125: Chapter 125 Black Crow Cult, Blind Date Tokens (4k)

In the southern part of the capital, there was a secluded, grand courtyard.

The night was deep, and dark clouds obscured the moon, allowing not even a sliver of starlight to peek through.

The autumn wind swept up fallen leaves, swirling them across the empty streets.

Dozens of Six Doors Constables silently surrounded the courtyard. Each one held their breath in concentration, hands on their sword hilts, their eyes as sharp as eagles.

Chen Ran stood at the entrance of a dark alley on the perimeter, arms crossed, his expression calm.

Tonight was the day Six Doors would close the net.

Over the past few days, the Black Crow Cult had been frequently causing trouble around the capital, not only plundering merchant caravans but also bewitching the common people.

Lin Wan had led her people to follow the clues, staying up for several nights in a row until they finally pinpointed this hidden stronghold.

This residence was the den where the cult was hiding.

“Boss Lin, what do we do now?”

“Observe first.”

In the darkness outside the courtyard, several Constables dressed in Flying Fish Robes stared intently at the area.

“Are the others in position?”

“Everything is set. All routes out of here have been blocked; no one can possibly escape.”

Lin Wan checked the time and gave a slight nod.

“Move out.”

...

“Bang!”

A loud crash shattered the dead silence of the night.

The courtyard gate was kicked open, the thick wooden planks splintering into pieces as wood chips flew everywhere.

Lin Wan took the lead and charged into the courtyard.

Today, she wore a tight-fitting black outfit that outlined her tall and well-proportioned figure, with her long hair tied up high, making her look capable and sharp.

The longsword in her hand was unsheathed, its cold glint flickering in the night.

“Six Doors is handling a case! Those who resist will be shown no mercy!”

Her cold voice echoed through the night air.

The courtyard instantly fell into chaos.

Over a dozen cultists dressed in black rushed out from various rooms.

Strange black crow patterns were painted on their faces as they drew their weapons and charged forward, unafraid of death.

Lin Wan remained expressionless, her wrist flicking.

Sword light sliced through the night sky.

The three cultists in the lead didn't even see her movement before they collapsed, clutching their throats as blood gushed out, staining the ground red.

“You're asking for death!”

A furious shout came from the main hall.

A withered old man burst through a window.

His hands were curled into claws, with nails over an inch long gleaming with a faint blue poisonous light as he lunged straight for Lin Wan's face.

This person possessed a profound Aura and was shrouded in dense Evil Qi; he was actually a Black Crow Cult Elder.

Lin Wan did not retreat; instead, she advanced with light and agile steps.

Her longsword arced at a tricky angle, piercing accurately toward the old man's palm.

The old man snorted coldly, his clawed hand suddenly shifting, attempting to catch the blade barehanded.

A powerful surge of True Qi suddenly erupted from Lin Wan's sword, and the sword light flashed forward.

“Chiss!”

The blade easily sliced through the old man's Protective Aura and pierced his palm.

The old man let out a miserable scream and hastily retreated.

Lin Wan pressed her advantage, slamming the side of her blade against the old man's chest.

Crack!

The sound of breaking bones was clearly audible.

The old man slammed heavily onto the ground, coughing up a mouthful of blood, unable to get back up.

The battle ended extremely quickly.

Lin Wan sheathed her sword and scanned the area.

Seeing their Elder instakilled in a single move, the remaining cultists immediately lost their will to fight, dropping their weapons and kneeling to beg for mercy.

“Take them all away,” Lin Wan ordered coldly.

Outside the courtyard.

Chen Ran stood guard at the alley entrance, yawning in boredom as he listened to the commotion inside.

He had always been unwilling to charge to the front lines for such violent matters.

Furthermore, given the Black Crow Cult's strength, Lin Wan wouldn't encounter any real danger.

Being steady was the way to longevity.

He could let Lin Wan take the spotlight; he just needed to quietly coast through his days and accumulate power.

Suddenly, a noise came from the courtyard in the distance.

“Quick, stop him!”

“Don't let him escape!”

Hearing the noise, Chen Ran looked over.

He saw a dark figure flip over the wall and land soundlessly.

This person's movement technique was extremely fast, and they were preparing to flee under the cover of night.

The shadow had only run two steps before bumping straight into Chen Ran.

Seeing the young man blocking the way, the person was stunned for a moment but reacted quickly.

Without a word, a poisoned dagger slid from the shadow's sleeve, stabbing directly toward Chen Ran's heart.

The movement was ruthless and the angle tricky; clearly, this was a veteran.

Chen Ran stood his ground, his eyebrows lifting slightly.

“Oh, there's a fish that slipped through the net.”

Only when the dagger was about to pierce his chest did he slightly turn his body.

Raising his right hand, he slapped the back of the shadow's neck.

“Thud.”

The shadow's eyes rolled back, and they crashed straight onto the bluestone pavement, unconscious.

Several Constables who had chased after him happened to witness this scene.

“Deputy Captain Chen, nice move!”

“This thief was fast, but he still fell into your hands.”

His colleagues all voiced their praise.

Chen Ran smiled and said mildly, “It was just good luck; he happened to run right into me. Tie him up quickly, don't let him get away.”

He brushed the dust off his hands and stepped aside.

...

Six Doors, side hall.

The Black Crow cultists had been taken to the dungeon, awaiting interrogation through the night.

The side hall was brightly lit.

Lin Wan sat at the table and took a sip of tea, a hint of exhaustion visible between her brows.

After days of running around, even a Martial Artist would find it a bit much to handle.

A carrier pigeon fluttered into the hall and landed on the desk.

Lin Wan untied the bamboo tube from the pigeon's leg and poured out a slip of paper.

She unfolded it.

With just one look, her face darkened.

“Slap.”

She slammed the paper onto the table and crumpled it into a ball.

Chen Ran happened to walk in from outside, holding a dossier he had just organized.

He glanced at the crumpled paper on the table and then at Lin Wan's expression.

“Is the case not going well?” Chen Ran asked casually, placing the dossier on the table.

Lin Wan took a deep breath and shook her head.

“It's not the case.”

She leaned back in her chair and rubbed the bridge of her nose.

“A letter came from home.”

Chen Ran pulled out a chair, sat down, and poured himself a cup of tea.

“Urging you to return?”

Lin Wan sneered.

“Worse than that.”

She turned to look at Chen Ran.

“Tell me, why must people follow the path others have laid out for them?”

Chen Ran took a sip of tea and thought about it.

“Because the person laying out the path believes it's what's best for you.”

“But it's not what I want,” Lin Wan gritted her teeth.

“They don't care at all about what I want; they only care about the Family's reputation and so-called social standing.”

Chen Ran didn't respond.

He had a rough idea.

The drama of great families was nothing more than arranged marriages and exchanges of interest.

With Lin Wan's independent and strong-willed personality, and her heart set on building a career in Six Doors, she naturally couldn't stand such constraints.

“Chen Ran, if someone forced you to do the thing you hate most, what would you do?” Lin Wan suddenly asked.

“Depends on the situation,” Chen Ran said calmly.

“If I can win, I fight. If I can't, I run.”

Lin Wan was stunned for a moment, then gave a bitter smile.

She stood up, walked to the window, and looked out at the night.

“Forget it, there's no point in telling you this. Keep a close eye on the Black Crow Cult case; I might have some personal matters to attend to for the next few days.”

Chen Ran nodded.

“Alright.”

...

Heavenly Prison, interrogation room.

It was dark and damp, the air thick with the heavy smell of blood and mildew.

Chen Ran and Warden Wen Ruoxu stood side by side in front of the torture rack.

The Black Crow Cult Elder was tied to the rack.

The old man was covered in blood, his flesh torn and mangled.

“Speak. Exactly how many strongholds do you have in the capital? Who is the Hall Master?” Warden Wen Ruoxu asked nonchalantly, holding a red-hot branding iron.

The old man grinned, revealing teeth stained red with blood.

“The Black Crow descends, the holy fire sets the plains ablaze...”

“You government dogs will all die...”

Warden Wen Ruoxu sighed.

“That same rhetoric again. I've heard it so many times my ears are growing callouses.”

He pressed the branding iron onto the old man's chest.

“Sizzle—”

The smell of burnt flesh spread through the room.

The old man's body jerked violently, yet he didn't scream; instead, he began to laugh.

“The Holy God will protect me... I shall attain eternal life...”

Before he finished speaking, the old man's eyes suddenly bulged, and a gurgling sound came from his throat.

Black blood seeped from the corners of his mouth.

[Prisoner death detected. Calculating participation... Reward: One year of cultivation.]

A message flashed in his mind.

Chen Ran's brow furrowed as he stepped forward and gripped the old man's chin.

Too late.

The old man had already breathed his last.

“He took poison,” Chen Ran said, letting go.

Warden Wen Ruoxu tossed the branding iron aside and wiped his hands.

“What bad luck. These lunatics are all out of their minds.”

Chen Ran looked at the old man's corpse, lost in thought.

For the past few days, Six Doors had been investigating the Black Crow Cult.

This organization, which originally only operated in remote areas, had suddenly become active around the capital in recent years.

They were recruiting followers on a massive scale.

As long as one joined the cult, they would be given rice, flour, and silver.

The methods were simple and crude, yet extremely effective.

The common people at the bottom couldn't even fill their bellies; whoever gave them food was their god.

What was more terrifying was that once these followers joined, they were completely brainwashed, becoming fanatical to the point of being willing to sacrifice their lives for the so-called “Black Crow God.”

Just like the old man before them.

The Black Crow Cult's ambitions were vast; there was surely a deeper conspiracy behind them.

The imperial court had already sensed something was wrong; the Demon Suppression Division and Six Doors were both investigating in secret.

But the Black Crow Cult operated with extreme secrecy, and their core members were death soldiers, making it difficult to capture them alive.

“Alright, he's dead. Let's call it a day,” Warden Wen Ruoxu said, stretching and interrupting Chen Ran's thoughts.

He turned to Chen Ran and suddenly sighed, his face full of woe.

“Brother Chen, are you free tonight? Let me buy you a drink.”

Chen Ran glanced at him.

“Being unusually generous for no reason.”

Warden Wen Ruoxu chuckled and leaned in.

“I really do have a favor to ask.”

The two walked out of the interrogation room to a secluded corner.

Warden Wen Ruoxu looked around and lowered his voice.

“Brother Chen, help me out with something. There will definitely be benefits for you once it's done.”

Chen Ran felt a slight stir in his heart.

“What kind of favor?”

Warden Wen Ruoxu scratched his head, looking a bit embarrassed.

“Well... my Family arranged a blind date for me.”

Chen Ran raised an eyebrow.

“A blind date? That's a good thing.”

“Good, my foot!” Warden Wen Ruoxu growled in a low voice.

“The old man at home found her for me. I, Warden Wen Ruoxu, am suave and elegant; how could I tie myself to just one tree?”

He grabbed Chen Ran's arm.

“Brother Chen, go in my place!”

Chen Ran was stunned.

“I'm going to a blind date for you?”

“Yes!” Warden Wen Ruoxu nodded repeatedly.

“Just take my keepsake and go. Make up any excuse to brush the woman off. Say I have a hidden illness, or that I prefer men—the more disgusting, the better!”

Chen Ran looked at Warden Wen Ruoxu as if he were an idiot.

“Does your Family know me?”

“They don't, and the woman hasn't seen me either!” Warden Wen Ruoxu guaranteed, patting his chest.

“As long as you have the keepsake, she'll take you for me.”

Chen Ran fell silent.

This whole thing felt absurd.

But he had always been curious about Warden Wen Ruoxu's background.

This fellow who spent his days coasting in the Heavenly Prison belonged to one of the Four Great Families and had a far from simple background, yet he happily worked here every day.

Taking this opportunity might allow him to probe into the man's background.

“Alright,” Chen Ran nodded.

Warden Wen Ruoxu was overjoyed and hurriedly pulled a jade bottle from his robes, stuffing it into Chen Ran's hand.

“Good brother, you're the best. I don't have much to give right now, so take this Foundation Consolidation Pill for your cultivation.”

...

The next day, evening.

The capital, Zuixian Restaurant.

This was one of the top restaurants in the capital, located on the bustling Vermilion Bird Avenue.

It featured carved beams and painted rafters, looking magnificent and grand.

It was said that the Zuixian Restaurant had imperial backing and a history spanning over a century.

The dishes here were all delicacies, and the fine wine was famous throughout the capital.

Those who came and went were all high officials, nobles, and Young Masters of great families; ordinary people couldn't even enter the front door. The cost of a single meal was enough to feed an average Family for several years.

Outside the restaurant, the traffic was heavy, with an endless stream of carriages and horses.

The greeters at the entrance were dressed in fine silk and had excellent judgment, able to discern a guest's status at a glance.

Chen Ran stood at the street corner wearing casual clothes.

Warden Wen Ruoxu hid in the alley behind him, peeking out at the restaurant's entrance.

“Brother Chen, this is the place.”

Warden Wen Ruoxu pressed a jade pendant into Chen Ran's hand.

“This is the keepsake. The person you're meeting is waiting for you in Heaven Room Three.”

Chen Ran glanced at the jade pendant in his hand.

The jade was warm and smooth, with exquisite carving; it was definitely no ordinary item.

“Are you sure she hasn't seen you?” Chen Ran confirmed once more.

“Absolutely never!” Warden Wen Ruoxu vowed.

“I don't even know what she looks like. The old man was very mysterious, only saying she's a daughter of a wealthy Family.”

He patted Chen Ran's shoulder and spoke earnestly.

“Brother, I'm counting on you. Remember, you must act vulgar, rude, and lecherous—make her give up on me completely!”

Chen Ran tucked away the jade pendant.

“Got it.”

He turned and walked toward the Zuixian Restaurant.

Hiding in the shadows, Warden Wen Ruoxu watched Chen Ran's retreating figure and let out a long sigh of relief.

He wasn't unaware of Chen Ran's background; he knew the man was connected to Lin Wan and was even her deputy.

“Better a Fellow Daoist die than me. Brother Chen, my apologies.”

“Even if he's found out, he should... probably not die, right?”

Chen Ran arrived at the restaurant entrance.

The greeter immediately came forward with a face full of smiles.

“Sir, how many in your party? Do you have a reservation?”

Chen Ran showed the jade pendant.

“Heaven Room Three.”

Seeing the pendant clearly, the waiter's expression turned solemn, and he bowed even lower.

“So it is Young Master Wen. Please, come inside. The honored guest has already arrived.”

Chen Ran nodded and stepped into the restaurant.

Inside the lobby, the sounds of music played while the fragrance of wine filled the air.

Chen Ran stepped onto the soft carpet and made his way up the stairs.

Deep in the alley.

Warden Wen Ruoxu watched Chen Ran's figure slowly disappear around the turn of the stairs and finally felt at ease.

He turned and strolled away, humming a little tune.

Now that today's arrangement was ruined, he figured the old man wouldn't come looking for him for quite a while.

Warden Wen Ruoxu took one last look at the restaurant, focusing some of his perception on that pavilion.

He would keep an eye on Chen Ran, just in case things went south.

“Brother Chen, oh Brother Chen, you must hold on. If something really happens, your big brother will definitely come to save you.”