Chapter 23: The Soul Hunter List

Chapter 23: The Soul Hunter List

Sure enough, there was a physical body. Not truly formless at all.

The moment I launched a flying kick at the invisible person, they not only dodged my attack but caught my ankle with one hand, leaving me balanced awkwardly on one leg. I had no choice but to shout:

“Hey, hey, let go, or I’ll call for help!”

“You can see me?” the invisible person said.

“Let go and I’ll tell you. No.”

I lowered my foot. This person clearly had superior martial skills. That kick had been fast enough that even Min Long couldn’t dodge it.

The invisible person asked, “Did you sense me through same-frequency sensing?”

I said, “Why should I tell you? I don’t even know who you are.”

The invisible person said, “Either way, I owe you thanks for not exposing my presence when you were with Bi Deyuan.”

I said, “You weren’t sent by Bi Deyuan to test me?”

The invisible person said, “You overestimate your importance. In his eyes, you’re not worth that much trouble. He has plenty of methods he hasn’t used yet. Besides, they’ve studied your same-frequency sensing extensively. The Tesla theory he just explained—that’s part of their research into same-frequency sensing. You should have gained some insight. I’m here because I need your help with something. In exchange, I can get you out of here legally. Interested?”

I asked, “What is it? If it’s not too difficult, I might give it a try.”

The invisible person said, “I came for a list that Bi Deyuan has. I’ve searched his office and every place it might be stored—nothing. So I suspect he destroyed it after reading.”

I laughed. “If he destroyed it, you still want me to find it?”

The invisible person said, “You might be able to. You can perceive people’s thoughts. Same-frequency resonance sensing—we never paid it much attention before. Turns out it has its uses. The list is gone, but Bi Deyuan must have memorized it. So? You get it for me, I get you your freedom.”

I said, “Why should I trust you? Liu Biao lied to me not long ago. I’m not an idiot.”

Suddenly a green jade token appeared suspended in midair before my eyes, nearly identical to my two.

So they had one too.

I instinctively touched the two green jade tokens I’d hidden. Still there.

Maybe this invisible person’s token was one of the six I’d theorized about? Then who were they? With growing excitement, I said, “Can we trade for that jade token instead? I’ll handle freedom on my own.”

The invisible person said, “Not yet. Don’t think escaping means you’re safe. Sweepers operate worldwide. Without my help, getting out legally will be nearly impossible.”

I thought it over. Fair point. So I said, “Fine. But I can’t guarantee the list’s authenticity. I don’t understand what it means. And how am I supposed to make the old man’s mind surface this list?”

Words appeared on the mirror in front of me, traced in water:

“Soul Hunter List.”

“Just let him see this. He’ll think of the list immediately. It’s important to him. I’ll contact you when it’s time.”

After that, the invisible person fell silent.

Gone?

I felt around, then probed with my sensing. No trace of them nearby.

Over the next several days, I tracked Bi Deyuan’s movements.

Unfortunately, Tianshu Department personnel rarely emerged, and when they did, there was no opening. Besides, even if he saw those words, I couldn’t let him discover my presence. He knew about my same-frequency sensing and would be on guard.

After waiting nearly ten days, a weekend internal fighting competition at the base training ground finally drew Bi Deyuan out. Competitors from every department participated.

I understood this might be my chance.

The spectator seating was divided into sections. Bi Deyuan’s status fell somewhere in the middle—above Liu Biao, below Yin Kun.

I slipped the note reading “Soul Hunter List” onto a chair where he might sit, then positioned myself about fifty meters away.

I’d calculated the distance carefully. Too close and he’d suspect me; too far…