Chapter 21: Gazing at the Moon

Chapter 21: Gazing at the Moon

That night, Lu Ran was overjoyed.

His bedroom was too small to contain his joy, so he climbed out the window and wandered back and forth on the pedestrian paths and lawns within the community.

In the drizzling rain, the sound of his footsteps echoed continuously!

Streaks of immortal mist traced Lu Ran's movements.

Only when most of the divine power in his body was consumed did Lu Ran stop, watching as his pair of white misty legs gradually dissipated.

"Ah, that was refreshing!"

Lu Ran wiped his wet face and shook his head vigorously.

It had been a long time since he'd felt so carefree.

As he marveled at this, he crossed the lawn and climbed back through the window into his bedroom.

"Hmm," Lu Ran muttered, his whole body soaked. He lay down on the ground and breathed a long sigh of relief.

With such divine techniques supporting him, he had an extra advantage for tomorrow's city defense battle!

As he thought about this, Lu Ran suddenly realized that the Divine Sheep had been incredibly indulgent towards him.

The Divine Sheep had created the Divine Technique: Celestial Hoof with the initial intention of allowing its followers to stay away from danger and avoid conflicts.

Of course, the deity allowed its followers to practice the divine techniques, but just now, Lu Ran had gone beyond the scope of practice and was purely driven by joy.

Thinking of this, Lu Ran stood up and approached the shrine: "Thank you, Divine Sheep!"

The jade statue of the Divine Sheep remained silent and still.

Lu Ran thought for a moment and asked, "Tomorrow, I will inevitably use this technique to confront the Demon Clan directly, instead of avoiding the battle and fleeing. I hope you will approve."

"From now on."

After a long time of not manifesting, the Divine Sheep finally spoke.

Lu Ran immediately perked up: "From now on?"

"Not just tomorrow, but from now on."

Lu Ran clenched his fists, and indeed, this was the response he had expected!

From the beginning, the Divine Sheep's attitude had always been to encourage Lu Ran to fight, never letting him avoid battles or back down!

This was evident from the fact that the Divine Sheep taught him the special divine technique, Divine Technique: Terrorizing Sound.

Lu Ran clasped his hands together and said solemnly, "Disciple will strive to make the Divine Sheep sect shine and not disappoint your expectations!"

"Oh, right," Lu Ran suddenly remembered something and asked hurriedly, "Is there a special way to use the Divine Technique: Celestial Hoof?"

If he could create a Terrorizing Sound like the Divine Art of Compassionate Voice, wouldn't he be incredibly lucky?

The room fell silent.

Lu Ran patiently waited, but no response came for a long time.

Was there no special version?

Lu Ran was a little disappointed but dared not complain out loud.

It was all because, in recent days, the mysterious and domineering Sheep had brought too many surprises, truly spoiling him.

Lu Ran didn't say another word. He sat cross-legged in front of the shrine, absorbing the divine power between heaven and earth, thoroughly preparing for tomorrow's city defense battle.

The rain continued all night.

Lu Ran stayed awake through the night, accompanying the constant drizzle.

The next morning, a deep and prolonged alarm sounded again in the city:

"Wuuuuu~"

Lu Ran opened his eyes, his gaze especially bright, with a hint of energy flowing within.

He stood up, a faint mist surrounding his body, and approached the window.

Dark clouds loomed, and the rain continued.

Judging by the situation, it seemed unlikely that they would see the full moon tonight.

Lu Ran sighed inwardly and reached for the Stream-grade Divine Energy Orb hanging around his neck, feeling the abundant divine power stored within.

Over the past few days, whenever he practiced at the shrine, he would infuse divine power into the orb, all for this night of the full moon.

"Wuuuuu~"

The alarm continued to echo throughout the city, lingering for a long time.

Lu Ran didn't delay any further. He went to freshen up and then headed to the main house to ask for his father's Radiance Blade.

After about ten minutes, Lu Ran, draped in a black raincoat, held the Radiance Blade wrapped in cloth and stepped out onto the empty streets.

Inevitably, he became the center of attention as he walked.

Especially when passing through residential communities, curious onlookers could be seen on balconies and behind windows in every household.

Some even shouted at Lu Ran, urging him to hurry home and not wander around.

Yesterday, ordinary citizens could still go out shopping, but today, it was completely out of the question!

Lu Ran didn't respond to the well-intentioned citizens' urgings, only feeling deeply moved.

Once, he, too, had been one of these citizens, without any resistance, only able to beg for divine mercy to endure the torment of this night.

Lu Ran didn't even have the qualification to stay home!

Because only if you had a divine statue in your home could you stay and guard it.

Whether it was one you personally worshipped or one worshipped by a relative, you could kneel before the shrine with sincerity, seeking a night of peace.

People like Lu Ran could only go to the official shelters and spend the night in fear.

Now, everything had changed.

Lu Ran had become a follower, possessing divine techniques and the courage to wield the cleaver against the Demon Clan.

This feeling...

"Hmm," Lu Ran sighed deeply, holding the Radiance Blade tightly in his arms as he gazed at the rainy streets.

Seventeen years had passed.

It was time for him to take the stage.

When Lu Ran arrived at the school, the playground was already bustling with students. Most of them wore raincoats, indicating that everyone had the same idea—no one would be fighting while holding an umbrella.

"Brother Lu!" Deng Yutang waved from a distance.

The problem was that he was still holding a red headscarf, and the way he was calling Lu Ran over made him feel a bit odd.

"Brother Lu, are you feeling down?" Deng Yutang looked at Lu Ran, whose face was as serious as still water.

Tian Tian stood behind Jiang Ruyi, revealing half of her face, curiously looking at Lu Ran.

"I'm fine," Lu Ran shook his head.

On his way to the school, he had also made a trip to the Wuli Riverbank, hoping to give himself and the cat another chance.

Unfortunately, heaven didn't grant his wish.

At this moment, Lu Ran's arms still held only the blade, without the tabby cat.

He hoped the cat could make it through the night.

"What's wrong?" Jiang Ruyi looked at Lu Ran with a hint of concern in her eyes.

"Nothing at all!" Lu Ran replied casually, then turned to look at Deng Yutang and said disdainfully, "Next time you call me, don't wave that red headscarf."

You're making me look like a john~

Deng Yutang handed the red headscarf to Lu Ran: "Here!"

Lu Ran: "Huh?"

"It's for you," Deng Yutang smiled, "Last time, you said you wanted to try wearing it, right?"

"Hehe~" Lu Ran suddenly didn't mind, "This is so embarrassing!"

Despite his words, Lu Ran's actions were smooth as he effortlessly took the red headscarf.

Jiang Ruyi looked at the person's expression, feeling speechless. Tian Tian covered her mouth and giggled.

"Haha!" Deng Yutang burst into laughter, looking at Jiang Ruyi with pride, "You're a good sport, Captain Jiang!"

Jiang Ruyi nodded helplessly and took the two red headbands from Deng Yutang: "Thank you."

"What are you betting on?" Lu Ran was puzzled.

Deng Yutang: "I prepared one for each of us in the team, but the class leader said it was too precious to accept. Then we made a bet. If you accept it, she will too."

Lu Ran felt a bit embarrassed and quickly changed the subject: "By the way, Deng, what does your sister do for work?"

Deng Yutang: "She's in the Moon Gazers Squad, under the Divine Citizen Bureau, and works at the Yunshan City Bureau."

Rain Alley City was a county town, and the prefecture-level city that governed Rain Alley was Yunshan City.

With a population of over a million, it was also home to the Divine Statue of the Seventh Rank Deity, Crow.

"Divine Citizen Bureau, Moon Gazers Squad," Lu Ran understood.

Deng's sister turned out to be a hat-wearing uncle! No wonder she was at the Wuli Riverbank. That's why she was so lenient.

The Divine Citizen Bureau was Great Xia's law enforcement agency.

Unlike regular police stations, the Divine Citizen Bureau specifically dealt with follower groups, and its primary responsibility was to combat follower crimes.

The Moon Gazers Squad was an internal department within the Divine Citizen Bureau, and those affiliated with it were collectively known as "Moon Gazers."

Moon Gazers referred to a specific moon phase, also known as a full moon.

In Great Xia's lunar calendar, each day's moon phase had a corresponding name, and the term "Moon Gazers" specifically referred to the fifteenth day of the lunar month.

On the night of the full moon,

Moon Gazers were the guardians of the city, the most trustworthy protectors in the eyes of the citizens.

"Why did you suddenly bring her up?" Deng Yutang was confused.

Beside them, Jiang Ruyi allowed Tian Tian to wrap the red headband around her arm, and her beautiful eyes glanced at Lu Ran.

"Just asking," Lu Ran muttered, feeling a sense of lament.

The Big Nightmare turned out to be a public servant and a Divine Citizen law enforcer! It would be even more difficult to spank her.

If things went wrong,

we might end up in trouble.

"What's your sister's name?" Lu Ran asked, "Be specific."

"Deng Yuxiang, jade of purity, Xiang of Xiang River."

"Oh." Lu Ran scratched his head, and as expected, he scratched the hood of his raincoat.

He had indeed mispronounced her name.

"Why are you so interested in her?" Deng Yutang, usually a brave man, felt a bit nervous.

Lu Ran: "Just asking, why so tense?"

Deng Yutang's face turned strange: "I know that in others' eyes, my sister is beautiful, strong, and rich. But Lu, listen to me, don't go and provoke her!"

"Provoke her?" Lu Ran smirked.

Your sister is indeed so beautiful that she could blow bubbles with her nose, and she's the type who wouldn't even mind wiping her nose with money.

But she specifically manages followers like me!

With such a relevant profession,

how could I possibly walk into a tiger's den?

"Lu, I've always considered you a brother!" Deng Yutang put his arm around Lu Ran's shoulder.

Lu Ran: "."

I never wanted to be your brother-in-law.

Besides, with my small frame, I couldn't handle her big... saber!

"Alright, Sister Ruyi." Tian Tian finished tying the red headband and spoke softly.

"Mhm." Jiang Ruyi responded softly, looking at the butterfly knot tied around her arm.

Tian Tian was full of anticipation, waiting for Jiang Ruyi to tie the headband for her.

However, Jiang Ruyi just played with the butterfly knot and didn't pay attention to the girl.

Tian Tian opened her mouth but ultimately didn't dare to speak, quietly putting her red headband into her pocket.

Beside them, Deng Yutang continued to advise: "Lu, don't jump into the fire pit!"

"You misunderstood." Lu Ran explained helplessly, "Yesterday during training, I happened to run into your sister on patrol, and then..."

"Then what?"

"Then your sister beat me up!" Lu Ran's face showed discomfort, "I don't want to talk about it, it makes me feel like I'm tattling."

"Oh, I see." Deng Yutang sighed in relief, "There's nothing you can't talk about. It's useless to tattle to me.

I wouldn't dare to cough."

Lu Ran: ???

What happened to the fearless red headband followers?

Jiang Meiren snapped out of her thoughts and looked down at the silent Tian Tian: "Where's your red headband?"

"It's, it's in my pocket." Tian Tian spoke softly.

"Let me tie it for you."

"Oh, okay." Tian Tian's heart immediately brightened, and a smile appeared on her face. She quickly took out the red headband.

"How did your sister beat you up?" Deng Yutang continued to ask.

"Forget it, I can't believe your sister is a believer of the Northern Wind Saber! You didn't even tell me!"

Lu Ran sighed, still muttering: "She beat me up, and I'm looking for a cat everywhere."

Deng Yutang: "Huh?"

Lu Ran waved his hand, not wanting to talk about it anymore.

"Haha!" Deng Yutang burst into laughter, "My sister does go all out, but after beating someone up, she always offers some advice.

Lu, didn't she teach you a few moves?"

Lu Ran's heart stirred, and he looked at the red headband in his hand.

Yesterday, the Big Nightmare had indeed opened the door to a new world for him:

She repeatedly reminded Lu Ran to listen to the sound of the wind and not just rely on his eyes to perceive the world.

"She did teach me." Lu Ran held the red headband, folding it into a long strip, and tried to cover his eyes with it.

Deng Yutang looked at him for a long time but still didn't understand: "What exactly did my sister teach you?"

"Can't you tell?" Lu Ran covered his eyes with the headband and listened carefully to the noisy environment.

Deng Yutang looked at Lu Ran with confusion.

It had to be said that the look with the red headband covering his eyes was indeed quite cool!

"I understand!" Deng Yutang's eyes lit up, "She taught you to cosplay as a ninja turtle?)"

Lu Ran: ???

What kind of random things do you watch?

Thank you all for the generous 100,000 rewards!

It's been a while, welcome back~

Wishing you, brother, to find your soulmate soon and for all lovers to be together forever <3

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end