It was still dark when they entered the Air-Raid Shelter again.
A cordon surrounded the entrance to the old alley. The ground was wet after the rain, and the headlights cast cold white reflections in the puddles. The Medical Team wheeled Lu Wenchuan to the entrance of the Dark Channel. A mobile support frame had been fitted beneath his bed, and the Fixator was fastened along his wrists, shoulders, and chest.
Lu Wenchuan lay on the bed, looking more battered than ever.
But his gaze was clear.
Xu Zhihan stood beside him, his black coat buttoned to the top, half of the Silver Nameplate resting beneath his collar. He and Lu Wenchuan each held half of Lu Wenchuan's Student ID fragment, with fine thread wound around the broken edges. True Shen Cheng's Work Badge had already crumbled to powder. Song Zhixia had put it into a small glass tube and hung it beside Xu Zhihan's wrist.
Song Zhixia injected the last dose of Medicine into Lu Wenchuan's arm.
"Remember, you're only the anchor point."
Lu Wenchuan said, "I remember."
Song Zhixia looked at Xu Zhihan.
"You have seven minutes at most once you go in."
Xu Zhihan nodded.
"The moment those seven minutes are up, I'll forcibly sever the line." Song Zhixia's voice was low. "If you can't get out by then, you'll be dragged out."
Xu Zhihan said, "All right."
Song Zhixia looked at him. After holding back for a long time, she finally swore.
"You two really do owe far too much."
Lu Wenchuan gave a quiet laugh.
"We'll owe less from now on."
Song Zhixia's eyes reddened, and she immediately turned to the instruments.
The Deputy Captain came over and handed Xu Zhihan two sealed boxes.
One held Xu An's Peace Amulet and Zhou Yu's Soul Lamp.