**Chapter 39: Which Outfit Should I Choose?**
Stepping out of the half-finished building and walking towards Huacheng University, Luxianbei remained silent as he pondered.
Although he had long guessed from Miao Xiaoqi’s words that his father’s d*ath was related to the Solar Eclipse Society, he had not expected the connection to be like this.
But why would the Solar Eclipse Society imprison his father’s soul?
And where was this imprisonment taking place?
This information could certainly not be investigated within the Urban Legends Chat Group; even if it could be, the cost to obtain it was likely beyond what he could bear.
Just as the Siye Society had ways to prevent the Void from stealing important information, the Solar Eclipse Society likely had similar methods.
At this point, he would have to find a way by himself. For example… infiltrating the Solar Eclipse Society?
He wasn’t even sure what the conditions for joining the Solar Eclipse Society were. Would it require an oath to some entity like the Miracle Cult? If that were the case, it would be quite troublesome.
d*mn, if only the Solar Eclipse Society had a fixed recruitment consultation office.
But this kind of thing couldn’t be rushed.
The Solar Eclipse Society was like a tumor deeply entrenched in this world, and the Siye Society couldn’t deal with them in the short term. With his current strength, he surely couldn’t pose any threat to them.
Right now, what was more urgent was to complete the Ling Tai Purification and investigate Zhang Shuo’s movements. The former would enhance his strength, while the latter could help him understand the cause of his father’s d*ath.
“Ha—!”
After a burst of high-speed thinking, Luxianbei took a few deep breaths, slapped his cheeks with his hands, and forced himself to calm down.
“Forget it, thinking too much right now is pointless. If I act impulsively, like a headless fly, I could accidentally lose my life, and that would be not worth it…”
If Luxianbei used to only think about surviving out of a love for life, now he had one more reason to stay alive no matter what.
As long as he was alive, there would come a day when he would have enough strength to investigate everything and allow his father’s soul to be free again. But…
Before that, if he could cause a bit of trouble for the Solar Eclipse Society, he must not miss the opportunity.
There’s a saying, “A petty person seeks revenge day and night.” Who isn’t a petty person after all?
Hmm, I’ll start focusing on this when I return from Dachunyang Palace! I won’t k*ll him, but I can certainly make his life uncomfortable!
Luxianbei thought fiercely, then lifted his head and saw he had already arrived at the College of Arts and Literature Experimental Building. He steadied himself, took a few deep breaths to adjust his state, and went upstairs to find Professor Ma.
He was accustomed to leaving his sadness for himself.
————
10:47 AM, just after the first major class of the day at Huacheng University.
Professor Ma returned to the laboratory, organized his lesson plans, brewed a cup of fine Biluochun tea, took out a rubbing of a stele, sat down at his desk, opened his computer, and clicked to play the latest recording of the popular radio program—”Old Zhang’s Urban Legends Story Club,” beginning to enjoy a brief moment of leisure.
Listening to the radio program while flipping through the stele rubbing like a magazine was Professor Ma’s simplest form of relaxation.
[“The friends you grew up with might not be alive.”
When that mysterious girl first told me this, I laughed it off and changed the subject.
How could they not be alive?
But what I didn’t expect was that the frightening events were just beginning, and a strange vortex quietly closed in on me.
My friends seemed to really be a bit abnormal…”]
“Mm, mm!”
Listening to the radio host talk in a deep and booming voice, recounting seemingly personal stories at a leisurely pace, Professor Ma took a sip of tea and nodded in agreement.
It was too normal for a long-time friend not to be human; I have a student who also…
“Knock, knock, knock—!”
Just as Professor Ma was deeply engrossed in the story of “Old Zhang’s Urban Legends Story Club,” the laboratory door was suddenly knocked on, causing his body to stiffen momentarily.
“Come in.”
With a slightly trembling response, the door opened, and Luxianbei walked in.
“Oh? Luxianbei!” Professor Ma smiled and said, “What brings you here? I remember your class didn’t have a course this morning, right? Is there something you don’t understand in the material I gave you?”
Luxianbei did not reply but looked at the computer expressionlessly. Hearing the familiar voice from the speakers, the corner of his eye twitched slightly.
Noticing his gaze, Professor Ma chuckled dryly, “Haha, this… this radio host’s urban legends are particularly interesting, but I think his stories are all made up.”
“You’re the expert in this area; how much truth do you think there is to these stories?”
“…” Luxianbei pondered for two seconds, “How should I put it? Probably, half true, half false…”
The urban legend events were real, but his own involvement was false.
The second car god of Huacheng, fleeing from danger, wasn’t just an empty boast about his driving skills.
“I knew there was some degree of fabrication in this story!” Professor Ma took a sip of tea and pouted.
“How could that little girl always happen to encounter urban legends? I suspect this is really just his own experiences, and that little girl might even be something he made up.”
Luxianbei, “…”
But… well, as long as you’re happy.
Seeing that Luxianbei had not spoken, Professor Ma scrutinized him and slightly frowned, silently shelving his thoughts of continuing the casual chat.
Though Luxianbei showed no expression, Professor Ma could still detect fatigue and sadness from his years of experience in reading people.
“Luxianbei, you don’t seem very happy? Did you run into something? If you don’t mind, you can talk about it. I might be able to help.”
“I…” Luxianbei hesitated to speak.
He had thought that, after the farewell with Mrs. Wang Meili, he would be able to face the reality of his father’s passing with composure. And before coming to find Professor Ma, he had even mentally prepared himself enough to comfort himself.
However, Professor Ma’s concern still made him feel warm, and his dim eyes regained some brightness.
But…
It was quite absurd that Professor Ma could still see his low spirits from his expressionless face.
It was just as ridiculous as some people being able to recognize individuals by looking at their legs.
“What’s wrong with you? Just say what’s on your mind!”
“You kids nowadays! Always so strong-willed, preferring to bear everything alone. You and Jin Yecheng are both like this; it really worries me!”
Professor Ma thought of Jin Yecheng’s recent strange behavior and shook his head helplessly.
“Uh, Professor, may I ask what’s wrong with Brother Jin recently?” Luxianbei probed.
Professor Ma pouted, “That guy! I don’t even know what he has encountered. He’s not only become a vegetarian but is also waking up early and working out at the school gym every day, meticulously handling the work assigned to him, completely transformed from his previous timid, procrastinating self.”
“Logically speaking, it’s something to be happy about to see one’s student make such positive changes, but his sudden care for the underclassmen is strange. Serving food, answering questions, taking notes… When I asked him if he had encountered something, he wouldn’t say.”
“Just a few days into this incident, and students have started to avoid him unintentionally. The key is they can’t escape, which sounds terrifying, you know?”
Having heard the gossip, even when I was alone with him in a room, I felt somewhat uneasy… Professor Ma added silently in his mind.
“Luxianbei, do you think he encountered some urban legend event? Don’t let it turn out like Luxu did…”
Mentioning the student who tragically met his end due to bamboo slips, Professor Ma sighed heavily and looked sorrowful.
Luxianbei, “…” Brother Jin, are you headed down the path of XX?
He imagined having an overly enthusiastic, almost stalker-like senior suddenly popping out from dark corners, blindly trying to “take care” of him, and felt a chill run down his spine.
In this world, most of the time, excessive enthusiasm becomes a burden to others and is often viewed with suspicion.
Luxianbei steadied himself, looked at Professor Ma, and assured, “Professor, don’t worry. Brother Jin is definitely normal; there’s no problem at all. I think he’s just suddenly awakened, becoming proactive and helpful, so don’t take it too seriously.”
Seeing Professor Ma open his mouth, wanting to say something, Luxianbei hurriedly interjected, changing the topic, “Oh right! I came to tell you that I will be leaving Huacheng tomorrow to… take care of some matters.”
Professor Ma, who had been “interrupted in casting,” stood there dumbfounded for a second, then said earnestly, “Luxianbei, I understand the things you are about to do may not be convenient to tell me, but…”
He paused and changed his tone, “Forget it, saying too much becomes annoying. You didn’t come to me just to say goodbye, right?”
“Uh, you noticed?” Luxianbei scratched the back of his head, “I was actually hoping you could help me cover for something.”
Upon hearing this, Professor Ma’s face showed a hint of displeasure. “What do you mean? Do you want me to help you lie? No, I can help with other things, but I absolutely won’t assist in any deception!”
“Professor, you misunderstood, that’s not what I meant!” Luxianbei explained, “What I mean is, even though I will be gone, I can still be considered as not gone…”
“What do you mean?” Professor Ma was a bit confused, looking at Luxianbei with a face full of questions.
“Uh…” Luxianbei pondered for a few seconds, “Forget it, it might be a bit complicated to explain. I’ll just show you directly.”
“Let me give you a heads-up; you might want to prepare yourself mentally for what’s coming. Even if you’re scared, try not to scream.”
“Haha!” Professor Ma laughed heartily, “What’s there to be afraid of during the daytime? Besides, I’ve experienced urban legend events several times already.”
“This time is different,” Luxianbei said.
“How is it different?”
“Uh… Just prepare some antihypertensive medication, alright?”
Professor Ma smiled wryly and shook his head, took out the antihypertensive medication from his jacket pocket, and placed it on the table, “Will this be enough?”
Luxianbei glanced at the antihypertensive medication on the table, nodded, drew the curtains, locked the door, and then turned toward the laboratory’s bathroom.
Professor Ma stood up, propped his hands on the desk, slightly inclined his body, and stared intently at the closed bathroom door, waiting silently.
After a short while, the bathroom door opened, and Luxianbei walked out unchanged.
Looking at the perfectly normal Luxianbei, Professor Ma frowned slightly, filled with confusion.
Wasn’t he just like earlier? What was there to be afraid of?
And why did he ask me to prepare antihypertensive medication…
I was expecting at least to see his Nightfall Syndrome manifest in an adorable way!
As Professor Ma pondered, the bathroom door opened again, and another Luxianbei emerged. His eyes widened in an instant, and his breathing involuntarily quickened.
The two Luxianbeis stood side by side with almost no differences, creating an eerie visual, reminiscent of the 57th chapter of “Journey to the West.”
“Professor, roughly speaking, this is how it works… You can understand it as a kind of clone technique. When I leave, I’ll leave him here in the school to help me with classes.” The two Luxianbeis spoke in unison, sounding almost as if there was an echo.
“However, there’s a slight issue with this clone. I’m worried something might go wrong, and I’ll need your help to cover for me.”
Upon hearing this, Professor Ma immediately became alert. “A slight issue? That could be quite a problem!”
As everyone knows, in the story about the fake Monkey King, that problematic monkey almost killed the “teacher”…
“It’s really a minor issue!” Luxianbei urged, “If you don’t believe me, let me show you how it works…”
As he spoke, he willed the human-like 1:1 replica of Zhipianxian into action, taking steps towards Professor Ma.
Just a few steps out, his body started to convulse as if having a seizure, his lower body suddenly froze, while his upper body leaned forward, stretching out its neck, tilting its head, and grinning with a smile sufficient to give a child nightmares for several days.
The dim light in the laboratory cast large shadows over that face.
Seeing this, Professor Ma’s pupils constricted fiercely as he silently picked up the antihypertensive medication from the table, opened the lid, poured out two pills, and placed them in his mouth.
It turned out that the eerie, twisted, and rigid smile that looked unhuman not only gave children nightmares but also affected the elderly.
However…
Even though Luxianbei currently controlled Zhipianxian, which twitched occasionally while walking and had a somewhat strange smile, it was a huge improvement compared to just a few days ago when he could hardly walk properly.
“Glug!”
Swallowing the pills, Professor Ma closed his eyes, took a few deep breaths to regain his composure, and then pointed at Luxianbei, saying with a slight anger, “You little rascal! If you plan to leave, then leave! Don’t leave such a monster in the school; it will disrupt the learning of other students!”
“Professor, I’m not that skilled in controlling the clone yet!” Luxianbei explained, “Don’t worry, just give me another two or three days, and I’ll master it completely.”
“Besides, I usually don’t interact much with my classmates. I have my face paralysis; with the hospital’s injury proof of aftereffects, as long as I’m careful, no one will notice anything out of the ordinary.”
After speaking, seeing that Professor Ma remained unmoved and didn’t even glance at Zhipianxian, Luxianbei focused his thoughts, causing Zhipianxian to move forward, its limbs coiling around Professor Ma’s hands and feet like boneless snakes, its neck wrapping halfway around his back, and whispering sweetly in his ear.
“Professor~ I’m begging you, please~!”
“Professor~!”
For some reason, controlling Zhipianxian to do such things had become strangely familiar to him, even with exquisite technique.
With that haunting voice in his ears, it was mind-shattering.
Professor Ma instantly got goosebumps, feeling as if he had contracted a seizure from Zhipianxian’s presence, his body twitching as he hurriedly said, “Stop, stop, stop! I agree, I agree!”
“Thank you, Professor!”
Luxianbei cheerfully replied, freeing Zhipianxian from Professor Ma, and continued, “Also, this clone can get wet, but it must absolutely avoid fire. Please keep an eye on it, and…”
Listening to Luxianbei outline the precautions for the clone, Professor Ma raised a hand to his forehead, rubbing his aching temples.
What on earth have I done to deserve this student?
——————
In the afternoon, at Amber Hall, in the study.
Bright sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, shining on Jiang Li’s silvery white hair, giving it a faint golden hue. She sat at her desk, carefully flipping through various records about the Xiezhi.
While spiritual ability users could unleash 70-80% of the power of their spirit patterns after completing the drawing and going through a short adaptation period, mastering the full power of their own spirit patterns was a long process.
It’s like learning to use a tool isn’t difficult, but mastering it to such an extent that you create extraordinary results is quite challenging.
Delving into urban legend tales related to the authority corresponding to spirit patterns was akin to studying an instruction manual, helping spiritual ability users quickly achieve mastery over their spirit patterns.
Therefore, even before advancing her spirit patterns, Jiang Li started studying in advance to ensure that once she completed her progression, she could return to Huacheng sooner.
“Knock, knock, knock—!”
A tapping sound came, and shortly after, the door to the study was gently pushed open.
Ahua came in holding a tray, placing a cup of strong tea beside Jiang Li, and then stepped aside, quietly standing with her lips slightly parted, wanting to say something.
Out of the corner of her eye, Jiang Li glanced at Ahua, put down the materials in her hand, and turned to ask, “Ahua, is there something else?”
“Miss, I remember you have a date with that guy this afternoon, right?” Ahua asked, looking nosy.
“Yes, so what?” Jiang Li replied calmly.
“Well, don’t you want to prepare a bit?” Ahua reminded her, “There are only two or three hours left.”
Jiang Li tilted her head, seemingly unconcerned, and said, “There’s nothing to prepare; it’s just a meal.”
“But…” Ahua hesitated.
No, wait! According to the young lady’s personality, when going on a date with someone she liked, wouldn’t she at least take an hour or two to prepare?
Why does she seem so indifferent…
Could it be that I misunderstood? The lady actually has no interest in that boy? Ahua thought.
“Alright, just leave me be. If you’re too bored, you can go find Qing Sister to help her out. She’s been overwhelmed lately dealing with the aftermath of the Nightfall Syndrome epidemic,” Jiang Li said softly.
“Oh…” Ahua replied, “Then I’ll go busy myself, Miss.”
“Mm, go ahead.” Jiang Li nodded and refocused on the materials in front of her.
After taking a few steps outside, Ahua looked back reluctantly and let out a silent sigh, quickening her pace.
Once Ahua’s footsteps finally faded in the corridor, Jiang Li maintained her composure, putting down the materials as if she had been sitting for too long, getting up to stretch her body with a natural movement, and then strolled toward a side door in the study leading to her bedroom.
“Creek!” The door opened, revealing an unusually messy bedroom unlike usual.
JK outfits, formal dresses, casual wear, lolita skirts, black stockings, white stockings, knee-high socks… Sensual, cute, dignified, glamorous… various styles of clothes were discarded everywhere after being tried on.
The rummaged shoe boxes were piled in a corner like a small mountain, and various shades of lipstick lined the dressing table.
In the air wafted an intensely overpowering scent, likely a mix of a dozen different perfumes.
Looking at the chaotic room, Jiang Li propped her chin on one hand, her expression serious and contemplative, as if considering a major life decision.
“Which outfit should I wear?”
No pigeons…
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This chapter is relatively long. I wanted to finish writing the date, but the word count exceeded my expectations a bit. I’ll update a little later…
Uh, you can also check it in the morning? @@
