Is this what a zombie is?

Bus routes 133 and 444

After the task was assigned, the atmosphere in the booth did not lighten.

Jiang Chen steered the conversation back to the more oppressive threat.

"We'll handle the matter of the Five Gods, but I want to know, regarding Ying Gou's plan to recreate the Five-Clawed Golden Dragon totem, what exactly are you planning to do? Are you just waiting for him to come knocking on your door?"

Mentioning this name, Dongfang Liang's expression became much more serious.

"The power of the Four Symbols totems is rooted in the land of China, and its power is limited to the scope of this land."

"This is why Ying Gou chose to operate in several Southeast Asian countries and dared not extend his reach into China. Our Four Spirits Family can only borrow and fully unleash the power of the Four Spirits totems within China."

The implication is that you cannot go abroad, because the four spirit beasts will not be able to protect you if you do.

That's why Dongfang Liang, even after deducing what Ying Gou wanted to do, couldn't be sure.

They are unable to intervene and can only passively defend themselves; the two sides are currently in a delicate balance.

Dongfang Liang changed the subject.

"So, a few of us are planning a trip overseas."

"What?" Ai Yi almost thought she had misheard. "Didn't you say that since you went abroad, you couldn't use the power of the Four Symbols totem? Are you still going to go and get yourself killed?"

"Passive defense isn't my style, and I never said I wanted to confront him head-on." Dongfang Liang's tone was calm. "I can't stop him from rebuilding the totem, but I can still create some trouble for him and delay his progress."

"You two, one inherited the core power of the Five-Clawed Golden Dragon, and the other absorbed the power of two Tai Sui. You have a brighter future than us, so all I can do is buy you... and this country some precious time."

At this moment, Dongfang Liang was no longer the cunning, scheming, and ruthless strategist he once was.

He is also a guardian who bears the mission of his family and is willing to sacrifice himself for the future of his country.

This silenced Ai Yi, and his gaze toward Dongfang Liang was incredibly complex.

He didn't like Dongfang Liang because his scheming and cunning made him very uncomfortable, but he couldn't help but admire his decisiveness and sense of responsibility at this moment.

This feeling was contradictory and frustrating, and he disliked it even more.

In the midst of this somewhat heavy atmosphere, a voice carrying a hint of languor and allure suddenly rang out without warning.

"I've met quite a few people from the Four Spirits Clan, but someone like you is truly rare."

The three turned around at the sound and saw that Shen had been standing there gracefully at some point.

Today she wore a tight-fitting black cheongsam that perfectly accentuated her curvaceous figure. She rested her chin on her hand, her peach blossom eyes lingering on Dongfang Liang with great interest, her gaze full of affection and conveying deep emotions.

"I've met quite a few people from the Four Spirits Clan, and they're all like rocks in a latrine—stinky and stubborn. Someone as interesting and good-looking as you is a first for me."

As she spoke, Shen extended a slender finger and gently hooked Dongfang Liang's chin, her breath as fragrant as orchids.

"Sister, I've got my eye on you. How about we start dating?"

Dongfang Liang smiled slightly, letting Shen's fingers trace his chin.

"It's not impossible."

He went along with it, his gaze fixed intently on the mirage.

"But I have one condition."

"Oh?" A hint of surprise flashed in Shen's eyes. "You're trying to negotiate with me, your older sister? Well, since you're so handsome, tell me what you're talking about."

"Please introduce me to Tai Sui; I'd like to meet him."

It seems Dongfang Liang is still harboring ulterior motives and wants to see...

The mirage paused for a moment, then burst into laughter, its branches trembling.

"What an interesting kid. Okay, I agree."

She withdrew her hand and tossed her long hair with a captivating air.

"I'm only responsible for making the introductions. As for whether Lord Tai Sui will actually see you, that's not something I can guarantee."

Thank you.

Ai Yi watched in stunned silence. "To achieve your goal, you're actually willing to sacrifice your looks?"

Dongfang Liang was not ashamed but proud. "If sacrificing a little bit of my looks can achieve my goal, why not? Besides... I won't lose out."

Ai glanced at Shen's breathtaking figure, and then, considering that Shen wasn't human, nodded repeatedly in deep agreement.

"Alright, we've pretty much covered the important business."

Having achieved his goal, Dongfang Liang seemed to be in a good mood, and he turned his attention to Ai Yi.

"You've been dragging your feet on that task I gave you for almost a week now. When are you going to give me a result?"

"puff--"

Ai Yi almost spat out the mouthful of wine she had just taken a sip of.

"Damn it, you have the nerve to say that? That thing is elusive and impossible to find. Who knows if it got wind of us beforehand? I've been waiting for it to come, and I'm worried it'll do something crazy."

Jiang Chen's curiosity was piqued, and he asked, "What mission is giving you such a headache?"

Ai Yi rolled her eyes in annoyance and squeezed out a few words through gritted teeth:

"the bus."

"Bus route 444, it also has another name... the ghost bus."

……

Late at night, the cold autumn wind swirled fallen leaves across the empty road, making the metal of the GG brand car rattle and adding to the desolate atmosphere.

Three figures were squatting on a stone bench at the bus stop, waiting for something.

I waited from 7 p.m. until after 9 p.m., and some bus routes had already run their last bus.

This kind of waiting is the norm. Ai Yi had been waiting for a week straight, but he still hadn't seen the No. 444 bus he was waiting for.

In fact, bus route 444 has been out of service for many years, as the number has an unlucky connotation. Even the old bus itself has long been abandoned somewhere.

Even after the bus stop signs were updated, the 444 route was no longer listed. Yet, every now and then, it would pop up again and continue running along the original route.

Moreover, many people boarded the bus and disappeared without a trace, neither alive nor dead.

"It's already past nine o'clock, and that old car still hasn't arrived. If the northwest wind is blowing, the three of us could have eaten several rounds of food by now."

Ai Yi made sarcastic remarks, and he could only grumble in response, since there was nothing he could do if the target didn't appear.

Jiang Chen remained calm and composed, glancing at the game beside him and asking.

"You insisted on coming out with us. Aren't you scared to be alone in a bar?"

He didn't even look up from the game, his fingers tapping rapidly across the screen, but he was quick to criticize.

"I'm not an ordinary person. In other people's eyes, I'm a monster. Why would I be afraid of them? I was thinking that if something happens to you, at least I can collect your body. Besides, aren't you afraid they'll eat me for supper?"