Chapter 19: The Voice of the Wind
Chapter 19: The Voice of the Wind
On the 14th day of the sixth lunar month, the entire school was on holiday.
To be more precise, the whole nation was on holiday.
From the 14th to the 18th of each lunar month, which is three days before and after the 15th day, the entire society was put on hold, except for specific departments on duty.
The five-day vacation was an official regulation and a social custom.
"Woooo~"
"Boom!"
The morning alarm, accompanied by the rumbling of muffled thunder, woke Lu Ran from his deep slumber.
"Hmm," Lu Ran rubbed his eyes drowsily, picked up his phone from the bedside, and checked the time.
It was exactly 7:00 am.
Although the Demon Clan would appear on the night of the 15th day of the lunar month, on the 14th, the authorities would sound the alarm to warn the citizens.
"Divine Sheep, good morning," Lu Ran got out of bed and went to the shrine as usual to pay his respects.
Since the Evil Dog Village assessment, the Divine Sheep had not manifested for a long time.
In fact, this was the demeanor a deity should have; how could the divine beings above be at the beck and call of mortal followers?
"I feel like I'm about to advance to the third tier of the Mist Realm," Lu Ran muttered to himself, hoping the deity could hear him.
Ever since his advancement on the fifth day, Lu Ran had been diligently cultivating, and even on the martial arts ground, wisps of mist would surround him.
Now, the mist within him had been compressed to a certain extent.
His body was nourished by divine power, becoming stronger and more robust, fully prepared for the advancement to the third tier of the Mist Realm!
Lu Ran was filled with anticipation, "Then, I'll be able to cultivate the Divine Technique: Immortal Hoof."
However, the jade sculpture of the Divine Sheep within the shrine remained silent.
Lu Ran waited for a while, confirming that the Divine Sheep had no instructions, then he bowed respectfully.
After that, he took a step to the side and went to the window.
The deep and prolonged alarm continued to echo through the city, creating a more oppressive atmosphere in the already gloomy, rainy day.
"It's raining again," Lu Ran said, gazing at the rain-soaked Rain Alley City from his window.
The weather forecast predicted clouds for tomorrow, but Lu Ran wondered if they would be able to see the full moon.
Lu Ran took a deep breath and turned to the bathroom to freshen up.
A few minutes later, he left home with an umbrella and a wooden sword in his hand.
The rainy Rain Alley City seemed desolate and bleak.
Compared to the previous days, there were significantly fewer pedestrians on the streets, and the shops along the road were all closed.
Lu Ran searched for a long time before finding a small store that was still open, where he bought a box of milk and a can of fish.
His destination was still the Wuli Riverbank, the abandoned residential area.
Lu Ran had two reasons for coming here: to pay respects to his late father and to look for the little tabby cat he had been thinking about.
Ever since they parted ways on the sixth day, Lu Ran would intentionally pass by this place on his way to school every day.
On the sixth day, Lu Ran was so distracted by Wu Shanshan's departure from the team that he accidentally let the tabby cat escape.
After returning home, every time he thought about the little cat, Lu Ran felt worried.
It was difficult for stray cats and dogs to survive the night of the 15th day of the lunar month safely.
Unless they were taken in by kind-hearted people or managed to sneak into a citizen's home and hide near the divine statues in their shrines, their fate was uncertain.
"Mee~"
In the drizzle, Lu Ran held his umbrella and arrived at the abandoned residential area along the Wuli Riverbank, overgrown with weeds.
He meowed all the way, from outside the building to inside, and finally to the dilapidated seventh-floor rooftop.
Unfortunately, the tabby cat was nowhere to be seen.
"Dad, the tabby cat isn't here again," Lu Ran said as he placed the milk and fish on the rooftop fence. "Here, have some food."
Lu Ran closed his umbrella, exposing himself to the rain once more.
"Eat quickly, and then I'll have some too," Lu Ran said, gripping his wooden Tang Crossblade and imagining a hypothetical enemy to start his practice.
Thanks to the cat, for several days now, their breakfast had been fish.
Lu Ran was getting a bit tired of it.
As for his father, well, it didn't matter.
Whether he liked it or not, he couldn't say anything anyway~
"Lu Ran?"
Suddenly, a voice called out from the rooftop entrance.
"Huh?" Lu Ran turned around and saw a tall figure wearing a yellow raincoat.
Lu Ran was startled!
Was this, um, a little nightmare?
The little guy had grown so much, and what a figure!
Lu Ran wiped the rain from his eyes and confirmed that the person was still there.
For a moment, his heart was in his throat! How could there be someone in such a desolate place, and they even knew his name!
Could it be some kind of demon that had descended early?
The woman reached out and grabbed the hood, lifting it to reveal an East Asian face.
Lu Ran was even more bewildered.
The woman before him was stunningly beautiful, and just like her yellow raincoat, she stood out brightly in this hazy world.
"Rain Alley Sister?" Lu Ran exclaimed in disbelief, "What a coincidence?"
"What coincidence?" Deng Yuxiang glanced at Lu Ran, "I followed the sound of the sheep's bleating to get here."
Lu Ran: "..."
"You're quite brave." Deng Yuxiang strode onto the rooftop, "It's the fourteenth day of the lunar month, and you dare to come to this desolate area?"
"This is my secret training ground." Lu Ran held the wooden sword and pointed to the south, "Look over there."
"Hmm?" Under the hood, the woman's pitch-black eyes pierced through the rain, gazing towards the south.
In the hazy rain, the Wuli River flowed majestically.
The scene was grand and spectacular.
"The view is indeed beautiful." Deng Yuxiang gazed into the distance and asked, "Tomorrow, you'll be participating in the city defense task with Deng Yutang. How well-prepared are you?"
"I'm doing okay. I was thinking of practicing some more today to maintain my condition." Lu Ran asked in confusion, "How did you end up here, Rain Alley Sister?"
Deng Yuxiang didn't respond but shifted her gaze towards the milk can on the stone fence.
"Do you want it, sister?" Lu Ran quickly understood, "It's yours."
Deng Yuxiang smiled and rolled her eyes.
Did I climb seven floors just to fight you for milk and fish?
Deng Yuxiang turned and walked towards the hallway, and her voice drifted back, "Take your snacks and go home to practice. Don't linger outside."
Snacks? Lu Ran felt a bit uncomfortable.
That was Lilac's cat food, a gift from my dad, and my breakfast!
Lu Ran mumbled to himself, "You haven't changed at all." Then, he continued practicing with the sword on his own.
A few days ago, after dropping him off at his doorstep, she had floored the accelerator, and the sports car roared into the rain.
Now, she had left again after saying a few words, not even giving him a chance to chat. She was truly efficient.
Lu Ran hadn't expected that just a minute later, Deng Yuxiang would return to the rooftop, "Do I have to send you home?"
"No, no." Lu Ran shook his head repeatedly, "I'll go back right away."
Deng Yuxiang smiled, "I've figured you out, kid. You're just good at talking, right?"
Lu Ran sighed, "I'll stay a little longer, just a short while."
What if Lilac shows up? Deng Yuxiang nodded slightly, "It seems like Yutang hasn't told you much about me."
Lu Ran was puzzled, "Tell me what?"
Deng Yuxiang waved her hand, and a semi-transparent, slender Wind Blade swiftly formed in her palm, "In front of me, Yutang wouldn't dare to say no."
In an instant, a chilling aura enveloped them, causing Lu Ran's heart to race.
"North Wind!" Lu Ran's eyes narrowed, "Is Rain Alley Sister a believer of the North Wind Blade?"
Second Rank Deity Northwind! The deity was also known as "North Wind Blade" among the common folk, and its divine statue depicted a stern, sword-wielding man, located in the remote northern border.
Together with the Southern Sea Bow, Western Desolation Axe, and Eastern Thunder Spear, they were known as the "Four Directions Martial Heroes."
Lu Ran's former teammate, Wu Shanshan, was a believer of one of the Four Heroes, the Southern Sea Bow.
"You don't need to make it difficult." Deng Yuxiang's lips curved into a faint smile, "I'll break your legs and personally send you home. How about it, Lu Ran?"
This time, Lu Ran didn't have the mind to admire her bright lipstick.
"Misunderstanding! Sister, I'll go back right now!" Lu Ran was genuinely intimidated.
He hadn't expected that such a stunningly beautiful woman would be a living Yama King. No wonder Deng Yutang dared not say "no" to her.
She was the type to take action without hesitation, leaving no room for negotiation!
"I said I'd teach you a few moves." Deng Yuxiang weighed the Wind Blade in her hand, "Since we're here, let's start today."
Lu Ran's face stiffened, feeling an overwhelming sense of pressure enveloping him.
"Please, no." Lu Ran took a few steps back, "I have to defend the city with Deng Yutang tomorrow. If I get injured..."
"Shh!" Deng Yuxiang signaled for him to be quiet.
She slowly closed her eyes, as if listening to something: "Do you hear it?"
Suddenly, the woman became distracted, and Lu Ran was even more confused, "Hear what?"
Deng Yuxiang suddenly lunged towards Lu Ran, her lips curling slightly, "The sound of the wind."
(End of Chapter)
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