Lin Chen turned and saw a figure standing at the far end. Its long hair covered its face, and its clothes were soaked. "Can you hear us?" he called. "Who are you?" The figure didn't answer. It slowly raised one hand and pointed at them. Xu Yang's ears flattened. Something felt wrong. The figure stood in the rain, but the ground beneath its feet was completely dry."That's not a normal person." Wei Han said quietly.
Suddenly, the figure tilted its head to one side and scraping sound came from deeper inside the alley, followed by slow footsteps. Yan Luo looked past the figure. "Those footsteps aren't coming from it." Su Yuan tried to sense what was there, but his expression grew serious. "There's something else in that alley. I can hear it, but I can't sense it." Before anyone could respond, lightning flashed across the sky. The figure disappeared and loud crack came from behind them, and everyone turned. Red footprints had appeared on the wet stones, leading from the alley toward the walkway. Lin Chen looked around, but no one was there.
One by one, more footprints appeared, forming a circle around them. Xu Yang tightened his grip on the pastry packet.Of course. A strange voice, an invisible presence,and now footprints appearing out of nowhere.This town really has everything... Then a whisper came from behind him. "You came back." Xu Yang spun around,but the space behind him was empty. Lin Chen moved closer to him, watching the street carefully. "It knows we're here," he said. "And it seems to recognize someone." Yan Luo glanced at the red footprints. "We won't find answers by standing here."
Su Yuan nodded. "Let's return to the inn. We can discuss what happened with Qing Li and Chen Yu." No one argued. They slowly made their way back, keeping an eye on the empty street. When everyone returned to the inn, Qing Li and Chen Yu had already changed into dry clothes and were sitting around a table. A pot of hot tea in the middle, and a plate of snacks had been placed within everyone's reach.
Yan Luo poured himself a cup of tea and glanced at Qing Li, who was still rubbing his hands together to warm them. "Something has been bothering me," Yan Luo said. Qing Li looked up. "What?" "When you and Chen Yu got caught in the rain, why didn't you simply use your spiritual energy to protect yourselves?" Qing Li opened his mouth, ready to answer. "I didn't have time because—" He stopped for half a second, then blurted out, "Because I was trying to impress that shopkeeper's daughter, and I didn't want to look like I was afraid of a little rain." Silence fell over the table.Qing Li froze as he realized what he had just said.
Chen Yu slowly turned to look at him, while Yan Luo paused with his teacup halfway to his lips. For a brief moment, he said nothing. Then he lowered the cup and smiled. "Really? I didn't know you were so interested in her."Qing Li blinked at him. "What's wrong with that? She was friendly, and she's pretty. We had a good conversation." Yan Luo nodded and picked up his teacup again. "I see." He took a slow sip,before looking down at the table.Chen Yu noticed Qing Li's growing embarrassment and tried to help. "It's not like he did anything wrong. He was just curious about her. He even asked me to find out whether she was already promised to someone, but that doesn't mean—" He stopped when he realized what he had said.
Qing Li slowly turned his head toward him, his eyes wide with disbelief. "Chen Yu!" Chen Yu closed his mouth and looked away, suddenly very interested in the snacks on the table. Yan Luo placed his teacup down. A small smile appeared on his face. "You even investigated that far?" Qing Li's face warmed. He waved his hand quickly. "I was just asking! It's not a big deal." "Of course!!" Yan Luo replied, nodding as if he completely understood. "Very casual. Nothing suspicious about it."
Lin Chen lowered his head to hide his smile, while Su Yuan laghed quietly.Qing Li looked around the table, hoping someone would defend him, but no one seemed willing to help.He turned back to Yan Luo with a frown. "Why are you making such a big deal out of this?" Yan Luo lifted his teacup again. "I'm not. I'm only listening to what you tell me." "You clearly are!" "Then perhaps you should stop giving me so much interesting information." Qing Li opened his mouth to argue, then shut it again when he couldn't think of a reply. Yan Luo took another calm sip of tea, looking far too pleased with himself.
Qing Li stared at him for a moment before turning to Chen Yu. "This is your fault." Chen Yu looked up in surprise, nearly dropping the snack in his hand. "My fault? You're the one who told everyone you wanted to impress her!" "I didn't mean to say it out loud!" Qing Li protested, pointing at him. "Then perhaps you should think before you speak." "You could have kept your mouth shut too!" Chen Yu frowned and put the snack back on the plate. "I was trying to help you!" "Well, you helped enough!" Yan Luo leaned back in his chair, reaching for another snack as he watched them argue. A faint smile tugged at his lips. "I'm glad to see you two have such a strong friendship. You even share each other's secrets."
Qing Li whipped his head toward him. "Yan Luo, if you say one more word—" "What will you do?" Yan Luo asked, lifting an eyebrow. Qing Li grabbed a cushion from beside him and held it against his chest. "Don't test me." Yan Luo glanced at the cushion, then calmly took a bite of his snack. "I'm terrified." Su Yuan burst out laughing, and even Wei Han had to turn his face away to hide his smile. Qing Li lowered the cushion and glared at all of them. "You're all enjoying this far too much." "Can we please return to the reason we're here?" Lin Chen asked, rubbing his forehead.Qing Li put the cushion aside and sat up properly. "Right. We should discuss that."
Chen Yu nodded quickly, looking relieved to have escaped the argument. He pulled his chair closer to the table. "The blue rain wasn't normal. And now you're saying you heard a voice in the street?" "A voice with no one behind it," Wei Han corrected. He rested his arms on the table, his expression serious. "We heard footsteps, but there was no one there. Then someone asked for help." Qing Li's smile disappeared. He glanced at Chen Yu before looking back at Lin Chen. "Did you see who it was?" Lin Chen shook his head. He picked up his teacup but didn't drink. "We saw a figure in the alley, but it disappeared before we could get close."
Chen Yu exchanged a worried look with Qing Li. "Then the rain and the voice might be connected." "That's what we need to find out," Su Yuan said. He leaned forward slightly, thinking over what they had told him. "Especially since the voice seemed to recognize someone." Xu Yang, who had been quietly eating his pastry, paused with it halfway to his mouth. Wonderful. A mysterious rain, an invisible presence, and a voice that recognizes people. At least the snacks are still normal... He lowered the pastry and glanced at Yan Luo.Yan Luo turned his teacup between his fingers, his gaze fixed on the rain running down the window."There's something else," Yan Luo said at last. He placed his cup on the table and looked around at the others. "When we returned, the street was empty. But I had the feeling something was watching us."
Su Yuan's expression changed. He sat back and looked toward the window, as if he expected to see someone standing outside. Qing Li slowly set down his cup. "You felt it too?" Yan Luo nodded once. "I couldn't sense its presence. That doesn't mean it wasn't there." Before anyone could respond, a faint knock came from outside the room. Everyone stopped moving. Three slow taps against the wooden door. Lin Chen pushed back his chair and stood. Wei Han stood with him, moving quietly toward the door. Su Yuan's hand rested near his weapon, while Yan Luo put down his snack and turned to face the sound.
Chen Yu stood beside Qing Li, who had already moved away from the table. Lin Chen stopped a short distance from the door. "Who's there?" For a moment, only the rain answered. Then a familiar voice came from the other side. "It's me. Open the door." Chen Yu frowned and glanced at Qing Li. "Who is it?" There was a short pause. Then the voice answered. "Qing Li." Everyone turned toward him. Qing Li was still standing beside Chen Yu, staring at the door with a confused expression. He slowly raised a hand and pointed at himself. "I'm right here."
Chen Yu looked from Qing Li to the door, his brows furrowing. "Then who's standing outside?" "That is precisely what I'd like to know," Qing Li replied, taking a cautious step back. Lin Chen glanced at him. "Did you invite anyone here without telling us?" "Do I look like someone who would invite trouble to our door?" Qing Li shot back. "You do attract it rather well," Yan Luo remarked, his eyes still fixed on the door. Wei Han glanced at Qing Li, his expression thoughtful. "The voice sounds so much like you that it's difficult to believe it's an imitation." He paused, listening to the rain beyond the door. "Perhaps it wants us to think it really is you."
Xu Yang slowly put his pastry down. No. Absolutely not. If something can copy a person's voice, the least it could do is choose someone else...Wei Han moved beside Su Yuan.Lin Chen stood in front of the door, watching the handle carefully. He rested one hand against the doorframe and glanced back at the others. "If you're really Qing Li, answer one question. What happened when you and Chen Yu got caught in the blue rain?"
For a moment, there was no reply. Then the voice said, "We got wet. What else would happen?" Chen Yu looking toward the door as if he couldn't believe what he'd just heard. "That's a terrible answer." Qing Li turned to him with an offended look. "What did you expect? A detailed report about how the rain ruined our clothes?" Chen Yu tilted his head, pretending to think about it. "At least the real you would complain about getting wet for five minutes." Qing Li's eyebrows shot up. "I did not complain for five minutes!" "You complained all the way back to the inn."
Chen Yu raised a finger as if presenting evidence in an argument. "You even stopped twice to squeeze water out of your sleeves." Qing Li looked down at his sleeves, then back at him. "Because you kept reminding me that my hair was dripping!" "I was stating a fact!" "You stated it twelve times!" Yan Luo turned his face away, lifting his teacup to hide the smile spreading across his lips. "How touching. You remember every little detail of your time together."
Qing Li slowly turned toward him, his eyes narrowing. "Don't you have something better to do than listen to us?" Yan Luo lowered his cup and settled comfortably against the back of his chair. "Not at the moment. This is more entertaining than I expected." "I'm glad my suffering can bring you joy." Qing Li muttered, snatching a cushion from the nearby chair and holding it against his chest. "It does." Yan Luo replied without hesitation. Qing Li stared at him, apparently surprised by his complete lack of shame, before turning to Chen Yu. "Can I throw something at him?"
Chen Yu glanced at the cushion, then at Yan Luo, and quietly moved out of its possible path. "Why are you asking me?" "Because you're standing closer to the cushions!" "Then move closer yourself." Chen Yu gestured toward the empty chair, looking far too pleased with his solution. Qing Li opened his mouth, shut it again, and hugged the cushion more tightly. "You're supposed to be on my side!" "I am on your side." Chen Yu assured him, holding up both hands. "I'm just protecting the cushions." Yan Luo let out a quiet laugh and placed his teacup on the table. "At least someone here understands the importance of protecting valuable things."
Qing Li whipped around to face him. "Are you calling the cushions valuable?" Yan Luo glanced at the cushion in Qing Li's arms, then back at his face. "Compared to your temper? Absolutely." Qing Li drew a sharp breath and took one step toward him, but Lin Chen cleared his throat before he could answer. "You two can discuss your weapons later." Lin Chen's mouth twitched, though he quickly hid his amusement as he turned his attention back to the door. "Whoever is outside, it knows our names. We shouldn't give it a reason to keep talking." The others gradually fell quiet.
Chen Yu stopped smiling and moved closer to Qing Li, while Yan Luo put his cup aside and straightened in his chair. Another knock suddenly struck the door, hard enough to make the wooden frame tremble. Chen Yu flinched, and Qing Li lowered the cushion he was holding."Open the door." the voice said. "It's cold out here." Lin Chen's gaze moved to the handle. He didn't reach for it, but his fingers tightened against the doorframe as he watched for any movement. "If you're cold, find somewhere else to stand." Qing Li called out before Lin Chen could stop him. Chen Yu grabbed his sleeve and pulled him back. "Didn't Yan Luo just tell us not to give it a reaction?" "That was before it started complaining about the weather!" Qing Li whispered, trying to free his sleeve without making too much noise.
Yan Luo pressed two fingers against his forehead,looking as though he already regretted knowing either of them. "Remarkable. Even a strange voice outside can bring out your worst habits." Qing Li gave him a sharp look, but before he could respond, the voice spoke again. "Chen Yu, tell them to open the door." Chen Yu's expression changed. He stopped tugging at Qing Li's sleeve and stared at the door, his brows drawing together. "Why is it calling me?" Qing Li leaned closer, lowering his voice. "How should I know? I've never seen that thing before!" Chen Yu turned toward him, gesturing helplessly at the door. "Then why does it sound exactly like you?" "I don't know!"
Qing Li threw his free hand into the air, nearly hitting Chen Yu in the face. He quickly pulled it back when Chen Yu glared at him. "Do you think I spend my free time learning how to copy my own voice?" Yan Luo leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees as he watched them. "You could start. It might be useful. Then Chen Yu could do all your talking, and you could finally enjoy some peace." Qing Li turned toward him so quickly that the cushion slipped from his arms and landed on the floor. "If you want peace, why don't you stop talking?" Yan Luo calmly picked up his teacup again. "Because then you'd have no one to argue with." "I can find someone else." "I'm sure. Though I doubt anyone else would be willing to put up with you for so long."
Chen Yu pressed his lips together and turned his face away, but a laughed before he could stop it. Qing Li immediately pointed at him. "Don't you dare laugh." Chen Yu straightened his back and covered his mouth with one hand. "I'm not laughing." Qing Li stared at his shaking shoulders. "Then why are you moving like that?" "I'm cold." "You're not even standing near the window!" Chen Yu dropped his hand and gave him an innocent look. "Perhaps your endless complaints are lowering the temperature."
Yan Luo nodded thoughtfully, setting his teacup down again. "A reasonable explanation." Qing Li looked between them in disbelief, then bent to retrieve the fallen cushion. "Unbelievable. There's something outside trying to get into the room, and you're all making fun of me." Yan Luo watched him pick up the cushion before answering. "We're making fun of you because you're making it very easy." Despite his words, he stood up and moved closer to the door, leaving the teacup behind. His expression grew serious as he studied the narrow gap beneath the wood. "Both of you, stay calm. Whatever is outside, it wants a reaction."
Qing Li's smile faded.He placed the cushion back on the chair and glanced at Chen Yu, who had stopped arguing and was now watching the door with his hands at his sides. Chen Yu noticed his gaze and gave him a small nod, silently agreeing to stay quiet. Lin Chen looked back at them, making sure no one was about to do anything reckless, then turned toward the door again. For several seconds, nothing happened. The silence stretched until even the faint sounds from the inn's lower floor seemed to disappear. Then the voice outside spoke again, this time in Qing Li's exact voice. "Chen Yu, you know what you really think of him."
Chen Yu stiffened and glanced at Qing Li, who was already watching him with a raised eyebrow. "What is that supposed to mean?" Qing Li asked. Chen Yu quickly shook his head. "I don't know, and I don't want to know." "Then why do you look so nervous?" "Because something outside is using your voice to embarrass me!" Chen Yu pointed toward the door. "If you have something to say, say it yourself instead of letting that thing do it for you!" Qing Li folded his arms. "Then tell me, what are you afraid I'll say?" "Nothing!" Chen Yu answered too quickly. Yan Luo glanced at him over his teacup. "Such a swift reply. One might think you had something to conceal."
Chen Yu turned toward him. "Nobody asked for your opinion." Yan Luo raised his cup again. "And yet, you have received it." "Then keep it to yourself!" Qing Li stepped closer, his curiosity overcoming his caution. "You don't truly think badly of me, do you?" Chen Yu stared at him. "Of course I don't!"He immediately pressed his lips together, realising he had spoken far louder than intended. Qing Li's expression softened for a moment before he covered it with a scoff. "There was no need to raise your voice." "You asked me a question!" "And I did not ask you to shout."
Lin Chen rubbed his forehead. "If the two of you have finished quarrelling, perhaps we might attend to the thing waiting outside." Before Qing Li could reply, the voice spoke again. "Chen Yu, you worry for him more than you admit. You watch him when he is unaware, and you remember even the smallest things he says." Chen Yu's eyes widened. "That is—" He clapped a hand over his mouth, but it was too late. Qing Li slowly turned toward him. "You watch me when I'm not looking?" "I never said such a thing!" Chen Yu protested. "You were about to say it." "Because that voice is speaking nonsense!"
Qing Li narrowed his eyes. "Then why has your face turned red?" "Because you are standing before me asking foolish questions!" Chen Yu raised a warning finger. "Say another word, and I shall ensure you regret it." "Very well," Qing Li replied, "I shall say nothing." He paused before adding, "Though you do remember everything I say." Chen Yu seized a cushion and hurled it at him. Qing Li caught it against his chest, smiling. "Your actions have answered for you." "I cannot stand you!" Chen Yu snapped. "No, you cannot," Qing Li replied. "That is quite different from hating me."
Chen Yu fell silent. Yan Luo slowly set down his teacup. "How fascinating. I wonder how much longer this conversation might continue if we were to leave the two of you alone." "Do not even think of it!" Chen Yu exclaimed, then immediately regretted speaking. "Enough," Lin Chen said, hiding a small smile. "Whatever is outside seems intent on drawing out what you would ordinarily keep to yourselves. Do not answer it, and do not encourage each other." Qing Li placed the cushion back on the chair. "I was merely having a conversation."
Chen Yu gave him an incredulous look. "If that is your idea of a conversation, I pity anyone who must speak with you." "And I pity those who must endure your endless denials." Then soft laugh came from the other side of the door. "You are not the only one with something to hide." Yan Luo's expression sharpened as he set his teacup aside. "It seems our visitor has no intention of leaving us in peace." Lin Chen kept his gaze on the door. "It wants to make us speak." The voice came again. "Qing Li, tell Yan Luo what you truly think of him."
Qing Li glanced at Yan Luo,then turned away and reached for the teapot. "He is arrogant, troublesome, and far too pleased with himself. That is all." Yan Luo raised an eyebrow. "You have formed a rather thorough opinion of me." "You give me ample reason to do so," Qing Li replied, pouring the tea. But halfway through, his hand stopped. His brows drew together as he tried to press his lips shut. "And yet... you are more observant than you let others believe. You notice when someone is troubled, even when you pretend the matter has nothing to do with you." The words escaped before he could stop them. He quickly set down the teapot and stared at the door. "What sorcery is this? I had no intention of saying that!"
Yan Luo regarded him in silence for a moment. "I shall remember your words." Qing Li turned toward him, flustered. "You would be wise to forget them." "That may prove difficult." Yan Luo smiled. "Do not mistake one honest remark for permission to grow conceited." Qing Li warned. "I would never dare." Yan Luo replied, sounding entirely unconvinced.The voice outside interrupted them. "And Chen Yu," it called, its tone turning playful. "What do you truly think of Xu Yang?"Chen Yu stiffened. "Why am I being questioned again?" He glanced at Xu Yang, who had paused halfway through reaching for his tea. "I think he's troublesome, careless, and far too willing to put himself in danger."
Xu Yang blinked. "You could have just said you dislike me." "I never said that!" Chen Yu blurted out, then immediately pressed his lips together. His ears reddened as everyone looked at him. "I mean… I worry when you disappear without telling anyone. And when you get hurt, you act as if it's nothing." He lowered his head, realizing too late how much he had revealed. "You're also… rather easy to worry about."Xu Yang stared at him, caught off guard. "Chen Yu, I didn't know you cared so much." "I don't!" Chen Yu snapped, turning away so quickly that he nearly bumped into Qing Li. "I simply don't want to deal with the trouble if something happens to you!" Qing Li raised an eyebrow, while Yan Luo quietly hid a smile.
Chen Yu squeezed his eyes shut. "Enough! I beg you, let me keep the rest of my thoughts to myself!" The voice fell silent. Yan Luo watched Lin Chen carefully, while Qing Li and Chen Yu exchanged an uneasy glance. Lin Chen drew a slow breath. "The blue rain must be connected to this. Earlier, you two couldn't keep your thoughts hidden, and now this thing is using the same effect." Yan Luo nodded. "Perhaps the rain weakens the barrier between what we think and what we reveal. Whatever stands outside may be taking advantage of it."
Qing Li rubbed his forehead. "So the rain forces the truth from us, and that creature asks questions to discover what we conceal?" Chen Yu let out a weary sigh. "Next time the sky turns blue, I shall find the deepest cellar in the city and remain there until it passes." Qing Li glanced at him. "You would still find a way to complain." Chen Yu reached for the cushion again, but before he could throw it, the voice outside changed. It no longer sounded like Qing Li. The new voice was low and rough, carrying a strange echo. "You have heard the truth. Yet do you understand what it means?" A faint scraping sound travelled across the other side of the door.
Lin Chen moved closer to the others. "Who are you?" The figure outside gave a quiet laugh. "You already know what the rain reveals. You have merely failed to ask the right question." Qing Li stepped forward, but Yan Luo caught his arm. "Do not act in haste." Yan Luo warned. Qing Li reluctantly stopped. "If you know so much, then answer us! Why do you hide your face?" For a moment, there was no reply. Then a shadow passed beneath the door, moving slowly away from the room. "When the rain returns, you shall learn more." The footsteps receded down the hallway. Yan Luo hurried to the window and drew the curtain aside. The blue rain had begun to weaken, its strange glow fading between the rooftops.
A few moments later, the last drops fell, and the sky returned to its ordinary darkness. Lin Chen checked the handle and opened door. No one was there.He closed the door and turned toward the others. "The rain has stopped." Chen Yu let out a long breath and dropped into the nearest chair, covering his face with both hands. "At last. Perhaps now I may keep my thoughts to myself." Qing Li pulled a chair beside him. "Before you do, there is still the matter of what you said about me—" Chen Yu snatched up a cushion and pressed it over his face. "Say another word, and our friendship shall end here!" Qing Li laughed, leaning back in his chair. Yan Luo picked up his teacup, though his gaze remained thoughtful. "Joke aside, we must discover whether the rain caused this disturbance or whether something is using it to reach us." Lin Chen nodded, his eyes lingering on the closed door.