"Li Cuiping, a resident of Corner Street, was possessed by an Evil Spirit after breaking too many taboos, summoning the enormous steel-plate-shaped Forbidden Object bearing filthy words."
"The Forbidden Object constantly emitted twisted rays that polluted the mind. Printed on it was an image of an Evil God disguised as a kindly old man, along with obscure runes spelling [KFC]."
"The Enforcement Team cautiously performed an exorcism mass first, then brought the Evil-Breaking Iron Hammer down on the runes. Yet the Forbidden Object still resisted fiercely. Sparks flew everywhere, and one team member died on the spot."
"Let this serve as a warning to everyone—Evening City Daily"
"Those respectable Black Robe Enforcement Team members..."
After setting down the newspaper, Bai Zhou handed the plump Convenience Store owner five crumpled yuan. He was dressed in a plain Blue and White School Uniform.
"The usual. One bag of Four-Flavor Instant Noodles and two Jade-in-Jade Ham Sausages."
"I packed them for you ages ago!"
The plump owner took the money and handed over a black plastic bag. "Why didn't you go mooch a meal from Sister Li? What a lively wedding!"
Everyone in the alley knew Bai Zhou. They had taught him which market stall sold the tenderest flower-tipped cucumbers and told him what time the line at the boxed-meal stall was shortest.
The stitching on his uniform trousers had been redone again and again. The leaves on Corner Street had turned green and yellow eighteen times. An orphan, Bai Zhou had grown up eating meals provided by everyone in the alley.
"Thanks, Uncle Xiang."
Bai Zhou accepted the plastic bag and glanced at the clock on the table, whose face was ringed with thirty-six numbers. He shook his head—
"I couldn't afford a wedding gift, so I didn't go."
"I saw Sister Li just the day before yesterday, and now she's gone." The plump owner, known by the neighbors as "Uncle Xiang," sighed mournfully.
"But I suppose she gained a blessing from the disaster. She and Old Wang finally became husband and wife."
"Who could say otherwise?" Bai Zhou waved the newspaper in his hand.
The Li Cuiping mentioned in the newspaper was the Sister Li Uncle Xiang had been talking about.
—After breaking too many taboos, Sister Li had been possessed by something unclean.
She had begun spouting baffling nonsense, saying "transmigration" one moment and "Marxism" the next. She had even forgotten the basic fact that a day had thirty-six hours.
The following afternoon, Thursday, Crazy Sister Li was dragged to Civic Square by the Black Robe Enforcement Team and tied to a cross, where she was burned to ash.
Still, Sister Li's transformation into ashes could be considered a blessing in disguise. Because of it, she passed the Black Robe Enforcement Team's review and was permitted to marry Grandpa Wang.
Congratulations were in order.
The two had been in love for a long time and even had children, but they had never held a wedding.
After all, how could the living get married?
"By the way, have the results of your Black Robe selection come out?" Uncle Xiang looked at Bai Zhou expectantly.
"They have." Bai Zhou curled his lips. "I wasn't selected."
"How?" Uncle Xiang froze. "You're the top student of the Youth Training Corps. If you couldn't get selected, who could?"
"In theory, I should have been. But the one selected in the end was Li Wang."
Uncle Xiang was dumbfounded. "That sneaky little brat? What gives him the right?"
Bai Zhou nodded. "The Black Robe Lord in charge of the selection was Li Wang's father."
"There are corrupt parasites even among the Black Robe?" Uncle Xiang cursed.
"Don't let anyone hear you!" Bai Zhou hurriedly waved his hands.
"But it's fine. Once I graduate from the Training Corps in a few days, I can still be recommended into the Black Robe."
In Evening City, the Black Robe Enforcement Team was heaven itself—the maker and guardian of order.
Everyone in Evening City yearned to join the Black Robe Enforcement Team, but they only wanted the finest elites.
Monsters from the Wilderness beyond the city invaded from time to time. Only through the Black Robe Enforcement Team's efforts and sacrifices could the residents within the walls live in peace and prosperity.
Bai Zhou had loved adventure stories since childhood and always imagined himself as the protagonist. The more others treated the dangerous Wilderness beyond the walls as forbidden knowledge, the more curious and eager he became to see the world outside.
For that reason, Bai Zhou had trained with all his might and earned the appreciation of the Enforcement Team's higher-ups. Once he graduated, he would be able to join the Black Robe's Outer City Investigation Team and gain permission to pass through the walls and explore the Wilderness.
"I see." Uncle Xiang gave an awkward chuckle. He turned toward the street outside and glanced over twice before suddenly going rigid.
"Bai Zhou? What do you think that is?"
Uncle Xiang wasn't certain. "Doesn't that look like... a Forbidden Object?"
"A Forbidden Object?" Bai Zhou shuddered and looked outside with him.
Evening was falling.
A restless wind slowly swept past the street entrance, carrying heavy heat.
The pale sun set as a crimson crescent moon rose, creating an atmosphere of tranquility and peace.
Clouds drifted past, revealing the Red Moon in the night sky. On the quiet bluestone street, a glowing piece of glass lay there.
Its strange light stood out sharply against the dark night.
"It really is a Forbidden Object!" Bai Zhou looked solemnly at Uncle Xiang. "Have you broken a taboo too?"
In Evening City, every act of breaking a taboo summoned Forbidden Objects and Evil Spirits.
When you were hungry, you ate. When you were tired, you slept. On sunny days, you carried an umbrella. You didn't comb your hair during the day. Before eating, your chopsticks had to be placed neatly in your bowl...
These were basic rules even children knew.
But what if someone deliberately violated them?
That was taboo-breaking.
The more taboos one broke, the more likely an Evil Spirit was to find them.
Those with milder symptoms would be forced to drink Holy Water mixed with Holy Ash.
If the symptoms were severe, like Crazy Sister Li's, they could even summon a Forbidden Object...
Then the only option was to face the Black Robe's iron fist and ultimately receive purification in the blazing Holy Fire.
"Impossible!" Uncle Xiang grew tense. "Could the Evil Spirit that was attached to Sister Li not have been completely exorcised?"
Bai Zhou froze. His heart gave a jolt, and he tried his best to look solemn and expressionless.
Because he had suddenly realized that the Forbidden Object might truly have nothing to do with Uncle Xiang. It could be targeting him.
Bai Zhou and Sister Li had been neighbors separated by a wall. On the night before the selection, they had run into each other.
She had been enjoying the cool air in her courtyard, arranging four apples on a table before asking Bai Zhou:
"Have you studied? If you have, I'll test you... Do you know why apples fall from trees?"
Bai Zhou had never told anyone about that. He didn't dare.
With that thought, Bai Zhou cautiously approached the Forbidden Object.
The glowing glass was a thin, flat rectangle. Its upward-facing surface reflected a dazzling light.
Something seemed to be imprisoned inside the thin glass. That thing made noises, as if calling for help.
Holding his breath, Bai Zhou leaned closer for a look...
With that single glance, Bai Zhou felt as if he had been exposed to some terrifying and twisted mental pollution.
Because it was a horrifying existence that was absolutely nonhuman, and whose status as a living creature was difficult to judge—
A slimy, dark-yellow cube covered in ugly black spots waved its twisted, slender limbs, while its cunning eyes darted wildly.
It walked inside the glass, making strange creaking noises. Patting the shoulder of another foolish creature covered in hideous tentacles, it let out a mind-polluting, blasphemous, horrifying shriek:
"Ho ho ho ho ho ho—"
"Patrick Star, let's go catch jellyfish!"
The shriek reached ear-piercing decibels as it entered Bai Zhou's ears, forcing him to stagger back several steps.
Now Bai Zhou could be one hundred percent certain that this was a Forbidden Object!
He had received professional training in the Training Corps. He knew this was probably a Forbidden Object similar to the Wish-Granting Lamp, containing an indescribable ancient Evil God.
It was undoubtedly the same kind of thing as the steel plate summoned by Sister Li—or rather, the "Totem of the Mad Evil God."
"W-what do we do?" The fat on Uncle Xiang's face trembled wildly.
Bai Zhou stepped forward.
"Aard!" He immediately formed a hand seal and recited the Exorcism Seal he had learned from the Youth Training Corps.
However, the Forbidden Object remained unmoved.
"As expected of a Forbidden Object sealing two Ancient Gods." Bai Zhou nodded without the slightest sign of panic.
The next second, he reached into his clothes and pulled out a long tube, calmly opening it.
"Bang!" The tube launched a firework that exploded in the air. This was a special method Training Corps cadets used to summon the Black Robe.
"Hold on! The Black Robe will be here soon!"
Bai Zhou pulled Uncle Xiang back step by step.
In truth, he wanted nothing more than to turn and run, but he didn't dare move his gaze away from the glowing glass.
According to the Forbidden Object Law, once a Forbidden Object entangled someone, fleeing was useless unless it was sealed or erased.
"Ho ho ho ho ho ho—"
The Cube Ancient God ran back and forth as the Forbidden Object continued broadcasting its demonic noise. Bai Zhou and Uncle Xiang covered their ears and struggled to endure.
Fortunately, the Black Robe were always efficient.
"Don't worry, young man. There's no need to be afraid anymore—"
A deep male voice rang out. Bai Zhou turned his head and saw a group of tall figures.
Their black robes fluttered in the wind. Every one of them was tall, powerful, and imposing, and confidence and pride shone on their faces as they strode over.
The leading Black Robe Uncle flashed his white teeth and gave Bai Zhou a thumbs-up.
"Because we're here!"
"Teacher!" Bai Zhou let out a long breath when he recognized the leader as a teacher he had seen in the Youth Training Corps.
The Black Robe members immediately moved in front of him to protect him, and Bai Zhou felt an incomparable sense of security.
Thank goodness. He was saved!
To oppose Deities with human bodies—that was the Black Robe Enforcement Team!
"You're the top student of the Training Corps?" The Black Robe Uncle recognized Bai Zhou and gestured for him to come over. "Perfect. Come help us!"
"...All right." Bai Zhou blinked, but he could only answer and step forward to accept a large hammer.
The Black Robe then began the Ritual.
First, they sealed off the road as if facing a deadly enemy. Then several Black Robe members put on sinister masks, removed their clothes to bare their torsos, smeared their bodies with perfumed oil, hung bells from themselves, and clapped to a certain rhythm as they danced around the glowing glass.
A Black Robe virgin, her face full of piety, dipped her fingertip into salt water and sprinkled it over the upward-facing side of the glass.
Suddenly, as if irritated by the salt water that had landed on it, the glass made the two Ancient Gods disappear.
In their place appeared a twisted, vortex-like circle that also resembled a musical note—a mysterious White Rune that inspired deep thought and flickered with a pale light against the dark background.
"Now!" the Black Robe shouted sharply, looking at Bai Zhou.
Bai Zhou immediately raised the large hammer smeared with red paint.
At that moment, a mechanical female voice came from the White Rune, attempting to beguile Bai Zhou:
"Douyin, recording a beautiful life!"
Bai Zhou gave a cold laugh, his gaze resolute. "A beautiful life has nothing to do with the Evil God. It can only be created by the people themselves!"
The next second,
the hammer crashed down!
With a violent crack, the glass filled with fractures. Its light vanished completely, and the bewitching voice abruptly fell silent.
...Was it over?
The street was utterly quiet. Bai Zhou slowly lowered the hammer.
"Remaining calm in danger and protecting others... Talents like you are exactly what the Black Robe needs!"
The Black Robe Uncle gave Bai Zhou's shoulder a hard slap and solemnly promised:
"When you graduate from the Youth Training Corps, I'll personally write you a recommendation letter!"
"I only did what I should." Bai Zhou scratched his head bashfully as his spirit gradually relaxed.
"Crack!"
In the silent alley, a strange echo suddenly rang out again.
Bai Zhou turned around in astonishment. "Again?"
With a boom, the ground and even the sky inexplicably shook.
The cracks on the Glass Forbidden Object spread outward, directly extending into the air before continuing upward, higher and higher...
"The sky!" the Black Robe suddenly cried out.
Everyone looked up at the sound, and what they saw nearly made them forget to breathe.
The Blood Moon that had existed in the heavens since antiquity had shattered at one corner. The crimson night sky had been torn open, revealing a patch of incongruous deep blue.
"Crack! Rip!"
It sounded as if a curtain had been torn open by something, or as if a mirror had shattered.
Within Bai Zhou's bewildered gaze,
the sky fell.
Yes, literally. Fragments interwoven with red and black came fluttering down from the sky.
Did we cause this much trouble? Bai Zhou felt his scalp go numb in bewilderment.
"Quick, cast the spell with me!" the trembling Black Robe recited a hymn.
Great basins of black dog blood, ram's blood, and salt water were thrown toward the sky one after another, only to be pulled back down by gravity and splash all over the casters themselves.
Beneath the crumbling sky, they mechanically repeated the sacrificial dance. Like a mass of snakes dancing wildly, or Shiva reveling, their abandoned movements spun like whirlwinds across the trembling earth.
"Heaven is enraged! We need a sacrifice!" Some of the Black Robe members also turned toward Bai Zhou with strange, ferocious gazes.
Suddenly, a cool female voice tinged with huskiness came from the Glass Forbidden Object.
"Hey—"
"Come out!"
Flames ignited on the horizon.
The next instant, something crashed into the ground with a violent tremor.
Carrying astonishing weight and speed, a slender figure plunged down and landed beside the Glass Forbidden Object.
Then, like a meteor shower—
More figures followed close behind, descending from the sky.
Before Bai Zhou could figure out what was happening,
her hair flying, the first person arrived before the dumbstruck Bai Zhou.
In the crumbling world, the haze cleared from his vision. Bai Zhou, struggling to remain calm, focused his eyes and looked over,
"...Who is it...?"
The shattered Blood Moon illuminated the sky.
With the dome behind her engulfed in flames, a figure was stretched long across the ground.
Her long black hair flew wildly, spreading like a waterfall, setting off ruby-like eyes that blazed like fire;
She wore a pitch-black coat resembling a cloak. Blown by the wind, its hems billowed and rustled like rolling clouds.
From beneath the coat's sleeves, slender jade-like fingers could be seen gripping a long saber covered in inexplicably heavy rust, exuding a violent, chilling beauty.
Liquid resembling molten, burning steel flowed along the long saber. Scattered sparks of fire transformed into crimson butterflies that fluttered and danced through the air.
--The Maiden, seeming both god and demon, tore through the sky and descended before the dumbstruck Bai Zhou.
A rich, Coffee-like burnt fragrance lingered around her, seeping into Bai Zhou's sensitive nostrils.
"She is..."
With a boom--,
the crumbling Blood Moon behind her finally shattered into fragments.
A Golden Sun, like a fireball hanging in the sky, appeared where Bai Zhou had never seen one before. Blue skies replaced everything he had once known.
The glaring, unfamiliar sunlight made Bai Zhou squint instinctively, and tears streamed uncontrollably from his eyes.
At the same time.
People dressed in black trench coats, their style utterly different from Evening City, began deploying across the ground.
A black "great bird" skimmed across the sky, accompanied by the tremendous roar of propellers.
Fully armed masked soldiers marched in wearing combat boots. A vast tide of steel seemed intent on completely drowning this fragile little city.
...That day, at that moment.
Before the alley not far from home,
the peaceful daily life Bai Zhou had taken for granted for eighteen years was,
--completely hacked to pieces by the woman holding the rusted long saber.
"On the 138th exploration of the Reflection Ruins Realm, coordinates (1999, 2333, 7051), location successfully determined."
A soft, slightly hoarse murmur came from the slender figure holding the Flowing Fire Long Saber.
Bai Zhou recognized it. It was identical to the icy voice he had heard moments earlier.
"Blue Star Eastern Federation time, August 17, 2030, 9:24 a.m."
"Successfully located the ruins of Evening City."
The Maiden who shattered the Sky Light, overturned the world, and descended upon Evening City like a god,
looked down arrogantly in every direction with those cold, haughty Rainbow Eyes, her gaze sharp as a blade.
"The missing children have been found."