Chapter 110
Wei Zhuoning ran through the torrential rain, a chilling fruit knife clutched in her hand.
Raindrops streamed down the blade. She wiped her face, trying to clear her vision.
She searched the community, finding no sign of Lin Xiaozhi, hearing nothing unusual.
The world was engulfed in rain, the sound of water drowning out everything else.
She ran towards the community gate.
An abandoned security booth stood at the entrance. There was never a guard there, so even if Lin Xiaozhi had left, there wouldn’t be any witnesses.
Searching the community was manageable, but once she stepped onto the street, the world seemed endless.
Lin Xiaozhi could be anywhere, or nowhere.
Wei Zhuoning, soaked to the bone, her heavy breathing echoing in her ears, her eyes bloodshot, felt like a young animal entering a brutal hunting ground.
Where was Lin Xiaozhi…?
Where could she be?
As Wei Zhuoning hesitated at the intersection, the glass door of a nearby breakfast stall slid open.
“Xiao Wei.”
Wei Zhuoning looked back. It was Zhang, the owner of the breakfast stall, a familiar face.
“Xiao Wei, that girl who often visits you went west,” Zhang said, her wrinkled face tense. “Two men were chasing her, it was terrifying. She was covered in blood, I’ve already called the police.”
Hearing the word “blood,” Wei Zhuoning ran.
There was a mobile police station to the west, a place Lin Xiaozhi would have known about.
Wei Zhuoning leaped over the guardrail, crossing the empty street.
She was never athletic, and she couldn’t believe she could run so fast.
Lin Xiaozhi must have found help from the police, she had to have.
The cars passing by were speeding, impossible to stop.
The rain had thinned the number of pedestrians, and for the first time, Wei Zhuoning hated living in this place.
The lower district was a slum, understaffed, high crime rates, cold and indifferent people, the darkest corner of the city.
Anyone who had any money and valued their life had moved out long ago.
If this had happened near Lin Xiaozhi’s home, strangers wouldn’t have been able to enter her community.
At least there she could have asked someone for help.
Wei Zhuoning cried as she ran, not knowing if she would find Lin Xiaozhi.
The fear led her to the mobile police station. Seeing the closed doors, she felt her breath catch in her throat.
There were reddish stains on the entrance, traces of blood washed by the rain.
They seemed fresh.
It was Lin Xiaozhi, she must be nearby!
“Lin Xiaozhi——!” Wei Zhuoning screamed, using every ounce of her strength.
“Lin Xiaozhi——!”
Her voice was shrill and piercing, somehow carrying through the wind and rain.
She gasped for breath, then screamed again.
If the attackers were still chasing Lin Xiaozhi, her cries might attract their attention, and Lin Xiaozhi might be safe!
Even though her throat burned, Wei Zhuoning continued.
After a few calls, a woman’s voice echoed from a distance:
“I’m here! Come here!”
Wei Zhuoning froze. It was Xiao Zhi, her voice!
Thank goodness, she was alive!
Hearing Lin Xiaozhi’s voice, her fear vanished, replaced by an exhilarating rush of relief. She ran towards the sound.
It came from the small park, the only green space in the lower district.
There were many trees, but they were overgrown and untamed, forming a dense and dark forest.
The terrain wasn’t ideal, but at least she could maneuver.
Just as she was about to enter the park, two dark figures emerged from the rain-soaked trees, approaching her.
Wei Zhuoning’s breath hitched, and she instinctively tightened her grip on the knife.
As they emerged, their faces became clearer.
They were pale, emotionless faces.
Their eyes met, and Wei Zhuoning felt like she was looking at corpses.
Their knives were far different from her fruit knife. One swing could be lethal.
It was them…
It was them!
Wei Zhuoning’s heart pounded, and she instinctively stepped back.
She was terrified, she had never faced danger like this.
But thinking that if she could distract them, Lin Xiaozhi would be safe, she mustered her courage and shouted:
“Come on! Come get me!”
The two men quickened their pace. Wei Zhuoning ran, glancing back to make sure they were following.
They were incredibly fast and already behind her!
Seeing the knife aimed at her neck, she threw herself to the ground.
The blade sliced past her head. She didn’t dare look back, scrambling to her feet and running in the opposite direction.
Small and agile, she dodged the first attack.
But there were two of them.
One of them grabbed her collar, nearly choking her. She couldn’t move freely.
Just as she was about to panic, the attacker stumbled, his grip loosening slightly. Wei Zhuoning slashed her collar with her knife and escaped.
“Run!” It was Lin Xiaozhi, who steadied her and pushed her towards the hill.
Seeing Lin Xiaozhi, tears welling up, they ran.
Lin Xiaozhi remembered a self-defense tip: When being chased, don’t hold hands, it limits your movement. Push each other, it improves speed.
Wei Zhuoning’s legs were weak, but Lin Xiaozhi’s presence gave her strength. They ran, the attackers hot on their heels.
As they were about to be caught, Lin Xiaozhi grabbed the knife from Wei Zhuoning, stopped, and pushed her forward:
“Go!”
Wei Zhuoning slid down a small hill.
“Run!”
Lin Xiaozhi was still shouting, but Wei Zhuoning could no longer see her.
“Xiao Zhi!” Wei Zhuoning scrambled up the hill.
She couldn’t leave her behind.
Reaching the top, she saw Lin Xiaozhi’s back.
Lin Xiaozhi didn’t move; blood dripped from her chest.
Wei Zhuoning, dizzy, rushed over and hugged her tightly, ready to face any pain.
She would protect Lin Xiaozhi, no matter what.
“Hu—hu—hu—”
Wei Zhuoning gasped for air, and she heard Lin Xiaozhi calling her name:
“Zhuoning, Zhuoning?”
Lin Xiaozhi’s voice calmed her racing heart. She didn’t even feel the wounds, her arms numb from holding Lin Xiaozhi so tightly.
“Xiao Zhi, Zhuoning.”
She didn’t even recognize Chi Lin’s voice.
“It’s okay, baby,” Lin Xiaozhi, her arm held fast, kissed her cold cheek. “We’re safe, Lin is here.”
Lin Xiaozhi finally managed to pry Wei Zhuoning’s grip loose, smiled, and looked at her dazed eyes:
“Look at me.”
“Xiao Zhi…”
“See, I’m fine,” Lin Xiaozhi pinched her cheek.
Wei Zhuoning looked at her, then at Chi Lin.
She looked at Chi Lin: “Your injuries! Blood!”
“I’m fine, just minor cuts, Lin arrived in time. The blood on the ground is theirs.”
Wei Zhuoning, still disbelieving, checked Lin Xiaozhi’s chest and stomach, relieved to find no serious wounds.
She looked ahead and saw two men on the ground.
They were being held down by several police officers, their faces covered in mud, but their expressions were chillingly calm.
As Wei Zhuoning looked at them, a complex, sinister smile crept across their faces.
It sent shivers down her spine.
***
“Is Zhuoning asleep?”
“Yes, she’s asleep.” Lin Xiaozhi emerged from the ward, speaking to Chi Lin and Lou Mi.
“You should rest too, this was terrifying.” Lou Mi had also rushed over but hadn’t arrived in time to see Lin Xiaozhi almost get killed.
If not for Chi Lin, Lin Xiaozhi might be dead.
But thanks to Lin Xiaozhi’s quick thinking, she and Wei Zhuoning were both safe.
They were taken to the hospital for checkups. Wei Zhuoning only had some bruises, but Lin Xiaozhi had deep cuts on her back and arm (two stitches each) and a severely sprained ankle.
Wei Zhuoning had developed a high fever from the shock, and Lin Xiaozhi had managed to calm her and put her to sleep before coming out.
She didn’t dare close the door, afraid of another attack or Wei Zhuoning waking up.
She stood by the door, visible to Wei Zhuoning, speaking quietly to Chi Lin and Lou Mi.
“Why were you here?” Lin Xiaozhi, despite the trauma, was still composed. “Did you know something?”
Chi Lin glanced at the departing police officers: “Xie Buyu and Fu Tu were also attacked. I was worried about you and Zhuoning, so I came here. I tried calling you, but no one answered.”
“They were attacked too?” Lin Xiaozhi, despite her intelligence, was still shaken. “Crazy fans? Revenge?”
“It’s complicated.” Lou Mi handed her a cup of coffee.
Chi Lin: “Your Majesty, watch over Zhuoning, Xiao Zhi, come with me.”
Lin Xiaozhi, seeing Chi Lin’s serious expression, knew things were worse than she imagined.
***
The private hospital was owned by Lin Xiaozhi’s family. She had arranged a private room in the restaurant for her and Chi Lin.
Chi Lin quickly explained the situation.
Lin Xiaozhi was silent for a long time after hearing everything.
“So, they’re attacking people close to you to steal our bodies?”
“Possibly. It seems they can’t directly choose specific targets for soul swapping, there must be limitations.”
“But they were merciless, it felt like they wanted to kill us, not just steal our bodies.”
Chi Lin wasn’t surprised: “Even corpses can be used for soul transmigration, and they’re more obedient.”
Lin Xiaozhi, usually fearless, shivered, her face paling.
“I’m sorry, Xiao Zhi,” Chi Lin said sincerely, “for involving you in this.”
Lin Xiaozhi shook her head: “It’s not your fault. You protected us. But…”
Chi Lin and Lou Mi had already planned: “Move in with us for a while. We’re worried about your safety. We can look out for each other.”
Chi Lin took Lin Xiaozhi’s hand.
Lin Xiaozhi saw the tears in her eyes, she was genuinely worried.
She hadn’t seen Chi Lin show such concern for anyone before.
Chi Lin’s offer gave Lin Xiaozhi a sense of security. She knew Chi Lin’s skills; she had subdued two attackers within ten moves. With Chi Lin there, their safety wasn’t a concern.
“We’ll intrude for a while, I probably can’t hide this from my parents, I’ll get some people to protect us.” Lin Xiaozhi said. “I need to go get Zhuoning’s mom, she must be frantic.”
“You’re injured, I’ll go.”
“Thanks, Lin.”
Lou Mi contacted a top security firm and hired twenty bodyguards, some to protect Lou Lixing and Peng Ziyuan, others to escort Xie Buyu and Fu Tu to their home.
Lou Mi video-called Xie Buyu: “Have Sister Lan and Huhu come too, be careful. It’s fine, we have plenty of room.”
She also called her grandparents, explaining everything calmly. They didn’t ask questions, trusting her judgment.
After making all the arrangements, Lou Mi rubbed her eyes.
Everyone close to her was being threatened, and she was furious!
She had blocked A Bao’s contact information long ago. After a moment of thought, she took out her Return to Jianghu access crystal.
A message, addressed to A Bao:
Our conflict is between us. Why involve innocent people? If you hate me, come for me, I’ll be waiting.
A pale hand crumpled the message, then unfolded it, rereading it.
Even in digital form, every word was hers.
A Bao smelled the message, smiling: “Her scent.”
Xiao V sat beside her, staring at the seemingly endless staircase below them.
A Bao tore the message into pieces and ate it.
“So sweet,” she leaned against Xiao V’s shoulder, content.
A Bao hadn’t replied. Chi Lin returned.
“Where’s Lin Xiaozhi?”
“Her parents arrived.”
“Did you tell her everything?”
“Yes.”
Lou Mi squeezed her hand, feeling exhausted, and sat down.
“Your Majesty.”
Chi Lin knelt before her, gently massaging her head to relieve the stress.
“It’s not your fault,” Chi Lin said. “You didn’t do anything wrong. Your Majesty…”
Chi Lin said firmly, “No matter what happens, remember, I’m here. I’ll protect you.”
Lou Mi looked at her, stroking her cold cheek:
“I’m just tired, dealing with this after a long trip. We’ll protect each other. Little Lin, I’m not afraid with you here, but you’re my precious one, my everything. You must stay safe.”
The constant threats to those close to her had made Lou Mi, usually strong and carefree, become more sentimental.
But her anxiety quickly turned into concern.
Lou Mi made all the arrangements, contacting friends to investigate A Bao and Xiao V.
Wei Zhuoning woke up with a fever but was conscious. The police came again, taking her statement.
While the police interviewed Wei Zhuoning, Lou Mi and Chi Lin waited outside. A tall woman in a light gray trench coat approached Lou Mi:
“Lou Zong.”
Lou Mi patted Chi Lin, signaling her to leave for a moment.
“The police are taking this seriously, but it won’t be resolved quickly.”
A detective from A Tou’s private investigation firm, at Lou Mi’s request, came to the hospital with some important information.
“Why?”
“The two men found at the park… they’re dead.”
A Tou showed Lou Mi a video from the police station’s security camera.
“They died at the police station.”
“How did they die?”
“We don’t know. They were only handcuffed, no one touched them, their injuries weren’t fatal, they just died.” A Tou, eating a sandwich, tried to appear casual.
“The forensic examiner said they had been dead for several days. They brought in corpses. The police were shocked.”
Lou Mi’s expression was calm; she simply nodded and took a sip of coffee.
A Tou finished her sandwich and sent the video to Lou Mi:
“I have a lead on the drone. Give me some time, I’ll deliver.”
Lou Mi transferred a million yuan to A Tou: “Thank you.”
“I like decisive people. I’ll contact you when I have news.”
Lou Mi knew A Tou was skilled, a classmate of Shi Yue’s.
She charged a lot, but if the information existed, she could find it.
Lou Mi couldn’t use soul transmigration as evidence for the police.
But every action leaves a trace. Don’t think you can hide forever.
Lou Mi crushed her can and threw it into a trash can. Bullseye.
She logged into Return to Jianghu. A Bao hadn’t responded to her message.
She single-handedly destroyed A Bao’s guild, retrieving all her stolen equipment.
She had once considered A Bao her apprentice, ignoring her attacks.
But now, A Bao was truly crazy, and Lou Mi wouldn’t tolerate it anymore.
She wouldn’t let A Bao have anything that belonged to her.
A Bao’s guild was completely emptied, Lou Mi didn’t even bother using an alt account. She used her main account.
The incident made headlines. Netizens said HighTowerMiyuki was taking revenge on Xie Buyu and Fu Tu.
A Bao didn’t care; the game items meant nothing to her. Today, she was visiting her mother at a nursing home.
Arriving, she found her mother wasn’t in her room.
A Bao, holding a bouquet of flowers, stopped a nurse.
“Didn’t your friend take her out?” the nurse asked. “The woman who was here earlier said she was taking her for a walk in the garden.”
Here earlier?
Three years ago, Lou Mi had brought her here. The nurse remembered her.
A Bao threw the flowers down and ran to the garden.
She saw Lou Mi pushing her mother towards the woods.
“Stop——!” A Bao screamed, but a strong force pinned her to the ground.
She struggled, but she couldn’t move.
Chi Lin’s cold voice echoed:
“If you cause trouble again, it won’t be so easy. You’ll answer for your actions.”
Chi Lin grabbed her hair, sliced it off, and pushed her forward. A Bao hit her head and fell unconscious.
She woke up dazed and called out for her mother.
“Mommy?”
Her mother, in her wheelchair, was sitting alone in the woods, unharmed.
Her mother had dementia. She pointed at her forehead: “Broken.”
A Bao wiped the blood from her forehead and smiled: “Did you eat well today?”
Her mother ignored her and continued playing with a doll.
It was the doll Lou Mi had given her, returned now by Lou Mi.
A Bao sneered and threw the doll into the grass.
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