Tianjin, starting with unorthodox methods to achieve immortality

The moonlight was a bit brighter than before, shining on the messy ground. Wisps of black mist could be seen escaping from the cracks in the soil, quickly dissipating into the air.

Watching Lao Zheng being carried away on a stretcher by the logistics staff, Chen Mo took out his pocket watch and checked the time: 9:05.

It has only been a little over an hour since they entered the ghost market.

"Chen Mo is gone."

Fang Yingxia waved to him, her voice weak, "Let Ruyan take us back."

Her face was slightly pale, and she had clearly not recovered yet.

Liu Ruyan stood to the side, clearly not in a good mood, her eyes lowered, lost in thought.

No one expected that the first mission for the three teams would end with one dead and one wounded.

On the way back, the atmosphere was somewhat silent, and none of them were in the mood to talk.

Fang Yingxia was looking down, seemingly lost in thought. She glanced at Chen Mo's bulging pockets out of the corner of her eye before curiously raising her head.

"What's in your pocket?"

"It's nothing, just a paper doll for self-defense."

Under the moonlight, Chen Mo's profile revealed no expression; he simply raised his hand and patted his pocket.

Fang Yingxia said "Oh" and didn't ask any more questions.

Back in the car, the two women sat in the front, while Chen Mo sat alone in the back.

The car slowly drove out of the west of the city, and the desolate dirt road was gradually replaced by a gravel road, with scattered low houses beginning to appear along the roadside.

Further on, the lights gradually became denser, with pedestrians hurrying by on their way home at night, and rickshaw pullers dozing off against their handlebars.

Liu Ruyan gripped the steering wheel, her gaze sweeping over Chen Mo in the back seat in the rearview mirror.

He leaned back in the seat, his profile hidden in the shadows, making his expression impossible to discern.

Fang Yingxia glanced back, then looked away.

As the car turned into the southern part of the city, the noise of people suddenly increased.

The roadside night stalls set up their tents, and the kerosene lamps formed a dim, starry sky. The aroma of jianbing guozi (Chinese savory crepes) mingled with the steam of mutton soup and wafted into the car window.

Groups of diners sat on benches, engrossed in their food and drinks, with occasional bursts of laughter and snickers.

Fang Yingxia suddenly spoke up: "Stop the car."

Liu Ruyan turned her head to look at her.

Fang Yingxia gestured towards the window, her voice regaining some strength, "Are you hungry? I'll treat you to a late-night snack."

"The mutton soup at Uncle Zhao's stall over there is the best."

Liu Ruyan didn't speak, but glanced at the back row in the rearview mirror.

Before Chen Mo could speak, his stomach let out a muffled groan.

The sound was exceptionally clear in the quiet carriage. The two women in the front row were both stunned for a moment, then Fang Yingxia covered her mouth and laughed, and even Liu Ruyan's lips curled up slightly.

"It seems someone agreed on your behalf," Fang Yingxia said with a smile.

"Boss Fang is treating, so why not take advantage of it?" He curled the corners of his mouth into a smile.

Liu Ruyan chuckled, turned the steering wheel, and parked the car at the alley entrance.

The three of them got out of the car.

The alleyway was even more bustling with life than the street. The mutton soup pot was bubbling and steaming, the pancake griddle was sizzling, and the old man selling candied hawthorns was sticking freshly boiled hawthorns into a bundle of straw.

Fang Yingxia walked at the front, her steps becoming lighter.

Liu Ruyan followed beside her, her gaze sweeping over the night stalls, as if picking out one that caught her eye.

Chen Mo lagged two steps behind, his hands in his pockets, fingertips...