Seeing their overly respectful bows, Lu Feng figured they must be awed by his transcendent-master aura. Handling bratty kids? He’d always had his ways.
“Your change.”
He pulled twenty yuan from the drawer—but looked up to find them already fleeing like scared rabbits. His words hadn’t even registered.
“I’ll give it to them next time,” Lu Feng muttered, tossing the bills back.
*Though… if they don’t come back, I keep twenty. Not bad.*
Evening deepened. Back inside, he saw Yuzi curled on the sofa, her tiny tongue licking chip crumbs from her fingers.
“Don’t lick. Wash your hands.” He lifted her; crumbs scattered from her dress.
“You’re messy. Bath time?”
“Mm.” Yuzi answered softly.
…
The boys exited the clinic with stiff bows, then bolted blindly into a narrow alley, chests heaving.
“That was terrifying! What *is* he?” panted a fourteen-year-old, braced against the wall.
“Not human. A monster wearing skin.”
“An envoy of the abyss—Cthulhu’s lackey!”
“So that thing he gave us… a chunk of Cthulhu?”
“Chunk? More like shed skin.”
All shuddered at the memory. Ah Biao gulped, staring at the box in his hands.
“What do we do with this?” he asked, scanning their faces.
“Give it to Mr. Black?” one kid ventured.
Mr. Black—real name Wang Sha—led their recon team and was a core cadre of the Azure Feather Society. His unique scouting ability made him renowned; his dark skin earned the nickname.
“You’re insane! Mr. Black’ll never believe this!” another shot back.
“The vice president?”
“Worse—he’s stubborn.”
“The president? We’ve never even seen him!”
“Whatever. Hand it to Mr. Black. Not our problem,” shrugged a third.
“But the doctor’s warning was clear,” Ah Biao insisted. “We need someone with authority.”
Chatter swirled, unresolved.
“How about the Hero Association?” Ah Biao suddenly said. “They know. Let *them* present it.”
The others exchanged uneasy glances but stayed silent.
*Hmph.* “Hand it to the Hero Association?” A cold voice cut through the alley. “Ah Biao—I made you squad leader for your age. Never thought you’d betray the Azure Feather Society. Do you disrespect us *that* little?”
They froze. Turning, they saw a tall, lean youth with dark skin striding closer.
Wang Sha. Mr. Black. Seventh Tier strength. A decision-maker in the Azure Feather Society.
“Skipping me for the vice president? Fine—they’re family. I’d just scold you. But the *Hero Association*?” His voice turned icy. “I trusted you after past missions. Did you have to betray me *now*?”
He swept them with a glare.
“It’s not betrayal! There’s a reason!” Ah Biao stammered, fear tightening his throat. He recounted everything and showed the box.
Wang Sha plucked a piece with delicate fingers, squinting.
“Never seen this. Some rare mollusk. He says ‘Cthulhu’—and you *believed* him?” He chuckled, tossing it back.
*Damn scam.* From Ah Biao’s story and the doctor’s smug tone, Wang Sha knew: pure kid-tricking nonsense. *Brats fall for anything.*
He turned to leave.
“Mr. Wang Sha—where are you going?” Ah Biao cried.
“Clean *your* mess. What else?”
“But… he’s an envoy of the abyss…”
“Bullshit envoy. I’ll see if he’s man or monster. Try erasing *me*,” Wang Sha sneered.
Seventh Tier. He’d slain fifth-tier mountain demons. Fear a talkative doctor?
“Sir, please don’t go! We doubted Senior Shen Zhan’s warning too—but today I understood: *he* was warned!” Ah Biao pleaded, grabbing his sleeve. “Our second rude visit nearly angered that esteemed person. Going again will—”
“*Esteemed person* my ass!”
Wang Sha yanked his sleeve. A gust slammed Ah Biao against the wall, breath knocked out.
“You itching for a beating? Calling Shen Zhan ‘senior’? Done with the Azure Feather Society?” Wang Sha brushed his sleeve, striding off. “I’ll deal with you after.”
The others watched him vanish before helping Ah Biao up.
“What now?” asked the bespectacled boy.
“Follow… and see.” Ah Biao clutched his chest, steadying his breath.
…
Wang Sha marched. His ability made slow steps cover vast ground. Soon, he stood before the unassuming clinic marked on his map.
*Today, I tear this place down. Let’s see your tricks.*
Hands behind his back, he stepped inside. White mist seeped through his clothes as energy swirled. Leveling this clinic? Easy.
Empty—except for a wolf tethered by the door… no, a Husky. It turned, one paw mid-nose-scratch.
Lu Feng was bathing Yuzi. Hallelujah was on duty—but alone, it’d gone full dog. Catching Wang Sha’s glare, it instantly read his intent.
*Another troublemaker.*
Its eyes softened with pity for the intellectually challenged.
*You’re the idiot! Your whole damn family are idiots!* Wang Sha seethed inwardly.
Seeing that expressive canine face, his rage exploded.
