Bu Tian Gang Ch152

August 4, 2023August 11, 2023 Kinky1 Comment

Author: 梦溪石 / Meng Xi Shi

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

Chapter 152

Time was running out.

Dong Zhi looked up and saw the tall mountains in the distance. Not too far ahead, he and Liu Si would have to disembark the vehicle and walk halfway around the mountain before entering the gorge. He could only speed up the progress of reading the notes.

[August 13^th, Beijing.

Returning from Yinchuan, the Archfiend was eliminated, and Fujikawa and his party were detained pending trial. I plan to exchange him for Dong Jilan.

However, I also know that Dong Jilan’s chances of survival are slim. Although I have lived for many years and witnessed many regrets with my own eyes, I still remember Dong Jilan’s fearlessness before his departure. Several years ago, when I went to see him off, he had already foreseen that he might lurk in Japan for many years, or perhaps never come back.

Every time I visit the Martyrs’ Cemetery, I can see the solemnity and heroism on the faces of the newcomers. Although humans are indeed small and weak, there is always a noble brilliance shining among them. They are willing to sacrifice for their beliefs, and this belief may not only be for the sake of humanity itself but also for other species or the space for the survival of all species. It is precisely this kind of character that allows humans, despite their many flaws, to still stand above all living beings.]

[August 14^th, Beijing.

He Yu and Kan Chaosheng found out about my decision to take on an apprentice and kept asking me about it. I told Kan Chaosheng that, depending on his performance, I could deduct He Yu’s bonus and give it to him appropriately, and then he went to pester He Yu.

This is killing two birds with one stone.]

[August 20^th. I overheard a conversation between He Yu and Dong Zhi.

He Yu asked Dong Zhi if he sometimes felt that I was too strict.

I don’t think of myself as strict. People say that the relationship between master and apprentice is like that between father and son. In a sense, it is a responsibility. I am responsible for his life, and the best way to ensure that is by setting strict demands and not allowing him to make any mistakes, so he won’t lose his life in practical action. Dong Zhi had a lower starting point than others, so if he really wants to enter this line of work, he has to face reality.

I thought Dong Zhi would be constrained by emotions and say some ambiguous words or complain to He Yu, but his answer surprised me. He said I am a very gentle person, and all the strictness is only for the sake of others. He mentioned seeing me feed a stray cat, saying I am more like a rambutan, covered in long thorns that seem tough, but those thorns are soft. Peel away the tough exterior, and you will find sweet and tender flesh inside.

I have eaten rambutan before, and it does resemble his description, but I don’t think I am exactly what he described. However, eavesdropping is impolite, even if it was unintentional. I don’t plan to mention this matter to him.]

[August 30^th. The assignments for this batch of newcomers have been finalized, and they are about to depart to various places.

This year, we have many new people who managed to stay, each with their own abilities. This is good news. The young will always surpass the old, and the Special Administration Bureau will eventually pass on from one generation to another.]

[August 31^st. Farewell.

Dong Zhi bought me a box of mooncakes, saying that he won’t be by my side during the Mid-Autumn Festival, so he’s celebrating it with me in advance.

In fact, I have never really celebrated any festivals. When He Yu and others didn’t come, I spent every year working. After Group 2 was formed, sometimes I would celebrate the Spring Festival with He Yu and others, but it was just having a meal together. I still can’t understand humans’ attachment to reunions. Perhaps I have experienced too many farewells; to me, it’s all just a cycle of gathering and parting.

But when Dong Zhi said to me, “Master, this box of mooncakes represents my heart, and I hope that every year from now on, you’ll be happy and content,” I was suddenly moved.

I think I will remember every word he said, until… my life comes to an end?]

[September 1^st. Cantonese-style mooncakes have thick crusts, but I still prefer the thin crusts of Suzhou-style mooncakes.

However, this is the first gift from my first disciple, so I’ll finish them. After writing this sentence, I realized that I have started paying attention to some unnecessary formalities. It’s not a good habit.]

[September 5^th. Before leaving, Dong Zhi left me a painting and a sketchbook, both drawn by him. The sketchbook contains the places he has visited in recent years, landscapes, and people. He even drew me in my daily routine, Kan Chaosheng turned into a cat eating, He Yu lying on the sofa playing games, and Zhong Yuyi sitting at the dining table lost in thought.

Before leaving, I infused a trace of my soul into the Changshou Sword, allowing me to sense his dangerous situations at any time. I know this is not ideal, as letting a fledgling bird have no room for retreat is not the best way for him to grow. But as his master, it’s the only thing I can do for him.]

[September 16^th. There might be hidden secrets about Otowa Yasuhiko’s identity.]

[September 20^th. Otowa may have set up a trap, possibly related to the stone tablets. Still unresolved, needs further investigation.]

[September 22^nd. I infused vitality into that Yulu plant. At some level, I feel a connection with it, and I can hear the sounds it recorded. However, I prefer not to indulge in listening.]

Seeing this, Dong Zhi couldn’t help but sigh silently. Many mysteries that had been lingering in his mind were unraveled.

An abrupt brake caused the two people in the back seat to lean forward involuntarily. Along with the driver’s exclamation, Dong Zhi looked up and found that the sky had darkened without them noticing. Fierce winds were carrying sand and debris everywhere, and soon, large raindrops fell, pounding against the car windows, creating loud and noisy sounds.

The driver was a soldier and a local, familiar with the road conditions. Liu Si asked him, “Sir, is this kind of weather common?”

“It’s quite rare. I seldom see the wind blowing this hard,” the driver replied, sounding worried. The speed of the car slowed down, but the rain intensified, turning into a storm. The road was flooded with mud that even the excellent performance of the jeep couldn’t keep it from getting stuck in the mud.

Helpless, the three of them had to get out of the car and push it. Liu Si asked the driver to start the engine while they pushed from behind. After a lot of effort, they finally got the car unstuck. By this time, the rain was so heavy that everything was isolated. Even if two people shouted at each other face to face, they might not be able to hear what the other was saying. Not only rain but also the wind was fierce, making the surroundings hazy and indistinct. The windshield wipers were no longer effective, so the driver had to stop the car and wait for the storm to pass.

But from this sudden downpour, both Dong Zhi and Liu Si could sense that something was unusual.

They weren’t far from their destination, and they didn’t know if this rare weather change was related to the situation on Long Shen’s side.

Back inside the warm car, all three of them shivered.

Dong Zhi took a clean towel, but instead of drying his hair, he wrapped up his notebook to keep it from getting wet. Liu Si saw this and thoughtfully handed him another towel.

With the car unable to move, they could only wait for the weather to clear. There was no use being anxious. Liu Si chatted with the driver about anything and everything, while Dong Zhi placed a towel on his knee and reopened the notebook, flipping to the page he hadn’t finished reading last time.

……

[October 10^th. Southeast Asia. It’s likely that someone is plotting something related to demons.]

[October 11^th. Dong Zhi may be the target of a curse. Through the infusion of my soul into the Changshou Sword, I saw a man trying to invade his body through dreams. He should be an unformed demon, but the demonic qi is stronger than what I have encountered before.]

[October 13^th. The Shanghai International Conference. Originally, I didn’t have to go, but I offered to go in the end.]

[October 15^th. Wu Bingtian is getting a bit anxious. He suggested going to Japan directly to kill Otawa Yasuhiko. As we haven’t clarified Otowa’s background, I disagree with acting rashly.]

[October 16^th. We argued again.

I don’t deny that Wu Bingtian’s perspective has some validity. Removing Otowa could indeed solve most of the problems, but the other party is unlikely to be unguarded. Perhaps he is waiting for us to come to him.]

[October 22^nd. Dong Zhi’s situation is more serious than I imagined.

However, I suddenly realized that the anger from before is no longer an issue at this moment. As long as he can live well.]

……

Dong Zhi noticed that the records related to him ended here. Long Shen didn’t add any new content until the conversation with Zong Ling before their departure, which he recorded. Perhaps, at that time, he already knew that Dong Zhi might see this notebook.

Though the depth of feelings couldn’t be compared, before seeing this notebook, Dong Zhi once wondered if Long Shen accepted his confession due to the uncertainty of his life and the limited time left. However, after reading the notebook, he had no more doubts in his heart. Holding the notebook in his hands felt like holding a heavy heart.

The rain had stopped at some point, and the car hit the road again. However, the road conditions were poor, and the driver drove slowly.

Liu Si looked at Dong Zhi and asked, “Not reading anymore?”

Dong Zhi rubbed his eyes and said, “I’ve finished reading.”

Liu Si glanced ahead and furrowed his brows slightly. “We have to get off and walk. The road ahead is too muddy and dangerous. The car can’t continue.”

Dong Zhi also found that the road ahead was muddy and dangerous, confirming what Liu Si had said.

Two people bid farewell to the driver and walked ahead after getting out of the car.

The Lengele Gorge wasn’t far from this place, but since it wasn’t an open scenic area, there were hardly any people around, and the road was extremely rugged and difficult to traverse. It required ascending to the halfway point of the mountain and then descending diagonally. For an ordinary person, it would probably take several days and nights to walk this distance. However, Dong Zhi and Liu Si were practitioners, so they left most of their luggage in the car and only brought water and dry food with them. Traveling light, they quickly climbed up to the middle of the mountain.

But the terrifying and unpredictable weather struck again. This time, it wasn’t pouring rain, but fist-sized hail.

Dark clouds above condensed into clusters, and hail fell one after another. The two quickly pulled up the hoods behind their down jackets, but the hail hitting their bodies through the clothes was still dangerous. They had to find a place with protruding rocks to take a short break.

While searching for such a spot, they encountered two young people who were out for wilderness exploration.

These two individuals were amateur mountaineers who specifically sought excitement during their vacations. The area they were in had already been sealed off, and no one was allowed to enter. However, the Kunlun Mountains were vast, and these two somehow managed to enter, and even when they realized how dangerous the terrain was, they still dared to venture further in. Supposedly, there was another defense line outside the Lengele Gorge, so even if these two managed to reach there, they would still be stopped.

Upon seeing Dong Zhi and Liu Si, the two explorers assumed they were lost adventurers as well and were overjoyed.

“Hey, buddies, are you also here for exploration? This path is tough. Are you continuing forward? If you are, let’s go together!” said the taller of the two.

Liu Si frowned and said, “There are military activities going on nearby, and they have restricted entry. You shouldn’t go any further. If you continue, you will be stopped!”

The shorter young man was unconvinced. “But why are you still…?”

Before he could finish his sentence, he realized the situation. If the other party knew about the military activities, they couldn’t be ordinary people.

Although they were also dressed casually, the shorter one noticed that Dong Zhi had something resembling a long sword behind his back, which didn’t look like the equipment of “military personnel”.

The hail grew larger, accompanied by lightning and thunder. The edge of the distant cloud clusters even revealed a purplish-black color, as if a vortex was brewing underneath.

The two outdoor adventurers were astonished. Although they pursued mountain climbing as a hobby, they had never seen such strange and eerie phenomena before.

The taller one murmured, “No wonder they say Lengele Gorge is evil. It seems true!”

Just then, a lightning bolt flashed, illuminating the sky as bright as day. Even though it was daytime, the lightning significantly increased the brightness of the sky. Thunder followed closely, exploding in their ears. Before the two outdoor adventurers could react, they saw Dong Zhi unsheathing his long sword-like object and sweeping it overhead.

At that moment, the taller one thought he might lose his head, while the shorter one suddenly realized that his previous guess was correct—the other party indeed carried a sword.

While the thoughts flashed through their minds, Dong Zhi had redirected the lightning away with his sword.

A loud crash brought the two adventurers back to reality. They looked at the nearby stone that had been split into blackened pieces and realized that if it weren’t for Dong Zhi, they would have met the same fate as the stone.

The two men looked at each other, and the taller one cautiously said, “Master, we didn’t know any better just now. Sorry for calling you ‘buddies’. Please don’t take offense!”

Dong Zhi felt both amused and exasperated. “I told you this place is dangerous. Why didn’t you believe me? Hurry and leave. Go that way, bypass the mountain ahead, and you’ll find a road. I’ll give you a phone number, call it, and someone will come to pick you up.”

The shorter one asked in a daze, “Aliens?”

Dong Zhi replied, “…Military personnel.”

Liu Si also found these two quite amusing, but the timing was wrong. They couldn’t allow ordinary people to enter the Lengele Gorge.

The strangeness of the weather here lay in the fact that no matter how terrifying the scene was, it came and went at will. In just a few words exchanged by the four of them, the dark clouds in the sky had already dispersed, the sun had revealed its true face, and the hail had disappeared. Even the thunder strikes from earlier seemed like mere illusions. If it weren’t for the shattered boulder still present, the two adventurers would almost think they were dreaming.

“Um, Master, the hail has stopped, and the sun is out. Can we continue following you two?” The taller one asked cautiously.

Dong Zhi’s expression turned serious. “Didn’t you hear what I just said?”

He casually manipulated the sword flower, and the light and shadows flickered, causing the two men to stop protesting immediately. They thanked Dong Zhi and Liu Si before leaving in the direction indicated by Liu Si.

After walking a distance, the taller man turned back and jogged toward Dong Zhi and Liu Si with a smile. “Hey, Master, could you leave me your phone number? I can never repay you for saving our lives, but once we get out, let us treat you to a meal!”

Since Dong Zhi joined the Special Administration Bureau, he had two phone numbers—one that was operational 24/7 for official business and another irrelevant private number. He gave the private number to the taller man, who expressed deep gratitude before leaving with his companion.

After walking for a while, the brief interlude didn’t delay them much. After all, they couldn’t travel during the hailstorm. However, Dong Zhi was still worried about Long Shen’s safety, so he quickened his pace. They encountered a few light showers and one large-scale thunderstorm on the way, but they didn’t avoid them. As evening approached, they finally arrived outside the Lengele Gorge.

Scattered figures appeared within their sight. They were members of the Special Administration Bureau stationed outside the canyon by Song Zhicun to prevent unrelated people like the two mountaineers from entering recklessly.

After the destruction of the Kunlun Mountain stone tablet, personnel from the headquarters, branches, and local areas were sent over to assist. Among those stationed outside, Dong Zhi immediately recognized two familiar faces—Ba Sang and Gu Meiren. They had entered the Special Administration Bureau at the same time as him and also completed their training together.

The sky darkened once again, and in an instant, dark clouds covered the sky, with purple-black vortexes slowly forming in the cloud layers. It seemed like a sign that something was about to descend. The air masses gradually moved, finally converging above the canyon, right where Long Shen and the others were, making it a thrilling sight.

Although it was a pleasant surprise to meet old acquaintances, there was no mood for pleasantries at this moment. Ba Sang and Gu Meiren must have heard why Dong Zhi rushed over. Without waiting for them to ask, Dong Zhi said, “Boss Long and the others have been inside for two days and two nights. I heard that Sect Master Xin had an accident, and now Boss Song is temporarily taking over!”

Gu Meiren added, “Before you came, Liu Qingbo and the others arrived too. Now Liu Qingbo is temporarily in charge inside.”

Originally, the Special Administration Bureau was under Song Zhicun’s command. However, when Sect Master Xin’s array encountered problems, he was temporarily replaced, which meant both he and Long Shen were inside the array. He Yu had to guard him, leaving no one to oversee the headquarters. It wasn’t possible for everyone to rush over, and the situation became somewhat chaotic with no clear leader. While there were other disciples from various sects with considerable experience here, they couldn’t command the Special Administration Bureau. At this moment, Liu Qingbo, who had brought Li Han’er and Yang Shouyi here, took charge.

Although he lacked management experience, he had served as the deputy team captain during the exchange conference, and no one was interested in competing for power at this critical moment. His loud shout managed to barely maintain order and prevent any disturbance to the people inside the array.

Dong Zhi heard their words but had no time to be amazed at how Liu Qingbo had finally developed a commanding presence. Together with Liu Si, he hurriedly rushed inside.

Watching Dong Zhi’s back, Gu Meiren suddenly sighed, “He has become much thinner!”

Ba Sang said, “But he has also become stronger.”

Gu Meiren nodded. After what Ba Sang said, she noticed that Dong Zhi’s aura was indeed much stronger than before. As cultivators, their senses were more acute and discerning. They had entered the Special Administration Bureau together. Even though Dong Zhi, as an ordinary person at the time, had a lower starting point than them, some people were destined to shine brightly. Even if they were mistakenly regarded as gravel and their brilliance was obscured temporarily, they would eventually astonish the world.

Gu Meiren knew that the current Dong Zhi was incomparable to his past self, and compared to them, he had surpassed them all.

The crisis before them was no longer just about their safety or the situation on Kunlun Mountain. It was a catastrophe involving all living beings. A few people here were holding up the heavens and earth, while the countless beings outside were still oblivious to the impending disaster.

Flying sand and rolling stones.

This was the first impression Dong Zhi and Liu Si felt after entering the canyon. If the feeling outside was not so apparent, then inside the canyon, the further they went, the more they could deeply experience the difficulty of every step.

The sky wasn’t pitch dark, but rather a dimness akin to the period before dawn, permeated with a hazy gray. Accompanying this dimness was the relentless swirling of wild sand, making it almost impossible to keep their eyes open. The sand was mixed with ice pellets that felt like icy blades, stinging their faces.

However, no matter how harsh the weather was, it couldn’t deter Dong Zhi and Liu Si’s progress. They persevered through the fierce wind and faintly saw some figures within their sight. They estimated they weren’t far from Long Shen and the others, thinking that they should walk a little faster.

Suddenly, a loud noise came from ahead, like something had exploded, causing the ground to shake. Dong Zhi heard someone shouting, “Danger in the northeast corner,” and his heart sank.

Guarding the northeast corner was a Living Buddha from the Gelug sect. Although someone capable enough to be invited here must be an outstanding cultivator, this master was already old and weakened. Even though his disciples were protecting him, the continuous consumption for two days and two nights would have long overwhelmed an ordinary person. His ability to persist until now was truly remarkable.

Equally dangerous as the broken seal in the northeast corner was Long Shen at the center of the array.

Black demonic qi swirled like an imprisoned tornado within the array, rampaging and restless, unable to break free. This made Long Shen’s temper become increasingly agitated. The inescapable demonic qi seemed to treat Long Shen as a vent for its rage, wanting to use him as a sacrifice to be devoured and crushed. However, despite remaining motionless and silent, Long Shen wasn’t as easy to “bite” as the demonic qi thought. Instead, he was gradually absorbing it into himself.

The violent wind gradually subsided a bit, but the black mist inside the array became denser. Dong Zhi saw the turbulent demonic qi swirling around Long Shen and noticed him absorbing it. Without anyone explaining, Dong Zhi quickly understood his intention—Long Shen was trying to rely solely on himself to draw all the demonic qi surging out from the abyssal passage into his body and then seal the passage with his own sacrifice.

But in doing so, what was the point of him coming all the way here?

Was he only supposed to watch Long Shen die?

If he rushed in now, he would likely disrupt the array that everyone had worked hard to set up. Dong Zhi clenched his teeth, resisting this idea, and manipulated talismans to stabilize the Living Buddha’s position.

Suddenly, the array trembled violently. Dong Zhi was too focused on maintaining the front position and was caught off guard, falling backward. However, Li Han’er steadied him from behind. Yet, everyone’s attention was soon diverted by He Yu’s exclamation.

All the demonic qi that had been hovering and flowing within the array was suddenly “absorbed” by Long Shen. Everyone watched as Long Shen pulled out a long sword from his hand, and its radiance transformed into thousands. He sealed the gap to the abyssal hell. Then, Long Shen slowly opened his eyes and looked in their direction.

As everyone made eye contact with him, they couldn’t help but shudder at the evil aura inside his eyes, as if they had seen boundless malevolence.

Resentment, greed, jealousy, arrogance, slaughter—those were the demons in everyone’s hearts and also the soil that nurtured the demonic qi.

However, these emotions should never have appeared in Long Shen.

“Master!” Dong Zhi’s eyes filled with tears.

Long Shen trembled slightly, and his bright red eyes seemed to regain some clarity. He fixedly looked at his raised hand, seemingly contemplating what he had intended to do just now. Blood overflowed from the corner of his mouth, as if he had exhausted all his willpower to suppress the raging demonic qi within him.

Then, Long Shen opened his eyes and said a few words to Dong Zhi. Before anyone could react, he stood up and leaped toward the abyssal passage!

The wind whistled with sand and stones flying by. Dong Zhi didn’t hear clearly what Long Shen said, but he recognized it from his lip movements.

Long Shen said, “Don’t come.”

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Evil As Humans Ch208

August 4, 2023August 5, 2023 Kinky4 Comments

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

Chapter 208: Power

Xiang Jiang was awakened by the smell of poor-quality candles.

When he woke up, he was wearing loose work clothes, and his limbs were covered in talismans. His brother, Xiang Hai, had only slightly better treatment, but Xiang Jiang could recognize the aura of ghost-suppressing techniques even with his eyes closed.

The room they were in was filled with densely packed local deity figurines, and on the ceiling, human hair was braided into ropes to suspend the figurines in the air. Underneath various smiling faces, everything was surrounded by darkness, and the small figurines swayed like hanging ghosts, adding a touch of eeriness.

In the center of the room, there was a pile of brightly colored red candles melted together. Within the melted wax, black ashes floated up and down. The candle flames flickered without wind, and the shadows of the figurines in the entire room varied in length, crawling around like living creatures.

Seeing these folk-style deity artifacts, Xiang Hai curled up in pain next to Xiang Jiang, folding his wings inside his body. The two clung tightly to each other, and it was hard to tell who was the living person and who was the deceased.

“Don’t be afraid.” Xiang Jiang forced himself to speak.

He tasted the taste of blood on his lips. His throat was dry and burning, and his muscles and bones all ached. Even the treatment given to condemned prisoners in Shian wasn’t this bad. A bitter smile gradually appeared at the corner of Xiang Jiang’s mouth; he knew where they were.

The territory of Sunken Society.

In the back mountain behind the school, Ge Tingting and Huang Jin suddenly turned against each other under the control of Love. Xiang Jiang naturally looked for an opportunity to escape, but just as he and Xiang Hai had escaped from the encirclement of Shian, several spells suddenly exploded, and he lost consciousness in an instant.

In the last memory, they were being dragged by someone towards a dark gap.

…Just like at this moment.

A black gap split open out of nowhere, causing the figurines to tremble incessantly. The space shook, and in the ripples resembling water waves, a figure broke through the air.

The person was tall and handsome, loosely draped in a reddish-brown robe. Illuminated by the candlelight, the robe faintly revealed patterns resembling fine blood vessels. There seemed to be something wet and shimmering at the corners of the robe, resembling human eyes.

Xiang Jiang leaned against the wall filled with figurines, and his body shrank with vigilance.

He recognized that face.

Everyone who defected from Shian was on a list of the Emergency Management Department, and this “Shen Mo” bore an identical resemblance to the person in the old photo.

Shen Mo, a former member of the Emergency Management Department, was responsible for guiding skilled cultivators like Fu Xingchuan. Xiang Jiang had seen this person’s information before. He used to be an extremely talented ghost master, although he didn’t possess the label of “genius” and belonged to the type who diligently studied.

During the Divine Descent, Shen Mo and Jiao Lian obtained complete “Charon” abilities. Jiao Lian obediently cooperated with Shian for research on the Other Side, while Shen Mo betrayed Shian and directly joined Sunken Society.

Since then, he had practically vanished from the metaphysical world, never appearing openly or engaging in activities.

At this point, looking at the “reddish-brown robe” on the person’s body, which still showed faint signs of breathing, and the black gap behind him, Xiang Jiang could probably guess what Shen Mo had been doing in recent years.

Shen Mo was likely researching the Other Side using a more “radical” approach.

The robe emitted the aura of a powerful cultivator and a suffocating sense of despair. Xiang Jiang was familiar with this state. During the Bai Yongji case, living people also merged into objects like this, unable to seek survival but unable to seek death.

Xiang Jiang’s limbs turned cold, and his thoughts raced frantically.

Is he going to become the next “clothing”? If so, would the other person take action here?

…At the very least, he had to find a way to save Xiang Hai. Xiang Jiang clenched his teeth and stared fixedly at Shen Mo.

“We can be considered senior and junior in this field. You don’t have to be so nervous.”

As if seeing through Xiang Jiang’s thoughts, Shen Mo pulled over the nearest figurine and sat on it like a chair. His body and voice were youthful, but his eyes carried the madness typical of an elderly person.

“I have some understanding of your situation with the Other Side. Not bad, being noticed by the Other Side is considered fortunate. If you have time, shall we chat?”

Xiang Jiang: “…”

At this moment, he had nothing, except perhaps time.

He continued to tense his body, wishing he could blink less.

In contrast, Shen Mo’s tone was relaxed to the point of being irritating. “I am a Charon. The things from the Other Side have always had some grievances with me—they don’t like having humans meddling in their affairs. Whether it’s Fu Wuyan from the Fu family or your Minister Jiao, they all failed because of this. That kid Wei Huaqian kept yearning to become a Charon, but no amount of persuasion could dissuade him.”

‘Isn’t this hitting oneself?’ Xiang Jiang thought with a bitter smile. Even if he and Xiang Hai were at their peak, they couldn’t defeat a true Charon.

So he could only remain quietly huddled, slowly shifting his body to block Xiang Hai even more.

“…Let’s stop the small talk here. I roughly know what you want to do. I specifically invited you here to introduce you to some friends from the Other Side.”

Shen Mo casually shifted his posture, turning his body towards Xiang Hai.

“They have a connection with Sunken Society. There’s no need to go through me.” Xiang Jiang finally spoke.

“Come on, it’s purely a business connection.” Shen Mo shrugged. “They provide the source of corruption, and we provide the research results. There have been a few unpleasant incidents during the process—I understand, after all, Sunken Society is not capable on its own; it’s only fit to be a research institution for them.”

Xiang Jiang mechanically responded, “So what?”

“A skinny camel is still bigger than a horse*. After so many years, the contacts and experiences accumulated by Sunken Society, they need them to some extent. You should understand this deeply. Humans themselves are the group that understands human vulnerability the most.”

*(瘦死的骆驼比马大) Idiom referring to even though something or someone may be in a weakened or disadvantaged state, they still hold more value or significance compared to others who may appear stronger or more capable. It emphasizes the relative importance or worth of a situation or individual, regardless of their current condition.

Shen Mo slowly stroked his own living robe.

“If you want to do something in a foreign land, it’s always easier to have a local guide who’s familiar with the territory… I only need one meeting—to meet the person you’re connected with.”

“Why?” Xiang Jiang remained silent for a long time before weakly questioning.

“As long as the corruption source is spread, Sunken Society will have as much business as they want. Contacting the Other Side inevitably comes with an additional cost.”

“Because I want more.” Shen Mo smiled without speaking. “Of course, it’s a trade. I will provide the best ghost sacrifices from Sunken Society for your brother. As for you, I will help you become stronger—so that you won’t have to rely on corruption and can use your special abilities.”

Shen Mo leaned forward and extended his hand. Amidst the dancing candlelight, his five fingers were still stained with bright bloodstains and suspicious mucus.

“Our goals align.” Shen Mo smiled arrogantly.

Xiang Jiang stared at Shen Mo for about half a minute. Shen Mo patiently held out his hand, which showed no signs of trembling, as if he had turned into a statue. And around Shen Mo, various strange figurines were illuminated by the candlelight, with shadows curling at the corners of their mouths, laughing in a creepy and unified manner.

Shen Mo seemed like one of them.

After a silent moment, Xiang Jiang grasped the offered hand.

“You want everyone to go insane, don’t you?” Shen Mo spoke softly. “Rest assured, I’ll make you the strongest propagator of madness.”

……

“I will take full responsibility for training in the upcoming investigation of the Other Side.” Qi Xin clapped her hands. “All of you, remember this place well in your minds.”

The Other Side Expedition Team—Unit 9, along with Fu Tianyi and Qi Xin—was standing in a peculiar white room.

The floor, walls, and ceiling were all pure white, causing discomfort to the eyes. The walls of the room were made of an unknown material, and the floor was remarkably soft when stepped on, with no wrinkles or dirt on the walls. The monotonous piano tune of “Happy Birthday” played on a loop within the room, and the air was filled with a suffocating scent of soap.

The environment was monotonous yet striking, like an ice pick stabbing into the brain. If it weren’t for the large number of people entering at once, this place could be considered the top-level containment room for the most severe mental patients.

Or the kind where the most insane patients of the year were confined.

In this eerie setting, everyone dared not breathe too heavily and unintentionally took smaller steps. Without coordination, they walked towards the center of the room, where several dark-colored patches could be seen on the floor—

There, six photographs were neatly arranged.

The photos were facing upwards, each one a solo portrait of every member of the expedition team.

Ignoring the confusion and unease of the others, Qi Xin paced around the room and emphasized, “You must remember the size and appearance of this room well. You should be able to recall it completely with your eyes closed.”

“What’s there to remember?” Huang Jin whispered.

Knowing that he was going to the Other Side, he had written a transfer application overnight. Whether it was due to drafting too much or Huang Jin’s exceptional performance, the application was heartfelt and brought tears to people’s eyes.

Faced with this application that was over 10,000 words long, Fu Xingchuan replied with only this:

“If you insist on the request, I will definitely approve it. However, if this exploration is successful, it will be a significant achievement. We will report the situation and, depending on the circumstances, remove your ‘prisoner’ status.”

In the office, Fu Xingchuan tore a piece of paper and swiftly wrote down a string of zeros.

“There will also be a substantial bonus, which can be provided from the research funds of the Other Side. This is an important task related to social stability, and the reward must not be meager.”

Huang Jin paid no attention to it.

Prisoner status? He would rather stay in prison than do this life-threatening job. He had suffered enough and would not be deceived by Shian’s tricks again. As for the money… Huang Jin let out a cold snort and glanced at the paper with the strings of zeros.

“I’m going to prepare for the mission,” Huang Jin said loudly. “I will withdraw the application.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m sure,” Huang Jin answered decisively.

That was what he said, but last night Huang Jin tossed and turned and couldn’t bring himself to delete the text. He saved it as a document, placing it prominently in the center of his computer desktop, which made him feel a bit better.

Sure enough, as soon as the investigation took its first step, things started to get weird. Huang Jin looked left and right in the white room, which was as organized as a computer model, and there were no memorable details worth remembering. The only thing worth mentioning was the room’s door—

That was the only door in the room, painted in a glaring bright red, a color so pure it was blinding. No matter where he stood, the red door seemed to emit a series of screams, capturing attention at every moment.

Huang Jin shook his head, crouching down cautiously. He picked up his own photograph.

In the photo, Ding Lizi was playing the guitar in the sunlight of a hospital room, and he had chosen the most suitable position for a “selfie”, capturing a group photo that didn’t look like a group photo. Both their faces carried smiles amidst the gentle warm tones.

The photo had a slightly stiff and heavy feel to it. Huang Jin flipped it over and saw a thin board attached to the back of the photo, as if it were a menu clip used by waiters to take orders.

To see the back of the photo, he had to carefully lift the rigid photograph and look through the V-shaped gap between the plastic board and the photo.

On the back of his photo were five lines of text. These words were written on thin paper and carefully pasted. At first glance, it was almost impossible to detect any traces of pasting.

[Girlfriend? Fu Tianyi]

[Candid shots are not good. Ge Tingting]

[Wishing Miss Ding a speedy recovery. Lu Xiaohe]

[Ding Lizi, guitar, Huang Jin. Zhong Chengshuo]

[When will you confess? Yin Ren]

They were evaluations and signatures from each of his companions, but Huang Jin didn’t know what significance they held. Were they supposed to bring this inside? Wasn’t it said that dead objects couldn’t be brought to the Other Side? Huang Jin had a sense of unease. Having this photo with him was similar to a sign of “returning to his hometown to get married after the war”.

Looking at the photos of the others—

In Yin Ren’s photo, Zhong Chengshuo was running around the kitchen with a pot, as if searching for something. Yin Ren was biting into a small lamb chop, proudly making a “V” sign.

In Zhong Chengshuo’s photo, Yin Ren was taking a nap on the sofa. Zhong Chengshuo carefully leaned his head over, taking a serious selfie.

Lu Xiaohe’s photo was a childhood picture with her mother. Ge Tingting’s was a selfie taken while eating hot pot with Unit 9. Fu Tianyi’s was taken in front of their family’s Great Celestial Master shrine, where he had his hands clasped together with a subtle expression, showing a kind of resignation.

Huang Jin had seen all these photos and had written a sentence of evaluation as requested. Shian had collected their personal photos in advance, so Huang Jin thought they would be used for the Schrödinger’s Awards ceremony, but who knew they would be used here.

Unable to figure it out, he let it go.

Huang Jin glanced at the “Candid shots are not good” written on the back of the photo and was about to find Ge Tingting to clarify a few things when Qi Xin froze him in place with a look.

“Take your own photos with you and keep them close to you,” she said. “I’ll explain everything to you when we arrive on the Other Side. Have you all remembered the room?”

Everyone placed their photos in a safe place and nodded in succession.

“Very well.” Qi Xin took the lead towards the red door. “Now it’s time to go.”

The white room was built underground in Shian, and the temporary passage wasn’t far away. When they caught sight of the passage, Yin Ren hitched his breath.

The passage was roughly spherical, presenting a uniform black-gray color with a small round point of pure black at the center. Coupled with the strange sense of rotation around it, the entire passage resembled a vortex.

It had a diameter of about one and a half meters and was locked in the middle of a snowy white laboratory.

Just like a dark gray pupil.

Yin Ren had a strange feeling—not that they were staring at it, but that it was staring at them.

Unlike the tranquility of the gap, just standing next to it felt as if one’s entire body was being licked by a cold, viscous tongue. Even someone as strong as Yin Ren felt a momentary dizziness.

Yin Ren quickly took half a step back and took a few breaths with Zhong Chengshuo beside him, before quickly regaining clarity.

Qi Xin took the opportunity to step forward. She grabbed a small white mouse from a cage and reached her hand through the passage.

A hissing sound ensued, and the poor white mouse screamed in agony. In full view of everyone, its body was torn apart and elongated by the rotating space. When Qi Xin withdrew her hand, she held a lump of distorted flesh—a mixture of facial features and limbs twitched incessantly.

Ge Tingting couldn’t bear to look and turned her head away, while Fu Tianyi’s gaze gradually became dull.

Qi Xin looked at the deformed mouse in her hand for a while, making clicking sounds with her tongue. Then she took two steps forward and touched the edge of the passage.

In the next moment, Qi Xin’s entire body stretched and deformed, as if being pulled into a vortex. Her body continued to extend and rotate, connecting head to tail. In a matter of four or five seconds, a twisted human body firmly framed the entrance. Limbs and facial features were twisted into a mass of flesh, like a nightmare.

The sense of rotation at the entrance gradually disappeared, replaced by an eerie sense of stillness.

Ironically, Qi Xin herself acted as if nothing had happened, moving her lips, which had elongated to the length of a palm. “I’ve stabilized it. Let’s try again.”

According to the plan, this time it was Yin Ren who picked up a mouse and reached into the vortex. This time, the mouse’s body remained intact, with not a single hair out of place. However, after returning to the human world, it seemed a little dazed, with an infinite dullness and confusion in its small black eyes.

“Alright,” Qi Xin said. “Everyone, go in. Close your eyes for now, I’ll make the arrangements.”

The feeling of passing through the entrance was very strange.

Yin Ren felt a lightness all over, as if stepping into a pool without the sensation of liquid. In the next instant, countless sensations exploded on his nerves like fireworks on a festive day.

He heard muffled news and popular music, smelled the fishy smell of fish guts and the leather in the carriage, felt the soft fur and scales of small animals brushing against his skin, and tasted the sourness of black coffee and the warmth of hot broth on his tongue, all at the same time.

Yin Ren’s five senses were completely disoriented, and his body lost its balance. He couldn’t tell if he was falling, floating up, or staying in place. His senses seemed to have been put into a juicer and blended into messy mud.

Yin Ren subconsciously tried to reach out to Zhong Chengshuo but couldn’t find his own arm. He tried to use his techniques to protect himself, but no matter how he formed the hand seals, the techniques had no effect, with no response from his surroundings.

Until…

[Imagine that white room.]

The thoughts with Qi Xin’s voice directly entered his mind.

[Open your eyes after you hear the music.]

In an instant, that white room surged from his memory. The simple and soft walls, “Happy Birthday” playing in the background, and the strong scent of soap.

The next second, gravity returned, and Yin Ren once again stepped on the soft ground. The melody of “Happy Birthday” continued to play in his ears, and the scent of soap dissipated the various chaotic smells.

Yin Ren opened his eyes.

White walls, red door. Beside him were his startled companions and Qi Xin, who had returned to her original state.

She was wearing a more dignified clerk uniform, just like the day they first saw her. Yin Ren blinked and shifted his gaze, noticing that everyone’s attire had changed slightly.

Huang Jin wore slightly larger work clothes, Ge Tingting wore a commemorative shirt from Shian, Lu Xiaohe’s T-shirt had the words “Social Animal Ground*” printed on it, and Fu Tianyi wore that set of peculiar red clothing and mask.

*(社身畜地) It’s a self-deprecating term expressing one’s current working status and the environment one lives in.

As for Zhong Chengshuo… Zhong Chengshuo’s loose white-lined shirt seemed to be etched in Yin Ren’s mind.

These seemed to be the outfits that each person wore most often or left the deepest impression. Now everyone was collapsed, gasping for breath, except for Zhong Chengshuo, who stood in place as if nothing had happened, carefully observing the surroundings.

“Is this the Other Side?” Ge Tingting finally managed to catch her breath and asked tremulously.

As the words came out, she herself was startled. The words came straight out of her mouth, clearly enunciated, logically coherent, and the symptoms of the ravings had completely disappeared. Huang Jin also looked around in shock, his eyes filled with complete astonishment.

“This is indeed the Other Side,” Qi Xin said.

“Why is it like this?” Ge Tingting pressed on with her questions.

Qi Xin glanced at her, then floated into the air, looking down at everyone.

“The so-called Other Side—using your previous analogy—is a ‘brain network’ composed of the brains and neural structures of all living beings.”

“The perception of visual and auditory senses in living organisms is essentially electrical signals transmitted to the brain. In general, everything that living beings perceive is the information returned by the ‘body’ shell, processed and unified by consciousness.”

Yin Ren listened with a confused mind, while Zhong Chengshuo nodded in agreement.

“Under normal circumstances, a living being’s autonomous consciousness operates within the ‘brain firewall’. However, more basic and fundamental information, such as fear of pain or death and other so-called ‘instincts’ flow within this ‘brain network.'”

Qi Xin explained slowly.

“Now that you have intruded into this place, you are like a kind of virus. Until you learn how to control yourself, you will indiscriminately absorb information. It’s manageable if your perception is chaotic, but if the situation worsens, you may experience a breakdown or disappear completely.”

“‘Imagination’ essentially helps you focus and eliminate other information interference. If you can’t handle it, you can collectively imagine this room.”

Huang Jin swallowed his saliva loudly.

Zhong Chengshuo appeared pensive as he took a step closer to Yin Ren. “I see. Those exaggerated perceptual characteristics are meant to help you remember.”

“Are you okay?” Yin Ren whispered back.

“No, it’s probably muscle memory,” Zhong Chengshuo honestly replied.

Yin Ren opened his mouth but then pursed his lips together. Theoretically, he was a Primordial Elemental, but on the Other Side, he seemed ignorant and clumsy. The situation was worse than he had imagined; not only could he not save others, but he couldn’t even act independently.

It felt as if he were a tiger cub raised in a zoo, with no problems in health or strength, but certain death awaited him if he were thrown directly into the wild.

He hadn’t felt this “weak” in a long time.

“Let’s stop here for today. Over the next twenty-four hours, you’ll need to constantly imagine this room until it becomes a conditioned reflex.” Qi Xin shrugged her shoulders. “When you’re stable, I’ll teach you how to use the photos.”

“Can’t you just bring the missing people here directly?” Lu Xiaohe took two steps forward, but she still didn’t dare look up in front of Qi Xin. “We’re closer to the entrance now, so we can take them out first…”

As soon as she said this, almost everyone looked at Qi Xin.

Indeed, “Joy” and “Disgust” had already perished, and “Love” was squeezed in between. Qi Xin, as one of the top four emotions on the Other Side, was unrivaled. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have taken the risk to bring Yin Ren, this little cub, back to his homeland.

Qi Xin smiled.

Her smile had always made people uncomfortable, as if a wooden mask had been stretched over her face, exuding a chilling coldness reminiscent of lifelessness.

“Of course, I can do that.” Qi Xin flicked a strand of hair behind her ear. “But what benefits would I gain from doing so? Clearing the path for you, teaching you knowledge, and finding people for you—if ‘Fear’ were to retreat and run away like that, wouldn’t I lose out?”

Lu Xiaohe was speechless.

Qi Xin leaned down in front of Lu Xiaohe, tilting her head stiffly without blinking.

“When humans train small animals to bite, they often use a little meat bait or toys. For the ‘Fear’ cub, looking for those humans is good training.” Her smile became increasingly apparent, almost revealing all her teeth. “What a win-win approach, don’t you think?”

Lu Xiaohe’s breathing suddenly became chaotic and fragmented, her body trembling lightly. But she managed to hold back her emotions and didn’t reply.

“Young lady, you should learn to be grateful.” Qi Xin’s voice lowered slightly. “Otherwise, I can kill you right now, and not even ‘Fear’ will be able to do anything to me.”

“For example, someone who sneaked in here without manners.”

Qi Xin’s arm suddenly stretched out and flicked towards a corner of the room. A sharp scream followed, and a black mass was squeezed in her hand.

Dr. Cat struggled dissatisfied in her grasp, opening its mouth and hissing. Previously, everyone’s attention was on Qi Xin, and no one noticed the small black mass in the corner of the white room.

“Meiqiu?!” Fu Tianyi couldn’t sit still. “That’s impossible. You didn’t even enter the white room just now. How…”

“An infinite ability user. No wonder.” Qi Xin looked at the black cat panting frantically and casually tightened her fingers. “You guys really have all sorts of wonders over there.”

With its throat held by Qi Xin, the black cat extended its claws and scratched, but to no avail. Fu Tianyi’s face turned pale. He desperately tried to use his techniques, but like Yin Ren, Fu Tianyi couldn’t produce even a spark.

“Qi Xin.”

Yin Ren stepped forward with a stern face, grabbing Qi Xin’s wrist.

“I understand your dissatisfaction. However, this is our colleague, so I hope you won’t harm it.”

Although it was a world of consciousness, Yin Ren’s palm still exuded a hint of sweat. Qi Xin was right; in this cursed place, even if she killed Dr. Cat, he couldn’t necessarily stop her.

…This was terrible.

Qi Xin’s one eye shifted to her temple as she looked at Yin Ren for a moment. In the end, she snorted and casually threw the cat aside.

Yin Ren held the soft and fluffy Dr. Meiqiu, who regained its ability to speak. Its fur bristled all over its body as it nestled in Yin Ren’s arms, cursing in a soft voice.

“It’s not only one that sneaked in without saying hello.”

Qi Xin smiled ambiguously, her crooked eye directly facing Yin Ren.

“…Forget it. I’m going out to stretch my muscles. Since you guys brought in things indiscriminately, don’t blame me if you lose them.”

Yin Ren still held Qi Xin’s wrist, and for a moment, the room fell silent.

Qi Xin casually shook her wrist, and her arm instantly turned into a pile of thin, withered bones. She effortlessly pulled it out of Yin Ren’s palm and walked straight towards the red door.

Yin Ren grasped empty air, slowly tightening his palm and forcefully embedding his fingertips into his palm.

“Wait, I have something to say to you!”

Unable to stop her with his hand, Yin Ren tried to command his hair to stop Qi Xin. However, for some unknown reason, his obedient hair remained motionless, gently hanging down, as if it were real hair.

“If you can get out of this door, then I can have a chat with you,” Qi Xin replied without looking back.

Her figure disappeared behind the red door.

Once Qi Xin left, everyone, except for Yin Ren, let out a collective sigh of relief.

In the human world, they hadn’t felt it, but on the Other Side, Qi Xin’s slender body exuded an indescribable sense of oppression that instinctively kept people at a distance.

Dr. Cat crawled to Fu Tianyi, swiftly climbing onto his shoulder, finally catching its breath and grooming its fur. However, after licking for a while, it ended up licking the fabric on Fu Tianyi’s shoulder.

“I’ll go out for a while.”

Yin Ren walked briskly towards the red door that Qi Xin had left from. What was beyond this door were countless shades of gray and white substances that wriggled incessantly. Yin Ren walked straight ahead, as if he hadn’t seen them.

The red door closed automatically.

After a few seconds, a panting Yin Ren reappeared in the center of the room, nearly bumping into Ge Tingting. Lord Ghost King wiped his face and muttered a curse under his breath.

“Let’s practice first.” Ge Tingting quietly advised. “According to what she said, we need to adapt to the environment first. Yin Ge, why don’t you…”

Zhong Chengshuo patted the little girl’s shoulder, shaking his head at her.

“Yin Ren, give me your hand.”

Zhong Chengshuo extended his hand, naturally extending an invitation.

“I’ll take you to find her.”

Yin Ren reflexively reached out his hand and relaxed his eyes. However, the next moment, his expression stiffened.

“No.”

Yin Ren retracted his hand.

“I’ll go by myself.”

<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Evil As Humans Ch207

August 4, 2023August 4, 2023 Kinky4 Comments

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

Chapter 207: One Night in This World

The next day, after work.

Near Ping’an Manor, the night market was as lively as ever. With the change of seasons and the decrease in temperature, the street stalls underwent many changes. The chilled noodles and red bean shaved ice that Yin Ren loved had disappeared, replaced by street-side roasted duck and various fried snacks.

The cool evening breeze carried a mixture of oil fumes and water vapor, making the scene appear several times more vibrant than before.

Zhong Chengshuo had finally retrieved his phone. At the moment, he was holding a large pile of discounted vegetables from the supermarket with a box of fresh eggs in his other hand. Yin Ren also had various gifts in his hands. With a grilled squid in his mouth, he carefully carried a bag of crispy fried small fish—the kind Zhong Yude and Cheng Xuehua liked to have with their drinks.

Various cheap light strings flashed incessantly, and people came and went, chatting and laughing. The loudspeaker of a beverage shop played music with extremely poor sound quality, and the water stains on the roadside reflected shimmering neon lights.

Yin Ren sniffed the sweet fragrance in the air and turned towards the beverage shop. Just as his foot was about to step into the shallow puddle, a thin and weak boy fell into the water. Dirty water splashed in all directions, splattering onto Yin Ren’s sneakers.

The school uniform on the boy looked somewhat familiar—it was the style of Haigu Secondary School. The sewage from the night market instantly stained the fabric of the uniform brown, emitting an unusually strong fishy smell. The boy had just opened his bubble tea, but now half of it fell into the dirty water, and the straw was covered in filth.

The pinkish-white liquid dripped out of the straw and quickly mixed with the brownish-black sewage.

“Here, let me show you.”

The tallest boy deliberately twisted his body and imitated a high-pitched voice.

“Sweetheart Strawberry Milk Tea, my sisters must not miss it, so delicious it’ll make you stamp your feet~”

Amidst the laughter, the boy spat towards the smaller boy in the dirty water. “Is that sentence so difficult? I’ve said it too. Let’s entertain everyone. Why are you pretending to be high and mighty? You buy this stuff every day, but others can’t make jokes about it?”

The smaller boy didn’t say anything, but his face turned bright red.

“One of these days, we’ll bury you too, you sissy.” A group of several teenagers near the beverage shop jeered. “You have no face, Little Strawberry.”

They shouted and made a commotion around the boy.

The smaller boy tried to get up but was pushed down by the approaching students and thrown back into the muddy water. Under the warm yellow light, his face turned a terrifying shade of purple.

The nearby vendors were busy with their stalls, and pedestrians continued to chat and laugh. Whether intentional or not, people ignored the commotion in this small corner.

Something was silently changing in this bustling and warm night market.

Yin Ren frowned. Just as he was about to intervene, he saw a sudden change in the boy’s expression.

The humiliation and anger from earlier vanished without a trace, and his face showed only a dazed and relieved look, as if someone was embracing him. Something translucent and white flashed across his shoulder.

It looked like a human arm.

The smaller boy stood up again, picked up the bubble tea from the dirty water, and disregarded the dirt on the straw as he absentmindedly took a few sips before walking away.

As he left, his clothes were still dripping water, but there was a serene smile on his face.

The reaction of the others was quite strange. The group of boys who had been bullying him looked at each other, shrugged, and muttered, “He must be crazy.” Then they moved on to a nearby skewer stall.

“What just happened?” Zhong Chengshuo struggled to push aside the large stalks of green onions in front of him.

“…A momentary surge of Evil Force, but after that, the boy’s aura remained pure.” Yin Ren watched the swirling milk tea in the dirty water for a while. “Strange, I couldn’t see clearly.”

“Mm, we’ll report it tomorrow.” Zhong Chengshuo pulled back behind the various vegetables again.

“Hu Tao.” Yin Ren casually summoned his own ghost. “Follow that boy from earlier at a distance. When he falls asleep, come back and tell me what you’ve observed.”

Miss Hu Tao accepted a few grilled squid as a bribe before muttering to herself and setting off.

Before leaving the night market, Yin Ren stood at the street corner for a while.

A few young people passed by in a group, and one of them had a talisman hanging from their backpack, emitting a faint Evil Force. Yin Ren waved his hand and absorbed most of the Evil Force.

Then, he quietly watched the lights that he had longed for all these years.

The group of students who had just eaten their skewers were now chatting and laughing with expressions filled with innocence. The skewer vendor happily chatted with them, as if the previous bullying had never happened.

Behind the skewer stall, there was a makeshift and simple shrine. The gold paint on the God of Wealth’s hat shimmered in the mirror and emitted sparkling lights.

After watching for a few minutes, Yin Ren threw the skewer of the grilled squid into the trash can and left with Zhong Chengshuo.

Under the streetlights, the two of them carried their bags, appearing as ordinary pedestrians.

……

“What does this mean? Are you two going on another business trip?”

Zhong Yude saw the gifts they were carrying and instinctively frowned. The old man had just rushed out of the kitchen, still wearing an apron, and emanating the hot and sour aroma of sweet and sour dishes.

“Yes, starting tomorrow, we’re going to another city to investigate environmental issues,” Zhong Chengshuo honestly replied.

Yin Ren struggled to control his expression—stripping away the hundred layers of Zhong Chengshuo’s bluff, the investigation into the “Other Side” would begin tomorrow.

Through the Love identification spell on the corruption source, Shian had created a small passageway. It wasn’t stable, but with the assistance of Qi Xin, a “local”, they could barely make it through.

Considering that corruption sources were widespread in the outside world, Fu Xingchuan and Li Nian would stay in this world. Apart from tour guide Ms. Qi, there were only the members of Unit 9, plus Fu Tianyi, who was there to assist. After all, Ge Tingting and Huang Jin have some degree of mental distortion, so Unit 9 needed a 100% natural and healthy cultivator.

Qi Xin was quite supportive of this research. Judging from her subtle expression, Yin Ren suspected that she wanted to test the depth of the two “Fears”.

“An investigation in another city? That’s fine.” Cheng Xuehua breathed a sigh of relief. “My mother used to say that it’s good for young people to be ambitious, but there should be a limit. If your promotion at Shian requires you to take risks every day, it’s better to take it slow every now and then.”

Cheng Xuehua, the former captain of the criminal investigation division, smoothly ignored the fact that she used to take risks every day herself. She patted her chest emotionally and looked at the two “youngsters”. “Let Mom take a good look. All those long missions have made you both lose weight…”

She paused.

Yin Ren and Zhong Chengshuo had smooth and radiant skin, and their faces had a healthy flush. Zhong Chengshuo stood up straight, and Yin Ren’s vitality was even more abundant than before. For those who didn’t know, they would think they were having lavish meals at Shian every day.

Cheng Xuehua coughed twice. “…Go wash your hands first! Dinner is ready. Let’s eat, let’s eat.”

The table was once again filled with steaming home-cooked dishes.

“I heard that you guys got promoted. Not bad.” Zhong Yude opened a bottle of white wine. “Son, you’ve made quite some progress. Remember to learn from Xiao Yin on how to interact with colleagues and superiors.”

Yin Ren: “…”

It seemed like they didn’t need to consider workplace relationships anymore. As for superiors, the members of Unit 9 had already undergone numerous trials and hardships, forging their spirits like steel.

Ge Tingting was studying metaphysics as usual. Just a moment ago, he had answered her WeChat message. Lu Xiaohe was busy preparing materials and bombarding plans for their trip to the “Other Side”. Regardless of the fears of the Other Side, Yin Ren was certain that even if the Heavenly King Laozi himself came, Lu Xiaohe would still ask him endless questions.

Even Huang Jin hadn’t blocked them.

But when he heard his parents’ requests, Zhong Chengshuo responded solemnly, “I will learn from Yin Ren.”

After saying that, he instinctively picked up a piece of sweet and sour pork and put it into Yin Ren’s bowl.

At this point, Yin Ren suspected that Zhong Chengshuo’s “learning from Yin Ren” had a different meaning. However, the sweet and sour pork was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with a delicious sweet and sour taste, so he decided not to think too much about it.

“It’s good. Seeing you like this, I can finally feel at ease.” Zhong Yude raised his glass and let out a long sigh. “I never expected that I would witness the younger generation getting married and establishing their careers…”

His face turned rosy from the alcohol, and his eyes gradually became moist.

Zhong Chengshuo’s chopsticks paused for a moment. He looked at his foster father, who was having a drink, and casually dropped a bombshell.

“Dad, Mom, I want to see what Sister left behind back then.”

Zhong Yude choked on his drink, and Cheng Xuehua’s chopsticks paused. However, she managed to maintain her composure and asked, “Why do you suddenly want to see that?”

“Sister’s disappearance case is very similar to the case we are investigating.”

Zhong Chengshuo raised his eyes.

“In recent years, I have been investigating her case. But no matter how much I investigate and how deep I dig, there is some information that only you know.”

Cheng Xuehua took a few deep breaths. She had always shown strength, but now a hint of helplessness appeared on her weathered face.

“You can see it if you want, but it has been almost thirty years since that happened.” Zhong Yude forced a smile. “All the relevant information is there, and as for the ‘only we know’ information, I guess…”

“Chengshuo just wants to understand a bit.” Yin Ren quickly chimed in. “Shian have their ways.”

“I understand.”

Cheng Xuehua cleared her throat conspicuously, trying to make her tone sound light.

“We are family, so there is no need to explain so much. The small house Fengfeng rented back then—your father and I bought it. Everything inside is arranged exactly the same… I’ll take you to see it tomorrow.”

Zhong Chengshuo nodded earnestly.

Yin Ren played with the sweet and sour pork in his bowl. “I have another question. Have the two of you ever dreamed of Chengfeng Jie?”

Zhong Chengshuo turned his head slightly, looking at Yin Ren with a puzzled expression.

Zhong Yude’s face showed a trace of disappointment. “At first, I dreamt of her a few times, always finding Fengfeng… or she never had an accident in the first place. But then the dreams became less frequent. Fengfeng was, after all, a young girl, and she was closer to her mother. Maybe she didn’t have time to bother about her old man.”

After saying that, he downed the remaining wine in his glass.

“Ah…”

Cheng Xuehua sighed deeply.

“Even now, I still occasionally dream of her.” The old lady’s voice was filled with sadness. “I just keep dreaming of that morning…”

“She told me, ‘Mom, I’m leaving. I’ll remember to come back early.'”

……

“Why did you suddenly ask that?” In the night, Zhong Chengshuo skillfully hugged Yin Ren.

“Luo Xiaohe mentioned before that Zhang Hejun accurately dreamed of her mother. Whether that was the manifestation of Love or not, the depth of a deep dream can reach the Other Side, so this should be true.”

Yin Ren leaned against his warm lover, narrowing his eyes. The tips of his wings at the ends of his hair fluttered intermittently. Now they were no longer translucent black, but closer to pure black. However, the touch remained soft and warm. Zhong Chengshuo had gotten used to embracing them in his arms.

“…Do you think missing people who disappeared during the Divine Descent might still have a chance of survival?” Zhong Chengshuo thumped a few times and retrieved his phone from under the pillow. “It’s a matter of great importance, so it’s better to inform Shian.”

“No, it’s just a hunch—at most a conjecture. We still don’t know what the Other Side is.”

Yin Ren held Zhong Chengshuo’s waist tightly.

“I was just asking casually. It’s not good to give everyone too much hope. Let’s first focus on finding the most recent missing individuals and then reassess the situation.”

“Oh.” Zhong Chengshuo stopped typing. He changed his position with Yin Ren, sliding his finger on the screen to browse.

Yin Ren snuggled against Zhong Chengshuo’s chest, feeling drowsy. However, he noticed that Zhong Chengshuo’s heartbeat had quickened. Just as he was about to speak, he heard the sound of a notification from Zhong Chengshuo’s phone.

Another incident?

He poked his head out of the covers, and another screen lit up.

The bright red apple profile picture was fixed at the top, and the message notification was clear. The message was indeed from Zhong Chengshuo, as Yin Ren had suspected.

Yin Ren opened it, and in an instant, the slight warmth of sleepiness disappeared. Their chat history showed that the last message he sent Zhong Chengshuo after the “sacrifice”, was still there.

[Fruit Knife: I should have told you more times, I really like you. I’ve never felt this miserable in my entire life! 👊]

[Fruit Knife: Why don’t you believe these things? If you believe, you can definitely come back.]

[Fruit Knife: Say something to me.]

[Final Fruit: I’ve already come back, right by your side. 😊]

“And I really like you too.”

Zhong Chengshuo put down his phone and tightened his arms.

“If there comes a day when you really need to devour me, just give me a heads up.”

Yin Ren: “There’s no need for that, Zhong Ge.” Although he didn’t know how this idea came about for Comrade Xiao Zhong, his emotions seemed genuine.

“What if it’s necessary?”

In the darkness, those familiar eyes blinked incessantly.

“Do you know something?” Yin Ren instantly dropped his smile and leaned on Zhong Chengshuo with all his force.

“Just like what I said earlier, it’s just a hunch—at most a conjecture. It could also be my baseless worries. Speaking about it will only add to your troubles.” Zhong Chengshuo brushed Yin Ren’s hair. “Once it’s confirmed, I’ll be the first to tell you.”

Yin Ren looked down at those dark eyes.

“Your dad asked you to learn from me—but he didn’t say to learn so quickly.”

A faint sense of satisfaction appeared on Zhong Chengshuo’s face in the darkness. Helplessly, Yin Ren lowered his head and bit down on the other person’s lips.

.…..

Late at night, the fierce ghost Hu Tao gnawed on the tentacles of grilled squid while floating outside the window of the young boy.

This kid seemed perfectly normal, and Hu Tao didn’t understand why Yin Ren wanted her to follow him. She had already made up her mind that once she finished these skewers of squid, she would head back.

After all, Yin Ren and Zhong Chengshuo were going to visit the elders, and they wouldn’t know when she got off work.

Hu Tao calculated contentedly, floating in the air, indulging in various ways of biting the squid. After finishing the last skewer, the student was still doing homework under the desk lamp. Hu Tao let out a spirited yawn and slowly turned around…

A hand rested on her shoulder.

The weight, body temperature, and touch were all very familiar.

In the next instant, Hu Tao’s hair flew wildly, and her body was covered in blood. Amidst the carnage, her broken lips trembled, “Oh, so you know how to come back? Weren’t you running away so fast before? You—”

“I’m waiting for you on the Other Side.”

That voice, which she despised to the core, spoke.

“I’m waiting for you on the Other Side, honey.”

<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Sendoff Ch55

August 4, 2023August 8, 2023 Kinky7 Comments

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

Chapter 55: Kongshi

After Yan Budu finished speaking, a young monk walked out of the wind and snow and stepped into the cave.

The monk carried a large sword with a grayish-green color on his back. The sword was not yet unsheathed and seemed to be sharpened by the sparks of a furnace. He was tall, but not bulky. Standing in the wind and snow, he appeared like a solitary peak that had stood there since ancient times.

Upon closer inspection, the monk had a handsome and resolute appearance, with deep facial features. There was a prominent scar on his right cheek, but his demeanor didn’t possess any aggressiveness.

Monk Kongshi*.

*Empty stone.

Yin Ci recognized this person. A hundred years ago, he used the pseudonym “Su Zhi” and, together with Yan Budu, Kongshi, and Qu Tinglei, they were known as the “Four Greats of the Martial World”. Except for Qu Tinglei, who was over fifty, the other three appeared to be under the age of forty.

They were formidable and full of youthful spirit. They could be considered the pinnacle of the martial world since the founding of the nation.

However, the good times didn’t last long. Yan Budu stirred up a bloody storm while constructing the Ghost Tomb, causing chaos throughout half the country and defeating countless masters on his own. The Jianchen Temple, which had always remained detached from the world, eventually intervened and dispatched Kongshi to capture Yan Budu.

The monks intended to capture Yan Budu and imprison him in the dungeon of the Jianchen Temple, followed by a public trial, thus condemning him to lifelong imprisonment.

Yin Ci remembered the aftermath of this story.

The monks never gave up until death, but Yan Budu wasn’t captured and taken to the Jianchen Temple. Presumably, he killed Kongshi. Afterward, Yan Budu disappeared, leaving only Qu Tinglei and himself among the Four Greats of the Martial World.

The two young masters were like shooting stars in the dark night, shining brightly but falling quickly.

When Yin Ci was still “Su Zhi”, his actions were chaotic, encompassing both good and evil, but he knew where to stop, which earned him the approval of the righteous path. He had never fought Monk Kongshi and knew nothing about him. Naturally, he couldn’t guess the secret of his past—no one knew how Kongshi died or where he died. Even to this day, the Jianchen Temple was still searching for the remains of this young venerable.

Could this be the answer?

Yin Ci couldn’t help but sit up straight, but unfortunately, he had a limp body leaning on him, which added some difficulty to this movement.

Monk Kongshi’s clothes were tattered and full of sword marks, but his aura was serene. Compared to the disheveled Yan Budu, he seemed more like someone who came to enjoy the snowy scenery.

He sat opposite Yan Budu, adjusted his clothes, and began silently chanting scriptures.

This one chant lasted for most of the day.

Shi Jingzhi couldn’t hold on any longer. He curled up, resting his head on Yin Ci’s thigh, sleeping soundly. Yin Ci continued to meditate, playing with Shi Jingzhi’s hair in one hand while watching the seemingly frozen scene in front of him.

After sleeping for a few hours, Shi Jingzhi finally woke up. He pulled his hair out of Yin Ci’s grasp and rubbed his eyes. “How is it?”

Yin Ci: “They haven’t said a word since then.”

Shi Jingzhi: “…How long has it been? Yan Qing and the others have pretty good memories. They quickly patched together the illusion of their inner demons. Are we supposed to stay here for as long as it takes for him to remember? A’Ci, we have no food or drink here—”

Yin Ci felt that his own master became several times chattier after developing his inner demon. It was a good thing that Shi Jingzhi was willing to rely on him, but this person hadn’t figured out the extent of relying on others. He seemed to want to pour out everything on his mind.

Though with such an energetic person making a fuss by his side, Yin Ci couldn’t find himself annoyed no matter what.

He patted Shi Jingzhi’s arm. “Don’t worry. Since Yan Budu wants to leave a message, he wouldn’t kill the messenger… You might as well close your eyes and feel the state of your body.”

Following his words, Shi Jingzhi closed his eyes but immediately became agitated. “I slept for so long, why haven’t I regained any energy?”

“As I thought.”

Yin Ci smiled. “Yan Budu hasn’t become strong enough to create his own small world. This place should be purely a ‘state of mind’. Everything that’s happening right now is only within our consciousness. The formation has accelerated the speed of our thoughts. ‘One day’ here is just a blink of an eye outside.”

In the real world, only an instant had passed, so Shi Jingzhi’s body couldn’t naturally recover.

However, there were advantages. Even if Yan Budu’s memories spanned a whole year, in reality, only an hour would pass. They wouldn’t die of hunger or thirst, nor did they need to worry about cleanliness.

…But someone might die of boredom.

Shi Jingzhi was always restless, never able to sit still. Now being trapped in a narrow cave, he visibly wilted.

Yin Ci thought of something amusing. “It’s fine. Even if they are trapped for an entire winter, it’s only three months.”

He paused and leaned closer to Shi Jingzhi’s ear. “This time was stolen from heaven. Shizun, you don’t need to worry about illness. You might as well enjoy it… I’m here to accompany you, right?”

After their previous encounter in Yuanxian Village, Shi Jingzhi inexplicably became more composed and less playful. Now, after going through the Buddha Heart Formation, he showed a glimpse of his true self and became playful again. Yin Ci watched as a hint of blush appeared on Shi Jingzhi’s ears, feeling quite satisfied.

Shi Jingzhi seemed like he wanted to move away, yet he was reluctant to leave the warmth beside him. He could only turn his face with a stern expression, pretending that nothing had happened.

The cave was dim and cold, oppressing them like a coffin. The sound of howling winds pierced through, making the atmosphere particularly heavy. If one were trapped alone in this dull and suffocating environment, they might go insane before starving to death.

“We were too busy fighting before, so we didn’t have time to talk. Now, let’s call it a temporary truce. Why is it so quiet?”

Perhaps feeling bored as well, Yan Budu spoke again.

“The bald donkeys at the Jianchen Temple are all about saving all sentient beings. When they see me, they can’t wait to spit on me. But why is it that in front of me, Venerable, you suddenly become so tight-lipped?”

Monk Kongshi glanced at him calmly but didn’t respond.

Yan Budu’s excitement grew even higher. “Oh? Could it be that Venerable belongs to another category—self-proclaimed purity, currently free from worldly troubles, afraid of being tainted by the wicked deeds of someone like me and soiled with righteousness?”

Yin Ci remained silent. Yan Budu not only spat blood like Shi Jingzhi but also became even more talkative.

Monk Kongshi ceased his silent chanting and cleared his throat, finally speaking.

The monk’s voice was as gentle as a spring breeze after rain, soothing to the ear. “Patron, I remember that you are twenty-nine this year.”

“Yes.”

“Since you established the demonic sect at the age of seventeen until now, I don’t know how much bloodshed and countless sins you have caused.”

“And so what?”

“Patron, to establish a demonic sect with your own strength and resist the righteous path with the power of your sect for nearly two years, it shows remarkable intelligence.”

Yan Budu narrowed his crimson eyes. He was used to hearing his followers flatter him, but it was the first time a monk had flattered him. He almost became alert. “So?”

“Therefore, Patron, after immersing yourself in darkness and evil for twelve years and reaching such a young age, seemingly without any problems in your mind, you must have heard everything that needs to be heard and thought about everything that needs to be thought about.”

Monk Kongshi smiled gently.

“If a few words from this humble monk could make you achieve great enlightenment, then I wouldn’t need to be here. I would have already become a Buddha.”

It was the first time Yan Budu saw such an unprofessional eminent monk that it left him momentarily confused. “You—”

Monk Kongshi showed a friendly smile. “Amitabha.”

His words were quite impolite, yet his tone and manner were surprisingly gentle, without a hint of contempt or anger.

Yin Ci: “…”

Shi Jingzhi: “…The Jianchen Temple emphasizes renouncing greed, hatred, and ignorance. But I feel like this Venerable needs to renounce a bit of his snide remarks.”

Yan Budu was caught off guard by the mild-mannered Amitabha, and when he saw the serene expression on the monk’s face, as if saying, “You think you’re so great, but you’re not as good as a stone,” he couldn’t help but feel a surge of nameless anger and spat out blood again.

Kongshi sighed and pulled out a piece of cloth, handing it over with both hands.

Yan Budu chuckled lightly, not changing his sarcastic tone. “You just broke my arm, and now you’re showing false compassion?”

Kongshi spoke earnestly, “But Patron, you have already bandaged your arm yourself. In that case, if you truly care, shall I wrap another layer for you?”

He used a negotiating tone.

Yan Budu: “…”

This monk seemed to practice Yin-Yang Zen*. Every word sounded gentle, making it impossible to find fault, and there was nothing wrong with his tone. But combined, they sounded sarcastic.

*Meditation practice that integrates the concepts of yin and yang. It emphasizes cultivating a balance between opposing forces both within oneself and the external world, aiming to harmonize and transcend dualistic concepts by realizing the interdependence of interconnectedness of all things.

Yin Ci could see what Yan Budu was thinking.

If this were a monk with a troubled expression who cared deeply about the welfare of sentient beings or a vengeful Arhat*, Yan Budu would be better off. Those two types of people were easy to see through, but the monk in front of him was shrouded in clouds and mist. Yan Budu couldn’t see him clearly at all.

*One who has gained insight into the true nature of existence and has achieved Nirvana and liberated from the endless cycle of rebirth.

Seeing Yan Budu silently accept the cloth, Kongshi maintained a Buddha-like expression and resumed his meditation.

If they didn’t know about the sins committed by Yan Budu, the master and disciple would have almost started to sympathize with him. Shi Jingzhi leaned back against Yin Ci, realizing that in comparison, his disciple was gentle and amiable.

Outside the cave, it gradually darkened, and the wind and snow showed no signs of stopping. Kongshi opened his bag, took out an iron bowl and rice, and melted some snow water, skillfully cooking white porridge.

Yan Budu: “…After fighting with each other for five days and nights, traveling thousands of miles in the mountains, do you still have the leisure to carry rice?”

Kongshi replied leisurely, “People still need to eat.”

He cooked the porridge, let it cool for a moment, and pushed it toward Yan Budu. “Patron, please have it first.”

Yan Budu didn’t hesitate and quickly poured the porridge into his stomach. He regained some strength, and a bit of killing intent dispersed. “Baldy, do you know what I’m thinking?”

The monk continued to cook porridge, his tone light. “Patron is thinking that you’ll find an opportunity to kill this humble monk later. That way, with rice and human flesh, you can sustain yourself longer.”

“Then, would Venerable care to offer himself as tiger food?”

Kongshi blew on the porridge. “No.”

Yan Budu sneered and moved his red jade smoking pipe. With a sharp sword aura, he decisively slashed towards Kongshi. The latter casually deflected it with his stone sword, leaving a deep crack in the ground.

“Ah… Opposing techniques are truly bothersome.” Yan Budu leaned against the rock wall, sighing deeply.

“Patron, it’s better to stop. If you were to kill me, I’m certain you wouldn’t be able to leave.”

“And why is that? Once the storm stops, there is nothing to fear.”

The monk continued to blow on the porridge. “The premise is that Patron knows how to descend the mountain. I’ve seen traces of ancient formations around, and this mountain has been disturbed by formations, leaving illusions everywhere. To proceed normally, you must break through the illusions with an exorcism spell.”

Yan Budu was taken aback but not entirely surprised. “Zongwu Mountain is quite vast and often has strange occurrences. Perhaps some immortal practiced here and left behind some trouble.”

After finishing his words, his killing intent also dissipated.

Monks didn’t tell lies. For well-known eminent monks like Monk Kongshi from the Jianchen Temple, he wouldn’t lie just to save his life.

Yan Budu quickly adjusted his emotions. When he spoke again, his tone returned to laziness, as if he wasn’t the one who had just made a move. “What about food? This bit of rice won’t be enough for the two of us.”

Kongshi remained serene. “This mountain isn’t barren. On the way here, I saw many wild vegetables and mushrooms that can be eaten. Patron will certainly not starve.”

“No meat. Monks are really troublesome.” Yan Budu glanced discontentedly at his severed arm and reluctantly accepted his fate.

After finishing their meal, the monk put on his bamboo hat and stepped into the snow. He returned when the night was pitch black, and his backpack was indeed filled with wild vegetables and tender mushrooms.

However, Kongshi was covered in snow. When he approached the fire pit in the cave, the snow melted into water, making the cloth damp against his skin. Kongshi took off his outer garment and used tree branches to prop it open, drying it by the fire.

Yan Budu dried his tobacco pouch by the fire and took a pinch of tobacco, slowly smoking.

The monk was facing away from him, illuminated by the flickering firelight and surrounded by white smoke. His sturdy back was exposed, emitting a slight sheen.

Perhaps truly bored, Yan Budu let his long hair down and blew smoke bit by bit. “What a pity, what a pity. Among the Four Greats, apart from that old man Qu Tinglei, Su Zhi and you can both be considered beauties, and each one is difficult to handle.”

Kongshi: “Patron’s definition of ‘beauties’ is quite broad.”

Yan Budu laughed heartily. “Venerable, your features are handsome, and your figure is excellent. There’s no need for self-deprecation. As for Su Zhi, he usually wears a mask, which is true, but I have heard interesting rumors about him. Furthermore, beauty lies in the bones, not the skin. I’ve seen so many beauties, and I never make mistakes.”

Kongshi: “Oh.”

Yan Budu: “But I love beautiful people, even if they’re dead. I wonder what kind of demon possessed Su Zhi; his eyes are dead, and he is completely rotten on the inside. Such a person is the most uninteresting, wasting that good bone structure.”

Yin Ci: “…”

It felt quite refreshing to overhear others speak ill of oneself behind one’s back. However, Yan Budu’s words might not qualify as “speaking ill”; they were more like facts.

As expected of a genius, Yan Budu’s insight into people was remarkably sharp.

However, at this point, Yin Ci couldn’t help but have some strange thoughts. Yan Budu’s skill in reading people was somewhat similar to Shi Jingzhi’s, only more refined and mature than Shi Jingzhi.

Could it be a coincidence?

On the other side, Yan Budu and Kongshi continued their conversation.

Kongshi clearly had little interest in the conversation. He focused on wiping his body—ordinary people didn’t possess the abnormal inner force of Shi Jingzhi, so maintaining body temperature was already the limit. The more moist the body, the faster the heat dissipated, resulting in a waste of true qi.

However, as the topic became more and more inappropriate, Kongshi turned his head and glanced at Yan Budu.

Encouraged by this, Yan Budu became more spirited in his speech. “Talking about him makes me angry. That kid intentionally picked the Chigou Sect, a third-rate sect, and turned it into the ruler of the North. If he hadn’t taken over the north, our sect wouldn’t have been so ruthlessly defeated. Haa, he had to cause trouble for me at such a crucial moment.”

He was halfway through his words when he felt aggrieved again. “If it weren’t for that Su Zhi, I would be lying in silk sheets right now, with a fragrant and tender beauty in my arms.”

Kongshi treated Yan Budu as murmuring air and remained seated in meditation with his upper body exposed.

Little did he know that Yan Budu silently converged his true qi and approached. Without a trace of killing intent, he pressed himself against Kongshi’s back. His arm crossed over Kongshi’s shoulder and reached towards his chest.

“Compared to that Su Zhi, Venerable is different… In Venerable’s eyes, there is vitality—very captivating.”

Yan Budu deliberately slowed his speech, and his voice was as smooth as silk, filled with a hint of laughter.

Silky hair, swirling smoke, both mingling with warm breath, were gently brushed over Kongshi’s bare skin.

“I must say, Venerable, we have a connection. Life is unpredictable; who knows if we will both die here… Since we have spare time, why don’t I teach you some other forms of entertainment, as a token of gratitude for the meal?”

Unfortunately, Yan Budu’s attempts at seduction were in vain, as the monk remained unresponsive. Kongshi turned his head to the side, looking at Yan Budu as if observing a wolf chasing its own tail.

In a swift motion, Kongshi seized Yan Budu’s severed arm. Taking advantage of Yan Budu’s pain, he instantly activated several acupoints, then moved Yan Budu back to his original position. He even kindly covered Yan Budu with a coat.

After completing these actions, the monk resumed his seated position, his expression earnest. “Patron, our temple excels in close combat techniques. You should remember that.”

“Once we leave here, I will definitely kill you.”

Kongshi continued in a friendly tone, teasing him. “Oh, really? So, Patron, you didn’t plan on killing me before?”

Rarely encountering an eminent monk with both good looks and martial skills, it was a pity that Yan Budu’s desire for conquest was quickly extinguished.

Such a decent monk—how did he end up having such a sharp tongue?

Yan Budu’s expression fluctuated, unsure of what to say. “…Forget it. Continue with your scriptures.”

The author has something to say:

Yan Budu isn’t a normal demonic lord, but unfortunately, the eminent monk isn’t a normal eminent monk either (?

Fox Shi: I’m in trouble now → But I’m gaining time → No food or drink → But A’Ci is here. For a moment, he couldn’t tell if he was winning or losing (?

Demonic Lord Yin: ?

<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Criminal Psychology Ch251

August 4, 2023August 5, 2023 KinkyLeave a comment

Author: 长洱 / Chang’er

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

Chapter 251

When Xing Conglian opened his phone, numerous messages flooded in.

The busy medical staff had already left the room, leaving Lin Chen peacefully sleeping on the bed, covered like a fluffy cloud. A floor-to-ceiling window stretched across the room, with the sea just a short distance away.

In the far distance, where the sea and sky met, it was no longer pure black. The sea appeared in a deep blue color, tranquil and profound, like the most soothing lullaby.

Lin Chen’s face was calm. His black hair obediently fell to the sides of his ears. There were kiss marks and accidental bruises on his neck, but they held no sexual implications.

Or perhaps, standing outside this room and looking at Lin Chen, he repeatedly recalled the events that had just taken place. There were no sexual motives in his heart, and of course, nothing to regret.

The taxi driver had repeatedly asked him why he had spent three and a half hours bringing Lin Chen here, but Xing Conglian truly couldn’t answer. Considering various reasons, perhaps it was because this place at home was quiet and undisturbed, or maybe it was to keep Lin Chen in a place within his control so that he could feel at ease. Of course, there was also the reason that he had lived in this room before and the view from the window was nice. However, Xing Conglian was well aware that these reasons were not entirely accurate.

He had spent three and a half hours taking a taxi to bring Lin Chen to this sanatorium simply because he felt lost. He couldn’t be like Lin Chen, always knowing exactly what to do to be right.

Until now, he could only act according to his primal instincts; in other words, being willful.

Xing Conglian lowered his head to look at the screen.

The result of his willfulness was countless missed calls, one progress report after another regarding the case, and even Huang Ze’s final ultimatum.

He scrolled through the phone, hastily reading through these things.

The morning light was gradually rising, casting a hazy golden hue, making one side of Lin Chen’s face even brighter. Bathed in the morning light, his eyelashes were distinct. A bunch of daisies sat on the bedside, looking beautiful.

Everything was filled with vitality, giving Xing Conglian the illusion that at any moment, Lin Chen would sit up on the edge of the bed and greet him with a “Good morning.”

But the high dosage of sedatives meant that this scene could only exist in his imagination. Also existing in his imagination was the peaceful life he fantasized about having with Lin Chen.

There was no one in this world who could be absolutely capricious and free.

Xing Conglian put his phone back into his pocket and turned to leave.

……

Standing in the underground parking lot of the sanatorium, Xing Conglian realized the troubles that would follow after he spent three and a half hours bringing Lin Chen here.

There was no other reason but the fact that this was the family’s sanatorium, naturally inhabited by many friends of the family.

One minute ago, he was ready to randomly find a car and drive back to Hongjing.

Suddenly, the corner of the underground garage erupted with the roar of an engine, and the car lights flashed. Before he could react, a sports car had already reversed out of the garage and was racing towards him.

The sports car was an extremely flashy bright yellow color, with a low body, scissor doors, and sleek streamline. It was like a hot and noble young girl, bold yet full of elegance. It was probably a flagship supercar from a certain brand, maybe even a limited edition worldwide. However, Xing Conglian didn’t understand these things, so he couldn’t tell how much the car was worth.

A few seconds later, the sports car came to a steady stop in front of him.

The car door opened, and someone sitting in the driver’s seat flashed a smile, revealing a set of white teeth. The first thing they said was, “Take me out to have some fun, and I promise not to tell your parents about you liking men!”

Sitting in the car was an old man who looked withered all over, thin to the point of being unrecognizable, completely mismatched with the high-tech interior.

One pant leg on the old man’s accelerator pedal was empty, revealing a metal leg brace. He had an extremely long scar on his arm, a Fu Manchu mustache, and a catheter bag hanging from his waist. However, his eyes were sharp and piercing. What was even more excessive was that the old man had a smoking pipe in his mouth, puffing out clouds of smoke.

It took Xing Conglian a moment to remember who he was looking at. He looked coldly at the old man sitting in the high-tech driver’s seat, and the old man happened to exhale a mouthful of smoke.

“You… You haven’t told them already, have you?” The old man stared at him with wide eyes, blowing his mustache.

“What if I did?” he retorted.

“Then I wish you all the best!” The old man reluctantly placed his bony hand on the steering wheel, feeling grumpy.

Xing Conglian didn’t want to continue the conversation. He bowed to the old man.

In the corner of the garage stood helpless medical staff. Xing Conglian signaled to them with his eyes, and soon someone came over and swiftly snatched the smoking pipe from the old man’s mouth, preparing to escort him out of the car.

“Wait! Wait! You gay people have no compassion!” The old man struggled and shouted.

The garage guard also approached him and asked in a low voice, “Are you planning to take this car?”

“This is my car! Mine!” The old man shouted with all his strength, sounding almost like he was about to cry.

“Find me a rental car,” Xing Conglian said.

“Why rent? I’ll drive you!” the old man exclaimed.

By then, most of the old man’s body had been dragged out of the car. Something hanging on his side waist caught his attention. Xing Conglian carefully looked at it and realized it was a transparent catheter bag. He stopped the medical staff on the scene.

During this gap, the old man swiftly climbed back into the car, holding onto the steering wheel and refusing to let go. “The doctor said I only have three months to live.”

“So what?”

“So you’re allowed to bring back a man in the middle of the night like King You of Zhou*, but I can’t go out for a short stroll?” The old man rubbed his face and then became excited again. He patted the emblem on the steering wheel, happily saying, “This is my newly purchased car. I haven’t even test-driven it yet. If I die, I won’t be able to step on the gas pedal!”

*Twelfth King of the Zhou Dynasty, who is infamous for his indulgent lifestyle and neglectful behavior towards his kingdom. One of his most famous references in literature is trying to please his concubine Bao Si, who wouldn’t laugh no matter what he did. King You then tried to amuse her by lighting the warning beacons and fooling his nobles into thinking the Quanrong nobles were about to attack. When the nobles arrived, they found themselves laughed at by Bao Si. King You continued to do this and eventually lost his nobles trust until the Quanrong really attacked. Unfortunately, his nobles didn’t answer the warning beacon’s call, thinking it was all a ruse. (However, this story seems to be fabricated, but now it is often tied to King You as a metaphor for a ruler who prioritizes personal desires over the welfare of his subjects.)

……

Huang Ze sat in the conference room, feeling completely exhausted.

In front of him were all the evidence presented by Zhourui Pharmaceutical regarding Xing Conglian’s bribery: including two villas in Anshan Scenic Area, records of an 8 million cash transfer, and some unsigned Zhourui equity transfer agreements.

These pieces of evidence were laid out in front of him. Except for the unsigned equity agreement, everything else seemed to be genuine. However, apart from the clearly accounted-for money, the remaining evidence wasn’t direct. The other party’s argument was that Xing Conglian hadn’t had the opportunity to sign, and the company decided to expose this corrupt cop without being coerced.

“Inspector Huang, you have been looking at these pieces of evidence for over an hour,” someone reminded him. “Captain Xing probably won’t come, right?”

Huang Ze gritted his teeth.

If Xing Conglian didn’t show up, Zhourui Pharmaceutical would insist that Captain Xing was a dirty cop. It was almost time for work to start, and they couldn’t continue detaining everyone present.

What made it even harder for him to accept was that Su Fengzi, after causing a commotion throughout Zhourui’s upper management all night, was now sleeping with his head on the meeting table, while his arm pressed on a real estate document, emitting a faint snoring sound.

Huang Ze’s face turned cold. He packed up everything on the table one by one and slammed them back onto the table. “You consider these as evidence, but I believe they are fabricated to frame someone.”

He spoke with righteous indignation, but what he didn’t expect was that the following scene would become extremely awkward.

At first, the roaring sound of an engine from outside the building drowned out the arguments in the conference room.

Everyone in the office looked bewildered. Some instinctively walked to the window, their mouths agape, unable to utter a word.

The thunderous noise from the high-performance sports car’s engine shook the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Huang Ze furrowed his brow. From the sound, it seemed like the sports car had stopped downstairs at Zhourui. A sense of foreboding flashed through his mind.

At that moment, Su Fengzi, as if feeling uncomfortable in his position, turned over and continued to sleep. Huang Ze clearly saw a strange smile on his lips.

“This… This is a sports car! Whose car is it from our company?” Someone at the window exclaimed at a loss for words.

Huang Ze immediately stood up and took a few quick steps to the window.

A bright yellow Lamborghini sports car arrogantly raised its door. Its sleek body, front and rear double wishbone suspensions, and even a somewhat wild and audacious rear spoiler made the car shine under the sunlight.

Huang Ze’s heartbeat quickened, and in his mind, he instantly recalled all the data about the entire car. Men always loved luxury cars, and this was the car model he had always dreamed of but couldn’t afford. His mind became heated, and he even had the impulse to go downstairs and get closer.

However, the figure stepping out of the sports car made him feel as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over him.

The wrinkled clothing, scruffy facial hair, and those weary eyes that seemed as if they had just returned from a long journey…

Although Huang Ze recognized him at a glance, it took him a long time to confirm that he wasn’t mistaken.

He clenched his fist, took out his phone, dialed a number, and looked downstairs.

The person standing in the center of the square stood still and answered the phone.

A cold and deep voice came from the other end.

It was Xing Conglian, looking decadent and arrogant—even more like a dirty cop than those portrayed in TV dramas!

“What the hell are you doing?” Huang Ze struggled to restrain himself, feeling that everything he had argued on behalf of Xing Conglian just moments ago had become a joke.

“I didn’t feel like attending the meeting,” Xing Conglian replied indifferently.

“Do you even realize how dangerous your situation is?” Anger surged in Huang Ze’s mind. He wished he could rush downstairs immediately and grab Xing Conglian by the collar to question him if he knew what a critical moment, public scrutiny, and keeping a low profile meant!

Upon hearing this, the police officers in the square instinctively turned their heads and glanced at the flashy sports car.

At the same time, an old man with a limp quickly climbed down from his seat, still holding his bright yellow catheter bag, and looked at the building with great excitement.

Xing Conglian turned back and impatiently said, “I couldn’t find a taxi out in the countryside earlier, so I had to call for this car.” After speaking, he abruptly hung up the phone.

Huang Ze stood by the window, his face turning pale as the glass reflected his anger. At the same time, in the silent corner of the office, a long, cold snort could be heard.

He turned his head to look, and his Uncle Shi pushed up his glasses on his nose and smiled like a victor.

<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Criminal Psychology Ch250

August 4, 2023August 4, 2023 KinkyLeave a comment

Author: 长洱 / Chang’er

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

Chapter 250

Xiao Zhang felt that wealthy people never spoke properly. There was simply no way to continue the conversation.

When the fuel gauge neared the critical zone, Xiao Zhang saw a guard booth. Perhaps due to the darkness, the booth seemed to have sprung up out of thin air, emitting a dismal white light in the desolate wilderness.

He abruptly stepped on the brakes, but the gentleman in the backseat, as if anticipating his reaction, had already held onto the handle, remaining perfectly still.

Xiao Zhang looked into the distance and saw hazy shadows of buildings merging with the darkness, making them indistinguishable. Various urban legends instantly popped into his mind, making his foot on the gas pedal tremble.

At that moment, the sound of roaring engines suddenly filled the empty plain. Xiao Zhang quickly released the gas pedal, and through the rearview mirror, he saw two trails of dust rapidly approaching. As they drew closer, he could clearly see that they were two imposing black SUVs. The taxi was sandwiched between the two heavily modified vehicles, like a thin filling in a hamburger, looking quite pitiful.

Only then did Xiao Zhang recall the mention of security levels by the gentleman in the backseat. He realized that the order of security and guards had been swapped, and the difference in severity was simply night and day. Xiao Zhang almost cursed out loud. He was just a nighttime taxi driver who stopped at a wave of the hand. He had hoped to earn some milk money for his child with this long-distance fare. Why did he have to experience this counter-terrorism operation in the middle of the night?

However, to his surprise, the two SUVs showed no intention of stopping, nor did they plan to conduct any security checks. Xiao Zhang looked left and right, feeling utterly perplexed.

Then, a soothing voice came from the backseat.

“It’s alright. Keep driving.”

Casually, his passenger said.

Xiao Zhang swallowed hard. He still felt that driving off so nonchalantly wasn’t appropriate, but when the boss speaks, you either comply or die. He forcefully stepped on the gas pedal. After he accelerated, the two security vehicles didn’t attempt to catch up. They simply followed at a distance. Xiao Zhang breathed a sigh of relief and suddenly felt a strange sense of confidence.

The next checkpoint was a guard booth, manned by heavily armed security personnel, standing upright.

Through the crossbar and illuminated by the streetlights, Xiao Zhang could clearly see a stretch of villas in the distance.

The villas had different designs and ages, some built against the mountains, others near the sea, varying in height and lacking any semblance of order. It resembled an ordinary suburban town with no distinctive features.

Just as the front of the car approached the crossbar, the bright yellow pole automatically lifted high up. They entered as if in a deserted place, without encountering any obstacles.

Xiao Zhang glanced at the rearview mirror, where the security personnel in the guard booth saluted them. The black vehicles continued to follow, like phantoms.

His courage grew, and he decided to treat it like a tour, continuing to drive forward along the road.

As they passed those buildings, he occasionally saw bronze plaques hanging on them, indicating various institutional sanatoriums or certain types of residences.

The roadside was filled with lush flowers and trees, and the scenery was serene. There were even stray cats dozing off by the road.

Xiao Zhang let out a yawn and suddenly felt a bit drowsy.

“Just stop up ahead.”

The passenger in the backseat said.

Xiao Zhang looked up and saw a building in the distance unexpectedly brightly illuminated. The main entrance was wide open, with a line of people standing at the entrance as if welcoming someone.

They had indeed stopped at the entrance of a hospital, or at least what appeared to be a sanatorium-like facility.

After the series of events they had experienced, Xiao Zhang had become numb. He smoothly pulled the car up to the entrance and stopped the meter.

The ticket machine began to clatter, and the customer in the backseat opened his wallet as if he were about to pay.

At that moment, someone opened the back door, and to Xiao Zhang’s surprise, it was the person who had come out of the black SUV that had been following them. They appeared extremely respectful. Xiao Zhang suddenly realized who exactly the so-called security personnel were protecting.

He trembled and looked out the car window. The medical staff at the entrance had also gathered around, and even a mobile bed was placed in the most suitable position.

The gentleman in the backseat didn’t say much. He emptied his wallet and handed the money to Xiao Zhang, including several one- and five-yuan bills.

“I still owe you 1,200 yuan. I’ll give it to you later. Please wait.”

After saying that, the passenger stepped out of the car and carefully placed the person he was holding onto the mobile bed.

A nurse pushed the bed, walking alongside the doctor and the gentleman as if they were discussing the patient’s condition. The security personnel followed behind.

Everything proceeded naturally, and Xiao Zhang didn’t even need to say anything. Everything was taken care of by someone else.

Xiao Zhang watched everything happening outside the car. The building appeared bright and clean, giving a very comfortable feeling. The lobby had a suspended structure, with a glass ceiling that allowed one to look up and see the stars in the sky, making him feel like he was in a dream.

When he snapped back to reality, the group of people had already entered the building in an imposing manner. Xiao Zhang tapped his forehead, glanced at the dangerously low fuel gauge, but hesitated when he saw the heavily armed security personnel at the back. He decided to wait until they left before quietly getting out of the car to ask questions.

To his surprise, someone actually turned back. Xiao Zhang rolled down the car window, and the person politely bowed, showing no trace of arrogance. They handed over the remaining unpaid fare with both hands and said, “Let me take you to refuel, this is the remaining fare, please keep it.”

Xiao Zhang was pleasantly surprised. He accepted the money, speechless for a moment. Finally, he asked a silly question, “Is that your boss? Are they very wealthy?”

……

Zhourui Building, 3 a.m.

The executive office resembled the aftermath of a bomb explosion. Every qualified Zhourui employee sitting in the office wore an expression of anger and frustration. Their faces were pale and twisted, as if they wished they could tear the man sitting at the other end of the circular conference table into pieces.

Huang Ze observed the scene, rubbed his temples, and took a sip of the black coffee on the table.

Just as he put the coffee cup down, The vice president of Zhourui slammed the table opposite him, shouting frantically and recklessly, “It’s clearly the incompetence of your police investigation, yet you want to shift all the blame onto our company! We won’t accept it! Tomorrow, there will be a press conference!”

“Well… That’s not bad.”

A leisurely tone sounded beside him. Su Fengzi opened his eyes, still half-drowsy, and continued speaking. “Your company has finally decided to confess its crimes in public. Admirable courage.”

Huang Ze glanced beside him and couldn’t help but raise his cup, focusing on his own thoughts, pretending he hadn’t heard anything. After Su Fengzi’s manipulations throughout the night, the entire Zhourui upper management had turned into a firework waiting to explode.

“Stop talking bullshit!”

As expected, the vice president of Zhourui finally crossed the line and cursed.

Su Fengzi rested his chin on one hand, pointed his index finger at the vice president of Zhourui, and waved his hand casually as he said lightly, “You’re incapable. Next, quickly explain and sign off on the Nordren matter so you can leave.”

Everyone in the office had been pushed to their mental limits. They scratched their heads and faces, trying every method to leave, but Su Fengzi didn’t relent. Even Huang Ze didn’t dare disobey this lunatic beside him.

In fact, even in moments of anger, he wouldn’t even have the thought of laying a finger on Lin Chen in Su Fengzi’s presence, subconsciously aware of the consequences.

People always bullied the weak and feared the strong.

Inspector Huang looked at the people in front of him and felt that they probably wished Lin Chen was here to reason with them.

“We really don’t know anything!”

The head of the R&D department nearly collapsed, shouting in despair.

“Don’t know what?” Su Fengzi turned his head and asked.

This was almost Su Fengzi’s favorite rhetorical question. At first, the Zhourui employees would respond to his questions, but as time went on and the same question was asked a hundred or two hundred times, this seemingly simple question became pure mental torture.

The head of the R&D department tried to open his mouth but seemed to lack the mental capacity to answer the question. He could only slump back in his chair, panting heavily.

The atmosphere became heavy once again, not because of emotions, but because it was the early hours of the morning. After an entire night of mental torture, nobody had the mental or physical capacity to deal with an interrogator who knew exactly how to make you uncomfortable.

Huang Ze glanced at Su Fengzi once again and could only massage his temples.

To be honest, after a whole night of interrogation, he finally realized that Su Fengzi had no intention of extracting any information from Zhourui Pharmaceutical. Even a novice knew that separate interrogations were the most effective, but Su Fengzi insisted on keeping everyone in the same room, using anxiety, crowded space, and repetitive and infuriating words to provoke each person. It seemed like he wanted to mentally torture these people repeatedly, rather than solve the case.

Thinking of Lin Chen being tortured in the hospital, Huang Ze understood that this was revenge.

He lowered his head and scrolled through his phone. The emotions in the room affected him, making him restless, but he forced himself to concentrate.

The Zhourui executives were like tightly closed clamshells, refusing to cooperate.

There were numerous suspicious aspects in the entire case, such as why Zhourui Pharmaceuticals didn’t discover the drug issue in the early stages, and why they spent a significant amount of manpower and resources to cover up the truth after the discovery. Why were they able to anticipate police actions and expose themselves when the investigation was approaching the truth, destroying all of Lin Chen’s previous plans?

But the most crucial question here was what Shen Lian had done with the medication and how much Zhourui Pharmaceuticals knew about the drug itself.

Under normal circumstances, they would have had plenty of time to investigate. However, the materials related to Nordren were vast and endless, and new cases were constantly emerging. The time they had to solve the case was getting shorter and shorter.

They needed to swiftly pry open the mouths of these interest groups with a sharp knife.

However… Xing Conglian had turned off his phone.

Huang Ze looked down and read the text message that had just arrived, furrowing his brows even tighter.

The officer who had just gone to Tzu Chi Hospital replied to him, stating that Xing Conglian wasn’t at the hospital, and Lin Chen’s ward was empty as well.

Huang Ze couldn’t help but grip his phone tightly and handed it to Su Fengzi.

Just then, his uncle, who hadn’t spoken the whole night, asked with an extremely concerned tone from the corner. “Nephew, why hasn’t Captain Xin arrived? Could he have fled out of fear?”

The vice president next to him, like an uncontrollable mad dog, stood up and slammed the table. “Yes, why don’t you go and ask that corrupt cop who took the bribe what he really knows!”

Huang Ze’s heart trembled. Hearing such implications at this time wasn’t a good sign. But on the other hand, he was deeply disappointed. Even at this stage of the development, this family company, this building, almost everyone here was still trying to shift the focus by smearing the police, in a desperate and frantic struggle…

Huang Ze had no doubt that after dawn, all the morning news would push the Xing Conglian bribery case to a climax. When faced with a tainted police officer, the public’s hatred was always greater.

He lowered his gaze, almost unable to contain the anger in his heart.

Just then, someone tapped his shoulder. He turned his head and saw Su Fengzi handing the phone back to him, casually crossing his legs, and saying to the middle-aged man in the corner, “You better not seek death. I’ve been so gentle in chatting with you. You should cherish it.” He smiled; his tone leisurely as he pondered. “If he arrives, you will certainly have no way out. That would be terrifying.”

The Chairman of Zhourui Pharmaceutical paused for a moment, feeling that Su Fengzi was exaggerating the consequences of Xing Conglian’s arrival with such words. He responded with a half-mocking tone, disdainfully saying, “Is that so? Then I’ll be here, eagerly awaiting Captain Xing’s grand entrance.”

<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Criminal Psychology Ch249

August 3, 2023August 4, 2023 KinkyLeave a comment

Author: 长洱 / Chang’er

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

Chapter 249

Lin Chen lay on the hospital bed, seemingly deep asleep or in a semi-comatose state.

Xing Conglian wrapped his arm around Lin Chen’s waist, with one hand encircling his side and the other holding onto his lower back. Delicate sweat covered Lin Chen’s skin from his neck to his shoulders. They pressed tightly against each other; their touch was sticky, damp, and warm, giving a real feeling.

Equally real were the scents of sweat, blood, and the air.

Xing Conglian pushed aside strands of Lin Chen’s black hair and leaned over, resting his chin in the crook of Lin Chen’s neck. He kissed Lin Chen’s cheek repeatedly, from behind his ear to his temples, from his neck to the crown of his head. Honestly, neither of them had taken a shower today, so the scent wasn’t pleasant, but this messy imperfection made it feel real.

Xing Conglian inexplicably thought of the time he cried in despair for the first time in his memory.

He couldn’t remember the exact cause of the specific event, but the underlying reason was that his parents felt that he needed to separate from the stuffed duck toy he had been hugging since childhood.

Because that duck was dirty and old, with exposed cotton and many repairs.

But he felt that he could only feel safe when he hugged that dirty and worn-out duck while sleeping.

For this reason, his parents read many books on child attachment, tried numerous methods mentioned in those books, and even took him to see a psychologist, but no method could solve his attachment to a tattered duck.

As time went by, one day, probably due to him beating up a classmate or some similar reason, his father couldn’t bear it anymore and made him throw away the duck.

Of course, there was no direct connection, but for angry parents, finding the most crucial thing to punish their son was essential.

It was a very dim evening when his father took him directly to the lakeside, with his mother present as well. They rowed to the center of the lake, with his mother holding him while his father smashed the duck into the water.

That was an utterly heart-wrenching scene for him. The autumn and winter cold winds, the blue and gloomy lake water, and his beloved possession gradually sank into the water. He still remembered every ripple of the water at that moment.

Losing a sense of security was extremely painful for every child, especially when it came to their most beloved toy. At that time, he almost wished to jump into the river together with the duck. If it weren’t for his mother holding him, he might have died right there.

What was even more extreme was that when they returned to the shore, his father slapped him and told him things like:

“You will have many things and people you love in your life, but one day they will all leave!”

“Even your parents will die, so you must learn to take responsibility for your mistakes!”

“Besides yourself, you cannot depend on anything or anyone!”

His father said many similar randomly stitched-together words, forcefully trying to educate him. For a six- or seven-year-old child, it was like a profound philosophical question. He grabbed at his runny nose and tears, not understanding any of it, only feeling pain. For a long period of time afterward, he was immersed in this pain.

Recovery was very slow, but eventually, he did recover. His father later apologized for his outburst, and his mother said she had wanted to do it a long time ago.

He later told Lin Chen about this incident. At that time, they weren’t in a romantic relationship yet, so of course, he wanted to hear Consultant Lin’s advice to untie his emotional knot or provide a proper psychological analysis of the matter.

However, Lin Chen remained silent for a long time and finally said that there aren’t so many explanations in the world, but for the human mind, growth was always accompanied by pain.

This was Lin Chen’s consistent theory. Sweetness made people numb; only pain gave a sense of reality.

Actually, Xing Conglian had long felt that he didn’t need to grow anymore. After all, he was retired, and society shouldn’t demand too much from senior citizens.

But now, as he recalled Lin Chen’s words, he couldn’t help but hold the person in his arms tighter.

Just a moment ago, after enjoying the long-lasting sweetness and happiness of love, he finally experienced the unbearable pain that ordinary people endure.

The pain of separation, the pain of understanding, and even enlightenment all carried a sense of pain.

But all the intolerable experiences were also constantly expanding the boundaries of the mind. This matter had no meaning, yet it was full of meaning. Xing Conglian thought that if Lin Chen were awake and they were chatting, Consultant Lin would surely educate him like this. It would be dull, scholarly, and clear-headed, making him unable to resist the urge to kiss him.

Xing Conglian kissed Lin Chen’s dry and cracked lips, which still had a hint of a bloody smell. He got up and began to dress Lin Chen.

Lin Chen obediently acted like a puppet. Xing Conglian hugged him and couldn’t help but laugh helplessly and self-mockingly. In reality, there weren’t so many twisted and absurd theories. All those soul-healing words were meant to give a glimmer of hope to those in despair.

It was difficult to keep going, but they had to keep going.

……

Late at night, taxi driver Xiao Zhang received a strange request outside the Tzu Chi Hospital.

The passenger stood by the roadside, and only after getting into the car did he mention that he wanted to go to the seaside in the neighboring province.

For any driver, hearing this kind of long-distance trip would initially bring joy, but the second thought was often to decline.

Long-distance meant high income, but encountering a situation where a man was holding onto another person in front of a psychiatric hospital was definitely abnormal.

However, Xiao Zhang made the mistake of letting the passenger get in the car first before asking for the destination. The time difference gave the passenger an opportunity to quote a price, and the down payment alone was enough to make Xiao Zhang unable to refuse.

After all, being in the taxi business, one saw and experienced a lot. Without courage, one couldn’t drive the night roads. Xiao Zhang took the money and made up his mind that if the passenger mentioned any remote side road, he would absolutely refuse.

But throughout the journey, the person in the back seat didn’t cause any trouble. Besides providing the address, the man with a buzz cut seemed immersed in his own world, dark and withdrawn. He would occasionally lean down to kiss the person in his arms, and other times he would gaze out of the window aimlessly. His eyes carried a hidden worry, uncertainty, and an inexplicable sense of composure.

The night grew darker, and the number of vehicles decreased.

Xiao Zhang even had a momentary suspicion that the person the man was holding in his arms might be a corpse, as the wrapped figure in the blanket hardly moved.

But he was also very aware of the faint and painful sounds coming from the backseat, unable to discern whether they were from a man or a woman. The sounds were desperate, like the alternative music that would only be played on late-night radio. Whenever the person in the man’s arms began to struggle, he would hold them close, almost helplessly comforting them with kisses. Apart from that, it seemed like there was nothing else he could do.

The eerie situation in the backseat continued throughout the journey.

When they exited the expressway and arrived in Louhai City, Xiao Zhang even considered whether it would be better to stop the taxi directly in front of the police station. However, as they passed by the police station, the man in the backseat seemed to have anticipated his intention and showed him his police badge.

In that instant, when Xiao Zhang saw the badge, the tension he had been feeling throughout the journey finally eased. The police always gave people a sense of security and could explain any strange and silent phenomena.

He couldn’t help but initiate a conversation with the person in the backseat, asking why they were traveling late at night and not using an official vehicle.

“It’s none of your concern.”

That was how the gentleman in the backseat answered, cool as ever.

Xiao Zhang rolled down the window. On one side was the pitch-black sea, while on the other side were various dazzling resort hotels. He blew a whistle, carried by the sea breeze.

But suddenly, he heard a deep voice from the backseat say, “Please close the window.”

Instinctively, he glanced at the rearview mirror and noticed that the blanket in the backseat was fluttering in the night breeze. Taking this opportunity, he finally saw the person the police officer had been holding all along—it was a man.

Xiao Zhang almost wanted to whistle again. He had transported a mentally ill person from the entrance of a psychiatric hospital to the seaside, traversing hundreds of kilometers. The experiences of a night shift taxi driver were truly rich, and he might even encounter some melodramatic stories like lovers jumping off cliffs. Should he save them or not when that time comes?

Bored, Xiao Zhang thought to himself. Following the navigation instructions, he made several turns and finally arrived in an area without even streetlights. The sound of the wind became more vast, covering the sound of the waves. Besides the narrow strip of road illuminated by his headlights, he could see almost nothing.

But based on his assumptions, this couldn’t be considered a remote side road because there wasn’t even a road here.

Xiao Zhang couldn’t help but turn around and say, “Sir, this road is too secluded. Are you sure you want to continue? I’m afraid I’ll run out of gas.”

The other person seemed to instantly understand what he was thinking and simply said, “Don’t worry, we can refuel once we reach our destination.”

Who knows which gas station will be found in the middle of nowhere! But turning back would be too timid. Xiao Zhang could only grit his teeth and continue.

After driving for a while, Xiao Zhang suddenly realized that his phone’s navigation hadn’t made a sound for a long time.

Feeling a chill run down his spine, he looked down and saw that there was no signal in the top right corner of his phone. He inwardly cursed his luck. It seemed like his calls to heaven went unanswered, and his calls to earth were ineffective.

Xiao Zhang broke out in a cold sweat and said, “Sir, I have a family to support. Is there something you can’t figure out…”

Before he could finish his sentence, he was interrupted.

“Up ahead is a sanatorium,” the gentleman in the backseat said. “It’s quite special and has corresponding security measures, so the cellphone signal in this area is blocked.”

Xiao Zhang was dumbfounded. “T-This… It must be at a high-level, right?” After speaking, he felt that something was off. Who would just reveal the location of a classified place right away? It didn’t match the scenes depicted on TV. So, he thought carefully and attempted to test the waters. “Can I still go back home? Will I be…”

The gentleman in the backseat furrowed his brow. Xiao Zhang also felt that his question was quite nonsensical, but the other person still maintained composure and patiently answered, “No, you won’t.”

Though it was only a short reply, the solemn tone made Xiao Zhang feel much more at ease. The tension that had been gripping his mind loosened. After holding back his talent for chattering as a taxi driver throughout the entire trip, he stepped on the gas pedal, took out a cigarette, and tucked one behind his ear as well. He didn’t dare to light it, afraid that the person in the backseat wouldn’t like it. “You really scared me, traveling so late at night. Are you taking your loved one for medical treatment? What happened? Is that place like the ones in novels with renowned traditional Chinese medicine experts?”

He glanced at the rearview mirror. The gentleman in the backseat shook his head, denying his speculation. Then, he naturally extended his hand toward Xiao Zhang. Instinctively, Xiao Zhang handed over the cigarette tucked behind his ear before he worried that the other person might find it distasteful.

But the gentleman didn’t mind at all and lit the cigarette himself.

The flickering spark illuminated the man’s profile, making him appear incredibly desolate. Xiao Zhang noticed that his other hand remained tightly gripping the blanket, causing his knuckles to turn white and even tremble.

“So why are you going there?” Xiao Zhang repeated the question from earlier.

“Because I can.”

<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Criminal Psychology Ch248

August 3, 2023August 3, 2023 Kinky8 Comments

Author: 长洱 / Chang’er

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

Chapter 248

Xing Conglian was snapped back to reality by a tap, emerging from his jumbled and confused memories.

He lowered his head and heard the doctor say, “The second treatment option involves a large dosage of chloropromazine. However, this type of medication for psychiatric disorders may affect brain or cardiac functions, and the side effects are quite apparent. Nevertheless, it is one of the most effective medications for addressing similar issues…”

He couldn’t hear the rest of the conversation, probably because Lin Chen was whispering in the ward, babbling all sorts of incoherent words.

Xing Conglian carefully tried to discern what he was saying, but the air was too quiet. The fragmented and muffled voice seemed to fill the entire space like cotton, perhaps saying “don’t hit” or “please”. These voices, laden with pain, became increasingly oppressive, causing turmoil within him.

“…Consultant Lin didn’t reject this treatment option…”

Those crucial words brought him back to his senses once again. Yes, after they had finished their conversation, Lin Chen had explicitly requested to be treated at the Tzu Chi Hospital and had even selected a former professor at his university as the attending physician.

Lin Chen, like an outsider, swiftly discussed each treatment plan and detail with the doctor. He even chose a specialized department and room specifically for patients with schizophrenia, as he was an expert in that field.

However, Xing Conglian couldn’t comprehend how, in such a moment, Lin Chen could still handle everything so clearly, as if nothing was amiss.

He rubbed his face, forcing himself not to look into the ward or listen to Lin Chen’s voice. He asked the doctor, “You are the doctor. I want to hear your opinion.”

“After all, this is a new type of drug, and there is no literature available. Although it is indeed possible to proceed with the initial treatment plan as a trial, it is also undoubtedly risky. Honestly, I think we can wait a few more days, collect treatment plans from other cases, and then make a judgment.”

Xing Conglian interrupted the doctor, saying, “He wants to regain consciousness quickly. He must regain consciousness.”

The doctor’s face clearly displayed a fleeting expression of disappointment, but it was very subtle, quickly fading away. After all, this was a hospital specializing in the treatment of mental disorders, and the doctors were accustomed to dealing with harsh and demanding family members. Xing Conglian self-deprecatingly thought that he was merely an ordinary, harsh boss hoping for his subordinates to recover quickly and get back to work.

But what else could he do? Lin Chen had made it clear that he wanted to receive treatment like any other person. He had also said, “Remember to come and visit me,” hoping that Xing Conglian would urge the doctor to treat him.

At this moment, Xing Conglian finally realized that when it came to any decision made by Lin Chen, he had only one path to take—to accept and support it.

Because Lin Chen was always so clear, so correct, so exceptional, and always selflessly throwing himself into every situation, leaving others unable to resist.

That was the Lin Chen he loved.

Yet, a profound sense of disappointment and frustration overwhelmed him once again. Even though there were people around him speaking all the time, Xing Conglian felt as if he stood in a dark and desolate world. The frigid wind howled around him, making him feel more isolated than ever.

He took a deep breath, unsure of what to do. Lin Chen was inside, and he was outside. They were so close, yet it felt like an infinite distance separated them.

Just then, his phone rang.

He hadn’t put it on silent, so when the piano melody played in the cramped space, he even felt a sense of relief.

When one was lost and bewildered, something always reached out with an olive branch to save you, like work.

Xing Conglian apologized to the doctor and retreated to a dim corner, leaning against the wall as he answered the call.

Huang Ze’s voice came through. “Xing Conglian, why did Su Fengzi come here?”

He hadn’t expected Huang Ze to sound annoyed, even slightly fearful. There were sounds of someone smashing a glass in the background. Ultimately, such “power struggles” were no different from quarrels among children, with the expected anger and irrationality.

“He came because he wanted to. I can’t control him,” Xing Conglian replied.

“Do you know what he’s up to?” Huang Ze was furious. “He has no official position, but he’s forcing himself into the investigation!”

Huang Ze, as always, emphasized procedural justice.

“Well, you can just arrest him,” Xing Conglian said casually.

There was a brief silence on the other end of the line, and Xing Conglian frowned. The next moment, a very casual and cheerful voice came through the phone. “Lao Xing, how’s my shidi doing?”

Xing Conglian raised his eyelids and looked at the ward not far away. The doctor was administering new treatment medication to Lin Chen. The busy figures appeared hazy and ethereal, as if veiled in a layer of black gauze.

“He’s temporarily stable,” he replied.

Su Fengzi didn’t ask any further questions but changed the subject. “Since that’s the case, there’s something interesting happening at Zhourui’s place. Do you want to join?”

Xing Conglian instinctively wanted to refuse Su Fengzi.

He believed that he should be sitting outside the ward, going through this difficult time with Lin Chen, as Lin Chen had suggested, as any considerate lover would do.

But his rationality told him very clearly that he should leave. Staying would just torment the both of them. After all, his love was still too short-lived, and this torment would continue to erode the love between them.

Outside the hospital, the night was silent and still. Xing Conglian hung up the phone, took out his car keys, and walked away.

……

The car window was rolled down low, and the darkness of the night rushed in.

With one hand on the steering wheel, Xing Conglian held a cigarette in the other.

The sparks flickered.

Around eight or nine o’clock was another peak hour in the city, and the main roads were still crowded with vehicles. Neon lights outside the window surged like a tide, gliding across the car body.

He turned on the car radio, keeping the volume low. The radio host didn’t mention anything related to the case anymore; nighttime radio shows mostly played emotional songs.

The female host’s affectionate words flowed out, but due to the noise of passing traffic outside, Xing Conglian couldn’t clearly hear what she was saying. It was probably something along the lines of “he loves her, but she doesn’t love him,” a content he had never heard before.

It was only then that Xing Conglian recalled why he had rarely listened to similar emotional midnight radio programs in the past.

When Lin Chen wasn’t around, he sneered at these sentimental programs. Honestly, deep down, he never believed that he could have such a beautiful love. Whether it was due to pride or loneliness, he, a person who inherently rejected many things in the world, believed that ending up lonely was the most suitable outcome for himself.

Now, looking back, he realized how foolish that self-set image of a solitary hero was, because he had met Lin Chen.

After getting to know Lin Chen, the passenger seat had always belonged to him.

Lin Chen didn’t talk much, but their casual conversations were more soothing to Xing Conglian than the mellow jazz music in the night.

In his memory, there was a time when they returned from a business trip, driving through the night.

In the early morning hours, even the night traffic on the highway had become sparse. Wang Chao was snoring in the back seat while Lin Chen, wearing a seatbelt, nestled in his seat, exhausted but still chatting with him.

Both of them were tired, but they would lightly and cheerfully discuss the scenery of the city they had just passed, reflect on touching details from the meetings, and occasionally mention a broken light bulb at home that needed to be replaced when they returned.

He couldn’t remember the specific details anymore, but he remembered that they had talked a lot. It was all because Lin Chen was afraid that he would get drowsy while driving, so he kept talking.

Those voices, relaxed and comfortable, accompanied by yawns and sleepiness, kept sounding, both ordinary and considerate. Now, with those voices suddenly gone by his side, Xing Conglian felt a disturbing emptiness in the car. Unconsciously, he unbuttoned his shirt collar and rolled down the car window to the lowest point.

The night breeze flowed into the car, and memories of that journey resurfaced in Xing Conglian’s mind.

Later, they drove into a rest area. Xing Conglian smoked in the parking lot while Lin Chen went to buy two cups of hot coffee. The highway rest stops rarely had freshly ground black coffee, so it was mostly instant coffee.

There were only a few trucks in the surrounding parking lot, and the stars in the night sky were bright and brilliant. Lin Chen came back holding two steaming paper cups, handing one to him.

The coffee had a layer of foam on top, and the liquid was rich and flavorful. Some steam dispersed into the air, much like the gaze Lin Chen had on him at that time.

They both took a sip of coffee without saying a word, gazing at the velvety night sky. Perhaps they felt warmth and tranquility in each other’s presence, so neither of them spoke.

Xing Conglian couldn’t help but glance at the passenger seat. He always felt like he could still see Lin Chen’s lower lip stained with coffee, carrying a sweet scent, and his eyes gleaming brightly.

It was in that moment that Xing Conglian suddenly realized that whenever he drove at night, Lin Chen hardly ever slept. Those words and coffee, hot tea, and the waiting while he smoked—they were the most ordinary yet extraordinary companionship.

He hadn’t been aware of this before, and now that he had suddenly lost it, he realized how terrifying habits could be, making his whole body tremble.

Xing Conglian felt panic once again. He picked up his phone and started scrolling through his contacts without any specific purpose, trying to distract himself from the memories by focusing on work.

But before he could find someone to talk to, he received a call from Guanghua Chemicals.

Wang Chao sounded excited because Xiao Zhan had made some progress in the drug research.

As Xing Conglian answered the call, Wang Chao spoke a lot, using lengthy technical terms. Xing Conglian didn’t have the mental capacity to listen to them, but in order to avoid thinking about Lin Chen randomly, he forced himself to take note of the contents and repeatedly confirm his understanding.

This phone call consumed the duration of about seven or eight traffic lights. If it weren’t for Wang Chao asking at the end, “How is A’Chen Gege doing?” Xing Conglian might have truly escaped from his memories.

However, his efforts had clearly failed. Lin Chen was right—there was so much work, and he couldn’t finish it all in his lifetime.

He hung up the phone and turned up the volume of the car radio.

The ambient sound reverberated loudly, yet he felt the car cabin becoming even quieter.

Lin Chen was good to Wang Chao, not because he had a secret crush on him or was influenced by a herd mentality. Xing Conglian was well aware of this, just like with the chubby kid who introduced them. Lin Chen had a strong protective instinct toward these innocent beings.

They had also discussed Wang Chao’s education when he couldn’t hear them.

In the face of Lin Chen, Xing Conglian had asked him in confusion whether Wang Chao was too naive, as his mental age seemed too childish.

At that time, Lin Chen furrowed his brows, deep in thought, and didn’t immediately answer his question.

Xing Conglian thought that perhaps Lin Chen was reluctant to criticize him directly. But maybe it was a few hours later, deep into the night, when Lin Chen handed him a book titled <The Psychology of Abnormal Children>.

The book was filled with various colored tabs, and many paragraphs inside were marked with special annotations.

They sat by the window, and Lin Chen flipped through the book page by page, explaining about gifted children and teaching him to understand the concept of mental age, among other related topics. Like a devoted scholar, he was both serious and adorable.

The desk lamp cast a dim yellow light, the spring breeze was gentle, and the reflection of the river water fell on Lin Chen’s face. Xing Conglian wondered if, at that moment, he had already developed feelings for Lin Chen without even realizing it.

He kept thinking and thinking, his mouth dry and tongue parched, only to realize that the cigarette in his hand had burned out without him noticing. There was a pile of scattered cigarette ash on his pants.

He flicked away the cigarette butt and thought of lighting another one, but just as the traffic light turned green, he happened to turn into a small road sandwiched between residential areas.

Many of the shops on both sides had already closed, but the late-night snack shops had just opened.

This place was very close to their home. Countless mornings, he and Lin Chen had come here side by side to have breakfast.

Their shared memories were as pervasive as the morning mist permeating the South.

Lin Chen always knew where to find the best breakfast spots, even though he loved to sleep in. Every once in a while, in the early morning, he would wake Xing Conglian up without being so considerate.

They would traverse through bustling streets and alleys, arriving at lively markets, joining the old men and women who had risen early to wait for soy milk or buy noodle soup.

For example, on Nanlin Street, there were the best buns in the entire Hongjing. Lin Chen liked the rose bean paste ones, while Xing Conglian preferred curry beef. They would each buy two and eat them as they walked.

On the side of the road, there were camphor trees with a light fragrance, and the river flowed gently through the shops along the street. Near the end of the street, wooden signs advertising houses for rent would hang from the trees—all of these images appeared vividly in his mind.

At that time, he thought it was normal for good friends to walk together to find breakfast. Now, he realized how foolish he had been.

Why did Lin Chen always know where to find delicious food? Why didn’t Lin Chen call Wang Chao? And why, no matter how far the distance, was Lin Chen willing to walk with him rather than take a car?

The answers to these questions made Xing Conglian’s heart ache with bittersweetness.

It was because Lin Chen loved him and just wanted to spend a little more time with him; that was all.

Xing Conglian dared not smoke. He even felt that any movement would shatter the scene before his eyes.

Lin Chen didn’t like spicy food but was willing to accompany him to eat spicy crayfish. Lin Chen had a good daily routine and disliked staying up late, yet he would stay up all night with him to watch soccer matches. Lin Chen always reminded him to fasten his seatbelt, and when Xing Conglian was parched and didn’t even notice it himself, Lin Chen would hand him a bottle of water with the cap already unscrewed…

All these details were too vivid and apparent. He enjoyed the love and care that went beyond friendship, but he remained completely unaware, like a complete fool.

The Zhourui Building was now within reach, but Xing Conglian felt that he couldn’t continue thinking any further. Otherwise, he would definitely abandon everything and turn the car around to rush back to Lin Chen’s side.

He stubbed out the cigarette and found a parking spot by the side of the road, deciding to walk.

The night in the bustling city was also coming to an end.

Milk tea shops were closing, bakeries displayed signs with an 80% discount on all items, and bus stops were crowded with couples.

He was surrounded by pedestrians preparing to return home; the flow of people bustled and supported each other. Under the bright neon lights of the shops, every face wore an expression of exhaustion and happiness, radiant and lively.

Xing Conglian walked forward with his hands in his pockets, constantly brushing shoulders with countless couples.

Girls coquettishly hooked their arms around boys, boys hugged girls and kissed them, and close friends bantered with each other. People talked about various topics—clothes, shoes, work, loved ones. The cacophony of voices filled the entire night, but Lin Chen’s voice was absent.

He received another phone call. His subordinate was reporting the latest progress on the drug investigation. Zhourui Pharmaceutical refused to cooperate, and they couldn’t find any breakthroughs for the time being.

Xing Conglian responded half-heartedly, informing the person that he would be there soon.

But in that instant, as he looked around, he suddenly realized that the entire world had lost its colors. Loneliness had penetrated his bones, and it was terrifying.

He even felt that no matter how much Lin Chen loved him, he might not be able to endure a similar moment again. It was too bleak, too lonely, too unbearable. He felt like a patient going through withdrawal, losing the meaning of life.

He reached into his pocket and found that the cigarette box was empty. He was forced to walk to a small cigarette stall on the street.

An old man opened a trunk under a streetlamp, displaying various kinds of cigarettes. The dim light from the streetlamp scattered down, casting everything in a dull yellow hue.

He squatted down to choose a cigarette, with couples beside him selecting jewelry. The girl was sweet-looking, and the boy appeared to be an athletic type, tall and handsome, the kind who never lacked attention from girls.

The boy questioned why the girl made him wait for so long, and the girl replied that she had to wait for her parents to fall asleep and finish applying makeup before sneaking out.

“I love you no matter how you look,” the boy said, lowering his head.

“Without colored contacts or false eyelashes, you wouldn’t like me,” the girl responded cheerfully.

Xing Conglian couldn’t help but turn his head. The girl beside him had glamorous makeup, long eyelashes, and her eyes seemed to shine in the darkness.

Perhaps he had been staring for a bit too long. The girl pointed at him and said to the boy, “See?”

“You don’t trust me.”

“It’s not about trust, but my own vanity. I want to appear beautiful in front of you every day.”

Xing Conglian averted his gaze, feeling that such a conversation would never occur between him and Lin Chen.

Lin Chen always tolerated and cared for him like a polite stranger. What was happening around him was what normal conversations between couples would sound like.

He didn’t want to listen any further, so he picked up a cigarette, asked for the price, and started to take out money.

The boy was still concerned about the issue of makeup and asked the girl, “So, if you’re sick, can’t I come and take care of you? What if you get old and take medication that drives you crazy?”

“Even if I’m sick, I’ll still put on makeup. If I get old, I’ll just die. If I take medication that turns me into a lunatic, you better not come see me. The farther away you stay, the better!”

The girl stomped her feet, frustrated, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.

Xing Conglian’s hand, in the process of receiving change, froze. He looked at the old man’s withered fingers, feeling as if his whole body had turned to stone.

“You’re not allowed to come see me.” The girl beside him had said those words. What about Lin Chen? How would Lin Chen say it?

Xing Conglian felt as if he had returned to the ambulance. It was already dark outside, and Lin Chen’s face was blurry in the evening sun, but his voice was firm and gentle.

Lin Chen said, “You have to walk with me.” He said, “You need to focus on your work and solve the problems.” He also said, “You have to remember to come see me.”

He kept recalling every word Lin Chen said, over and over again. That incomprehensible feeling, that sense that something was off, resurfaced, like the immense shadow of an iceberg beneath the water’s surface, suffocating.

It wasn’t the girl saying, “You’re not allowed to come see me,” but rather, “You have to remember to come see me”…

Xing Conglian finally understood what was wrong with that statement.

He had always been aware of Lin Chen’s love for him. When Lin Chen kissed him, he loved him. When Lin Chen was gravely ill, he loved him. Even when Lin Chen chose to inject Shen Lian’s medication, he still loved him…

But the depth of love was too difficult to measure. He used to think it was deep affection and love that he couldn’t repay.

Yet in this moment, under this ordinary streetlamp, as he listened to the most ordinary story of a couple, he suddenly realized just how profound Lin Chen’s love for him truly was, like a roaring wave crashing down upon him.

There was a time when he felt a ringing in his ears, and Lin Chen’s voice kept echoing in his mind.

If he were to turn into a crazed, inhuman figure, the first thing he would do is drive Lin Chen away, refusing to appear before his loved one in such an ugly state.

And yet, Lin Chen cared too much for him. Even in such moments, Lin Chen would restrain his instinctive fear of exposing his own ugliness, carefully considering how to better support him. Not pushing him away, but finding ways to mentally support him during the remaining time they had together.

Lin Chen wanted him to be better, to give him hope. That’s why he appeared so incredibly strong. Lin Chen chose treatment plans solely aiming to make him less miserable. Lin Chen was even willing to completely expose his own flaws in front of him, dignity becoming completely irrelevant.

All of this was because in Lin Chen’s mind, his feelings were more important.

But how was that possible? It was Lin Chen, and how could dignity not be important?

This kind of intelligence, rationality, and care, even striving to become stronger for him in his most vulnerable moments, made Lin Chen completely irresistible. Xing Conglian stood under the streetlamp, going insane as he rushed towards his car.

At that time, Lin Chen’s gaze was too tender and affectionate, softer than the fading red glow on the horizon. He couldn’t see the fear, the unease, and the overwhelming love hidden within it. He only felt that Lin Chen was too rational, too clear-headed. He felt abandoned, he felt too lonely, so he overlooked that simple and ordinary statement.

His oversight was only natural because Lin Chen had always loved him like this. Lin Chen tried to do his best, while he simply immersed himself in it, enjoying it as a matter of course.

But how many things in the world could be taken for granted?

Xing Conglian stood in place for a long time, his ears buzzing as everything rushed past him. It wasn’t until the silhouette of that young couple completely disappeared under the streetlamp that he snapped back to reality, crazily rushing back along the same road he came.

Against the flow of people, pushing through the crowd, his hands trembling like never before. He even struggled to insert the key into the car’s ignition.

He ended the call, stepping on the gas pedal like a madman, only hoping that he hadn’t left that hospital ward.

The night had become pitch black. He had turned into a frantic, irrational beast. Everything about Lin Chen filled the space around him, and apart from running wildly, he saw no way out.

As vehicles raced on the streets, he ran down the corridor as countless frames of images roared past him.

Lin Chen laughing, Lin Chen crying, Lin Chen speaking, Lin Chen walking, Lin Chen handing him documents, Lin Chen walking out the door, Lin Chen hugging him and saying “thank you”, Lin Chen holding his hand and saying “I love you”…

The simplest scenes were the most unforgettable, resurfacing from the depths of his memory, compressing time and space infinitely.

He locked the door, turned off the lights, and pulled down the curtain. When he realized what he was doing, he was already standing in front of the hospital bed, and everything came to a sudden stop.

All the sights in the world receded like the tide, leaving only the solitary bed in space.

The surroundings were extremely dark, with moonlight slanting through the window, like drifting snow, about to bury the person on the bed completely.

Xing Conglian vaguely saw the familiar face, but at the same time, he felt like he didn’t recognize the person at all. He wanted to reach out, but he was like a person trapped in a nightmare, using all his strength but unable to move.

Time passed aimlessly until a faint, unconscious moan cracked the frozen space.

Xing Conglian looked at the hospital bed again, finally seeing Lin Chen clearly.

Lin Chen was in a dazed state, unable to speak clearly due to the medication’s side effects. His throat was swollen, and saliva even dribbled down from the corner of his mouth. He looked nothing like the clear-headed and composed person before.

Xing Conglian tried to move his fingers, recovering some control, but this recovery made his heart ache to the extreme.

“Why are you treating me like this?”

Xing Conglian’s heart painfully ached and the pain made him climb onto the bed without hesitation. He bit Lin Chen’s neck and with his other hand untied Lin Chen’s restraint.

The person on the bed soon struggled, as if wanting to beat him, even kill him. But Xing Conglian would rather have Lin Chen kill him. Dying together would be the best relief.

He forcibly pulled Lin Chen’s hands over his head and tied him tightly to the iron frame at the head of the bed.

Lin Chen’s upper body contorted in pain, but Xing Conglian felt it wasn’t enough, so he forcibly pulled down Lin Chen’s hospital trousers and underwear. He untied one after another of the white restraints that bound Lin Chen. Lin Chen’s instincts made him struggle frantically, like a true psychiatric patient.

Xing Conglian pulled Lin Chen’s underwear to his legs, and it pressed against Lin Chen’s ankles. He knew that there was no point in suppressing a madman except by pure force.

Lin Chen’s whining filled the space. Xing Conglian finally untied the bound around Lin Chen’s mouth, tore off his shirt, and kissed him vigorously.

Lin Chen was biting wildly causing their teeth to collide, which made the pain all the more unbearable. This chaos was too wild that it didn’t look like a kiss at all.

“Get… Get away!”

Lin Chen shouted with a slurred voice. His body became hot under Xing Conglian.

“Who do you want to get away?” Xing Conglian leaned in close to Lin Chen’s ear and took off his pants. He raised his voice and asked again, “Who am I? Who do you want to get away?”

“Get… Get away!” Lin Chen could only utter incoherent syllables.

Xing Conglian felt like he had completely turned into a madman himself, trying to find a definite answer in this irrational world. “Who am I? Why do you want me to get away?”

Lin Chen trembled all over, reciting mechanically in a tone buried deep in his mind that he dared not forget: “Xing Conglian… Xing Conglian… Xing Conglian… Xing Conglian…”

He pressed his penis against Lin Chen’s and grinded twice. Both of them were hot and hard.

Lin Chen trembled all over and mechanically yet in a tone that was buried deep in his mind that he didn’t dare forget, said, “Xing Conglian… Xing Conglian… Xing Conglian… Xing Conglian…”

Clear and distinct words came from Lin Chen’s mouth, each one choking Xing Conglian up. He didn’t understand the mind and brain, didn’t comprehend the human soul. He had no idea how important he was to Lin Chen, to the point where even in the depths of Lin Chen’s mental chaos, he couldn’t forget his name.

Xing Conglian reached toward the head of the bed and grabbed the cream used to help heal the wounds on Lin Chen’s body. He indiscriminately squeezed it on his finger and forcibly inserted it into Lin Chen’s hole.

Lin Chen was in intense pain. His body was tensed up, and his head kept shaking. He heard Lin Chen say, “Xing Conglian… Xing Conglian, get away…”

Xing Conglian knew that he couldn’t leave now. He had a question that he must ask, an answer that was heart-wrenching, but he had to get that answer.

He couldn’t even bring himself to look into Lin Chen’s eyes. Once again, he forcefully held onto Lin Chen and leaned in close, speaking in the coldest and most ruthless tone, “With me, you can be willful, selfish, unreasonable. I would even die with you if you didn’t want to live anymore. I just need you to answer my question, just tell me the truth.” He spoke, but soon he couldn’t hold on any longer and his voice choked. “Please, tell me the truth.”

It seemed that his pleading had worked, or perhaps it was the tears falling on Lin Chen’s face that truly brought him back to clarity.

Lin Chen’s movements came to a halt as he looked at him in confusion.

“What do you think of me?” He pressed his penis against Lin Chen’s hole as he asked.

“Don’t look at me.” In that moment of stillness, Lin Chen’s gaze was heartbreaking.

“Who doesn’t want to see you?” he asked again.

“Xing Conglian… Xing Conglian don’t look at me… Xing Conglian don’t look at me like this!” Lin Chen sobbed, like a child who had made a mistake, extremely agitated and desperate. “Xing Conglian won’t like me. Xing Conglian can’t not like me…”

Every syllable uttered by Lin Chen stabbed into his heart like a knife. Indeed, it was just like that.

All of Xing Conglian’s movements ceased, and even his heart felt like it stopped beating. He had completely stripped himself and Lin Chen. They were facing each other, naked, and the surrounding was a mess, but he had lost all ability to act.

Perhaps it was half a minute, or maybe an infinitely long time, Xing Conglian felt the blood slowly flow back to his limbs. He didn’t understand what he was doing anymore.

He propped himself up on his elbow and kissed Lin Chen’s cheek, releasing the restraints on the bed, and got up. At that moment, Lin Chen suddenly yanked him violently and said to him, in a voice that was clear, unequivocal, unambiguous, and agonizing, with an instinctive human desire for love and sex, “Enter me…”

Lin Chen’s voice was full of fear, but his eyes were crazed with love.

Xing Conglian was once again filled with overwhelming grief, tightly embracing Lin Chen.

It was an incredibly painful and firm world, just like Lin Chen’s heart. Besides bleeding and forcibly tearing open, there was no other way.

Lin Chen gasped in pain writhing out of shape as he groaned, roared, and shouted “go away” and “please” incessantly.

Xing Conglian couldn’t experience any sexual pleasure but felt that such a painful union was too suitable for lunatics like them. He kept thrusting inside Lin Chen’s, going deeper and deeper.

“Ah… Nn…” Lin Chen’s voice had long since become hoarse, unable to form complete sentences. “Love you… I…”

Xing Conglian kissed his neck vigorously, thinking if he wrecked Lin Chen’s belly*, they would no longer have to face such difficulties.

*Figuratively as in his dick is so large it makes his stomach bulge.

He had never truly understood Lin Chen, starting from the moment Lin Chen appeared at his doorstep. He had never really understood Lin Chen.

“Tell me the truth. Tell me what you’re thinking!” He pulled out and suddenly grabbed onto the roots of Lin Chen’s hair, questioning Lin Chen forcefully.

“I, I… it hurts… it hurts.” Tears overflowed from Lin Chen’s eyes. “Xing Conglian… Xing Conglian…”

“Tell me!” he roared in anger.

Lin Chen shouted almost mournfully, “I love you. I don’t want to be your friend or colleague. I want to be with you.”

“Go on!” He pulled out again and thrusted his dick back into Lin Chen’s insides.

“Why don’t you like me? Why don’t you know that I love you? My luck is so bad. I encounter so many bad people, I could die at any time. Please fall in love with me, because if I’m not careful, I might not live to see that day.” Lin Chen was in complete pain, and he couldn’t feel any erotic pleasure. His words were jumbled and illogical. “I will die. I will die soon… If I die, you won’t know that I loved you… That’s good… It’s good this way…”

Xing Conglian understood very well that he would never hear these words from Lin Chen when he was clear-minded. This filled him with immeasurable heartache, and he couldn’t find any other outlet for his emotions. He could only continue to embed Lin Chen with his penis.

“I love you, but you can’t know. But Song Shengsheng died. He was such a good person, and he died. I can’t help it. I really can’t help it… I want to give it a try. I really want to try… I shouldn’t have done that, but I really couldn’t control myself. I love you!” Lin Chen bit into his shoulder in pain.

Xing Conglian tasted the bitterness of blood and tears in his mouth. “I’m sorry… I didn’t know… I really didn’t know…” He held Lin Chen tightly. He felt more helpless and terrified than Lin Chen. Besides continuously saying “I love you” and “I’m sorry”, he was at a loss for what to do.

“I didn’t want to do that. I didn’t abandon you. Shen Lian can’t die… Even if I die, she can’t die. But I have no way out. I really can’t think of any solution… Why am I so stupid… Why am I so stupid…” Xing Conglian didn’t know what Lin Chen was thinking. He started to desperately hit his head with his hands. “Don’t be sad, don’t be upset. It’s my fault, I’m so stupid, so stupid.”

“I know… I’m sorry, truly sorry… I know you tried your best…” Xing Conglian held onto Lin Chen’s hand, feeling ashamed for the momentary thought of breaking up. “But I really don’t know what to do. I have nothing good about me. I’m not good at all. I’ve killed many people. I’m foolish and selfish. Thank you… really, thank you…”

It was so difficult for Xing Conglian. Clearly, he should be cherishing Lin Chen, treasuring him, and loving him endlessly. But no matter what he did, he could never match the love Lin Chen had for him.

He stopped all his movements and gently kissed Lin Chen’s eyelashes. He tried to slow down his movements, but he felt that only pain could resolve everything.

“Xing Conglian… I’m sorry!”

Lin Chen shouted with the last of his strength with his hoarse voice, and the pain pierced through his heart.

At that moment, Xing Conglian realized that he had already lost himself when it came to Lin Chen. He was in complete disarray.

Apart from staying with Lin Chen through life and death, he had no other path to take.

Kinky Thoughts:

Okay, I didn’t realize that there was actually smut in this novel. When I first translated it, I was extremely confused as a few chapters after this, there was mention of them having sex and I was baffled as nothing of that nature was mentioned at all. It wasn’t until much later that I found out all the sex scenes were cut out in the JJ version, so I had to do a little bit of dicktective work and find the uncensored version. To replace the uncensored version, the author added bits to the censored version, so this chapter is actually a combination of both the uncensored and censored version.

I tried my best to combine them as smoothly as possible, but there might still be some areas that’s a bit disjointed. Still, it’s a lot better than reading and finding out they fuck and is completely lost as that was never mentioned (like I did in my first go).

For those concerned, there is one more sex scene chapter that was cut, but that’s not until the extras. As far as I can tell, no other smut was cut out.

<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Full Server First Kill Ch4

August 3, 2023May 1, 2024 Kinky6 Comments

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

Chapter 4: Dire Straits

Xu Yue—no, Mage Nol wanted to curse.

He had always had a good temper, but after consecutive experiences of “financial freedom is at hand but then transformed into a small monster mob”, “nearly falling to death due to a collapsing ground when descending the mountain”, and “a high-level dungeon’s hidden boss attacking out of nowhere”, anyone would become irritable.

“Stop!” Nol shouted sternly. Accompanied by the hoarse voice of a skeleton soldier, this command was especially intimidating.

However, Teest didn’t slow down for even half a second.

“Water!” Teest retorted succinctly.

“The water will be intercepted by the Lich! If you keep running, your life will also be intercepted by the Lich—”

Teest finally stopped.

The roaring sound of water still echoed behind them, but the rumbling gradually grew fainter. The rock passage was originally surrounded by only mud, but now there were broken stone bricks scattered around. They were uneven, carrying the regularity characteristic of man-made objects. Compared to the dry riverbed, the surroundings looked more like the remnants of a corridor.

Teest waited in place for a few seconds, and the water flow indeed didn’t approach further. He raised an eyebrow. “You indeed know the monsters very well.”

“The Lich is a high-level undead. As another undead monster, I can sense it.”

In fact, Nol’s understanding of the Lich went far beyond this. Not to mention that he had personally tested all the dungeons; he had even seen the modeling of Lich Valdorlock without clothes.

To enrich the game world, the development team designed a few special professions that could only be obtained through hidden dungeons. Hidden dungeons were limited; once cleared, they disappeared, and the requirements to conquer them were very strict. If a Player failed to clear it, there would be no second chance.

Despite hidden dungeons adjusting their difficulty according to the number of Players, they were still class-changing dungeons and had strict level requirements. If the level wasn’t sufficient, one couldn’t even enter the dungeon.

Teest, in his rookie gear, looked like a newbie and Nol wasn’t even considered a Player; they shouldn’t be here at all!

Even going ten thousand steps back, to awaken the boss Valdorlock, one must first clear the hidden dungeon “Forgotten Royal Court”. To enter the Forgotten Royal Court, one must first complete a complex prelude quest.

No part of the journey included an “underground river corridor”, but they had ended up right at the Lich’s doorstep.

Nol had a foreboding feeling. Each dungeon had an independent map. There shouldn’t be a bug like “being air-dropped somewhere after external destruction”.

Something was wrong with this world.

“Any suggestions, Mage?” Teest leaned against a relatively intact brick wall. “Apart from dealing with that Lich, we seem to have no other choice.”

“No, it’s best to avoid it and find a way back to the surface,” Nol said. That Lich wasn’t something they could handle now.

“The back is all water, and ahead is a Lich. If we slowly dig a hole here, I’m sure I’ll starve to death,” Teest said lightly. “I’d rather try to fight the Lich.”

‘You’re dreaming,’ Nol thought helplessly.

A lone wolf challenging a lion could barely be called “trying”. But if it dared to attack a dragon, that wasn’t trying, it was courting death.

A cold laugh echoed in the darkness, as if agreeing with his opinion.

The next moment, the corridor in front of the two twisted. They were violently grabbed by spatial magic. The narrow and crumbling passage silently shattered, and the surroundings turned into a spacious hall.

The grand hall was slightly tilted, and knee-deep water had accumulated on the floor. The dark water surface reflected the mineral glow on the ceiling, as if the galaxy had fallen to the ground. On both sides of the hall, exquisite armor was covered with rust, golden red curtains were full of mildew, and no trace of life could be seen in the vast hall. Only the Lich—huge and floating in the center of the hall—was visible.

It stood three meters tall, draped in a tattered mage’s robe, and was bound in the middle of the hall by hundreds of translucent chains. The decaying edge of the robe just touched the water surface, causing ripples to spread.

At this moment, it looked down at the two with a sneer.

Lich Valdorlock was pale, with a thin and elongated face, devoid of hair or beard. His dry skin was tightly stretched over the skull, the cheekbones were high, and his pair of eyes were deeply recessed, with only two pinpoints of cold light visible in the shadows. Just being watched by him, Nol felt the illusion of being crushed.

“Go to the throne, quick!”

He didn’t want to wait for the Lich to give an opening speech. To Valdorlock, they were no different from cockroaches—the normal reaction to seeing a cockroach is to grab a slipper, not to make small talk with it.

Teest heeded the advice this time. He leaped from the water’s surface and rushed towards the throne. The moment he jumped away, massive shadow spikes thrust out from the water, piercing where they had once stood.

Missing his mark, the Lich remained expressionless.

He raised his skeletal claws, and the shadow spikes splintered into countless black arrows, their tails gleaming with dark green light, aimed directly at Teest.

Teest seemed to have eyes behind his back. He gracefully leaped across the ruined hall and occasionally skimmed over the chains that bound the Lich. Many black arrows that seemed to hit him were blocked by the chains. In less than ten seconds, he landed on the spacious throne.

“What now?” He asked the skull without even breaking a sweat.

‘Not bad in terms of motor skills,’ Nol thought, a bit surprised.

“Now rest for a while and wait for my body to grow back,” Nol said. “The throne is the only safe place here.”

Teest just hummed in response and started observing the Lich with interest. In contrast to their leisure, the Lich wasn’t in a happy mood—

“Sacrilege.”

The Lich indeed didn’t attack again. He pointed at them with his gaunt finger, his voice sharp and cold as ice water.

“Vermins trying to touch the throne—this is sacrilege.”

“I agree.” Teest put the skull beside his leg and sighed. “If you’d just send us back above ground, I’ll get off right away and even help you clean your precious chair.”

“No one can leave alive,” the Lich whispered ominously. “Not heroes, not traitors, and certainly not a knight without a master.”

“Don’t talk about people as if they’re pet dogs. I’m not the one that’s chained up.” Teest shook his head.

The Lich’s chains rattled, and the blue light in his eyes flickered.

So the kid’s profession is a knight, but he doesn’t even have a sword. Nol touched his newly grown rib, feeling numb.

No matter how sharp-tongued Teest might be, he couldn’t really harm the Lich. The Lich knew this and didn’t show anger, only gazing down at them maliciously.

“Living things need to eat. You can’t hide forever. Knight, your fate has only two endings—die on the throne in cowardice or die in despair by my hands.”

Teest groped beside the throne for a few seconds, grabbed a thumb-sized stone, and with a whizz, the stone flew through the air, hitting the Lich’s forehead.

[HP – 0]

This hit had no power; it only triggered the Lich’s combat state.

A dark red health bar appeared above the Lich’s head, long enough to make one’s eyes spin. Teest paused and stared at it thoughtfully for a few seconds before the bar disappeared.

“Aren’t you fully grown yet?” He poked Nol’s skull.

Nol didn’t answer right away.

As his body gradually became whole, he could finally take in his surroundings. Above the throne, the entire hall was visible—more real and beautiful than Nol’s memory.

Even the Lich, though a creature of death, radiated a subtle vitality.

The Dragon Tomb Garden was always dim, far inferior to the splendor of the hall before him. When the world he created turned into reality, no creator could resist the shock.

“…Don’t rush. I’m growing legs.” Nol snapped back to reality as Teest poked him again.

“With all due respect, even if you grow legs now, they’re of no use,” Teest said. “Until we take down that guy, we’re not going anywhere.”

This was true.

Given their weakness, one direct hit would be enough to bid farewell to this place. For Teest, “here” might mean “this dungeon”; but for Nol, “here” meant “this world”.

Even worse, if Teest was eliminated, Nol would also undoubtedly die. The undead had strong upper-level suppression. Even if he thought of a solution, he couldn’t implement it.

He managed to pick up a companion underground, which could be considered a balance of luck.

“Did you bring any healing herbs?” Nol asked.

“No.” Teest was still sizing up the Lich.

“Do you know healing magic?”

“No.”

“Have you ever learned how to engrave a tombstone?” Nol decided to withdraw the thought of “balanced of luck”.

“Aren’t you giving up too easily?” Teest finally turned his head back.

“Then at least tell me what you can actually do,” Nol said dryly. “Besides jumping and dodging.”

Teest counted on his fingers. “Swordsmanship, holy light spells, fireball spells. I guess these are the only things that will work on it.”

Nol fell silent; the blue flames in his eye sockets flickered.

Attacks within the safe zone couldn’t cause damage, and simply attacking and dodging wouldn’t work either. If anyone stayed in the safe zone for more than five seconds, the Lich would automatically disengage from the battle and recover to full health.

Someone must continually battle it.

Lich Valdorlock belonged to the high-IQ boss category. He had over sixty common attack combinations, which would continue to change with the battle.

The fighters must recognize those brief pre-casting animations.

Many of the Lich’s moves were area of effects* attacks that couldn’t be avoided entirely. And this would be a protracted battle where physical exhaustion was inevitable. Without healing methods, even the most experienced Players were doomed to fail.

*(AOE) An attack or defense, such as a spell or skill, that affects all characters within a specified range of the target place or character.

Fighters must have healing items or healing magic.

…These were the basic requirements for a normal raid*. But they were so underleveled that it was appalling, and they didn’t even have equipment or weapons.

*Raid boss. It’s a boss that’s specialized and designed to be fought by multiple players, typically of significantly higher difficulty than a normal boss and requires specialized strategy and/or loadouts.

A game puzzle.

Yes, this was just a game puzzle. Nol looked at the hall filled with starlight, and the thinking made him calm, as if he had returned to that familiar office.

“Your legs have grown back.” Teest spoke after an unknown period. “Mage, Mr. Mage?”

Nol raised his head from his thoughts. He had thought long enough. During that time, his body was restored, and his hit points were full again. This was a good start. Nol smiled, though Teest probably couldn’t recognize the grin on a skull.

“We need to sign a contract first to prevent us from attacking each other.”

“Is that a good idea? I’m human, you’re a monster. I’ve only heard of a similar contract…”

“No, not signing a ‘Master-Slave Contract’. Even if you were my biological father, it wouldn’t work,” Nol interrupted. No matter how dire the situation, he wouldn’t do something foolish like entrusting his fate to someone else.

Of course, he knew Teest meant no harm. For Players who wanted to team up with monsters, a “Master-Slave Contract” was the only known method.

But he wasn’t an ordinary monster.

He had a brain, and he was familiar with all the rules and loopholes of “Tahe”.

“We’re going to sign a different kind of contract.”

The skeleton on the throne announced, word by word.

“…In simple terms, we have to get married first.”

The author has something to say:

Teest: (Pupils quaking)

Being proposed to by a skeleton in an underground ruin is super exciting. Congratulations to the two for achieving the fastest marriage achievement (?

<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Sendoff Ch54

August 3, 2023August 4, 2023 Kinky4 Comments

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

Chapter 54: Blizzard

When Yin Ci released his grip, the pile of thorns grew back vigorously.

Yin Ci: “…”

Shi Jingzhi’s eyes were still red, and he struggled to appear calm. Unfortunately, the Buddha Heart Formation showed no mercy and gave him no face. Shi Jingzhi’s state of mind fluctuated like a withered willow in the wind, experiencing ups and downs. His inner demon followed suit, changing in a rather straightforward manner.

Yin Ci suddenly felt that the thorns on the ground weren’t the thorns of his inner demons, but Shi Jingzhi’s fox tail.

Demonic Lord Yin, who was usually carefree, chuckled when this thought flashed through his mind. Shi Jingzhi remained thunderstruck, his fragile expression not yet fading as it transformed into a shocked “How could you do this?”

“Do you care about me that much?” Yin Ci laughed.

Shi Jingzhi tried to muster a mixture of sorrow and heroism but encountered Yin Ci, who remained unmoved like a rock. In an instant, his emotions became feeble. He irritably withdrew his hand into his sleeve, transforming his earnest indignation into frustration.

After struggling for a moment and forcing the color back into his face, Shi Jingzhi managed to ask, “A’Ci, what do you really think about my inner demon?”

He wanted to open up proactively. Shi Jingzhi restrained the panic in his heart, silently meditating.

Yin Ci maintained his indifferent demeanor as always, but this time, he didn’t make any jokes. He answered quite seriously. “It’s growing well—full of vitality, making others envious.”

Shi Jingzhi: “…” Is it really too late to find another disciple now?

Seeing Shi Jingzhi’s uncertain expression, Yin Ci couldn’t help but suppress his laughter. “What else can I think? Love and hate are intense emotions, and it’s better to resolve them than suppress them. It’s a good thing to be able to understand.”

Shi Jingzhi and his inner demon breathed a sigh of relief, and the chaotic thorns on the ground finally settled down.

However, Yin Ci wasn’t finished yet. He added with a smile, “But Shizun’s true nature is even more adorable than I expected.”

Shi Jingzhi’s heart, which had just settled down, suddenly jumped back into his throat. After a moment, he stammered, “What nonsense are you talking about? Finding the demon lords is more important.”

But he did take his hand out of his sleeve again.

Yin Ci finished laughing and spoke seriously. “Just now, the Su and Yan duo led the demon lords, and I pursued the demonic qi to the edge of the cliff. However, I couldn’t locate their positions, which is suspicious. Your inner demon is external to your body, and it’s spread everywhere like a spider’s web. It happens to be useful in this situation.”

Shi Jingzhi caught on immediately. “Let’s go. Take me to the edge of the cliff.”

Shi Jingzhi’s inner demon was somewhat similar to Lord Bai. It wasn’t directly connected to him and didn’t affect his actions. However, the thorns were scattered all over, densely packed, and occasionally surging, making the path particularly difficult to traverse. Shi Jingzhi originally wanted to carry Lord Bai along, but the goose demon stayed by the unconscious Su Si’s side and refused to budge no matter what he said.

So he had to give up and proceed towards the edge of the cliff with Yin Ci.

The inner demon’s illusion shattered, but the blue sky remained unchanged. Mist rolled at the edge of the cliff, and the spiritual qi of Huilian Mountain floated in the air, exuding a majestic and unchanging presence.

Yin Ci stood at the edge of the cliff, furrowing his brow as he sensed the surroundings for a while. Then, he pointed in a certain direction outside the cliff and said, “The strongest demonic qi is concentrated over there, but it’s scattered and elusive.”

Shi Jingzhi understood. If it were him, he wouldn’t act recklessly by probing. Without a foothold in the void, a wrong judgment could lead to an attack by the demon lords in mid-air, resulting in an irreparable disaster.

“I’ll do it. I’ll expand the thorns to cover the nearby area.”

Yin Ci shook his head. “You’ve just developed your inner demon, and your emotions are unstable. It’s best not to exert too much effort. With my own inner demon as support, you only need to find their approximate locations.”

Yin Ci’s tone carried a natural sense of tolerance. In the past, Shi Jingzhi would inevitably question and analyze such statements. But now, he refrained from deep thought and accepted it wholeheartedly, finding it quite useful.

Shi Jingzhi took a few deep breaths. Despite his fatigue and headache, he extended over a dozen thorny branches of his inner demon towards the empty space outside the cliff. The sensation of the external body was no different from his actual body, and as soon as the thorns shot out, Shi Jingzhi felt a surge of demonic qi brushing against them.

“A’Ci, move forward thirty-five steps and left twelve steps!”

Yin Ci stopped at the edge of the cliff, and then he leaped towards the empty space outside the cliff. The Hanging Shadow Sword danced, resembling a storm, encompassing a radius of five steps. Soon, a cry of pain echoed within the gusts of the sword wind. Two demons gradually revealed themselves.

Outside the cliff, there was only empty space, without even a crooked-neck tree to lean on. Yin Ci couldn’t stay suspended in mid-air, so before the demons fully manifested, he used the shadow chains behind him to swing back.

The black fire in the headlamp didn’t flicker even a bit.

With the demon lords exposed due to the injury, the two of them could finally see their appearance.

Undoubtedly, they were the mountain guardians of Huilian. Though, including the Lord of Greed, not a single one resembled a fierce beast. On the outer side of the cliff, there was a floating and moving invisible stone platform with a bull demon and a monkey demon standing on it.

The bull demon seemed both real and illusory, appearing like a faint shadow at first glance, somewhat resembling the shadow hand on Yin Ci’s body. However, upon closer inspection, one could only see a small portion of its body that garnered attention, while the rest outside the line of sight dissipated like mist. Trying to forcibly observe would only lead to headaches and restlessness.

In short, its true form was elusive. It was likely that the demonic qi of the two demons had fragmented and become unpredictable, most likely due to this particular demon’s characteristics.

Blinded by anger and oblivious to the bigger picture, it was probably the Lord of Hatred.

The Lord of Ignorance was easier to recognize—sitting on the back of the bull demon, it had two faces growing from its left and right sides, but its four eyes were misplaced and still located on the front of its head. It stared coldly in their direction, and both of its mouths grinned, emitting low squeaks and chirps.

As soon as their traces were exposed, the two demons turned their heads and fled, disappearing into the air. This time, they didn’t use any concealment techniques—they didn’t entirely vanish but rather concealed themselves from head to toe, as if running into an invisible doorway.

Yin Ci and Shi Jingzhi exchanged glances.

Immediately, Yin Ci hugged Shi Jingzhi and leaped swiftly onto the invisible stone platform. The blood of the Demon Lords was still dripping on the platform, and upon closer inspection, it appeared as if a few drops of blood were moving freely, which was a strange sight indeed.

The floating stone platform fluttered in various directions, but Yin Ci had already memorized the location of the doorway. He tugged at the chain of shadows and looked at Shi Jingzhi. “Shizun, are you ready? If you need to rest, we can wait a little longer.”

Shi Jingzhi stared fixedly at the spot where the two demons disappeared and answered without hesitation. “Follow.”

Yin Ci snorted and leaped into the air once again.

His qinggong was much more solid than Shi Jingzhi’s. Even if the stone platform floated far away, he easily leaped into the invisible “doorway”.

Shi Jingzhi instinctively tightened his grip, and the two of them plunged into the void.

In just an instant, the daylight and mountains disappeared from view, and they fell into a cold shadow. Then, they landed solidly on the ground somewhere.

Within the darkness of the doorway, there was a secluded space. Yin Ci released his hold on Shi Jingzhi and felt around, only touching cold and rough rocks.

Beneath their feet was frozen soil, and the entrance had become a dark gray giant rock wall. It felt as if they hadn’t jumped into the empty space at the edge of the cliff, but rather fell into a narrow cave.

The cave was silent, with only a faint light coming through the distant opening. The formation here was different from the Buddha Heart Formation, and it seemed that the Lord of Hatred and Lord of Ignorance wouldn’t be trapped here; they had likely escaped long ago.

Shi Jingzhi rushed towards the cave entrance. Outside the cave, there was an expanse of vastness, with fierce winds and snow that enveloped the entire world in a white blur. He cautiously reached out his hand to touch the wind and snow outside the cave, but he only encountered emptiness.

It was the boundary of the formation.

Shi Jingzhi turned back and looked at Yin Ci behind him. The thorns that had been wrapped around his waist before were gone, and the shadow hand on Yin Ci’s body was nowhere to be seen.

He took a deep breath and decisively shared his discovery. “The inner demons have vanished. It seems we’re not inside the Buddha Heart Formation anymore. From the looks of it, someone has solidified a small formation here, and the two formations are incompatible.”

Yin Ci looked at Shi Jingzhi with some surprise and continued the conversation. “Indeed. The scale of a small formation should be the work of an individual… To be crazy enough to tamper with the Buddha Heart Formation—we only know one person capable of that.”

Shi Jingzhi leaned against the cave wall with a worried expression. “Did he have to draw spiritual qi from the Buddha Heart Formation? Couldn’t Yan Budu have left a message without resorting to that?”

“It means he wanted to convey multiple clues, which is a good thing.” Yin Ci sat down in place and stretched lazily.

The moment they stepped in, the small formation was activated. Although the formation was created by Yan Budu, it was rare that there was no trace of hostility. It was mostly safe.

Despite being an illusion, the coldness within the formation remained. It seemed to be preserving the integrity of the formation. Shi Jingzhi had lost his inner demon, but his inner force was still suppressed by the small formation. He stood there, exhaling white vapor for a while, before finally giving in and leaning towards Yin Ci.

“May I lean on you for a while? I feel a bit cold,” he politely asked.

Yin Ci looked at him, finding his act quite convincing, and promptly made some space. “No need to be so polite. Come here.”

Shi Jingzhi, exhausted from the recent development of his inner demon, leaned on Yin Ci for a while, carefully adjusting his posture, half-hanging on Yin Ci’s body. His fatigue intensified, and he became drowsy.

Yin Ci hugged him, guiding him to adjust his breathing while keeping his eyes fixed on the entrance of the cave.

Yan Budu wouldn’t be so cruel as to let them freeze to death after playing around like this.

As expected, not long after, a figure stumbled into the cave.

The person wore dark red armor, and his white fox fur was stained with blood and snow. With one arm hanging limply, he was obviously severely injured. From a distance, the red jade smoking pipe at his waist was infuriatingly familiar.

Yin Ci quickly nudged the half-asleep fox. “He’s here.”

In the short time it took to burn two sticks of incense, Shi Jingzhi’s face was buried on Yin Ci’s shoulder as fragments of dreams scattered about. Now suddenly awakened, he was momentarily dazed and almost jumped up entirely. “What? Who’s here?”

His voice wasn’t low, but Yan Budu seemed as if he hadn’t heard it.

Squinting his crimson eyes, Yan Budu tore open his clothes and skillfully tended to his wounds. After setting the broken bones, he leaned against the rock wall and let out a long breath.

At that moment, he had tied his hair into a high ponytail, and the disheveled strands touched his pale skin, exuding a hint of charm. However, this charm, when applied to Yan Budu, carried an additional sense of dangerous intentions.

Yan Budu didn’t stay calm for long. After a while, his eyebrows furrowed slightly, and he covered his mouth, unexpectedly spitting out a mouthful of blood.

Shi Jingzhi and Yin Ci: “…” This scene looked strangely familiar.

After vomiting out the blood, Yan Budu remained expressionless. He didn’t show any surprise and simply wiped away the fresh blood with a snowball he held in his hand. Then he wrapped himself in the fox fur and attempted to rest his eyes—yet every time he rested for a moment, he would turn his head and spit out a few more mouthfuls of blood.

Yin Ci’s expression turned strange. “Does he have this condition? I’ve never heard of it.”

Shi Jingzhi also held his breath and focused. “I haven’t come across any records either. It’s possible that the Ling Sect values strength above all and doesn’t want to admit that their own Hierarch can also fall ill… Or perhaps he has been enduring it in front of others. If it were me, I could endure it when necessary too.”

Yan Budu continued to sleep and vomit, vomiting and waking up, barely regaining some color in his face. Seemingly tired of sleeping, he weakly turned his head and looked towards the snowstorm outside the cave.

After observing for a while, Shi Jingzhi started to peck at imaginary grains again. Unexpectedly, it wasn’t Yin Ci who woke him up this time, but Yan Budu.

“Now that you’re here, you might as well come in and sit.”

Yan Budu’s voice was languid, filled with a strong sense of hostility, without a hint of weakness. He turned his head and greeted the outside of the cave.

“…I mean, Venerable Kongshi, with the situation outside like this, do you still want to immediately capture me and bring me out of the mountain?”

The author has something to say:

Yan Budu pulled a power cord from the monks’ formation, stealing electricity to power a video recorder (×

Fox Shi: What should we do? It’s so dangerous to enter the mortal world, and it’s so difficult to open up one’s heart.

Demonic Lord Yin: How cute (?

<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Kinky Translations

Author: Kinky

Bu Tian Gang Ch152

Author: 梦溪石 / Meng Xi Shi

Chapter 152

Evil As Humans Ch208

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

Chapter 208: Power

Evil As Humans Ch207

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

Chapter 207: One Night in This World

Sendoff Ch55

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

Chapter 55: Kongshi

Criminal Psychology Ch251

Author: 长洱 / Chang’er

Chapter 251

Criminal Psychology Ch250

Author: 长洱 / Chang’er

Chapter 250

Criminal Psychology Ch249

Author: 长洱 / Chang’er

Chapter 249

Criminal Psychology Ch248

Author: 长洱 / Chang’er

Chapter 248

Full Server First Kill Ch4

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

Chapter 4: Dire Straits

Sendoff Ch54

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

Chapter 54: Blizzard