Spirit Realm Walker

Zhang Yuanqing picked up one of the black jade stones, and a message popped into his field of vision.

【Name: Dream Entry Jade Talisman】

【Type: Consumable】

【Function: Dream Summoning】

【Description: A subsidiary item produced by the Nightmare Machine. Can open a dream corridor connecting to the main body.】

【Note: One day, a certain existence beyond comprehension happened to read a manga called ”X Dream Machine,” felt inspired, and thus the Nightmare Machine came into being.】

A prop from the Dream Domain. If he remembered correctly, dreams fell under the Illusionist class’s abilities. Was this Master Wuhen an Illusionist? Zhang Yuanqing tucked the jade talisman away and turned to Xie Lingxi beside him.

”Let’s go,” he said, then nodded toward the glamorous woman standing by the elevator doors. ”Sorry for the intrusion. We were never here today, and we certainly don’t know this hotel exists.”

The glamorous woman barked a short laugh. ”Smart kid!”

She pressed the down button and escorted Zhang Yuanqing and Xie Lingxi back to the first floor.

Only after they were settled back in the car, with the Wuhen Inn shrinking into the distance behind them until it vanished entirely, did Xie Lingxi finally let the tension drain from her body.

”Bro Yuanshi, that Master Wuhen has to be an Illusionist. A really, really high level one.”

She pulled out the black jade stone and sighed. ”I don’t even know if I should use this when danger comes.”

Although Master Wuhen hadn’t harmed them, the man was still an Evil-class Walker. That alone was enough to make anyone wary to their core.

”When it truly comes down to life or death, you’ll certainly use it,” Zhang Yuanqing said. ”It’s not like the outcome could be worse than dying.”

Xie Lingxi nodded, a touch of sadness creeping into her voice. ”When I was little, the elders always told me that Evil-class Walkers were blood-soaked criminals who deserved to be torn apart a thousand times over. But I never imagined that some of the people who’ve killed… Maybe they were forced into it. Maybe they had their reasons. They weren’t born villains. And maybe they want to redeem themselves too.”

Zhang Yuanqing found his thoughts drifting unbidden to Ou Xiangrong. That Enchanting Demon had suffered brutal bullying in school as a teenager with nowhere to turn for help, leaving deep psychological scars that twisted his mind until he finally walked down the path of no return.

If someone had reached out to him back then, perhaps the world would have had one less vicious criminal.

Ou Xiangrong certainly deserved to die. He had broken beyond repair, and become savage and bloodthirsty. But what about Ashamed Father? What about Evil-class Walkers like him?

”The Evil class is a karmic fire born from humanity itself,” Zhang Yuanqing said slowly. ”You can’t change the world at large, and you can’t change human nature. Thinking about it too much will only make you hate this world more and more.”

Disappointment washed over Xie Lingxi’s face. His words were realistic, but it made her feel powerless. She had expected Bro Yuanshi to offer her some comforting words of encouragement, the kind of warm reassurance that worked best at times like these because it could smooth over the weight pressing against her heart.

Zhang Yuanqing’s tone grew more hopeful. ”We might not be able to change the bigger picture, but we can change ourselves. Now that you understand Evil-class Walkers on a deeper level, I believe you already know how to face them properly. In the future, when you meet someone like Ashamed Father, offer what help you can.”

A sweet smile bloomed across Xie Lingxi’s face, then she slipped back into a deliberately delicate, girlish act and cooed, ”Bro Yuanshi, you’re so amazing. You’re not even that old, but you’re so decisive and sure of yourself. Not like me. All I can do is feel sorry for them.”

Zhang Yuanqing looked at the fragile, dainty girl who had put on her best helpless expression and was just about to speak when the speaker in his waist pouch suddenly crackled with static, and a deep, droning voice filled the car.

”Always looking so frail and pathetic… Always looking so frail and pathetic…”

The same line played over and over on repeat.

Xie Lingxi’s expression froze solid.

”Oh, that’s the item we found in the underground parking garage,” Zhang Yuanqing said, barely suppressing a laugh. ”It just randomly makes noise sometimes.”

Xie Lingxi felt like screaming.

***

The Xie family’s car dropped him off at the front gate of the Kangyang District Public Security Bureau. 

Before it left, Xie Lingxi popped her head out of the car window and waved. ”Bro Yuanshi, I’ll be in Songhai for the next few days. You have to come hang out with me when you’re free!”

”Sure thing!” Zhang Yuanqing replied non-committally with a wave of his hand, then turned and walked into the Bureau compound.

The moment he entered the glass building, a chorus of cheers and laughter hit him, noisy and festive, like a party was in full swing. What was going on? 

Puzzled, Zhang Yuanqing stepped inside and found the office area completely empty. All the young women on staff had gathered in the lounge, crowding around the Squad Leader, Guan Ya, and Wang Tai.

The tables were loaded with cake, gourmet food, and drinks—an absolute feast. Everyone held glasses in their hands or nibbled on delicacies, chatting and laughing. The atmosphere was electric with the sounds of celebration.

Li Dongze looked toward the door and led the applause. ”Oh, our hero of the hour has arrived! Everyone, welcome him!”

Thunderous clapping filled the room as the administrative staff beamed with warm smiles.

Zhang Yuanqing’s heart skipped a beat, and he ventured a guess. ”The bonuses and awarding of merit came through?”

Guan Ya smiled and nodded.

A grin spread across Zhang Yuanqing’s entire face, his eyebrows dancing with excitement.

”Oh my God, Lord above, did you hear my prayers?” he said dramatically. ”Yes, you absolutely did.” 

Li Dongze gave him a flat stare, tightened his grip on his cane, then let go and chose to throw himself into the party instead.

***

When the party wound down, Zhang Yuanqing waddled upstairs to the second floor with his round, stuffed belly, sank comfortably into his office chair, and asked, ”Squad Leader, what merit did I achieve, and how much bonus did I get? Is there an itemized list?”

Li Dongze glanced at Guan Ya, who opened her pink laptop and placed it in front of Zhang Yuanqing.

He quickly sat up straight and stared at the screen

【Clearing Sheling Tunnel: D-rank Merit, bonus of 50,000 yuan (individual award).】

【Killing Ou Xiangrong: D-rank Merit, reward of 300,000 yuan (team award).】

【Clearing Jinshui Amusement Park: B-rank Merit, reward of 500,000 yuan (individual award).】

Sheling Tunnel had been a Nocturnal Specter trial Spirit Realm, and its true value lay in securing a Nocturnal Specter for the Five Elements Alliance, along with intelligence about the Three Paths Mountain Goddess’s revival.

However, because that intelligence had been used to repay a favor, the Alliance hadn’t profited from it and gained no direct benefit, hence the D-rank Merit.

The merit for killing Ou Xiangrong was awarded to the whole team. Of the 300,000 yuan reward, Zhang Yuanqing received 100,000, while the remaining 200,000 was split evenly among the entire squad, including administrative staff.

Li Dongze was thrilled. When it came to merit earned by the team, the biggest beneficiary besides the person who earned it was the squad leader himself. The more merit the team accumulated, the better his chances of promotion.

This was exactly why squad captains like Green Vine and White Dragon were so envious of him. The more talented people under a captain’s command, the greater the benefits for that captain, and one exceptionally gifted subordinate could carry a captain to easy victories.

The B-rank Merit for clearing Jinshui Amusement Park was truly impressive. In theory, B-rank Merit was the highest merit an ordinary official Walker could attain. Even steward-level Walkers would covet being awarded B-rank Merit.

Put simply, the moment Zhang Yuanqing advanced to a Level 3 Nocturnal Specter, he was guaranteed a promotion to captain rank. Many Level 3 official Walkers were still stuck as elite members, unable to advance because they had not garnered sufficient merit.

Three Merit awards, and a combined bonus of 650,000 yuan. Good Lord, he had never seen that much money in his entire life. Zhang Yuanqing’s heart pounded wildly in his chest.

Guan Ya patted him on the shoulder and grinned. ”You ate way too much at the party today. Tomorrow night, it’ll be your treat. And I’m going to absolutely fleece you.”

Zhang Yuanqing shot her a sideways glance. ”Woman, who do you think you’re talking to? How dare you use such a casual tone with a man worth 650,000 yuan?”

Guan Ya ground her teeth. ”You cocky little brat!” 

Li Dongze watched the exchange with an amused smile and said, ”Your merit has been awarded, and your clearance level has been raised. You can now access higher level files. Go browse the information database when you get a chance.

”Also, your request to participate in the hunt for Black Wuchang was approved by Centurion Fu this morning. From now on, you’ll be working alongside me and Guan Ya.”

Centurion Fu approved it? A surge of delight rose in Zhang Yuanqing’s chest. Having a superior who values you is a genuinely pleasant thing. It means most of your requests will be granted.

He watched Li Dongze return to his office, then rubbed his round belly as a thought struck him. With his upgraded clearance, could he now find out information on Master Wuhen?

He immediately opened the official information database, logged in with his Yuanshi Tianzun credentials, and typed ”Master Wuhen” into the search bar.

Unlike last time, when the search had returned nothing, a result appeared.

【ID: Traces of the Past. Sovereign tier Illusionist. C rank wanted criminal.】

【Note: This individual once severely wounded an elder of the Crimson Fire Gang. Not prone to killing. Displays no strong hostility toward official organization personnel. If encountered, do not provoke. Simply avoid.】

Zhang Yuanqing’s eyes narrowed sharply.

Sovereign tier?