The drive back to Chengdu cut through a mist that clung to the Sichuan hills like a damp blanket, the SUV's windshield wipers swishing in a monotonous rhythm. Inside, the mood was taut—Qingyunzi napped in the back, his white beard tucked under a woolen shawl, while Dao Feng flipped through a tattered copy of Xuanqing Taoist Spells, his finger tracing a passage on Yin energy suppression with a frown. Ye sat in the front passenger seat, polishing his peachwood sword with a soft linen cloth, the blade glinting faintly in the dashboard light. Rui gripped the steering wheel, her eyes fixed on the winding road, the Xuanqing Whisk—now wrapped in a crimson silk pouch—resting on the console between them, its faint silver glow a quiet reminder of what hung in the balance.
They'd barely unpacked their bags at the hotel when Mike's call shattered the brief calm. His voice crackled with static, urgent and sharp: "Rui, it's bad—Zhou's remnants hit New York. Broke into the SPU's Chinatown archive, stole every file on the whisk. Three hostages: Mr. Li from the laundromat, Mrs. Wong from the dim sum shop, Grandpa Zhang the watchmaker. Note says meet them at the old army hospital on Canal Street—tonight, 9 PM, no cops. Just you and Ye. Bring the whisk, or the hostages get fed to the Yin fire."
Ye's hand froze on his sword. "They're using the hostages as bait. They know we won't let the elders die—especially not after everything they've been through with Feng Xinyu."
Dao Feng slammed the spellbook shut, his jaw tight. "Zhou's sister, Mei—she's leading them. I met her once, before her exile. She's as ruthless as he is, and she knows the whisk's weak points—how to drain its energy if she gets her hands on it."
Qingyunzi stirred awake, his eyes sharp despite his age. "We leave immediately. Li Na owes me a favor from the zombie king seal—she'll have a private jet ready. We'll fly to New York, infiltrate the hospital through the basement tunnels, free the hostages first, then end this."
The flight was a blur of frantic preparation. Rui carved fresh Algiz runes into oak chips, soaking them in holy water from a vial Lao Guo had given her—"For vampires," he'd said, winking. Ye mixed a new batch of Four-Blood Exorcism Pills, his fingers steady as he measured rooster blood, black dog blood, and glutinous rice into a clay bowl, adding a drop of his own blood last. "These burn through Yin cores faster," he explained, pressing the mixture into small, glowing orbs. Dao Feng oiled the Xuanqing Whisk's silver bristles, his touch reverent, while Qingyunzi drew talismans on yellow paper, his brush dipped in cinnabar that shimmered like liquid fire.
They landed at JFK at 8:15 PM, the New York sky dark and overcast. Mike was waiting for them in an unmarked SUV, his face grim. "My team's got the hospital surrounded, but we're staying back—Mei's got tripwires connected to gasoline cans. One wrong move, and the whole place goes up in flames." He handed Ye a thermal map of the building. "Hostages are in the basement operating room—three heat signatures. Mei's got eight remnants with her: four ex-disciples, four vampires."
The old army hospital loomed ahead, its red-brick walls blackened by time, its windows shattered. A single floodlight flickered above the front door, casting long, jagged shadows across the sidewalk. Ye slung his canvas bag over his shoulder, the peachwood sword bouncing against his hip, while Rui tucked her rune chips into her blazer pocket, her Glock secure in its hidden holster.
"Plan," Ye whispered, huddling the group close. "Qingyunzi, you create a diversion—use your Fire Talismans to set off a small explosion at the back. Draw the ex-disciples away. Dao Feng, you and I go for the hostages—you use the whisk to shield us from Yin energy. Rui, you take the vampires—holy water and runes. Once the hostages are free, we meet at the front entrance. Got it?"
They nodded, and Qingyunzi slipped away into the alley behind the hospital. A minute later, a burst of golden light erupted from the back, followed by a loud boom. Shouts echoed from inside, and Ye grabbed Rui's hand, pulling her toward the front door.
The lobby was a graveyard of broken furniture—moldy couches, rusted file cabinets, peeling wallpaper that hung in strips. Mold grew in black patches on the walls, and the air smelled like mildew and rust. They crept down the staircase to the basement, their steps silent on the rotting wood. The operating room door was ajar, and through the crack, Rui saw the three elders tied to metal tables, their mouths gagged with cloth, their eyes wide with fear. Mei stood over Mr. Li, a dagger pressed to his throat, her black cloak swirling around her like smoke. Four ex-disciples stood guard by the door, their hands glowing with Yin energy, and four vampires lurked in the corners, their red eyes fixed on the hostages like predators.
"Drop the whisk," Mei said, without turning around. Her voice was cold, sharp as broken glass. "Or the old man gets it."
Dao Feng hesitated, then held out the silk pouch. "Let them go first. Then you can have it."
Mei laughed, a sound that made Rui's skin crawl. "Foolish. You think I trust you? Hand it over, or—"
She was cut off by a burst of blue light. Rui had thrown a handful of rune chips, which exploded above the vampires. They hissed, shielding their eyes, their skin smoking where the holy water-soaked oak had touched them. Ye charged forward, his peachwood sword swinging in a tight arc. He cut through the first ex-disciple's arm, black blood oozing out, and Dao Feng swung the whisk, a silver light wrapping around the second disciple, pinning him to the wall.
"Rui, the hostages!" Ye yelled, parrying a third disciple's attack.
Rui ran to the tables, pulling a knife from her boot to cut the ropes. Mr. Li's hands trembled as she freed him, but he managed to whisper, "Thank you, Agent Rui. I knew you'd come." Mrs. Wong hugged her tightly, her shoulders shaking, and Grandpa Zhang patted her arm, his eyes filled with relief. "Go," Rui said, pushing them toward the staircase. "Mike's team is outside—they'll get you to safety."
Mei roared, lunging at Rui with her dagger. Rui dodged, throwing a vial of holy water at her chest. Mei screamed, her skin smoking, and Rui grabbed the Xuanqing Whisk from the floor—she'd dropped it when Mei attacked. She swung it, the silver bristles glowing bright, and a burst of light shot out, hitting Mei square in the back.
Mei stumbled, then dissolved into black smoke. The remaining two vampires fled through the front door, but Mike's team was waiting, tackling them to the ground.
Mrs. Wong, now wrapped in a thermal blanket, waved at them from the ambulance, tears streaming down her face. "Thank you," she mouthed.
Ye stood, brushing dust from his hoodie. He took the whisk from Rui, unwrapping the silk to check for damage. The bristles still glowed, faint but steady. "It's okay," he said, relieved. "No permanent damage."
Lao Guo ran over, holding a pot of hot soup. "I brought this—for the elders. And for you two. You look like you've been through hell."
As they stood in the hospital parking lot, the sound of police sirens fading in the distance, Dao Feng cleared his throat. "Master Qingyunzi sent a message this morning. He says the whisk belongs on Xuanqing Mountain. It's part of the zombie king's seal—keeps his energy contained. If we leave it in New York… it'll keep being a target."
Ye nodded, his gaze falling on Rui. "I need to take it back. Master says the seal is weakening. I'll be gone a month—maybe two. But I'll come back. I promise."
Rui's throat felt tight, but she forced a smile. "I'll handle New York's cases. Keep Mike from burning down the SPU office. And I'll wait for you."
He stepped forward, pulling her into a hug. "I'll call you every night. And I'll bring you back more wild honey—Master says the mountain's hives are full this year."
She laughed, pressing her face to his chest. "Don't forget the honey."
The next morning, Ye left for Xuanqing Mountain. He handed Rui a small talisman before he went—carved with a Tai Chi symbol, the wood warm from his pocket. "Protection," he said. "It'll warn you if Yin energy is near."
Rui slipped it into her blazer pocket, watching his car drive away. The street was quiet, the only sound from a nearby coffee shop. She touched the talisman, then the empty spot on her counter where the whisk had rested just hours before.
This wasn't goodbye, she told herself. It was just "see you soon."