Chapter 109: A Stroll

Lan Qiqi fixed her gaze on Li Changqing for a moment before slowly saying, “This is our first time here, both of us. Why don’t we explore the town together?”

“Just the two of us?”

Li Changqing hesitated, frowning. He was unfamiliar with this place, and besides, this was the headquarters of the Bureau of Anomalous Investigations. Surely, it wasn't permissible to...

Lan Qiqi leaned in, sniffing the air around Li Changqing, her suspicion deepening. Then she said, “There's a strange scent on you. I imagine you wouldn’t want me telling anyone about it?”

Her implication was obvious. Li Changqing’s heart sank—had she discerned his identity as a jiangshi, a living corpse? If she had, shouldn’t she have informed Sima Xi, reported him?

Puzzled, he followed her out of the old, shabby inn.

The town's road was lined with dim streetlights, casting a yellowish glow.

“This is where the Bureau’s members’ families live,” Lan Qiqi explained as they walked the quiet street. “It’s not like the research institute or the Demon Prison—those heavily guarded places. Here, you can stroll or clear your head even at night.”

Li Changqing took in the town with curiosity as they walked.

“You’re quite bold,” Lan Qiqi suddenly stopped and turned to him, her eyes sharp. “I don’t know what brought you to the Bureau, but if you’re discovered, you’re finished.”

“I’m not interested in your reasons for joining. Help me with something, and I’ll keep your secret.”

Li Changqing’s brow furrowed. Being threatened did not sit well with him. He asked, “How did you notice?”

Lan Qiqi pointed to herself, pride glinting in her eyes. “I’m a witch. I deal with magical potions every day—my sense of smell is keener than any of the Bureau’s demon-hunting hounds. You’ve hidden yourself well, but unfortunately, you ran into me.”

“Don’t worry—your concealment is good enough that the Bureau’s detection won’t notice you.”

Li Changqing folded his hands behind his back and asked in a low voice, “What do you want me to do?”

Lan Qiqi’s expression turned grave. She pulled out a small, pitch-black box and handed it to him. “Later, when you’re in the Demon Prison, sneak this in and give it to the demon in Room 404...”

The Demon Prison was where the Bureau locked up demons—who knew how many evil creatures lurked within.

As Lan Qiqi spoke, Li Changqing realized that her motives for joining the Bureau were far from simple.

After discovering his secret, she was threatening him, forcing him to do her bidding?

---

She wanted him to do her dirty work?

Li Changqing took the small box. It was made of steel, about the size of a fist, with beautiful engravings on its surface. He casually opened it for a look—inside was a square black crystal, about the size of an adult’s thumb, exuding a faint chill.

“What are you doing?” Lan Qiqi’s eyes darkened at his attitude. “If you don’t do as I say, I’ll—”

“Miss Lan, have you forgotten something?”

“Now I know your secret as well.”

“You could expose me as a jiangshi, but your secret would be lost too.”

“Trying to smuggle something like this into the Demon Prison for a demon is far worse than my secret.”

Lan Qiqi bit her lip. She had indeed forgotten this in her rush. Clenching her fists, she said, “You promised to help me. How can you go back on your word?”

Though a witch, she was only eighteen or nineteen, without experience in the ways of the world; her thinking and temperament remained naive.

“I’m giving your box back, and I won’t reveal your secret either. We’ll go our separate ways,” Li Changqing said, tossing the box back to her.

She caught it, her expression growing heavier. As he turned to leave, she hurried after, grabbing his hand. “I can’t get into the Demon Prison—my skills are ordinary. But you’re a jiangshi. Maybe you can slip in undetected.”

“Sorry, Miss Lan,” Li Changqing replied, his tone serious. “I can promise not to betray your secret, but your business is none of mine.”

He turned and left, unwilling to involve himself in such trouble. Fortunately, Lan Qiqi was not shrewd enough; had it been an old hand at blackmail like Hu Xiong, he wouldn’t have had the chance to turn the threat around.

He returned to his door, about to unlock it, when the door to Hu Xiong’s room next door swung open. Hu Xiong’s face was grave. “Out so late—where were you?”

“Just out for a walk.”

“A walk? I saw you out with that Lan girl through my window. Changqing, you really shouldn’t be two-timing like this. If I told Tang Xiaoyu...”

Li Changqing rolled his eyes. “She just wanted to talk. We barely know each other, what could’ve happened?”

“Barely know her, yet you’re out walking at midnight?” Hu Xiong eyed him suspiciously. “That’s what every scoundrel says.”

Before leaving, Tang Xiaoyu had secretly asked him to let her know if Li Changqing was ever seen with another woman.

Truly, suspicion never comes out of nowhere.

Li Changqing gave him a look. “Go to bed already.”

Back in his room, he didn’t waste a thought on Lan Qiqi’s troubles—none of it concerned him.

A sprawling organization like the Bureau of Anomalous Investigations must encounter infiltrators like Lan Qiqi several times a year.

Li Changqing had no desire to report her. There was nothing in it for him, and it might only bring unnecessary trouble.

The next morning, Li Changqing woke to find shops opening in the town.

He and Hu Xiong crossed to the restaurant opposite the inn. It was a small place, with only a dozen tables, run by an elderly couple.

After ordering breakfast, Hu Xiong smiled and explained, “Their son works for the Bureau. They’ve been running this place for years.”

“Are all the townsfolk relatives of Bureau staff?” Li Changqing asked. “Weren’t all recruits in Division Thirty-Six supposed to be orphans?”

Hu Xiong shot him a look. “That’s just our division’s method. If only orphans were recruited, where would you find so many talented orphans?”

“Every year, the Bureau selects people with spiritual talent from all over the country to train. But there are many factors at play. Very few ultimately become combat personnel.”

“Spiritual power is one thing, but combat ability is another. Most people train for years, but when it comes to facing demons or monsters, they can’t make it through.”

“To truly fight monsters face-to-face—most people simply can’t bear the fear, the pressure. It’s a hurdle few can cross.”