Chapter 29: First Battle
How could Ou Xiangrong appear at Songhai University? And together with Xu Yingying?
How dare he show up at Songhai University when he is being pursued by official organizations? Is he being bold or is there something wrong with his head?
Zhang Yuanqing was tense all over. He stopped and said to the classmates beside him:
"You guys go up first, I need to make a phone call."
He walked to the side of the road to call for backup. Taking out his phone, he dialed Li Dongze's number.
"Sorry, the number you have dialed is switched off."
The voice prompt indicated the phone was off.
He then called Guan Ya's phone, but it was also off.
"In a meeting? Deploying for action? Or lying in ambush near Songhai University?" Various guesses flashed through Zhang Yuanqing's mind.
If it was the latter, then there was nothing for him to do. But if they couldn't be reached because of a meeting, it would be a pity to miss this chance as Ou Xiangrong, a wanted criminal, couldn't stay long at the university.
Thinking of this, Zhang Yuanqing opened his contacts and dialed Wang Tai's number.
Thanks to his social habits, he had saved Wang Tai's number in his contacts, although this fellow didn't like to talk or interact much. Every time Zhang Yuanqing tried to chat him up, Wang Tai always had a micro-expression of "Get lost, don't bother me".
"What's the matter?" Wang Tai's lifeless voice came from the speaker.
"I saw Ou Xiangrong, the murderer who killed Zhao Yingjun. You know about that case, right?"
"Yeah I know, but why are you contacting me? You should contact Captain Shi." Wang Tai's tone was as calm as ever.
Shouldn't you say something like "Holy crap, awesome"? Too composed... Zhang Yuanqing muttered to himself while saying:
"I can't reach the Captain or Old Siji."
"Who's Old Siji?"
"That's not the point." Zhang Yuanqing briefly explained the situation here and asked, "Can you contact the spirit realm practitioners from the other squads?"
"I can." Wang Tai tapped on the keyboard and said:
"I accessed the case files on Zhao Yingjun. He kept many college girls, one of whom was from your school, called Xu Yingying. Based on the situation you reported, I guess he's trying to find a breakthrough from the women around Zhao Yingjun."
So Zhao Yingjun was Xu Yingying's sugar daddy. No wonder security officers came looking yesterday, Zhang Yuanqing suddenly realized.
Wang Tai continued:
"Ou Xiangrong, a Level 3 Ensnaring Demon, carries an evil power. He was severely injured in yesterday's siege, greatly reducing his danger level, but still not someone you can contend with.
"I analyzed it for you. The correct approach is to tail him and wait for official support. You can use the Night Roaming skill to harass him appropriately, but don't engage him directly or you'll die horribly."
Although not good at socializing, he's quite reliable in his work. Zhang Yuanqing pretended to look around at the scenery while distantly tailing Ou Xiangrong and Xu Yingying, using the flow of people as cover.
"The Captain and Sister Guan Ya can't be contacted. Are they deployed near Songhai?" Zhang Yuanqing asked hopefully.
"No, Xu Yingying is just an ordinary college girl, not valuable. This Ou Xiangrong...his mental state seems a bit abnormal now," said Wang Tai. "Your female classmate is done for."
With Ou Xiangrong's cruelty, he definitely won't leave any survivors.
At this moment, Zhang Yuanqing saw Ou Xiangrong "holding" Xu Yingying as they entered the underground parking garage of the main building complex.
The two disappeared from view as they went down the steep ramp.
"They went into the garage, I'll talk to you later. Notify the members of the other squads as soon as possible."
Without waiting for a response, Zhang Yuanqing hung up the phone.
This place was secluded. He couldn't use passersby as a shield like before. Following them into the underground garage would definitely be noticed.
Zhang Yuanqing pondered for a few seconds, took off his backpack and threw it into the roadside greenery. Then he stirred the Yin energy in his body, and illusory black mist "exploded" out, forcefully erasing his figure.
After activating Night Roaming, he sprinted into the underground garage.
With the Red Shoes and Night Roaming skill, even if he couldn't beat Ou Xiangrong, escaping shouldn't be a problem.
So it was worth taking the risk.
Although Xu Yingying was a materialistic woman, she was still a living person after all.
Within his capacity, Zhang Yuanqing wouldn't stand by and watch someone die. Besides, a lunatic like Ou Xiangrong should be dealt with as soon as possible for peace.
He didn't need to deliberately conceal his footsteps, because the Night Roaming state could cover up the sound he made and even the heat from his body.
As soon as he charged into the underground garage, he heard Xu Yingying's trembling voice with a hint of crying:
"I...I don't know where the things you're looking for are. I was only with Zhao Yingjun for his money. He gave me 20,000 yuan a month to be his girlfriend..."
Tw-twenty thousand? Before becoming a full employee, my monthly salary was only 20,000. You earn that money way too easily... Zhang Yuanqing muttered to himself while looking towards the sound. By the rear of a black car parked against the wall, Xu Yingying stood terrified with her back to the wall. Ou Xiangrong stood to one side, holding a knife in his hand.
"Don't tell me you don't know, don't tell me you don't know..."
Ou Xiangrong shouted in a low voice, his eyes fierce and a bit neurotic.
"I'm giving you one last chance. Did Zhao Yingjun ever reveal any information about the Holy Grail and the Registers to you?"
"I...I really don't know what you're talking about." Xu Yingying's eyes were red-rimmed with large teardrops rolling down.
Ou Xiangrong was silent for a few seconds, his sighs echoing in the underground garage.
His pupils glowed scarlet, his expression under the mask becoming savage and crazed, with a hint of neuroticism, as he muttered:
"I gave you a chance but you're useless, I gave you a chance but you're useless..."
Ou Xiangrong's calloused hand gripped Xu Yingying's fair neck, his sturdy arm lifting her up. Xu Yingying's face instantly flushed red, then turned from red to purple as she flailed her legs and rolled her eyes back.
Ou Xiangrong showed a gleeful, savage smile, then brought up the knife point, pressing it against Xu Yingying's chest.
Just as he was about to plunge the blade into this woman's heart, suddenly, the Ensaring Demon's instincts sent him a signal of danger. The hairs on the back of his hand stood up.
There was no one nearby, no movement or abnormalities.
But he felt a chill from the depths of his heart. An unpredictable danger was approaching him, enveloping him.
Spirit realm practitioner!
The experienced Ou Xiangrong immediately realized he was under attack by a spirit realm practitioner. Gripping Xu Yingying's neck, he fiercely flung her backwards based on instinct.
Smack! Xu Yingying crashed heavily to the ground, rolling several meters before passing out.
Seeing the attacker didn't save this woman, Ou Xiangrong retreated with thudding steps while swinging his willow blade in front of him.
The sharp blade drew a glaring arc. From the void in front came a "clang" and a burst of dazzling sparks.
He had struck the enemy's weapon.
Based on the feeling of the clashing weapons, Ou Xiangrong determined the enemy's position. He immediately inflated the muscles in his legs and, like he was on a spring, bent his knees and pounced.
With a muffled bang, Ou Xiangrong felt a solid impact on his knees, accompanied by the attacker's groan.
Then, a person "flew" out from the void - a young college student in sweatpants and a baseball jacket, with good features and a sunny disposition, gripping an arm-length brass pestle.
"Night Roaming God?"
Ou Xiangrong instantly understood. He understood why the attack last night had come so quickly.
He understood who was behind that siege that nearly killed him.
His mind in an agitated state, his eyes flashed with viciousness and hatred. He developed a strong murderous intent and desire for revenge towards the Night Roaming God in front of him.
Ou Xiangrong leapt into the air, gripping his willow blade. His powerful jumping ability carried him over a dozen meters as he fiercely pounced on the still rolling college student.
His aura was as fierce as a humanoid tyrannosaur.
Seeing this, Zhang Yuanqing nearly cried out: Sorry for the disturbance, good fellow, please spare my life!
He didn't try to get up, but continued rolling with the momentum while drawing on Yin energy to reenter the Night Roaming state.
As he rolled, he abruptly vanished from Ou Xiangrong's sight, causing this Ensnaring Demon to lose his target.
Having evaded the pounce, the invisible Zhang Yuanqing ran hunched over to a white car on the left. With his back against the wheel, he panted heavily.
That knee strike just now had nearly stopped his heart.
"It hurts so much."
The pain in his chest also made him pale. Even breathing felt painful. Fortunately, Night Roaming Gods had a powerful life force and considerable self-healing abilities. This level of injury would recover quickly.
But through that brief clash, Zhang Yuanqing recognized the gap in their strength.
This Ensnaring Demon possessed keen instincts, rich combat experience, and immensely powerful physical strength. He seemed to be a close combat type.
At this moment, he heard a thud. Ou Xiangrong had leapt onto the roof of a black car a few meters away.
Ou Xiangrong swept his vicious eyes over the underground garage, his tone chilling:
"The Night Roaming God of Taiyi Sect shouldn't be in Songhai. Are you the Night Roaming God of Wuxing Alliance?
"Hmph, a mere Level 1 Night Roaming God dares to ambush me. Let me think, the Night Roaming skill at Level 1...the invisibility time won't exceed twenty seconds. How long can you hide for?"
Ou Xiangrong was certain the other party was a Level 1 Night Roaming God. If it was Level 2, he wouldn't have gained the upper hand in that clash.
And if it was Level 3, then he himself would be the one needing to flee now.
In his injured and weakened state, he couldn't possibly beat a Night Roaming God of the same level. Night Roaming Gods, like Ensnaring Demons, were top-tier occupations.
Twenty seconds? You overestimate me too much. Ten seconds at most for me... Zhang Yuanqing curled up by the tire, holding his breath.
"This guy is insanely strong, and he hasn't even used the Ensnaring Demon skills yet. Let me think about the Ensnaring Demon's abilities."
He recalled the information about Ensnaring Demons on the official forums.
This evil occupation had formidable combat abilities at the Transcendent realm. After killing, they would enter a berserk state, elevating their combat further.
Moreover, once the two sides engaged in battle, the Ensnaring Demon could mark the target through special means. Even if the prey escaped, they would relentlessly pursue and kill them.
Lastly, was the core ability at the Transcendent realm - Ensnarement!
Ensnarement was a mind control skill, actively released. Combined with their immensely powerful close combat ability, it was practically unresolvable.
At this moment, the ten seconds ended and his figure was outlined again.
In the next instant, the sound of air being sliced whistled by his ear. Zhang Yuanqing's heart shuddered, knowing Ou Xiangrong's attack had arrived. Without even daring to look, he dived and rolled, turning invisible again.
Clang!
A deep dent was whipped into the white car's body by the lashing kick, the piercing sound of the alarm echoing.
Ou Xiangrong's gaze swept the surroundings coldly. Maintaining his guard, he provoked the other party with his words:
"Judging by your appearance, you're a student at Songhai University, right? Do you know that for spirit realm practitioners, exposing your identity means bringing disaster to your family? Now that I know you're a student, I can take some time to slowly find you, kill you, then exterminate your whole family."
Having said this, Ou Xiangrong gripped the willow blade tightly in his hand, silently counting down in his heart, waiting for that rookie to show himself or attack.
Lunatic... Zhang Yuanqing's heart sank.
Although he knew it was a provocative tactic, he had to admit he was starting to get angry and indeed felt a strong sense of dread.
Zhang Yuanqing hid behind the rear of another car, his brain racing as he considered countermeasures.
"This guy's instincts are terrifying. If I can't achieve a one-hit kill, I better not risk an ambush. But I can't keep hiding. My stamina can only sustain me using Night Roaming two more times at most, after which I can only flee. And the official personnel definitely can't arrive in such a short time."
"If this guy escapes, my grandma and the others will be in danger."
"Of the Ensnaring Demon's three skills - Berserk, Marking, and Ensnarement - the first one doesn't need to be considered if he doesn't kill anyone. For the second, I've most likely already been marked, but Night Roaming can shield me from his perception."
"What's truly dreadful is his close combat ability and the Ensnarement skill. Sigh, if only it was nighttime now."
In a flash of thought, Zhang Yuanqing had already formulated a plan.
That was to have the Red Shoes serve as the main damage dealer while the useless master assists from the side, seeking a chance to ambush.
This was a good opportunity to test the combat effectiveness of this rule-type prop.
"Bang!" Ou Xiangrong leapt onto the car roof again, looking down on the underground garage from above.
He counted the time, waiting for the enemy to exit the Night Roaming state. Suddenly, he heard an eerie tapping sound behind him.
This sudden footstep echoing in the empty garage made even the experienced Ou Xiangrong shudder in his heart. He reflexively turned around with his blade, assuming a defensive stance.
Then, he saw clearly the source of the strange footsteps.
It was a pair of brand new Western-style red dancing shoes, three meters away from him. In the empty, quiet space, they rose and fell as if an invisible person was wearing them and marching in place.
This scene was so sinister and terrifying that it could make an ordinary person's legs go weak and scream out loud.
A spiritual prop?
At the same time Ou Xiangrong saw the red shoes, a message appeared in his vision:
[Would you like to dance with me? If so, please march in place.]
ps: Correct typos after updating. Please vote for the monthly ticket, this chapter is four thousand words.
(End of chapter)
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