"By saying this, you mean they're all monsters too?" Fatty was quite surprised, pointing to the photos.
"We can't be entirely sure yet. Zhongtianmen is quite mysterious. In actuality, many sects that have now disappeared have not left much information. But based on some intelligence I've gathered, Zhongtianmen was initially established by Taoists but began to recruit other people from the circle as it grew. It gradually split into different factions, with one faction focusing on Taoism and the other using witchcraft and venomous techniques. Both were striving for the glory of Zhongtianmen. Afterwards, it became difficult to find more information, but..."
At this time, Boss Song came over with a smile on his face, interrupting Zhu's words. After he left, Zhu continued, "In my opinion, the pale-faced weirdo we encountered, and the strange figure seen in the underground dark river, are likely to be the residual poison of the witchcraft faction within the Zhongtianmen. Xuanming Temple is also likely to be one of the strongholds of the Zhongtianmen."
Hearing this, Fatty suddenly interrupted, "I seem to have heard someone say that Xuanming Temple was built during the Qing Dynasty. At that time, the area where Xuanming Temple is located was not considered part of Shanghai, and even Shanghai was not considered a major area. The population nearby was not prosperous, and there were not many people coming to burn incense. Why would someone build a temple here? It is possible that it was built at that time to serve as a cover for an underground stronghold. Of course, this is just my guess."
Fatty's guess is not entirely unreasonable, but the truth still needs evidence to confirm it.
"This time when we explore Xuanming Temple, we need to be smarter. The experts sent by Lingrong School are definitely formidable, and we can't take the lead ourselves. We need to let them take more responsibility. We can pick up the leftovers, it's okay to give up the big rewards. If we manage to get one or two treasures, it's like striking gold. Understand?"
A sly smile appeared on Zhu's face. These words were exactly what I wanted to hear, and the minds of several people came together, and they began to drink until late into the night.
On the way back, I was the only one left, feeling a bit tipsy as I walked. There were quite a few pedestrians on the road. Feeling a bit tired, I sat on the curb to catch my breath. I heard someone next to me say, "Young man, do you have a cigarette?"
Without much thought, I reached into my pocket. Fatty had stuffed a packet of Mulan cigarettes into my pocket while I was drinking. I took out one and handed it to the person next to me, cheerfully exclaiming, "Smoke! Mulan! Very good to smoke!"
"Some people say that cigarettes have different flavors, what do you think?"
The man asked again, and I just shook my head stupidly, feeling increasingly intoxicated. I didn't care who was sitting next to me and shouted, "Different flavors? Damned different flavors, the damn cigarette is just bitter. I always hear smokers say this cigarette is mild, that one is strong, this one has good tobacco, that one stings the nose. It's all a bunch of nonsense. If taste buds were really that sensitive, everyone would be a chef. There are always people bragging!"
I heard the person next to me laughing, the smoke swirling around, and I couldn't tell if it was my eyes playing tricks on me, but the smoke surrounding me felt particularly dense.
"That's also true, people should be honest. You're not living a futile life, find your own place, or you will regret it."
His words made me confused. How did this person know what I do for a living and why was he talking about finding one's place, all this nonsense?
I was about to curse, driven by the alcohol, but he suddenly placed his hand on my shoulder, and said softly, "Don't move!"
His hand felt incredibly heavy, and I was immobilized by it. I tried to look up and see the man's face, but the smoke was thick, and all I could vaguely make out was a few strands of white beard.
"I'm here, you wandering spirits better stay away. I have a connection with this young man today. Don't cause trouble..."
He suddenly yelled loudly towards a dark passage in the distance. I couldn't hear clearly, but I could see several figures gradually retreating into the dark passage, eventually disappearing completely.
"Are you from the Dao?"
I asked with a pointing gesture.
"Figure out what you want, I hope next time we meet, you can see my face clearly."
His words abruptly disappeared, and I fell into a deep sleep leaning against the railing. It was the first time in my life sleeping on the street. The public security was good back then, and I was also a poor boy. After getting drunk and dozing off, I don't know how long it was before I was awakened by someone.
"Young man, young man!"
I groggily opened my eyes and saw a sanitation worker in blue overalls poking my leg with a broom.
"Oh, sorry, I got drunk and dozed off..."
I waved my hand, swaying as I stood up.
"Young man, you're really something, sleeping on the busy street like that. See if you've lost anything? Being young means having a good body, you can lie on the curb all day and not feel cold. Go home quickly..."
I felt my pockets and found only a food coupon and a few coins. My house key was also there. I scratched my head, feeling a little uneasy with an empty stomach, and started walking towards home.
It was early in the morning, and the house was unusually quiet. Sneakily, I entered my own room. In my parents' eyes, a twenty-year-old lad was still a child. I lay on my bed, gazing at the white ceiling, my sleepwear suddenly disappeared. Was last night just a dream? Did I encounter a fairy? Leaving aside such a strange encounter, the old man's questions continued to linger in my mind.
Am I to spend my whole life just drifting idly in a small convenience store, or become like everyone else, chatting and wasting my life away?
Whether it was adventuring in the jungle or escaping in underground rivers, risking my life felt like pursuing an irresistible force. If a person can't face themselves correctly, they will never make progress. Surprisingly, my drowsiness vanished completely amid my thoughts. I suddenly sat up and looked at the mirror on the cabinet, reflecting my own youthful face. Indeed, I looked very young, still like a student. If I were in college or vocational school, I'd still be a student. There was a blue work suit and brown sleeves on the table; when I put them on, I looked like a worker in the store.
People change because of their clothes. When I put on the worn leather jacket with confidence and dreams, that's the attire I wanted to choose.
Slowly I stood up, took a deep breath, and made up my mind!
Ten minutes later, my dad, who was out for a morning walk, saw me standing in the living room. He said, puzzled, "Why are you up so early on a Saturday?"
But soon his gaze fell on the bag behind me, and he furrowed his brow, saying, "What's this? Heading out with Cui Zhen again? You have a job now, don't go running around all the time. Work hard, earn money at work, and in a few years, get married and have kids."
"Dad, I don't want to work in the convenience store anymore," I said as I pulled the strap of my backpack.
My dad was surprised, and there seemed to be some anger in his eyes. I had always been mischievous, disobedient at school and willing to fight kids three or four years older than me. The only one who could control me was my dad. Seeing him angry, I felt a little scared.
"What's wrong? Can't stick with it again? The workplace is great! A state-owned enterprise, a secure job, worry-free living. You can rely on the country for life. Don't listen to the nonsense outside, saying that individual businesses can make you a millionaire in a year. It's all nonsense," he waved his hand and said.
"Dad...," I actually wanted to tell the truth, but the words stopped at my lips. Should I tell him that I fight with thugs every day, that it's a matter of life and death every time? That would hurt him deeply, and I couldn't bring myself to do that. After some thought, I decided to lie, "Fatty and I have started a travel agency, specifically to host government teams coming from Beijing to Nanjing for border inspections. It's fast money, and it's good food. I want to do this, you know, I can't stay at home. Is that okay?"
He looked at me, his eyes showing a mix of emotions. In the end, he just waved his hand, saying, "Leave after lunch today. We'll make dumplings for lunch."
Many years later, he said these words to me, "You bite your lip when you lie, so I always know."