Chapter 17: The Old House

Chapter 17: The Old House

The walls were painted black and white in that dimly lit corridor, and the ceiling that carried the crystal lamps was peeling. The heavy, dark lead doors on both sides were engraved with complex patterns, with golden liquid that was reminiscent of mercury flowing between the patterns.

Behind the lead doors, waves of malice were flooding from beneath the gaps of the doors.

With great difficulty, Jiangli told Bai Kai that he was misusing a Class D psionic item for personal use and had no choice but to keep quiet. He soon followed them out of the dissection room.

An Qing felt that there was nothing wrong with letting Bai Kai throw his little tantrum by rolling on the ground. It would definitely save her the effort of cleaning this week.

Passing through the endless corridor and going up the spiral staircase that was engraved with strange, animalistic patterns, they saw the light, and Bai Kai stopped in his tracks.

Shouldnt you leave? An Qing asked. You said that the boy was your godson. Wouldnt it be better for you to let him know of the situation?

I thought of it, he turned around and sighed. But Im not going to. I dont want him to know that I do this type of work.

He leaned against the wall at the stairway, lighting a cigarette and smoking it.

If I had the choice, I wouldnt have let him know of the existence of these urban legends, Bai Kai sighed, turning his gaze away from An Qing before glaring at Jiangli.

Why not? An Qing was puzzled. I heard that he has prophetic dreams. It wouldnt hurt to have another person join us.

What do you know? Bai Kai curled his lips downwards.

I understand, Jiangli interrupted. You dont want him to be locked up forever like those guys downstairs, so he wont be involved in the affairs of the Night Division, right?

Finally, Bai Kai glanced at Jiangli. Youre saying something human for once, but dont think for a moment that Im forgiving you!

Youre mistaking me, Jiangli stopped. I understand you, but that doesnt mean I agree with you. Youre putting a blindfold on him and sheltering him. He is a person who can think for himself, so I think you should give him the choice to make a decision.

What then? Bai Kai snapped. Is he going to be like us? Become a monster, risk our lives all day long, and die in some stupid accident? Hes only eighteen!

As soon as he said that, his voice lowered as he stared at Jiangli. He remembered that she was only a teenage girla year younger than Yibei when she joined the Night Division. She survived a freak accident by luck and became a psychic user.

Both of them stared at each other for a moment. Bai Kai snorted coldly before walking away.

An Qing watched as he walked away and turned back to Jiangli, A monster? I feel pretty good, though! I have many men lining up for my contacts outside of work!

A few drops of blood were splattered on her porcelain face, and her two sharp canines were exposed between her lips when she smiled. Her hands were practically dyed red with blood.

Right, Jiangli nodded expressionlessly.

After the interrogation, the maid led Lu Yibei to the break room next to the interrogation room and said, Wait right here!

She left him alone. As soon as she closed the door behind her, a click could be heard, as if she were afraid that he would run away.

Hmph! All of you are treating me like Im some kind of villain he muttered under his breath, looking out the window involuntarily.

Through the gaps in the shutters, one could vaguely see the fallen leaves of the ginkgo trees in the garden dancing with the wind.

Click, click! The sound of a window being pried could be heard in the room.

C-crap, I just wanted to see if the windows were solid. Im not running away!

Half an hour later.

Finally!

Standing on the bluestone slabs of the street, Lu Yibei stretched his waist and groaned in pleasure.

Jiangli wasnt lying when she said that the Night Division Headquarters was not far from his old house; it was no more than a 200-meter walk, and it took him less than three minutes to reach the house despite the twists and turns of the route.

White walls, blue tiles. It wasnt much of a difference compared to other houses on the street.

Under the eaves were two stone drums, and the gate was locked tightly with copper rings. A layer of dust could be seen on the locks. A wooden plaque on the gate read [Lu Ji Sichuan Cuisine].

This was his old house. The ground floor was a restaurant, while the upper floor was the living quarters. He spent most of his childhood in this cramped house.

About two years ago, his father spent most of his savings to buy the four units next door and broke the walls down to expand the space. He was fully ready to open his newly renovated restaurant, but

Standing in front of the gate, he shook his head and unlocked the locks.

A faint, musty smell greeted his nostrils. Shui comes over to clean the house occasionally, but he could see the dust hovering gently in the air.

He walked in, gingerly placing the statue of Acala, the Immovable, on the dining table in the hall. He rolled up his sleeves and walked to the bathroom, retrieving a broom and a rag, and started to clean.

Knock, knock!

Hey! Why is your house so dirty? How long has it been since you last cleaned it, you brat?

Lu Yibei put his broom down and looked up, seeing a man in a coat. He had big, wide shoulders with a round waist. He had a beard and a deep skin tone with bulging muscles.

He might look violent, but he had a feminine name: Sumi. His family has been running a handmade embroidery business for generations and lives across the street. He is the same age as Yibei and has been neighbours with Yibei for a long time.

Tsk, I just came back! Its normal for it to be dirty! Yibei curled his lips downwards. Are you volunteering to help me clean?

What? Sumi stared back. You just came back? Youre joking! I keep hearing the noise in your house! That night, I heard a girl singing! And I thought you got yourself a girlfriend!

Sumi noticed that Yibeis expression was a little abnormal and stopped talking.

Hello?

No

Hello?

Lu Yibei looked around blankly. The once cosy house, which was decorated with quaint statues and trees and a somewhat colourful palette, suddenly became gloomy and eerie.

This place is close to the Night Division. I cant believe there are urban legends lurking nearby.

Lu Yibei threw away the broom in his hand and picked up the statue of Acala, the Immovable. He walked up to Sumi and announced, Forget it; its too dirty! Im not cleaning up anymore; Ill be sleeping at your house tonight. I want to catch up with you.

He ran into Sumis house and slammed the door behind him.

Sumi shrugged and glanced at the old house of Lu Yibei. Through the gaps in the window, he thought he saw someone running into the house. He couldnt believe he wanted to eavesdrop on Yibei and his girlfriends private things. He felt shameful and ran into the house.

Hey, you brat! Stay loyal!