Ding Jian's Katana

"This guy... he's so strange. Being stared at by him feels like being pointed at by a sharp sword," Zhang Chen said, swallowing hard as he looked into the hawk-nosed police officer's eyes.

"Today, the school will hold a large award ceremony for student Zhang Chen. Student Zhang Chen, disregarding his own safety, infiltrated enemy territory and assisted the police in solving a serial murder case that had remained unsolved for years. He also rescued our classmate Wang Yizhi. Student Zhang Chen's spirit of bravery and moving forward, regardless of personal danger, is worthy of everyone's emulation."

As these words were spoken, the classroom erupted in a clamor, and all eyes turned to Zhang Chen. However, Zhang Chen himself merely forced a smile, his heart filled with questions.

"The first and second periods this morning are canceled and will be replaced by a celebration and awards ceremony for student Zhang Chen at the stadium. Beside me is Deputy Director Ding from our Jinxi County Police Bureau. Everyone will follow Director Ding to the stadium; our class will have a dedicated VIP section."

Lu Ba's announcement sent the entire class into a frenzy. Junior high studies were already incredibly tedious and demanding, so any chance for a break was met with joy. Furthermore, being able to sit in the VIP section thanks to Zhang Chen made everyone incredibly happy.

"Wow, Director Ding is so young, and quite handsome too," many of the infatuated girls in the class began discussing Director Ding.

In Zhang Chen's opinion, if this guy's parents weren't the mayor or provincial party secretary, then he must have possessed extraordinary abilities. From the look in his eyes just now, Zhang Chen felt this person leaned more towards the latter.

The entire class followed Director Ding out of the classroom. They split into three groups: one group of girls surrounded Director Ding, asking him various questions; a group of boys gathered around Zhang Chen, asking how he heroically saved the beauty; and the remaining group followed Wang Yizhi, inquiring about the situation.

Zhang Chen was helpless against his classmates, so he fabricated some plotlines straight out of a detective novel to satisfy their curiosity before they finally left him alone.

Upon arriving at the stadium and after the classmates had taken their seats, Director Ding motioned for Zhang Chen to follow him backstage.

"Young man, this time I was repaying a favor to that old monk. I helped you sort this out and even put some accolades on your name. If you cause such a big mess again, no one will help you. One of the punks who died in the basement had a very influential background, and it took a lot of effort to suppress it for you," Director Ding said casually, not looking at Zhang Chen.

"Thank you, Director Ding," Zhang Chen replied, frowning slightly. After all, this person didn't seem to have a good impression of him.

"No need for thanks. I just wanted to ask you, what did you gain yesterday afternoon?" A chilling aura suddenly enveloped Zhang Chen.

At this moment, Zhang Chen could roughly guess that this police officer was also an ability user like himself, and definitely much more powerful. He also remembered the red crystal, similar to calcite, that he had obtained. If he were to say he gained nothing now, it would definitely create an adversarial relationship with this person.

Zhang Chen quickly and respectfully took out the pouch Master Pu Hu had given him and opened it before Director Ding.

"Director Ding, I only got this. Master Pu Hu said it's a blood beetle egg and very helpful to me. When that guy died, he was pulled into a door, and nothing was left."

By mentioning Pu Hu, Zhang Chen revealed his reliance on him. Judging by the police officer's words, Pu Hu's strength was likely comparable to his own.

"En," Director Ding nodded and said no more. He thought to himself:

"This is that bald donkey's Qiankun bag. I didn't expect him to act so quickly. I wonder what he got. This kid doesn't seem to be lying to me, but he wouldn't dare to lie anyway."

Just then, Zhang Chen noticed a crack appear on Director Ding's right palm. A cold, gleaming katana slowly emerged from his palm, its entire body radiating a chilling aura. The dark blue ribbon on the hilt automatically wrapped around Ding Jian's hand.

Ding Jian, who had been standing sideways, suddenly shifted, holding the sword in his right hand and unleashing a horizontal slash directly towards Zhang Chen's throat. The sense of danger reached its peak, far exceeding the threat of facing twenty Nail Men. Zhang Chen's ten fingernails instantly grew to half a meter long, blocking in front of him, while simultaneously activating his telekinesis to try and stop the blade's advance.

As Zhang Chen's telekinesis touched the cold glint of the blade, it instantly shattered. Zhang Chen himself let out a nosebleed. Following the path of the blade, his fingernails, capable of cutting through steel, snapped inch by inch.

A drop of blood flowed from Zhang Chen's neck, stopping on the tip of the blade. The blade had only penetrated Zhang Chen's skin slightly, precisely enough to break the dermis and allow only a single drop of blood to emerge.

Ding Jian retracted the katana, bringing it before him. He then extended his tongue and licked off the drop of Zhang Chen's blood from the tip of the blade. Zhang Chen, standing beside him, was drenched in cold sweat. That moment felt as if the scythe of death had been placed at his throat; the feeling of death was never so vivid.

Ding Jian seemed to be savoring Zhang Chen's blood, his eyes closed, appearing to enjoy it immensely. Anyone else seeing this would surely think he was a pervert. But Zhang Chen dared not make the slightest move, knowing full well that the man before him could genuinely kill him.

After a while, Ding Jian opened his eyes and spoke.

"Hmm, for your age, your current strength is quite good. However, if I see you at this level again next time, I will kill you."

Zhang Chen nodded, composing himself, and said, "Director Ding's sword is truly a fine sword."

"Oh!" Ding Jian revealed a hint of admiration. "This sword is named 'Moon.' It has felled no less than a hundred ghosts beneath it. If you can block it one day, we can be considered equals."

"However," Ding Jian suddenly leaned close to Zhang Chen's ear and whispered, "I'm left-handed. But what I have in my left hand is not something just anyone can see. It draws blood from everyone it meets. Come back and see me when you have the ability, haha."

Zhang Chen remained silent, his heart stirred. "Although this person is arrogant and conceited, he truly possesses strength. It seems I still have a long way to go. If, as he said, even a hundred of me would be like cutting tofu, not to mention what other abilities he might have."

"Oh, right, Little Chenzi. If you see Pu Hu, tell him that the debt from back then has been repaid," Ding Jian said.

Zhang Chen could only nod.

At this moment, a plainly dressed middle-aged man in his fifties entered the backstage room where Zhang Chen and Ding Jian were.

Ding Jian immediately put away his katana and quickly said respectfully, "Greetings, County Mayor."

The man cast a look of approval at Ding Jian and nodded with satisfaction, seemingly pleased with Ding Jian's image in his eyes.

Zhang Chen also felt he had seen this person somewhere before. Upon hearing Ding Jian address him as County Mayor, he immediately lowered his head and echoed, "Greetings, County Mayor."

"Good, good. Today's young people are better than ever. Young Zhang, our county is grateful to you this time, haha." The County Mayor, without any airs of authority, was very kind and approachable, earning Zhang Chen's deep admiration.

Following this, Zhang Chen went up to the stage, holding the "Jinxi County Model Youth" award certificate presented by the County Mayor. He was bathed in glory on the stage.

Furthermore, the County Mayor also announced that Zhang Chen would receive an additional fifty points on his high school entrance exam, along with a personal recommendation letter from the County Mayor. This would make it much easier for him to get into a prestigious high school. The students from Yufang Middle School watching from below could only look on with envy and jealousy.

The excitement didn't die down. Many female students from other classes came to find Zhang Chen to ask about the incident. However, seeing Wang Yizhi looking unhappy beside him, Zhang Chen could only send them away and then text her to comfort his "goddess."

The next day, something significant happened. Wang Yizhi's parents, upon hearing about the incident, rushed back from another province. After confirming their daughter was unharmed, they sought out Zhang Chen and generously treated Zhang Chen and his family to a meal at the best hotel in Jinxi County. Wang Yizhi's parents, who had met Zhang Chen once before at Sanxue Temple, had a particularly good impression of the young man.

Zhang Chen's parents also inquired about Wang Yizhi, finding her to be a very good girl. As they ate, they even began discussing Zhang Chen and Wang Yizhi's future.

Zhang Chen kept glancing at Wang Yizhi. She was like a docile rabbit next to his parents, still and proper in her demeanor. When his parents talked about her and Zhang Chen, she remained silent, but her face turned as red as if she had applied rouge.

After that evening, Zhang Chen and Wang Yizhi truly confirmed their relationship. However, they agreed that they must encourage each other in their studies and progress together.

Three days passed quickly. It was Saturday, the day of Zhang Chen's three-day appointment with Pu Hu. Zhang Chen woke up early, changed his clothes, and set off with the talismans Pu Hu had given him.

Last night, Wang Yizhi had called, saying she wanted to come to Zhang Chen's house to study together. However, Zhang Chen had postponed it to tomorrow, making the little girl unhappy for a moment. But after a bit of coaxing, she was happy again.

"Taking the bus to Sanxue Temple again. It's been a year since I last went there, I really miss it." Zhang Chen got off the bus. There were many people on a weekend, and even more street vendors. However, Zhang Chen chose the same stall owner as last time and ate a bowl of pork rib noodles. Then, he joined the crowd walking towards Sanxue Temple.

At the main entrance were the same two young monks named "Pu Ping" and "Pu Gong." They clearly recognized Zhang Chen and nodded slightly. Zhang Chen naturally nodded in return.

"Master Pu Hu said to light it in front of Sanxue Temple, right?" Zhang Chen took out the lighter and talismans he had prepared and lit a corner.

The flame from the burning talisman floated in the air, tearing a small rift in space. As more flames drifted, the surface of the space around Zhang Chen was completely peeled away, revealing another identical world before him – the same mountain, the same temple.

However, there was no one around. The entrance to Sanxue Temple was as it had been the first time Zhang Chen visited, with the doors slightly ajar.

"Come in..."