Watching the figures of Yan Zhenyi and his wife disappear into the distance, Shen An’an couldn’t help but think about everything that had happened that morning.
Even though the rescue operation had involved supernatural forces far beyond her ability to handle—meaning she bore no responsibility for the casualties and fallout—as the temporary head of the supernatural division in Fangfeng City, seeing the bodies lying on the ground, covered in white sheets, still weighed heavily on her heart. This wasn’t her first time dealing with such scenes, but it never got any easier.
“An’an.”
Just as Shen An’an was feeling down, a familiar voice suddenly called out from afar.
Hearing it, her face lit up with surprise, and she quickly turned toward the source of the voice. Standing there was a woman she knew well.
“Sister Yuling? What are you doing here?”
Seeing the unexpected visitor, Shen An’an gaped in astonishment, unable to fathom why Bai Yuling would appear at a time like this.
“Never mind why I’m here—tell me, is Li Caifeng alright?”
Bai Yuling, who had rushed over using her supernatural abilities, grabbed Shen An’an by the shoulders and shook her urgently.
Dizzy from the shaking, Shen An’an quickly raised her hands to stop her. “W-Wait, Sister Yuling, stop shaking me! I can’t take it!”
“Oh, sorry, I got too worked up. But hurry up and answer me!”
Bai Yuling apologized but didn’t let go, continuing to press for an answer.
“Geez, Sister Yuling, you suddenly ask me about someone I don’t even know—how am I supposed to answer?” Shen An’an said helplessly.
“Right, you wouldn’t know her. But I have a photo—quick, check if she’s been hurt!”
Realizing she’d been too frantic, Bai Yuling finally released Shen An’an’s shoulders and took a deep breath to steady herself. She then pulled out her phone, opened her photo album, and showed Shen An’an a picture of herself with Li Caifeng from their younger days.
Seeing the strikingly beautiful woman in the photo, Shen An’an’s expression shifted slightly.
Noticing the change, Bai Yuling immediately asked, “An’an, judging by your reaction, you’ve seen her before, haven’t you?”
Shen An’an nodded. “Yeah, I have.”
“How is she? She’s not…” Bai Yuling’s voice trembled with fear.
Shen An’an shook her head. “Don’t worry, Sister Yuling. She was caught up in the terrorist attack and got a little shaken, but she’s fine. Right now, she and her husband are on their way to Longyuan Elementary to pick up their daughter.”
“She’s okay? Oh, thank goodness…”
Relief washed over Bai Yuling’s face. She had been so worried about Li Caifeng that she’d rushed here using her powers without a second thought.
Seeing Bai Yuling finally relax, Shen An’an couldn’t help but ask, “Um, Sister Yuling, what’s your relationship with Li Caifeng?”
Bai Yuling replied, “We were college roommates—lived together for four years.”
“Oh, so you were dormmates! No wonder you were so worried. But how did you know she was involved in the attack?” Shen An’an asked, puzzled.
“Because I was the one who asked her to pick me up at the train station today.”
“That explains it.”
“Anyway, she’s at Longyuan Elementary now, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Then I’ll take my leave. I’ll come find you in a few days.”
Without waiting for Shen An’an to respond, Bai Yuling leaped effortlessly from the second floor—four or five meters high—and dashed off toward Longyuan Elementary at top speed.
Shen An’an, who hadn’t even had the chance to ask why Bai Yuling was in Fangfeng City right now, could only sigh in resignation as she watched her leave.
“Ah well, I’ll ask her when we meet up later.”
With that, she turned her attention to cleaning up the aftermath.
Then, she noticed a live-streaming device on the ground nearby, its red light still blinking.
Knowing the broadcast had been cut off after Yan Qi—transformed into the Daoist Empress—had wiped out all the monsters, Shen An’an didn’t pay it much mind. She quickly moved on to her other duties.
As for the impact this livestream had across the country—or even the world—that was far beyond the responsibilities of a small-city supervisor like her.
After eliminating all the abyssal monsters and cultists at Fangfeng City’s train station, Yan Qi—now safely back at Longyuan Elementary—had reverted from her fox-loli form to her usual appearance: a fourteen-year-old, 140cm-tall white-haired, red-eyed little girl. She sat quietly in a classroom, waiting for her parents to arrive.
“Is Yan Qi in this classroom?”
Hearing the familiar voice at the door, Yan Qi immediately jumped up from her seat and ran over.
“Mom! You’re okay—thank goodness!”
She threw herself into her mother’s arms, putting on an exaggerated display of relief.
“I’m sorry for worrying you, Xiao Qi,” Li Caifeng said softly, stroking her daughter’s hair with a smile.
“Dad, you’re here too? Did you save Mom?”
Not forgetting her father, Yan Qi knew full well the sacrifices he’d made for both her and her mother.
“That’s right. If it weren’t for your dad, I might never have seen you again,” Li Caifeng answered for him, her face glowing with happiness as she recalled how her husband had risked everything for her.
“Well… not exactly. If someone hadn’t stepped in to help, I probably wouldn’t have made it either,” Yan Zhenyi admitted honestly.
“Really? Well, whatever. Mom, Dad—let’s just go home.”