The Wooden Man

A pitch-black luxury coupe drove through the rain-slicked streets of Rain Alley, a stark contrast to the old, small town.

In the passenger seat, Lu Ran gazed out the window as the Wulie River grew closer.

This river ran through the north and south of the town, nurturing generation after generation.

Lu Ran had mostly lived on the west side of the river, as his home, high school, and other places were all located there.

Judging by Deng Yuxiang's direction, they were heading east of the river, where it was relatively more prosperous, at least having a Central Commercial Plaza.

"Little Lu Ran, shall I tell you a story?" Deng Yuxiang asked casually as she drove onto the bridge.

"What story?"

"Once upon a time, there was a person who wanted to lodge a complaint." Deng Yuxiang's eyes held a hint of a smile. "Later, he got hungry."

"Good heavens," Lu Ran was a bit stunned.

Did they chase people down to kill them?

"Hahahaha~"

Deng Yuxiang hadn't been this happy in a long time.

Ever since she started working, everything had been serious.

Lu Ran's presence reminded her of the fun times she used to have teasing Deng Yutang.

What a shame, those good old days were gone forever.

Deng Yutang was now astonishingly well-behaved, lacking any spirit of resistance, making him no fun anymore.

"Actually, jumping off a building is quite thrilling," Lu Ran suddenly said, interrupting the woman's laughter.

Deng Yuxiang: "That's not what you said earlier."

Lu Ran shrugged, having to admit it was indeed a unique experience.

Let alone Lu Ran being a Mist Realm believer, even if he were a Stream Realm or River Realm believer, he wouldn't dare jump from a terrace.

Lu Ran looked at the Wulie River flowing southeast and hummed softly:

"We, who didn't know how to show tenderness, thought love suicides were just ancient legends~"

Deng Yuxiang: ???

"Cough." Lu Ran coughed lightly and quickly changed the subject. "By the way, what god is Uncle Sun a believer of? Lord Biwu?"

Deng Yuxiang suddenly smiled: "Maintain that spirit."

While saying this, she added mentally: Please don't give up resisting and surrender like Yutang.

That would be too boring.

Lu Ran was very confused: "What spirit?"

Deng Yuxiang didn't answer, instead saying, "Captain Sun is a Biwu believer."

Sixth Rank God Biwu, resembling a phoenix tree in appearance.

This was an auxiliary god, capable of defense and control, but particularly skilled in healing.

Every Lunar Fifteenth Night, the shrines in various shelters were adorned with statues of Biwu.

He didn't expect a disciple of a Sixth Rank God to be a squad captain.

Lu Ran: "So, your team is three support one?"

Two Prison Devil believers, one Biwu believer.

Was Deng Yuxiang the only offensive vanguard?

Deng Yuxiang explained: "Wei Hu was specifically sent by the bureau to protect you. Captain Sun is the vice-captain. We also have a main captain named Ge Bin, whom you'll meet in a couple of days."

"What god is Captain Ge Bin a believer of?" Lu Ran's interest was piqued.

"Nuosha."

"Nuosha?" Lu Ran's heart stirred. Ma Tianchuan, the academic prodigy at school, was a Nuosha believer.

Deng Yuxiang nodded and cautioned, "You need to pull yourself together. Don't get so scared you wet your pants when you meet our captain."

Lu Ran nodded heavily: "I'll try my best."

He, who had always been confident, gave such a response for a reason.

Third Rank God Nuosha.

A dignified god whose name contained the character "Sha" could not possibly be a gentle and friendly deity.

In the 1980s, when the Demon Race first appeared, everyone believed demons were the most ferocious and tyrannical.

However, the appearance of God Nuosha completely overturned this conclusion!

Lord Nuosha was far more brutal than demons and more vicious than vengeful spirits!

Honestly, it was only because Lord Nuosha protected the common people.

Otherwise, given Nuosha's appearance and terrifying methods, people would truly classify him as belonging to the evil faction!

Too! Scary!

The car slowly came to a stop. Lu Ran saw the large, gilded sign—Rain Alley Restaurant.

The floor-to-ceiling windows were clean and bright, and the interior was magnificent.

This was considered a very good restaurant in this small county town.

Deng Yuxiang turned off the engine and got out, casually saying, "I heard from Yutang that when you were training in Evil Dog Village, you always wore a red scarf to cover your eyes?"

"Yes." Lu Ran's face showed gratitude. "You told me before to listen to the sound of the wind, so I tried it."

Deng Yuxiang nodded. "Then for this meal, you're paying."

"Deal!" Lu Ran gritted his teeth and stomped his foot.

Although Rain Alley Restaurant wasn't cheap, he really should be the one paying for this meal.

"Just kidding." Deng Yuxiang smiled. "Since you're out with me, it's not your turn to spend money."

Lu Ran: "..."

He silently looked at this domineering rich young lady.

Why did that sound so strange?

Deng Yuxiang continued, "After dinner, we'll go back to Wulie Riverbank and train some more."

"Still training? Haven't I finished my trial training?"

"You forgot, I haven't even stretched my muscles yet."

"Sister, I know a bun shop in West River. Um, do you like tea eggs?"

Night fell, it was evening.

Lu Ran dragged his exhausted body back home.

After a bath, Lu Ran, holding a bath towel, wiped his wet hair and collapsed onto the small bed.

He casually picked up his phone from the bedside table and found that Jiang Ruyi had sent him a message that morning.

Jiang: "If you were to upgrade the Banjushi Sword, what material would be better?"

Lu Ran was a little confused. Hadn't she already chosen Baihong Stone and submitted it?

Lu Ran glanced at the time, 7:10 PM, and immediately replied on WeChat.

Ran: "Baihong Stone."

As the saying goes: A beauty is like jade, a sword is like a rainbow!

Beauty Jiang deserves this saying.

Unexpectedly, the other party replied quickly.

Jiang: "Mm."

Lu Ran looked at the words on the screen and couldn't help but grin.

Some people really need to meet face-to-face to communicate.

They're too cold through text messages!

Lu Ran didn't reply further. He clicked on the group chat for the four of them and found it quite lively. Earlier in the afternoon, the three of them had been discussing types of evil.

He thought for a moment and started typing on the screen.

Ran: "Young Master Deng, what did you do today?"

Deng Yutang: "Been cultivating, can't slack off! What about you? No news all day?"

Ran: "Your sister treated me to breakfast."

Deng Yutang: "Ah?"

Just as Lu Ran was typing his reply, Deng Yutang sent another message:

"My sister?"

Immediately after, Deng Yutang's WeChat messages came one after another. It was clear he was genuinely anxious.

"Didn't I tell you, don't provoke her!"

"You're foolish! Brother Lu!"

"Can you eat her meals casually?"

"And then? What was the price?"

Lu Ran's mouth twitched awkwardly.

As expected of a biological brother, he got straight to the point! Those questions were too spot on.

After a long while, Lu Ran finally typed out a line of text.

Ran: "She beat me up all morning."

Deng Yutang: "."

Tian Tian: (#Д)

Deng Yutang: "It's already past seven in the evening, were you knocked unconscious and just woke up now?"

Lu Ran rolled his eyes impatiently, his fingers tapping rapidly on the screen, sending several messages:

"I was scouting the location with the Moon Watcher squad this afternoon."

"Investigating the street layout, visiting shops and residences, it felt like being a beat cop."

"Oh, did you guys know? Chang Ying's family runs a car repair shop. You know, the Chang Ying who's a fortune teller."

"Her shop is on one of the streets I was assigned. I ran into her when I was visiting. She was wearing a white tank top, changing a tire on a car!"

"Damn! Those muscle lines were perfectly streamlined, cooler than the car! I was so envious."

Deng Yutang: "Is my sister's squad taking you this time for the fifteenth?"

Lu Ran: "Yeah, I can't avoid her! Tomorrow morning, your sister is even inviting me to breakfast. What should I do?"

Deng Yutang: "Brother Lu, listen to me. Just act like a wooden dummy.

Whatever she says, just agree. Whatever she does, don't resist. In a few days, she'll get bored.

She has too much of a dark sense of humor. You shouldn't engage with people like that!"

Lu Ran: "Screenshot taken."

Deng Yutang: "Ran Ge."

Tian Tian patted Deng Yutang.

Jiang: "Is this squad powerful?"

Seeing the Class Monitor appear, Deng Yutang's eyes lit up as if he had found a savior.

Deng Yutang: "Class Monitor, quickly persuade Brother Lu. I want to live a few more years!"

Lu Ran: "One River Realm, Fifth Stage Biwu Believer, one River Realm, Fifth Stage North Wind Believer, two River Realm, Fourth Stage Prison Devil Believers.

There's also one Yangtze Realm expert, a Nuosha Believer.

He's the squad captain, but he's very busy. I didn't see him today."

Jiang: "What a powerful team. It looks like we'll see you on the first day of school."

Deng Yutang: "Ran Ge!!"

Tian Tian: (._.`)