Chapter 40

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Section Chief Shen leaned close to Zheng Qiuyi's ear and whispered, "Comrade Zheng, these dozens of cases share some common characteristics: the criminals suddenly go mad in public places, losing their minds and attacking people for no reason. The number of casualties ranges from a dozen to several dozen, even up to a hundred. Major cities like Xiangcheng, Hudu, Jingcheng, Jindu, and Suzhou have all experienced such incidents. The criminals are extremely cruel and cold-blooded, especially favoring attacks in malls, crowded streets, kindergartens, and schools, causing particularly severe casualties."

Zheng Qiuyi looked at him in confusion, "Such a big deal, why haven't we received any notifications? There's been no news or reports in the media?"

"To prevent social panic and to avoid others imitating these crimes, the higher-ups have sealed the information, prohibiting its publication and reporting."

Zheng Qiuyi was puzzled, "You mentioned imitation crimes—could that be possible?"

Section Chief Shen gave Zheng Qiuyi a deep look and said, "In these cases, there are some common features: the criminals are extremely rampant and vicious, having lost all reason and fear, completely disregarding the power of the police. Even when the police arrive and fire warning shots, they refuse to surrender and instead turn to attack the police officers with madness. To subdue such a mad dog-like criminal, the police often have to fire hundreds of bullets, reducing the criminal to a bloody mess, yet the criminal can still move and harm others. I've seen some of the crime scene photos, and they are so gruesome that they give me nightmares. On a few occasions, the military had to use flamethrowers to eliminate the criminals."

"Comrade Zheng, imitation crimes are possible, but such terrifying vitality is impossible to imitate."

Seeing Zheng Qiuyi's skeptical expression, Section Chief Shen whispered, "By the way, the criminals in these cases share another common feature: their eyes are blood-red—Comrade Zheng, you've seen it with your own eyes, haven't you?"

Zheng Qiuyi nodded slightly, "Yes, his eyes were indeed very red. By the way, Section Chief Shen, with so many cases, what has the higher-ups said?"

"The higher-ups are still investigating, and no conclusions have been reached yet. However, a few days ago, I had dinner with the provincial department leaders, and we discussed this matter. They mentioned that some people at the top are speculating that it might be a biochemical weapon attack by a hostile country or a mutated virus. But since these cases have occurred in various regions without any pattern, it doesn't seem like a biochemical attack, so there's no clear answer yet. I've heard that several national-level laboratories are studying the captured corpses, but they haven't released any results."

"Comrade Zheng, I'm telling you this just to give you a heads-up. As a police officer, you encounter many dangerous situations. If you encounter something similar again, don't stand there and draw your gun like you did this time. Run first to save your life. These monsters can't be dealt with by our police firearms... Qiuyi, you must be very careful!"

As he spoke, Section Chief Shen leaned very close to Zheng Qiuyi, and she could feel his breath on her face. She subtly turned her head away and nodded, "Thank you for your concern, Section Chief Shen... I really appreciate it."

"Ah, just call me Shen Dian, no need to be so formal."

"Ha, Section Chief Shen, there's one more thing. Why are you looking for the young man who saved me?"

"The higher-ups are very concerned about this matter and want to know all the details. In all these cases, there's one peculiar detail in yours: the criminal actually fled! In other cases, the criminals, like mad dogs, attack anyone they see, whether it's the police or the military. But in your case, the criminal was scared off by a young man, which has never happened before."

"Why was the criminal afraid of that young man? Does the young man have something special? We want to find out the reason, so we need to find him and ask him clearly."

Zheng Qiuyi actually found this idea ridiculous—why bother investigating? The criminal didn't hurt Xu Yan; it was just a matter of luck. The National Security Bureau is overreacting. Oh well, she didn't feel like reminding them, so let them busy themselves.

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At this moment, our protagonist, Xu Yan, was completely unaware that his actions had already caught the attention of the government and entered the scope of our great country's security foundation.

According to the original plan, after buying clothes, Xu Yan intended to take Zhu Youxiang shopping, but after the bloody and dangerous incident at the mall, neither of them had the mood for shopping. Xu Yan felt physically and mentally exhausted, while Zhu Youxiang, though not tired, had a furrowed brow, looking preoccupied. Xu Yan couldn't figure out what she was thinking.

Back home, after a hurried dinner, Zhu Youxiang skillfully turned on the TV and switched to the military channel. Xu Yan poured two cups of coffee and brought them over. Zhu Youxiang took the coffee, thanked him, but kept her attention on the TV program, where a male and female host were introducing the French "Rafale" fighter jet. Zhu Youxiang watched with great interest.

Xu Yan sipped his coffee and looked at Zhu Youxiang, hesitating to speak. Finally, it was Zhu Youxiang who couldn't hold back. She lowered the TV volume, turned her head, took a sip of coffee, and shook her head, "Too bitter, not good. Young Master Xu, why do people here like to drink this?"

"Well, coffee is usually served with milk and sugar. This is the original flavor, so it's naturally bitter. I don't like it either, but I brought it out to entertain you—Xuan Yun, I want to talk to you about something..."

"I know. Young Master Xu, what do you want to ask?"

"Xuan Yun, what kind of country is the Great Ming Empire you come from?"

Zhu Youxiang thought for a moment, then shook her head and laughed, "The Great Ming has some aspects better than Earth and some worse... Many things on your planet are unheard of to me, but my dynasty also has things you've never seen."

Seeing Xu Yan's dissatisfaction, Zhu Youxiang smiled, "Young Master Xu, your question is really hard to answer. If you asked me to evaluate Earth, I could boldly say a few things, like your technology is advanced, you have many delicious foods, your cities are prosperous, and your population is dense... But if I were to comment on the Great Ming Empire, I wouldn't know where to start. As the ancients say, 'If you stay in a room full of orchids, you no longer notice their fragrance; if you stay in a fish market, you no longer notice the stench.' And 'Too many colors blind the eye; too many sounds deafen the ear.' Because we are deeply immersed in our own country, we feel it so strongly that we don't know how to describe it. For example, if I asked you what you think of Earth, you might also find it hard to answer, right?"

"Um, you're right, Xuan Yun. Then, Xuan Yun, since you came from the Great Ming to our world, will you return to the Great Ming in the future?"

Zhu Youxiang smiled, "Of course."

Xu Yan was immediately very interested, "Oh? Xuan Yun, how will you return?"

"Sorry, Young Master Xu."

Seeing Zhu Youxiang's apologetic smile, Xu Yan was stunned for a moment before realizing she was refusing to answer his question. This made him feel a bit embarrassed and uncomfortable, and even a bit angry. In his heart, he had already considered Zhu Youxiang a close friend after sharing the danger with her. He had risked imprisonment to protect her from the police. He didn't expect her to still keep secrets from him, which made him very uncomfortable.

Xu Yan stood up and said calmly, "Xuan Yun, you can continue watching TV. I won't disturb you. I'm going to my room to read, as I have class tomorrow. Good night!"

Looking at Xu Yan's expressionless face, Zhu Youxiang sighed. She didn't want to hurt the boy's self-esteem, but she had no other choice. Zhu Youxiang had a good impression of Xu Yan, but the Light Gate was a military and national strategic asset of the Great Ming Empire, crucial to her safety and the entire empire's security. Such a significant secret, no matter how close she and Xu Yan were, she couldn't reveal it. So, she could only silently apologize to him in her heart.

To make up for her guilt towards Xu Yan, Zhu Youxiang suddenly thought of something. She called out to him, "Young Master Xu, can you spare a moment? I have something to discuss with you."

Xu Yan stopped and sat back on the sofa, speaking stiffly, "What else is there?"

Zhu Youxiang looked at Xu Yan and pondered for a long time—well, this Young Master Xu is kind and benevolent, and most importantly, he has done me a favor. This is a bond. Cultivators value clear thoughts and not owing any debts. Helping Young Master Xu through a disaster would be a way to repay his kindness.

She asked slowly, "Young Master, are you interested in the path of cultivation?"

Xu Yan blinked, stunned for three seconds before reacting, "What? Xuan Yun, you mean cultivation?"

Of course, what else could it be? Which young man hasn't dreamed of such a scenario—suddenly, an old man with a white beard appears on the road, grabs him, and says, "Young man, I see you have a unique bone structure, a one-in-a-million martial arts prodigy. Quickly, bow to me as your master, and I will teach you the ultimate martial arts to protect world peace and justice!"

The legendary cultivation methods, flying through the clouds, wielding a sword for justice, ascending to immortality, which young man doesn't dream of such things?

Xu Yan was shocked. He couldn't believe that such a good thing had fallen into his lap—could it be that he was really a prodigy with a unique bone structure, and Zhu Youxiang, upon seeing him, couldn't help but cry and beg to take him as a disciple?

He asked, "Xuan Yun, are you willing to teach me your amazing martial arts? The ones you used to defeat those robbers?"

Zhu Youxiang nodded seriously and smiled, "Young Master Xu, you underestimate me. Defeating a few bandits is just a basic skill. I am a disciple of the Sword Saint Xia Weidugu from the White Deer Academy, and I have already reached the initial stage of sword cultivation, the middle stage of the Foundation Establishment. If you are willing, I am willing to teach you the basics of sword cultivation and practice together. Are you willing?"

Xu Yan's blood boiled, and without hesitation, he said, "I am willing to learn! Xuan Yun, please teach me!" Then he added, a bit worried, "Xuan Yun, according to your rules, do I need to kowtow to you as a master?"

"If in the Great Ming, formally becoming a disciple would require a lot of formalities. Your parents would need to be present to invite the master, set up a banquet, and invite neighbors, elders, and dignitaries to witness the ceremony. You would present a formal letter of apprenticeship, the master would accept it, and you would kowtow and serve tea to officially become a disciple."

Xu Yan felt his scalp tingle at the thought of the complicated procedures—going back to his hometown to tell his parents that he was taking a beautiful girl as his master, and inviting neighbors and relatives to witness him kowtowing to Zhu Youxiang?

You might as well just kill me!

At this moment, Zhu Youxiang changed her tone, "However, you don't need to do any of that. Because I haven't completed my training under my master, I don't have the qualifications to take you as a disciple..."

Xu Yan felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over his head and said disappointedly, "So, there's no way?"

"There is a way around it. As a trial disciple of the White Deer Academy, I have the authority to recommend a new disciple to the academy—according to your Earth's terms, this would be an unregistered disciple. After passing the academy's assessment, you can become a formal disciple. But even after becoming a formal disciple, if you want to join my master's lineage, you will need to pass another test."

"According to the academy's tradition, to distinguish the abilities of the disciples during the admission test, it is allowed to teach some basic techniques to unregistered disciples to prepare for the assessment. So, after you become an unregistered disciple of the academy, I can teach you skills—do you understand?"

Zhu Youxiang thought her explanation was complex and was afraid Xu Yan wouldn't understand, but she underestimated the comprehension ability of Earth students. Any student who has been through "preschool classes," "pre-exam tutoring," "preparatory students," and "graduate school entrance exam tutoring" would easily grasp the concept.

To Xu Yan, Zhu Youxiang's theory was simple: "The White Deer Academy is like a prestigious university in her world. It's hard to get into, and you need good exam scores, a recommendation, and to attend a preparatory class... This is clearly a way to get in through connections!

Once you enter the university and become a formal disciple, you have the status of a national cadre. As for Zhu Youxiang's impressive Sword Saint master, he must be a renowned graduate school professor, a top scholar. Graduating from his program would likely make you a highly sought-after talent by the government and foreign companies!"

...

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