Some endings have nothing to do with death.
Chengfeng District, Star Engraving County.
In the afternoon, Gao Jin, who just received important intelligence from an informant, realized he was being followed.
Having already cultivated the Combat Technique to mastery, his Spiritual Power had heightened to the point where he could sense the gaze of others. Casual followers could not escape his perception.
He zigzagged through the market, attempting to shake off the follower, but surprisingly the follower wasn't shaken off at all; instead, the distance between them was closing.
Gao Jin's heart sank, knowing that at least one of the followers was a Martial Artist of the Wolf Eagle technique. Once a Wolf Eagle Martial Artist locks onto a target, they never lose track as long as the target stays within sight.
Moreover, the decreasing distance also indicated that the followers realized he had noticed them. They likely abandoned their plan to locate White Night's secret base and decided to directly capture and torture him.
Just as Gao Jin prepared to make a forced escape, a crowded shop suddenly appeared in the market. His eyes lit up as he glanced at the signboard—
'Feiwei Hall'
Unsure of what it sold, he needed to use this shop to shake off the followers, so he forcefully squeezed into the shop, drawing curses from customers.
Seeing this wasn't good, the followers rushed to the shop entrance and shouted, "Statistical Department handling a case, clear the path! Clear the path!"
Statistical Department!
Upon hearing this name, the customers hurriedly exited the shop as if doused with dung water. Two agents from the Statistical Department closely watched the exiting crowd, but found no target. In the shop, only the store owner and his wife remained.
"Is there any other exit here?" an agent sternly questioned.
The store owner quickly pointed to the curtain-covered back room, "There's a storeroom in the back, with a window in it."
"Did anyone enter the storeroom just now?"
"There were too many customers earlier, I didn't notice."
The agent entered the storeroom and found that there was indeed an open window. They exchanged glances and quickly jumped out the window to continue the chase.
Seeing that the store wasn't being targeted by the Statistical Department due to any crime, the customers were relieved. However, the store owner came out with an apologetic expression and said, "I'm sorry, my wife was a bit frightened just now and needs to rest. If you'd like to continue visiting our shop, please come back tomorrow. Sorry, sorry."
Seeing the store owner's wife indeed looking pale and pitiable, and considering the authority of the Statistical Department agents, everyone nodded understandingly and dispersed.
The store owner locked the shop entrance, closed the storeroom window, and then knocked on the counter, "No one is here, you can come out now."
The counter door suddenly opened from the inside and a figure curled up in the narrow cabinet emerged—it was Gao Jin.
He hurriedly came out, tidied his clothes, and clasped his hands in gratitude, "Thank you for your help. I will leave now and won't cause you any trouble. I will definitely repay this life-saving grace one day!"
The store owner's wife smiled quietly while the store owner curiously asked, "Who were those two people?"
"Just some dogs of the Statistical Department," Gao Jin replied darkly. "Without Blue Flame Kui Zhao, there are still lowly traitors doing evil... But this has nothing to do with you. Although I'm grateful, if this happens again next time, I would rather you not risk helping me and stay out of it."
"We've long since disregarded life and death. This time, it's my lack of skill that they targeted me. If I involve you two and can't protect you, I'd be truly unworthy of the grace of heaven."
The store owner's wife whispered a few words into the store owner's ear, who then nodded and asked, "If we use your life-saving grace as a pledge, can we join your organization?"
"Huh?" Gao Jin was taken aback, instinctively shaking his head, but then said, "Why? Our cause is very dangerous..."
"We originally thought Star Engraving County was safer, so we came here," the store owner chuckled bitterly, "But it turns out there's no absolutely safe place in this world. Compared to fighting power alone, everything is dangerous. Rather than going it alone, it's better to find an organization."
"Also, if we haven't guessed wrong, you should be the White Night Walker, right?"
"You're not from Chenfeng?"
"We're from Dongyang," the store owner shrugged. "This is a Dongyang grocery store."
Only then did Gao Jin have the time to observe the shop's goods: cigarettes, spices, lighters... all were items rarely seen in Star Engraving County, and not expensive, no wonder the shop had many customers.
Although the store owner volunteering to join an organization was rare and likely a spy, Gao Jin thought for a moment and said, "I will report your situation to the organization. After investigation, if you are qualified, we will send someone to contact you for discussion. May I ask your full names?"
"I am Jing Zhengtang, and this is my wife, Jing Feiwei," the young store owner introduced.
The store owner's wife slightly bowed, and Gao Jin hurriedly returned the gesture, "Hello, Mr. Jing, hello, Mrs. Jing. Due to the timing, I'll only be able to tell you my name next time we meet."
"Don't call me boss, I'm not a boss, just call me Zhengtang," the young store owner laughed. "I have some clothes here, put on a set and leave, it's good for concealing your identity."
Thinking that they might be comrades in the future, Gao Jin didn't refuse, "Then I'll take you up on your offer."
They chatted for a bit, then Gao Jin suddenly looked at the store owner's wife who hadn't said a word, and asked, "Hasn't your wife spoken because...?"
"No, it's not that," the store owner quickly explained, "She just doesn't like to talk."
"Please don't be evasive about medical issues," Gao Jin said seriously. "I know some Medical Officers adept at the Inner View Combat Technique. If your wife's throat is hoarse or if there's another illness, perhaps we can help...?"
"Damn you, your mother is hoarse, your whole family is hoarse, your ancestors for eighteen generations are hoarse!"
Gao Jin was dumbfounded.
The store owner sighed and rubbed his temples.
Gao Jin dug his ears and looked at the serene, graceful, and beautiful store owner's wife in disbelief, "I just seemed to hear..."
"Sorry," the store owner chuckled, "That's just her nature. She's got a sharp tongue and doesn't speak nicely, don't take it to heart."
"Oh Jing Zhengtang, are you disliking me now? I knew from the start you weren't a good person. Your whole family is either crazy or stupid, I was really blind..." Realizing she'd been exposed, Feiwei didn't hold back, and the scene was instantly bursting with verbal lotus flowers, with golden lotuses sprouting from the ground—a tale of ages past, stunningly timeless.
The store owner quickly pushed Gao Jin to leave while Gao Jin stared dumbfounded at the two of them, eyes full of inquiry.
"She's always been this way," the store owner whispered, "If she can't protect herself by hurting others, she won't feel safe. She has a sharp tongue but a soft heart, and is more tender than anyone when gentle, but her words must be aggressive."
"In her words, she's actually practicing saying goodbye to me. She never believes in true goodness and knows everyone in this world is bad. If I ever abandon her, she'd change her temper."
"But I love her."
Although it was impolite, Gao Jin couldn't help but ask, "Why?"
The store owner thought for a moment, "I saw a word before, how was it... contrast, contrast moe? Ah, maybe that's not right..."
"Hmm... that's it! Conquering a woman who won't admit defeat with her words but is very honest physically gives a great sense of achievement!"
Gao Jin had a look of, 'What are you talking about?' The store owner chuckled, instructing him to leave through the window, "Love is multifaceted, just like my big brother, who inexplicably fell in love with a piece of small bread..."
The store owner's expression showed some regret, as well as helplessness, with a soft sigh, "...In reason, he should lose...
Gao Jin couldn't hear the rest. He had just taken two steps when he suddenly heard voices from the shop:
"Standing all day is so tiring, could you massage my legs?"
"Aren't I tired too?"
"Then let me massage you."
"Buzz off, sit down, I don't want to massage your legs, I just don't want you to touch me..."
"Since you're so unwilling, let's sleep separately tonight then."
"Fine, perfect, I've long not wanted to share a bed with you."
"Then it's settled, no backing out."
"Fine, fine, of course, fine, I've always known you, Jing Zhengtang, are a scumbag, tiring me out, playing with me, and I, I..."
"Don't cry, don't cry, I love Feiwei the most, how could I tire of you? I want to grow old with you."
"I don't believe you!"
Gao Jin was awestruck, hearing footsteps approaching not far away, and quickly slipped away.
Love truly comes in many forms, he mused.
But Jing Zhengtang's brother actually loves small bread, isn't that too odd?