Chapter Nine: Arriving in Xi'an

I left the bathroom, my neck flushed with embarrassment, and looked at her helplessly. “Miss, what do you want from me? I give up—did I save the wrong person that day?”

Wang Tingting saw my awkward state and, feeling triumphant, burst into gleeful laughter.

Seeing that she was clearly looking for trouble today, I thought for a moment, sat down on a stool, and deliberately edged closer to her. I studied her closely; though she was mischievous, she was quite pretty, especially her eyes.

Wang Tingting, suddenly bashful, lowered her head, her demeanor transformed from cheeky to that of a demure lady. My heart warmed at the sight. I wanted to pull her into an embrace, but I settled for gently squeezing her small hand.

Her cheeks flushed crimson, and she looked down, embarrassed. “You're so annoying, how can you be so bold?” Despite her words, her hand trembled nervously in mine.

I grinned foolishly. “Didn’t you say I’m your boyfriend? What does it matter?”

Wang Tingting, noticing my gaze linger on her, her chest heaving slightly, grew even redder and scolded me, half-angry, half-shy: “Wanyan the pig, you old lecher!”

Unable to resist her charm, I leaned in and kissed her on the cheek.

To my surprise, even her ears turned red as she chided, “You’re too much!” Usually so fierce, she was unexpectedly more ladylike than other women in this moment.

Yet, her reaction only stirred my desires further. But, remembering past experience, I wondered if she was truly sincere or merely pretending.

I furrowed my brow, put on a lecherous act, and said, “Since you’re my girlfriend, why don’t we go to bed now?” As I spoke, I reached for her chest.

With a startled cry, she jumped up, pushed me hard, and scolded, “You scoundrel! Get out!”

I gave her a mischievous look, lit a cigarette, and said, “But this is my house, isn’t it?” My eyes roamed over her trembling curves.

Seeing my audacious behavior, Wang Tingting quickly turned and stormed out, slamming the door behind her. “Wanyan Changfeng, you’re a bastard! I absolutely despise you!”

Watching her leave in a huff, I couldn’t help but laugh. At last, I’d driven away this troublemaker. Let’s see if she dares to pretend to be my girlfriend again.

That day, I prepared for my trip to Xi’an. From the information given to me by Ren Tianxing and Old Liu, I knew this journey would be anything but simple.

I went to the mall to buy a few sets of clothes, then sought out the only person I truly trusted in this city—Gu Jing.

Gu Jing was a strange man, so odd that after seeing him once, you could barely recall his features.

He ran a traditional medicine shop, but his business was far more than just selling herbs. They say that every major corporation boss in the city would greet him with utmost respect. All the large enterprises considered it an honor to invite him to assess their property’s feng shui.

Once, he told a business owner that he wouldn’t live past the 27th of the month. The man scoffed, boasting that he would come clear out Gu Jing’s shop on the 28th. In the end, at 11:59 PM on the night of the 26th, he passed away. The hospital declared it natural causes.

I first met Gu Jing because I’d heard he could read fortunes.

When he tried to read mine, he couldn’t discern anything.

He’d read countless fortunes in his life, but with me, he declared, “You have no fate.” Was it that I had no fate, or that he simply couldn’t see it?

He went on to say, “You have no fate because you are destined by heaven. Mortals cannot read your destiny, for you are not one of us.”

I didn’t comprehend what a heavenly mandate was—perhaps it meant I was some legendary chosen one, but as an ordinary man, where would I find an emperor’s destiny? He was the first to call me “not human,” and because of that, he became my only trusted friend.

I collected a few bottles of his medicines, some talismans he’d written, and a few tools. Before I left, I told him I was heading to Xi’an and that a student of mine might be seeking him soon.

He only said, “Those of heavenly mandate must place the world above all else.”

That afternoon, I finished all my preparations. After cancelling a few appointments and taking a short rest, I sorted through the materials Old Liu had given me. On the BBS, I stumbled across a strange post: “For Sale: An Iron Stone.”

The description was odd, with no real introduction. The stone was priced by the gram, and each gram cost more than gold. There was only an email address.

Curious, I sent an email to the address.

The next morning, I took my luggage to the airport. With an hour and a half before boarding, I found a seat and picked up the day’s newspaper.

In one corner was an advertisement identical to the BBS post. I couldn’t help but smile wryly: apparently, people with too much money and nothing to do were now playing pranks in the newspaper.

As I read, a delicate hand tapped my shoulder.

I was startled—normally, if anyone approached within ten meters, I’d sense them. Yet this person managed to get close without my noticing.

Turning, I saw it was my nemesis, Wang Tingting. She carried a small suitcase, dressed casually, and gazed at me warmly with her large eyes. “What a coincidence! Are you traveling too?”

“Why are you following me again?” I groaned inwardly. I hadn’t expected her to find out about my trip to Xi’an.

“Is that a problem?” She sat beside me, hooked her right arm around my shoulder, and whispered, “My heart is with you—wherever you go, I go.”

I smiled wryly. “Alright, alright, I give up. But this time I can’t take you with me. Wait till I return from my business trip, then I’ll show you around.” I had to admire her persistence.

“That won’t do! Where Lord Changfeng goes, there’s always excitement. How could I miss out?”

“Excitement?” I couldn’t help raising my voice, drawing glances from those nearby. Blushing, I leaned close and hissed, “Like last time? Our opponent wasn’t even human—do you still find that fun?”

At the mention of “not human,” Wang Tingting’s face paled, recalling events from two weeks ago. But seeing my smug warning, her stubbornness flared and she pouted. “Hmph, I was never afraid of people when alive, why fear the dead? Besides, with you protecting me, what’s there to worry about?” She flashed her ticket. “See? I got the same class as you.”

Seeing her resolve, I gave up trying to reason. The only way to deal with her was silence.

When it was time for security, I queued with my luggage. Wang Tingting stayed close.

When my turn came, the scanner beeped at my luggage. The staff immediately asked me to open it. After her own inspection, Wang Tingting insisted we were together.

I opened my suitcase. The staff saw the bottles of medicine and strange tools, asking what they were. I told them the bottles contained medicine and the tools were souvenirs.

They didn’t believe me and insisted on further inspection, detaining the items and requesting my identification. Wang Tingting was also questioned.

I could only smile wryly. When airport police came for questioning and with our flight about to depart, I showed them my “Interpol” credentials. They verified them in minutes, apologized, and hurried us to the plane.

At last, Wang Tingting understood why her second uncle had never revealed my identity. An Interpol agent’s status is highly confidential—even provincial officials cannot disclose it without authorization.

On the plane, after seeing my credentials, Wang Tingting stared at me, stunned. I leaned close and whispered, “It’s a fake.” Then, I stole a kiss on her right cheek, earning a furious scolding of “lecher!”

Two hours later, I stepped out of Xi’an airport. At last, I’d arrived in the ancient capital.

Xi’an is one of the world’s four great ancient capitals, the earliest and longest-lasting capital in China’s history, with over three thousand years of heritage. From the Western Zhou through the Tang dynasty, thirteen dynasties made it their capital, making it a living museum of Chinese history. In 1998, when President Clinton visited China, his first stop was Xi’an, for to foreigners, the Tang dynasty best represents China.

The air in Xi’an was wonderfully fresh, even with rain threatening. Wang Tingting followed behind, carrying my luggage. I had planned to send her off on her own after landing, but seeing her so pitiable and alone in a strange city, I relented and let her stay.

As I drew a few breaths of the clean air, a sedan pulled up nearby.

“Are you Mr. Changfeng?” A polite man stepped out and greeted me.

I nodded and shook his hand. He tested my grip, but I didn’t respond, only smiling. After a moment, we released hands, and he introduced himself, “Officer Ren sent me to pick you up. My name is Huang Feng.”

He glanced at Wang Tingting.

Quick-witted, she immediately extended her hand. “Hello, I’m Changfeng’s assistant. You can call me Tingting.”

Seeing how Huang Feng had tested me, she also squeezed his hand firmly.

Smiling, she said, “Officer Huang, you’re too kind.”

Huang Feng hadn’t expected a delicate-looking girl to have such strength. After a brief contest, he conceded, sweat beading on his brow, while Wang Tingting showed no intention of letting go.

I cleared my throat, and they finally released each other.

Huang Feng had to admit, “Miss Tingting, you truly are a heroine. Mr. Changfeng, having such an assistant is indeed a blessing.” He thought to himself, if the assistant is this formidable, it’s fortunate I didn’t offend the master.

The three of us got into the car and sped off together.