Outer Path Wuchang 3

"I only concluded that ability users were superior to ordinary people after rational consideration," I answered honestly. "It's one thing when busybodies point fingers at me behind my back, but when it comes to Chang'an—or anyone who can communicate with me normally—I really can't bring myself to look down on them."

"Then if your reason and emotions came into conflict, which side would you choose?" Zhu Shi continued.

Without thinking, I countered, "Do I look like someone who puts reason first?"

"...You're right. That was a pointless question." She was rendered speechless.

"I understand why you care so much about my answer. You want to confirm my position, right?" I said. "Then I can tell you directly right now: I won't stand with those who believe ability users should integrate into ordinary society, nor will I stand with those who believe ability users are above the mundane world. I have no interest in your political factions. Just thinking about that stuff makes me tired."

"But, Zhu Shi, I'll stand by your side. Since you're Chang'an's younger sister, you're my friend too. If anyone becomes your enemy, they'll be my enemy as well.

"Now, tell me. What do you want me to do?"

Zhu Shi parted her lips slightly. A moment later, she let out a laugh mixed with a sigh. "That's cheating..."

"I was only telling the truth."

In truth, there had been some deliberate theatrics involved. Normally, I wouldn't have put it so grandly.

But my words had been sincere, and I really did intend to act that way.

"The truth is the most unfair thing of all." She responded softly at first, then began to complain. "You might think the topic I brought up earlier was unpleasant, but I hate these political topics too. What girl my age actually likes discussing serious politics? So please don't misunderstand me. I really wasn't trying to politically persuade you."

"I won't misunderstand you," I promised.

"Good. Then, back to your earlier question..." She composed herself and continued. "I hope you can conceal your true strength from Luoshan for now."

"If I reveal my true strength, will someone try to harm me?" I asked curiously.

"On the contrary, most of Luoshan's factions would fight tooth and nail to get you on their side. Unless they've lost their minds, that's definitely what they'll do. You could choose any of them and gain enormous benefits." She spoke slowly. "And the reason I'm making this suggestion isn't because I want to represent my own faction and claim you for myself. This is merely a personal request."

"What's the reason?" I asked.

"I hope you can observe them carefully." She looked at me seriously. "Once you reveal yourself, people with all kinds of ulterior motives will approach you. They'll say exaggerated things to your face and disguise their true positions. That won't be the real them. You can lie low for now, observe their true faces, and then decide which path to take.

"Even if you ultimately choose a path different from mine, it doesn't matter. I hope you choose the path you truly want."

I already said I'm not interested in this sort of thing.

I wanted to say that, but I sensed Zhu Shi's genuine goodwill.

Besides, after thinking it over carefully, it was true that revealing myself to all those factions right now would be unwise.

I didn't personally mind getting caught in some so-called "political maelstrom." If I got caught up in it, so be it. I would just focus on doing my own thing. If anyone tried to force me to do something else, I could simply ignore them. And if anyone came to interfere with me, they would become my enemy. Simple and clear.

The problem was Maza.

Luoshan was currently hunting Maza as a priority, and Maza was by my side. Although I didn't know which of Luoshan's factions were specifically responsible, I needed to hide Maza from their sight.

The irony was that I wasn't a good person trying to protect a helpless girl from bad people. I was another bad person.

Before I knew that anomalies and I repelled one another, establishing myself in Luoshan had been more important to me. Back then, I definitely wouldn't have hidden my true strength for Maza's sake. But now, Maza had become an indispensable choice in my heart, while Luoshan was the secondary concern.

Seeing that I agreed, Zhu Shi relaxed as well.

"Concealing your true strength has another benefit: other people won't know how to counter you properly." She sighed. "Take Agent Kong's recent attack, for example. If he'd known beforehand that you could use Elementalization, he definitely would have ambushed you with a method focused on damaging the soul."

"Yeah. Fortunately, he only specialized in physical attacks." I sighed as well, then asked, "By the way, you said I should conceal it, but the commotion from my battle with Agent Kong was so huge. There's no way to hide it, right?"

"I'll figure out how to handle that. I'll tell you once I have the results."

"Good. Then, about me joining Luoshan..." I brought up the old matter again.

"To become a Luoshan Demon Hunter, you have to pass a test. It doesn't just test your level of power; it also tests your knowledge of anomalies." She put it tactfully. "If you've never formally studied the relevant knowledge, you'll need at least three years of study before you can pass Luoshan's Demon Hunter test."

"It takes that long?" I was surprised. "But from what Agent Kong said earlier, you could become my guide... The way he put it, it sounded as though I could join Luoshan immediately."

"In Luoshan, the relationship between a guide and the person being guided is essentially that of teacher and student." She looked embarrassed. "He probably meant that you could become my student, study under me for a few years, and then join Luoshan..."

"I see. Then, Teacher Zhu Shi."

It was my first time calling my junior schoolmate "Teacher." I said it with a perfectly serious expression, though I felt a little awkward inside, along with an indescribable sense of novelty and excitement.

Zhu Shi, on the other hand, was far more flustered than I was. She was stunned. "You really called me that?"

The first person to lose their composure in a situation like this was the embarrassing one, so I continued to keep a straight face. "Is there a problem?"

"Don't you think I'm unqualified? Because of my age, my strength, or something..." she asked hesitantly.

"You know more than I do, and you have more experience too. As the saying goes, one who has attained the Way can be a teacher. Of course you're qualified." I told her the truth.

She carefully studied my expression. Then, as if she had no way to deal with me, she deflated and said, "...Actually, becoming a Demon Hunter doesn't necessarily require passing the test. There are other paths."

"I'd love to hear them." My spirits lifted.

She gave me the answer. "You can become an 'Outer Path Wuchang.'"

"What is an 'Outer Path Wuchang'?"

"Luoshan Demon Hunters who deal with anomalies are called 'Wuchang.' An 'Outer Path Wuchang,' meanwhile, refers to a powerful Demon Hunter who operates outside Luoshan's system but has earned Luoshan's recognition." She explained, "You can think of them as Luoshan's allies. To Luoshan, most civilian Demon Hunters aren't so much Demon Hunters as potential dangerous elements—and, more importantly, people to be managed. But when it comes to particularly powerful individuals among them, Luoshan will deliberately grant them qualifications equal to those of official Demon Hunters."

I searched my memory for the miscellaneous knowledge I had learned in the past.

Buddhism called its own teachings the "Inner Path" and teachings outside itself the "Outer Path," while "Wuchang" was a Daoist soul-reaping messenger.

Outer Path Wuchang... I mulled over the term. Never mind its origins, it had an inexplicable coolness and sinister edge that suited my tastes perfectly.

"How do I gain Luoshan's recognition?"

"You don't need to worry about that. Even if I can conceal your true strength in my report, there's no hiding the building you cut in half." She said, "Although most people think Flame ability users only have an edge in attack power, if that edge is as extreme as yours, Luoshan will probably have no choice but to acknowledge you. I'll apply for it on your behalf as well."

"Then I'll leave it to you." I asked her seriously.

For a brief moment, she returned to her "Junior Sister Zhu" mode. Smiling brightly, she nodded. "Leave it to me, Senior Brother Zhuang!"

-

Before we parted, I asked Zhu Shi to do one more thing.

It concerned an examination of the source of my abilities.

Zhu Shi could only determine that my abilities didn't originate from the bloodline of demons or monsters. The specifics would require a detailed examination, and I was extremely concerned about the source of my abilities. After learning what I needed, she took a few drops of my blood and said she would bring them back for testing.

I didn't go home immediately afterward. Instead, I called Chang'an and arranged to meet him.

Because the Fallen Demon Hunter incident had ended in such an unclear manner, the "Firefly" I had left with him hadn't been withdrawn yet.

And just as Chang'an himself had said, to avoid implicating the people around him if the "mysterious serial killer" came after him, he hadn't gone to school recently. Actually, when normal people encountered this sort of situation, wouldn't they want to go somewhere crowded? His way of thinking seemed somewhat different.

The few agents who had secretly watched him from nearby had already been withdrawn. It seemed that Luoshan considered the Fallen Demon Hunter incident over and no longer thought surveillance was necessary. Chang'an also appeared to have received the news, and he seemed much more relaxed. He had even sent me a text message specially the previous night.

We arranged to meet at a fried chicken shop. When he arrived, he was still wearing an entire outfit of tacky designer clothes. It wasn't that I held a stereotype about designer clothing; it was simply that he only cared about expensive clothes and had no understanding of how to coordinate an outfit.

As his sister, Zhu Shi didn't seem to know much about coordinating clothes either, but she favored a simple style, so the lack of knowledge didn't show. Chang'an, on the other hand, stood out with his gaudy outfits, as if he had too much money and didn't know how to spend it.

Yet now, even his appalling outfit had begun to make me feel nostalgic.

He walked over with a grin and spoke loudly. "Aiya, I've been going stir-crazy these past two days... Why did you suddenly call me out? Are you asking me to treat you to a meal? I will, I will! Tell me, what do you want to eat?"

He had no idea that I had come to end our friendship.