stir-fry, and dry-fried string beans...
Oh, and he was the one who washed the string beans.
Damn it, just now he showed off in front of the kid, saying that he would take care of protecting the world. Now, he had to go knock on their door and ask them to evacuate...
Doesn't that make me lose face?
However, now was not the time to worry about face.
Zhao Kongcheng stepped on the rainwater and rushed forward. But at this moment, an extremely nauseating smell suddenly rushed into his nostrils!
His pupils suddenly contracted, and he abruptly stopped his steps!
Splash, splash, splash...
The noise of rain filled Zhao Kongcheng's mind. He cautiously and slowly turned his head, widening his eyes, fearing to miss any details.
Then, his gaze fell on the nearby manhole cover.
The stench became stronger and stronger.
Zhao Kongcheng tightly gripped the handle of the suitcase, took a deep breath, bent down slightly, and placed the suitcase on the ground.
He was well aware of what this smell represented.
"Report, Watcher Zhao Kongcheng, the Ghost-Faced King has been found in the old residential area..." He opened the earpiece, his voice calm.
As he spoke, he pressed the button on the suitcase.
Snap!
The suitcase popped open, revealing three neatly arranged and brand-new signboards inside.
Zhao Kongcheng picked up the three signboards, placed one on the ground, and then sprinted to the other side towards the third corner of the triangle!
Almost the moment Zhao Kongcheng finished speaking, the voice of Wu Xiangnan came from the other end of the earpiece.
"Received! I have
issued the order. The night watchmen are moving towards the old residential area, and Hongyan and her team will be there in no more than ten minutes!
Ten minutes! Lao Zhao, set up the 'No-Ji Void Zone' to temporarily trap it!"
Zhao Kongcheng put down the second signboard, ran towards the third vertex of the triangle, and reluctantly spoke:
"Xiangnan, the 'No-Ji Void Zone' is meant for concealing battles, not for trapping people. It won't hold the Ghost-Faced King for ten minutes."
Gurgle, gurgle, gurgle...
Rainwater flowed into the manhole at a slanting angle, but suddenly the entire manhole cover violently shook. The rainwater poured into it as if it were a boiling spring, madly surging outward!
"Regardless, don't engage in a direct confrontation with the Ghost-Faced King!" Wu Xiangnan's voice became noticeably anxious. "Lao Zhao, the old residential area is so large, even if the Ghost-Faced King comes out, it won't necessarily cause losses in a short time.
These ten minutes, even if it kills a few people, it won't recover too much strength!
Civilian casualties caused by 'Mysteries' are happening every moment, and we watchmen are not gods. We can't prevent all casualties. If we lose a core team member due to a seriously injured Ghost-Faced King, it's absolutely not worth it!
Lao Zhao, Lao Zhao! Can you hear me?"
Boom!
The manhole cover was thrown up like a cannonball, rising into the sky. From the dark sewer opening, a ferocious arm suddenly stretched out, followed by a monster several times larger than the original Ghost-Faced Man leaping out!
Zhao Kongcheng calmly watched this scene, slowly placing the last signboard on the ground, biting his fingertip, and smearing a horizontal line of blood on the signboard.
"Xiangnan, do you remember the oath you once made..."
Zhao Kongcheng stared at the Ghost-Faced King in front of him, squatting down slightly, casting a sidelong glance at the small residential building not far away.
"If the night turns dark, I will stand in front of thousands of people...
This time, there are no thousands of people behind me,
But,
Behind me...
Is the entire world of that child."
His hands suddenly clasped together.
An invisible canvas enveloped this small triangle.
"Forbidden Territory... 'No-Ji Void Zone'!"
"Xiao Qi, has your teacher left?"
After seeing off Zhao Kongcheng, Aunt hurriedly came out of the kitchen, "Oh, why didn't you let him stay for a meal before leaving! This child..."
Lin Qiuye shook her head, "He has something to attend to and won't stay for dinner."
"What did your teacher say?"
"Nothing much, just mentioned some sports test and specifically came to inquire about my eye condition."
"Teacher Zhao is such a good person. He even came to a student's home to ask about their well-being. By the way, before you came back, he was helping me wash vegetables in the kitchen. He looks burly, but surprisingly meticulous at work."
Aunt wiped her apron with her hands, turned off the roaring range hood, and said to Lin Qiuye:
"Dinner is almost ready. Call your brother to join us."
"Alright."
After a while, the family of three gathered neatly around the table. Seven dishes were laid out on the table, a feast for the eyes and taste buds. Yang Jin couldn't help but salivate as he looked at the spread.
"Tomato and egg stir-fry, stewed chicken soup, dry-fried string beans... and sweet and sour spare ribs?!" Yang Jin looked at the table full of dishes and swallowed, "Mom, it's been a long time since our meals were this abundant!"
"Xiao Qi's eyes have recovered. This is a bigger celebration than the New Year. Of course, we need to make it grand!" Aunt said matter-of-factly.
Lin Qiuye lowered her head, looked at the eagerly wagging tail of Little Black, and smiled, "It seems that tonight, Little Black can also enjoy a feast."
"He deserves it." Aunt raised the tea cup in front of her with a smile, "To celebrate Xiao Qi's recovered eyesight, cheers!"
"Cheers!"
"Cheers!"
...
Under the dim clouds, the twilight had long disappeared, and the world seemed to be shrouded in a black veil.
Rain swayed in the wind.
Light sparkled in the distant downtown area.
In this short, old residential area, a figure wearing a dark red cloak was running in the rain, carrying a large suitcase in hand.
Raindrops fell on Zhao Kongcheng's face, even though it was summer, the rain carried an inexplicable chill.
"Are you sure the Ghost-Faced King is really coming in this direction?" Zhao Kongcheng frowned.
Through the earpiece, the voice of Wu Xiangnan sounded, "Not certain. Ten minutes ago, our search team found the Ghost-Faced King's bloodstains in the nearby sewer network. Judging by its traces, the destination could only be this old residential area or the city center."
"Two possible destinations?"
"Yes."
"What should we do? Split into two teams to guard?"
"In theory, yes. But the city center has a massive flow of people, and we can't easily evacuate them. If the Ghost-Faced King appears in the city center, it will not only cause a lot of casualties but also easily lead to panic. So, we have sent most of our forces to guard the city center."
"What about the old residential area? What if the Ghost-Faced King shows up there? People there will also be in danger!"
"The old residential area has fewer residents, more dispersed, and easier to evacuate compared to the city center. Besides..."
"Even if the Ghost-Faced King comes here, it won't cause much damage, is that it?" Zhao Kongcheng's voice carried a hint of anger. "These are still living people!"
"Calm down, Lao Zhao!" Wu Xiangnan's voice became extremely serious. "I have never said we would give up on the old residential area. Right now, Hongyan has already led people there, and you and your team's task is to evacuate the residents of the old residential area as quickly as possible."
"Also, even if the Ghost-Faced King really goes there, don't confront it directly. You can't handle the Ghost-Faced King. If necessary, activate the 'No-Ji Void Zone' to temporarily trap it."
Zhao Kongcheng slowly released his clenched fist, sighing.
"Understood."
Although there was some reluctance in Zhao Kongcheng's heart, he knew this was the most correct course of action.
After all, if the Ghost-Faced King were to go to the city center, where the population was so dense, it could easily hide in a dark corner, killing a few people to restore its strength. Moreover, once exposed to the public eye, it would inevitably cause panic.
So, no matter how many people were sent to the city center, it would never be enough.
On the other hand, the old residential area had fewer residents, and even if the Ghost-Faced King came there, it would take time to recover its strength. The chances of exposure were also much lower.
In this situation, it was already quite considerate for Wu Xiangnan to send people to the old residential area.
Now, Zhao Kongcheng had to make the most of his time to evacuate the residents of the old residential area.
It was a race against time!
Zhao Kongcheng's figure darted through the rain at an astonishing speed. Raindrops fell on the suitcase in his hand, creating sparkling water splashes.
Not far away, in the misty moisture, a familiar short building became clearer.
A few minutes ago, he had just come out of there.
Zhao Kongcheng's heart was filled with complexity. Calculating the time, that family should have started their dinner by now, right? He remembered there were sweet and sour spare ribs, tomato and egg stir-fry, and dry-fried string beans...
Oh, and he was the one who washed the string beans.
Damn it, just now he showed off in front of the kid, saying that he would take care of protecting the world. Now, he had to go knock on their door and ask them to evacuate...
Doesn't that make me lose face?
However, now was not the time to worry about face.
Zhao Kongcheng stepped on the rainwater and rushed forward. But at this moment, an extremely nauseating smell suddenly rushed into his nostrils!
His pupils suddenly contracted, and he abruptly stopped his steps!
Splash, splash, splash...
The noise of rain filled Zhao Kongcheng's mind. He cautiously and slowly turned his head, widening his eyes, fearing to miss any details.
Then, his gaze fell on the nearby manhole cover.
The stench became stronger and stronger.
Zhao Kongcheng tightly gripped the handle of the suitcase, took a deep breath, bent down slightly, and placed the suitcase on the ground.
He was well aware of what this smell represented.
"Report, Watcher Zhao Kongcheng, the Ghost-Faced King has been found in the old residential area..." He opened the earpiece, his voice calm.
As he spoke, he pressed the button on the suitcase.
Snap!
The suitcase popped open, revealing three neatly arranged and brand-new signboards inside.
Zhao Kongcheng picked up the three signboards, placed one on the ground, and then sprinted to the other side towards the third corner of the triangle!
Almost the moment Zhao Kongcheng finished speaking, the voice of Wu Xiangnan came from the other end of the earpiece.
"Received! I have
issued the order. The night watchmen are moving towards the old residential area, and Hongyan and her team will be there in no more than ten minutes!
Ten minutes! Lao Zhao, set up the 'No-Ji Void Zone' to temporarily trap it!"
Zhao Kongcheng put down the second signboard, ran towards the third vertex of the triangle, and reluctantly spoke:
"Xiangnan, the 'No-Ji Void Zone' is meant for concealing battles, not for trapping people. It won't hold the Ghost-Faced King for ten minutes."
Gurgle, gurgle, gurgle...
Rainwater flowed into the manhole at a slanting angle, but suddenly the entire manhole cover violently shook. The rainwater poured into it as if it were a boiling spring, madly surging outward!
"Regardless, don't engage in a direct confrontation with the Ghost-Faced King!" Wu Xiangnan's voice became noticeably anxious. "Lao Zhao, the old residential area is so large, even if the Ghost-Faced King comes out, it won't necessarily cause losses in a short time.
These ten minutes, even if it kills a few people, it won't recover too much strength!
Civilian casualties caused by 'Mysteries' are happening every moment, and we watchmen are not gods. We can't prevent all casualties. If we lose a core team member due to a seriously injured Ghost-Faced King, it's absolutely not worth it!
Lao Zhao, Lao Zhao! Can you hear me?"
Boom!
The manhole cover was thrown up like a cannonball, rising into the sky. From the dark sewer opening, a ferocious arm suddenly stretched out, followed by a monster several times larger than the original Ghost-Faced Man leaping out!
Zhao Kongcheng calmly watched this scene, slowly placing the last signboard on the ground, biting his fingertip, and smearing a horizontal line of blood on the signboard.
"Xiangnan, do you remember the oath you once made..."
Zhao Kongcheng stared at the Ghost-Faced King in front of him, squatting down slightly, casting a sidelong glance at the small residential building not far away.
"If the night turns dark, I will stand in front of thousands of people...
This time, there are no thousands of people behind me,
But,
Behind me...
Is the entire world of that child."
His hands suddenly clasped together.
An invisible canvas enveloped this small triangle.
"Forbidden Territory... 'No-Ji Void Zone'!"
