A Brief Introduction

White lights lit up the room. The tabletop was cold, with only a cup of water on it. Droplets clung to the inside of the disposable paper cup. Two uniformed officers sat opposite Chen Shu. After explaining a few things beforehand, one now asked questions while the other typed up the answers.

A camera on the wall behind them blinked red.

"Name?"

"Chen Shu. Chen as in the character made up of 'ear' and 'east,' and Shu as in 'at ease.'"

"Age?"

"Twenty."

"Place of origin?"

"Mirror Sea District, Bai City, Yuanzhou."

"Full address."

"Unit 2, Building 3, Qilin Garden, Parasol Tree Road, Mirror Sea District. Apartment 404."

"Occupation?"

"Still a student."

"Do you follow any religion? Are you a registered practitioner of a Daoist or Buddhist order, or anything like that?"

"No."

"Any political affiliations?"

"No."

"All right. Our records show that you bought a first-tier Spirit Sea Opening Potion from Blue Light Company last October. Is that correct?"

"My sister bought it for me."

"Did you use it?"

"Yes."

"And the result?"

"I successfully opened my Spirit Sea."

"Not bad..."

The older officer raised an eyebrow, then continued. "Have you studied any restricted spells? Or come into contact with them in any way?"

"No! How could I?"

"Don't be nervous. These are routine questions."

"I'm worried it'll affect my entrance exam."

"If you didn't do it, it won't."

"Okay."

"Then I'll continue." The older officer went on, "Six months ago, you and Li Jiatu were involved in a... traffic accident, correct? You later refused to sign a letter forgiving him. Is that right?"

"That's right. He was driving drunk. I didn't want to sign."

"Have you had any contact with him in the past six months?"

"No."

"Did you know he'd been released from prison?"

"Yes."

"At 17:13 yesterday afternoon, did you carry out a revenge attack against Li Jiatu and his father near Anning Furniture City in the southern suburbs? I must inform you that if you did break the law, a truthful confession may result in a lighter or reduced sentence."

"Absolutely not. There's no way I could have!"

"Understood." The officer paused. "Then where were you at 17:13 yesterday afternoon?"

"On my way home from school."

"Were classes dismissed early that day?"

"No."

"Oh..."

Chen Shu had excellent grades. At this stage, he would generally receive certain privileges at school, but the officer did not press him. The weapon used in the attack was already obvious. Ultimately, this was only a routine interview, a step they had to take.

"One last question. During this interview, did the public security authorities ensure that you received regular meals and that your lawful rights were protected?"

"Yes."

A printer began to whir.

"Take the statement and read it carefully. Does it match what you said? If there's no problem, sign it and leave your fingerprint." The officer turned and pointed to the camera on the wall behind him. "Then face the camera and say, 'I have read the above statement, and it matches what I said.'"

"I have read the above statement, and it matches what I said."

"That's it."

"That's it?"

Chen Shu turned to look at the window on his right. It had still been light when he arrived, but now it was dark. Rain poured outside. Wind drove the drops against the glass, where they streamed down in long trails like transparent little worms.

"That's it. I'll ask a colleague to take you home so this doesn't interfere with your studies."

"In a police car...? Sorry for the trouble, but I'd rather not."

"We have unmarked cars too."

"I can just get a cab."

"It's fine, really. Don't be nervous or afraid. Students this close to their entrance exams are precious. With grades as good as yours, society would condemn us if we didn't take good care of you." The older officer stood up.

"O-okay."

As soon as they stepped out of the station, the rain grew distinct and deafening. The smell of damp earth rushed toward them, and splashing rain had soaked even the steps. Standing in the doorway, Chen Shu instinctively took a step back.

"Come on."

The younger officer opened a black umbrella and draped an arm companionably around his shoulders. Together, they stepped forward into the rainwater.

Chen Shu followed him to an old white sedan. By the time they reached it, just a few steps later, he was already wet.

The car started without a sound.

Still uneasy, Chen Shu asked, "Officer Luo, am I a serious suspect? You know I couldn't be the attacker. One look tells you Puluo people did this. They've been carrying out attacks like this a lot lately."

"Don't worry too much. Focus on preparing for your entrance exam."

"All right..."

Chen Shu fell silent and turned to look out the window.

The streetscape raced backward through the rain.

It was late April of year twenty, and summer had just begun.

This was a world with cultivators, but it had already entered the modern age. Its civilization was now no less advanced than Earth's had been before he crossed over.

The country was called Yi Nation.

The land beneath his feet lay on Yi Nation's southwestern frontier, in Bai City, Yuanzhou.

Bai City was Yuanzhou's capital. Built beside a lake, it had a long history and had once enjoyed a period of splendor. Now it was one of the country's best-known tourist cities.

Puluo's people had always been fierce and unruly, and sects and religious orders ran rampant within its borders.

Chen Shu barely knew Li Jiatu. Their paths had crossed because of a traffic accident six months earlier. But this afternoon, Chen Shu had suddenly heard that Li Jiatu and his father had been attacked together the day before. By evening, he had been summoned for questioning.

The method of attack plainly bore the mark of Puluo people. It was not something a student could imitate.

At the thought, Chen Shu relaxed a little. The faint crease between his brows smoothed out, and he concentrated on the view outside.

Bai City had been among the first cities to develop in the modern era, and Mirror Sea District was its core. Built long ago, its streets and the houses lining them all bore the marks of passing years. But the rain was so heavy that it seemed intent on washing everything clean, while mist blurred the view.

As they passed a factory, faded red lettering was still faintly visible on its wall. It read:

The old era has passed away. Welcome to the dawn of a new era!

The car stopped at the entrance to the residential complex.

The young officer glanced at Chen Shu. "Good luck on your entrance exam! Want the umbrella?"

"No, thank you."

Chen Shu nodded to him politely.

He opened the car door, and wind and rain swept in. Looking down, he searched carefully for somewhere to put his foot. There was nowhere dry, so he simply stepped into the water again. After shutting the door, he hugged his schoolbag tightly to his chest and hurried toward the complex entrance.

To spare him more time in the rain, the security guard had opened the gate for him in advance.

At last, he was home.

"Phew..."

Chen Shu let out a long breath, changed into slippers, brushed at his wet hair, and walked into the living room.

A middle-aged man who looked remarkably young sat on the sofa, holding a phone in both hands. Its glow cast his face in fluorescent green.

"Checking stocks, Professor Chen?"

"You're back."

"Yeah."

"How did it go?"

"Just routine questions. They said it wasn't a big problem."

"Keep your head straight."

Chen Shu's father said it mildly, then fell silent and went back to staring at his phone.

Chen Shu went to his room.

Bzz, bzz!

His phone vibrated. He opened his messaging app and found a message from his childhood sweetheart—

Qingqing: Did you get caught in the rain?

Chen Shu: A little.

Qingqing: You only just got home?

Chen Shu: Got held up.

Qingqing: Oh.

Chen Shu: No classes tomorrow. I'll come hang out with you.

Qingqing: Okay.

The next day.

Chen Shu woke in bed, his head still a little foggy. He seemed to have dreamed, but then again, perhaps he hadn't.

It was still dark outside, though the city blazed with lights.

The rain had stopped, leaving the world exceptionally clean.

Chen Shu raised his arm to check his watch, then glanced out the window. It was already the next day, but dawn was still some time away.

The new book is out, and I'm very nervous. Please take good care of it.