Footsteps gradually approached.

Under the glow of the streetlights, three figures emerged one after another from the shadows.

Despite Sun Zhihua's urgent warning, driven by intense curiosity, Wu Xinlei and Glasses Man couldn't stop themselves from looking at the trio.

The man in the lead wore a white shirt and black trousers, with shiny black leather shoes. His shirt sleeves were rolled up to his elbows. He wore sunglasses despite it being late at night, his face expressionless.

The two men behind him were dressed similarly, in gray-green or gray-blue polo shirts, their shirt hems tucked into their trousers. One clutched a small black briefcase under his arm, while the other wore black sandals paired with white socks.

Ordinarily, Wu Xinlei and her companion would hardly spare such a nondescript trio of middle-aged men a second glance.

But now, as the three slowly approached, they seemed like black waves, several stories high, crashing down upon them. Even the surrounding streetlights seemed to dim.

A pervasive, terrifying pressure enveloped them. Their hearts pounded, their breathing quickened, and it felt as if their very body temperatures were dropping...

The three middle-aged men calmly brushed past Wu Xinlei and the others.

The one wearing sandals and socks paused when he reached them.

He scoffed, then spat, tossing his cigarette onto the ground and forcefully stomping it out. His gaze swept over each of their faces. He seemed to smirk briefly before silently catching up to his two companions and disappearing into the darkness ahead.

Wu Xinlei and her companions stood rigidly on the spot, motionless. It's unknown how much time passed before the stagnant, oppressive atmosphere was finally shattered.

"PANT... PANT..."

Glasses Man collapsed onto the ground, drenched in sweat, his face deathly pale. He muttered, "Those three men... why do they feel even more terrifying than the monsters we encountered in Xixu?"

"I... I can't breathe..." Wu Xinlei, her face bloodless, kept patting her chest.

"Take slow, deep breaths..." Sun Zhihua, now visibly more composed, gently patted Wu Xinlei's back. His eyes, however, remained fixed on the direction the three middle-aged men had taken. His expression turned somber as he said, "Those three... are incredibly strong. The weakest among them could kill me in an instant. If they had decided to attack us just now, I might not have even had a chance to escape..."

Upon hearing Sun Zhihua's words, Wu Xinlei and Glasses Man looked utterly shocked and horrified. They had some idea of Sun Zhihua's strength; when serious, he was like a ferocious tiger in the jungle. If even he said this, how powerful must those three men be?

"Fortunately, they bore us no ill will..." Sun Zhihua let out a soft breath. A peculiar look flickered across his face as he whispered, "Judging by the direction they were heading, they're almost certainly after the same thing we are..."

Wu Xinlei and Glasses Man looked startled for a moment, then quickly understood.

"Lu Jing?!"

"They're going after Lu Jing's brother," Sun Zhihua stated flatly. "The direct disciples of the Crane Sect are all very strong, and Poison Hand Crane Demon is a master who has been famous for a long time. Those three wouldn't dare confront Master Liudao Yuan directly. They're most likely planning to target his apprentice..."

"Then what do we do?" Wu Xinlei asked, her face pale. "I'll notify Lu Jing right away!"

She quickly pulled out her phone, her fingers trembling as she dialed Lu Jing's number. But even after dialing for a long time, there was no answer.

"Damn it!" Wu Xinlei stomped her foot in frustration. Gritting her teeth, she was about to run forward.

But Sun Zhihua grabbed her arm, coolly instructing, "It's too late to go now. You two head back to the restaurant first and find someone from the Crane Sect to help. I'll follow them and see what's happening."

"Zhihua, you..."

"Don't worry, I know my limits. If necessary, I'll reveal my identity as a member of the Moon Shadow Sect. They wouldn't dare touch me."

"Alright!"

Sun Zhihua watched Wu Xinlei and Glasses Man hurry away, then turned. His gaze stretched into the unknown darkness before him. He took a deep breath. A slight shiver ran down his spine as two crescent-shaped daggers, pressing against his skin, silently slid from his sleeves into his hands.

I'll help if I can. If not... then it's up to your own luck... To think you joined the Crane Sect... What a pity...

Sun Zhihua sighed softly and shook his head, then quickly moved forward.

"....Grandpa's recovering quite well. Mom wanted him to stay with us, but he insisted on going home. Dad couldn't convince him, so he had to take him back to the countryside. When you get home, see if you can try to persuade him again..."

"You know how stubborn Grandpa is... Or, how about I stay with him in the countryside for a few days?"

"'That could work. We can all go together then...'"

Lu Yuan and Lu Jing walked shoulder to shoulder, chatting casually.

"ACHOO—" Lu Jing suddenly sneezed. She pulled her clothes tighter around herself, sniffled, and said, "'Why did it suddenly get so cold? ...It's so quiet around here.'"

Lu Yuan's eyes flickered. He squinted, looking toward a point in the distance.

After a few seconds, Lu Yuan said, "'Sis, why don't you wait here for me for a bit?'"

Lu Jing was taken aback. "'What for?'"

Lu Yuan walked slowly forward. The streetlight cast his long shadow on the ground behind him.

"'Nature calls. I'm going to find a restroom,'" Lu Yuan said without looking back, casually raising a hand. "'Wait for me... two minutes.'"

"'Then hurry back.'"

"'Mm.'"

Lu Jing watched Lu Yuan's figure gradually disappear into the darkness. She stood there alone, waiting, bored, for a while, then suddenly exclaimed softly, "'Oh no, where did I leave my phone?!'"

「Yuetianhai.」

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