Spirit Realm Walker

A brilliant golden light shone into his sea of consciousness. Zhang Yuanqing felt the malevolent energy in his heart dissipate as he broke free from the spirit communion state. He saw Li Dongze in front of him, his clothes in a disheveled state. There was also pain all throughout his body, as though he had been on the receiving end of an inhuman beating.

”Really, every time a Nocturnal Specter devours the spirit of an Evil class, they go berserk,” Li Dongze commented as he tossed the Demon Subduing Awl back to Zhang Yuanqing, then straightened his clothing. He pulled out a pack of wet wipes from his pocket and handed them over. 

”Wipe away the blood from your nose. Always maintain a sense of elegance.”

Zhang Yuanqing accepted the wet wipes and cleaned away the blood, then he opened his status panel for a quick look. He had gained 5% experience, and was 52% to the next level.

Next, he sorted through the memory fragments.

The Psychic Assembly’s East Division had two vice presidents. One of them was Ghost Eye Judge, and the other was Outlaw’s superior’s superior.

The two vice presidents had been vying for the position of president both openly and in secret for years. After Ghost Eye Judge died, the other vice president tried to obtain the Holy Grail and the Registry in order to inherit his competitor’s legacy and consolidate the East Division under him.

He too was also searching for Black Wuchang.

The Psychic Assembly was truly powerful. There were two vice presidents, both high-level Spirit Realm Walkers, within the East Division alone. 

Zhang Yuanqing steadied himself and said, ”Squad Leader, I’ve discovered a major clue.”

He immediately told Li Dongze about what he had seen, and the list he had seen in the memory fragments.

Li Dongze nodded as he listened. When he heard about the list, his eyes suddenly lit up. 

”Very good. Excellent! With this list, we can conduct targeted investigations instead of running around like headless chickens. Indeed, those who understand our enemies best are the enemies themselves.”

”I keep feeling like something’s off,” Zhang Yuanqing said thoughtfully. ”First Ou Xiangrong, then Outlaw. It’s as if someone is deliberately feeding us clues.”

Li Dongze smiled and replied, ”You have good instincts. How about this? Write me an analysis report. Consider it a test of your abilities.”

Zhang Yuanqing’s expression instantly went blank. You elegant freak… you’re going to make me want to quit like this… 

”It’s a lucky break for Li Yuanfang,” said Li Dongze. ”Their Squad 2 accomplished something big.” 

Li Dongze sighed, said nothing more, and walked toward the door with the aid of his cane. 

When he opened the iron door, the Squad 2 members in the corridor immediately crowded forward, with the stern face of Li Yuanfang at the very front. 

”How did it go? Any clues?”

Li Dongze smiled and replied, ”We’ve obtained a list of Black Wuchang’s subordinates. This time, your Squad 2 has made a significant contribution.”

Li Yuanfang’s stern face broke into a smile. The rest of Squad 2 were also overjoyed, beaming with happiness.

The significance of this list was obvious. The more important the list, the greater their merit, and the better it benefitted the entire squad.

”However, the authenticity of the list still needs to be verified,” Li Dongze said gravely.

Li Yuanfang gave a steady nod, then his gaze drifted to Zhang Yuanqing, who stood behind Li Dongze. ”When we receive the rewards, we’ll set aside ten percent to compensate you. Thank you.” 

His tone was unusually gentle. Then he sighed with an envious expression. ”Squad Leader Li has great luck.”

The Squad 2 members looked at Zhang Yuanqing with eyes full of goodwill and recognition. No one opposed the captain’s offer of compensation, and considered it Zhang Yuanqing’s due.

***

It was dinnertime.

Zhang Yuanqing sat at the dining table, enjoying the meal his grandma had made.

Jiang Yu’er ate while scrolling through short videos on her phone. She wore a pink hoodie with two fluffy big ears on the hood.

He remembered when his aunt was eighteen or nineteen, she liked collecting black stockings and short skirts to showcase her mature charm.

After her 25th birthday, her clothing style began turning girlish, and she began to call herself ”little girl” or ”little fairy.”

The older she got, the more she liked acting young.

”Don’t play with your phone while eating,” Grandma scolded her.

”Just for a little while,” Little Aunt whined with a coquettish pout. 

She chewed her food and said, ”Yuanzi, I saw a mixed-heritage girl at the hospital today. She was really beautiful, and had an amazing figure. Do you know how old her husband is?”

That mixed-heritage girl not only has a great figure, thought Zhang Yuanqing, but is also very skilled at driving… 

”How old?” he asked, going along with his little aunt.

”He’s still a college student! And look at you, single even until now. You have no ambition at all,” Little Aunt said with some disgust.

Zhang Yuanqing gave her a sideways glance.

”Aren’t you single too? What right do you have to criticize me?” he challenged.

”What do you know? Me being single is a demonstration of moral integrity. You being single is just a sign of a lack of ambition.”

At this moment, Grandma chimed in and berated her daughter. 

”Even the Hegemon King of Western Chu couldn’t take that punch! How dare you criticize Yuanzi? He’s focused on his studies right now. What’s wrong with that? And what was that about moral integrity? Are you trying to become a saint? Keep going on blind dates next week. I’m not asking you to marry immediately, but at least find a boyfriend to date.”

Little Aunt diverted the potential disaster by redirecting it to her nephew. 

”I haven’t gotten promoted yet! I also need to focus on my career. You know, your grandson is thirty and doesn’t have a girlfriend either.”

Grandma found her comment reasonable. 

She looked over at Chen Yuanjun and said thoughtfully, ”Yuanjun, let Grandma arrange another blind date for you. Last time when I showed your photo to the woman’s family, they said they didn’t want someone older. Grandma thought they had no taste. I’ll have Yu’er photoshop your picture to look younger.”

His cousin’s mouth twitched, and the habitual furrows on his forehead appeared as he said gravely, ”Whatever makes Grandma happy. But I think Yuanzi has been sleeping during the day and gaming at night recently, without taking his studies seriously at all. University isn’t the end of learning, but the starting point for entering society. Now that big aunt is abroad, Grandma, you should supervise Yuanzi more closely. That PS5 should be smashed.”

Grandma heard this and found it reasonable.  

”All you know is to play games, you worthless thing! Are you forcing me to destroy your game console?”

No way, bro, that’s too underhanded… thought Zhang Yuanqing, his scalp tingling. Faced with Grandma’s endless nagging, he quietly summoned Little Goofball, and directed him to crawl onto Grandpa’s head. Then, calming his emotions, he personally took action and swapped away Grandpa’s hearing.

”Grandma, look at Grandpa. He doesn’t care about anything, and just lets you handle this entire household alone. That’s not fair.”

Little Aunt and his cousin looked at him in surprise. This kid was acting really boldly today.

Grandma immediately turned to look at Grandpa with a frown. 

”Old Chen, say something! Old Chen… Old Chen?”

Grandpa sat there with the round, adorable infant spirit on his head, completely ignoring her as he silently ate his meal.

Zhang Yuanqing quietly recalled Little Goofball, and Grandpa suddenly raised his head and furrowed his brow as if he’d just heard someone call him.

”What?” he asked in confusion.

”I’m talking to you!” Grandma said angrily.

”I didn’t hear anything.”

Grandma’s explosive temper erupted with unstoppable force.

”What do you mean “you didn’t hear anything?” Are you pretending to be deaf? All you know is how to take walks, play chess, and watch TV all day long. Am I supposed to be your Chen family’s servant? You won’t manage your own daughter, won’t manage your grandson, and won’t manage your great-grandson. Now I know who that family disgrace inherited his traits from…” 

Zhang Yuanqing lowered his head and went on eating, hiding his achievements and fame.

***

The roll-up door to Moss Pet Cafe was half-closed, and the interior was dimly lit. Orange halos and elm wood flooring created a soothing, tranquil atmosphere.

Steward-level figures from Fenghui District, Kangyang District, Jinjiang District, and Puning District had all gathered. There were eleven people in total. They sat around a round table with mugs of steaming coffee in front of them.

Without doubt, this was a high-level meeting. Anyone who could summon Stewards for a meeting had to be an Elder-level figure.

In the center of the round table, under the orange pendant light, a curly-haired poodle sat proudly upright, speaking in a human voice. ”Everyone’s here. I’ll keep this brief. The fall of Ghost Eye Judge has major implications. What have you discovered these past few days?”

This was an Elder of the Hundred Flowers Society, one of the people responsible for managing the fallout from the Ghost Eye Judge incident. He managed all the Spirit Realm Walker teams in the four districts above and was a powerful figure who reported directly to the Alliance Chief.

The other Stewards remained silent. The Fenghui District Steward raised his hand slightly and said in a low voice, ”My people killed a Hex Master today. He’s confirmed to be one of Hex King’s men, and they obtained a list from the spirit’s memories.”

He went on to describe the list.

The curly-haired poodle’s beady eyes shone with approval. ”Well done. Hmm, Hex Master spirits are extremely violent, and Taiyi Sect Nocturnal Specters pay a considerable price for communion with such spirits. I’ll arrange for compensation later.”

The Fenghui District Steward nodded, then added, ”I believe the Ou Xiangrong incident wasn’t a coincidence. He was bait released by Hex King, to let us know about Ghost Eye Judge’s fall. The Hex Master who was killed today was also Hex King’s subordinate. He wants to borrow our official powers to find Black Wuchang.”

Hex King was the other vice president of the Psychic Assembly’s East Division, and he and Ghost Eye Judge had been competing for the president position for quite some time. The two factions were like fire and water.

”When goals align, anyone can become friends. But the Fallen Holy Grail brings endless harm and must be kept by our official forces. It absolutely cannot fall into Hex King’s hands.” 

The curly-haired poodle’s beady eyes swept across all those present. ”Does anyone else have anything to add?”

The Stewards silently jotted down the list. 

A female Steward frowned and said, ”The truth about Zhao Yingjun should make us all vigilant. I suggest screening all members of the Songhai Branch, including Taiyi Sect Nocturnal Specters. There might be Psychic Assembly pawns hidden among them.”

The curly-haired poodle pondered for several seconds, then slowly nodded. ”In that case, we’ll need to use the Tiger Seal. I’ll submit an application to the Marshal.”

With the official business concluded, the poodle turned its head toward Fu Qingyang, who wore a white suit and had remained silent. ”I heard you recently recruited a promising Nocturnal Specter who cleared Sheling Tunnel.”

Fu Qingyang nodded slightly, then added, ”He also killed Ou Xiangrong.”

The curly-haired poodle said, ”A few days ago, Elder Hongying from Taiyi Sect contacted me, hoping that this Nocturnal Specter could be transferred over to them. I know Elder Sun said he didn’t want that young man, but the Five Elements Alliance and Taiyi Sect do have a signed agreement, after all.

”Personnel matters fall under Elder Hongying’s authority and Elder Sun’s words don’t count. Qingyang, what’s your opinion?”

Fu Qingyang replied flatly, ”Just turn her request down. If you find it inconvenient, Elder, I’ll make the call myself.”

A Hundred Flowers Society Steward let out a burst of laughter. ”It’s not a big deal. It’s just one Nocturnal Specter. Giving him to Taiyi Sect would be fine. Isn’t Elder Hongying’s favor more valuable? Besides, there are Taiyi Sect Nocturnal Specters stationed in each of our districts, and when we need their expertise, they cooperate actively. Isn’t that right, Old Zhang?”

Old Zhang was the Fenghui District Steward.

The other Stewards remained silent, refraining from expressing their opinions on such sensitive matters.

Seeing everyone looking at him, Old Zhang frowned. ”Since he’s under Centurion Fu, I won’t comment on personnel transfers, but I need to give feedback on the professionalism of the Taiyi Sect Nocturnal Specters. The dead Hex Master’s spirit wasn’t questioned by the Taiyi Sect Nocturnal Specter today. He refused to cooperate, using the poor condition of the deceased as an excuse.

”My Squad Leader had no choice but to ask Kangyang District’s Squad 2 for help. Hah, all it took was just one phone call. He came with no complaints whatsoever, and he’s only a Level 1 Nocturnal Specter. Personally, I think there’s still a difference between our own Nocturnal Specters and others’ Nocturnal Specters.”

Fu Qingyang was momentarily stunned. He hadn’t known about that.

After hearing Old Zhang’s words, several other Stewards expressed their views.

”I think we should keep him. It’s not as if Taiyi Sect lacks Nocturnal Specters.”

”Now is a time when we need personnel. Our own people are more trustworthy.”

The Hundred Flowers Society Steward looked embarrassed and said nothing more.

The curly-haired poodle nodded. ”Then we’ll keep him. I’ll deny Elder Hongying’s request. Qingyang, Taiyi Sect’s Ling Jun will arrive in Songhai with his team in a few days to assist us in hunting Black Wuchang. Since you two are peers and he’s one of the Four Young Masters, you should go receive him.”

Fu Qingyang gave a grunt of acknowledgement.