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Lin Mingchang nodded, "Not only to eradicate the Gui Xu Society and its evil organization, but also to uncover the truth behind my father's disappearance."
"I'll go with you," Shen Tong said calmly, lowering her eyes. "I am the last generation of the Rakshasa Bird Contractor. The Gui Xu Society has always wanted my power, right? With me around, they won't be able to sit still. I am the best bait to draw them out."
"But..." Lin Mingchang interjected urgently.
"But what?" Shen Tong looked up, meeting Lin Mingchang's gaze directly. "You'll protect me, won't you?"
Lin Mingchang gazed into Shen Tong's calm eyes, feeling a mix of worry and surprise. Although he didn't want Shen Tong to take risks, he certainly wished for her to be by his side.
Xiaoshuang glanced between Shen Tong and Lin Mingchang, unable to contain herself any longer. "What about me? What about Zigui and me?"
Lin Mingchang chuckled and patted Zigui on the shoulder. "Shen Tong and I will head out first to scout ahead. Zigui has a clinic; we can't just leave it behind without proper arrangements..."
Fang Zigui nodded, picking up the conversation. "To destroy the Gui Xu Society, none of us can be left out. Once I make the necessary arrangements, I'll come find you. Xiaoshuang and I should be able to catch up with you within a month."
The four exchanged smiles, raising their cups in a toast with tea instead of wine, drinking deeply as the bitter liquid slid down their throats, leaving a lingering sweetness behind.
In early summer, Yangzhou was enveloped in warm, humid air that hung over this historic southern city.
After leaving Spring City, Lin Mingchang and Shen Tong tracked down the Gui Xu Society, making their first stop in Yangzhou.
This city had a distinct charm of the Jiangnan water towns; everything felt gentle and full of grace.
They first stopped at an inn to rest briefly before taking a rickshaw straight to the city center of Yangzhou.
As Lin Mingchang watched the streets pass by—old shops weathered by time and familiar buildings—he softly remarked, "Yangzhou hasn't changed much."
This was his first return to the city after many years away.
Years ago, due to his father's work, he had lived here for a few years during his teenage years when he was full of youthful exuberance and mischief.
Time had passed, and landscapes had changed. Most of the friends he once spent every day with had lost contact over the years.
The only one he remained in touch with was Chen Jiu'an, his best friend from childhood.
The rickshaw stopped at the entrance of a narrow alley; Chen Jiu'an's home was nearby in his memories.
"We're here," Lin Mingchang said as he jumped off the rickshaw and turned to help Shen Tong down.
They walked slowly down the alley, each step awakening Lin Mingchang's memories: the narrow bluestone path, low houses on either side, ivy creeping up weathered walls, bamboo poles leaning in the middle of the alley, and distant calls of vendors selling sweet rice dumplings... He suddenly felt as if he had stepped into another world.
Turning out of the alley, they arrived at an old street where a small river ran through its center, bustling with people along its banks as small cargo boats occasionally passed by.
Although the old street still retained the shadows of the past, it had undergone significant changes. A new row of buildings had been constructed along the old street, featuring garden-style houses that clashed awkwardly with the original Jiangnan-style architecture of the old street.
It was around eleven in the morning when Lin Mingchang arrived at the entrance of a small courtyard by the river, relying on his memory. He gently knocked on the door.
At first, there was no response, so he knocked three or four more times.
Yet, there was still no answer, indicating that no one was home. Lin Mingchang began to wonder if he had remembered the location incorrectly or if Chen Jiu'an had already moved away.
Just as Lin Mingchang and Shen Tong were about to turn and leave, a sudden flurry of footsteps erupted from within the courtyard.
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