Chapter Eight: The Flower-Capturing Gu Worm

“Agreed.”

Seeing the other party take the initiative to seek peace, Xia Ye didn’t say much and immediately agreed. After all, they had come out to kill; it was necessary to keep a low profile.

He knew that in the Northeast there was a powerful enforcer monitoring the entire country. Once targeted, trouble would be endless. It was best to avoid any company involvement—this was also why he lived secluded in the mountains.

Soon, both sides reached an agreement…

“I have to ask, your men are all ordinary people, right? You’re a supernatural being leading a bunch of ordinary folks to do this kind of work. Aren’t you afraid the company will come after you?” Xia Ye glanced at the old man and asked.

“Ha, even a supernatural being needs to eat. As long as I don’t use supernatural methods, what difference is there between me and a common pickpocket?”

With the goal achieved, the old man shook his head, bowed again, and then turned to leave.

“…”

After closing the door, Xia Ye and Xiao Zizai exchanged a glance, both wearing somewhat strange expressions. From any angle, something felt off.

With the abilities of a supernatural being, there was no place where one couldn’t make a living. There was simply no need to take such risks. This guy must have other reasons.

“This old man is suspicious.”

After some thought, Xia Ye narrowed his eyes.

“I saw a gleam in his eyes, an intense focus. He’s probably a master of divination arts. This wasn’t a random encounter but a calculated move!”

Thanks to his innate supernatural ability “Enlightenment,” his sixth sense surpassed that of ordinary supernatural beings. Even a brief glance was enough to see through the old man’s background.

“You mean he saw through our identities before we even boarded and sent people to test us?” Xiao Zizai asked, pushing up his glasses.

“Exactly. First, he sent ordinary people to probe. No matter who we were, they would hold back. Afterward, the old man came out to seek peace—there was no reason for us to make a scene in public,” Xia Ye nodded with a smile.

“After all, the company rules forbid exposing supernatural beings in front of the public. The consequences would be severe, and both good and evil sides would be cautious.”

“The train is crowded, with many ordinary people around, and the other side has a supernatural being. They’re counting on us not making a move here. As long as their actions aren’t excessive, we won’t interfere.”

“Hmm…”

“Quite a tight grip on the situation,” Xia Ye mused.

Hearing this, Xiao Zizai finally understood and his gaze sharpened.

“So, can I kill him?”

In the next moment, a red gleam flashed in his eyes. This old man, who led this band of pickpockets and schemed so deeply, was clearly no good. Xiao Zizai was just itching for some ‘refreshments.’

***

“It’s possible, but not now. I have a feeling they’re not just ‘stealing sleeper berths.’ Let’s observe first.”

They were heading to the final stop, and this group would definitely make their move during the journey.

“All right, fine.”

***

Afterwards, everything returned to calm. The journey passed uneventfully, and night soon fell.

In their cabin, Xiao Zizai closed his eyes to cultivate his energy, while Xia Ye maintained vigilance as he trained. Seeing Xiao Zizai’s internal power stable and his flesh and veins strong, Xia Ye relaxed.

He checked his phone; it was now past midnight. Most passengers were asleep. If those guys planned to act, this was the best time.

Noticing Xia Ye’s movements, Xiao Zizai opened his eyes and asked silently. Xia Ye nodded, smiling.

“Heh…”

Soon, when he sensed movement in the corridor outside, a blood-red light flashed briefly in Xiao Zizai’s eyes. He stood up but did not open the door; instead, he raised the window.

At that moment, Xia Ye took a pill from his pocket and handed it to him.

“See what they’re planning first. Decide for yourself. Keep that old man for me—use this pill to knock him out and bring him back. The others, deal with as you please.”

“Got it.”

Xiao Zizai accepted the pill, nodded slightly, and without another word, climbed out through the window.

The Buddhist cultivation method combined spiritual and physical refinement; his perception was quite strong. Observing from the roof was perfect—it wouldn’t alert anyone.

Xia Ye trusted Xiao Zizai completely. If not for Xia Ye’s interception, Xiao Zizai would soon be a temporary operative in East China—proof enough of his skill.

Now, with the body of an Asura and even greater control over his physique, stealth observation was effortless; killing and capturing were even easier.

***

“Ha…”

Taking a deep breath on the roof, Xiao Zizai began using the Buddhist meditation technique to clear his mind and sense the commotion below.

He could tell the old man hadn’t moved yet. It was his subordinates who were roaming through the other carriages.

During the day, he and Xia Ye saw these guys running about, obviously scouting to time their strike.

He also noticed they were consciously moving in the same direction, maintaining careful spacing and coordination, covering each other seamlessly.

***

“These guys… definitely not just ‘stealing sleeper berths.’”

Following them out of the sleeper car, Xiao Zizai confirmed this. The seating carriages were crowded and full of watchful sleepers at night—too risky to attack there.

After passing two carriages, they slowed down upon reaching carriage number four—the hard-seat section. From their behavior, it was clear they were preparing to act.

The next moment…

“Hm?”

Xiao Zizai saw them pull something from their pockets, crush it in one hand, and cover their mouths and noses with damp handkerchiefs.

“A sedative?”

Sensing faint smoke filling the carriage, he quickly concluded it was a drug. Observing the passengers, they immediately fell into a deep sleep upon inhaling the smoke.

“Supernatural methods…”

Xiao Zizai narrowed his eyes. Ordinary means couldn’t work so efficiently. He silently pressed against the window to observe closely and soon felt something was wrong.

“It’s not just smoke—it’s… flying insects?”

He could see countless tiny translucent insects within the smoke, and his heart tightened.

“Is that old man a Gu master?”

Though his knowledge of the supernatural world was limited, he had heard of Gu masters—masters of mysterious and sinister arts, specializing in controlling insects and poisons. It had to be them.

Then…

After all the passengers fell asleep, a few of the men immediately acted, surrounding a woman and snatching the baby from her arms.

“So they’re child kidnappers…”

Seeing this, Xiao Zizai’s eyes darkened. Cruelty and excitement welled up inside him, and he licked his lips.

Now, he had all the justification he needed.