Light Barrier

“Everyone, sorry to keep you waiting!” Mr. Tree pushed the door open with his head held high. Then he noticed the orange cat sleeping soundly with its belly exposed. He whispered softly, “Oh, looks like there’s a little cutie here.”

He stretched out his hand and gestured for Luo Er and Zhong Wei to keep quiet.

Their teacher was really a thoughtful person. Seeing his gesture, the two people behind him smiled helplessly and closed the door softly.

They moved to a quiet bedroom.

…

“That’s the approximate situation.”

They split into two groups and then regrouped to exchange detailed information.

“Han Dang… is indeed a dangerous person.” Luo Er raised the curtains with one hand and glanced at Gu Shen’s apartment opposite. She said seriously, “I’m keeping an eye on him now, so nothing should happen. There’s only one day left until the assessment. The most important matter now is to solve Gu Shen’s Dream Decipher issue.

“From what I know, the Adjudication Bureau has more than three thousand, seven hundred ‘dreams’ stored.” Luo Er looked at her teacher. “Most of them are cultivation objects used to hone mental power. The less difficult ones can be resolved in three to five minutes. But for the more difficult ones, it’s not merely a matter of time.

“Lack of talent means an inability to comprehend dreams. Even if someone spends a month or a year, they still won’t be able to decipher them.” She frowned. “But facing the same dream, someone talented might only need an hour.”

“Don’t worry about the Dream Decipher.” Mr. Tree smiled. “The three of you have worked hard these past few days. As your teacher, I can’t just stand by and watch. Today is the last day before the assessment. You don’t have to work anymore. Relax and take it easy. Treat it as a break.”

Hearing this, everyone visibly relaxed.

Mr. Tree was such a person.

If he said he could handle it even if the sky collapsed, then he definitely could.

So when he said not to worry about the Dream Decipher, Luo Er, Zhong Wei, and Nan Jin, though still somewhat anxious, were not as worried as before.

“Very good.”

Seeing the subtle changes in their expressions, Mr. Tree was very pleased. “Okay, it’s getting late. Everyone, you’ve worked hard all day. Rest and get a good night’s sleep.”

Then he patted Gu Shen’s shoulder heavily and smiled. “You, follow me!”

…

The rain stopped.

The wind was still strong.

The cold wind collided back and forth against the narrow walls, filling the corridor with its howling. Gu Shen followed Mr. Tree upstairs against the wind. In front of him was the rooftop of the apartment building. Mr. Tree kicked open the door, and the metal door swung open with a clang. A cold smell of rust came to his face.

“Ah.” Mr. Tree exhaled deeply. His face showed no traces of drinking at all. He stood on the roof of the apartment building and held the railing with both hands. Gu Shen followed suit and looked down.

With just one glance, he felt a bit dizzy.

This place was more than thirty floors high. It was midnight, and the world below was still bustling. In the distance, large swaths of neon lights illuminated the streets, and the glow of advertisement screens flickered with laughter and cheers.

The sleepless pedestrians on the streets were like tiny grains of sand under the bright light.

But on the roof, there was only silence, occasionally interrupted by the sound of the wind.

“I just wanted to find a place where we could be alone. And what more suitable place than the roof, right?” Mr. Tree turned away from overlooking the living beings below and leaned his back against the railing. He smiled. “I’m truly sorry for dragging you into the Adjudication Bureau before you fully figured out the situation. I’ve caused you so much trouble.”

“…” Gu Shen also leaned against the railing.

Someone like Mr. Tree would actually apologize?

In fact, Gu Shen harbored some resentment toward him.

Be it Nan Jin, Senior Brother Zhong, or Senior Sister Luo, they all called him ‘teacher’ naturally.

But so far, he couldn’t bring himself to say it.

He reflected on the entire ordeal. He had been inexplicably involved in transcendental incidents, followed by a series of ‘forced choices’—joining the Adjudication Bureau, undergoing special training, preparing for the assessment, dealing with Han Dang… All of this happened too quickly. While Gu Shen coped with difficulty, he would always think of the old man in the tunic suit who had handed him the note that night.

If I could do it again, would I still call that number?

After Mr. Tree apologized, Gu Shen suddenly realized… he had nothing to say.

Those minor grievances had already become words that no longer needed to be voiced.

Mr. Tree had saved his life and gone through great efforts to obtain the pardon order for him. Gu Shen could still discern that this was someone who was truly good to him.

Therefore, he waved his hand and whispered, “You don’t have to be so polite.”

After all, taking so much money… just treat it as…

“Just treat it as… taking someone’s money to solve a disaster for them.” The old man laughed softly. “That must be what you’re thinking, right?”

“You’re really old and shrewd.” Gu Shen muttered under his breath before saying seriously, “Although I don’t know why you’re so confident, tomorrow’s assessment… you’d better prepare for the worst.”

“Aha…”

This seemed to be the old man’s catchphrase.

He asked lightly, “Do you think you won’t pass the assessment?”

This time, it was Gu Shen’s turn to smile.

He pointed at himself and asked, “You seem to have a lot of confidence in me. I want to ask… why?”

“Of course, there’s no particular reason.” Mr. Tree looked at the young man. His voice was soft, but it was like thunder in Gu Shen’s ears. “If I have to give a reason, in all these years, you’re the only one who managed to take the ruler away from A-009.”

Gu Shen froze in shock.

It was a bolt from the blue.

His mind was blank, not knowing what to say at all.

His greatest secret he had painstakingly hidden… was casually revealed by the old man with a single sentence.

“There’s no need to say anything else. I know everything.” Mr. Tree smiled meaningfully. “Since I chose to have you sign that contract, it means I’ve decided to protect you. Hmm, protect is a good word. Very fitting, even a little exciting.

“Do you still remember the story I told you that night before you went home?” The old man briefly recounted it again. “A-009 was a member of the Ancient Text Society. After losing control, she was detained, and a big shot kept experimenting on her… all to find out the true reason for her loss of control.”

Gu Shen had heard the full version of this story from Chu Ling.

What had truly caused her to lose control was not the boning knife or the old newspaper, but the ruler hidden in her bosom.

“That big shot’s name is Zhao Xilai. He’s the one who gave you the pardon order,” Mr. Tree said in a low voice. “He also chose this assessment team.”