Locking Himself Up

After they returned, Lu Guangqi and Zhang Qinglang both took turns comforting him.

Zhang Qinglang even took him out for another big meal and showed him around the base.

Wu Zhong went along with it on the surface, but inside, he felt deeply insecure.

He kept thinking: They won't sacrifice me, will they? They won't trade me to ghosts and gods? Yeah right, like I'd believe that crap.

He truly did not dare to trust them. Failure meant death.

He had never had much of a sense of security to begin with. His past life had been calm and uneventful, but the string of sudden changes had left him extraordinarily sensitive.

And Lu Guangqi's conversation with the ghosts and gods today had snapped the taut string in his heart.

That group of ghosts and gods wanted his life. He had seen it with his own eyes and heard it with his own ears.

And he was completely at their mercy. He could very well be sold out.

Wu Zhong had always believed that if the worst possibility existed, then it was bound to happen sooner or later.

Perhaps Lu Guangqi simply had not settled the terms yet. Or perhaps he did not have the authority to make the decision.

But what happened once the terms were settled?

In the face of such a massive disaster, what did sacrificing one Wu Zhong amount to?

Once both sides reached an agreement, even Wu Zhong himself did not think he would survive.

Then there was his ability to weld doors shut.

He had been hiding it all along, too afraid to mention it, but he had the feeling he would not be able to keep it secret for much longer.

Wu Zhong was considering whether he should come clean voluntarily or conceal it to the bitter end.

He did not know what the consequences would be.

After all, these people told him nothing and kept him outside their circle, leaving him with no sense of certainty.

Even the name 985 Firefighting Unit was something he had accidentally heard from his lifesaver, Endless Summer.

But hiding it was not realistic either.

Once they showed any sign of suspecting something along those lines, he would definitely have to tell them. After all, stubbornly refusing to talk would not end well.

They had that Eternal Thirst Plum. Once someone contracted Eternal Thirst Syndrome, life would be worse than death.

Just thinking about the thing sent a chill down Wu Zhong's spine.

This world was far more terrifying and mysterious than he had imagined.

And although he had a superpower, it was fucking useless.

Was he supposed to rely on his door-opening iron fist to go head-to-head with Lu Guangqi's Sky-Clearing Palm, which was practically like a Kamehameha? Was he insane?

"Ugh... this is so damn annoying."

Wu Zhong silently followed Zhang Qinglang around until they reached the area near Gate B12.

Something stirred in his heart. Endless Summer was locked up inside.

"Daoist Zhang, yesterday I heard Captain Lu mention that some kind of Eternal Thirst Plum would be delivered today for that person. Is that true?"

Zhang Qinglang froze. "The Eternal Thirst Plum is being delivered? Oh... you mean Endless Summer. If that guy insists on refusing to cooperate, then all we can do is infect him with the stuff."

"Still, he should have accomplices coming to rescue him, so there's no rush. Maybe we can cast a long line and reel in a bigger fish."

Wu Zhong asked, "How do you know he definitely has accomplices coming to save him?"

Zhang Qinglang smiled. "Isn't it obvious? He's so calm and composed, and he clearly doesn't take the firefighting unit seriously. He must have something to rely on."

"Either he has some hidden ability he hasn't used yet and is confident he can kill his way out, or he has accomplices coming to rescue him."

"But the first possibility is almost impossible. He already lost to Captain Lu. If he had the ability to escape, he would've done so long ago. Why would he sit here in prison?"

Wu Zhong asked curiously, "I heard he's some kind of Gold-ranked mercenary. What does that mean?"

Zhang Qinglang waved a hand. "It means exactly what it sounds like. A Gold-ranked mercenary."

"There are plenty of mercenaries like that in the Calamity Realm. This humble Daoist is one too, though I'm Silver-ranked..."

"Of course, that ranking is based on mission volume. It doesn't mean I'm weaker than him."

"The Calamity Realm is full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers. Strength has its differences, but real combat has never been something you can measure by rank. There are countless examples of top experts falling to rookies."

Wu Zhong tilted his head. So Zhang Qinglang was a mercenary?

That made sense. Everyone else wore uniforms, while he alone wore a Daoist robe, looking completely out of place.

Although Zhang Qinglang acted like one of their own here, he was clearly not an official member. He was probably some kind of long-term external collaborator.

"The Calamity Realm? What does that mean?"

Zhang Qinglang chuckled. "It's just the circle we belong to. You're not part of the circle, so don't ask too much."

Wu Zhong sighed. The Calamity Realm... this unique circle of theirs was probably the circle of people with special abilities.

Because they considered him an outsider, they told him nothing beyond what was necessary.

It made him want to reveal his superpower outright.

But Wu Zhong still held himself back.

Wu Zhong hesitated. "Um, Daoist Zhang, can I go in and talk to Endless Summer?"

Zhang Qinglang looked surprised. "Huh? What would you talk to him about?"

Wu Zhong said, "He did save my life. I want to thank him properly in person."

"If it weren't for him, the Day Patrol God would have killed me yesterday afternoon."

Zhang Qinglang clasped his hands together. "Then I'll go ask Captain Lu. After all, I'm a guest too, so I can't make that call."

The moment Wu Zhong heard that he had to ask Captain Lu, he figured there was no chance. He quietly returned to his room.

Yet an hour later, Zhang Qinglang suddenly came to find him with a card in hand.

"Come on, come on. Captain Lu agreed. This humble Daoist will take you there."

Wu Zhong was delighted and hurriedly followed him.

The two arrived at Gate B12, only to see Zhang Qinglang rummage through his sleeve and pull out an Air Shield!

Click. The Air Shield fit into the grid-shaped recess, and the gate slowly opened.

"What is that..."

Zhang Qinglang shook the Air Shield in his hand as though he were pinching a translucent cube. "I can't condense an Air Shield. That's the absolute trait of Unit 985."

"And this gate detects the composition of the Air Shield. It has to meet a specific ratio and arrangement."

"However, once Captain Lu makes an Air Shield, it can last for an hour. I can use it directly after taking it from him."

Wu Zhong was startled. Wasn't that basically a key?

He had seen the ability to condense air several times. He had thought it had to be maintained personally, but apparently it could be made like a product and handed directly to someone else.

And using a product derived from a superpower as the gate's key guaranteed its uniqueness.

"Daoist Zhang, can I touch it?"

Zhang Qinglang thought for a moment, then tossed it to him.

Wu Zhong played with it in his hand. The Air Shield was incredibly light. It really was made of nothing but air, except some invisible force had welded it into the shape of a shield.

That made him pause. It was somewhat like his own ability to weld doors shut.

Except he welded doors, while they welded air.

Fuck, just look at that ability!

They could weld air itself and form it on an enormous scale to block attacks from ghosts and gods... even though it had failed to block them back then...

But it was so useful. Wu Zhong could immediately think of countless ingenious applications.

Compared to that, his door-welding ability made him want to curse. The more he thought about it, the more he wanted to cry.

"Daoist Zhang, what did you call this? An absolute trait? Does everyone in Unit 985 know how to do it?"

Zhang Qinglang nodded. "More or less. Air Shields are their exclusive specialty."

Wu Zhong asked excitedly, "Then can I learn it?"

Zhang Qinglang glanced at him. "Theoretically, perhaps, but this isn't something you learn... Absolute traits are generally contracted through infection."

Wu Zhong was stunned. Infection?

Captain Lu had used that word yesterday as well. He had said that merely looking at it would infect someone with Eternal Thirst Syndrome.

There was no doubt that Eternal Thirst Syndrome was also an absolute trait... The name fit perfectly. An effect that absolutely manifested and lasted forever was practically impossible to counter. Wasn't that exactly what an absolute trait was?

So the people of the 985 Firefighting Unit could create Air Shields because they had somehow been infected with a trait, whether by seeing something, touching something, or some other method.

Only this was a positive effect, while Eternal Thirst Syndrome was undoubtedly negative to the extreme.

"Don't get any ideas. The 985 Firefighting Unit isn't easy to join. It's an official containment force."

"You first have to be an outstanding cadre before you can possibly be selected for training... What's your political affiliation?"

Wu Zhong stared blankly. "I'm unaffiliated."

Zhang Qinglang smiled. "Then you're far from qualified. Becoming an official member is basically impossible."

"Here, give me the Air Shield."

As they spoke, the two had already entered the passage.

When Zhang Qinglang saw Wu Zhong casually close the gate behind them while holding the Air Shield, he reached out to ask for it back.

"Oh, okay."

Wu Zhong obediently returned the Air Shield to Zhang Qinglang.

After putting it away, Zhang Qinglang suddenly looked at him. "Why is your heart beating so fast?"

"Huh? Oh, hearing all that made my blood race. It feels so shocking. I never knew our world had things like this."

As Wu Zhong spoke, he realized he could hear his own heartbeat, but he had not expected this Daoist to hear it too. His hearing was remarkably sharp...

He really was nervous, because when he had borrowed the Air Shield and casually shut the gate, he had welded it shut!

Honestly, he did not know why he had been so bold!

He only felt that this was an opportunity.

Opening and closing this gate required the Air Shield trait. He had not expected Zhang Qinglang to bring over a temporary Air Shield and even let him play with it.

So naturally, he had casually welded the gate shut.

As for what he would do after welding it shut, honestly, he had no idea!

He merely instinctively felt that if he missed this chance, there would not be another!

Expose his trait? Whatever. It would be exposed sooner or later.

Besides, his ability consumed no energy and left no trace. By these people's standards, it was an absolute trait, and an especially silent one at that.

If no one tried to open or close this gate, who would know it had been welded shut?

And for the time being, it was almost impossible for anyone else to enter or exit. Only he and Zhang Qinglang were here.

If he did not get a chance to escape later, then when Wu Zhong returned with him, he could simply touch the gate and remove the effect.

No one would ever know.

Yes, escape.

Wu Zhong had begun entertaining the thought of running away. He was simply too worried about Captain Lu's deal with the ghosts and gods.

Better to believe it existed than risk believing it did not.

And Endless Summer remained so calm despite being imprisoned, even acting unconcerned upon hearing about Eternal Thirst Syndrome. He most likely had a way to escape!

Either he had the ability himself, or his teammates were coming to rescue him. Either way, if Wu Zhong wanted to ride his coattails, he first had to make contact with him.

If there was an opportunity, he would gamble on it and ask Endless Summer to take him away.

Wu Zhong knew that after being hunted by ghosts and gods, he could no longer return to an ordinary life. And since he was too weak, he needed someone powerful to cling to.

This Endless Summer was a Calamity Realm mercenary, and a Gold-ranked one at that, higher-ranked than Daoist Zhang...

Lu Guangqi had said the man was cold-blooded and ruthless, but Wu Zhong did not entirely believe that... Would a truly cold-blooded and ruthless person save him?

Even if it had been a casual rescue, that instinctive act revealed his nature. He leaned toward kindness, not the sort of demonic person who smiled as others died miserably.

Of course, there were many other possibilities, but the important thing was that Wu Zhong had no other choice.

Endless Summer was his only hope of changing his circumstances.

Either he stayed here obediently, let others manipulate him, and gamble that they would not sacrifice him to appease the ghosts and gods.

Or he gambled that Endless Summer would be willing to take him away... Either way, it was a gamble.

Only Endless Summer was not part of the authorities, meaning he did not have the mission of "having to resolve the ghost-and-god calamity." That actually made him safer for Wu Zhong...

Click.

Zhang Qinglang took out the card and opened Endless Summer's cell.

The two walked inside, and Zhang Qinglang called out, "Endless Summer, your partner is here to see you."

Wu Zhong's mouth twitched when he heard that. "Huh?"

Endless Summer opened his eyes. "I don't have a partner."

Zhang Qinglang grinned. "Do you really not know him?"

He was testing Endless Summer again. Or was he testing Wu Zhong?

These people all felt that Endless Summer saving someone while the ghosts and gods tried to kill someone was too much of a coincidence. They seemed convinced there had to be some connection.

Wu Zhong did not care, because he knew perfectly well that he did not know Endless Summer at all. And after being rescued yesterday, his warmth had been met with coldness. The man had saved him without even sparing him a glance!

So he knew that Endless Summer had truly saved him on instinct... Just some passerby who should have been hit by a car and killed.

"This brother has something to say to you." Seeing that Endless Summer ignored him, Zhang Qinglang leaned against the wall to watch what Wu Zhong wanted to say.

Endless Summer looked at Wu Zhong with great interest.

"It's you. Being chased by a group of ghosts and gods who are willing to pay any price to kill you... That's something I've never heard of before..."

Wu Zhong was delighted that the man had taken the initiative to speak to him.

He had truly been afraid Endless Summer would refuse to speak to him and maintain that cool, aloof attitude the entire time, leaving things awkward.

Then the chance he had worked so hard to get would have been wasted, and no matter what they talked about, they would never get to the point. He would have had no choice but to give up.

"Brother Xia, my name is Wu Zhong. Wu as in the mouth radical, Zhong as in beginning and end..."

"You saved my life yesterday. I was especially grateful at the time and wanted to know your name, but unfortunately, you ignored me."

"I didn't expect us to have such fate and meet again... I didn't get to speak with you yesterday, so today I asked Daoist Zhang to bring me in because I wanted to thank you properly in person."

"And thank you too, Daoist Zhang. You aren't even from here, yet you still helped me ask Captain Lu for the key just to fulfill such a small wish of mine. I'm truly grateful."

Wu Zhong sincerely lowered his head in thanks, also expressing his gratitude toward Zhang Qinglang.

"Haha, you're too polite. It's nothing. This humble Daoist has quite a bit of influence, so it wasn't as troublesome as you make it sound."

Zhang Qinglang grinned, failing to notice that Wu Zhong had already explained every reason and detail behind how he had gotten in.

The Taoist priest wasn't from Unit 985. This time, he had gotten the key from Captain Lu, while Captain Lu himself hadn't come... After all, if he had come in person, there would have been no need to hand over the key.

Now that he had revealed the key was on Zhang Qinglang and that there were only the two of them here, that information should help Endless Summer escape.

Endless Summer said with interest, "Really? I'm the surprise here. I only lent a hand, yet I happened to save the person Ji Meng wanted to kill."

"What a case of planting willows without intending shade... Kid, do you know ghost gods like Ji Meng and the others?"

Wu Zhong said miserably, "How would I know them? I was living my life just fine. I don't know why I somehow provoked ghosts, but they insist on taking my life."

"That's why I have to live here every day under protection. I can't do anything, and they even took me to meet ghost gods. It's terrifying."

He was revealing his circumstances.

Endless Summer chuckled. "Ji Meng and the others never target any one person. All they want is to regain their former glory and restore this world to the rule of ghost gods."

"So for them to be so weak yet still so eager to kill you, perhaps it's because you'll stand in their way in the future."

Wu Zhong was startled.

Zhang Qinglang rushed to the glass wall. "Hey! What do you mean, 'never' target any one person?"

"They only appeared yesterday morning. Have you seen them before?"

"But there's been no trace of them in the records of supernatural disasters from the past few centuries. When did you see them? Why have they appeared again? What else do you know?!"

Taoist Zhang was extremely agitated. They had long suspected that there was something off about Endless Summer—that he was no ordinary intruder.

He seemed to know more about the ghost gods of Mount Lu than they did.

But that made no sense, because Unit 985 had been the first organization to discover and take control of the site. The entire scene had been sealed off from start to finish.

Endless Summer smiled faintly. "Oh, I just said it casually. Is there really any need to nitpick my words?"

"They're ghost gods from the Classic of Mountains and Seas. Isn't it strange for them to target a mortal before they've even recovered their strength?"

Zhang Qinglang snapped, "You definitely know something else! Say it!"

"Heh heh." Endless Summer only smiled without answering.

Zhang Qinglang clenched his fists. "Don't get angry, don't get angry... Supreme Star of the Terrace Above, ever-changing without cease... wisdom bright and pure, heart and spirit at peace..."

Wu Zhong seized the opportunity to say, "Brother Endless Summer, stop holding out. If you know something, just tell them."

"When you're under someone else's roof, you have to bow your head. You're a lone mercenary trapped here—do you really think you can escape?"

"If they really have that Eternal Thirst Plum, they'll send it over today. It wouldn't be worth it if you caught it..."

The corners of Endless Summer's lips curled up. "I can leave this place whenever I want. No one can stop me... Unlike you."

Hearing that, Zhang Qinglang laughed. "I wonder who it was that broke in and got captured alive by Captain Lu with his bare hands!"

"Captain Lu has already decided to stay and guard this place until you talk. Bring whatever companions you have. We'll catch every one who comes!"

Endless Summer smiled without answering.

Seeing this, Zhang Qinglang no longer wanted to waste words on him. He waved a hand and prepared to take Wu Zhong away.

"You're done talking, right? Then let's go. I'll take you to see Captain Lu."

Wu Zhong silently followed him. After Zhang Qinglang stepped out first, Wu Zhong suddenly stopped.

"Hm?" Zhang Qinglang turned back to look at him.

But Wu Zhong had already moved like lightning. Bang! He slammed the cell door shut.

"What are you doing?!"

Zhang Qinglang frowned, unable to understand what the kid was up to.

He had guessed that Wu Zhong's request to see Endless Summer might be problematic, but he and Captain Lu had both believed the two were connected.

Especially after they discovered that someone had inexplicably transferred money to Wu Zhong, and that person had since fled overseas and could not be found for the time being... It was highly likely that this involved an organization, with Wu Zhong being an outer member they had recruited.

That was why Captain Lu had agreed to let the two meet: to draw out the snake by tossing in a stone and see whether Wu Zhong and Endless Summer would secretly make contact.

Sure enough, something had gone wrong, but he had never expected Wu Zhong to lock himself inside. Was he taking the chance to pass some confidential information to Endless Summer alone?

Hmph, wasn't that a little too simple and crude?

Zhang Qinglang took out his access card and tried to scan it to reopen the cell door, but then froze.

The door did not open automatically.

"Huh?"

Puzzled, Zhang Qinglang shoved hard against it with one palm, but the door did not budge.