Chapter 6, The Fallen Ranger Alliance and the Legend of the Night Stalker

That tall person must be over 2 meters, right

This name is incredibly cringeworthy, it makes me feel embarrassed to the core, yet Xiao Zhong Huang has a serious expression on his face

The people in this courtyard, on the contrary, make this little radish head look like a normal human being

Xiao Zhong Huang said with a serious expression: "I may sound unbelievable when I say this, but Brother Ma once told me that the ancestors of humanity were apes. However, in reality, many beasts gained wisdom during the long process of survival and evolution. Unfortunately, they failed to become mainstream due to various reasons in the long-term competition with the 'humans' evolved from apes. Some of them live in seclusion in remote mountains and vast marshes, leading an isolated life, while others attempt to change themselves and integrate into human society. The former have become mountain spirits and wild creatures, leaving behind numerous folk legends, while the latter, through a long process of mixing, have either exposed their identities and thus perished or have coexisted and reproduced with humans, completely integrating into human society."

What did I say wrong

I said without a moment's thought: "Of course, I will return to my own life; I have no interest in meddling in your affairs or playing house with you all"

I walked into the yard and heard a woman cursing. Xiao Zhong, looking helpless, turned around and walked up to me, whispering: "Xiao Hou Ge, do you have any money on you? I am in urgent need."

I do not know any of these names, and I feel dizzy and overwhelmed. I hurriedly asked, "What should I do about this?"

The two old men who were dozing in the bamboo chairs stood up, and the tall man squatting in the corner watching the ants also came over. The chubby girl Feihua and Haini, who was lurking in the water, both got up to watch.

Xiao Zhong Huang said this person is the landlord, and Ma Ge has not paid rent for two months. She said if we do not pay again, we will be evicted

I was taken aback and asked, "What is that?"

I said you are being too polite, everyone has their difficult moments—by the way, where were we just now, let us continue our discussion

Xiao Zhong Huang rubbed his head and said with a smile, "It is likely that you have been afflicted with the Qiming Gu, which is why you are experiencing this."

Upon hearing this, whether I believed it or not, I couldn't help but exclaim: "What the hell, isn't this putting me in danger?"

Xiao Zhong Huang licked his lips and then tentatively said: "That, um, one thousand five, do you have it?"

Xiao Zhonghuang stated that it is not entirely the case; people can be both good and bad, and the same applies to nightwalkers. Particularly, those nightwalker families that conceal themselves within human society have fully adapted to normal human life, carefully hiding their identities as they go about their lives, never acting rashly. However, there are also some nightwalkers with latent genes and awakened bloodlines who, lacking guidance and recklessly gaining power, may commit illegal acts, even murder and arson, acting with impunity. Additionally, some mountain spirits and wild creatures hidden in forests, marshes, and beyond may behave similarly, which is why our existence is necessary.

Xiao Zhong Huang snapped his fingers and mentioned Liang Shikuan, Teacher Liang from the Meizhou Zhenping Academy

Nightwalker

Xiao Zhong awkwardly cleared his throat and said, this... because of certain changes, the Ranger Alliance is no longer as close-knit; everyone is living their own lives. However, let me tell you, the Ranger Alliance from a hundred years ago was truly strong. Hu Toudai Bao Sun Lutang, Wudang Sword Immortal Li Jinglin, Divine Marksman Li Shuwen, Half-Step Collapse Fist Shang Yunxiang, Arm Saint Zhang Ce, North-South Hero Du Xinwu, Jiangnan's Number One Foot Liu Baichuan, Divine Bodyguard Li Yaochen, Jade-faced Tiger Han Muxia, and Thousand-Jin Strength Wang Zhiping... they were all the banners of the alliance. Divine Marksman Li Shuwen, Half-Step Collapse Fist Shang Yunxiang, Arm Saint Zhang Ce, North-South Hero Du Xinwu, Jiangnan's Number One Foot Liu Baichuan, Divine Bodyguard Li Yaochen, Jade-faced Tiger Han Muxia, Thousand-Jin Strength Wang Zhiping... they were all the banners of the alliance.

He said this, and I still found it hard to believe. After hesitating for a moment, I asked again: "Then why did I experience bleeding from my mouth, and at that time I felt no temperature, my whole body was cold."

Xiao Zhong Huang said: "As far as I know, the Death Flower, when consumed by an ordinary person, will immediately induce a state of suspended animation. If the antidote is not obtained within three days, the person will directly enter a state of brain death, resulting in true death. The only exception is for Night Walkers, or those who possess the invisible genes or bloodline of a Night Walker."

Xiao Zhonghuang said, do you think Wei Chi and his gang would have any good intentions? That is how they operate; if you can endure it and become a nightwalker, those people will appear at the first opportunity to recruit you. However, if you cannot withstand the suffering and your body fails, they will only lose a bottle of Qiming Gu at most. As for your life or death, do you think they would care?

My heart skipped a beat when I asked if you knew that person, Wei Chi

Xiao Zhong Huang looked at me seriously and said, I would like to ask you first, do you want to become a Nightwalker and gain the power of the bloodline, or do you want to become an ordinary person and return to your own life

Seeing Xiao Zhonghuang become more serious due to my earlier generous act, I couldn't help but become serious as well, and I replied: "Could it be that... we are seeing ghosts?"

Upon hearing my decision, Xiao Zhong Huang felt somewhat awkward, touched his nose, and then said: "As for this matter, there is only one person in the entire southern region who can help you resolve it"

Xiao Zhong Huang stated that this is a type of medicinal catalyst, which can rapidly reveal the hidden bloodline of the Nightwalker within you in a short period of time, granting you the power of a Nightwalker and potentially allowing you to become a true Nightwalker

Who am I talking about

As soon as I heard it, I instinctively glanced at the nearby adults. To my surprise, the gazes of the two old men were wandering, as if they were indifferent to the matter. The tall man did look over, but his originally fierce appearance turned into a grin, instantly giving the impression that he might have some issues with his intelligence, resembling a simpleton.

Xiao Zhong nodded and said, "I suppose so"

Xiao Zhong Huang smiled and said, "Do you still not understand? It is very likely that you carry the invisible genes of the Nightwalker, and it is precisely because of this that you have been targeted, which has led to the series of events that followed"

I am puzzled about what is meant by the term "possible"

At this point, he raised his head, stared at me earnestly, and then said: "Those who have integrated into human society, passed down from generation to generation, some have retained their dominant genes, becoming the Nightwalker family, while others have transformed into recessive genes, completely becoming human. If there is no certain opportunity, they will forever fade away..." Then he continued: "Those who have integrated into human society, passed down from generation to generation, some have retained their dominant genes, becoming the Nightwalker family, while others have transformed into recessive genes, completely becoming human. If there is no certain opportunity, they will forever fade away..."

I repeatedly recited these three words in my mouth, feeling as if it were a tale from the Arabian Nights. Xiao Zhong Huang then said, "Yes, some refer to them as monsters, but for them, 'the abnormality of things must be a monster' is a term of great derogation and discrimination, and it is also quite narrow-minded. They prefer to call themselves 'night walkers,' a human race not recognized by mainstream society—narrowly defined as humans, evolved from apes, while they are the result of the evolution of myriad races, and that is all.

Xiao Zhong Huang asked if you have heard of the Ranger Alliance

I raised my eyebrows and said, "The Ranger Alliance? What on earth is that?"

Xiao Zhonghuang said that you must have offended the Nightwalker

The shout was quite sharp and piercing. Just as Xiao Zhonghuang, who was about to engage in a lengthy discussion with me, heard this sound, his expression changed, and he said to me to wait a moment before hurriedly running out. I was unclear about the situation, so I followed him outside and saw a woman, whose figure was no less imposing than that of the plump girl from earlier, clutching her bulging waist and cursing at Xiao Zhonghuang at the entrance. The once quiet courtyard suddenly became lively.

Listening to these secret stories that sound like something out of a novel, I rubbed my forehead and said, do you mean to say that all nightwalkers are bad people

I came prepared this time, having already made up my mind, and I brought money in my wallet. So I took out my wallet and counted out fifteen bills featuring the portrait of an elderly man to give to him. Xiao Zhonghuang accepted it and turned to hand it over to the landlord, who was as large as a pig. To my surprise, that woman took the money, counted it while spitting on it, and even mocked me, saying to Xiao Zhonghuang, "Where did you find this fool again?"

My brow furrowed, and I couldn't help but feel anxious, asking, "What do you mean? How is this possible?"

Why are you telling me all this

I have a request of someone, and I do not dare to act arrogantly. I ask: "How much?"

What is Qiming Gu?

He seemed unwilling to say much, only touching on the surface. I looked at this unusually composed little boy, who resembled a small adult, and finally couldn't help but ask: "And you, who are you? The Night Walkers?"

He said: "Although the League of Heroes has only a history of several hundred years, its predecessor was a vast world of martial arts, where Daoist sects, Buddhist schools, martial arts circles, and imperial courts all had masters who upheld traditions. However, after the issuance of the 'Prohibition of Weapons' decree in the early Qing Dynasty, the martial world fragmented, and countless esteemed predecessors within it joined political organizations such as the Heaven and Earth Society and the Red Flower Society to resist the Qing court. This ultimately led to the proliferation of evil individuals during the mid-Qing Dynasty, wreaking havoc everywhere. In response to the restrictions imposed by the Prohibition of Weapons and the vicissitudes of a century, enlightened individuals convened to form an alliance, adopting the name of the most renowned heroes from the Han Dynasty, calling themselves the League of Heroes, specifically established to combat the malevolent nocturnal wrongdoers in a broad sense."

Xiao Zhong lowered his head and said, "Take the money back, why ask so much?"

After listening to his account, I glanced at him and then looked outside, saying that I feel your alliance is not very strong, as you can't even afford the rent

I shook my head and said no

Xiao Zhong Huang said seriously: "You haven't heard of it, which is quite normal. After all, in matters like this, very few outside the circle have heard of this name; so let's change the way we ask. What do you think is really going on with the things happening to you?"

The landlord left, and we returned to the living room. Xiao Zhong Huang said to me: "I apologize for the embarrassment."

I was taken aback and asked, what is a night walker

Xiao Zhong shook his head and said no, no, we are not night walkers. To be precise, Ma Ge and I are not night walkers—we are members of the Ranger Alliance

Xiao Zhong Huang smiled and said, "Do you think becoming a Nightwalker is easy? If during the transformation process, your body cannot withstand the genetic mutation and the expansion of your bloodline, there is another possibility: that is, death due to the failure of all your organs, yes, just like having a terminal illness, with no cure available.

Xiao Zhong Huang shook his head and said that there is no such thing as ghosts in this world, and even if you have heard of it, it is merely a misconception

It was at this moment that I realized the man was truly tall, standing there like a wall