Chapter 1: The Blade as Proof, Words as Bond. When Prophecy Comes True, the Day of Collection Arrives.

Yun City, Airport.

“Beep—”

A sharp buzzing sound pierced through the air at the airport security checkpoint.

All the surrounding staff and security personnel turned their heads.

Other travelers behind craned their necks, curious to see what was going on up ahead.

A girl dressed in a white traditional Zen-style outfit stood frowning, her head lowered as she looked at the handheld scanner in the security officer’s hand.

“How could something be left behind? I remember checking everything several times…”

Tushan Jiu popped the lollipop she was holding into her mouth and muttered in frustration.

The security officer checking her had a stern expression. “Ma’am, our detector has responded. May I ask if you are carrying any prohibited items such as controlled blades or sprays?”

Tushan Jiu nodded calmly and admitted, “Yes, a blade.”

Hearing the word “blade,” the staff immediately grew more alert.

Nearby airport SWAT personnel also turned their attention to her.

A middle-aged woman who had been standing behind her instinctively stepped back two paces.

“Ma’am, please cooperate and take out the blade you’re carrying,” the security officer said, signaling to a colleague nearby.

Tushan Jiu sighed inwardly and looked a bit helpless. “Please wait, I’ll find it.”

Seeing her so cooperative, the officer was relieved. What they feared most were uncooperative passengers.

Tushan Jiu rummaged through her small carry-on bag and finally pulled out a pair of scissors from a hidden compartment at the bottom.

She looked a bit embarrassed.

She had clearly missed this pair during check-in and forgot to pack it in her checked luggage.

She had been forgetful since childhood.

The scissors glinted silver. Tushan Jiu held them in her hand, blinked, shifted the lollipop from her left cheek to her right with her tongue, and patiently explained, “Don’t worry, they can’t hurt anyone. They’re not even sharpened.”

The security officer frowned at the scissors and said seriously, “Ma’am, even if they’re not sharpened, they’re still considered controlled items. According to civil aviation safety regulations, such tools cannot be brought onto the plane.”

Looking down at the scissors, Tushan Jiu asked, “Then what should I do now?”

“Do you have anyone seeing you off? They can take it back for you.”

“No,” Tushan Jiu shook her head. “I’m alone.”

The officer frowned.

Airport courier services don’t accept controlled blades.

That left only two options: temporary storage or voluntary disposal.

The officer explained the options. Tushan Jiu was clearly in a bind.

But neither option worked for her.

She was heading to Nancheng and likely wouldn’t be returning to Yun City, so temporary storage was out.

And abandoning it? Even more impossible.

A Blade Debtor never abandons their blade.

Yes.

Tushan Jiu was a Blade Debtor.

The blade is proof, words are bond. When prophecy comes true, it is time for payment.

Right now, the only solution was to pawn the scissors to someone else on the spot.

The line behind her was growing impatient.

Voices of urging and dissatisfaction began to rise.

The officer gestured to a nearby police officer to escort her aside so as not to delay other passengers.

“Sorry, just give me a moment. I’ll be quick.”

Scanning her surroundings, Tushan Jiu’s gaze locked on a man in denim a few steps away.

He looked to be in his thirties, eyes sharp like an eagle’s. A black earpiece was in his ear, and he kept glancing around alertly.

Under the scrutiny of everyone around, Tushan Jiu walked toward him.

The man’s expression shifted slightly when he noticed her approaching.

Tushan Jiu stopped about two meters away, cheeks puffing slightly as she bit down hard on the lollipop and crushed it.

“Hello, sir. Would you like to pawn a blade?”

Zhang Xuefeng frowned. “Pawn a blade?”

Tushan Jiu nodded. “You pawn my blade, and I’ll give you a prophecy. Once it comes true, you pay me.”

Zhang Xuefeng’s frown deepened.

He thought she must be making up nonsense just to get rid of her scissors.

Did she think he hadn’t seen what happened over there?

She looked like some superstitious weirdo—not normal at all.

Zhang Xuefeng glanced toward the security team. Shouldn’t they be handling this?

Then again, they were different departments. It wasn’t his place to interfere.

He bluntly rejected her. “No thanks.”

Tushan Jiu met his suspicious gaze and confidently said, “You do need it—because you’ve been tricked by her.”

Zhang Xuefeng was stunned for a moment, narrowing his eyes. How did she know?

“What do you mean? Do you have a lead?”

This time, Tushan Jiu said nothing more.

Her meaning was clear: if you don’t pawn my blade, I won’t tell you anything else.

Zhang Xuefeng hesitated, only half believing her.

There were too many people here. He couldn’t reveal his identity.

They didn’t know where the criminal was hiding in the airport. If she spotted them and escaped, all their efforts would be wasted.

The trafficker they were hunting was extremely cunning and skilled in disguises. They had searched for her for a long time.

Now that they had a lead, he couldn’t ignore it—even if it sounded bizarre.

Even if she was lying, what did he have to fear?

He was a cop—what could she possibly scam him for?

So Zhang Xuefeng didn’t hesitate further and said directly, “Alright. I’ll pawn the blade.”

The first step of the deal was complete.

Tushan Jiu handed the scissors to him.

Zhang Xuefeng glanced down at the ordinary-looking scissors, then took them.

Once he accepted them, Tushan Jiu slowly said, “Train 3197 to Nancheng, departing from platform 3. A woman with shoulder-length hair in a gray checkered shirt is about to board. There’s no time to intercept her here. She has a weapon. You can arrest her at the Nancheng high-speed rail station.”

“Is what you’re saying true?”

“I told you. If the prophecy comes true, then I’ll collect payment.”

Zhang Xuefeng didn’t waste time. Right in front of her, he dialed his superior and reported the intel.

He couldn’t leave yet—Tushan Jiu’s words had not been confirmed.

But Tushan Jiu didn’t wait around for him to finish the call.

She turned and walked back to the security checkpoint to complete the inspection she hadn’t finished earlier.

This time, even more people looked at her with strange expressions.

But Tushan Jiu didn’t care.

She’d been traveling with her grandfather for years and was used to it.

After the inspection, Tushan Jiu pulled another lollipop from her bag, unwrapped it, and popped it into her mouth.

The sweet flavor filled her mouth. Her eyes curved into a pleased smile.

Great—it was grape flavor. Her favorite.

There was still about an hour before boarding, but she wasn’t in a hurry.

Instead, she strolled over to Zhang Xuefeng, who was still looking down at his phone.

Seeing her approach, Zhang Xuefeng turned off the screen and stuffed it into his pocket.

Before he could say anything, Tushan Jiu smiled faintly. “Officer, shall we go together?”

Zhang Xuefeng looked puzzled.

The next moment, Tushan Jiu spoke again.

“Aren’t you heading to Nancheng too?”

Zhang Xuefeng was stunned.

The team leader had just decided to have him fly to Nancheng to assist with the operation—how the hell did she know?