I turned around and saw him speaking without turning his head.

"If you want to live, go to the crossroads at midnight tonight, wear this shirt inside out, walk around the intersection three times, and then no matter what you hear, don't turn around, just keep walking forward. That evil thing won't be able to see you. It's your good fortune to survive tonight, then come find me."

After saying that, he continued to attend to the guests as if nothing had happened.

I picked up the greasy clothes and looked at him.

I noticed that he didn't even glance at me, and continued chatting and laughing with the customers.

"Brother Liu, thank you!"

I thanked Liu Sandao and turned to leave.

The hour of Zi (子) is from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m.

In ancient times, people used the twelve Earthly Branches to tell time, dividing the day into twelve two-hour periods.

The hour of Zi (11 PM - 1 AM) is the first of the twelve two-hour periods of the day. At this time, the night is deepest, all is quiet, and the yin energy is at its strongest.

There are still several hours until midnight, so I'll take a taxi to drive around the city looking for an intersection.

Every time I pass an intersection, I take a close look.

The intersection in front of the hospital was bustling with people, filled with the sirens of ambulances and the cries of patients' families, exuding a sense of sorrow and separation. I ignored it all; that wasn't the place I was looking for.

After a long search, I finally arrived at Nanping Street.

Even at one or two in the morning, the place is still bustling with activity, like a city that never sleeps.

I figured that even if that filthy thing that killed Master Jin and Su Mingyang really found us tonight, there were many people here with strong yang energy, so maybe we could avoid it.

Just as I expected, there were still many people here at midnight.

At the food stalls, vendors enthusiastically called out their wares, and the aroma of grilled skewers and the sweet fragrance of milk tea filled the air, creating a unique local flavor.

The streets were bustling with people: couples strolling hand in hand, groups of young people laughing and playing, and tourists taking photos everywhere.

Vehicles flowed in and out, accompanied by the sounds of horns and laughter.

These scenes calmed me down considerably.

I put the clothes Liu Sandao had given me inside out and started walking around the intersection.

However, after walking around for a while, I realized I had chosen the wrong place.

This place is fucking huge.

If I were to walk three laps, I estimate it would take several hours.

But I can't stay.

Judging from Liu Sandao's tone, it seems that he can't stop and has to keep going for three laps.

By the time I reached the second lap, I was already quite exhausted.

However, just as I slowed down, a sinister voice suddenly came from behind me.

"Old Chen, where are you going? Xiao He is looking for you."

My heart skipped a beat.

That sound...

It's Su Mingyang.

Is that filthy thing that's clinging to me Su Mingyang?

I didn't dare to breathe loudly, nor did I dare to turn around. I pretended not to hear what he said, but my feet seemed to have wings, and I quickened my pace.

However, my peripheral vision seemed to be beyond my control, and I couldn't help but glance to the side.

My heart skipped a beat when I saw that glance.

Su Mingyang's once handsome face had completely changed.

His skin looked as if a layer had been peeled off, leaving a bloody mess with exposed veins and muscles, and black mucus was constantly seeping out and flowing down his cheeks.

His eyes bulged out, and the remaining eyeball was almost falling out of its socket.

His lips were swollen and a large chunk was missing, revealing jagged, blood-stained teeth.

His face was contorted beyond recognition, staring at me with an extremely eerie expression.