Chapter Ninety-Eight: Invite Brother Du Over for Dinner

Underneath the hospital.

As the black shield dissipated, the nightmare that had enshrouded the entire hospital was finally conquered. The perimeter remained secured, with police officers cautiously advancing, their lethal firearms poised and trained on the building. Despite the feedback from the officers in the rooftop helicopter, there was no telling what further threats might emerge. Moreover, with the nightmare concluded, examinations of all civilians caught within its grasp would commence, ensuring no lingering wills from the disaster had parasitized human bodies, transforming into dream demons that could roam the world.

Su Jiuming sat on the ground, breathing heavily. The black chains binding his body crumbled, following the demise of the bull-headed and horse-faced guardians. His gaze was complicated; the death of those beings hadn’t dispersed the gloom that lingered over his heart. The Underworld Organization had found them, after all. Yet, he still couldn’t quite believe the bull-headed and horse-faced had fallen. They were city-razing powerhouses, and with the Azure Dragon from the Divine Core Organization, three city-razing forces—all dead? Who could have done it?

The only ones who entered the hospital were Captain Zhang and Du Fang, plus Sun Yaohai who was already there. Could Captain Zhang and Sun Yaohai have slain three city-razing entities? Clearly impossible. It must have something to do with Du Fang. And that terrifying, world-ending surge of dream energy from earlier—that was the Divine Core’s miniature core. Its eruption—who had stopped it? Then there was that blade light, splitting the shield and seemingly dividing the night sky itself. That blade was dazzling! In a single stroke, it seemed as if no one would dare to wield a blade again beneath heaven. The blade emanated from Captain Zhang’s broken sword, but could he truly unleash such a strike?

Su Jiuming struggled to make sense of the situation.

Si Nan, Zhao Lu, Chen Xi, and the assistant Su Xiaoyu gathered around, their faces etched with worry.

“Su, do you think Du Fang will be alright?” the assistant asked anxiously. Tonight’s battle had been tumultuous and terrifying. Du Fang was strong, and the formidable Luoluo was even more bewildering, yet the assistant couldn’t help but worry.

Su Jiuming shook his head; he didn’t know either. Everyone waited quietly.

Finally, two figures emerged at the hospital entrance. Du Fang, dressed in a black coat, stepped out into the night, his tall form immaculate, his flawless features untouched. Beside him, clutching the broken sword and looking battered, face swollen and bruised, was Zhang Changlin, resembling a wronged wife.

Seeing both safe, Su Jiuming and the Wildfire Team members let out sighs of relief. Chen Xi quickly led the assistant, carrying a medical kit, toward Du Fang and Zhang Changlin.

“Du, are you hurt?” Chen Xi asked.

“Du, are you feeling unwell anywhere? I’ll arrange for you to go to my grandfather’s hospital right away! I’ll find you the best attending physician!” the assistant chimed in.

“Du, are you feeling alright?” Su Jiuming inquired.

Zhang Changlin: “….”

Didn’t they see Du Fang’s impeccable face, not even a scratch, hardly looking injured? Clearly Zhang Changlin himself was the one who’d been battered, a bystander who got beaten and bruised… Were they all blind? Did only looks matter to them now? Zhang Changlin trembled with rage—was there any justice left in this world? In this society obsessed with appearances…

People judge by looks, but even blades do!

The rotund Zhao Lu approached Zhang Changlin, smiling and offering a cigarette. “Looks like you’ve been wreaking havoc again, Captain Zhang.”

Zhang Changlin, grateful for some concern, calmed a bit. He took the offered cigarette, lit it, and took a deep drag. Amid the swirling smoke, he spoke coolly, without blushing or heartbeat, “Not bad. Slain a city-razing powerhouse.”

Zhao Lu’s cheeks quivered in disbelief. “Captain Zhang killed a city-razing powerhouse?”

Outside the hospital, a crowd of journalists, already on standby, converged like cats drawn to the scent of blood upon hearing Zhang Changlin’s words, faces wild with excitement.

“Captain Zhang, you can already slay city-razing powers now?”

“Does this mean you possess the strength of a city-crossing Dreamwalker?”

“My goodness, Captain Zhang, your progress is astonishing! Just days ago you barely fought a city-razing force, now you’ve slain one—will you be able to fight national-level powers in a few days?”

…

The reporters bombarded him with questions, cameras thrust into his face. Zhang Changlin quickly covered his face with his hand. “Don’t film my face! Let’s talk properly!”

“Captain Zhang, we’ve heard there were three city-razing powers at the hospital’s top floor. If you killed one, what of the other two?”

A sharp question came from a reporter.

This was the question Zhang Changlin had been waiting for. He cleared his throat and replied, “The captain of Jinling’s top Gold Team, Silver Wolf, fell in battle. He traded his life to slay a city-razing power, guarding Jinling City with his sacrifice.”

“As for the last city-razing force, it was slain by our Wildfire team’s own Du Fang, this province’s new champion.”

He announced the story he and Du Fang had agreed upon.

In that instant, the swarm of journalists at the hospital entrance quieted somewhat, their breathing quickened. They glanced from the bruised Zhang Changlin to the handsome Du Fang, and all cameras turned toward Du Fang. The crowd surged, pushing Zhang Changlin out.

“Superficial!” Zhang Changlin cursed. “Journalists are the most superficial bunch!”

Beside him, the plump Zhao Lu, cigarette in mouth, blinked at Zhang Changlin, offering another from his pack. “Another?”

And so, the two squatted on the steps before the hospital, silently watching Du Fang surrounded by reporters, like two men used to being forgotten, puffing away.

…

Jinling City, Opera House.

The Barbaric Bull, wearing a fierce bull mask, drenched in blood, unleashed his Fallen God will with a roar. He fled without even picking up the trembling Barbie doll curled on the ground, smashing through the darkness and vanishing into the street. If he didn’t escape now, he’d be trapped in Jinling City. The Plague Rat was dead, and Azure Dragon, too. The news had nearly shattered his composure.

The top Gold Team members of Jinling City chased him for a while in the dark, but ultimately gave up. Once the Barbaric Bull activated his Fallen God will, his strength neared city-razing level, and he focused solely on fleeing—unless President Tang Nai came personally, no one could catch him.

The Dreamwalkers watched the Barbaric Bull vanish into the night, grinding their teeth in frustration. The leader, a middle-aged man who’d previously watched Zhang Changlin and Sun Yaohai spar in the elevator, Jinling’s top Gold Team Captain, Thunderstorm, was furious. He howled into the endless night, having just received word through his headset from the Jinling Dreamwalker Association.

Jinling’s third Gold Team Captain, Sun Yaohai, had fallen.

…

Jinling City, Square Plaza.

Blood Rabbit was soaked in blood; her long, shapely legs were already streaming crimson. Against a Gold Team’s encirclement, she could only barely hold her own, and ultimately had to unleash her Fallen God will.

“Azure Dragon… damn him,” Blood Rabbit muttered, taking a deep breath and casting a final glance at the Gold Team chasing her. She no longer bothered to retrieve the Barbie doll lying on the ground, instead leaping across rooftops and disappearing in an instant.

Jinling’s second Gold Team Captain, Wu Qi, chased for several blocks but failed to catch her.

“The Divine Core’s Fallen God will… truly troublesome,” he grumbled, punching the wall and leaving it dented and cracked.

“Divine Core Organization… this is a provocation against the Dreamwalker Association! You will pay for this!”

…

After fending off the fervent press, Du Fang was drenched in sweat, feeling more exhausted than after battling a dream demon. Fortunately, assistant Su Xiaoyu saw his distress and made a call, summoning dozens of tall, suited bodyguards to escort Du Fang to her car.

The luxury sedan sped toward Jinling’s Dreamwalker Tower.

Smiling, assistant Su Xiaoyu watched Du Fang step into the elevator, then turned away. At the tower’s entrance, a modest sedan rolled up and stopped. The window lowered, revealing an elderly man with white hair, commanding presence etched into his features.

“Xiaoyu, get in,” he said.

Su Xiaoyu pouted, glancing back at the disappearing Du Fang before reluctantly climbing into the car.

“Grandfather…” she murmured.

“Stay home for a few days. Jinling won’t be peaceful in the coming days,” the old man said firmly.

“But…” the assistant protested.

“No buts. Grandfather only wants your safety. Tonight, a Dreamwalker from the Gold Team died; three nightmares blanketed half the city. You’re my only granddaughter. Be good… when it’s safe, you can go out again,” he said, gently patting her head.

“Grandfather, I’m very safe! I’m Du Fang’s assistant in the Wildfire Team—he’s amazing. I’m safe with him!”

She declared loudly.

“Du Fang? You’re calling him so warmly? Amazing… how amazing? Better than a Gold Team captain?”

The old man glared at her.

Mentioning Du Fang, the assistant grew excited. “Of course! Tonight, Du Fang slew a city-razing powerhouse! I think he ended the nightmares tonight! He’s our province’s rookie champion, about to represent us in the national championship in the capital.”

“Oh, right, Grandfather, let’s buy a plane—I plan to charter a flight for Du Fang to go to the capital!”

The old man: “…”

He simply gazed at Su Xiaoyu. Her voice grew quieter, until she fell silent.

Leaning back in the leather seat, the old man closed his eyes and rubbed his brow. “I understand. You trust him so much, then go ahead.”

“And in a few days…”

“Invite Du Fang over for dinner.”

The assistant: “(o_o)?”

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