Chapter 13: Tangcheng Siye Society
After Professor Ma got into the car, he quickly fell asleep under the warmth of the heating.
He was, after all, in the late middle age and early elderly phase of life, and before leaving, he had been forcibly harmonized in spirit by his wife, which was understandable given his various aspects weren’t very enduring.
“Junior Brother, my teacher isn’t as incompetent as Professor Ma said. According to my master, they have a love-hate relationship, and their bond is stronger than gold.”
In the quiet car, Mao Sanyou suddenly said this, causing Luxianbei to pause slightly, stealing a glance at the sleeping Professor Ma.
A love-hate relationship, a bond stronger than gold? What kind of nonsensical phrase is that!
Describing two sturdy men with such terms feels almost like there’s an affair happening.
Could it be that when they were younger, they were like my father and Water Brother, sworn brothers?
Luxianbei compared the scene of his father and Water Brother scrubbing each other’s backs in a bathtub to the image of Professor Ma and Professor Hou doing the same, a chill suddenly ran down his spine.
d*mn, I might be bearing some things not suited for my age.
“Senior Brother, could you please turn up the heating a bit more?”
“Oh, sure.” Mao Sanyou adjusted the thermostat and continued, “My teacher actually envies Professor Ma. He’s been trying hard to surpass him for decades but has always fallen short.”
“…”
Luxianbei listened quietly, a rising doubt blooming in his heart.
Why is this guy telling me all this?
As if guessing Luxianbei’s thoughts, Mao Sanyou flashed him a bright smile through the rearview mirror, “You’re curious why I’m telling you this, right?”
Luxianbei nodded.
“I’m saying this to let you know that the relationship between the two professors is actually very good. We students shouldn’t let their superficial rivalry affect our relationships. This task is heavy, and I might not be able to manage it all alone, so I’ll need you to look out for me later. I really appreciate it.”
“…”
Luxianbei opened his mouth, intending to say something, but suddenly snapped back to reality, merely giving a perfunctory nod to Mao Sanyou.
This guy seems to be planning to dump all the work on me while he frolics off elsewhere, Luxianbei thought.
His suspicion was not without basis.
A guy who was sent to pick someone up at the airport but still left the person in the freezing five-degree wind to rush off and “rob” a star’s autograph—how reliable could he be?
But…
In terms of slacking off, who could outmatch Luxianbei from the Huacheng Siye Society, a professional slacker?
After exchanging a few casual words with Mao Sanyou, Luxianbei fell silent, turning his gaze toward the street outside.
Tangcheng, this place, should be considered northern, and this was his first time venturing this far in life.
He had initially wanted to take the opportunity of participating in a project study with Professor Ma to experience the wild winters of the north, but unexpectedly, he found a city quietly weaving a gentle dream, like a girl deeply hidden in a fragrant boudoir, far removed from the smoke-rain of northern lands.
Clearly northern, yet Tangcheng exuded a gentleness and elegance akin to the water towns of Jiangnan.
Luxianbei wondered if this had anything to do with the King of Urban Legends nearby, the Stinky Sister, who governed spring breezes and reproduction.
From the knowledge of the Great Serpent God and some publicly available files within the Siye Society, it was evident that the existence of the King of Urban Legends would impact the environment, climate, and even the cultural temperament of that area.
Just like the city plagued by the Pestilence Taijie had almost turned into a dead city, after Luxianbei became the King of Urban Legends, Huacheng’s climate had also noticeably become a bit warmer and drier, so Jumeng’s existence should have a special effect on this city.
But…
The temper of Stinky Sister was anything but gentle!
What on earth is going wrong here?
Luxianbei thought, feeling a bit worried that after long becoming the King of Urban Legends, Huacheng might transform into a runaway crazy donkey under his influence, galloping towards indescribable directions.
Lost in thought, an inexplicable chill rose from his back and spread throughout his body. Luxianbei was slightly startled, glancing quizzically at the car’s heating vent, furrowing his brow.
Warm air blew abundantly, and the drowsy Professor Ma was unbuttoning his collar from the heat, but Luxianbei felt no warmth at all.
It felt as if there was nothing left in this world that could warm him…
Suddenly, this thought flashed through Luxianbei’s mind.
——————
The car’s speed gradually slowed, eventually stopping in front of the Four Seasons Hotel by Kan Quan.
Mao Sanyou drove across half the city, delivering Luxianbei and Professor Ma to the hotel before he immediately found a “urgent business” excuse and hurried off.
The urgency in his demeanor was as if he was off to save the world.
Watching the old golden cup car gradually disappear into the wind and snow, Luxianbei shrugged.
Driving a golden cup car to save the world seemed pretty stylish.
After the exhausting journey, Professor Ma briefed Luxianbei about several relatively well-known antique trading spots in Tangcheng before returning to his room, while Luxianbei impatiently headed to the front desk to retrieve his parcel.
Tangcheng Four Seasons Hotel, Room 7022.
Luxianbei opened the parcel, took out the metal box, and laid out the “crafts” one by one on the bed. After confirming there were no damages, he repacked it before leaving the room and exiting the hotel.
With the core power of the urban legend’s body being limited, and being unfamiliar with the area, he felt a bit anxious. Now, however, with firearms at his side, he felt more secure.
He was a walking arsenal of the King of Urban Legends.
Nothing could be resolved with a box of alchemical bombs when it came to urban legends and spiritual ability users. If there were, at least Miss Qiu could buy him some time to escape.
……
Stepping out of the hotel door, standing by the street.
Luxianbei was currently looking down at the QianDu Map while thinking about whether he should first check those antique trading markets mentioned by the professors or report to the Siye Society, or perhaps find someone local, Jumeng, when suddenly a face intruded into his view.
It was a slender middle-aged man wearing a military coat, whose yellowed, rotten teeth from smoking, poked his head over to Luxianbei, grinning widely as he swept aside a collection of maps and tourism guides.
“Hey, young brother, here for sightseeing? Want to check out Lotus Seed Lake or Kan Quan first? Need a map and travel guide? Want a tour guide? Need a car rental?”
As he spoke, the man caught sight of the QianDu Map on Luxianbei’s phone, sneering, “That thing is useless. Following it will definitely lead you into a dead end.”
“Uh…” Luxianbei glanced at the map on his phone and then at the paper map in the man’s hands, recalling the unfortunate experience from years ago when he followed his father on a grand tour, getting lost on an overpass all day. He silently put away his phone.
In this godforsaken place of Tangcheng, with an abundance of ancient tombs enough to frustrate the city planning bureau, the roads likely wouldn’t be easy. Having a local guide might indeed be more reliable than any online map.
He looked at the man beside him, slightly raising an eyebrow, and asked, “I want to go to Peach Source. Do you have any suggestions?”
Upon hearing Luxianbei mention Peach Source, a flicker of wariness flashed across the man’s eyes. After covertly sizing him up for a moment, he asked, “What are you going to do there in this cold weather?”
“To see Magpie Bridge Mountain,” Luxianbei replied expressionlessly.
He had just been hesitating at the street corner about which place to go first, but the appearance of this man selling maps and tourism guides decided him—first, to find a local.
Finding Jumeng first, whether to understand why those relics had entered the market, or why urban legends have frequently occurred in Tangcheng recently causing the local Siye to issue a silver gray owl signal, would be much more convenient.
Magpie Bridge Mountain was actually the two famous mountains in the Peach Source scenic area, Luxianbei recalled hearing Jumeng mention it before, saying it was especially effective for couples seeking children.
Stinky Sister particularly loved watching others smile, so as long as married women prayed sincerely with a smile, what they hoped for would mostly come true if she heard.
Perhaps this is what they call, a smiling girl won’t have bad luck?
With a poker face like Luxianbei’s, Jumeng wouldn’t take a liking, so there was no need to worry about her bestowing miracles.
“Magpie Bridge Mountain, huh…” the man mumbled, waving his hand. “Then you probably can’t go this year!”
Luxianbei furrowed his brow slightly, asking, “Why not?”
The man shrugged, “It snowed heavily in the mountains a few days ago, collapsing several walkways in the scenic area. They’ve already closed it down, and no one can enter.”
“Not even climbing over the wall? Or are there some secret local paths for sneaking in? If there’s a will, there’s a way, right? Just name a price, and we can go as soon as it’s reasonable.”
The cost can be taken from the wool on the sheep; once I find Stinky Sister, she can reimburse me.
She had early on said that if I ever went to Peach Source, she would cover all costs—meals, lodging, entertainment, everything. The travel expense should be covered too… Luxianbei grumbled internally.
“I’m saying, little brother, you look young. Why are you into these shady tricks?” The man seemed a bit annoyed, looking at Luxianbei impatiently.
“I said you can’t go, just can’t go. Don’t you understand the mountains are closed due to heavy snow? Going in at this time is tantamount to seeking d*ath!”
Hearing this, Luxianbei frowned, lost in thought.
Why did this guy’s attitude suddenly turn so bad when talking about the Peach Source scenic area?
Stinky Sister wouldn’t really be in trouble, would she?
Previously, when Luxianbei was researching those relics that had flowed into the market, he had sensed something strange. Later, he heard that recent urban legends in Tangcheng had been frequent enough for the local Siye Society to issue a distress signal, prompting him to speculate whether Jumeng was experiencing some troubles.
Now, hearing the man’s words about the Peach Source scenic area being closed and his unwillingness to take him in, further confirmed his suspicions.
If that’s the case, should I…
Uh? Who’s Jumeng? I don’t know her! I’ve never heard of that name.
Seeing Luxianbei remain silent for a long time, the man grew a bit displeased and barked, “Hey, young brother, are you buying or not? If not, I’m leaving!”
Luxianbei cast a sidelong glance at the man and nodded, “Hang on a second, don’t rush me. I’m just carefully picking things out!”
The man was silent, thinking, what is there to pick with a few dozen bucks’ worth of items?
He was about to ignore Luxianbei and leave, when he suddenly noticed that, unbeknownst to him, Luxianbei had stealthily snatched the booklet he was selling.
In the next ten minutes, Luxianbei pretended to seriously rifle through the maps and tourism guides being sold by the man, mentally noting each map, then expressionlessly looked at the man.
“Alright, I’ve decided. I’m not buying. You can leave now!”
The man, “???”
Afterward, before the man could process what had happened, Luxianbei strode past him toward another vendor selling maps and tourism guides not far away.
“Sister, can you take me to Peach Source?”
“Not possible? Can I at least take a look at your maps and travel guides?”
From a distance, watching Luxianbei “visit” every vendor in front of the hotel, the man stood in silence, perplexed in the cold wind.
————
Half an hour later.
Luxianbei was escorted out from an old, dilapidated office building by two security guards.
“Get lost! If you come to cause trouble again, I’ll call the police!”
Standing in front of the old building’s entrance, Luxianbei looked back at the deeply shadowed doorway and the departing backs of the two security guards, scratching his head in confusion.
What the heck? What’s going on? Isn’t the Tangcheng Folk Culture Research Administration where the Siye Society is located?
Half an hour ago.
After inquiring with several vendors and confirming that the Peach Source was indeed temporarily inaccessible, and successfully snagging a complete map of Tangcheng for free, Luxianbei changed his mind and decided to report to the Siye Society first.
Recalling the map from memory, he set off from the Tangcheng Four Seasons Hotel and took about ten minutes to find the building of the Tangcheng Folk Culture Research Administration.
It was an old building that had been around for over thirty years, with its gray-white exterior painted with large red characters saying “Demolished.” Once inside, due to its design, the empty hallways were dimly lit, and the wooden doors on either side of the corridor were tightly shut, with the paint flaking off.
It looked like it could be a set for a horror movie, where they could quickly set up the scene and start shooting.
But what is the Siye Society? It’s a place dealing with urban legends.
The Huacheng Siye Society was even converted from an old ancestral hall!
So, Luxianbei didn’t find the eerie atmosphere in the Folk Culture Research Administration building strange, but rather somewhat familiar.
However, after wandering aimlessly in the building for over ten minutes, he finally managed to stop a seemingly friendly woman, only to find her utterly clueless.
……
Luxianbei pulled out the Gray Owl Badge in front of the woman, waving it, “Excuse me, do you recognize this?”
The woman was taken aback and shook her head, “No, I don’t know it.”
“Lady, do you know what this place is?” Luxianbei pressed on, “It’s that… it’s that one, right?”
The woman’s expression changed, appearing anxious, “Which one are you talking about? Young man, don’t mess around!”
“Uh… that would be the urban legend event!” Luxianbei frowned, “Was I not clear enough? How about this, let me tell you about an urban legend event I personally experienced?”
“Thinking back, my first encounter with urban legends was at an abandoned private middle school, where a hundred people died during a game of Ouija…”
“Hey, don’t go, lady! If the Ouija board doesn’t work, how about the killer pig from the slaughterhouse? That thing really eats people! Hey, hey, lady, what about the River God’s wedding? Interested?”
“Help! Security! Security, please!”
“…”
Watching as two elderly guards rushed over faster than they walked, Luxianbei fell into silence.
……
This was all about how Luxianbei tormented a woman in the old building and ended up getting kicked out by the security guards.
With two security guards watching him, he left the alley in front of the old building and walked out onto the street, and Luxianbei pulled out his phone to message Jiang Li.
Luxianbei: “Leader, isn’t the Tangcheng Folk Culture Research Administration the local office of the Siye Society?”
Three minutes later.
Dog Leader: “Of course not, what made you think that? Each Siye Society established in various places has a different location as long as it meets the criteria of reasonability and concealment. Therefore, depending on the situation, city Siye Society Headquarters could be set up in museums, mental hospitals, private detective agencies, etc.”
Dog Leader: “To be honest, did you not pay attention to the ‘Siye Association Operative Handbook’ I gave you earlier?”
Luxianbei: “…”
He had read it, but he was too focused on studying the hunting operation procedures for urban legends from the Siye Society, and the penalties for operative defection, preparing an escape route for himself.
Dog Leader: “[Location: Tangcheng Museum] Behave, go there on your own. Don’t bother me, I’m busy!”
Luxianbei: “…”
Something feels off!
Aren’t our character dialogues switched around?
————
The Tangcheng Museum was not far from the Folk Culture Research Administration, located just five hundred meters down the North Gate Street. Memorizing the Tangcheng map, Luxianbei walked through small alleys, and in just three to five minutes, he reached the wide street.
North Gate Street had long been one of the most prosperous streets in Tangcheng. Nowadays, even though it has declined due to the shift of the city center, the shops selling souvenirs and specialties, stemming from the museum as a tourist attraction, were still doing brisk business.
Aside from those souvenir and specialty shops, the wider spaces along the street occasionally featured some antique vendors selling items.
Many of these vendors were once street peddlers from Taohua Road Antique Street, who had moved here after the street’s cleanup, mostly dealing in fakes, and purchasing them would be a loss, whose criminal acts would take flight at the sight of urban management.
Luxianbei walked along the street toward the building that resembled a square bronze ding. Before reaching far, he stopped.
He heard a familiar voice.
“Don’t miss out while passing by! Limited quantities of signed copies from the popular star, hurry up!”
Following the direction of the voice, Luxianbei saw a tall man squatting by the street not far away, setting up a stall.
With his signature thick eyebrows and big eyes, how could it be anyone other than Mao Sanyou?
Luxianbei, “…”
Goodness, is this what you call urgent business?
This senior brother is indeed an unreliable bum!
