Chapter 153: The Cryptic Warning

The three words of the message struck Su Mian:

[Be careful of him.]

The sender was unknown.

The number was a string of chaotic, random digits, clearly having been processed.

It had been sent just a minute ago.

The evening campus clamor seemed to vanish instantly, leaving Su Mian to hear only her own heart, now pounding wildly.

She sharply lifted her head, her gaze sweeping across her surroundings like an electric current.

Students hurried past, clutching books. Couples stood by the roadside, laughing. Figures cycled by.

Every face appeared ordinary, every movement natural.

There were no suspicious stares, no abnormal energy fluctuations.

The setting sun painted everything in warm, lazy hues, a stark contrast to the chilling warning on her phone screen.

‘Be careful of him’—who was ‘he’ referring to?

Innumerable conjectures and anxieties surged through her like a tide.

Su Mian’s fingertips felt cold. She instinctively clutched her phone, almost crushing the screen. She wanted to call Xiao Moyuan immediately, but her finger hovered over the dial pad, then stopped.

‘What was Xiao Moyuan doing right now? Had he received a similar warning?’

‘What if this warning was itself a trap, designed to sow discord between them, or to provoke her into an irrational act?’

Lu Yang’s message popped up at just the right moment: [Mianzi, I’m at the third cafeteria! Our usual spot by the window on the second floor. I saved you a seat, hurry over!]

It was followed by an exaggerated drooling emoji.

Lu Yang’s cheerful voice seemed to come from another world entirely.

Su Mian took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down. Xiao Moyuan had told her to act “normal.”

She couldn’t let an unknown message throw her into disarray.

She quickly replied with [On my way] and then screenshot the anonymous message. After encrypting it, she sent it to one of Xiao Moyuan’s pre-set emergency contact channels, adding a simple note: [Just received, unknown number, within campus.]

Only after completing these tasks did she slip her phone back into her pocket.

She began walking towards the third cafeteria, trying her best to maintain her usual pace, though her back felt subtly tense.

Her peripheral vision remained keenly aware of every movement around her.

The cafeteria buzzed with noise; the aroma of food mingled with the lively chatter of young people, creating a vibrant scene.

Lu Yang was indeed at their usual spot. Two meal trays already sat before him. Upon seeing Su Mian, he immediately waved excitedly. “Over here! Sister Mian, hurry, the ribs are almost gone!”

Su Mian walked over and sat down, forcing a smile. “Thanks.”

She picked up her chopsticks, idly poking at the appetizing dishes on her tray, her mind replaying the message again and again.

“What’s wrong, Mianzi?”

“You don’t look so good. Didn’t sleep well?”

Lu Yang gnawed on a rib, asking indistinctly, his eyes full of concern.

“No, I just… probably studied for too long. I’m a bit tired,” Su Mian replied evasively.

She picked up a piece of rib and put it in her mouth. The sweet and sour taste dissolved on her tongue, yet it couldn’t dispel the turmoil in her heart.

She looked at Lu Yang’s unclouded smile, recalling Chen Wan, who slumbered within him, and the power he gained, along with the price he paid, due to their symbiotic contract.

‘Could Lu Yang be the “him” she needed to “be careful” of?’

‘No, Lu Yang was simple-minded, trusting her and Xiao Moyuan without reservation. The possibility was extremely low.’

“Oh, by the way,” Lu Yang swallowed his food, lowering his voice with a hint of mystery and excitement, “I feel like Senior Sister Chen Wan has recently… hmm, how should I put it, her presence feels stronger!”

“Although she still can’t speak, I can sometimes faintly sense her emotions. When I’m exercising, she seems a bit happy?”

“Yesterday, I tried adjusting according to the basic breathing technique Brother Xiao gave me, and it seemed like there was a slight reaction from her side too!”

Su Mian perked up.

‘That was good news. It meant her soul body was recovering, and their connection was deepening.’

Lu Yang smiled a little foolishly. “It’s just… I don’t know when she’ll be able to come out again.”

“But Brother Xiao said not to rush; steady progress is the most important thing.”

He paused, then leaned in closer, lowering his voice even further. “Mianzi, are you and Brother Xiao… perhaps busy with something big?”

“I feel like Brother Xiao has been appearing and disappearing lately, and you sometimes seem preoccupied. Do you need my help?”

“I’m really strong now!” He flexed his fist.

Su Mian felt a warmth in her heart; Lu Yang’s sincerity was always so direct.

“It’s nothing, just… some cultivation matters, they’re quite complicated,” she said, downplaying the situation.

“You taking care of yourself and Chen Wan is a big help. If we truly need you, we definitely won’t be polite.”

“Of course!” Lu Yang patted his chest. “We’re comrades who’ve been through life and death together!”

The meal concluded with Lu Yang’s playful banter and Su Mian’s distracted thoughts.

***

Stepping out of the cafeteria, the sky had already darkened, and the campus streetlights flickered on one by one.

Su Mian and Lu Yang parted ways at a fork in the road. Watching his humming silhouette walk towards the dormitory, Su Mian’s doubts lessened slightly, but the sense of unease did not dissipate.

She didn’t return directly to her apartment. Instead, she deliberately took a detour, passing through a small grove where foot traffic was sparse.

Moonlight filtered through the thin branches, casting dappled shadows. The night wind rustled the leaves.

She slowed her steps, seemingly strolling casually, yet her senses were heightened to their peak, and her demonic energy flowed gently within her, ready to respond to any sudden situation.

Nothing happened.

It wasn’t until she emerged from the grove and stepped onto the main road leading to the faculty apartment complex that her phone vibrated again. This time, it was a direct call from Xiao Moyuan.

“Hello?” Su Mian answered immediately, her voice unconsciously lowered.

“I saw the message.” Xiao Moyuan’s voice came through the receiver, still possessing that reassuring calmness, but his pace was slightly faster than usual.

“Preliminary tracing shows the number’s origin was shielded by multiple layers of encryption and redirects. The method is professional, not a simple prank. The sending location was within N University, but it couldn’t be precisely pinpointed.”

Su Mian’s heart sank. “Who do you think… it could be?”

“There are many possibilities,” Xiao Moyuan analyzed calmly.

“Xia’s probing or an attempt to sow discord; other forces interested in Xia or us; or it could even be a warning or interference from certain factions within the Demon Extermination Bureau.”

“The key is ‘him,’ the target. I just quickly screened all personnel who might have crossed paths with you and pose a certain threat; there’s no clear indication yet.”

He paused. “Where are you now?”

“Just left the cafeteria, on my way back to the apartment. Almost downstairs.”

“Come straight back, don’t linger. I’m already on my way back and will arrive within five minutes. Once home, activate the apartment’s basic warning array. Do not open the door for anyone, including property management, before I return.”

Xiao Moyuan’s instructions were clear and decisive.

“I’ve already synchronized the information with Hong Luan. She’ll send an additional team to set up surveillance around the apartment and simultaneously investigate all abnormal energy records within the campus tonight.”

“Okay.”

Su Mian quickly ran down to the apartment building.

As the elevator ascended, she looked at her slightly pale reflection in the metal door, trying to calm her breathing.

Back in the apartment, she followed Xiao Moyuan’s instructions and activated a hidden rune switch by the entrance.

A faint spiritual light spread along the carvings on the walls and floor, forming an invisible protective field that enveloped the entire apartment.

This was a basic defense Xiao Moyuan had set up long ago, primarily against non-physical intrusions and probes.

Having done all this, Su Mian leaned against the door, finally feeling a belated sense of exhaustion. She slid to the floor, hugging her knees.

In the quiet space, only her own breathing and heartbeat were audible.

The content of that message, along with the bloody and brutal scene she had witnessed that evening, intertwined and churned in her mind.

“Be careful of him…” she murmured softly.

‘If this warning was true, if “he” truly existed and harbored ill intentions, could it be Xiao Moyuan?’

This thought, as soon as it arose, was fiercely stifled by herself.

‘No, impossible.’

‘Everything Xiao Moyuan had done for her—his protection, guidance, tolerance, even that clumsy but warm embrace after her nightmare last night—could never be a pretense.’

‘But if not Xiao Moyuan, then who?’

‘How many shadows still lurked beneath this seemingly peaceful life?’

Familiar, steady footsteps sounded outside the door, followed by the click of a key entering the lock. Su Mian immediately stood up. After confirming it was Xiao Moyuan through the peephole, she unlocked the door.

Xiao Moyuan pushed the door open, carrying the cool night air with him. He quickly scanned the room, his gaze lingering on Su Mian’s face for a moment, his brows slightly furrowed.

“Frightened?”

“I’m fine.” Su Mian shook her head, not wanting to appear too weak. “It’s just… a bit unsettling.”

Xiao Moyuan took off his coat and hung it up. He walked to her, reached out to touch her forehead, then took her wrist. A gentle wisp of spiritual energy entered, quickly checking her physical condition.

“Emotional fluctuations are a bit high, but your demonic energy is stable,” he concluded, releasing her hand. “Sit down first.”

The two sat on the living room sofa.

Xiao Moyuan took out a small, tablet-like silver metal device covered in runes from a box he carried with him, operating it quickly.

“Hong Luan’s initial feedback is in,” he said, staring at the screen.

“Campus surveillance didn’t capture anyone with obviously abnormal behavior near you during the message’s send time. Spiritual energy fluctuation records show three faint, unknown fluctuations within campus during that period, but their locations don’t match your area at the time, and their characteristics can’t be matched with known supernatural entities.

The message’s encryption method carries a certain… non-mainstream witchcraft imprint, but it’s very blurry.”

“Witchcraft imprint?” Su Mian caught the keyword.

“Yes, it’s different from orthodox Daoist magic or demonic power, and not bloodline power either. It’s closer to some fringe, ancient shamanic or witch doctor traditions, but it’s been modified and concealed,” Xiao Moyuan’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“These traditions are mostly secretive, their actions peculiar, and their motives difficult to fathom. If this warning came from them, things might be more complicated.”

He closed the device and looked at Su Mian. “Currently, there are too few clues; over-speculation is unhelpful. But the appearance of this message itself is a clear signal—we, or rather you, have been noticed by some entity. Our next actions must be even more cautious.”

“What should I do then?” Su Mian asked.

“Follow the original plan, maintain normalcy,” Xiao Moyuan said, “but we need to add some contingency preparations.”

He got up and retrieved a small, silver ornament, resembling a woman’s wristwatch, from the study, handing it to Su Mian.

“Wear this. It looks like an ordinary accessory, but it has multiple runes built in.”

“First, it can continuously stabilize your demonic energy fluctuations, enhancing its stealth effect.”

“Second, if subjected to a strong malicious attack or spiritual confinement, it will automatically form a shield and send me an alert and location.”

“Third, there’s a miniature rune array on the back of the dial. When activated by infusing demonic energy, it can release a short-range burst of strong light and mental shock, for emergency escapes.”

Su Mian took the wristwatch. It felt cool to the touch and was exquisitely crafted, its dial featuring a deep starry sky pattern.

“This…”

“Wear it,” Xiao Moyuan’s tone was undeniable.

“From now on, unless you’re at home or in an absolutely safe environment, do not take it off. Also,” he produced two polished black earrings, each inlaid with a tiny crystal at its center.

“These two have basic communication and positioning functions, covering the entire city.”

“If you encounter an emergency and can’t use your phone or the wristwatch, press the earring firmly for three seconds, and I will receive a signal.”

Su Mian looked at these clearly extraordinary items. The tension in her heart tightened, but she also felt a sense of reassurance.

She put on the wristwatch and earrings as instructed. The moment the earrings touched her earlobes, a subtle coolness spread, then vanished, making them appear no different from ordinary accessories.

“Starting tomorrow, I’ll have Hong Luan arrange for people to provide alternating remote cover along your daily routes.”

“You must also heighten your vigilance, paying attention to whether unfamiliar faces reappear around you, or if you feel any uncomfortable gazes,” Xiao Moyuan instructed.

“As for that message… we won’t respond for now. If it’s a test, we’ve taken note; if it’s a warning, we’ve received it; if it’s a trap, no action means it won’t be triggered.”

Su Mian nodded, indicating she understood.

Xiao Moyuan looked at her still somewhat pale face, silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, “What do you want for dinner tonight? I can order takeout or make something simple.”

The topic shift was abrupt. Su Mian was momentarily stunned before realizing he wanted to distract her, to temporarily pull her away from her tense emotions.

“Anything is fine…” she murmured.

“There are still ingredients in the fridge. I’ll make something light,” Xiao Moyuan said, rising and walking towards the kitchen.

Soon, the subtle sounds of washing, chopping, and cooking emerged from the kitchen. The warm light, the gradually spreading aroma of food, and the figure busy at the stove, preparing dinner for her—all of this created a deeply soothing sense of normalcy.

Su Mian curled up on the sofa, watching his back, her taut nerves slowly relaxing.

‘Yes, no matter how many eyes watched from the shadows, no matter who “he” was, at least for now, under this roof protected by an array, she was safe.’

‘And Xiao Moyuan was within reach.’

Dinner was simple: tomato and egg noodles with stir-fried seasonal vegetables. They ate in silence. As Xiao Moyuan cleared the dishes, Su Mian’s phone vibrated again.

Her heart leaped. She almost instantly grabbed the phone.

It wasn’t a text message; it was a friend request from an unknown social media account.

The application message contained only one sentence:

[All his kindness to you is an illusion!]

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