Chapter 155: Undercover Training and First Observation

The following afternoon, Xiao Moyuan arranged a private meeting with Lu Yang in a rather quiet tea room booth nearby.

When Lu Yang arrived, Xiao Moyuan was already there, a wisp of steam curling from his teacup.

He was dressed in casual clothes today, appearing no different from an ordinary university student. Yet, the profound stillness and sharp keenness in his eyes instinctively made Lu Yang straighten his back.

“Brother Xiao, what’s so mysterious?” Lu Yang asked, settling into his seat with a curious expression.

Xiao Moyuan wasted no time, directly informing Lu Yang of the complex situation at hand.

He detailed Shen Zhixia’s condition, Xia’s threat, the recent vampire attacks, and the urgent need for someone to infiltrate specific locations to gather intelligence.

While he omitted certain details that were too dangerous or might cause unnecessary panic, the information was sufficient for Lu Yang to grasp the mission’s necessity and potential risks.

Upon hearing this, Lu Yang’s expression shifted from curiosity to grim seriousness. His brows furrowed, and his fingers unconsciously traced the rim of his teacup.

He didn’t immediately agree, instead falling silent for a moment, seemingly processing the information and weighing his options.

“Brother Xiao,” Lu Yang finally said, looking up. The usual carefree glint in his eyes was replaced by an unusual earnestness.

“I know I might not be of much help, but just like I told Sister Mian, if you need me, I’m in. However…”

He paused, scratching his head with a hint of embarrassment.

“I’ve only been to clubs and bars with my buddies a couple of times, and it was all just fooling around. If it’s about observing something… I’m afraid I’ll mess it up.”

“That’s why training is necessary,” Xiao Moyuan stated calmly.

“I will teach you how to maintain a clear mind in such environments, how to quickly filter information, and how to identify unusual energy fluctuations or individuals.”

“Your current physique is special; you possess a natural affinity for and ability to mask negative energy and spiritual fluctuations. With a little guidance, you’ll be an excellent disguise.

Moreover, you won’t be acting alone. Hong Luan’s people will be on the periphery for support and surveillance, and I will also be nearby.”

Lu Yang considered this, then asked, “What about Senior Sister Chen Wan?”

“She’s still sleeping within my body. If I go to such places and she finds out, won’t she think I’m…”

“Chen Wan’s soul is currently in a deep slumber for recovery. Her perception of the outside world is extremely weak. As long as you don’t actively trigger the contract or fall into dangerous emotional turmoil, it won’t disturb her.”

“On the contrary, your experiences might help her adapt faster to this changing world once she awakens in the future,” Xiao Moyuan explained.

“Of course, the final decision rests with you. You can take some time to consider it; there’s no need to answer immediately.”

Lu Yang didn’t deliberate for long.

He picked up his now slightly cool tea, drained it in one gulp, then set the cup down. His gaze met Xiao Moyuan’s, unwavering.

“Brother Xiao, I’ll do it! Senior Sister Chen Wan owes her continued existence to me, and Mianzi and you have always helped me.

Now that you’re in need, there’s no reason for me to shrink back. It’s just a few days of ‘undercover’ work, right? I’m a quick learner; I promise not to mess up!”

Xiao Moyuan observed the genuine sincerity and eager anticipation shining in Lu Yang’s eyes. His heart stirred slightly, and he nodded.

“Good. Starting today, you’ll come to the apartment for three hours of special training every afternoon after school.”

“The curriculum will include: basic anti-tracking and anti-surveillance awareness, simulated club environment behavior, energy fluctuation identification, and emergency contact and escape techniques.”

“Concurrently, Hong Luan will prepare a suitable cover identity for you.”

“Understood!” Lu Yang nodded vigorously, then added, “Uh, Brother Xiao, will the training be tough? Will there be any practical combat or anything?”

Xiao Moyuan glanced at him. “You’ll find out.”

***

The following days saw Lu Yang embark on what could only be described as ‘devilish’ special training.

Every afternoon, he would appear at the apartment precisely on time, only to be ‘tormented’ alternately by Xiao Moyuan and Su Mian.

The training content was diverse.

It ranged from how to maintain prolonged focus on a specific target in a crowded, noisy environment without being detected, to how to quickly assess a person’s danger level through micro-expressions, body language, and residual energy.

It also covered simulating maintaining a clear mind and effective memory amidst deafening music and disorienting lights, as well as practicing the use of miniature communication, recording, and alarm devices disguised as ordinary accessories or electronic products.

Xiao Moyuan even procured equipment to simulate club lighting and sound effects, creating a realistic environment in the quiet room for Lu Yang to complete various observation and reaction tasks.

Initially, Lu Yang was flustered. He was either dazzled by the flashing lights or disoriented by simulated ‘pick-ups’ or ‘conflicts.’

However, his learning ability was remarkably strong, and his physical constitution, influenced by the symbiotic contract, far surpassed that of ordinary people. Coupled with an unyielding spirit, his progress was swift.

Su Mian was not idle either.

In addition to continuing her own demon power control and mental cultivation, she began to learn the basics of intelligence analysis taught by Xiao Moyuan, as well as how to use equipment for remote support and communication assurance.

Xiao Moyuan provided her with an encrypted portable terminal.

It could receive filtered and organized external surveillance data transmitted by Hong Luan in real-time, allowing her to learn how to extract effective information from it.

At the same time, she was also responsible for playing various ‘passersby’ or ‘unexpected factors’ during Lu Yang’s simulated training, increasing the difficulty and realism of the exercises.

During training breaks, Lu Yang would occasionally touch his chest, a pensive expression on his face.

After one training session, he pulled Su Mian aside and whispered, “Mianzi, don’t you think it’s strange? Sometimes, when I concentrate really hard to sense the energy around me, I feel like I can sense Senior Sister Chen Wan… a very faint response?”

“It’s like… like someone turning over in their sleep. Is it just my imagination?”

Su Mian looked at Xiao Moyuan.

Xiao Moyuan pondered for a moment. “It’s possible. Your symbiotic contract allows for a deep-level connection at the soul level.”

“Your heightened mental concentration and improved energy perception might subtly stimulate her sleeping consciousness, generating some unconscious resonance.”

Xiao Moyuan’s reply sounded quite unsettling. “This is a good sign, indicating her recovery process might be faster than anticipated, but don’t deliberately disturb her. Let nature take its course.”

Lu Yang quickly nodded. “I understand, I understand. It’s like taking care of a sleeping baby; you can’t wake them up.”

Su Mian couldn’t help but smile, and the tense training atmosphere relaxed slightly.

***

Meanwhile, the undercurrents in the outside world did not cease.

Hong Luan’s intelligence indicated two more new quasi-vampire attack incidents in the city’s northern and adjacent areas. The methods remained crude but cruel.

The investigations by the Demon Extermination Institute’s regular forces seemed to be encountering resistance, progressing slowly. However, internal factions within the Institute appeared to be growing more vocal.

As for Shen Zhixia, following the established ‘pattern,’ after three days of calm, she moved out again late on the fourth night.

This time, her destination was no longer the old streets of the city’s north. Instead, she turned towards the ‘Dark Alley District,’ an area closer to the city center, relatively prosperous, yet also a mixed bag of people and places.

Numerous late-night bars, clubs, and various grey establishments were scattered there. The demographic was complex, making it one of her usual ‘fishing grounds’ for selecting ‘prey.’

Upon receiving Hong Luan’s real-time report, Xiao Moyuan decided to let Lu Yang undertake his first ‘practical observation.’

He was not to participate or get close, but merely to ‘feel’ and ‘observe’ Shen Zhixia’s dark world from an absolutely safe distance of over a hundred meters, using Hong Luan’s high-precision surveillance equipment and his own initially enhanced perception.

The operation commenced at eleven o’clock at night.

Lu Yang changed into a set of trendy, youthful clothes that looked rather expensive.

He wore a miniature communicator and vital sign monitor disguised as fashionable earrings, and a high-quality replica of a famous watch with multiple functions on his wrist.

His ‘identity’ was that of a fun-loving university student from a well-to-do family.

Xiao Moyuan drove him to a safe point two blocks away from the ‘Dark Alley District.’ A specially modified van was parked there, and Hong Luan’s subordinate, ‘Grey Falcon,’ was already waiting inside.

“Remember,” Xiao Moyuan cautioned just before Lu Yang exited the car.

“Your mission is to observe, feel, and record.”

“Use the methods I’ve taught you to perceive the anomalies flowing beneath the clamor of that environment, to ‘note down’ any detail that strikes you as wrong.”

“Do not use your contract power, do not actively probe, and absolutely do not approach within a hundred meters of the target.”

“Grey Falcon will guide you throughout and ensure your safety. If you experience any discomfort or an emergency arises, press the alarm immediately, and we will extract you.”

“Understood, Brother Xiao.” Lu Yang took a deep breath, his eyes reflecting both tension and excitement.

Su Mian, sitting in the passenger seat, also nodded to him. “Be careful, Lu Yang.”

“Don’t worry, Mianzi!” Lu Yang grinned, pushed open the car door, and melted into the night, heading towards the ‘Dark Alley District’ from which music drifted.

Xiao Moyuan didn’t leave.

He pulled up the in-car surveillance screen, sharing multiple camera feeds with Grey Falcon’s team.

There were wide-angle aerial views from miniature drones, footage from fixed cameras hidden throughout the streets, and first-person perspective and vital sign data transmitted from Lu Yang’s equipment.

Su Mian also stared intently at the screen, her palms slightly damp with sweat.

Lu Yang followed the pre-planned route, unhurriedly entering the ‘Dark Alley District.’

Neon lights flickered on both sides of the street, and various styles of bar signs vied for attention. Deafening music spilled from different doorways, mingling with the chatter, laughter, and occasional arguments of the crowd.

The air was thick with a complex mixture of alcohol, perfume, tobacco, and food.

Young men and women, dressed in diverse attire, moved in groups, some boisterous, others with eyes glazed over from drink.

Lu Yang tried to recall his training, doing his best to appear like an ordinary student out for a good time.

He entered a relatively less raucous lounge bar, ordered a low-alcohol cocktail, and settled into a corner of the bar. His gaze casually swept his surroundings, while his ears meticulously distinguished various sounds.

Simultaneously, he attempted to activate the ‘fuzzy perception’ Xiao Moyuan had taught him.

He didn’t try to specifically target anyone, but rather cast an invisible net, sensing the ‘aura’ flowing through the entire space.

At first, the deluge of sensory information was overwhelming, making him feel a little dizzy.

The noisy chatter, the chaotic music, the flickering lights, and the myriad emotions emanating from the surrounding crowd—excitement, boredom, desire, disappointment—washed over him like a surging tide.

It took him some time to steady his mind and begin to filter and distinguish. Grey Falcon’s calm voice came through the miniature earpiece:

“Keep your breathing steady. Imagine your perception spreading out like water, accepting all information, but don’t get carried away by any single information stream.”

“Pay attention to the man at two o’clock, wearing a black leather jacket and drinking alone. His ‘aura’ feels a bit cold, out of sync with the surroundings.

Also, watch the waiters moving in and out near the outer door; their frequency is a bit unusual.”

Lu Yang adjusted as instructed, silently noting Grey Falcon’s tips.

Time ticked by, minute by minute.

Lu Yang gradually adapted to the environment, and his perception became clearer. He began to vaguely pick up subtle energy flows.

Most were the faint life fields emitted by ordinary people; occasionally, there were a few stronger but more chaotic ones, possibly from low-level ability users or those who had encountered supernatural phenomena.

However, he still hadn’t detected the unique, cold, blood-scented aura associated with Shen Zhixia or vampires.

Just as Lu Yang thought the night might yield nothing, Grey Falcon’s voice in his earpiece suddenly turned serious.

“Target detected. On the street diagonally opposite your location, the side entrance of the ‘Rosemary’ club.”

“Target status: solitary, well-disguised, energy fluctuations suppressed but unstable.”

Lu Yang’s heart gave a sudden leap, and he gripped his cocktail glass.

He resisted the urge to turn his head immediately, maintaining his original posture, but his peripheral vision, aided by the reflective metal strips decorating the back of the bar, allowed him to glimpse the street opposite.

A tall figure emerged from the inconspicuous side door of the ‘Rosemary’ club, quickly blending into the flow of people on the street.

She wore a low-key black dress with a short leather jacket, her long hair cascaded down, and her face was lightly made up.

In the hazy lights, her original features were almost indistinguishable, but that walking posture and silhouette… Lu Yang’s heart tightened. It was indeed Shen Zhixia!

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