**Shangjing City.**
Inside the Nightwatchers' training office, Yuan Gang stared at the file in his hand, bewildered.
"What? This year's recruit training is in Cangnan? Where is Cangnan?"
A man reclining lazily in the chair behind the desk stretched, his movements slow and deliberate. A distinctive cross-shaped scar adorned his temple.
This man was Shao Pingge, the captain of Nightwatchers' Team 006 stationed in Shangjing.
"Cangnan? A small city in the southeast, near Huaihai," Shao Pingge answered, yawning as he reached for a teapot and filled his cup.
"But… hasn't the training always been held here in Shangjing? Why the sudden change?" Yuan Gang frowned deeply.
"Who knows what the higher-ups are thinking?" Shao Pingge took a sip of tea before reclining again. "Orders are orders, Yuan Gang. You're the deputy captain of Team 006 and the chief instructor for recruit training. You've overseen plenty of these; a change of scenery won't kill you, will it?"
"That's not it." Yuan Gang shook his head, still perplexed. "I just don't get why we'd move everything—equipment, facilities, the whole operation—to Cangnan. Isn't this unnecessary trouble?"
"The higher-ups must have their reasons. We just follow orders. Don't ask questions that aren't ours to answer."
"…Fine," Yuan Gang sighed.
"The logistics team is efficient. By dawn, they'll have a fully operational training camp set up in Cangnan. You should start preparing to move out with the recruits."
"Understood." Yuan Gang hesitated before adding, "But Captain… are you sure you can handle Shangjing while I'm gone? No incidents?"
*Wham!*
A slipper flew out from behind the desk. Yuan Gang tilted his head slightly, dodging it effortlessly. Shao Pingge's angry roar followed.
"You brat! Who do you think I am? I'm the captain of Shangjing's Nightwatcher squad, not some amateur!"
Yuan Gang chuckled, picked up the slipper, and casually tossed it out the window before swaggering out the door.
Shao Pingge exploded in a flurry of curses.
---
**Guangshen City.**
In an opulent VIP massage room, a chubby young man in a bathrobe lounged on a sofa, his pudgy fingers scrolling through a notification. He turned his head, puzzled.
"Cangnan? Where's that?"
Behind him, five burly bodyguards stood silently, their expressions stoic. A butler with a monocle bowed slightly and replied in a calm tone.
"Master Bai, Cangnan is a small city in the southeast."
"Wasn't the training always in Shangjing?"
"This year seems to be different. Changes in policy, perhaps. Shall I arrange your trip accordingly?"
The young man tossed a grape back into its bowl and waved dismissively. "Book tomorrow's flight. I'm going early!"
The butler hesitated. "Master Bai, wouldn't that be too rushed? The accommodations are already arranged. The Nightwatchers will ensure you're well taken care of."
"Guangshen's boring. I want to meet new friends!"
"Very well, sir. Though, if I may suggest, speaking Mandarin when you arrive might make socializing easier."
The young man mulled this over, nodding thoughtfully. "True. Miscommunication could get in the way of making real friends."
Patting the young woman massaging his feet, he declared, "Enough. Time for a change of pace. I've lived in luxury long enough. Cangnan, here I come!"
---
**Mount Jiuhua.**
Amid the drifting incense smoke and solemn Buddhist chants, an elderly monk walked through a wooden corridor, beads in hand. His tranquil gaze belied a profound depth.
He stopped before a meditation room and knocked twice before entering.
Inside, the room was sparse—only a bed, a desk, and a meditation cushion. On the largest wall, the words *"Quiet the Mind"* were boldly painted in black, their brushstrokes emanating a latent, restrained power.
A black-haired youth seated on the cushion opened his eyes slightly.
"Master Cao Yuan, a letter has arrived for you," the monk said, presenting a sealed envelope.
The youth stood, took the envelope, and read its contents silently.
"Cangnan…" he murmured. Turning to the monk, he asked respectfully, "Master, should I go?"
"You've spent five years here suppressing the darkness in your heart. It's time," the monk replied, his voice steady.
"But my sins…"
"To take a life is a sin; to save one is a virtue. Only by balancing these can you find peace. Staying here is no solution. It's time to let go."
After a long silence, the youth bowed deeply. "Thank you, Master, for your guidance."
"One more thing, Master Cao Yuan."
"Please, speak."
"This journey to Cangnan… you may meet someone destined to guide you. If you seize the opportunity, you may find redemption—and even enlightenment."
"A destined person? What are they like?"
The monk closed his eyes, intoning as if from a distant place:
"Two trees stand tall. Eight gods leave one. Ten years in the night, to save the world's people."
Cao Yuan frowned, memorizing the cryptic verse. Bowing again, he said solemnly, "Then I shall go."
---
**Inside the SUV.**
Lin Qiye shrank slightly, sensing the awkward silence.
"Uh, QiYe…" Wen Qimo coughed, breaking the tension. "The train tickets not being refundable—it's not your fault. Don't worry about it."
Chen Muye in the passenger seat looked pale.
"We should focus on the bright side! Like, since the training's in Cangnan, we can visit you anytime, right?"
"Training is closed. We can't enter," Wu Xiangnan said flatly from the driver's seat.
"…" Wen Qimo hesitated. "Well, at least we bought all the essentials! Down jackets, thick blankets, heating pads—"
"Qimo, Cangnan's winters don't need those," Hong Ying interjected softly.
"Shut up!" Chen Muye glared at Wen Qimo, clutching his chest like his wallet had been stabbed. Turning to Lin Qiye, he pleaded, "QiYe, could you… maybe… try returning them?"