Jia Yunlian's eyes were somber.
Duan Chen knew Jia Yunlian had projected herself onto the situation; her relationship with Nia was also complicated.
"I did receive that kind of education, but don't forget, I am not only an agent of the Spirit Hunter Guild. Beyond this identity, I am also a flesh-and-blood person with emotions."
Indeed, Duan Chen had always upheld the teachings of the Spirit Hunter Guild, firmly believing that any anomaly or heretic was evil. However, after encountering Zhou Le—a siren disguised as a kindergarten teacher—his perspective had shifted somewhat.
Now, Duan Chen believed they could no longer be lumped together.
Jia Yunlian snorted coldly and said nothing more.
"This is something the Spirit Hunter Guild cannot teach me; it's something I must comprehend myself."
Liu Gang's home was on the tenth floor, the top floor. The entire corridor had no windows. The lights overhead flickered intermittently, and mold was visible on the walls. The air carried a damp scent.
He took out his keys and unlocked a door.
"Creak..."
"You're back... We have guests today?"
A woman stood at the door. She had delicate features, fair skin, wore a simple white short-sleeved shirt and a pair of faded jeans, and had on a pair of dirty sneakers.
"These are officers from the Spirit Hunter Guild."
"Spirit Hunter Guild?"
The woman's eyes darted away, and she took a few steps back.
"Don't be afraid. They are good people."
"Hello, I'm Duan Chen."
Duan Chen smiled and extended his hand to her.
"Hello, my name is Xu Xi."
Her small hand was cold, lacking warmth.
Duan Chen let go without hesitation and walked into the house.
The house was small, only about fifty square meters. Duan Chen had to bend his back to enter. The interior was not spacious, with no living room. To the left was the kitchen, directly in front was the bathroom, and the rest were two small bedrooms.
"This bedroom is a bit larger. You can sit here. Since you're here, I have some vegetables left. How about having a meal here before you leave?"
Liu Gang was in a good mood and even whistled.
With him gone, silence immediately fell in the bedroom.
"Uh... officers, you..."
"You're from Taohua Tan?" Qi Qing asked directly, without any hesitation.
"Don't be afraid," Duan Chen added quickly.
"I am."
Seeing that concealment was impossible, Xu Xi lowered her head and straightforwardly admitted her origin.
"You absorbed Liu Gang's vital energy, didn't you?"
She nodded awkwardly. "But I didn't absorb too much, and I genuinely like him. If you're going to deal with me, could you let me..."
"What are you talking about?"
Duan Chen took the cigarette Qi Qing offered, smiling helplessly.
He had read Xu Xi's mind and knew the girl was telling the truth. The reason she absorbed Liu Gang's vital energy was because she hoped to have more time for work, and a little less rest was acceptable.
"Our purpose this time is not you."
"Ah?"
Xu Xi's eyes widened. She had heard rumors about the Spirit Hunter Guild; their agents were said to be powerful, cold-blooded, and ruthless towards anomalies.
Qi Qing nodded and explained the matter of the altar.
"Ah, you mean this?"
Xu Xi breathed a sigh of relief and took out her phone, opening a group chat.
Duan Chen's mouth twitched. Were things so high-tech now?
"The people in the group are those who have left Taohua Tan and chosen to live in the city. I learned about the altar from them."
"What do you know? Tell me in detail."
Duan Chen fiddled with the cigarette in his hand, not lighting it.
"Since I came to the city a long time ago, I can only tell you what I've heard, and I can't guarantee its truthfulness."
"Alright, that's acceptable too."
Duan Chen nodded.
"It is said that the altar is a 'wild altar.' It is not usually guarded by apostles, and very few sirens emerge from it. Most have already been dealt with by the people of Taohua Tan. However, it is said that two altars in Mirror City were destroyed a few days ago. It's possible that apostles might notice this place. With their great power, who knows?"
"But isn't your Taohua Tan located in the Void Realm? Is the portal also in the Void Realm?" Sheng Chen widened his eyes.
"Yes, it is precisely because of the altar's peculiarity that no apostles are willing to take charge of it."
Xu Xi nodded vigorously.
Duan Chen knew that Taohua Tan was established in the Void Realm, and the altar connected to that Void Realm meant that sirens wanting to emerge from that altar would have to endure the turbulent currents of the Void Realm. If they couldn't withstand it, it meant certain death. Moreover, it wasn't the only altar they could choose. Besides the destroyed Wind Altar and Water Altar, there were many other altars that were safe and risk-free.
"What kind of altar is that altar?"
"Thunder Altar," Xu Xi replied truthfully.
"Alright, I understand. Thank you."
"By the way, I'm quite curious, how do you people from Taohua Tan resolve your household registration when you come out?"
Xu Xi shook her head. "I really don't know about that. Anyway, if someone wants to leave Taohua Tan and live in the city, they need the village chief's permission. After that, all other matters are taken care of. You just need to pick up your ID card and other documents the day before you leave."
"Do you know a woman named Chu Yue?"
"Of course, I do!"
Xu Xi answered this question very quickly.
Duan Chen showed her his palm and asked, "She bit me. Do you know where she is now?"
"Officer, she is the Saintess of Taohua Tan. How would I know?"
Xu Xi gave a wry smile.
This title, too?
"But she has already placed a mark on your hand. She will definitely come back to find you, so you can rest assured about that."
"Alright, I understand. Thank you for your cooperation."
"You're really not going to deal with me?"
Xu Xi still found this matter hard to believe.
"You don't harm people, so why should we deal with you? Not just you, but everyone from Taohua Tan should be unable to harm people, after all, the ancestral teachings are there," Qi Qing grinned.
"Then, about my identity, can you..."
"Keep it confidential," Duan Chen smiled.
"Thank you all."
Xu Xi breathed a sigh of relief.
Suddenly, a puff of smoke drifted in through the gap in the door.
"Whoa!"
Sheng Chen covered his nose.
Liu Gang opened the door, and the smell of burnt oil rushed in.
"Sorry, I burnt it, I burnt it."
"Ah! Take off the apron, I'll do it!"
Xu Xi immediately stepped forward, took off his apron, and pushed him into the bedroom.
"Hey! You guys sit here first. I'll go help her out."
The bedroom door closed, and the few people looked at each other in silence.
"Instructor, why don't we treat them to a meal outside? I'll pay." Qin Ze said with a wry smile.
"I think... going out to eat is fine. I'll treat this meal."
So, they ended up eating out because Liu Gang had burnt a hole through the pot.