"Finally… I've found my people!"
After absorbing the memories in his mind, Lingyi Gojo's face immediately lit up with excitement.
"I thought I already had it rough, but you're on a whole different level!"
Hearing this, the Exorcist Gojo looked at him with a trace of sympathy.
Although the world he lived in was filled with demons and evil spirits, overall it was still relatively normal. After all, there were exorcists and churches around. As long as you didn't deliberately provoke those entities, sought help in time, and avoided doing anything suicidal, survival wasn't too difficult.
But Lingyi Gojo's world… was a different story entirely.
Tomie, One Missed Call, Sadako, Toshio Saeki, Kayako—countless urban legends and supernatural horrors. Each one more terrifying than the last.
"The fact that you've managed to survive until now… that's honestly impressive."
Wuxia Gojo looked at him with genuine admiration.
"But why did you join the journalism club?" Detective Gojo asked, turning his head in confusion. "Isn't that exactly the kind of place where people die first in these situations?"
"I only realized how dangerous my world was after joining the journalism club," Lingyi Gojo sighed helplessly. "Anyway, first thing I do when I get back—I'm quitting."
"In that case, my world isn't too bad," Detective Gojo said, patting his chest in relief. "Sure, there's that 'death god elementary schooler,' but it's still relatively safe."
"Damn it!"
"Why is it that we're all Gojo, but my world is this dangerous?!"
Lingyi Gojo suddenly turned his head, glaring at the others with a resentful expression.
"It's fine," Yiren Gojo said as he stepped forward, speaking calmly. "When you go back, immediately look for supernatural power systems in your world. If you can learn them, great. Even if you can't, you can still practice the Golden Light Incantation."
"We have nine of us now. With ninefold talent, forget beating Sadako or kicking Kayako—just surviving won't be a problem at all."
"Mm!"
Lingyi Gojo nodded heavily.
As soon as he finished speaking, Yiren Gojo exchanged glances with Naruto Gojo and the others.
"Well… since none of us guessed the newcomer's world correctly…"
"How about we just forget the punishment?"
Under everyone's gaze, Wuxia Gojo cautiously suggested.
"Exactly!"
"Yeah, we're all the same person anyway. What punishment is there to talk about?"
"As expected of me—we all thought the same thing!"
The others nodded in agreement, echoing one another.
—
When Gojo opened his eyes again, the scene above him had turned into a sky full of stars.
Rubbing his eyes, he sat up from the ground. Beside him, Zhang Zhiwei, who had been keeping watch, smiled.
"Junior brother, you're awake. Not going to sleep a bit longer?"
"I've rested enough. No need."
Stretching his body, Gojo replied with a relaxed smile.
Every time he returned from the soul space, all the accumulated fatigue would vanish completely.
Right now, he felt refreshed—his entire body brimming with energy.
"How far are we from the Lu family now?"
After a quick wash, Gojo asked.
"About two hundred li left," Zhang Zhiwei said after checking the map carefully. "We should arrive tonight."
"Tonight, huh…"
Gojo let out a long breath.
Ever since leaving Longhu Mountain, he had been traveling with his master and senior brother.
Along the way, they had slain demons, exorcised spirits, killed bandits, and saved the poor.
They didn't follow the routes marked on the map. Instead, they went wherever people needed help.
Because of that, they had taken a huge detour just to reach a point still over two hundred li away from the Lu family.
As the sun rose, Zhang Jingqing also woke up. After a simple wash, the three of them set off once again.
Walking out of the narrow path, they saw the towering walls of a county city ahead. After paying the entrance fee, they stepped inside.
The moment he entered, Gojo frowned slightly.
Although county towns in the Republican era couldn't compare to modern cities, he had seen the ones near Longhu Mountain before.
Those places were similarly worn-down, but still lively—shops open, vendors shouting, craftsmen setting up stalls.
But here…
Doors were shut tight.
The streets were nearly empty.
Only a few scattered pedestrians hurried along, as if something were chasing them.
Scanning the surroundings, Gojo's brows knit together.
"This place… something's not right."
"Master, should we gather some information?"
He turned to Zhang Jingqing.
Zhang Jingqing nodded and said to the man beside him,
"Zhiwei, go check it out."
"Master, senior brother can be a bit… rough around the edges. How about I go instead?"
Thinking of Zhang Zhiwei's usual domineering attitude—likely to end in a fight after just a few words—Gojo quickly volunteered.
"Let him go!"
"If he can't even handle something this simple, what use is he?"
Zhang Jingqing snorted coldly and strode straight into the city.
Watching his master leave, Gojo shot Zhang Zhiwei a helpless look.
"Junior brother, don't worry," Zhang Zhiwei said confidently, patting his chest. "With my abilities, how could I possibly suffer a loss?"
"I'm not worried about you suffering a loss," Gojo shook his head. "I'm worried you'll beat someone up before even finishing a sentence."
With that, he hurried after Zhang Jingqing.
"Beat someone up? Am I really that hot-tempered?"
Zhang Zhiwei stood there, watching Gojo leave, deep in thought.
After thinking for quite a while, he still couldn't find anything wrong with his past behavior.
Shaking his head, he dismissed the thought entirely.
"Forget it. Better focus on completing Master's task first."
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