Chapter 42: The Wooden Man
Chapter 42: The Wooden Man
The sleek black luxury sedan stood out like a sore thumb as it drove through the ancient streets of Rain Alley City.
Lu Ran sat in the passenger seat, gazing out the window at the Wu Lie River, which seemed to stretch endlessly.
This river, flowing through the heart of the small city, had nurtured generations of its people.
Lu Ran had spent most of his life on the west side of the river, where his home, high school, and other significant places were located.
Deng Yuxiang was driving towards the east side of the river, a slightly more bustling area with at least one central commercial plaza.
"Little Lu Ran, let me tell you a story?" Deng Yuxiang asked as she drove onto the bridge.
"What story?" Lu Ran inquired.
"Once upon a time, there was a person who wanted to file a complaint," Deng Yuxiang said with a hint of laughter in her eyes, "but then he got hungry."
"Wow," Lu Ran was a bit stunned.
Did she just say that someone was chasing and killing people?
Deng Yuxiang burst into laughter, something she hadn't done in a long time.
Ever since she started working, everything had been so serious.
Lu Ran's appearance reminded her of the joyful times when she used to tease Deng Yutang.
Unfortunately, those good old days were long gone.
Deng Yutang had become surprisingly obedient and lacked any spirit of resistance, making things less fun.
"Actually, jumping off a building is quite thrilling," Lu Ran suddenly spoke up, interrupting the woman's laughter.
Deng Yuxiang responded, "But you didn't say that just now."
Lu Ran shrugged, admitting that it had indeed been a unique experience.
Even though Lu Ran was a Mist Realm Follower, he wouldn't dare jump off a rooftop, even if he were a Stream Realm or River Realm Follower.
Lu Ran gazed at the Wu Lie River flowing towards the southeast and hummed softly:
"We who don't know how to show gentleness, thought that double suicide was just an ancient rumor~"
Deng Yuxiang: ???
Lu Ran coughed lightly, quickly changing the subject, "By the way, which Deity is Squad Leader Sun's patron? Is it Lord Biu?"
Deng Yuxiang suddenly smiled, "Keep that spirit."
As she spoke, she added in her mind: Just don't be like Yutang and give up resistance, surrendering without a fight.
That would be too boring.
Lu Ran was puzzled, "What spirit?"
Deng Yuxiang didn't answer but instead said, "Squad Leader Sun is a Biu follower."
Sixth Rank Deity Biu, resembling a Chinese Parasol tree.
This was an auxiliary Deity, skilled in both defense and control, but particularly renowned for healing abilities.
Every Mid-Autumn Night, the Divine Shrines in various Shelters would display statues of Biu.
Unexpectedly, a disciple of a Sixth Rank Deity could become a squad leader.
Lu Ran asked, "So, your team is three to one?"
Two Demon Confiner followers and one Biu follower.
Was Deng Yuxiang the only offensive vanguard?
Deng Yuxiang explained, "Wei Hu was specifically assigned by the Bureau to protect you.
Squad Leader Sun is the deputy leader, and we have a head leader named Ge Bin, whom you'll meet in a couple of days."
"Who is Captain Ge Bin's patron Deity?" Lu Ran's interest was piqued.
"Nuo Sha."
"Nuo Sha?" Lu Ran's heart stirred at the name. Ma Tianchuan, the school's top student, was a Nuo Sha follower.
Deng Yuxiang nodded and advised, "You should put up a fight. Don't be so intimidated when you meet our captain that you wet your pants."
Lu Ran nodded firmly, "I'll try my best."
He was usually very confident, but his response indicated there was a reason for his hesitation.
Third Rank Deity Nuo Sha.
A Deity with the word "sha" in its name couldn't possibly be gentle and kind. In the 1980s, when the Demon Clan first appeared, people believed they were the most brutal and cruel.
However, the emergence of Deity Nuo Sha completely overturned this conclusion!
Lord Nuo Sha was far more brutal than the Demon Clan and more vicious than ferocious ghosts!
To be honest, it was only because Lord Nuo Sha protected the mortal world.
Otherwise, with his appearance and terrifying abilities, people would have classified him as a Demon.
Too scary!
The car slowly came to a stop, and Lu Ran saw the large gilded sign of Rain Alley Mansion.
The floor-to-ceiling windows were clean and bright, and the interior was lavishly decorated.
This was one of the best restaurants in the small county town.
Deng Yuxiang turned off the engine and stepped out of the car, casually saying, "I heard from Yutang that when you were in Evil Dog Village for your social training, you always covered your eyes with a red cloth?"
"Yes," Lu Ran's face showed gratitude, "You told me to listen to the sound of the wind, so I tried it."
Deng Yuxiang nodded, "Then this meal is on you."
"Alright!" Lu Ran clenched his teeth and stomped his foot.
Although Rain Alley Mansion was not cheap, he felt it was only right to treat Deng Yuxiang to this meal.
"I'm just kidding." Deng Yuxiang smiled. "I'm the one treating you, so you don't have to spend a dime."
Lu Ran: ". . ."
He silently observed this domineering rich young lady.
Why did her words sound a bit odd? Deng Yuxiang continued, "After dinner, let's go back to the Wu Lie Riverbank and practice some more."
"Practice more? I thought I was done with the trial training."
"You forgot, I haven't even stretched my bones yet."
"Sis, I know there's a dumpling shop in Hexi. Oh, do you like tea eggs?"
As night fell, the evening arrived.
Lu Ran, dragging his exhausted body, returned home.
After a refreshing bath, Lu Ran, wrapped in a bath towel, was drying his wet hair when he collapsed onto his small bed.
He casually picked up his phone from the bedside, only to find that Jiang Ruyi had sent a message earlier that morning.
Jiang Ruyi: "What do you think? If I want to upgrade the Verdigris Sword, which material would be better?"
Lu Ran was a bit puzzled. Didn't she already choose the White Rainbow Stone and submit it? He glanced at the time; it was 7:10 pm, so he immediately replied on WeChat.
Lu Ran: "The White Rainbow Stone."
As the saying goes, beautiful women are like jade, and swords are like rainbows!
Jiang Ruyi is worthy of this praise.
Unexpectedly, she responded very quickly.
Jiang Ruyi: "Hmm."
Lu Ran couldn't help but smile at the words on the screen.
Some people are better off communicating face-to-face.
She's too aloof on the phone! Lu Ran didn't reply and instead opened the group chat for the four of them. It was quite lively, and in the afternoon, the three of them had been discussing different types of demons.
After some thought, he started typing on the screen.
Lu Ran: "Deng Shao, what did you do today?"
Deng Yutang: "I've been cultivating non-stop! Can't slack off! What about you? Why haven't you been in touch all day?"
Lu Ran: "Your sister treated me to breakfast."
Deng Yutang: "Huh?"
Just as Lu Ran was typing a response, Deng Yutang sent another message:
"Your sister?"
Immediately after, Deng Yutang's messages kept popping up, and it was clear that he was genuinely anxious.
"Didn't I tell you not to provoke her?"
"Are you crazy, Lu Ge?"
"Is her meal something you can eat casually?"
"And what was the price?"
Lu Ran awkwardly twitched the corners of his mouth.
No wonder they're siblings; he hit the nail on the head! This question was too soul-stirring. After a long while, Lu Ran finally typed out a line.
Lu Ran: "She beat me up all morning."
Deng Yutang: ". . ."
Tian Tian: (Д)
Deng Yutang: "It's already past 7 pm, were you knocked out and just woke up?"
Lu Ran rolled his eyes in annoyance and started typing furiously on the screen, sending multiple messages:
"In the afternoon, I went on a reconnaissance mission with the Moon Gazers squad."
"We surveyed the neighborhood's layout, visited shops, and checked out residences. It felt like being a beat cop."
"By the way, did you know that Chang Ying's family runs an auto repair shop? It's the same Chang Ying who does fortune-telling."
"Her shop is on the street I was assigned to. I ran into her when I was visiting the shops; she was wearing a little white vest and changing a tire!"
"Wow! Her muscle definition is on point, a genuine streamlined beauty, even cooler than the car! I'm so jealous."
Deng Yutang: "For this Mid-Autumn Night, is your sister's squad leading you?"
Lu Ran: "Yes, and I can't avoid her! Tomorrow morning, she wants to treat me to breakfast again. What should I do?"
Deng Yutang: "Lu Ge, listen to me. Just act like a wooden dummy.
Whatever she says, just agree, and don't resist whatever she does. In a few days, she'll get bored.
She has too much of a twisted sense of humor. With people like her, it's best to ignore them!"
Lu Ran: "Screenshot taken."
Deng Yutang: "Brother Lu!"
Tian Tian: pats Deng Yutang
Jiang Ruyi: "Is this squad powerful?"
Seeing Squad Leader Jiang appear, Deng Yutang's eyes lit up as if he had found a savior.
Deng Yutang: "Squad Leader, please convince Lu Ge! I want to live a few more years!"
Lu Ran: "One River Realm Fifth-Rank Green Phoenix believer, one River Realm Fifth-Rank North Wind believer, and two River Realm Fourth-Rank Demon Confiner believers.
There's also a Riverine Realm powerhouse, a Nuo Sha believer.
He's the squad leader, but he's very busy, so I didn't see him today."
Jiang Ruyi: "What a powerful team! Looks like we'll get to see you on the first day of school."
Deng Yutang: "Brother Lu!"
Tian Tian: ()(._.`)
(End of Chapter)
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