Volume One: First Steps in the City Chapter Forty-Four: Hidden Worries

Just as Lu Yi and Helian Ying were confirming their new wager, several vans pulled up near the bridge. A number of people, dressed in various styles, stepped out, followed by vehicles from the Security Bureau.

“Is that the person?” a young man asked a bystander, and upon receiving confirmation, the group immediately became alert and wary.

Hearing that Helian Ying and the others were about to leave, the young man called out, “None of you are allowed to go.”

He held a megaphone as he walked to the front of the crowd, continuing, “Listen up down there. Disarm yourselves and state your names, identities, and backgrounds.”

Lu Yi looked at the group atop the embankment. By their bearing, he guessed they belonged to the organization that handled matters concerning demon hunters and sorcerers. He was not surprised they showed up—after all, Helian Ying had already unleashed a blade of light that corroded metal. If they still didn’t appear, Lu Yi would begin to doubt what the seasoned veteran had told him earlier.

He glanced at Helian Ying and Helian Xun, only to find that neither seemed to take the situation seriously. Helian Xun made a few quick hand seals, and a sigil appeared in midair. “We are from the Helian family.”

The young man blinked, sizing up Helian Xun. “Helian Xun, right? I remember you. But I don’t recognize the two with you.”

Helian Xun pointed at Lu Yi. “He’s just an ordinary person. He got caught up in a special incident, and we saved him.” Then she gestured to Helian Ying. “She’s also one of us, but as for her identity, there’s no need for you to know more.”

“Hmph.” The young man snorted. “If all this had been done by Miss Helian Xun alone, and you told me not to interfere, I might’ve let it pass. But the current situation was caused by her, and it’s clearly not an aboveboard method. I must detain her and interrogate her thoroughly.”

He stroked his chin, his eyes wandering over Helian Ying.

“Who do you think you are?” Helian Xun replied disdainfully. “With the Helian family backing us, why do you need to meddle so much?”

“Don’t think the Helian family can cover the sky with one hand. I can see this woman’s origins are questionable and her powers are unnatural. As a member of the Helian family, you’re obstructing our investigation. I want to see if you’re sheltering her on your own, or if the Helian family is involved in some shady dealings!” The young man’s voice rose.

At his shout, some of his companions rushed forward.

“Enough noise.” Helian Ying frowned and let out a low growl. With a push of her right palm, a dark ripple spread outwards, instantly forcing the advancing group back.

“It’s fine. Since Helian Ying has made her move, this matter is as good as resolved,” Helian Xun said to Lu Yi.

No sooner had she spoken than the sounds of fighting rang out atop the embankment. Lu Yi saw Helian Ying handily overwhelming her opponents.

“Honestly, I hope you win,” Helian Xun said quietly near Lu Yi. “Because whether it’s strength, treasure hunting, or insight, in all the years I’ve known her, Xiao Ying has never lost.” She broke into a playful smile.

“Grandmother also feels Xiao Ying’s path has been too smooth, and the road she travels might affect her state of mind. She hopes a few setbacks will temper her. Once, after Xiao Ying returned from a trip, no one knows what happened, but Grandmother left a mark on her face as a warning.” Helian Xun glanced at Lu Yi.

From her eyes, Lu Yi could see she truly had little faith in him.

戒? Lu Yi suddenly recalled the marks he’d seen on Helian Ying’s face that day.

The commotion on the embankment subsided. Helian Ying returned to them, while the others slunk away in defeat.

“All settled?” Helian Xun asked.

“They were from the Ximen family. I spared his life,” Helian Ying replied coolly, then turned to Lu Yi. “Alright, let’s go.”

“Wait, I still need to call someone,” Lu Yi said hurriedly.

Helian Ying frowned, then seemed to recall Li Xinran, who had come to the Helian family with Lu Yi last time. “You want to bring someone along, just in case something happens to you.”

She sneered, looking straight at Lu Yi, who only smiled back.

Helian Ying arched an eyebrow. “As you wish,” she said, then walked off.

Helian Xun tugged Lu Yi’s sleeve. “Didn’t you see what just happened? That was a member of the Ximen family—she only let him live. Aren’t you scared?”

“Nothing to fear,” Lu Yi replied with a laugh.

Helian Xun shook her head. “I really don’t know where your confidence comes from.”

“So little faith in me?” Lu Yi asked.

Helian Xun rolled her eyes and sighed. “I used to think you were…” She stopped abruptly.

“What did you think I was?” Lu Yi asked, curious.

“Nothing,” Helian Xun said, her eyes complex as she studied him. “If you were him, if you could beat Xiao Ying, I’d grant you not just three requests, but ten.”

Lu Yi had long noticed Helian Xun’s straightforward nature. Her words weren’t born of jealousy or rivalry toward Helian Ying, but genuine concern for her.

He couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. Even in matters unrelated to their mission, there were so many subtle details. Clearly, he had overlooked much in facing this task.

Watching Helian Ying’s retreating figure, he realized that beneath her dazzling strength lay unpredictable shadows. This only made him more certain: this “instance” would bring profound change.

He saw Helian Xun watching Helian Ying, a trace of worry in her eyes.

After a moment, Lu Yi said to Helian Xun, “If you hope so much that Helian Ying will lose, aren’t you afraid I’ll just run off with her?”

“Huh?” Helian Xun shot him an astonished look, then laughed. “If you have that kind of skill, I’d really like to see it.”

“I’ll take you with me, so you can see for yourself,” Lu Yi replied, his tone earnest.

“Alright. I’m looking forward to it,” Helian Xun said with a beaming smile. Then she realized there was an ambiguity in his words. “What do you mean by ‘take’?”

“Obviously, I mean taking you to the secret place,” Lu Yi explained, glancing at her.

Seeing Helian Xun nod, Lu Yi suddenly grinned mischievously. “Or did you think I meant taking you to wander the world? Should I steal you away first, or Helian Ying?”

“If you could really be like him, I’d be willing to wander the world with you,” Helian Xun replied, her eyes suddenly shining. Lu Yi looked at her in surprise as she continued, “And together, we’d rid the world of evil and leave our names in history.”

Lu Yi felt a bit awkward. It was clear Helian Xun yearned for the life of the person she spoke of, hoping she too could go down in history.

He suddenly felt he might have been disrespecting her dreams. Helian Xun longed for such a story, just as many girls once dreamed that their Prince Charming would come for them.

He silently apologized in his heart, because even if he won this bet, he could not be the one to stay and create legendary tales with Helian Xun.

As for taking Helian Xun out of this world of trials, that was even more impossible. Life in Mist City was not what she desired. To use the persona she idolized and take her away would be nothing short of deception, which Lu Yi would never accept.

He sighed, resolving to plan this operation carefully to ensure nothing went wrong.

Soon, the taxi stopped at Lu Yi’s chosen spot. After the three disembarked, Helian Ying and Helian Xun’s expressions changed at once. Helian Xun looked at Lu Yi. “Hey, did you get the address wrong?”

“No, this is the place—I came to find him,” Lu Yi replied with a smile.