Old Shu's Suggestion, Sealing

Fatty removed the Onmyoji's hold over Xie Xiaotang. He was also preparing to send Xie Xiaotang to where she belonged. However, before leaving, Xie Xiaotang wanted to see Gu Song one last time, a request I granted.

Xu Qiuyan and I led Fatty and Xie Xiaotang towards where we parked.

We didn't spend much time in the woods, and Gu Song and the others outside encountered no trouble.

"Let them talk alone," Fatty said to me, then glanced at Xu Qiuyan. "I want to tell you something beforehand so you can be prepared."

Seeing how serious he was, I asked, "What is it?"

"Originally, this matter didn't concern me much, but I quite like your demeanor, so I'll inform you first." He said this while patting his pocket, pulling out a cigarette case, which turned out to be empty.

He smiled sheepishly and asked me, "Got any cigarettes?"

I handed him one and lit it for him.

"I'm not part of the Ninth Bureau, but they sometimes ask me for small favors."

"Are you here tonight to help the Ninth Bureau with something?"

He coughed lightly, as if choked by the smoke, or perhaps by my question.

He sighed and said, "I came for Sister Xie. I owe her a favor, so when I learned she was harmed and her soul was controlled, I decided to help her. If she wasn't freed from the Onmyoji's control, she would have ended up completely annihilated."

I didn't say anything. He owed Xie Xiaotang a favor, so his actions were understandable.

"However, the Ninth Bureau did approach me and ask me to do something."

Xu Qiuyan, who had been listening silently, interjected when she heard Fatty say this. "Does it have something to do with us? You're here tonight for Xie Xiaotang, and also for us. If I'm not mistaken, it should be related to the people around us, right?"

Fatty's eyes widened, and his mouth opened, the cigarette between his lips nearly falling out.

"Why do you think that?" Fatty asked.

Xu Qiuyan replied calmly, "Because I distinctly felt Sister Hong's fear, and I also distinctly felt the killing intent you had towards her at the time."

I had a similar feeling, which I had sensed from Duan Hongbin.

"Alright, I admit you guessed correctly. But there's one point: that wasn't killing intent. I just wanted to see their true strength; I didn't actually intend to attack them. Otherwise, they wouldn't have lasted until you showed up."

My heart skipped a beat. It seemed I had underestimated Fatty's strength.

Fatty stubbed out the remaining half of his cigarette and carefully put it in his pocket. "The people from the Ninth Bureau asked me to help them with something, and it has to do with you."

Xu Qiuyan took a step back, her voice filled with caution, "I won't let you harm them!"

Hearing this, I also took a step back, standing close to Xu Qiuyan. I knew that when Xu Qiuyan said "them," she was referring to Sister Hong and the other person hidden within her.

Could Fatty really intend to attack them?

I silently called out to Chu Ge in my mind. Chu Ge quickly replied, "We're no match for him. Even teaming up with your little girlfriend's two companions wouldn't be enough."

I knew that Chu Ge, Duan Hongbin, and Eccentric Song were all extremely confident, yet I detected fear in his words.

Was he really going to attack my and Xu Qiuyan's companions? And this was at the Ninth Bureau's behest?

Whose idea was it at the Ninth Bureau? Xie Yi or that Old Shu?

I suddenly regretted joining the Ninth Bureau. To this day, I had no idea what kind of department it was or who the people within it were.

Perhaps I was too naive.

"I think you've misunderstood. Neither the Ninth Bureau nor I have any ill intentions towards you. To be honest, this is Old Shu's idea."

Just as I suspected, it was indeed Old Shu's idea.

Fatty gave a wry smile. "You don't need to be like this. Old Shu said you can refuse this matter, but he believes it wouldn't be beneficial for your growth."

I became curious. "What exactly does he want me to do?"

Fatty's expression turned serious. "He wants me to temporarily seal your companions for one year. During this year, your companions won't be able to appear as readily as they normally do."

I frowned. Xu Qiuyan's eyes darted around. "I think I'm starting to understand. Does Old Shu perhaps think we'll become too reliant on our companions?"

Fatty nodded. "Not 'perhaps,' you already are overly reliant on your companions—their skills, their wisdom. When faced with any situation, your first instinct is to have them handle it and resolve it. Of course, in a sense, they are you, but they are also a means for you to escape reality. Therefore, Old Shu wants me to seal them temporarily. For this year, you can only rely on yourselves. Only then can you truly grow."

After hearing Fatty's words, I fell silent. Xu Qiuyan also stopped talking and looked at me.

Recalling the past few years, these three had always been by my side. It was during my most difficult and helpless moments that their unwavering support allowed me to persevere and gave me the courage and determination to uncover the truth of the Little Ancestral Hall Entrance incident. They were my entire reliance.

But from another perspective, Old Shu was right. Currently, I had no independent survival skills at all. No matter what happened, my first thought would be of them, sometimes even unconsciously.

This was also why they could appear by my side at any time.

As long as I had the slightest thought, they would appear.

One was capable in combat, one understood metaphysics, and the other possessed extensive skills in applied psychology. Most importantly, they had a much greater understanding of this world than I did. And myself? What could I do without them?

Thinking of this, a sense of fear arose in my heart.

Xu Qiuyan gently squeezed my hand. "Perhaps Old Shu truly means well for us."

Fatty nodded. "That's right. Old Shu is a good person. You'll know once you get to know him better. He also told me to tell you that their abilities were all granted by you. Just as you can grant them abilities, you have already possessed such abilities yourself."

I was stunned. I had never considered that.

Fatty's gaze then shifted to Xu Qiuyan. "It's the same for you. It's just that your companions exist in reality, in the form of souls. Your constitution is also special; anyone else would have died long ago. You can withstand such immense malevolent energy."

I asked, "Will this seal cause them any harm?"

Fatty chuckled, "No, of course not. I mean, there won't be any harm to her companions. On the contrary, there might even be unexpected benefits. They can recuperate carefully for this year, and perhaps their strength will even see a qualitative breakthrough. However, it's different for your companions. How should I put it? They were created by your consciousness. When you truly master all their abilities, they will naturally disappear from your world."

I seemed to understand, "So, you're saying my companions aren't real, and I actually have schizophrenia, right?"

Fatty thought for a moment, "Not entirely. Old Shu said you don't have schizophrenia, but they were indeed created by your consciousness. This is very similar to schizophrenia. Alas, I'm not a psychology expert, so your question is too profound for me. Let's get back to the main topic. Are you willing to temporarily seal your companions? Think carefully before answering. After all, your path ahead is still long and very dangerous. Once they are sealed, those dangers will be yours to face alone."

I hesitated, exchanging a look with Xu Qiuyan. She nodded heavily.

I hadn't expected her, a young woman, to be so decisive in making a decision.

She smiled at me, "He also said this is a good thing for Sister Hong and the others. Besides, I don't want to rely on them for everything. I have to face things myself, don't I? And aren't you here with me?"

I smiled too, nodded, and then said to Fatty, "Okay, we agree."

Fatty looked a bit taken aback, "I actually thought you would refuse."

"Old Shu was right. Indeed, there are some things we should face ourselves."