Chapter 58: Nether Rift, The Mission

I was utterly shocked—Netherworld invasion, apocalypse descending? Was this a movie? Yet, thinking back to the summoning fissure of the Eight Trigrams Yin Formation in the Valley of Shadowy Spirits and the Nine Yin Gathering of Evil in Xiushan, it all seemed to point to something real.

According to Director Zhou's account, the legend of Netherworld fissures had circulated within the circle for centuries, but their true emergence was sixty years ago, appearing worldwide. The sinister aura of the Netherworld gave rise to evil across the globe.

That era was rife with tales of demons and monsters; the ancestors swore they’d seen them, while most descendants dismissed the stories. From the fissures, Netherworld creatures tried to break free and enter our world.

To resist, countless sorcerers, Taoist priests, and Buddhist monks fought and died in battle. Eventually, one by one, the Netherworld fissures disappeared and closed. Yet evil spirits remained, seducing the living. Cults arose, spreading doomsday rhetoric, claiming only by following them could one avoid disaster and attain liberation.

Initially, these were just minor nuisances, unable to stir up much trouble. But ten years ago, the previously closed fissures began to destabilize, and some reopened. This time, weaker Netherworld entities escaped into the human world.

They were plotting a greater scheme, preparing to summon stronger Netherworld beings and break the barrier completely, turning the world into a prison of suffering.

I was silent for a long time after hearing this.

"The Ninth Bureau was founded for this very reason," Director Zhou continued. "But now, some have colluded with cults for personal gain, infiltrating the Bureau, seeking power. The incident with Huo Xingyu is an opportunity—I want to see who reveals themselves so I can root out the threat. On the other hand, I alone am not enough to sever these hands reaching into the Ninth Bureau. So I must trouble you to draw out Li Changsheng. The way he calls you his apprentice in public shows how much you mean to him."

"We only shared a drink once," I said. "I know he isn't ordinary, but he never seemed intent on taking me as his apprentice." He did entrust me with Li Ling’er’s spirit—was he hoping I’d become his son-in-law?

"Kid, you are the continuation of his dream," Director Zhou patted my shoulder.

I silently smoked, staring at the dense, humble gravestones—no photos, epitaphs, or signatures, just simple names carved in blood-red letters.

"Stay with the Ninth Bureau. We need you. The world needs you," Director Zhou said.

I forced a smile. "With you saying that, the burden feels immense."

"That’s why I’m telling you—usually, only those who reach the level of a Grade Six sorcerer are informed and sent to hunt Netherworld beings within the fissures," Director Zhou explained.

"Does Shangguan Qinghong know?" I asked.

"He does. I know you resent him, but he’s actually my man. His closeness to the Huo family was at my instruction," Zhou replied.

"Why not just say it was your idea for him to beat me up so badly?" I retorted.

Director Zhou chuckled awkwardly, not responding—he was in the wrong.

"Which side has the advantage now?" I asked.

"For now, we do. We’ve established defensive lines at several fissures, but the situation remains grim. After years of investigation, I believe the Netherworld beings are trying to use humans in our world to open new channels," Zhou said heavily.

I nodded. Last time in the Valley of Shadowy Spirits, we nearly summoned a powerful entity from the Netherworld.

Director Zhou looked at me. "Do you still want to leave the Ninth Bureau?"

I pursed my lips. "With the world like this, how could I stay out of it?"

He was gratified to hear that.

"But responsibility aside, what explanation do you have for my case?" I pressed.

"I’ll credit you with three thousand contribution points," Zhou replied.

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"Ten thousand," I rolled my eyes.

"Four thousand," Zhou glared.

"Eight thousand," I stared back without flinching.

"Five thousand." Zhou’s brows rose.

"Deal!" I seized the opportunity.

Director Zhou then said, "Regarding your assignment, I’ll let you know in advance. Internally, I’ll state you’ve retired from the Ninth Bureau due to serious injuries. You’ll return to Linjiang, where an aid medical team will be formed for Xiliang. You’ll join them, headed to the Hundred Caves Miao Village."

Huh?

I was stunned. Why send me to Xiliang?

"After years of investigation, we suspect the Hundred Caves Miao Village is likely controlled by a cult called the White Lotus Sect, possibly the next summoning site for Netherworld beings," Zhou explained.

"This medical team—surely I’m not the only one fighting?" I asked.

"No, only you. The medical team also has cult members within. We haven't identified them, so you’ll have to find out yourself. Ideally, you’ll gain their trust and be recruited by them," Zhou said.

Damn, they wanted me to be an undercover agent.

"Doesn’t seem safe. The Huo family is colluding with the Mani Society—who’s to say they aren’t working with the White Lotus? My identity is too exposed," I frowned.

"Who said you’d go as yourself? You’ll have a new identity—surname Li, given name Yan, from Li Family Village in Snake Ancient Town, Linjiang," Zhou explained.

"Snake Ancient Town Li Family? The traditional martial arts village that was on TV? It’s well-known in Linjiang," I said in surprise.

"Correct. Li Yan's parents died when he was ten. He left the village alone and apprenticed with a wandering Taoist, learning folk medicine. Later, he certified as a doctor and joined international medical rescue teams. His record is flawless," Zhou continued.

"What about him?" I couldn’t help but ask.

"He’s dead. His master—the Taoist—was one of ours. He took a mission to the Netherworld fissure and sacrificed himself. We planned to recruit Li Yan, but he was killed by stray bullets in a Middle Eastern conflict," Zhou said.

I was silent. Sometimes life’s fragility truly hits you.

"When you return to Linjiang, go to Li Family Village as Li Yan, cementing your new identity. Rest assured, your features resemble his, and after over a decade, changes are expected," Zhou said, though his expression turned odd.

I agreed. Zhou went off to finalize arrangements and left.

I lingered on the mountaintop, gazing at the gravestones, feeling that one day I might end up among them, neighbors to these predecessors.

...

I stayed in the cave for seven days. Each day, Old Li gave me a strange herbal decoction.

The herbs didn’t enhance my physique or increase my magic power, but my mental strength seemed to improve slightly, though not drastically.

When I asked Old Li what the concoction was for, he just chuckled, his gaze unsettling.

As for spells, he taught me none. He said my sorcery was unique and only lacked refinement—nothing he could add.

Before I left, he gave me three short magic swords, each the length of a finger, for emergencies. Each sword could only be used once.

On this day, Director Zhou handed me Li Yan’s detailed dossier and some of his belongings, then sent me off to board a plane.

On the plane, I found Nightingale already waiting—black coat, sunglasses.

I sat opposite her, tapped her foot with mine, and said, "Drop the act. If you’ve got an apology, say it."

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Nightingale took off her sunglasses, giving me a flirtatious glare. "From today, I’m your teammate for this mission. You’ll be in the open, I’ll be in the shadows."

"Fine. Since we’re teammates, why not warm up a bit?" I got up, squeezed beside her, and draped my arm around her shoulder.

Bang!

Nightingale jabbed me with her elbow. I clutched my chest in pain.

"You... you okay?" Nightingale regretted it a little, knowing I was seriously injured and perhaps used too much force.

"Just rub it and I’ll be fine," I replied, looking up.

"Alright, I’ll help." Nightingale extended her slender fingers, pressed them to my chest, and twisted my skin hard.

I sucked in a breath, quickly surrendering.

We teased each other for a while as the plane took off.

Nightingale closed her eyes to rest, while I reviewed Li Yan’s information. In the photos, I did look somewhat like him.

Distinctive feature—a black mole on his butt?

"Surely no one will want to check my pants. It’s not like I’m inheriting anything," I muttered.

"Director Zhou instructed me to use specially prepared materials to mark that mole for you," Nightingale said suddenly, eyes still closed.

What?

"Isn’t that a bit much?" I was embarrassed. I wouldn’t mind sleeping with her, but exposing half my backside was mortifying—I still had some dignity.

"It’s nothing I haven’t seen before. You’re a scoundrel always surrounded by women—what’s there to be shy about?" Nightingale sneered.

I was speechless, feeling I was getting the short end of the stick.

The plane quickly landed in Linjiang. Nightingale left on her own, and I returned home.

Upon entering, I saw a silver case on the coffee table, bearing the secret mark of the Ninth Bureau.

I opened it—it was the gear I’d redeemed through the app.

I donned the defensive robe, worth a thousand contribution points, and immediately felt the difference.

There was a stack of magic talismans, precious life-savers—especially the Grade Six Explosive Golden Flame Talisman, worth eight hundred points for a single use, exorbitant.

Just then, my phone rang—it was Chi Yun.

"Qin Feng, where have you been lately? At first you didn’t answer, then your phone was unreachable," Chi Yun said worriedly.

"It’s nothing, just handling business. You know my side job," I replied lightly.

"Good, I thought Huo Xingyu had tossed you in the river to feed the fish," Chi Yun joked, relieved.

The mention of Huo Xingyu made my gaze darken. I had a feeling he would haunt me persistently.

"Are you free now? My water pipes seem to be leaking," Chi Yun hinted sweetly.

Plumbing? That’s my specialty! So, I drove straight to Junyue Grand Hotel.

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