Chapter 24: Qin Nanzhu’s Consistent Naming Style
Twenty years ago, Huacheng fell into a period of chaos and darkness due to the downfall of Qin Nanzhu, attracting hundreds of spiritual ability users and urban legends.
Although it was not as significant as the recent Peach Source, during that era, the number of urban legends and spiritual ability users had not yet surged because the night had become long. A single sighting of a D-Rank urban legend event was enough to contact the “Closer to Science” program, resulting in three episodes.
In such a situation, after the news of Qin Nanzhu’s downfall spread, Huacheng still gathered an astonishing number of spiritual ability users and urban legends.
One can imagine just how enticing and maddening the things she left behind were.
The scene was reminiscent of the coalition of thirteen warlords jointly attacking Dong Zhuo; it could only be described with the word “chaos.”
At that time, the Siye Society was transitioning from an ancient grassroots organization dedicated to hunting urban legends to a semi-official entity. They had not yet fully gotten on track, and were still struggling with the repercussions of the fragmented Solar Eclipse Society. Constructing a city barrier, such a large-scale project, was utterly beyond their capacity to extend to Huacheng.
The main operatives of the Siye Society stationed in Huacheng consisted of only three core members: Guniang, Hualongyin, and Fu Zhengguo, along with one trainee operative, Lu Ming. With the remnants of Qin Nanzhu’s subordinates, there were no more than twenty combat-capable spiritual ability users and urban legends.
Faced with a vast number of enemies, without the chance for support from the Siye Society, it was nearly impossible for them to protect the tranquility of the city.
If the “legacy” left by Jumeng and Qunyang could be compared to a high-end buffet with top-quality ingredients and ample portions, then Qin Nanzhu’s “legacy” would need to be prefixed with “free” in front of this high-end buffet.
During that nearly month-long period, a sinister aura would gradually rise from the lifeless city each night in Huacheng.
Countless shadowy figures, some distorted and bizarre, some eerie and strange, and others ferocious and brutal, would appear in the streets and alleys.
Crying, maniacal laughter, spine-chilling chewing sounds, and piercing screams echoed through the city’s dark corners… various terrifying sounds reverberated.
However, after several days of bloodshed, with both sides suffering heavy losses, no spiritual ability users or urban legends found the “legacy” left by Qin Nanzhu, as if she had played a grand joke on everyone.
Thus, the coalition of thirteen warlords attacking Dong Zhuo quickly turned into a farcical drama.
Although a large number of spiritual ability users and urban legends left empty-handed, Bai Kai knew that Qin Nanzhu couldn’t possibly have left nothing behind; she must have hidden it in some unknown manner.
That couple was heartless; even if they were dead, obtaining benefits from them would not be easy.
Soon, among the urban legends born in Huacheng and about half of the external spiritual ability users and urban legends, those who realized they could not gain anything quickly scattered, disappearing without a trace.
The remaining half, facing the relentless retaliation of the “dad killer” Lu Ming, most of them could not last a year.
The endurance of most spiritual ability users and urban legends has its limits.
Lu Ming’s method of retaliation, which embodied the spirit of “leave immediately if a single strike doesn’t work, not seeking to k*ll, just wanting to make others uncomfortable,” was clearly beyond what they could tolerate.
Moreover, his timing for striking was often extremely precise.
Some of those urban legends and spiritual ability users were enjoying hot pot, singing songs, fantasizing about finding the things left by Qin Nanzhu, and returning home to become kings of urban legends.
Some, unable to endure hunger, wandered the midnight streets, seeking a lucky victim to prey upon.
Or they may have finally coaxed a female urban legend back to their lair, preparing to promote harmony within the tomb.
In short, whenever they were about to experience pleasure, that man would appear.
Bearing a baby on his chest and a bottle at his waist, he emerged from the shadows without warning, enthusiastically delivering a set of instant spell formula combos, regardless of how much damage he dealt to his enemies, and then turning to run.
The entire process usually began with the crying of the baby and ended with the sound of a violent explosion, taking less than five seconds.
Then…
The joy of the spiritual ability users and urban legends vanished; their happiness transformed into that of the man.
For a long time, urban legends who could cause children to stop crying just by mentioning their names would feel uneasy hearing a baby’s cry at night in Huacheng.
A year later, the Siye Society gradually extricated itself from the quagmire of the Solar Eclipse Society, erected a city barrier in Huacheng, dispatched or recruited operatives and special action teams, and conducted a sweeping cleanup of the remaining staunch ones, finally bringing the chaotic situation in Huacheng to an end.
Lu Ming also finally concluded his “sinful” career, resigning from his position in the Siye Society, and recommending Bai Kai to take over his job, starting to raise his child as an ordinary person.
It was also then that his child finally got a name—Lu Yibei.
Before that, in his obsession with revenge, he dared not name his child. When he was in close proximity to those spiritual ability users and urban legends, they could always know the child’s name through various strange means and cruelly curse based on that name.
Although Lu Ming had considered using overlapping curses to interfere with the fate trajectory before implementing the “Red Line Interference Plan,” he ultimately felt the risks were too high.
Lu Yibei did not know how close he had once been to a life filled with DEBUFFs…
————
Bai Kai pulled his thoughts back to look at Qi Dong and lowered his voice, “Are you saying that the place Xiao Bei is currently in is the treasure left behind by Wang Meili?”
“Her name is Qin Nanzhu!” Qi Dong corrected sharply.
Bai Kai pursed his lips, indifferent. “Although I know you don’t like that name, you have to admit that it was the name she chose for herself.”
“Ah, right, I remember how she introduced herself the first time I met her.”
At this point, Bai Kai gave Qi Dong a sidelong glance, his tone taking on a strange and mocking air, “Hello, I am Wang Meili, the beautiful beauty of the Saint King of Huaxia.”
Qi Dong’s mouth twitched; he could not refute.
Qin Nanzhu’s consistent naming style had always been like this.
If it weren’t for this, he and his three brothers wouldn’t have been laughed at by their clan for so long because of the names given by Qin Nanzhu.
He was the third brother among his siblings. His eldest brother was named Qi De, his second brother was named Qi Long, and his fourth brother was named Qi Qiang. Each name alone seemed normal enough, but when the four brothers were put together…
Better not to mention it!
To avoid Bai Kai continuing to dwell on this topic, Qi Dong took the initiative to steer the conversation back on track, “I’m not sure what exactly she left behind, but that place gathered so much of her effort, it must be something extremely important.”
Bai Kai nodded in agreement.
He vaguely knew that Lu Ming and Qin Nanzhu had been preparing something for their unborn child before her downfall.
However, he didn’t dare to say much or ask too many questions, fearing that knowing too much would leave him in a tight spot.
Moreover…
As Lu Ming’s best friend, he would unconditionally support whatever Lu Ming wanted to do.
Of course, the premise was that he would at least leave him his underwear.
As a man entangled in feelings and having mistakenly entered the path of a cowherd, autonomy over his underwear was the last stubbornness he had.
“And you should also know that when Nanzhu started constructing that place, the Siye Society Headquarters sent someone to warn her. After failing and falling, they also sent people to search for a long time.” Qi Dong continued.
“If this gets reported, even if it doesn’t leak, by the end, it might… In any case, we must not let the Siye Society tarnish the things left by Nanzhu.”
As he spoke, Qi Dong’s eyes gleamed with ferocity.
“Hey—!” Bai Kai sighed, “Didn’t my senior brother explain this to you many times? Why are you still so suspicious?”
“Do you believe that man’s words?” Qi Dong retorted, “I not only doubt the things they left for Nanzhu, but I even suspect that her d*ath is related to them.”
Regarding the specific details of Qin Nanzhu constructing that place, Qi Dong knew much more than Bai Kai.
He was well aware that what Qin Nanzhu did was highly dangerous; a slight misstep could k*ll many people, so once the Siye Society knew what she was doing, they would undoubtedly not sit idly by.
“Why do you suspect so much, yet still join the Siye Society?” Bai Kai retorted unkindly.
“You don’t understand, this is called infiltrating the enemy!” Qi Dong glared at Bai Kai, “If it weren’t for my lack of talent, I’d probably hold the inspector’s position now instead of your old friend.”
“Besides, if that man hadn’t come to me humbly asking for help, I wouldn’t have joined the Siye Society at all!”
“…” Bai Kai opened his mouth but fell silent, finally resignedly saying, “In any case, my senior brother wouldn’t do anything to harm Wang Meili.”
If the Siye Society really did something to this event concerning Wang Meili, with his temperament and abilities, he would have long become the president and undermined the Siye Society from within, Bai Kai thought.
“Hmph, wouldn’t do?” Qi Dong sneered, “If he wouldn’t harm Nanzhu, he shouldn’t have brought her out in the first place!”
Bai Kai, “…”
This time, it was his turn to be unable to refute Qi Dong’s point.
————
Qi Dong and Bai Kai spent more than five hours in the detention room before they were released.
This was not due to low efficiency on the police’s part, taking so long to confirm their innocence.
The main reason was that the police got stuck in the questioning of the parties involved.
It was exceedingly challenging to wake up the sleeping Gu Xiliu by normal means, and facing a delicate girl, the police could not resort to any severe tactics.
After several attempts, they ultimately had to give up and wait for Gu Xiliu to wake up naturally.
This wait lasted until dawn.
————
In the morning, just as dawn was breaking, in a luxury private room sealed by a spell formula in an underground entertainment venue.
Gu Xiliu looked somewhat aggrieved at the two gloomy-faced men opposite her, her eyelids drooping and body trembling.
Bai Kai the operative and Head of Qi approaching me, could it be because of the last time I slacked off during the night watch? Gu Xiliu thought.
That day, she had only wanted to take a short nap before heading to work feeling refreshed, and then by the time she arrived at the Huacheng Folk Culture Research Management Bureau, she had directly jumped over Bai Kai, and Jiang Li was almost done with her night shift.
After a long silence, Bai Kai and Qi Dong exchanged glances and nodded to each other.
“Gu operative, actually the reason we came to you this time is that we want you to help us with something.” Bai Kai said straightforwardly.
“Help? Oh?” Gu Xiliu sighed in relief but then frowned slightly and said weakly, “But, if it’s to help, I… might not be very suitable, right?”
In fact, Gu Xiliu still had some self-awareness, knowing that she often falls asleep without warning, so she tried to avoid making commitments to anyone.
Who knew when she would fall asleep next, or for how long? In such circumstances, promising others something could accidentally lead to disappointment, making her feel guilty.
So, as long as there was nothing that could make her flake, she wouldn’t flake!
“If it’s really impossible, you might as well find Jiang Li instead?” Gu Xiliu said weakly.
She truly admired and looked up to Jiang Li. In her eyes, someone like Jiang Li who could only sleep three to four hours a day and still help everyone solve a series of problems was almost like a fairy.
“No! This is something only you can help with.” Qi Dong said seriously, “We know that after you fall asleep, you often dream of a city. We need you to help us find someone in that city.”
“Eh?” Gu Xiliu was momentarily stunned, looking at the two with a shocked expression, “That city really exists? I thought…”
She thought it was just a dream, a dream that had troubled her for a long time.
She had once wanted to search for that city in her dreams, but after preparing the “sword” and shouldering her backpack, the moment she stepped out, she overslept, missed her stop, and got stranded at the Huacheng train station.
“Yes, that city indeed exists.” Qi Dong affirmed, taking out a paper filled with writing from his bag and handing it to Gu Xiliu.
“You just need to follow the methods on this paper, and you can connect with someone in that city while in your dreams, and through him, help us find the person we’re looking for.”
After hearing Qi Dong’s explanation, Gu Xiliu instantly regained her confidence and patted her chest, saying, “Don’t worry, leave this to me!”
“I might not be able to help with other things, but sleeping is something I’m very good at!”
With that, she closed her eyes, her body going limp, her head dropping suddenly onto the coffee table.
Seeing this, Qi Dong’s mouth twitched as he looked at Bai Kai, “What’s wrong with her…?”
Bai Kai shrugged, “As you can see, she’s asleep.”
Qi Dong, “…”
Just like that, she fell asleep? I™ didn’t even get to tell her who to look for!
————
Legend has it that there exists an urban legend called the “Tasmanian Devil,” known for its hellish-sounding screams.
Listening to the suona played by Bai Kai, Qi Dong covered his ears, his expression filled with disdain.
For a moment, he even doubted whether Bai Kai had secretly captured the power of the Tasmanian Devil.
Accompanied by the terrifying sound of the suona, Gu Xiliu woke up from her dreams for the fifth time.
Seeing this, Bai Kai quickly rushed over, grabbing her hands eagerly and asking, “How was it this time? Still no luck?”
Having Gu Xiliu connect with the subtle link to that city to find Lu Yibei seemed like a good plan, but when it came to putting that plan into action, Bai Kai and Qi Dong discovered the gap between ideals and reality.
All five attempts had, without exception, failed.
“Umm…” Gu Xiliu opened her bright eyes, looking at Bai Kai in confusion, lost in thought, before silently pulling out a pink butterfly-shaped spinning top from her pajamas pocket and gently flicking it with her fingertip, making it spin.
Today she had repeated falling asleep and waking up too many times and was already a bit unable to distinguish between fantasy and reality. To confirm her awakening, she needed to use some special little techniques.
Like a butterfly dancing gracefully, the spinning top twirled and gradually came to a stop after about ten seconds.
“Eh, I’m already awake?” Gu Xiliu murmured softly, turning to Bai Kai and shaking her head, her expression apologetic, “Sorry, still not working, it’s always just a little bit off.”
After pausing, she added, “I could get close to that city as long as I slept deeply before, but I don’t know what happened today. It’s like…”
“…like something is blocking me from getting closer.”
Something was preventing her from approaching? Bai Kai paused, turning to Qi Dong, seeking his opinion.
Qi Dong crossed his arms over his chest, shrugging at Bai Kai with a “don’t ask me, I don’t know” expression.
Although he knew a bit more than Bai Kai about the details of the city constructed by Qin Nanzhu, it was only limited to the general structure and potential dangers.
If Qin Nanzhu had secretly added some mechanism to prevent outsiders from forcibly entering during the construction, he had no knowledge of that.
What good are you if you know nothing? Bai Kai silently cursed, looking again at Gu Xiliu, and said seriously, “No problem, little dove, let’s continue, try a few more times. What if we get through?”
“Eh? More sleep? Can’t I…” Gu Xiliu was shocked.
For the first time in her life, she felt that sleeping had become a burden.
“Not allowed! This is what you promised me.” Bai Kai said seriously, “Don’t you admire Jiang Li? How about I arrange for you to execute a mission with her after this is all over?”
“Really?” Gu Xiliu tilted her head.
As a little fan of Jiang Li, although Gu Xiliu’s admiration had not reached a frenzied degree, she was still very happy at the thought of executing a mission with her.
However, since she had flaked on Jiang Li seventeen times, Jiang Li had stopped executing missions with her.
“Of course it’s true!” Bai Kai assured, “Let me tell you, she will become my goddaughter in no time. When that happens, can she not listen to me, her father-in-law?”
Hearing this, Qi Dong couldn’t help but roll his eyes.
How did that once naive boy turn into this? When deceiving a young girl, he didn’t even bat an eye!
Not to mention that Nanzhu’s son and Jiang Li’s relationship was unclear; when would it even reach a conclusion?
Even if it did reach a conclusion, could you command her? You two would probably end up being commanded by her together. Qi Dong thought with disdain.
“Umm…” Gu Xiliu hesitated for a moment and reluctantly nodded, “Alright, I’ll give it another try.”
With that, she closed her eyes, and soon her body went limp again, her head dropping down.
Just as Gu Xiliu’s forehead was about to touch the marble coffee table, Bai Kai swiftly shoved a pillow beneath her head.
As a high-level spiritual ability user, with the resilience of her body, the one to get injured in a collision with the marble coffee table would only be the table…
