Chapter 19: Let the Bullet Fly a While

"Come on, let's go see Grandpa Director." Chen An held the girl's hand and led her outside. 

Chen Xi didn't resist, allowing him to guide her. She didn't go to school anymore. Though she once tried, she had to drop out quickly for various reasons. The orphanage had its limits. 

There were no special education facilities in their small town, and the only option for proper schooling was to go to a larger city. But Chen Xi was all alone and too young to be left unsupervised in a big city, so staying at the orphanage, dull as it was, was the safer choice.

When they arrived at the kitchen, a hunched figure was busy at the stove. The iron wok hissed and popped as the spatula stirred, sending out waves of savory aroma. 

The old man turned around at the sound of footsteps. With a towel draped around his neck, he wiped his face and called out with a smile, "You brat, what are you standing there for? Come help with the fire!"

Chen An gave Chen Xi's hand a light squeeze before walking over to the stove. A small bench sat by the firewood pit. He sat down, grabbed some scattered straw from the ground, bundled it up, and shoved it into the fire with a pair of tongs. 

Once the flames were steady, he started chatting casually with the director. The fire crackled softly, casting a warm glow over his face.

At the same time, as night descended, a shadowy figure slipped into the quiet town. His skin was ghostly pale, and his eyes glowed with a strange crimson light. 

The man clutched his chest and staggered down the street. A stray cat spotted him and arched its back in terror, ready to bolt—but it was too late. He reached out, grabbed the cat by the neck, and silenced it. 

Then he opened his mouth and bit into its head. Crunch. The foul, metallic taste of blood dribbled from the corners of his lips. The man didn't stop walking. The cat was just a light snack.

After moving stealthily for another ten minutes, he came to a stop. His gaze landed on six familiar characters—Sunflower Orphanage. He grinned wickedly, lips parting without a sound. "Now this... this is the real feast," he whispered.

As the night grew darker, he began drawing circles around the orphanage using the materials he had prepared. One strange symbol after another was inscribed onto the walls. 

When he finally finished, his eyes gleamed with frenzied excitement. "Look at this... What a divine miracle. A miracle I created with my own hands. From this moment, the gears of fate shall turn for Zhang Asi."

Eventually, he managed to restrain his overwhelming thirst. As badly as he wanted to start the blood ritual now, it wouldn't be perfect yet. And Zhang Asi... only sought perfection. He chuckled coldly, eyes sharp with cruelty. "Let the bullet fly a while longer."

—

Elsewhere, in the Divine Continent.

"Master, so this is Luoyang? It's huge!" Su Chichi looked around with wonder as she clung to Chen An's arm, a candied hawthorn stick in her mouth. Shops lined the streets, pedestrians bustled back and forth, and the air was full of merchants' shouts.

"Luoyang is one of the biggest cities in Shenzhou. Of course it's big." Chen An led her into a nearby inn.

"Welcome, guests! Come right in to 'The Inn,'" a staff member greeted with a bright smile, tossing the cloth off his shoulder. "Are you here for food or lodging?"

"Lodging," Chen An replied. After booking a standard room, he and Su Chichi sat down in the main hall for a meal after a long day of travel.

Su Chichi squirmed on the bench, her eyes constantly darting about. She poked and prodded everything around her like a curious little animal. Suddenly, she spotted red lanterns hanging outside and pointed excitedly. "Master, look! Why is everyone hanging lanterns?"

Chen An followed her gaze and saw the festive decorations. "Probably some big family hosting a wedding."

"Oh!" she responded, just as a nearby guest butted into the conversation.

It was a burly middle-aged man, already tipsy. He swayed slightly, eyes narrowed as he spoke, "You don't know, little missy? Today's the wedding of the city lord's eldest daughter—Miss Ji Yun!"

He licked his lips as he spoke. "I heard Ji Yun grew up to be a real beauty. A noblewoman with poise and a body to match. Can't believe she's already marrying."

Chen An looked toward a grand estate at the end of the road. It was bustling with guests and elegant carriages.

He asked, "You speak as if you've seen her with your own eyes. Is that so, brother?"

The man slammed the table with pride. "Not only have I seen her, I've even greeted her younger sister—Ji Qingge, the one said to have achieved immortality!"

Chen An chuckled and cupped his hands. "Then why not join the wedding? Why drown your sorrows here?"

The man's expression deflated. He slumped over the table, staring blankly. After a long pause, he sighed. "A rough man like me doesn't belong in a place like Ji Manor."

As he finished, he suddenly noticed the young man he had just been chatting with was gone. He looked out the door and saw Chen An walking toward the Ji estate with Su Chichi in tow.

The man scoffed. "Hey, little Taoist, don't bother. Just because you're pretty doesn't mean they'll let you in without an invitation!"

Chen An didn't reply. He waved casually without turning back.

The drunk man drained his cup, muttering to himself, "Naive fool. Doesn't know how the world works. Thinks he can just stroll into Ji Manor?"

Still, he couldn't help watching. And there, step by step, Chen An and Su Chichi drew closer to the grand gates of the Ji estate.

"Master, weren't we going to eat?"

"We are. Doesn't matter where we eat."

"Then why go there?"

Chen An stopped and patted her head. "Because we need to return something. You ate their candy. It's time to repay the favor."