Spirit Realm Walker

”Not that many, not that many,” Zhang Yuanqing said with a dismissive wave.

Then, just as Li Dongze and Guan Ya assumed the reward truly wasn’t much, he pivoted. ”Two thousand points.”

Guan Ya nearly choked on her juice. ”T-two thousand Morality points?!”

”Oh my god, I’ve never seen that much Morality in my entire life,” Li Dongze breathed.

For ordinary Spirit Realm Walkers, accumulating Morality was a fairly monotonous affair, doing charity work, or good deeds here and there. Most hovered around a hundred points of Morality. Official Walkers had dedicated donation channels, and the Five Elements Alliance organized large-scale charity events every year, which made the process more convenient. Even so, the average official Walker sat somewhere between one to two hundred points.

Li Dongze had never been particularly passionate about philanthropy, but he’d never done anything terrible either. After years of slow accumulation, he’d scraped together roughly two hundred points. And here was Yuanshi, pulling in ten times that from a single case.

”Two thousand Morality, tsk tsk. Cases like that are rare,” Ling Jun mused aloud as he speared a chunk of honeydew with his fork. ”You could go on a killing spree and still have plenty to spare.”

That’s exactly what I was thinking, but saying it out loud seems a bit much. Zhang Yuanqing put on his most righteous expression. ”How could I possibly do anything bad? I’m a model citizen. Honestly, all that Morality is completely wasted on me.”

Ling Jun called his bluff. ”You? Not doing anything bad? You’re always sneaking peeks at Guan Ya’s chest.”

”That’s not sneaking peeks. That’s appreciation of fine aesthetics and natural beauty. Also, Sis Guan Ya is sitting right there. Saying that is very disrespectful to her,” Zhang Yuanqing said as he cast a glance at the gorgeous mixed-heritage beauty.

Besides, he thought, peeking at this big-chested lady doesn’t even dock Morality, so it doesn’t count as being bad.

Ling Jun scoffed. ”She knocked out my front tooth back in the day, and I didn’t see her worrying about being respectful then.”

Wait, what? The open-minded lady beat up Ling Jun? Zhang Yuanqing’s gossip radar pinged immediately. ”What happened?”

Guan Ya smiled sweetly. ”He was a little pervert back then, and would hit on every pretty girl he saw. One time he came along with his grandfather to visit the Fu family, and the moment he laid eyes on me, he tried to hold my hand and started calling me ’Sister Lin’ like some romantic hero in a novel.”

She sighed wistfully. ”I’d only been learning Chinese for a few years at that point, and had no idea who ’Sister Lin’ was, so I beat him up. We weren’t Spirit Realm Walkers back then, though. Now he’s at the Saint tier so I can’t take him on anymore.”

Zhang Yuanqing felt a tiny pang of jealousy. Oh. Childhood sweethearts, huh…

Ling Jun gave an awkward laugh. ”That’s ancient history. There’s no need to bring it up again. You’re making this very uncomfortable for me.”

Those two incidents had wounded Ling Jun’s heart as deeply as they’d wounded him physically. From that day forward, women surnamed Fu simply weren’t his type, no matter how beautiful.

He lounged back in his chair and glanced at Zhang Yuanqing with a lazy grin. ”I just don’t go for girls I’m too familiar with. Otherwise, given my refinement and charm, Guan Ya would already be my girlfriend. That’s a lucky break for you, kid.”

The implication was clear. He was playing matchmaker.

Guan Ya shot him a look. ”What’s that supposed to mean?”

Ling Jun chuckled. ”I just want to see Fu Qingyang have to call his own subordinate ’brother-in-law.’ That would be hilarious.”

Guan Ya let out a short laugh, then turned to Zhang Yuanqing with a teasing expression. ”Yuanshi’s quite the celebrity now. Women are lining up around the block for him. Just earlier, Queen sent me a message asking about you. Tsk tsk, seems like she’s got a real thing for you. Are you interested in making a move?”

Guan Ya definitely has a soft spot for Yuanshi, Ling Jun observed. She doesn’t see him quite at the level of a lover, but far beyond a normal male friend. If things keep developing at this pace, Fu Qingyang really would end up calling Yuanshi brother-in-law. 

As a man intimately familiar with the female heart, Ling Jun saw the jealousy simmering beneath Guan Ya’s teasing. The more she joked about it, the more she actually cared. Zhang Yuanqing, however, possessed no such emotional intelligence. He was socially adept but utterly clueless when it came to women, and he stepped on the gas without a second thought.

”Now that’s a woman who matches Sis Guan Ya in both depth of mind and, well, depth of figure. It’s a perfect match, both inside and out. If she ever opens up to the idea, you have to let me know, Sis.”

Ling Jun’s heart sank the moment the words left the younger man’s mouth. Is this guy an actual idiot…? 

He quickly looked at Guan Ya, who giggled. ”Sure, sure!”

She was laughing, but there wasn’t a trace of warmth in her eyes. Zhang Yuanqing, thoroughly pleased with his own wit, laughed along.

He really is an idiot. Ling Jun made a mental note to drag this kid out for a night in town someday to get him some experience. He had to teach him just how catastrophically stupid it was to crack dirty jokes about another woman in front of one who liked you.

The correct response should have been: She’s not bad, but compared to someone like Sis Guan Ya, who has both intellectual depth and devastating beauty? She’s not even in the same league.

At that moment, Fu Qingyang pushed open the double wooden doors of the study and swept his pale, calm gaze across the four of them. ”Yuanshi. Come with me.”

Zhang Yuanqing hastily set down the little silver spoon he’d been using to scoop ice cream and trotted over eagerly.

The Centurion walked straight ahead without looking back. ”The case is more or less settled. I assume it earned you quite a bit of Morality.”

”Two thousand points,” Zhang Yuanqing said.

Fu Qingyang nodded. ”From now on, when handling incidents, you won’t need to hold back on account of civilians, and you won’t have to worry about enemies exploiting your Morality score against you.” 

After a moment of silence, he asked, ”This case. What are your thoughts?”

Zhang Yuanqing was quiet for a moment. ”I’m disappointed in Songhai. I’ve always been proud to be from here. It’s so developed, so prosperous, so exceptional. Even on a global scale, it ranks among the best. But now, all I see is garbage.”

He paused, then added, ”Worse garbage than Ling Jun, Jiang Jingwei, Guan Ya, or the Female Marshal.”

His patriotism ran deep, thanks to his grandfather’s influence. It wasn’t that he’d never encountered heinous crimes before. But reading about them in the news and witnessing them firsthand delivered two entirely different levels of shock to one’s worldview.

When he’d learned the full extent of Master Wu’s atrocities, when he’d understood how deeply the elites of Shakou District were involved, and the moment he’d entertained the thought of tipping off the Demon Eye Heavenly King, he had already begun to resonate, however faintly, with that Heavenly King’s ideology of ”cleansing the world.”

That was a profoundly dangerous sign.

”That is pretty garbage,” Fu Qingyang acknowledged with a nod. ”If you develop feelings of despair because of this, go see Steward Sun. He’ll provide counseling.”

They walked a few more steps in silence before the Centurion spoke again, his tone measured and solemn. ”Don’t place too much faith in human nature, but don’t lose all hope in the world.”

Zhang Yuanqing was genuinely touched. Is the Centurion actually giving me a pep talk?

They passed through a corridor and descended a double staircase, after which Fu Qingyang spoke again.

”Kou Beiyue belongs to Wuhen Inn. How do you think we should handle him?”

Zhang Yuanqing immediately sensed the real conversation was starting. Fu Qingyang had deliberately pulled him aside. It couldn’t be as simple as asking how to deal with Kou Beiyue.

”That’s your call, Centurion,” he replied.

Fu Qingyang carried on in an unhurried manner. ”The Five Elements Alliance has always taken a ’kill first, ask questions never’ approach toward Evil-class Walkers. Someone like Kou Beiyue, even if he were spared execution, would face indefinite imprisonment at a minimum. But I believe his usefulness extends far beyond that.”

”Such as?”

”We need someone who can infiltrate that little group from the inside.”

That little group. He means Master Wuhen’s crew. The realization struck Zhang Yuanqing like lightning. ”You want to develop Kou Beiyue into an informant? A spy planted inside Master Wuhen’s big… treasonous group?”

Fu Qingyang gave him a look. ”Why did the second half of that sentence sound so labored? I’ve interrogated Kou Beiyue. He didn’t strike me as particularly clever, and his thinking is rather straightforward. That type of person isn’t suited for espionage.”

Zhang Yuanqing’s stomach dropped. ”Then you mean…” 

Fu Qingyang nodded, confirming exactly what he feared. ”You’re correct. The branch needs a spy, someone keeping constant watch over that faction. Yuanshi, you’re quick on your feet and naturally sociable. You’re excellent spy material. Kou Beiyue is your ticket in. After what you’ve done for him, Wuhen and the Evil-class Walkers under him will have nothing but goodwill toward you.”

True enough, Zhang Yuanqing thought. If Xiao Yuan found out I avenged Kou Beiyue and secured his release, she’d be genuinely grateful, and Master Wuhen would welcome me even more warmly. But…But I can’t do this! If Master Wuhen discovers I infiltrated his organization as a mole, he’ll kill me!

He wanted to cling to Master Wuhen’s coattails, but as a lifeline, a safety net for emergencies. The whole point was survival, not suicide!

Fu Qingyang, a high-level Scout, read his subordinate’s apprehension and the rich inner drama playing out across his face with a single glance. ”I’m only asking you to keep an eye on them. You won’t need to do anything special. Just provide intelligence when it’s necessary.”

”And when would it be necessary?”

”When Wuhen can no longer control himself.” Fu Qingyang’s voice was calm but heavy. ”You should know that anyone who becomes an Evil-class Walker was already a criminal before that. But what you may not know is that criminality is only the beginning. The higher an Evil-class Walker rises in level, the more twisted their psyche becomes. It’s an inherent trait, and has always been unavoidable.

”That Sovereign has been remarkably disciplined, and keeps a low profile, but the nature of his class doesn’t change. The longer he suppresses it, the more terrifying the darkness that festers inside him. Sooner or later, he will snap. And when that day comes, it will be a catastrophe.”

Zhang Yuanqing suddenly recalled that every time he’d encountered Master Wuhen, the man’s voice had been saturated with pain, as though he were desperately enduring something. No wonder he lives like a monk, surrounded by nothing but prayer beads and candlelight. No wonder Xiao Yuan said Master Wuhen couldn’t afford to act.

He frowned. ”Then how can the dark urges be resolved?”

Fu Qingyang’s voice was grim. ”Slaughter. The Enchanting Demon’s bloodlust, the Hex Master’s venom, the Illusionist’s depravity… In the end, they all converge on killing. And once that prohibition is broken, the floodgates open. But until Wuhen loses control, the branch elders are unwilling to make an enemy of him. The cost would be too great. That’s why we need you to keep watch.”

”I understand,” Zhang Yuanqing murmured.

As they spoke, they reached the end of the staircase. In front was a black iron door. Fu Qingyang produced an access card and handed it over. His expression was impassive.

”Once you’ve dealt with him, come help me interrogate Chi Yue’an.” 

Interrogate Chi Yue’an? What’s there to interrogate? Just execute him. 

Zhang Yuanqing swiped the card and stepped into the private prison, then followed the Centurion’s directions to the third iron door. Inside the small room, which served as a combined cell, bedroom, and washroom, a pale-faced young man with dark brows and bright eyes sat propped weakly against the bed. His expression was serene. He had the look of someone whose final wish had been fulfilled. Someone ready to face death with acceptance.

The Beast King had already healed his injuries, but Kou Beiyue knew that death remained inevitable. Having been captured by the Five Elements Alliance, execution was the only possible outcome. Lawful and Evil were as incompatible as fire and water. There was simply no scenario in which he walked out alive.

At the sound of footsteps, the young man lifted his bowed head. When he saw it was Zhang Yuanqing, his eyes brightened.

”What’s the branch doing with Chi Yue’an?” he asked, desperate for an answer.

”Death sentence,” Zhang Yuanqing said gravely.

Kou Beiyue exhaled with visible relief, more at peace with his own fate than ever. ”Good. I’ll give him another beating on the road to hell.” 

He straightened slightly. ”Yuanshi Tianzun, do me a favor. Tell Xiao Yuan I said thank you. When I was at my loneliest, my most desperate, she took me in. She guided me. Without her, I probably would’ve fallen into darkness a long time ago. To me, she was like a mother and a sister. I’m grateful.”

Zhang Yuanqing nodded. ”Anything else?”

Kou Beiyue thought for a moment. ”Make sure Chi Yue’an’s case goes public. On the news, the real news. That way my parents will see it. They’ll know their son never did any of those monstrous things. They’ll know their son has been fighting to survive, all so he could have his revenge.”

As the memories of two years of anguish and suffering welled up, this young man who had never once begged for mercy even after suffering grievous wounds felt his eyes grow hot with tears, his face crumpling with grief.

”Anything else?” Zhang Yuanqing asked.

”No—Well, just… Thank you. You’re a good person. I truly respect you.”

Kou Beiyue was surprised to find that he felt no embarrassment or awkwardness saying those words. Under normal circumstances, he would never have uttered something so sentimental. Maybe when a person is about to die, the words come easier.

Zhang Yuanqing nodded and swiped the access card against the reader to open the cell door. ”Alright. If that’s everything, come on out. The Songhai Branch has decided to pardon you. Go back to wherever you came from.”

Kou Beiyue stared at him blankly, and a strange, eerie silence fell over the cell. After a couple of seconds, Kou Beiyue’s face twisted with fury as he ground his teeth together. 

”Respect you my ass! You’re a goddamn bastard!”

***

On a street corner in Shakou District, a man in jeans and a baseball cap stood at the edge of the sidewalk, scanning his surroundings while pressing a phone to his ear.

”Chi Yue’an has been captured. Bronze Sparrow Tower has been raided and shut down by the officials, and he’s in their custody. Before his arrest, he threatened to expose your involvement unless you helped him.”

The voice on the other end of the line was faint, unhurried.

—Where’s he being held? Elder Teddy’s zoo?

”I’m sorry, I couldn’t find out. But he was taken by Spirit Realm Walkers from Kangyang District. You’ve probably already seen the posts on the official forum.”

—Mm.

”Do you want me to kill Yuanshi Tianzun? The kid doesn’t know when to keep his head down. He’s making enemies everywhere.”

There was a quiet laugh from the other end of the line.

—You couldn’t kill him if you tried. I’m actually quite interested in him. I’ll handle Chi Yue’an myself. You, stay undercover.

”Understood.”

***

Kou Beiyue walked through the bustling streets, his mood a tangled mess.

Immediately after cursing out Yuanshi Tianzun, he’d made the mortifying discovery that he had no money on him. He’d stammered and mumbled his way into asking for twenty yuan for bus fare, and was planning to take a coach back to Jinshan City.

He pulled out his phone and found over a dozen missed calls from Xiao Yuan. She must be worried sick. I should call her back…

He dialed the number of the woman who was like a mother and a sister to him.

He knew Xiao Yuan didn’t maintain her own intelligence network. Getting information meant periodically visiting certain black markets she was familiar with. Whatever had happened in the early morning hours hadn’t begun to make waves yet. There was no way she could have found out so quickly.

The line connected, and Xiao Yuan’s icy voice came through the speaker.

—Kou Beiyue. You’ve got some nerve. You’ve learned to turn off your phone now, have you? Yuanshi’s phone is off too. Did you pick that up from him?

On any other day, those nagging, overbearing, motherly words would have grated on his nerves. Right then, they sounded like music. Kou Beiyue felt as though he’d crossed over from another life. A smile spread across his face, free of shadows, free of gloom.

”Xiao Yuan, I can finally let go of the past. I’ve been reborn.”

Silence on the other end. A few seconds passed before Xiao Yuan’s voice returned, careful and tentative. 

—You mean…

Kou Beiyue’s voice swelled with emotion. ”Yuanshi Tianzun helped me destroy Chi Yue’an’s hideout. That animal was captured alive. The leadership of Songhai Branch has sentenced him to death.”

—Yuanshi Tianzun helped you take care of this? Captured Chi Yue’an alive? Is he hurt— 

Xiao Yuan’s voice spiked before she caught herself.

—Are you hurt?

Kou Beiyue, thick-skinned in matters of subtlety, didn’t notice her slip. ”I’m fine.”

—That’s too bad. It would’ve been better if you’d died out there.

Xiao Yuan’s words were cold, but the venom lacked real bite. Her tone softened. 

—Get back here. I’ll speak to Master Wuhen on your behalf. He’ll take you back.

Kou Beiyue hummed happily, cheerfully ignoring Xiao Yuan’s momentary lapse in composure.

***

At the front desk of Wuhen Inn, Xiao Yuan set down her phone. She wore a white dress shirt beneath a wine-red blazer, and the icy mask she habitually wore was melting, replaced by a warmth of relief and quiet joy. Her mood had lifted considerably.

She stepped away from the counter, the corners of her lips curling upward, and rode the elevator to Room 404.

She rapped on the door and spoke softly. 

”Master Wuhen, I have something to report.”