Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

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

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Chapter 220: Beloved

In the “Lonely” courtyard, Qi Xin casually chose a “Lonely” to lean on and rest.

The “Lonely” that was used as a cushion dared not speak up. It obediently lay there, curling its soft limbs into a ball. In the small courtyard where the seasons mixed, Qi Xin leisurely passed the time, appearing somewhat content.

“Why don’t you go help that cub?” A voice abruptly interjected.

The Lonely cats perked up at the news, but upon confirming the speaker, they lazily returned to their original positions.

A woman stood at the entrance of the courtyard, draped in a snow-white knitted cloak that almost swallowed her whole. The cloak was made of thick and rigid threads, resembling miniature human arms. Half of the woman’s face was hidden behind the cloak, making her features indistinct.

Qi Xin: “I’ve taught him everything he needs to know. If he’s willing to devote himself to humans, then let him go.”

“I’m asking why ‘you’ don’t go.” The woman’s lips curled up while she spoke with a voice as gentle as water. “After finally finding the cub of Fear, it should be properly taken care of.”

Qi Xin: “Properly taken care of? I don’t intend to risk my life for him… especially when you’re the opponent. I’m not that foolish.”

“Love” quietly stood by the door, without responding.

Qi Xin rolled her eyes unreservedly. Love had been hitting the gap with its body, too weak at that point to maintain control over humans for long periods of time. Now, it could not only control humans but also use them as vessels, carrying fragments of itself to walk on the Other Side.

Right now, there was no difference between it and Qi Xin.

“Just eating ‘Joy’ alone wouldn’t give you this kind of power,” Qi Xin said. “Is it because of that broken net of yours? What have you done?”

“Even if I tell you, you won’t easily change your stance,” Love gently replied. “I’m just giving you a reminder. It’s a good habit to leave room for possibilities. I hope you can persevere with it.”

Qi Xin absentmindedly played with the cat’s soft limbs, lowering her gaze.

This was a self-reflection.

On the night when “Fear” fell a thousand years ago, “Sorrow” concealed its true form. Qi Xin, as one of the oldest and most powerful Primordial Elementals, could only be found by other Elementals if she intentionally revealed herself. The only exception was “Satisfaction”. Since then, Qi Xin could only manipulate a tiny portion of her body to walk on the Other Side. She wouldn’t obey Love’s orders or deliberately oppose them; she was just barely getting by.

For Love, she was ultimately an uncertain factor.

“I see. Leaving room for possibilities. No wonder you came to warn me in person.”

Qi Xin’s tone remained steady.

“Don’t worry, no matter how the cub and you end up fighting, ‘I’ won’t intervene.”

It was hard to say whether that thing was a proper cub, but even without Love’s assurance, Qi Xin wouldn’t act recklessly.

Love bowed her head towards Qi Xin, performing a human-like gesture. A strand of soft black hair peeked out from under the cloak, slightly curled at the ends. Then she turned around and walked towards the exit of the small courtyard.

“Hey.”

Qi Xin released her grip on the cat’s soft limbs.

“I mean, as long as you choose the wrong path, whether you dance ballet or crawl forward, wrong is wrong.”

Love turned around; the pale end of her cloak engulfed in white mist.

“Who says there is so much right or wrong?”

She spoke softly.

“According to your words, humans shouldn’t overcome diseases and slow down aging. They shouldn’t prevent natural disasters and research methods to increase productivity? It’s ‘right’ for nature to take its course. Survival of the fittest and all, right? I can’t achieve perfection all at once, that’s all.”

Qi Xin laughed out loud. “You really are the most human-like, even in the aspect of self-righteousness—just as long as the purpose is benevolent, the resulting losses can be ignored?”

“I will atone.” Love’s voice became softer. “After everything is over, I will take responsibility for the chaos on the Other Side that has lasted for thousands of years.”

Qi Xin: “Taking responsibility isn’t just empty words. Let me make it clear: you still have a chance now—the cub of Fear has self-awareness. You can negotiate with him and find alternative solutions.”

Love’s voice grew fainter. “It was born in the human world. It has no sense of belonging to the Other Side. Giving absolute power to ‘outsiders’ is truly foolish.”

Qi Xin shook her head and remained silent.

She looked at the “Lonely” cats not far away. The Lonely cats still had ample food supply. Several larger ones were using tablecloths to wrap up newborn Lonely cats, guiding them to feed.

This scene used to be commonplace, but now it could probably only be seen in a few select groups, like the “Lonely” cats.

“Forget it.” Qi Xin sighed. “You can go now.”

“No need to worry. That cub still helped me, and I have a better solution now.” Love pulled down her hood. “It will be a flawless, perfect solution.”

……

“You, Unit 9—aren’t you the best at finding missing people?” Hu Tao said dreamily.

Huang Jin’s face turned as dark as the bottom of a pot. The surroundings were silent and white, and he was already annoyed by the flashes outside. Upon hearing that there were more dangers than fortunes outside, he wished he could escape on the spot.

How could the legendary Great Celestial Master not even control his own ghost! Moreover, even if the ghost was looking for someone, if it were really following the spirit contract, it should have found Yin Ren. How did this ghost end up coming their way?

Wait, could it be…

Huang Jin stared at Zhong Chengshuo in disbelief. He had just felt that Zhong Chengshuo’s bag seemed to have more flesh and blood than theirs, bulging and full.

Thinking that Yin Ren was highly likely to be here, Huang Jin’s emotions quickly calmed down again. With Yin Ren and Zhong Chengshuo by their side, even if something still happened, he was afraid he would be doomed anyway.

Lu Xiaohe held her mother tightly, not moving at all, almost biting her lips until they bled. At her feet, white threads were sneakily crawling around, trying to entangle Lu Xioahe’s unconscious mother.

“What happened outside?” Zhong Chengshuo asked straightforwardly. “We need accurate information to develop a search plan.”

Hu Tao’s tone was solemn. “This is someone else’s territory, and you trespassed. The people outside are going to be eaten by Elementals. But you are different—you are my acquaintances, and at least you can keep your lives.”

“Thank you.” Zhong Chengshuo looked at the face that was nothing but broken flesh. “Do you have any photos or something of the person you’re looking for?”

Hu Tao paused, as if she hadn’t considered this question before, and had no answer for a moment.

At the same time, Zhong Chengshuo’s mind raced at high speed. Countless threads crawled over his feet and slowly moved away.

Why is she searching for someone?

Love was stuck in the cracks and couldn’t act freely. Even if it exerted its power, Hu Tao was just a ghost. How could she possibly resist the Fear cub? If Hu Tao only used her abilities to locate Yin Ren and summon the Elementals to besiege them, Zhong Chengshuo could somewhat understand. Giving Hu Tao power, allowing her to attack Unit 9, and then granting her what she wanted afterward seemed reasonable.

But now, Hu Tao was only accompanying them to find the missing person she cared about, not directly attacking them.

It was too strange, almost like…

[Buying time.] Yin Ren muttered loudly in Zhong Chengshuo’s mind.

[I understand.] Zhong Chengshuo reassured him by patting the backpack.

“Well, I figured it out. I know how to help you find the person.” Hu Tao pondered for a long time, pushing aside her blood-soaked hair. “You can meet him. Isn’t that enough?”

Immediately, a tidal wave of memories flooded into everyone’s minds from Hu Tao. It was probably Love’s power helping out. Instead of materializing, these memories instantly penetrated everyone’s consciousness.

A living Hu Tao was reading a book in her bedroom. Her complexion was rosy, and her hair was fluffy and clean, shimmering with a beautiful luster. A woman in her fifties was sitting by the bed, making a phone call.

At that time, the decoration of the house had a rustic warmth and was filled with the aroma of fireworks.

Hu Tao got tired of reading and put down the book, hugging the waist of the woman beside her. “Mom.”

“Your aunt just said, don’t go out these days. It’s chaotic outside. Children are missing, and there’s trouble everywhere. I don’t know what’s going on.” Hu Tao’s mother hung up the phone and stroked her daughter’s hair. “Luckily, your father and I came over. Otherwise, I would be worried sick.”

“We also have A’Shen here. We have a lot of people, so we’re not afraid.” Hu Tao smiled happily.

“Wife, taste it. Your mother said you should eat light food during pregnancy. I didn’t dare to put too much salt.”

Before Hu Tao could respond, a young man entered the bedroom carrying a bowl of spare rib soup.

The man wasn’t particularly handsome, with dark skin and slightly chubby, but he had thick eyebrows and big eyes and a well-proportioned appearance. He glanced at Hu Tao’s mother with a smile, showing a hint of nervousness.

“I’ll taste it!” Hu Tao sat up. Her body barely showed any signs of pregnancy.

She took a sip of the soup from the man’s spoon and nodded in satisfaction. “It’s very flavorful. A’Shen, you’re really good at cooking.”

The young man smiled, his brows curving. “Of course! I picked the best meat!”

After speaking, he hesitated and looked at Hu Tao’s mother for a while. Finally, he mustered up the courage and kissed his wife on the forehead.

Hu Tao’s mother looked at the man with an affectionate smile. “Xiao Shen, if you’re tired, you can rest. I’ll take care of the soup.”

“No need, I can cook.” A’Shen quickly waved his hand. “It’ll be ready in a moment. You can rest.”

Hu Tao’s mother continued to smile gently. “My hands are free. How about I go out and buy some groceries? It’s been restless recently. Just for these few days, police cars have come seven or eight times—all sorts of things happening.”

A’Shen: “It’s chaotic outside. I’ll go with you this afternoon.”

“What a good boy.”

As the two of them were chatting, suddenly a banging sound came from outside the door, indicating an unwelcome visitor. A’Shen made a hand gesture to Hu Tao, indicating that she should stay in the bedroom. Then he grabbed a knife from the table. “Who is it?”

“Open the door!” An elderly man shouted from outside. “It’s me, Lao Hu. I was attacked by a lunatic outside!”

A’Shen leaned in to look through the peephole for a few moments and quickly opened the door. Upon hearing that her father was in trouble, Hu Tao couldn’t help herself and walked out of the bedroom, looking concerned in the living room.

Creak.

The heavy security door opened, and the frail old man was shoved inside. He was covered in blood, gasping in pain.

“Lao Hu!” “Dad!” Hu Tao’s mother and Hu Tao exclaimed almost simultaneously.

Hu Tao’s father fell to the ground, revealing the assailant behind him—a burly man with bulging eyes and a blood-stained knife in his hand. He immediately rushed into the house, closed the security door, and blocked the kitchen entrance.

“Mom, take Hu Tao to the bedroom!” A’Shen shouted. “I’ll save Dad!”

Hu Tao’s mother almost collapsed, but upon hearing those words, she seemed to regain her strength. She firmly grabbed Hu Tao’s wrist and dragged her toward the bedroom. “Daughter, daughter, hide and call the police!”

Hu Tao’s mother’s eyes were filled with tears. She locked the bedroom door and dragged the bedside tables and chairs in front of it. But that wasn’t enough. After blocking the bedroom, she pulled Hu Tao into the master bathroom and locked the door from the inside.

Unfortunately, there were few things in the bathroom that could be used to block the door. Hu Tao’s mother could only protect Hu Tao with her own body. Her body was stiff, and her hands and feet were ice-cold. Her breathing became rapid and frightening.

Hu Tao frantically dialed the phone, calling 110 and then 120. She called every emergency number she could think of. Then she curled up next to her mother by the toilet, clinging to her tightly.

There’s a killer in the house. Save us.

My father is seriously injured. Save us.

The scenes from action movies were deceiving. There were no angry shouts or screams coming from the living room, only the muffled sounds of bodies colliding and heavy objects falling. Mixed within were the groans of an elderly man. Those sounds passed through layers of doors and were barely audible in the bathroom. Every second felt like torture, cutting through her skin like a knife.

Hu Tao looked at the frosted glass door of the bathroom with tears streaming down her cheeks. Her mother was beside her, and she didn’t dare cry too loudly, fearing it would overwhelm the emotions of the elderly woman.

Just a few minutes ago, this home was peaceful. Soup was stewing in the kitchen, and the rice cooker was cooking rice. Both her parents and her beloved were by her side. It should have been the safest place in the world.

Finally, the strange noises in the living room stopped.

Hu Tao’s whole body shivered. She held her mother tightly, her gaze fixed on the glass door of the bathroom, as if it were the last line of defense in the world.

“It’s alright, it’s alright!” A familiar but weak voice came from the living room. “Mom, wife… Ah, why won’t this door open?”

Just as Hu Tao was about to get up, her mother held her back.

“I’ll go and check.” She gently touched her daughter’s hair. “You stay here. Don’t go anywhere.”

After saying that, Hu Tao’s mother cautiously left the bathroom.

Hu Tao sat in the gap between the toilet and the bathtub, listening to her mother’s conversation with her beloved. She could smell the scent of peaches and the fragrance of shampoo in her hair. Outside the small bathroom window, the weather was unusually gloomy. Dark clouds gathered together, like a massive vortex.

Thump, thump, thump. Her heart pounded frantically.

Outside the door, the conversation between her mother and her beloved gradually became calmer. Another voice joined in, seemingly a police officer or doctor who came to inquire. Mixed within the conversation were the sounds of her mother slowly moving heavy objects.

Finally, there was the heavy sound of the security door being closed. The sound of movement ceased, and it seemed that her mother had successfully reached the living room, remembering to close the door behind her.

The normal conversation voices weren’t loud, and now Hu Tao couldn’t hear anything clearly anymore.

Is everything… alright?

Great, we’re safe. She knew it all along. This was the safest place in the world.

“Mom? A’Shen? I’m coming out!” Hu Tao shouted loudly when there was no response from the bedroom for a while. “How’s Dad? Did the ambulance take him away?”

There was silence in response.

What’s going on?

Why is no one answering?

Just as Hu Tao was about to worry, she saw her mother’s figure faintly through the frosted glass. Black hair, ivory skin, red clothes were turned into vague blocks by the frosted glass.

“Mom…” Hu Tao breathed a sigh of relief and reached out her hand toward the bedroom door.

…Huh?

Was Mom wearing red today?

“Mom?” Hu Tao’s voice was hoarse and trembling. “A’Shen? Dad? Mom?”

Still, no one answered, and the figure of her mother disappeared from the door. Only the sound of slippers stepping on the floor could be heard as a string of footsteps left the bedroom.

Hu Tao’s mind was in chaos. It must be her own imagination. A’Shen and she were childhood friends. They had known each other since they were young, and their families were also friends. A’Shen said everything was fine, so what could possibly go wrong?

With her eyes closed, Hu Tao eventually opened the door.

She saw a large amount of blood.

The warm wooden floor was stained with blood. The carefully selected furniture she had chosen was scattered all over the place. The soft bedding was pulled apart, no different from when she had left, contrasting sharply with the strong smell of blood.

Drip, drip. Something was making noise in the living room.

Hu Tao swallowed her saliva and held back her sobs as she cautiously peeked into the living room.

The kitchen door was tightly shut and stained with blood with the aroma of meat soup seeped out from the gap. The living room was a mess, and the glass coffee table was shattered. Potted plants were knocked over, and the TV hung crookedly on the wall, exposing vein-like wiring. The walls and the floor were splattered with red stains.

The crazed man was gone; her parents were gone; only her beloved was… mopping the floor.

Drip, drip. The old mop wiped over the bloodstains, leaving behind a pale red mark.

Even though Hu Tao wasn’t wearing shoes, her footsteps were silent. But A’Shen seemed to have eyes in the back of his head. He stopped mopping, wiped the sweat off his face, and said, “Darling.”

There were still traces of blood on his face that hadn’t been cleaned.

With ups and downs, her brain didn’t know how to explain everything in front of her, nor did it know whether to be nervous or relaxed.

“Mom, Dad…?”

“Your dad’s wound looks scary, but it’s not serious. Your mom went to the hospital with him.” A’Shen smiled. “Were you scared by the bloodstains? It was on your mom’s body. She just went to the bedroom to get two sets of clean clothes.”

Hu Tao stared at her husband blankly.

“Don’t be afraid. That guy earlier was just drunk and caused harm. The police took him away. It’s alright, darling. You should go and rest for a while. Don’t stress yourself.”

“Why…” Hu Tao swallowed her saliva, forcing herself to fight off dizziness. “Why didn’t Mom say anything to me before she left?”

“Dad was bleeding heavily, so there was no time.” A’Shen stopped mopping and turned his face to her. “I told you, you got scared for no reason. Look, you’re just overthinking again, aren’t you?”

Hu Tao tried to lift the corners of her mouth, but her face seemed frozen, completely unresponsive.

It was like desperately trying to believe that everything was fine, and the person she trusted the most assured her that nothing was wrong. She should believe him. How she wished she could believe him. But why couldn’t she calm down no matter what?

The door to the windowsill was open, and the gentle breeze swayed the curtains. The door to the bedroom was open, revealing a glimpse of the chaos inside. Only the kitchen door was tightly shut, with two distinct blood handprints on it.

It was like a black hole, crazily drawing Hu Tao’s attention.

Light seeped into the living room through the gap in the door, but it seemed to be obstructed by something, casting intermittent shadows. The simmering sound of soup, accompanied by the faint noise of the stove, normality mixed with the abnormal, making Hu Tao uneasy to the point of feeling cold.

“The kitchen door.”

Hu Tao murmured.

“Why is the kitchen door closed so tightly? A’Shen, I want to have a bowl of soup…”

A’Shen’s expression changed slightly. “Mm, I’ll serve it for you. You take a break.”

“There’s so much blood in the bedroom, I don’t want to lie down.” She looked into his eyes. “I’ll serve it myself.”

With that said, when her husband wasn’t paying attention, Hu Tao rushed into the kitchen. A’Shen didn’t stop her; he stood there leaning on the mop, showing a hint of helplessness on his face.

The door slowly opened.

Her mother’s terrified face exploded like a bomb, instantly shattering Hu Tao’s thoughts—

Behind the bathroom door was a scene of chaos. On the other side of the bedroom door stood her husband.

The rest of them were behind the kitchen door.

Her mother’s throat had been slit, and her pale-colored nightgown was dyed blood-red. She tightly covered the wound with her hand, but the wound was too deep. Her mother’s eyes were wide open, filled with fear, her mouth unable to close, as if she wanted to scream something.

Her lifeless body was stacked on top of her father’s corpse. The skin on Hu Tao’s father, beyond the bloodstains, was a terrifying pale. He curled up his body, like a piece of decoration in this kitchen. The look of surprise still remained on his face, unable to recover from the peaceful days.

Hu Tao attempted to find some signs of breathing on her parents’ bodies, but she couldn’t find any.

There were more below.

The intruder was lying at the bottom. His neck was twisted in a strange manner, and his bulging eyes were fixed in a certain direction. Madness filled his brows, while tears stained his eyeballs.

The pool of blood spread along the kitchen tiles. In the reflection of the black and red mess, a pot of soup bubbled, emitting white steam.

Maybe she should faint, Hu Tao thought. Her head throbbed with pain, her lips felt numb, and her limbs were paralyzed as if they didn’t exist, yet she was awake, still standing in the same spot, forced to witness this nightmarish scene.

Just this morning, she was complaining to her father about eating too many fried dough sticks, saying it was bad for his health. Just a moment ago, she was tightly hugging her mother, with her mother’s warmth and scent still lingering in her embrace.

How could they not be here anymore?

“Why aren’t you serving the soup?” A’Shen asked softly.

Instinctively, Hu Tao took a few steps back and bumped into her husband’s embrace. That familiar warmth now made her heart pound, and Hu Tao almost screamed in horror.

“Are you afraid of all this?” A’Shen grabbed Hu Tao’s shoulders and pulled her towards him. “I can’t help it either. It’s your parents’ fault.”

Hu Tao’s lips trembled, and she wanted to call the police, but her hands couldn’t grasp the phone. The phone had fallen into the pool of blood, stained with black and red.

“I killed that scum. I had hidden everything perfectly and even sent the police away. Just think about it, that scumbag came into our home with a knife! If it were in ○ country, I could have killed him legally.”

A’Shen tightened his grip on Hu Tao’s shoulders, his words even pleading.

“But your dad kept looking at me with those eyes… as if I had done something wrong.”

Hu Tao opened her mouth, but no sound came out.

“He would have definitely reported me if he went out. Honey, think about it. If I’m caught and thrown in prison, our child will never hold their head up high for the rest of their life. He’s supposed to be your biological father, but he stood on the side of the criminal! He definitely doesn’t love you!”

“Let me go…” Hu Tao murmured.

“Your mom, too. She insisted on looking when she saw the kitchen door closed. This is our home. Can’t she mind her own business? After she saw it, her reaction was the same as your dad’s—she completely disregarded our family, our child.”

A’Shen’s tone carried even more grievance.

“After all these years, they know how much I love you and know I would never do anything to hurt you. But it’s okay, honey. Even if your parents don’t care about you and our child, I’m here. I’ll take good care of you in the future, ah.”

Lunatic.

Hu Tao sluggishly thought.

This must be a nightmare, it must be.

Anyway… Anyway, pretend that everything is fine for now and find an opportunity to escape. Hu Tao’s body trembled uncontrollably, but she swallowed her screams, forced back her tears, and squeezed out an awkward smile. “Okay.”

“I knew it. The mother of my child understands me the most.” A’Shen kissed her forehead. “You can serve the soup yourself. I’ll clean up the house first.”

With that, he bent down and picked up the phone that Hu Tao had dropped in the pool of blood.

Hu Tao opened the lid of the pot, and the rich aroma of meat filled the air. With trembling hands, she grabbed a spoon and slowly ladled the soup into a bowl. Later, she would call A’Shen over and throw the hot soup at him… then find an opportunity to open the security door and escape.

Yes, that’s what she would do. She couldn’t cry; she couldn’t break down. She had to smile.

The sound of the iron spoon touching the enamel pot rim rang crisply. Hu Tao took cautious steps, almost tripping over the arm of the burly man sprawled out on the floor.

She couldn’t afford any mistakes. Hu Tao tried to squeeze out the last remnants of rationality. She crouched down and moved the man’s arm—his hand reaching out desperately, as if trying to grab something.

Hu Tao followed his arm and saw the huge refrigerator in the corner. The refrigerator door wasn’t closed properly, with a plastic bag caught in the seal.

It was the door they usually used to store frozen goods. Hu Tao didn’t cook much; it was mostly A’Shen who organized it.

Don’t be nosy.

But…

‘Don’t be nosy,’ she thought.

But…

Hu Tao felt like the string in her mind was about to snap. Her parents’ bodies lay at her feet, while scalding hot soup sat in the pot. Countless dark thoughts bubbled up like foam in the soup, bubbling and disturbing her peace of mind.

She had to escape, but she also wanted answers.

Coincidentally, A’Shen had his back turned, tidying up the sofa. Various thoughts crawled over Hu Tao’s body like ants. She took a deep breath and couldn’t hold it back any longer, quietly inching towards the refrigerator.

This was the last door, she thought.

The refrigerator door silently swung open, releasing a gust of cold air. Behind the last door, there were pork bones, fish meat, and steaks stored. Seeing these ordinary things, Hu Tao breathed a sigh of relief for a brief moment. She composed herself and carefully placed the frozen goods back.

Something fell out of the package of pork bones.

Hu Tao grabbed the small piece of flesh-like object in her hand. She was about to put it back when her movements abruptly stopped.

It was a human finger, Judging by its size, it clearly belonged to a child. And judging by its frozen state, the small piece of flesh had been frozen for more than just a day.

[It’s chaotic outside, children are missing, and there’s trouble. I don’t know what’s going on.] Her mother’s words echoed in her mind.

Hu Tao felt like she had fallen into an icy abyss.

She turned her head and looked into the frenzied and desperate eyes of the burly man. Next to those eyes, there were another pair of feet wearing slippers.

“Why are you suddenly curious about the refrigerator? Didn’t I say that I’ll take care of the kitchen?” A’Shen sighed repeatedly. “…Ah, did you see that? It’s my fault. I didn’t clean up properly, so that man came knocking on our door.”

He glanced at the pot of soup.

“As expected of my wife, I thought we had used it all. I’ll tidy up the fridge later to avoid leaving anything that shouldn’t be there.”

“Why?” Hu Tao didn’t even know what tone her words had when she spoke. She knelt beside the fridge, her mind on the verge of shutting down.

A’Shen smiled again. “They say you are what you eat, and I like little girls, so I want you to eat more.”

Hu Tao couldn’t keep her balance, and one of her hands pressed into the nearby pool of blood.

“And I can hear voices. If I kill them, the gods will reward me. By consuming them, you will surely be blessed too… honey.”

The strong scent of the meat soup made Hu Tao vomit instantly. The vomit slid into the blood, juxtaposed against the familiar kitchen. Hu Tao felt like she was about to go insane in the next second.

Forget about hot soup and calling for help. She just wanted to escape, to flee from this absurd place.

If this was a nightmare, why hadn’t she woken up yet?

“Morning sickness, huh? Honey, you’re really suffering.” A’Shen leaned towards her, reaching out with a gentle and soothing tone. “Come…”

Instinctively, Hu Tao avoided him, slapping his hand away.

Blood splattered.

A’Shen froze, looking at his own hand with disbelief. “Did you hit me?”

“Lunatic.” Hu Tao choked, her pajamas stained with vomit and blood. “Lunatic, lunatic…”

The man’s face slowly turned red, anger evident in his brows and eyes. “I’m doing this for your own good! I explained it all just now. How can you say such things?”

“Stay away from me!” Hu Tao looked at the bowl of hot soup.

It sat on the stove while she sat paralyzed in front of the refrigerator. It was too far away, she couldn’t stand up, and she didn’t want to touch it again. Thinking about how she had tasted a spoonful before, she began to vomit uncontrollably.

Her husband squatted in front of her. A’Shen himself picked up the bowl of soup, now holding an extra spoon. His face carried the usual sense of aggrievement and tolerance, as if they had just had a normal argument.

“Don’t make a fuss,” he said. “Have some soup and rest. You’re pregnant now, and your emotions are unstable… Once you calm down, we can talk again.”

Hu Tao shook her head frantically. She wanted to stand up, but she had no strength. She wanted to scream, but her throat was convulsing, and her husband had already taken away her phone.

The hot soup approached her lips, and Hu Tao quickly turned her head. Whether it was her own movement or her husband’s force, she ended up with a cut on her face.

“Take a sip, come on.”

Ignoring the blood on the spoon, A’Shen took a deep breath, and his eyes were filled with tender light.

“Just take a sip, and we’ll make up. Honey, you can’t really be angry at me, can you? We’ve known each other for so many years.”

He extended the spoon once again.

Time and time again, Hu Tao frantically avoided it, her face becoming bloodied and mangled. Each time she dodged, her husband’s face grew more suspicious. In the end, he suddenly realized something, stood up, put down the spoon, and picked up a knife.

“I wondered why you wouldn’t forgive me,” he said, looking at Hu Tao’s blood-drenched face, his voice filled with anger.

“You’re not my wife. You’re a monster. Don’t use my wife’s face—”

With a swift motion, he raised the knife and brought it down.

In Hu Tao’s final field of vision, she was surrounded by boundless blood-red. She could see the bodies of her parents, lying close together, and the kitchen ceiling she had chosen with anticipation. But occupying most of her sight was her childhood sweetheart, her husband.

His cheeks were clean, with just a little bit of blood splattered on them. He stared straight into her eyes with a focused gaze.

……

“Later, he escaped, and the police couldn’t catch him. After signing a spirit contract with Yin Ren, I went to look for him several times myself, but I found nothing—according to the police records, he was considered a fugitive.”

The memories were long, but they were absorbed in an instant.

Hu Tao floated before the members of Unit 9 with a smile on her face.

“Now you know what he looks like.”

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Kinky Thoughts:

Umm, WTF? 

Well, it turns out Hu Tao’s past is pretty gruesome… This explains a lot of why she became a fierce vengeful ghost.

Sometimes I forget that this novel is part horror.

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

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

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

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Chapter 219: Smoothly

“Remember, you only have twenty-four hours,” Meng Huai emphasized. “As soon as ‘Satisfaction’ leaves, those Elementals will first clean up the newly born little Elementals. After twenty-four hours, the focus of those Elementals will shift to patrolling.”

“Clean up?” Fu Tianyi gazed at the monsters climbing on the white silk threads, with Dr. Cat perched silently on his shoulder.

This word was used too peacefully—if they encountered smaller ones, these things would tear them apart on the spot and devour them completely. Especially those few enormous black shadows that circled the nest like whales, refusing to leave.

“Yes, clean up,” Meng Huai said.

Zhong Chengshuo remained silent.

To be honest, he wasn’t surprised. He had confirmed his suspicions with Qi Xin long ago—

A thousand years ago, “Fear” appeared after “Satisfaction”, alternating like day and night. As for those ripples, they were the Primordial Elementals. Zhong Chengshuo would randomly devour some while accidentally crushing others. The little Elementals born from “Satisfaction” absorbed these remnants and promptly fed on emotions from the human side. The population of Elementals remained stable, and they survived in this way.

Without Fear, the Elementals couldn’t die and could only devour each other. But then again, no one wanted to die, so the Elementals began targeting the vulnerable newborns for sustenance. Even so, they still couldn’t match the speed at which “Satisfaction” created new Elementals.

But if they killed “Satisfaction”, the origin of the Primordial Elementals, no one knew if a new “Satisfaction” would be born. In case Satisfaction disappeared altogether, the Other Side would deteriorate even faster.

“Love’s” plan to create madness and increase emotional output wasn’t unreasonable for the Other Side. The problem was that Qi Xin had been indecisive all along. Would that scheming and profound “Love” truly reveal the plan to her?

Disgust and Joy had long since died, so they had no way to verify.

[Remember to act quickly—rescue and run.] Yin Ren’s wings rustled in the bag. [The thing in the center is too suspicious that it gives me an uncomfortable feeling.]

[Yes, I know.] Zhong Chengshuo touched the lantern in his shoulder bag.

“How can I find my mom?” On the other side, Lu Xiaohe looked up at countless ball-shaped cocoons, anxious and distressed.

“I heard about it too. Didn’t you look for people from the Other Side before?” Meng Huai said, “You’re the rear commander, so you should have thought of it.”

Lu Xiaohe was startled, and Huang Jin frowned in response.

Lu Xiaohe had read the report on the Bai Yongji case. Huang Jin had personally played the guitar in the case, resonating with Ding Lizhi. However—

“But that was with the help of Minister Jiao. It was said that we could achieve a shared mindset, but I don’t know how she did it,” Lu Xiaohe answered honestly.

Meng Huai chuckled. “The ‘Charon’ is strong because they can traverse the Other Side, but they don’t have that many special abilities. If you only think of Xiao Jiao as a Charon, you won’t have the idea of trying it yourself. That’s not a good habit… As a science post, sometimes you’re too imprisoned by the insistence on ‘verification’.”

“Yes.” Lu Xiaohe quickly realized. “I’ll give it a try.”

She closed her eyes, perhaps guessing her mother’s possible thoughts.

Zhong Chengshuo saw Lu Xiaohe’s figure become blurred, and a faint white line was pulled out from her, faintly drifting toward a certain ball-shaped cocoon. The end of the white line flickered weakly, even less bright than a damp burning incense, intermittent and elusive. After a while, it disappeared.

In the end, telepathic connections couldn’t compare to Ding Lizi’s long song. Even with the closest person, “heart-to-heart communication” could only achieve a superficial understanding.

But the target it indicated was already clear enough.

……

Unit 9’s four members leaped onto the Elementals’ backs, smearing prepared minced meat in the blind spots of the round cocoons. Huang Jin used a carving knife to carve an improved Tranquility Talisman, and the cocoon wall appeared like snow that had been melted, revealing a hidden hole.

Zhong Chengshuo led the way while Huang Jin guarded the rear, and the four of them barely crawled into the cocoon.

The scene inside was no different from what Meng Huai remembered. White threads hung down, nests piled up, and despite the absence of a light source, everything was blindingly white on all sides. If it wasn’t for everyone remembering the current situation, this atmosphere would make them drowsy.

Inside the cradle-like cocoons, arms of various sizes embraced the white silk humanoids to varying degrees. Those humanoid figures were large and small, sitting or lying down. Lu Xiaohe was originally curious as a member of the science post, but now she didn’t dare to look closely.

Everyone proceeded cautiously, with fine threads coiling around, but when they touched the Tranquility Talisman on Unit 9’s “flesh shoes”, the threads automatically avoided them. Everything was quiet—so quiet that it made people anxious. Except for the intermittent “guiding thread” on Lu Xiaohe’s body, the scenery here lacked vitality, like a still painting.

The group advanced cautiously; every step taken with trepidation. Zhong Chengshuo kept watching with his eyes and constantly shared the field of vision with Yin Ren.

[We entered without any movement. It seems there are no Elementals guarding these people. There are so many patrolling soldiers outside, most likely guarding the big guy in the center.]

Perhaps because it was too quiet around, Yin Ren chattered incessantly inside Zhong Chengshuo’s head.

[Fortunately, it’s going smoothly in here. I guess all the pressure is on the lookout team outside. I don’t know if Fu Tianyi can hold up.]

It was a pity that only Fu Tianyi was a genuine cultivator of the Fu family. Meng Huai probably wouldn’t feel at ease with anyone else. Yin Ren understood this in his heart but speaking it out loud wasn’t pleasant.

[What do you think?] Zhong Chengshuo stepped on the soft ground.

[It’s hard to say for now.] Yin Ren’s voice was calm. [It’s also a solution if I transform into my true form, destroy these cocoon balls, and then run. But that would startle the enemy. It’s better to understand the situation first and then break through here in one fell swoop.]

[Mm, that’s what I’m planning too.]

“It should be… It should be this one.”

Just then, Lu Xiaohe stopped in her tracks.

In front of her was an ordinary-looking white nest, with a baby carriage-like structure. Two pairs of arms embraced a bloated humanoid figure. Huang Jin took out a carving knife made from solidified Elemental flesh and nodded at Lu Xiaohe.

He had an expression as if he were dancing on a nuclear bomb button as he gently cut a white thread on the humanoid figure. Immediately after, Huang Jin’s whole body trembled, as if he were about to be struck by a thunderbolt, looking around in all directions.

But nothing happened.

The white arms beside the humanoid figure merely lightly embraced the surroundings, showing no reaction like a lifeless object. Everything went smoothly to the point of discomfort.

Huang Jin quickly took out a photo and confirmed if the comments on the back were still there. Once he made sure that the lookout was safe and sound, he tremblingly used his hands to continue cutting another layer. Ge Tingting nervously guarded the surroundings with her ears perked up, listening intently. The surroundings were still filled with an ear-piercing silence that made one’s ears ache, which only made Huang Jin’s cutting sound like thunder.

Huang Jin continued dismantling like he was defusing a bomb, his forehead covered in sweat.

Layer by layer, the white threads were pushed aside, and the facial features of the person inside could be vaguely seen. Lu Xiaohe suddenly covered her mouth, trying to suppress a sob.

Lu Xiaohe’s mother was covered in mucus, quietly sleeping in a tangle of severed threads. Her eyebrows were slightly furrowed, her figure still frail, but her cheeks and lips were somewhat rosy.

…Is this it? Huang Jin tightened his grip on the carving knife and stood there, stunned.

In hindsight, Love indeed had little sentiment towards humans. People heard about money being put in a safe, but they had never heard of anyone setting up multiple layers of protection for instant noodles. Maybe Unit 9 had been unlucky for so long that it all accumulated in this stroke of good luck.

Huang Jin, still trembling with fear, looked at the four arms. “It’s been less than three hours. When they said twenty-four hours, I thought… Well, it’s better to finish early if we can. Let’s go.”

Lu Xiaohe reached out her arms to pull her mother from the cocoon. The texture of the mucus was like egg whites, enveloping her mother in a wet and slippery state. The pajamas on her mother’s body were crumpled like wilted vegetable leaves.

Lu Xiaohe bit her lip, trying to handle the situation as gently as possible. Ge Tingting took two steps forward to help her move her mother. Zhong Chengshuo frowned and looked around—he still saw a row of tranquility, and Yin Ren didn’t report the presence of any large Primordial Elementals.

“Let’s go.” Zhong Chengshuo unusually took the initiative to speak. “Let’s leave this place first and then figure out what to do.”

“Strange, I thought you were going to do some research.” Huang Jin walked to the back of the team again, muttering to himself. “Zhong Chengshuo, you’re so strange and scary…”

“The outside is heavily guarded, yet it’s so lax here. When things are abnormal, there must be something amiss.” Zhong Chengshuo’s demeanor became colder and more imposing, sounding more like the legendary “King Yama”.

Unit 9 was always straightforward in their actions. Lu Xiaohe carried her mother on her back, and Ge Tingting helped support Mrs. He’s back. Once again, Zhong Chengshuo took the lead while Huang Jin guarded the rear, and the group quickly retraced their steps.

It took only about four hours, and the four of them successfully returned to their starting point. Huang Jin finally released the tension in his throat, took out his carving knife, and was about to use the same technique to find a way out—

“Why are you leaving just like that? I haven’t found the person I’m looking for yet.”

A familiar voice sounded from behind the group. And everyone recognized that aura. Although Zhong Chengshuo hadn’t heard that voice before, the moment the aura appeared, Yin Ren already had the answer in his mind.

Zhong Chengshuo slowly stood up and stood in front of the other three. The bundle of wings in his backpack wriggled, filled with astonishment and urgency.

The fierce ghost Hu Tao floated in front of the group.

Her face was distorted and covered in protruding flesh, making it impossible to discern her features. Her teeth were broken, resembling a bloody hole. Her hair and clothes were dirty and disheveled, and black-red putrid blood dripped down, quickly absorbed by the white “ground”.

“Help me find someone too.”

The ghost’s voice was hoarse, and she seemed to be smiling, but her face was so mutilated that muscle movement couldn’t be discerned.

Zhong Chengshuo pinched the uncertain bundle of wings and made a gesture behind his back. “How did you come to the Other Side?”

He asked calmly and peacefully, as if they were merely encountering each other in the living room at home.

Hu Tao: “I have a blood oath with Yin Ren, so of course, I can find him.”

“You know that’s not what I want to ask. How did you come to the Other Side?” Zhong Chengshuo hadn’t finished speaking when the hands behind his back made another move—

Huang Jin and Ge Tingting had completed their spell preparations and simultaneously cast a binding light net from all directions. Zhong Chengshuo, having dealt with evil creatures for years, knew better than to chat with someone in the enemy camp.

The light net was about to descend from all directions, but Hu Tao didn’t dodge. She floated in place, repeating once again, “Help me find someone too.”

Crack!

Before the spell could even reach the fierce ghost, it disappeared like water encountering a hot iron, instantly vanishing without a trace. Looking at Hu Tao again, a pair of arms emerged from her back and gently embraced her neck.

[I tried to suppress her with the spirit contract, but it didn’t work.] Yin Ren’s thoughts entered Zhong Chengshuo’s mind. [Something is wrong. I’ll stay behind to deal with her. You all go first.]

[No, you can’t expose yourself yet.]

Zhong Chengshuo closed his eyes. Whether it was Yin Ren’s identity or the Karma Lantern, they were their trump cards. If they revealed everything at this stage, they would have nothing left for what lay ahead.

[Since she appeared at this critical moment, none of us can leave. Let’s probe the situation first.]

“Why won’t you help me find someone?”

The fierce ghost floated closer. When Ge Tingting saw her face, mutilated and covered in blood and flesh, she couldn’t help but look away. But as soon as she turned her head, Hu Tao was right in front of her, just a few centimeters away, her face in a mess, facing Ge Tingting.

Lu Xiaohe took a few steps back, carrying her mother, almost tripping over the white threads on the ground.

Hu Tao grinned, and the arms embracing her tightened a little more.

“I was told that ‘he’ is also here. But there are too many people here, so I waited for you to come and help.”

She extended her blood-stained hand toward the four of them.

“I can’t find him just by myself.”

I was told.

Zhong Chengshuo squinted his eyes. Hu Tao was a fierce ghost with a contract with Yin Ren, so naturally, she could locate him on the Other Side. Besides Qi Xin, who had the ability to bypass Yin Ren and send evil creatures to the Other Side… there seemed to be another person.

“Love.”

It was a trap. This place was a trap from the beginning.

Countless missing individuals were concentrated here. Even if Meng Huai didn’t appear, it was only a matter of time before Shian discovered this place.

“We will all help you find him,” Zhong Chengshuo said calmly. “Following Shian’s regulation, we need to first move Lu Xiaohe’s mother out and then help you search—it seems that you can’t synchronize your thoughts to search for that person, so we have to conduct a carpet search.”

“You’ve already talked with ‘that one’, so why are you bothering us? Can’t you let ‘that one’ guide you?” Ge Tingting couldn’t hold it in and spoke up. She stood in front of Lu Xiaohe, spreading her arms.

“That one doesn’t remember the exact location, so I have no other choice.” Hu Tao’s voice carried a hint of grievance. “You know when your package is in the delivery room, don’t you have to search for it yourself?”

“I promise to help you find him.” Zhong Chengshuo raised his voice. “But as I said earlier, we need to move Lu Xiaohe’s mother first.”

Hu Tao’s face twisted, and her voice gradually became cheerful.

“I knew it. We’re still friends. But to move that woman… Let’s forget it. It’s chaotic outside. Even if you go out now, there’s no one to meet up with you.”

Lu Xiaohe held her mother tightly, looking towards the path they came from. The entrance had already been blocked by the white threads, leaving only a shallow depression. It was supposed to be guarded by the lookout team of four, and even Dr. Cat would occasionally come to ensure that the passage remained open.

“No one to meet up with?” Lu Xiaohe murmured.

“Yes,” Hu Tao answered with a smile. “All those people outside are dead… Anyway, they were all strangers. It’s better that you’re here.”

“You, Unit 9—aren’t you the best at finding missing people?”

---

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

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

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

---

Chapter 218: The Mission Commences

Night fell over Haigu.

Shian C-level investigation teams, Special Task Force Unit 8, was heading towards the old city area of Shian. Their destination was the abandoned sewer system.

Dr. Lao Bin was initially resistant to this assignment, but now he was more excited than anyone else. After completing the two major tasks of “Investigation of Mysterious Blockage in the Residential Sewer” and “Investigation of Nocturnal Noises from Sewer Covers”, Dr. Lao Bin successfully discovered a new species of hallucinogenic mold from the sewer. His research paper was about to be published.

Fungal research was a wide-open field, and Dr. Lao Bin was ambitious, wishing he could live in the Shian sewer. He hoped to make more discoveries of new mold species. The previous hallucinogenic species even had medicinal value. Dr. Lao Bin could already envision a future where his own paper would be extensively cited.

“I haven’t seen Unit 9 much lately,” his partner Qin Lele said.

For the past six months, this corpse servant hadn’t received many benefits. But Qin Lele had a positive attitude, and with safe and uneventful tasks, he happily followed Dr. Lao Bin.

Dr. Lao Bin said, “Unit 9 has been promoted to B-level, so the missions they receive must be different from ours.”

But before that, it seemed that the missions assigned to Unit 9 were quite different from theirs. That team always encountered major events as if they were cursed. Qin Lele felt it was such a shame for a promising young researcher like Zhong Chengshuo. After being employed for so long, he hadn’t had time to write his paper and could only deal with all sorts of chaotic incidents every day.

“Yeah, my uncle said that Xiao Zhong was dead, but I saw him at the company the other day,” Qin Lele whispered. “As expected from a B-level. He’s really mysterious.”

“Right.”

Lao Bin had also seen them not long ago. Zhong Chengshuo and Yin Ren were walking hurriedly into the company, seemingly unharmed. Lao Bin wasn’t very interested in gossip about other people, so he changed the topic directly. “Hey, Lao Qin, do you also want to be promoted to B-level?”

Qin Lele quickly shook his head. “No, I just want to live a peaceful life. Eat supper when I want to eat supper, take a leave when I want to take a leave. Unit 9 has it tough; I hardly see them in the cafeteria.”

“Yeah.” Lao Bin got out of the car and stretched lazily.

The car stopped in front of “Sister Xu Spicy Hot Pot.” After exploring the sewer in the night, they estimated that nobody would have an appetite when they came out. Unit 8 was accustomed to filling their stomachs first.

On a regular day, “Sister Xu Spicy Hot Pot” would be bustling with activity.

Residents strolling nearby, couples going out at night, office workers grabbing a late-night snack after work, as well as drivers and workers passing by… People from all walks of life would crowd this warm little restaurant. With the temperature gradually dropping, business should have been even better for the spicy hot pot place.

However, at present, there was only one table occupied in the restaurant—a table with burly workers sitting in the corner, eating quietly. Warm light illuminated the place, and the aroma was still enticing, but the whole restaurant felt desolate.

“Ah, ever since it gets dark, not many people come anymore.” The owner, Xu Fang, sighed, having lost some weight.

With few customers, Xu Fang pulled up a chair and sat down next to Lao Bin. She opened a few cans of soda and handed them over to the two.

Qin Lele: “Where did all the people go?”

Xu Fang: “They’re afraid of trouble. Recently, there have been violent incidents and street fights happening everywhere. Once the sun sets, the elderly and weak no longer go out. It’s just tough for those of us doing business at night… Look, I even took out my tools.”

Lao Bin followed Xu Fang’s finger and saw that where the statue of the God of Wealth used to be, there was now a portrait of the renowned Grand Celestial Master Zhong Yi. Defense spirit weapons and liquor were placed together in the corner of the counter, suggesting they were prepared to deal with either evil creatures or people.

There was also a jewelry rack next to the cash register, displaying cute vegetable and fruit talismans that were clearly from the Ghost Market. A price tag hung above them, swinging lonely, showing “66 yuan/piece, 100 yuan for 2 pieces.”

“This place is still holding up, unlike the neighboring shops that have closed down in a row,” the satiated worker next to them interjected. “My friend had a business nearby and recently sold the shop, planning to focus on delivery services.”

“Delivery services are reliable?” His neighbor burped, then continued, “No… just the day before yesterday, someone poisoned the food in a delivery order, and several people died from it… They haven’t caught the person responsible yet, the shop was burned down, and the delivery person was disabled from the attack…”

After speaking, he drunkenly looked at the tall and robust Qin Lele; the guard in his eyes was evident.

Xu Jie could only force a bitter smile.

At that moment, a few delivery orders were ready in the kitchen, and Xu Jie placed them on a table near the door, keeping a vigilant eye.

Lao Bin’s initially cheerful mood became somewhat dim. The delicious taste in his mouth turned bitter, and his legs felt heavy. The image of people of all ages mingling and causing a ruckus in the restaurant also became blurry in his mind.

Another worker spoke up, “Well, why not believe in that swan arm thing? My aunt said that anyone who sees that thing won’t encounter any trouble. If nothing else, just go around them and soak up some positive energy. It’ll be safer to work at night.”

“Lao Song, you’re so superstitious.”

“It’s better to believe in its existence than to believe it doesn’t exist. Haven’t you heard people say that even if you don’t believe in ghosts and gods, you should still show some respect…”

The workers added a plate of crispy fried pork and quietly chatted while drinking beer.

Qin Lele was about to say something when he heard a gust of cold wind outside. He wiped the simple smile off his face and furrowed his brow. Xu Fang even walked up to the counter and casually placed her hand on a spoon-like spirit weapon.

Only Lao Bin was still happily slurping his spicy hot pot.

Two seconds later, Lao Bin almost choked to death from the spicy soup—

Outside the restaurant, a mass of flesh and blood squeezed in, resembling the head of a centipede. Countless bodies twisted and piled on top of each other, their eyes clouded and teeth black, yellow, and broken, with traces of blood on their mouths. The mass-like creature wriggled incessantly, with sticky mucus dripping onto the ground, emitting an unparalleled stench.

Suddenly, the surface of the corpse mass undulated twice, poking out several broken arms and legs, merging into a pair of flesh jaws. The flesh jaws chomped together, trailing strands of sticky mucus.

The whole mass of flesh was tightly blocking the entrance like a cork in a wine bottle, making it impossible to see more. Who knew how large it was behind the door frame.

An icy spike of malice instantly spread out, causing Lao Bin to shake his chopsticks, knocking the entire bowl, soup and all, onto the ground.

“W-What… What the hell is this thing?!” He had never seen so many dead people in his life!

“This thing has substance. Lead the people and leave!” Qin Lele shouted loudly. He bit his fingers, drawing blood, and immediately began performing a spell. Under the spell of a corpse servant, the mass of flesh momentarily paused for two seconds.

“Everyone, run! Run!” a woman’s voice exclaimed.

Xu Fang forcefully opened the back door and went to pull the table of workers. It was the first time they had seen something so demonic, so the workers collapsed one after another; one was even crying and kowtowing to that thing in a frenzy.

After being forcefully pulled by Xu Fang, the group of workers barely regained their senses and rushed toward the back door, leaving trails of urine and feces in their panic. Lao Bin was torn between running and staying put, anxiously pacing in place. “Lao Qin, you better run too!”

He could tell that Qin Lele’s abilities were limited, and the foul-smelling mass of flesh was gradually regaining movement. Qin Lele seemed to be propping up a collapsing wall, unsure whether to retreat or stay.

Qin Lele’s face turned red with strain. “I—”

“Run!” Xu Fang shouted. She threw all her protective talismans at once and then activated all her spirit weapons, throwing them indiscriminately at the mass of flesh.

The small objects exploded suddenly, stirring up a fierce wind. The flesh jaw was blown off half its face, and the centipede-like mass of flesh roared fiercely.

Seeing the disturbance caused to the mass of flesh, Qin Lele stiffly retreated. The members of Unit 8, along with Xu Fang, silently retreated to the back door and then escaped together.

Not long after the three of them left the spicy hot pot restaurant, they heard the sound of flesh being crushed and destroyed. Then, there was a loud explosion, and flames shot up into the sky as mud, sand, and hail rained down.

The cozy and lovely little shop was reduced to ashes. The hot pot kitchen had gas and open flames, and that thing must have come into contact with something it shouldn’t have.

Xu Jie’s face turned pale, and she instinctively took a few steps back. The shop had already been turned into ruins, with debris scattered everywhere. The portrait of the Great Celestial Master Zhong Yi, engulfed in flames, slowly floated down to her feet.

The mass of flesh resembling a centipede was nowhere to be found, disappearing just as suddenly as it had appeared.

“Ghost! Ghost!” The worker who drank the most pissed his pants and shouted at the top of his lungs. “There’s a ghost, a real ghost…!”

He called out incoherently, tears streaming down his scared face. There was also a strange expression of relaxation, as if all the recent chaos suddenly had a solution.

“May the Bodhisattva bless us. May the Buddha bless us. May the Jade Emperor bless us…” He prostrated himself on the ground, banging his forehead against the soil. “I’ll go back and burn incense, and make offerings… May the gods bless us…”

Not far away, the shrill sirens of fire trucks and police cars played a piercing melody, growing louder and closer.

Lao Bin stood near the flames, his mouth half open, with a sharp ringing in his ears. Other sounds became dull and heavy, as if separated by a layer of water.

They were known to seek refuge and not engage in dangerous missions. They shouldn’t have encountered something like this. How could it be like this?

Lao Bin had believed that Haigu was just going through a rough patch. As a young, chubby man who worked nine to five, he didn’t feel any sense of danger. He spent his time playing games, taking pictures, talking about love, and living his life as usual.

He even thought that the “Haigu Crisis” was exaggerated. With the development of the internet, people were more prone to exaggeration. It was possible that these things happened more frequently in the past, but they had only recently come to light.

At this moment, he truly realized that something had fundamentally changed.

There was a tangible evil in the city, and this evil was embodied in actual human corpses, all freshly dead, numbering at least a hundred.

This city was no longer safe.

Thinking about the newly purchased down payment for his wedding house and the life that had just started to stabilize, fear crawled up Lao Bin’s spine belatedly. He shivered in place, swallowed a mouthful of saliva, and walked towards the pile of ruins.

“Bin Ge, what are you doing!” Qin Lele’s head was still bleeding from being hit by flying debris.

“I have to… I have to see it clearly.” Lao Bin returned absentmindedly; his face covered in sweat. “There is a tangible evil entity, and it must have an escape route. I… I must help Shian catch it. Otherwise, things will only get worse.”

Lao Bin’s gaze swept over the several workers sitting paralyzed on the ground, repeating his words as if in a dream.

“Things will only get worse if it goes on like this.”

……

The Other Side.

“No, it won’t work.” Meng Huai crossed her arms. “For this operation, we can’t bring those two people along.”

“Qi Xin’s attitude is ambiguous, but Yin Ren is a legitimate member of Shian. His abilities are very strong and taking him along adds an extra layer of insurance,” Lu Xiaohe explained earnestly.

But that was as far as she could explain.

Whether it was “Yin Ren is the legendary Great Celestial Master Zhong Yi” or “Yin Ren seems to be the cub of Fear from the Other Side”, there was no evidence to support either claim, and it would easily be dismissed as nonsense. Meng Huai already didn’t fully trust them, and speaking out would only complicate matters.

They didn’t even dare to disclose Qi Xin’s identity too clearly, only saying that she was a third-party consultant with some background from the Other Side.

Seeing Meng Huai unmoved, Lu Xiaohe looked to Zhong Chengshuo for help. However, the man just held onto his backpack and remained silent.

Just a short while ago, after understanding the details of Shian’s actions, Meng Huai proposed her own idea. After the Shian group underwent adaptation training, they would split into two groups and quietly infiltrate the white space to rescue the people.

At present, the group was still unaware of the true situation of the missing people, and it wasn’t advisable to make a move with such a small force. So Meng Huai made the final decision. They would focus on rescuing Lu Xiaohe’s mother, He Huan, as the confirmed target.

“This mission is meant to be a quiet infiltration and rescue, not a direct confrontation. Having strength is good, but having a clean background is the most important. Qi Xin and Yin Ren’s aura resembles that of the Other Side, and I can’t cooperate with them without any reservations.”

Meng Huai earnestly explained.

“But I can promise you that if the missing people can be rescued, they can participate in the ‘rescue’ aspect.”

Zhong Chengshuo pushed his glasses up. “Miss Meng’s point makes sense.”

A hint of shock appeared on Lu Xiaohe’s face, while Huang Jin’s expression turned numb. It was as if he was about to roll his eyes—among those present, surname Zhong was the one with the darkest background. Moreover, Zhong Chengshuo was carrying Yin Ren’s blood oath on him, so it was uncertain if Qi Xin could find them, but it was definitely guaranteed that Yin Ren could find Zhong Chengshuo.

Meng Huai had just given a lecture, mentioning that even a simple spirit contract or a single sentence of “you know, I know” was considered an important “GPS positioning function” on the other side.

Unable to resist, Huang Jin took out the photo they received before the mission. On the back of the photos were the comments from the three members of the Other Side’s trio. To ensure the “you know, I know” aspect, these comments were prepared in advance and then attached.

[I miss my wife. Zheng Xing]

[Guitar girl! Zhong Chengfeng]

[Such a lovely girl. Meng Huai]

Only Yin Ren’s comment was faintly discernible, pointing to a distant place. Once the Karma Lantern was ready, he was afraid of being discovered by Meng Huai’s group, so he slipped back to Qi Xin’s side.

Damn great Elementals. They looked exactly like two middle school students dating behind their parents’ backs. Huang Jin cursed inwardly.

“So, is that it?” Ge Tingting puffed up her chest. “Meng Jie’s team on one side, our team on the other. With Zhong Ge’s help, there shouldn’t be a problem… But when the time comes, how are we going to find Xiaohe Jie’s mother?”

“You’ll find out when the time comes,” Meng Huai said.

The next day, Meng Huai led the other six people out of the room, officially beginning the search and rescue operation.

Each person carried an additional backpack filled with a mixture of Elemental flesh and blood. What they didn’t know was that shortly after leaving, Zhong Chengshuo’s backpack was already empty.

Yin Ren had consumed all the Elemental flesh and blood inside and transformed back into his original form. He had shrunk in size and stuffed himself into Zhong Chengshuo’s backpack.

[We’ve reached our destination.] Zhong Chengshuo skillfully projected his thoughts after the tumultuous journey.

[What does it look like?] Yin Ren curiously asked.

Zhong Chengshuo directly packaged his memories and handed them over to Yin Ren.

Amidst a riot of colors, the mass of white stood out prominently. It resembled a tumor engulfing countless capillaries, yet also appeared to be a nest constructed by unknown insects.

Thick white threads pierced through tunnels, causing distortions, and turning what was once an orderly passage into a chaotic mess. Countless fragments of information floated in the air, while numerous gigantic Elementals guarded around the “nest”. They busily patrolled, resembling worker bees crowded on a honeycomb.

However, the nest wasn’t as simple as a beehive. It had spiderweb-like “feet” that stuck firmly in all directions. Embedded in the tangled white threads were hundreds and thousands of spherical bodies, each the size of a sports stadium. The white spheres were scattered in an organized manner, resembling some kind of fruit.

At the center of the “nest”, there was an irregular hemisphere. It was incredibly massive, perhaps even larger than a hundred world-class football stadiums stacked together. The end of the hemisphere was hidden in clouds and mist leading to nowhere. The visible side of the hemisphere was connected to thick and uneven milky-white tubes that extended like vines in all directions, ultimately disappearing into the white vortexes on the tunnels.

The oppressive feeling of this thing was almost like that of a whole planet.

[…] Yin Ren’s thoughts went blank for a few seconds. [This thing is strange. I don’t sense ‘Love’s’ aura.]

[Yeah, I don’t have any special feelings either.] Zhong Chengshuo responded through his thoughts.

Yin Ren: [Those Elementals don’t seem very strong.]

[I agree with Meng Huai’s judgment. If we can avoid a confrontation, we should. The first attempt is to probe the situation, and our ‘success’ will be rescuing Ms. He Huan.]

[I understand. Be careful.] Yin Ren replied, becoming serious rather than boastful.

Zhong Chengshuo fell silent for a moment. [Be careful?]

[Qi Xin mentioned this thing to me before. She said that the initial explanation from “Love” was to stock up on reserves for oneself, so as not to be too weakened in a tight spot. This aligns with our initial speculation… But now it seems that we can’t necessarily believe it completely.]

Yin Ren passed on his memories.

It was the appearance of the “white space” that Qi Xin had shown him.

It was just a thin web resembling a spider’s web, with small round balls hanging from it. However, in terms of size and scale, it was incomparable to the thing before their eyes. There weren’t many Elementals guarding it either, unlike the bustling scene now.

[The number of people who went missing twenty-nine years ago was much greater than recently.]

Yin Ren sighed.

[But this thing is a thousand times larger than twenty-nine years ago. Zhong Ge, prepare your lamp. This exploration is probably more dangerous than what Meng Huai and the others imagined.]

At the same time, Meng Huai also gave instructions.

“Now we officially divide into groups. The three of us, along with Fu Tianyi and Mao Wangfeng, will enter the interior to search for Ms. He Huan.”

“Remember, you only have twenty-four hours.”

---

The author has something to say:

Xiao Zhong picked up his backpack and his boyfriend is inside (……

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

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

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

---

Chapter 217: Blood Oath Renewal

“Yin Ren, what do you think?” Zhong Chengshuo stopped in front of Yin Ren.

The two of them were only a step apart, and the gentle red light flickered before them. The light was peculiar, as there were obstructions in front of them, yet it cast no shadows. The red light filled the space like a flowing liquid, sparing no corner.

Yin Ren was bathed in the red light from head to toe. In Zhong Chengshuo’s eyes, the essence of “Fear” surged incessantly.

Accompanying the surge were feelings of joy and anticipation.

Yin Ren shifted his gaze to the lantern.

His own hair and bones, along with Zhong Chengshuo’s hair and blood, formed this exquisite lantern. His blood, from the stab in his chest a thousand years ago, had long dissipated its pain. But what about those bones?

The person in front of him had just mentioned “experiment”…

Yin Ren had wanted to enthusiastically share the “joy of growth” a moment ago, but now it had become a thorn lodged firmly in his throat. He had initially wanted to reassure Zhong Chengshuo that he had grown stronger, even if he wasn’t sure whether he could overcome Love. At least Yin Ren would no longer be constrained by the other’s influence, forcing Zhong Chengshuo to take risky actions.

But he couldn’t say it now.

Yin Ren could tell at a glance how much material was used for that lantern. He took advantage of Zhong Chengshuo’s distraction to fiddle with it, just as Zhong Chengshuo had done to him.

He couldn’t express the message of joy. Yin Ren first wanted to ask “why”, but then swallowed his words.

He seemed to know the answer.

Facing an enemy far surpassing human strength, Yin Ren believed he had to stand in front of Zhong Chengshuo, and the person would know their limits and behave obediently. Zhong Chengshuo was emotionally detached and always rational, so it should be this way.

Just like in the Archive, when Yin Ren almost lost control, he thought Zhong Chengshuo would leave like the others.

Or like inside the Corpse Cage, when Yin Ren was nearly deceived by the “Attachment”, he also believed Zhong Chengshuo would choose the most “rational” path.

…Or even earlier, much earlier, with that silly black rabbit. It didn’t obediently escape like the others, but instead clung to his bones, sleeping beneath the Valley of Bones for a thousand years.

He always guessed wrong.

Zhong Chengshuo would always stay by his side, regardless of the past or the present.

Seeing Yin Ren’s prolonged silence, Zhong Chengshuo moved the lantern in his hand. The excitement on his face gradually cooled, turning into a standard pensive expression. He truly couldn’t understand Yin Ren’s expression, which mixed heartache, worry, anger, and a hint of sadness, surpassing Zhong Chengshuo’s comprehension.

But he recognized that touch of stubbornness in Yin Ren. So he quietly waited for Yin Ren to burst out in anger, and in his mind, he prepared a lengthy manuscript for debate. From family emotions to world peace, this person had prepared for all aspects, ensuring not a single detail would be missed.

However, the silence persisted.

Enveloped in the red light, clad in a red robe, the scene was like a bridal chamber with candles, yet it also resembled the deepest depths of hell.

Zhong Chengshuo mentally went through his script several times and decided to take the initiative. “I…”

“…It’s a rough job.” Yin Ren finally spoke, directly interrupting him.

Zhong Chengshuo: “?”

Yin Ren: “That kid Huang Jin is too wasteful. He treated the bones like wood. If it were me, I wouldn’t have needed six arms, and I could have spared you some hardship.”

He snatched the lantern from Zhong Chengshuo’s hands, and the flickering red flames created a ripple of light and shadows.

“And using blood from the Evil Fruit—this kind of material can’t withstand your bones. When I made the Evil Fruit with a blood oath, I was only heavily corrupted by Evil Force, so the power of the blood and flesh was limited.”

Zhong Chengshuo blinked in confusion.

Yin Ren let go of the lantern, and it floated steadily in front of him. In the next moment, his long hair and red robe moved without wind, and his hair scattered around him.

Yin Ren closed his eyes, his brows slightly furrowed. A wing the size of a tangerine emerged from his chest. Then, a surge of blood emanated from his surroundings, and countless tiny blood droplets burst out from Yin Ren’s body. They eagerly rushed into the dark mass of wings, adding a thick layer of crimson to their surface.

Like being wrapped in a layer of red gauze.

“Moreover, at that time, the flesh and blood, including the agreement between me and Shian’s Evil Spirit, was about annihilating the Gouluo army for revenge. Why would we need to include a dog in our lantern?”

Yin Ren appeared dignified and majestic on the surface, but his words were quite anticlimactic. The blood droplets around him continued to gather into a mass of wings. The originally flat wings were now nearly spherical, trembling like pudding.

“Besides, the cause and effect of that revenge agreement have already been settled, and it doesn’t suit this lantern,” Yin Ren added.

As he spoke, the last drop of blood returned to its place. The small wings swelled to the size of a walnut, entwined with a curse-like Evil Force that was incredibly thick, like aged honey.

When it came to profound knowledge in the realm of metaphysics, Zhong Chengshuo could only freeze in place.

He watched as the mass of wings slowly floated towards the “Karma Lantern”. It first swallowed the roughly processed bone edges, then rubbed against the outer perimeter of the lantern, instantly transforming the originally dark and dense crimson into a flamboyant display. The color became even more enticing than before, while the aura became more solid and reserved.

Subsequently, the small wings found the crevices in the bone vessel and exerted their strength to squeeze inside.

The bone vessel contained blood taken from the Evil Fruit, and it was completely absorbed by the wings. After slightly expanding, the small wings neatly filled all the gaps in the bone vessel. They wrapped around the core of the bone filament wick, lying comfortably and flat.

Seeing the evolution of the Lantern from 1.0 to 2.0, Zhong Chengshuo extended his expectant hand, only to be pulled back solemnly by Yin Ren.

“It’s just ordinary flesh and blood,” Yin Ren said. “The strength of the Evil Fruit lies in the blood oath. But since your bones and hair are already in the lantern, there’s no need to take more blood—give me your hand.”

Zhong Chengshuo extended his expectant hand once again and gently placed it in Yin Ren’s palm.

“Zhong Ge, sometimes I really don’t know if you’re clever or just foolish,” Yin Ren sighed. “This is not an ordinary spell. If I were to use your bones and hair to cast a curse, there’s no guarantee that you wouldn’t be affected.”

Zhong Chengshuo: “Oh.”

Zhong Chengshuo: “You bled quite a lot just now. Does it hurt?”

Then, Zhong Chengshuo seemed to realize something significant. “Wait, can you use spells now? Why?”

Yin Ren glared at Zhong Chengshuo for a few seconds, feeling exasperated. He forcefully exhaled through his nose.

Now he could only use flesh and blood techniques, but he refused to say it out loud. He was frustrated with this person who couldn’t grasp the main point.

With a resentful thought in his mind, Yin Ren held Zhong Chengshuo’s hand, and their hands overlapped on the lantern. The small wings that had entered the bone vessel immediately became restless. Countless red threads entwined with their black hair, emerging from the flames and tightly gripping their fingers.

The sharp threads scratched the back of their hands, causing blood to flow, though it didn’t hurt.

Zhong Chengshuo curiously looked at Yin Ren, paying no attention to the rampant blood threads around them. Meanwhile, Yin Ren lowered his gaze, focusing on the flickering flame.

Not long ago, his wish for “an apple a day” was replaced by a desire to investigate the truth behind the fall of “Fear”, and now the truth was revealed. The wish he had made to Zhong Chengshuo back then was reduced to simply “protecting the descendants of the Valley of Bones”.

It was a perfect opportunity to fulfill them together.

“With you, I make this vow.”

Yin Ren took a deep breath and solemnly recited with a strange ancient charm. The countless red threads in the flame surged along with his words, covering the ground in a sea of red and blood threads, creating a daunting scene.

The usually lazy Yin Ren disappeared, and the person standing there transformed into the legendary Great Celestial Master Zhong Yi.

“First, may the rivers and seas be clear in this land.”

“Second, may the one who holds this lantern be free from harm and illness, safe and sound year after year.”

Yin Ren’s hair fluttered around him, and the blood threads danced wildly. He never imagined that the blood oath from a thousand years ago, carrying endless suffering and deep-seated hatred, would lead to this moment. On this day, he took out his flesh and blood and exerted all his efforts for a wholehearted blessing.

“Third…”

Yin Ren leaned close to Zhong Chengshuo’s ear, gritting his teeth.

“Third, let us become accomplices, rise in rank and salary, reach the pinnacle of life, and never again be bothered by the pile of shit on the Other Side. No need to go to work and endure bone-cutting, bloodletting tasks like a slaughterhouse.”

Zhong Chengshuo stared at Yin Ren in shock, but regardless of the refined or crude content of the blood oath, the small wings had already drawn blood from both of them and swiftly returned to the bone vessel. The thousands of blood threads quickly retracted, leaving the surroundings clean as if nothing had happened.

Only the lantern became a bit brighter. The vows merged with their flesh and blood, entwining the bones and blood of the two monsters, while the flame bloomed like a radiant sunset.

“The blood oath is complete.”

Yin Ren grabbed the floating, brand-new lantern and put it back into Zhong Chengshuo’s hand.

“According to the rules, we have to witness it until the end,” Yin Ren said in a firm tone. His hair and clothes were once again hanging down.

Although he was angry, he didn’t lose his temper in the end. They were both going through hardships for each other, just as Yin Ren had done similar things not too long ago, so he couldn’t help feeling a bit guilty.

They cherished and cared for each other. Since they both didn’t want to fall behind, they would support each other as they moved forward.

“The name ‘Karma’ is just right for this lantern. Let’s forget about what happened before, but from now on, you must tell me everything. We have a long way to go, and now we have the blood oath…” Yin Ren patted Zhong Chengshuo with a sense of world weariness. “Let’s get through it together.”

“Okay.”

Zhong Chengshuo looked left and right, but he didn’t see any pain or distortion on Yin Ren’s face, which put him at ease as he held the lantern. He examined the lantern in his arms for a moment, then leaned in and gently kissed the corner of Yin Ren’s mouth.

“Thank you for the improvements,” Zhong Chengshuo said hopefully. “Now, it only lacks two important functions.”

Yin Ren paused his hand from touching his mouth. “Lacks important functions?!”

The Karma Lantern still needed some adjustments, but it already had everything it was supposed to have. This was specifically improved by the Great Celestial Master himself, and no spirit smith could find any missing elements!

“Well, I want to add the ‘infinite dimming mode’ and the ‘illumination only mode’. These functions require further research,” Zhong Chengshuo said while hugging the lantern tightly; his eyes filled with anticipation.

“Zhong Chengshuo!” Yin Ren gritted his teeth, wishing he could take a bite.

“The lantern between you… Why did you put a dog in it?”

A faint voice came from the corner. Under the red light, Huang Jin curled up, his breath like a fragile thread.

“Let me go… I really… can’t take it anymore…”

Yin Ren and Zhong Chengshuo: “…”

“Hold on, Da Huang…” “I’m sorry.”

……

At dusk, in the midst of mountains in the human world.

Two young-looking individuals stood at the entrance of a mountain village. Autumn was coming to an end, with continuous cold rain, and the mountain path was filled with chilly mud. However, their shoes were remarkably clean.

“It’s isolated here. Do as you please.” Shen Mo assessed the misty mountains and spoke with a cheerful smile.

Xiang Jiang gazed at the village in front of him. The village remained dilapidated as ever, with smoke rising from chimneys like the breath of sick patients. Xiang Hai, who stood behind Xiang Jiang, had already revealed his grim ghostly face, with faces of people wailing in madness on his butterfly wings. This time, Xiang Jiang didn’t deliberately calm his brother.

He understood Xiang Hai’s pain.

It was this village that swallowed their parents, his brother, and their lives. Yet, the village stood there intact, surrounded by picturesque scenery, even appearing beautiful.

Shen Mo glanced at him sideways. “Why aren’t you saying anything? Placed in Shian or Fu Xingchuan’s hands, they wouldn’t allow you to seek revenge. Have some emotions, at least.”

“Why?”

“…Huh?”

“Your plan is to slowly corrupt and then use the power of the Elementals to completely influence the social atmosphere. But a massacre of a village like this is vastly different from your ‘boiling frog’ style.”

Xiang Jiang’s gaze remained fixed on the village ahead.

The corruption stick came first, then it was followed by the “angel’s arm” carrot from behind. When the world delved into chaos, people always looked for something to believe in or crazily sought power to cling to. What benefits could be gained from the Elementals remain unknown. But when the environment was ready, Sunken Society would naturally develop rapidly.

He couldn’t see the purpose behind Sunken Society’s move. Was it just to make him pledge his allegiance?

Shen Mo smiled. “Haven’t you had enough of being a leader in Shian? Interrogating criminals?”

With that, he took out a cigarette from his pocket and leisurely lit it. The silver-gray smoke quickly merged with the surrounding mountain mist, disappearing without a trace.

“At first, it was just a minor disturbance, and everyone was on edge. But soon, everyone will get used to it—human adaptability is truly astonishing. Before long, most people will think, ‘It was always like this’,” Shen Mo explained. “That’s when we add some stimulation. One or two bloody cases won’t cause panic, and since this place is far from the city, a few explosive news stories are just right. I believe you understand better than me how an environment that subtly changes can twist people into what they become.”

Shen Mo expertly blew a few smoke rings and casually pointed to the nearby mountain village.

“When people get used to this chaos, the usual sources of corruption won’t be enough… Xiang Jiang, I told you I would make you the most powerful propagator of madness. I keep my promises.”

Xiang Jiang remained silent for a long time.

Yes, he understood. Most people couldn’t suddenly become insane; they needed the torment of time and the accumulation of despair to collapse in silence.

On the other side, Shen Mo had smoked half of his cigarette before flicking the ashes. “Speaking of which, with blood vengeance in front of you, you still have the mood to linger with me on these matters.”

“I’m not lingering,” Xiang Jiang replied.

Shen Mo glanced at him once again, then raised an eyebrow in slight surprise. He hadn’t noticed that, at some point, Xiang Hai had disappeared without a trace.

In the nearby mountain village, the first scream echoed.

Bone for bone, flesh for flesh, something gradually took shape in the center of the village. It looked like a gigantic corpse centipede, with struggling hands or feet occasionally being absorbed into its body, forced to become part of the blurred flesh.

“Whether it’s controlling ghosts or commanding corpses, it’s all related to karma. That guy Xiang Hai, theoretically, has connections to the entire village.”

Xiang Hai stopped at the head of the centipede, directing its movement with screams. The layered faces on his wings were smiling sinisterly, which was a rare sight. As he watched the flesh centipede grow fatter, Xiang Jiang’s expression remained surprisingly calm, as if everything had nothing to do with him.

“I can do whatever is necessary. After all, that’s what you said.”

The shadow of the centipede continued to twist in the courtyard, and numerous earthen houses collapsed with a loud crash. Finally, Xiang Jiang revealed a smile. He extended his right arm, and a string of black Buddhist beads appeared on his wrist. These beads emitted an intense Evil Force, and Xiang Jiang’s wrist turned dark blue along with it.

The Resonance ability was activated.

The centipede’s screams echoed through the sky, and the surrounding withered grass quickly turned black and frosted over. Despair and hatred, accompanied by the malicious curses of countless deceased, instantly dispersed the mountain mist around them. Shen Mo finished his cigarette, and the smoke and fire in the village disappeared simultaneously.

Hmm, it happened even faster than he imagined.

If he hadn’t been traversing the Other Side all these years, Shen Mo would have almost been swallowed by the venomous resentment in an instant. The presence of the living in the village completely vanished, while the flesh centipede continued its frenzied rampage in place.

“This thing is pretty good,” Shen Mo commented. “It will be useful soon.”

The rumors about the “angel’s arm” have been spreading like wildfire, and Shian was suffering from the corruption source case. The “fire” in Haigu was almost ready.

Let everyone descend one step further into madness.

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

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

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

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Chapter 216: Goodbye Evil Fruit

In nearly a thousand years, Qi Xin had never tasted “Panic”. But now, her mouth was filled with the bitter taste of panic.

After a Primordial Elemental matured, it accumulated the corresponding emotion within itself. It was like certain marine organisms in the human world that extract toxins from their food and accumulate them within their bodies.

For Elementals, this was an important means of controlling emotions. The entire process didn’t require subjective consciousness to participate—just like how humans cry when they’re in pain and laugh when they’re happy—it was the most basic instinct.

So if Yin Ren was just “Fear” with a slightly peculiar appearance, there would undoubtedly be a buildup of fear within him.

But Qi Xin couldn’t taste it.

She carefully chewed on that piece of flesh, and the fear in her heart grew stronger with each bite. That fear didn’t seep out from the flesh; it grew from the depths of her own heart, spreading wildly.

Qi Xin did sense a power close to that of a Primordial Elemental, but she couldn’t discern any emotions.

Yin Ren could devour Elementals, but he had never displayed the innate power of “Fear” in any battle. This cub tore and dragged its way through life, relying solely on the “destruction” ability that belonged to Fear.

Something was wrong.

Very wrong.

Qi Xin clenched the wings tightly, and the wings tensed up as if they were trying to fight her.

“Yin Ren, what exactly are you?”

As she asked the question, two answers had already formed in Qi Xin’s mind.

The first one was a naturally mutated and deformed Fear.

Qi Xin had assumed that once Yin Ren matured, he would be able to unleash “Fear” in battle. Although Yin Ren had obtained immunity to emotions, he didn’t possess the ability to “instill fear in all things”. As for what other potential this guy might still have, Qi Xin had no idea.

In this case, Yin Ren could at least be considered a Primordial Elemental. Oh, how she wished it were true.

The second possibility was that Yin Ren was something that had never appeared before—born through the human world, an unknown shadow lurking in the dark.

He reminded her of a cuckoo bird*—a “foreign object” that infiltrated among its kind, destroying and plundering its surroundings as a child, deliberately obtaining guidance from the great Elementals before taking flight.

*Clarity: Some cuckoo birds are brood parasites that lay their eggs in the nests of other species. The chicks are then taken care of by the host’s nest and raised until they can survive on their own.

This possibility made Qi Xin extremely uneasy.

Since the human world could give birth to pests like the Charon, it wasn’t impossible for it to give birth to extremely bizarre monsters. After all, Old Fear only changed its form but still existed in essence, far from being considered “degraded”.

As long as Zhong Chengshuo’s daily needs were met and the quality of life improved, Old Fear couldn’t unleash its true form. In exchange, it gained the ability to roam both sides and an immortal physique. Those pitch-black eyes still retained the unique authority of “Fear”.

But what if the Fear from the Other Side had always been present?

What exactly was this monster before her, born from the flesh and blood that absorbed Fear? It had just completed one transformation, but what would it become afterward?

[What am I?]

To make matters worse, Yin Ren, her opponent, responded quickly. This time, his thoughts carried a hint of amusement.

[A thousand years ago, I wasn’t quite sure. And now, I’m still not quite sure. Shouldn’t you be the one teaching me about this?]

The clump of wings writhed in Qi Xin’s hand. When it was in Zhong Chengshuo’s hands, it would only flatten into a soft and warm bundle, but now it felt like a hot iron, hissing and corroding Qi Xin’s palm.

[But it’s not a big deal. We can put it aside for now. It’s time for you to teach me how to “find people”.]

Before Qi Xin could reply, Yin Ren continued on his own. He used the clump of wings to send Gao Mengyu’s cat back to the courtyard, and the red veil on the sea of wings still fluttered and swayed like a transparent tide.

[I’m counting on you, senior.] He said. [At this point, there’s no turning back for you and me.]

……

During this period, “Fear” wasn’t idle either.

Zhong Chengshuo sat to the side, focusing on watching Meng Huai give a small class to the three cultivators, Ge Tingting, Huang Jin, and Fu Tianyi. Dr. Cat and Lu Xiaohe were busy confirming the details of the operation with Xiao Zheng—logically speaking, that should have been Zhong Chengshuo’s job.

Comrade Xiao Zhong, who had always been dedicated to his work, finally rebelled for once.

He listened attentively to Meng Huai’s explanation of mixing flesh and blood and the little tricks of using the repulsion. From time to time, he recorded carefully on a piece of imaginary paper and pen, looking as serious as a junior high school student on their first day of school.

“Things imagined cannot harm Elementals. But if you mix them with prepared flesh and blood, they can be useful.”

Meng Huai scribbled on the whiteboard.

“Just like Chengfeng’s gun—she’s familiar with the internal structure and operational principles of firearms. As long as she uses blended flesh and blood instead of gunpowder, she can use it to attack. But since you don’t have a deep understanding of the structure and feel of firearms, it’s difficult for you to imagine it precisely, so this technique won’t work for you.”

“Next, you need to imagine the weapons you’re skilled with and enchant them with the Elemental’s flesh and blood—failure is fine, we can separate the flesh and blood without wasting it…”

Zhong Chengshuo listened attentively, recording every word in his notebook with neat handwriting.

“Little brother, you can’t take the things you imagine with you.” Zhong Chengfeng sat down next to her supposed younger brother.

Compared to when they first met, this policewoman had become more cheerful and talkative.

Her younger brother had a handsome appearance and was clearly a well-behaved child. He definitely wouldn’t encounter the kind of trouble she did in the police station. Although her younger brother’s physical age was older than hers, fortunately, he didn’t exude a sense of age in his appearance, which made Zhong Chengfeng feel at ease.

It had been close to thirty years since she had taken care of her parents. Even though Zhong Chengshuo had directly declared his “adopted son” status, Zhong Chengfeng still showed a concern that seemed blood-related.

“I’m used to taking notes. It helps me organize my thoughts,” Zhong Chengshuo obediently replied.

Zhong Chengfeng clicked her tongue. “You’re truly the ideal obedient child for our parents. When I used to sit quietly at my desk for half an hour, they would burn incense in gratitude. It’s good that you’re saving them the worry.”

“They have always missed you,” Zhong Chengshuo said honestly.

Zhong Chengfeng paused, and her expression suddenly filled with a hint of bitterness. “…I know.”

Her gaze shifted to her own knees, and she fell into a brief silence. Zhong Chengshuo decided to bring up a topic to strengthen their familial relationship.

“Actually, recently, I encountered a problem. You’re a police officer and have seen many troublesome things, so I wanted to consult your opinion.”

Zhong Chengfeng turned her head, and her eyes brightened. “Tell me about it. I’ll do my best to help.”

She had spent more time on the Other Side than in the human world. The previous world was like a dream full of wonders, and she wanted to savor every detail.

So she particularly liked these types of questions.

“Well, a long time ago, I used to work at a company…”

Wait, Lu Xiaohe mentioned that her younger brother graduated from a prestigious university and came to Shian for an internship right after graduation. Although Lu Xiaohe’s gaze was always strangely unfocused when she mentioned it, she didn’t seem to be lying.

Zhong Chengfeng kept the question in her heart and listened attentively.

“In my department, I was the only one. Usually, I didn’t socialize with any colleagues. The salary was neither high nor low, just enough to feed myself. Besides sleeping, I only worked and had nothing else to do. At that time, I thought it was good enough to have enough to eat and didn’t consider anything else.”

Zhong Chengfeng: “…” What a miserable job. Even if he had a degree in bioenvironmental science and a master’s from A University, why did he end up like this?

“Later on, a few colleagues didn’t like me. They dragged me into an alley and beat me up, destroying my contract and identification documents. I couldn’t go to work anymore.”

Zhong Chengfeng felt a bit suffocated, and her blood pressure visibly rose a bit. “…Didn’t you report it to the police? What about labor arbitration?”

“At that time, I didn’t know anything,” Zhong Chengshuo said guiltily. “In any case, I left that company. Now I not only have enough to eat but also have my own life, loved ones, and family. I’m much happier than when I was mechanically surviving.”

“Then what do you want to ask me?” Zhong Chengfeng scratched her head. This should be a good ending.

“Now, that company can’t continue operating. They haven’t been able to find suitable people for my position.”

Officer Zhong’s sense of justice suddenly ignited. “They deserve it, right? We should have a celebration feast when it shuts down.”

“To maintain their operations, the company will resort to less decent methods. It will harm many innocent people and even involve my family.” Zhong Chengshuo shook his head. “Even if I want to help, my physical condition is not suitable for that kind of work anymore. That’s the current situation.”

“Um, are you really not considering reporting it to the police?”

“They won’t be able to catch them.” Zhong Chengshuo raised his eyes.

Zhong Chengfeng, being knowledgeable and experienced, didn’t ask further. “But you said your health is not suitable. If you go back, it would be like risking your life as a secret agent. Sacrificing yourself for such a garbage company is not worth it. Finding someone else to take over the position would be a bit unethical.”

“That’s right.” Zhong Chengshuo tightened the grip on his notebook. “And there are some things that… only I can do.”

The situation on the Other Side was delicate, and he didn’t want Yin Ren to become “Fear”.

Furthermore, Zhong Chengshuo had a vague feeling that the path of growth for Yin Ren might not be as smooth as Qi Xin imagined. Even if he was a special individual within the biological population, the difference between Yin Ren and himself was too great.

“In other words, it won’t work without you. But you don’t want to go back, and even if you did, you couldn’t do what you did before.” Zhong Chengfeng toyed with the gun in her hand. “Hmm… I have heard some gossip in the Economic Investigation Bureau. Partners lose trust in each other and go their separate ways, causing a mess.”

“But I don’t know much about these things, so I may not be able to provide a plan. I have only one suggestion—since you have made up your mind to intervene, you should show off your muscles properly.”

Zhong Chengshuo looked at her in confusion.

Zhong Chengfeng gestured in the air. “There are some things that only you can do, and you have to magnify this point. ‘It can’t be done without me.’ That’s a remarkable bargaining chip.”

“Afterward, whether it’s paying you as a consultant to mentor new recruits or bringing up old issues for compensation, it will be a powerful negotiation tool. But abilities are not credible without proof, so it would be best to have some project evidence…”

Zhong Chengshuo fixed his gaze on her. After about half a minute, he looked at Meng Huai, who was still lecturing diligently, and then turned his head to Zhong Chengfeng. The latter felt a little uneasy under his gaze. “What’s the matter?”

“You’re right,” he said. “My idea has become more refined. Thank you.”

Zhong Chengfeng: “…You’re welcome?”

“Next, I want to ask you for a favor.”

Zhong Chengshuo stood up and signaled for Zhong Chengfeng to follow him as he walked towards the slightly ajar door of the “armory”. After Zhong Chengfeng entered the room, he carefully closed the door, making sure no sound would escape.

The body of small-scale Elementals hung silently, emitting a chilling aura. Zhong Chengfeng’s smile seemed a bit forced, and her hand instinctively approached the gun handle. “What’s the matter? Why the secrecy?”

“I want you to help me separate the flesh from this weapon,” Zhong Chengshuo said in a low voice.

“I need purer materials; the current ones are not very suitable. This thing is quite special, and it’s inconvenient to show it to others.”

Zhong Chengfeng narrowed her eyes. “Show it to me.”

Zhong Chengshuo took a few deep breaths and pulled out the short knife, the “Evil Fruit”, from his backpack.

When Meng Huai had her accident, Zhong Chengshuo hadn’t “been born” yet, so the Evil Fruit had remained sealed deep in the Shian’s warehouse. Zhong Chengfeng was just an ordinary person. Even though she had been trained like a science post, Meng Huai wouldn’t have taught her this.

In theory, neither of them had seen the real Evil Fruit.

As expected, when Zhong Chengshuo pulled out a short knife, Zhong Chengfeng relaxed her brow. “You want to separate the evil flesh from it? I’ll remind you, once it’s separated, the knife as a base won’t hold up—even if you can substitute it with imagination, it won’t return to the human side.”

“It’s okay,” Zhong Chengshuo said sincerely. “This was given to me by someone else… Sister, when you separate it, don’t touch it. It’s a bit dangerous.”

The term “sister” was particularly sincere, and Zhong Chengfeng appreciated it.

“A self-defense cursed spirit weapon, huh? In that case, put the knife on the ground and imagine a container.”

“Mm.”

Zhong Chengfeng skillfully imagined a set of tools. She used tongs to hold the Evil Fruit and placed it on top of a glass funnel. Then she took the glass bottle that Zhong Chengshuo had imagined and placed it below the funnel.

After completing all this, she took a big step towards the low cabinet in the cold storage and took out a bottle of clear oily substance. “This is extracted from Elemental flesh and can dissolve the Elemental flesh in the weapon.”

She opened the cap and poured half the bottle onto the Evil Fruit in the large funnel.

The Evil Fruit made a hissing sound as it dissolved. It wrinkled and deformed like a thin plastic sheet exposed to fire. The beautiful crimson layer on the blade gradually separated from the knife, flowing down the funnel and dripping into the small glass bottle that Zhong Chengshuo had imagined.

It was a dim red liquid flowing with countless vortices, captivating and breathtaking. As the last bit of the blade dissolved, it lay silently in the glass bottle, beautiful like a dream.

“This is truly…”

Zhong Chengfeng couldn’t help but glance at it a few more times.

“Forget it, let’s first separate the extraction liquid. After the separation, let it settle for a few seconds; it will float above the flesh. After separation, we can reuse it… Hmm?”

That pool of red remained motionless, as if the extraction agent had never existed.

Zhong Chengshuo: “…That extraction agent was made from Elemental flesh.”

“Oh yeah, didn’t I mention that?”

“Then it’s possible it can’t be separated now.” Zhong Chengshuo’s tone became even more sincere. “This flesh is quite special.”

Particularly edible.

Zhong Chengfeng: “…”

Zhong Chengfeng: “…Why do I feel like I’ve been tricked by you?”

Zhong Chengshuo touched the bottle for a while—inside the small bottle, there was the flesh and oath of Yin Ren, and he could feel the surging power within it.

“Thank you. I won’t use it for bad things, I promise.”

“Promises mean nothing. I’m a police officer,” Zhong Chengfeng laughed. “I’ll tell Meng Huai about this matter.”

“Of course.”

Just helping to deal with a “cursed spirit weapon with Evil Force”, even if Meng Huai confirmed it with the others in Shian, they probably wouldn’t say much.

—With “Fear” itself here, whether it was a spirit weapon or not didn’t matter.

The small glass bottle was placed deep in the backpack, surrounded by countless white bones. In the darkness, it still swayed with intoxicating light.

Zhong Chengshuo sat back in Meng Huai’s small classroom.

He probably had an idea of what to do with it. What he lacked most now wasn’t materials but knowledge.

“The method of igniting Elemental flesh, how to control the reaction speed, and expand the effect of spells…” Zhong Chengshuo muttered softly while taking notes.

The pen slid across the paper, depicting something besides words.

His gaze swept over the design, which looked like a blueprint for an object.

……

Huang Jin felt a drumming in his heart as he looked at the design in front of him.

It wasn’t that he couldn’t make such a thing; he had already made something close to what Zhong Chengshuo had requested. But whenever he thought about the material for this thing, his hands couldn’t help but tremble.

At this moment, he stood in the secret underground chamber specially constructed by Zhong Chengshuo.

In front of him was a delicate and beautiful lantern.

Zhong Chengshuo’s snow-white bones had been transformed by Huang Jin into an unrecognizable shape and turned into the main body of the lantern. At first glance, this lantern had a simple and beautiful design, with an ivory-colored lampshade and pole. No one knew how many intricate runes were hidden inside its sleek design.

The exterior of the lantern was painted with a breathtaking red. The red seemed to possess life, constantly flowing on the surface of the lantern, emitting a strange shimmer.

Internally, the lantern had a makeshift glass cover made from imagination to shield it from wind and rain. In the center of the bottom, there was a white bone vessel that securely held the remaining “red pigment”—the cursed flesh of Yin Ren extracted from the Evil Fruit.

Zhong Chengshuo had designed everything regarding the amplification structure of the spell, the area of flesh integration, and more. The only thing they couldn’t find was the right material for the wick. No matter how sturdy the material was, it couldn’t withstand the demands of this exceptional lantern.

If they use Zhong Chengshuo body as the material for the wick for the lantern, the “wick” and the “lamp oil” would repel each other and fail to produce the desired effect.

Huang Jin stared at the lantern in front of him with a distressed expression, his eyes fixated. On one hand, he felt that this thing could potentially make his name go down in history, but on the other hand, he wasn’t quite sure if it would result in a good or bad reputation.

“I’ve done my best, but I really can’t figure it out.”

Huang Jin slumped onto the table, wearing an expression that said, “Just kill me already.”

“It’s been days. Why don’t you go find Yin Ren? He’s at least a spiritual genius as the Great Celestial Master. You can consult him without any risk.”

While Zhong Chengshuo continued to frantically write and draw, he responded, “After all, it’s my bones. I don’t want to make him uncomfortable. I need to succeed at least to… “

“I see. You just don’t want to show him that you’re not capable.” Huang Jin snorted. “King Yama always has a plan, always has ideas, and never finds himself powerless… Isn’t that exhausting?”

Zhong Chengshuo glanced at him thoughtfully.

The exhaustion from consecutive work overcame Huang Jin’s fear. Seeing Zhong Chengshuo remain silent, Huang Jin became more determined. “It’s about time you show some vulnerability. According to Meng Huai’s plan, once everyone else is trained, she wants to attempt a rescue mission.”

“Yin Ren promised to help Lu Xiaohe, so if you’re actively arming yourself now, it’s like helping Yin Ren. He definitely won’t think you’re incapable.”

Zhong Chengshuo continued to contemplate. “You understand these things well?”

“Of course.” Huang Jin lifted his gaze. “After all, I’ve mixed with Nightwalkers before. I have a good grasp of this level of human nature; it’s a piece of cake for me.”

“Then why don’t you confess your feelings to Ding Lizi?”

“…Goodbye. I’m going to train with Meng Jie.” Huang Jin quickly changed the subject.

Just as the words left his mouth, the space suddenly fluctuated. Huang Jin thought that Zhong Chengshuo had become angry and quickly darted to the corner, crouching down to hide. Zhong Chengshuo, on the other hand, furrowed his brow and instinctively raised his arm in a defensive posture.

“A confession? What confession?”

Before the sound of the person even arrived, Yin Ren’s figure appeared from the space.

He was still dressed in red, with his long hair flowing. However, this time, the ends of Yin Ren’s hair swayed gently, and his face showed a hint of relief, indicating that he had achieved some progress over the past few days.

Huang Jin relaxed from his protective posture. “Why is it you?!”

“I was practicing moving between realms,” Yin Ren happily replied. “Qi Xin didn’t deceive me. Not bad.”

They had reached a point where they could only go all the way. Although Qi Xin didn’t know what Yin Ren was, she had some understanding of his nature. As long as Zhong Chengshuo was by his side, Yin Ren and Love would never cooperate. The enemy of an enemy is a friend, and at this point, she could only make do with the situation.

So she taught Yin Ren how to move as a Primordial Elemental—

Don’t use your legs, use your imagination. It was like two people on opposite ends of a network, agreeing to enter the same virtual room to play a game. Instead of searching through the underlying data one by one, which would be an enormous task, as long as they found the “shared imagination”, they could find the place.

Just like that white room.

According to Zhong Chengshuo… When that person intended to do something bad, they would surely imagine that basement. Yin Ren tried to imagine it and actually found it. After several days apart, Yin Ren couldn’t help but take two steps to rush over, giving his beloved a firm embrace.

Unfortunately, there was an additional Huang Jin inside.

“Hey, you brought Huang Jin in specially. Are you secretly doing something?” Lord Ghost King marched straight to the table. “Let me see. Let me see.”

Zhong Chengshuo instinctively blocked Yin Ren’s steps. He looked at Yin Ren, then at Huang Jin, and then back at Yin Ren.

Finally, he hesitated and moved his feet aside, lowering his head. “…My experiment hasn’t been successful yet.”

It was rare to see Zhong Chengshuo in such a state, and Yin Ren’s attention immediately shifted from the table. As a mature Primordial Elemental, he extended a strand of hair generously and gently touched Zhong Chengshuo’s hand.

“What’s wrong?” Yin Ren tried to indicate that his hair was movable while asking with concern.

Zhong Chengshuo looked at that strand of hair, and his eyes gradually lit up.

“Give me one of your hairs,” he said. “The longer, the better.”

Yin Ren: “?”

While he made a questioning expression, the hair had already been plucked. The soft hair lay gently in Zhong Chengshuo’s palm, still carrying Yin Ren’s body temperature.

Then, Zhong Chengshuo plucked a few strands from his own head. He took out a clean and delicate bone and carefully wrapped Yin Ren’s hair around it, intertwining it with a few strands of his own short hair to ensure they were evenly mixed.

With this, there was a connection between them—both intertwined with each other. The “wick” and the “lamp oil” wouldn’t violently repel each other.

Looking at that sparkling bone, Yin Ren’s smile froze, and his complexion changed slightly.

Unaware of this, Zhong Chengshuo placed the brand-new “bone hair wick” on the bone vessel and reassembled the lantern.

“What is this?”

Yin Ren looked at the lantern, his throat tightening.

“That is the blood I left on the Evil Fruit, and your… your…”

Once-praised, sturdy, and gleaming white bone.

Zhong Chengshuo didn’t answer.

In his pitch-black eyes, intricate patterns surged—the essence of “Fear” was activated, emanating its unique power. At this moment, that power followed Zhong Chengshuo’s gaze, gathering on the wick.

First, there were small red sparks.

The runes inside the lantern were instantly activated, driven by Meng Huai’s optimized tranquility talismans. The repulsion was contained within a tiny range. Soon, the sparks turned into flames.

Red, gentle flames. They gently blossomed on the bone hair wick, resembling a delicate bud.

In an instant, the red glow illuminated the basement. Like a magnificent sunset, everything was covered in a faint red hue.

But what permeated wasn’t just the beautiful red light.

Under the red glow, Huang Jin huddled in place, clutching his arms tightly. His teeth chattered, and his hair stood on end. Even Yin Ren could sense the slight trembling—

Zhong Chengshuo stood in place, holding the burning lantern, as if holding a setting sun. The red light illuminated his black hair but failed to illuminate his pitch-black eyes.

He stood there, showing a slight smile, exuding an utterly chilling aura that didn’t belong to a human. It was evident that most of that fear had been artificially suppressed. However, its power was still astonishing—like needles piercing the brain. Even though Yin Ren had just experienced a dream training session, his back was drenched in cold sweat.

The most ancient Primordial Elemental… the true “Fear.”

“The prototype has many shortcomings, but the power control is sufficient. Once Huang Jin leaves, we can try high-power operation.”

Zhong Chengshuo announced with satisfaction, raising the lantern slightly.

The principle of this thing is actually quite simple—

Zhong Chengshuo’s essence remained only in his residual eyeball. Previously, he could only exercise limited control by close observation. Now, utilizing the mutual repulsion power of a top tier Elemental, he could spread his abilities in all directions without dead angles.

His innate ability to infect all things with “Fear”.

Whether it was through his gaze or the blade, the range that could be affected was ultimately limited. But what if it was transformed into “light”?

“The experiment is successful.”

Zhong Chengshuo contentedly approached Yin Ren as the flame of the lantern gently flickered.

“Sorry, I used up the ‘Evil Fruit’… As for this lantern, I want to call it ‘Karma’*.”

*Clarity: As explained before, the Evil Fruit’s name comes from the Buddhist term, bitter fruit that arises from the cause of evil… in other words, karma/retribution. So this new name is quite apt.

“Yin Ren, what do you think?”

---

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

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

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

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Chapter 215: Foreign Objects

Since the corruption had been rampant, Li Nian had been living in the Shian Building for the most part.

Superficially, this corruption incident was comparable to an old lady’s foot-binding cloth—long and stinky with no end in sight. But in terms of the severity of the situation, Shian had no need to be so vigilant.

The headache had always laid with the police—under the influence of corruption, the crime rate in Haigu kept rising. Panic was like cracks in porcelain. Once you experienced it, you could never go back to your original state of mind.

Spreading panic was easy, but repairing such damage took a very long time. Nowadays, the past civilization and tranquility had all turned into illusions.

This time, Sunken Society played their hand, and the source of corruption had continuously spread. When the world was in chaos, people naturally turned to seeking gods and praying to Buddha. Many cultivators had seen their businesses thrive, and some had developed ulterior motives. Despite Shian’s repeated warnings, various corruption sources still found their way into the market in various forms.

Some of them had been intentionally spread by unscrupulous Nightwalkers.

At that stage, it wasn’t just a matter of preventing and controlling corruption sources anymore. Fu Xingchuan had returned and acted swiftly, shutting down the night market despite public opposition. The situation had somewhat improved but had still not been completely resolved.

Sunken Society had also been quietly taking action around the surrounding cities near Haigu. Recently, even the neighboring towns gradually experienced chaos. After the chaos had emerged, the “angel’s arm” inevitably followed, offering a buy-one-get-one-free deal.

However, both the subtle urban atmosphere and the entertainment self-media that had exaggerated the “angel’s arm” had not been within Shian’s direct reach. Fu Xingchuan had been busy figuring out how to deal with corruption sources, while Li Nian had repeatedly examined the investigation report of the Coral Reef Group.

When Gao Mengyu’s urgent notification arrived, he had just finished reading the financial report of the Coral Reef Group from the previous year.

“…Don’t get excited, Miss Gao. Please take your time to explain.”

After listening for several minutes, his expression hadn’t shown shock but had gradually become gloomy.

“I understand. Tomorrow’s arrangements won’t change for now. I will personally investigate the ‘angel’s arm’ with you,” he said. “Fu Xingchuan will follow up on the issue you mentioned.”

After ending the call, Li Nian quickly dialed Fu Xingchuan’s number.

“Gao Mengyu’s cat sent a message saying that they had encountered some missing people on the Other Side. There may have been survivors among the remaining missing people, so it would be best to prepare emergency rescue measures at the underground exit.”

“However, considering that the message from Gao Mengyu’s cat is in ‘tablecloth handwriting’, it can also be smoke bombs from Sunken Society.” Li Nian’s tone had remained calm. “We just need to prepare medical resources in advance.”

After saying that, he didn’t wait for Fu Xingchuan’s reaction and abruptly ended the call. A warm dizziness swept over him, and Li Nian unscrewed his thermos and took a few sips of tea—it was as thick as medicinal soup and incredibly bitter that it numbed Professor Li’s tongue.

Did he sleep a total of eight hours in the past three days?

Li Nian pressed his temples forcefully and involuntarily looked towards the window. It was the early hours of the morning, and the city outside was shrouded in a hazy shadow… His position should have belonged to Meng Huai. If that person hadn’t gone missing, she might have been the Minister of the Emergency Management Department.

“Why bother?”

A cheerful voice sounded in his ear.

As the saying went, “one has thoughts during the day and dreams at night*”, but Li Nian hadn’t fallen asleep, and that voice had come out of his dream.

*(日有所思夜有所梦) Proverb that implies one’s mind is occupied with thoughts and ideas during the day that fill your dreams at night.

Meng Huai’s arm rested on his shoulder, and the voice drew closer.

“Xiao Li, be careful not to stay up late all the time, or you won’t grow taller, you know.”

Li Nian tightened his grip on the thermos as his chest heaved dramatically. His other hand barely grasped the phone, and his finger trembled incessantly. It took him a while to steady it on the table.

Then he turned around, and the warm tea splashed out, hitting the figure behind him directly—

Meng Huai was standing right there.

She was wearing the red shirt she had gone missing in, with her hair neatly tied up in a high ponytail. The person wore a delicate bracelet on their wrist, which looked out of place on the scar-covered hand. The ring on the ring finger was identical to his.

The tea splashed onto her, creating a large wet stain in front of her, resembling blood. The aroma of tea permeated the office, and the tea flowed down the fabric, dripping onto the floor, drop by drop.

How real it felt.

The tea splashed onto her, but she didn’t seem annoyed. She stood in the corner of the office, smiling as she looked over.

“It’s an illusion,” Li Nian said in a deep voice. “You’re not her.”

Meng Huai laughed heartily. “Come on, don’t pretend. Little Brother Li, with your personality, how could you easily be influenced by illusions?”

Li Nian stared with bloodshot eyes. He hesitated for a moment, and then he reached out his hand, placing it gently on Meng Huai’s shoulder.

A tangible touch; the warmth of a human being.

“A tangible entity,” he said. “The possibility of an illusion still can’t be ruled out.”

Meng Huai laughed until her laughter caused small creases to form on her nose. “Hahaha! You’re truly something, becoming a minister and still looking so dead.”

Li Nian tried to grab her arm, but Meng Huai dodged as gracefully as he remembered, evading his grasp. Her clothes were still damp and dripping with tea.

Meng Huai made a face at him. “Actually, you guessed right. This is a spiritual perception—thanks to Yin Ren’s communication, I managed to barely project myself from the Other Side. Whether you believe it or not, I will be with you from now on.”

As she spoke, her words softened, carrying a hint of tenderness and melancholy.

“All this time, I’ve been—”

“That’s enough.” Li Nian’s face showed displeasure as he directly interrupted the person in front of him. “You’re not her!”

“The Meng Huai I know would never believe that I joined Shian. Even if there is irrefutable evidence of ‘me becoming a minister’, her first reaction upon seeing me would be to shower me with curses.”

His voice gradually turned cold.

“If you can affect me, you must be something very powerful and dangerous.”

The smiling face of “Meng Huai” twisted slightly. She crossed her arms and calmly interjected, “In your memories, there is no such scenario. What makes you so certain?”

Li Nian remained silent.

“Lao Li!” Fu Xingchuan kicked the door open. “Rare to see you calling for emergency assistance. You—”

“Who are you talking to?” Fu Xingchuan’s expression changed from anxious to perplexed. He looked around, even “sniffed” loudly. “There’s no unusual aura?”

“I’m talking to the ‘angel’s arm’.” Li Nian gazed at the figure standing two steps in front of him. “Meng Huai” was still there, playfully greeting Fu Xingchuan.

Fu Xingchuan’s expression fluctuated, eventually settling on alertness. “Even you…”

“Impressive, Minister Li. You immediately called for backup.”

“Meng Huai” clapped her hands and laughed a few more times. In an instant, her figure flickered, and those warm arms encircled him again, like an embrace between ordinary lovers. The wedding ring on its ring finger shone brightly.

“What a pity—” It blew air into Li Nian’s ear. “From the very beginning, you shouldn’t have engaged in a conversation with me.”

……

The next morning, Dr. Sun left the hospital. But when she left the hospital, she didn’t go home; she went straight to change into work clothes.

Officer Sun, carrying a thermos filled with stewed chicken soup, was waiting near his daughter’s office early in the morning. “Hey, sweetie. Dad stewed the chicken specially last night—be careful, it’s still hot.”

“Where’s Mom?” Dr. Sun took the thermos with both hands.

“The department has been busy lately, but I can find someone to cover for me. She couldn’t leave temporarily.” Officer Sun’s smile was somewhat awkward. “She said yesterday that she can take a break in a couple of days and come to the hospital to see you.”

“She cares.” Sun Qi’an smiled warmly. “Actually, my situation isn’t too bad, and the tumor in my head is stable. The big shots say that as long as I don’t experience severe impact, I might just peacefully coexist with it until the end of my life.”

Officer Sun moved his lips, hesitating for a moment. “Sweetie, please don’t overthink it. Your mother, she…”

“Mom cares about me. Her absence this time has nothing to do with me not being her biological daughter.” Sun Qi’an pushed Officer Sun playfully. “Come on, it’s been so many years. I’m not a grade schooler anymore.”

Officer Sun forced a couple of dry laughs. “Right, my baby girl has grown up.”

Bidding farewell to her father, Sun Qi’an glanced at her phone—the inquiry arranged by Shian seemed to be at 9 in the morning, so she had time to finish the soup. Officer Sun had also specially packed soft pancakes. If they were left for too long, the steam would ruin them.

So she found a lounge, pulled out a soft and fair chair, and wiped the warm tabletop that looked like living skin. The window was slightly open, and rows of arms by the bed swayed in the breeze, casting soft shadows.

Sun Qi’an carefully rolled up her sleeves, attentively tore open the pancake, and dipped it bit by bit into the chicken soup. Halfway through her meal, she wanted a sip of water. A hand appeared beside her, and the water in the cup became perfectly warm.

The touch of the cup was pleasantly warm, although the wall of the cup was a bit thick. Fortunately, the nails forming the cup’s rim were neatly trimmed, revealing a healthy color.

After finishing the chicken soup, she packed up the thermos and stretched lazily in the sunlight.

It was a beautiful day outside, with many translucent arms floating in the air, soft like jellyfish tentacles. ‘Another calm day,’ she thought.

In the dial with blood vessels, the beautifully shaped thumb, middle finger, and pinky finger rotated leisurely. Sun Qi’an looked up at the time, and at that moment, she suddenly felt a vague sense of something strange.

Something is off.

What exactly is wrong?

Oh well, maybe it’s just the weather. Sun Qi’an patted her slightly aching head and felt quite content.

When the hour hand reached 8:50, Sun Qi’an straightened her collar and stepped out of the door.

“Shian’s inquiry.” She clasped her hands tightly. “I need to handle it seriously.”

“Yes.” Her mother—her real mother who had long passed away—wrapped her arm around her shoulder and whispered warmly in her ear. “You need to handle it seriously.”

Sun Qi’an skillfully tied up her hair, held her head high, and walked forward. On the opposite side, behind Li Nian, Gao Mengyu walked with her head slightly lowered, and the two sides coincidentally met.

Sun Qi’an blinked.

On Li Nian’s shoulder, there was also a beautiful arm at rest.

Indeed, she was just being overly anxious. The world was still functioning normally, without anything unusual.

“I actually feel pretty good.”

Once seated, Sun Qi’an smiled gently and beautifully, as always.

“Well, I haven’t encountered anything strange again, nor have I seen any abnormal arms… Maybe you should go and ask others?”

……

At this moment, Lord Ghost King was still suffering inside “Satisfaction”.

If there was a recording device on the Other Side, Yin Ren guessed he must look like a peppermint candy thrown into a carbonated drink. He was being tortured to death by these damned bubbles.

Question: In a snowy landscape, surrounded by blades from all directions with no way to dodge, what should you do?

Answer: Crouch down and protect your head.

After regaining consciousness, Yin Ren didn’t grow taller or bigger, as Qi Xin had hoped. He curled up even tighter than a startled clamshell. Unfortunately, even with less contact with the bubbles, the pain continued to assault him endlessly.

It was too painful.

An old person dreaming of endless artillery fire, a stray dog dreaming of swinging blades, a child dreaming of chasing after their abandoned parents, and a young person dreaming of holding the body of their loved one tightly. From being displaced to the death of a beloved pet, the dark emotions brewed into a pot of porridge, and each burst of a bubble was a mournful cry.

It was too joyful.

A patient dreaming of a day of recovery, a bird dreaming of a warm southern place, a parent dreaming of their deceased children, a middle-aged person dreaming of fantastical encounters that defied reality… Countless satisfactions came pouring in.

Like ice and fire, they alternated the torment. Each emotional bomb exploded on Yin Ren, leaving him bruised and battered.

He had lived hundreds of years in the human world, but here he was like an infant, forced to navigate through the minds of countless young and old souls. Billions of emotions intertwined in chaos and intensity, and he was about to be submerged and crushed by countless minds.

To withstand all this, there were precedents—either, like Zhong Chengshuo a thousand years ago, abandon all emotions, or, like Zhong Chengshuo a thousand years later, use scientific willpower to fortify oneself.

He couldn’t take the second path, but abandoning emotions…

Indeed, incomprehension and indifference may be the only solution to deal with this chaotic mess. It was like being human and not caring about the joys and sorrows of cockroaches. It was also like tender flesh festering and forming thick calluses, rendering it less susceptible to stimuli.

Yin Ren supported his shattered consciousness and suddenly felt a bit sad.

Evil being, Great Celestial Master, Evil Spirit… The cub of Fear. Stripping away the layers of shells, he was just a mortal born of his mother, a flesh-and-blood human. And his opponent was the emotional chaos that had accumulated over billions of years on the Other Side.

No wonder he always had that sense of powerlessness before. Now, completely dispelling the clouds, he truly understood that he was a mere mayfly challenging a giant tree, an insignificant force. To confront enemies far beyond human capabilities, he himself had to become something far beyond human—how fair it seemed.

But he couldn’t make that decision.

Countless dreams flashed by, so beautiful. Yet if he were to abandon the eyes that could understand them, in his eyes, they would be no different from the filthy foam that surfaced from the sewers. In the future, whether it was the life or death of the members of Unit 9, or the subtle emotions on Zhong Chengshuo’s face, it would all turn into trivial dust and no longer stir even the slightest reaction from him.

Yin Ren didn’t like that.

So should he give up? Slipping away dejectedly, resigning himself to fate, living with a sense of powerlessness?

Or should he accept everything completely? If he continued to endure this pain, not even a year, a month, or a day would pass before he lost interest in life.

It was truly maddening. When he first arrived in this era, all he wanted was to enjoy some fresh food and live one day at a time.

“I’m not used to thinking about this…” Yin Ren bitterly mumbled in his mind.

If Zhong Chengshuo were here, he might be able to come up with some fantastic ideas from a Primordial Elemental perspective. No, that wasn’t right either. That guy himself wasn’t very good at handling emotions…

Thinking of this, Yin Ren suddenly froze for a moment.

When did he initially encounter this difficult problem?

[I’m only used to thinking about how “I” can come out unscathed… This is the first time I’m attempting to think about “us”.]

When he was wrapped layer by layer by the “Attachment” Elemental inside the Corpse Cage, Zhong Chengshuo had said that.

[Yin Ren, I will come up with a more suitable solution.]

A more suitable solution.

Yin Ren’s tensed body loosened slightly.

At that time, he first alleviated his loss of control through battle, and then resolved the “Attachment”. There must have been something in that process—something he seemed to grasp…

Either give up humanity, or give up becoming stronger, or endure the pain until it drives him insane.

Why wasn’t there a fourth option?

[…Battle is the best way to release pent-up emotions…] Fragments of memories whispered in his ears.

The Elementals rarely empathized with humans, which was why there was a natural barrier. “Satisfaction” and “Fear” didn’t have brains, so naturally, they couldn’t think on this level.

Various emotions exploded in his mind, and he had always tried to deny them, to dominate them, to manipulate them. What would happen if he gave up resistance and tried to accept these emotions?

Feeling cornered, with no way out, he resorted to desperate measures, shouting for Qi Xin to save him if things didn’t go well!

Yin Ren took a deep breath in his mind and suddenly relaxed his entire body.

An old person dreaming of endless artillery fire, a stray dog dreaming of swinging blades—he squatted beside them, sobbing along with them; a child dreaming of chasing their abandoned parents, a young person dreaming of embracing the corpse of their loved ones—Yin Ren stood nearby, crying louder than them.

A patient dreaming of a day of recovery, a bird dreaming of warm southern lands—he smiled along with them; a parent dreaming of their deceased children, a middle-aged person dreaming of fantastical adventures that defied reality—he recorded these fleeting moments for them.

Yin Ren no longer put up his defenses. He traversed through unordered consciousness, not hiding his own fears and satisfactions. Truly, this was training—a perfect opportunity to temper his spirit. He even began to actively approach those dreamscapes, experiencing the various emotions of the dreamers.

At the beginning, it was indeed painful.

As a powerful Primordial Elemental, a terrifying evil, or a revered Great Celestial Master, he shouldn’t have been affected by these messy emotions. The strong seemed to be expected to trample over thorns barefoot and carve out a path drenched in blood.

But as a mortal, Yin Ren allowed himself to be defeated, tormented, and submerged in the countless ups and downs of human existence. He cried when he felt sad and laughed when he felt happy. Anyway, his skin was thick enough—why not indulge in love, hatred, passion, joy, sorrow, and separation for a while?

He insisted on enduring it.

Gradually, the dam that Yin Ren had built so frantically began to crumble. The water no longer turbulently muddied but instead flowed gradually and gently, forming several clear streams. After an unknown time, the pain brought by great joys and sorrows became more bearable.

Yin Ren closed the eyes of the old person, held the hand of the child, and touched the soft fur of animals. Life in all its diversity, all living beings—that was all there was to it. Having seen so much and understood so deeply, he allowed himself to freely express joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness, as they were nothing major.

Negative emotions could still circulate within him, but he could now accept satisfaction with ease.

Countless illusions brushed by, and in the end, Yin Ren discovered that he was immersed in many bubbles. They only left him with a very small stinging sensation, just like a hug from Zhong Chengshuo.

Those emotions continued to surge, but they no longer engaged in a tug-of-war with him; they swiftly passed through him, like a breeze from the unknown.

He had won.

He didn’t know if this counted as passing, but he knew for sure that he had definitely grown a bit.

Yin Ren stretched himself out triumphantly; with “Satisfaction” being so big, why not expand himself to the fullest? He didn’t know if Qi Xin was watching, but he hoped to annoy her.

He kept stretching, even with fear and caution, still displaying a righteous and confident attitude like a fearless calf not afraid of tigers. He felt as if he had been released from a vacuum-sealed package, ready to expand to the ends of the earth.

Finally, “Satisfaction” seemed to notice something.

Like any undigested organism, countless bubbles separated, and countless vortices merged, forming a large mouth with tremendous suction force. Before Yin Ren could react, he was cruelly vomited out.

He lay sprawled on the tunnel of the Other Side, flapping his wings in dissatisfaction. At this moment, those clusters of wings had turned pitch black, with intricate and obscure patterns swirling within them, resembling Zhong Chengshuo’s eyes.

Yin Ren deliberately grew an eyeball and solemnly examined himself for a while.

New, not bad.

Unfortunately, Ms. Qi Xin’s thoughts clearly went against his.

Qi Xin had followed him throughout the whole process, and now she was floating above the wriggling Yin Ren on the ground, with a face even longer than “Love’s” arms.

Before Yin Ren could open his mouth to speak to her, Qi Xin descended slowly. Her hands scooped up two clusters of wings with a casual gesture, as if she was a customer buying cabbage in a vegetable market. She looked at the flapping soft wings on the ground and her eyes filled with strong disbelief—normally, this great Elemental rarely displayed such intense emotions.

First, she directly infused a state of sorrow.

Yin Ren smoothly accepted it, allowing tears to flow from the small wings nestled at the bottom. He remained expressionless—now he had become a mature Primordial Elemental that could embrace joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness while retaining his rationality. He wouldn’t be shaken by such tricks.

Seeing that Yin Ren didn’t struggle or collapse, Qi Xin quickly plucked off a small wing and chewed on it.

Yin Ren: “?”

How could she start eating them? Did she really think they wouldn’t fight each other?

“Wrong.”

Qi Xin grabbed her hair with her fingers, messing up her previously neat bun.

“Wrong, wrong, wrong—! There’s no taste of Fear! Why is there no taste of Fear?”

……

Qi Xin did witness the whole process.

At first, when she saw Yin Ren stretching his body, she was delighted—this guy had finally figured it out. As the saying went, “It’s survival of the fittest, and if you want to protect yourself, strength is the most precious thing.”

But Yin Ren’s reaction gradually became somewhat strange.

During those long days and nights, he began rolling around, making contact with those bubbles, and diving into whichever dream was more abundant. In the end, that black mass floated and swayed within the bubbles, even emitting a sense of contentment.

The “Fear” she knew didn’t behave like this!

“Fear” should be more silent, colder, like the night in the human world. Long ago, when Qi Xin discovered that Yin Ren possessed the power that annihilated the Primordial Elementals, she was certain that he was the “Fear” cub she had been seeking.

Even if his birth was a bit problematic and his form was strange and peculiar; even if he had too much humanity… a cub was a cub. It was just a matter of training. After all, no one knew what Old Fear looked like when it was young. When the cub grew up, everything would fall back into place.

But now she wasn’t sure anymore.

Yin Ren’s state was indeed that of a mature Primordial Elemental. He stretched his body, exuding a depth that seemed bottomless, but his form didn’t resemble “Fear” at all.

Old Fear was pure blackness. It didn’t have the flapping black wings on the ground, nor the delicate and slightly dazzling thin red veil that gently floated above the wings. It danced gracefully, never ceasing, with its wings fluttering gently.

Swish, swish.

The “Primordial Elemental” in front of her was undoubtedly warm.

“…Yin Ren, what exactly are you?”

---

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

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

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

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Chapter 214: Weakness

Meng Huai’s bodily sensations were beyond the grasp of everyone present. However, the feeling of being completely exposed to the other side, except for Zhong Chengshuo, was clear to everyone else.

It was enough to make one feel disoriented—an unbearable torment even for a second.

Meng Huai was fortunate. As a long-time employee of Shian, she had the means to quickly calm her emotions. Perhaps by a stroke of luck, she imagined the office area in the afternoon—it might be the safest place in the world for her.

Her imagination was hurried and chaotic, and what she imagined was blurry. The entire office area was far less real than what they had previously seen, filled with various distortions, blurriness, and incompleteness, like a crude model with rendering errors.

In the center of this absurd model, Meng Huai held Zhong Chengfeng tightly. She was like a person climbing onto a broken plank in a raging flood, uncertain how long the current situation could be sustained. She didn’t know where they were headed either.

If it were someone else, they might have been crushed by this helplessness. But Meng Huai clung to this lifeline like a drowning person, using an almost terrifying intuition to desperately imagine perfecting this office area. The others watched as the floor became even, the walls became clear, but there were countless damages in the corners, revealing the chaotic movements of the damaged exterior.

This chaos was different from before—a group of predatory Primordial Elementals passed by, enveloping this unfortunate little room. Following these Elementals from the Other Side, the surrounding space changed repeatedly, flipping the world upside down dozens of times.

Meng Huai wedged herself tightly in the doorway of the restroom, preventing herself from losing consciousness due to the turbulence. After an unknown amount of time, this small space finally stabilized again, like a grain of sand settling down after being carried by a school of fish in the current.

It was at this moment that Zhong Chengfeng opened her eyes.

……

“If it weren’t for the fact that we could take care of each other, I would have gone insane long ago,” Meng Huai’s voice came from behind the others.

The imaginary office area gradually peeled away, revealing the present perfect reality of the office area. The imagination dispersed, and the others realized they were still in the same place, not having moved an inch.

Zhong Chengfeng’s nose was still red, but her emotions had already calmed down. She cleared her throat and took over from where Meng Huai left off. “It took us a full four years just to find a safe course of action. During that time, we also had breakdowns.”

Zhong Chengfeng walked to the whiteboard, picked up a red pen, and made a mark as well.

This time, the scene was still the real office area, but outside the window was pouring rain instead of the setting sun.

The interior view was real, making it even more terrifying.

The monitors on one side of the wall were all blacked out, and the white wall was filled with various incomprehensible words written in black and red ink. Meng Huai and Zhong Chengfeng sat facing each other, on the verge of madness.

They carried many “things” within them.

Meng Huai’s skin was embedded with various stone talismans, like growths on her flesh. The inanimate objects seamlessly merged into her skin without leaving a trace. She barely maintained a sitting position with her spine deeply bent.

On the other hand, Zhong Chengfeng had all sorts of miscellaneous objects embedded in her. Picture frames, notebooks, pens, medals—they penetrated beneath her skin, making her resemble a realistic doll, inflated and on the verge of bursting at any moment. She curled up in pain, and her body trembled slightly.

Behind Meng Huai stood a young-looking Li Nian—a college student. He appeared handsome, with relatively plump cheeks and no signs of the thinness and sharpness left by time. One of his hands rested on Meng Huai’s shoulder as he repeated a phrase.

“Meng Jie,” he reluctantly addressed her.

And behind Zhong Chengfeng stood her parents.

“Fengfeng,” they softly called.

Meng Huai lifted her gaze with half of her face swallowed by the stone talismans, and only one bloodshot eye remained. “I can’t imagine it anymore, Chengfeng. I have a terrible headache.”

Zhong Chengfeng bitterly smiled. “I told you we’re already dead. This is hell… and you still don’t believe it.”

Zhong Chengshuo remained silent—he might not understand the subtle emotions involved, but he knew that under immense pressure, people inevitably fantasized about their “cherished ones”.

Just like his own “death”, Yin Ren made a mock flesh puppet of him.

They had been confined in this room for four years, unaware of the outside world and ignorant of their own situation. Even without food and water issues, it was likely more mentally challenging than being stranded on a deserted island. The transformations occurring in these two individuals were somewhat reminiscent of Jiao Lian and Fu Wuya, who were once Charons, most likely subjected to some form of corruption.

At that time, Shian knew next to nothing about the Other Side. These two people might have been wandering on the Other Side with their physical bodies. They had touched what they shouldn’t have touched, consumed what they shouldn’t have consumed, unknowingly violated numerous taboos.

The two deformed figures sat motionless in the center of the room, while their cherished ones stood behind them, mechanically calling out, as if summoning spirits.

Perhaps that was the final thread suspending their consciousness.

“No… we can’t.” Meng Huai struggled to clench her fingers tightly. “If we give up like this, everything will truly be over…”

Zhong Chengfeng blinked her eyes, almost obscured by the objects beneath her skin, revealing a trace of sorrow.

She didn’t speak, but her thoughts were evident in her eyes—by now, they were finished. Time had passed for who knew how long yet their bodies hadn’t aged, and the outside world was filled with endless nightmares. Unknowingly, their exploration outside had led them to become like this.

She lay still, and it seemed that even more objects were accumulating beneath her skin. They piled up on her body, threatening to bend her spine.

Meng Huai reached out her hand, and gradually, a sharp scalpel appeared in her hand.

“Come on, Chengfeng.” She pointed to her legs and feet filled with talismans and stones. “Cut them all off.”

“But you…” Zhong Chengfeng hesitated.

Meng Huai clenched her teeth, and the surgical knife in her hand gleamed coldly. “I don’t know what the situation is here, but I know this is a predominantly psychological space… Perhaps all these things on our bodies are manifestations of mental breakdown. When a person… When their mind is trapped in a dead end, they need external assistance…”

Her tone was extremely difficult.

“If my guess is correct… If you remove these things, I won’t die from loss of blood or anything. If things go smoothly on my side, I’ll help you…”

Zhong Chengfeng extended her deformed arm, “And if it doesn’t go smoothly?”

Meng Huai smiled.

“Then we’ll die together,” she said. “We have each other, so we won’t be alone on the road to the beyond.”

Zhong Chengfeng also smiled with a hint of tears in her laughter as she tightened her grip on the scalpel.

The blade pierced the boundary between the stones and the skin, causing Meng Huai to let out a cry of pain. She exerted all her strength, forcing herself not to struggle or resist. Meng Huai shifted her position, turning her head to look at the upright Li Nian behind her.

“Xiao Li.” She struggled to reach out her hand. “I know this isn’t like you, but… but…”

The imagined “Li Nian” crouched down, grabbing her hand.

“Meng Jie,” he repeated like an exquisitely crafted human repeater. “Meng Jie.”

Meng Huai closed her eyes.

……

Zhong Chengfeng promptly stopped the scene—no one wanted to witness their colleagues or loved ones being tortured.

“In any case, by the tenth year, we were able to freely move outside. Meng Huai will tell you about the methods and procedures later.”

She coughed twice.

“In the following time, we were constantly searching for that white space. According to Meng Huai, there seem to be many people inside. Then, rescuing people became the pillar that sustained the two of us…”

“And then they rescued me.”

The person named “Xiao Zheng”, who was the rear commander, said.

“I accidentally entered here two years ago, not inside that white space. If it weren’t for their timely discovery, I would have probably died in madness.”

“What happened to you?” Huang Jin asked cautiously.

Xiao Zheng’s expression turned bitter. “That day, I was in a hurry to go home for my child’s birthday… I wasn’t paying attention to my surroundings and walked through a door that shouldn’t exist.”

Xiao Zheng’s account seemed familiar. He said that beyond that door was an endlessly looping Shian building, devoid of anyone. He couldn’t find his way back or figure out how to leave. After enduring a week, Xiao Zheng couldn’t bear it any longer. He pried open the elevator doors and intended to jump down the elevator shaft to commit suicide.

Zhong Chengshuo: “Interstitial space.”

Similar structures exist within Sunken Society’s stronghold.

Xiao Zheng forced a smile. “That’s what you call it? It’s more or less the middle ground. Anyway, after I jumped down the elevator shaft, I fell for several days before landing in this place… Haha, at that time, I was almost half-crazed. It was pure luck that they found me.”

“Later on, we also encountered unlucky individuals like me. Most of them were drained by the Elementals after going mad, leaving only a faint impression.”

Xiao Zheng gestured vaguely.

“It’s like the shadows of people after an atomic bomb explosion, stuck on the tunnel walls, not easily noticeable if you don’t look closely.”

After listening to his account, Huang Jin became even more cautious. “Wait, are you really from Shian? You disappeared only two years ago. You must know that Li Nian is the Minister, so why does Meng Huai seem unaware?”

Xiao Zheng looked at Huang Jin in shock. “Brother, I had just joined Shian not long ago, as a C-level investigation team. I only knew the higher-ups with the surname Li… It’s not like you guys don’t know what C-level tasks are like. It’s all similar to stiff like in <Approaching Science>. How could you possibly have encountered the Emergency Management Department?”

Huang Jin, Ge Tingting, Lu Xiaohe: “…”

Indeed, it seemed they hadn’t encountered an actual C-level task before.

What was a C-level task supposed to be like? Why couldn’t they remember? They only remembered meeting Fu Xingchuan every day, and Li Nian would be there tomorrow, so much so that Unit 9 even had two reserved seats for the two leaders.

Whose fault was this, exactly?

Since the Great Celestial Master wasn’t present, they all turned to Zhong Chengshuo, who met their gaze with an innocent expression.

“So, you’ve been investigating the whereabouts of the remaining missing individuals all along.” Zhong Chengshuo skillfully changed the topic.

Meng Huai curiously glanced at the subtly nuanced Shian personnel, but fortunately, it seemed she didn’t want to continue discussing “Li Nian becoming a Minister”. “Yes, and just last year, we found that white space. However, it was different from when I first escaped. There were many powerful Elementals guarding the outside now. If you try to go out, it’s no different from sending yourself to be captured.”

She shook her head, her expression turning solemn.

“This brings us to the key question—why did we attack that group of ‘Lonelies’? All of you, come with me.”

Dr. Cat climbed onto Fu Tianyi’s head in three swift movements and patted the back of his head with its paws. Zhong Chengshuo ran even faster, quickly catching up to Meng Huai.

Meng Huai walked straight to the entrance of the restroom and pushed the door open.

Instantly, the damp air turned icy cold. Zhong Chengshuo took a quick glance, and his expression froze for a few seconds.

Behind the restroom was a massive cold storage room, the product of someone’s imagination. And within this huge cold storage room hung the bodies of small Elementals, packed tightly together. One side had dark-colored organs, while the other side had pale-colored organs, arranged neatly and distinctly, resembling a slaughterhouse cold storage.

Zhong Chengshuo thought silently, ‘…It’s a good thing that Dog Thing is still with Yin Ren and didn’t come here. Otherwise, its power might have been scared into negative numbers right away.’

“Welcome to ‘Shian’s Temporary Branch Armory’,” Meng Huai said.

All the bodies emitted varying degrees of Evil Force. Fu Tianyi silently lowered Dr. Cat’s paw pad and covered his own eyes—it was the first time he had encountered a corruption source of this magnitude, even on a farmer’s market level.

“I saw earlier that you mixed the flesh and blood of two different Elementals together.”

Only Zhong Chengshuo still maintained his complete interest.

Meng Huai nodded. “Yes, you should know that these things can be divided into two categories—Fear represents the initial branch, while Satisfaction represents the other. They can roughly be classified as negative emotions in black and positive emotions in white.”

Meng Huai casually took out two small packets, each containing a small bag of Elemental flesh.

“For example, this one, the black one represents ‘Contempt’, and the white one represents ‘Longing’. When they are mixed together, there will be a clear repulsion reaction.”

She dabbed a bit from each side and vigorously rubbed them together, murmuring to herself. In the next moment, the mixture emitted a faint red light.

“By utilizing the power of this repulsive reaction, I can create some simple spells… The ones from the human world, you don’t even need to think about them. They won’t work.”

Zhong Chengshuo, who didn’t understand, asked, “Why?”

“The spells in the human world are built upon the circulation of evil qi, just like burning firewood,” Meng Huai explained concisely. “Tools designed specifically for burning firewood cannot be directly used to burn gasoline.”

After speaking, Meng Huai revealed a sense of relief.

“Thankfully, I can use this method. Unfortunately, they are all basic things—very simple and primitive. But now that so many cultivators have returned, I finally have a way to discuss optimization.”

When it came to his area of expertise, Huang Jin became enthusiastic. “These are all small Elementals, right? If we obtained the flesh and blood of larger Elementals, would the effects be stronger?”

Meng Huai bared her teeth at him. “Little brother, are nuclear weapons powerful?”

“Uh, powerful?”

“Then should we give every police officer a nuclear warhead?”

Huang Jin: “…”

“It’s just that I got lucky… That white room was undoubtedly made by a big shot. Even just that bell, with a bit of Evil Force can produce such a strong effect. If it were true body parts, Chengfeng and I would have been reduced to ashes long ago.”

Meng Huai clapped her hands.

“By the way, if it’s two big shots of equal strength, even if they are of the same kind, there would still be this repulsion reaction. But it’s difficult to determine such a situation. We can’t beat the big shots, so it’s safer to use the black and white combination.”

Huang Jin quickly moved his steps, distancing himself from Zhong Chengshuo.

Zhong Chengshuo secretly played with the phalanges in his hand. “Whether it’s the repulsion between positive and negative, or the incompatibility between strong individuals of the same kind, does the state of the flesh itself also matter for the reaction to be intense?”

Zhong Chengfeng was startled by her own cheeky brother’s insight. “How do you know that?”

Zhong Chengshuo remained uncharacteristically silent for a while before speaking. “I’m just guessing too. If the reaction appeared randomly, with Primordial Elementals constantly fighting each other internally, the Other Side would have been blown to pieces long ago.”

In fact, it wasn’t just a guess.

He and Yin Ren had indulged in wild and absurd nights several times, inevitably involving biting and kissing. If mere physical contact would cause an explosion, Haigu would likely be leveled by the two of them.

Unfortunately, Meng Huai didn’t know the secret behind it and simply thought the young man had a quick mind. She nodded approvingly. “It’s a pity. If you weren’t a science post, you would have great potential.”

The members of Unit 9 looked at the sky and the ground.

Meng Huai snapped her fingers. “Next, I will teach you how to use the flesh and blood of the Elementals.”

“Can I listen in?” Zhong Chengshuo asked, squeezing his knuckles.

“Of course.”

……

“Next, I will teach you how to survive on the Other Side,” Qi Xin said.

Yin Ren leaned against the soft pile of cats and nodded solemnly.

Qi Xin made an effort not to look at the “Lonelies” scattered all over the place. “Your weaknesses, in my opinion, are laughable—your emotions are unstable, and you have too much humanity.”

“‘Lacking humanity’ is an insult,” Yin Ren retorted. Without any companions around, he was unable to hold back.

“But you’re not human,” Qi Xin replied coldly. “’Disgust’ and ‘Love’ thrive on human emotions, and they are the ones most affected by human influence, yet they haven’t turned into an indecisive mess like you.”

“According to your own words… the first time, in the Fu Residence corpse cage, you nearly lost control due to the influence of ‘attachment’. The second time, you took the poorly made ‘Innocent Thoughts’ created by humans, and your behavior went completely out of control. The third time, you fought against ‘Joy’ and, in order to avoid the influence of the other party’s emotions, you handed control of the battle over to Old Fear.”

Indeed. Yin Ren shrunk his neck.

Qi Xin’s tone grew colder. “You should be the Fear that devours all emotions, yet you have managed to reach this point where even a random cat or dog can make you lose control—separating emotions to a certain extent is an innate skill of all Primordial Elementals. Your condition, if compared to humans, is similar to having an ‘immunity deficiency’.”

Perhaps because he wasn’t created by the heroic mother, “Satisfaction”, but rather as a result of Zhong Chengshuo cutting up half his body, he might even be a premature Elemental. However, looking at the intimidating Qi Xin, Yin Ren suppressed his inner thoughts and asked, “So what should I do?”

Qi Xin had mentioned that her training would be painful and dangerous.

Based on the TV melodramas Yin Ren had seen, at this point, he should either go for a realistic approach like “bone marrow transplant for leukemia” or take the fantastical route of “bidding farewell to the mortal world on the path of ruthlessness”. Yin Ren straightened his back nervously, no longer using the cat cushion.

Qi Xin smiled with that creepy smile again.

“It’s simple,” she said. “Just wait here.”

…The fewer the words, the more significant the matter, and Yin Ren became even more nervous. “Wait for who?”

“Wait for ‘Satisfaction’.”

Qi Xin crossed her arms and had a slightly gloating expression on her face.

Oh no, it seems like it’s not a TV melodrama but Animal World.

Those birds that kicked their offspring out of the nest and forced them to learn to fly on their own might have a similar expression to Qi Xin’s right now.

“You just need to break free from Satisfaction, then you’ll pass.” Qi Xin’s smile grew wider and wider. “Fear and Satisfaction are evenly matched and naturally antagonistic. There is no better training ground than this.”

[I’ll go with you!] Gao Mengyu’s cat, draped in a tablecloth, approached. [I need to pass through it to continue warning Gao Mengyu.]

Yin Ren didn’t object anymore and gripped the soft paw of the cat. “Will I die?”

Qi Xin shook her head. “No, at most, you’ll go insane. By then, I can only try my best to eat you and go find Love for a one-on-one duel.”

Yin Ren: “…”

“You better prove yourself. Don’t make me do those superficial activities.” Qi Xin’s eyes narrowed, and her entire face resembled a mask with narrow slits.

If he wanted to avoid these troublesome matters, now was probably the best chance, Yin Ren instinctively thought.

“I understand. When do we start?” Yin Ren asked.

He just recalled the previous sense of powerlessness, but in an instant, the thought of escape vanished like a dewdrop on a lotus leaf, rolling away.

[It’s coming soon.]

This time, the cat answered Yin Ren.

As native Elemental, for Qi Xin and the cat, the existence of “Satisfaction” might not be much different from a gentle morning breeze. Since “Satisfaction” would come on its own, Yin Ren could only strive to keep his emotions stable and stand quietly in place.

Disgust, Joy, Love, Sorrow. He had the fortune of experiencing the essence of these four.

Speaking of which, he seemed to have never seen the true original appearance of Zhong Chengshuo. In his memory, there were only endless black lakes in the cliffs and the chaotic rabbit jumping and crawling beside the lake. But at that time, Zhong Chengshuo’s body was already torn apart, in a state of struggling for survival.

He had never seen his lover’s true form.

So what would “Satisfaction”, which corresponded to Zhong Chengshuo, look like?

Suddenly, the cats in the courtyard stopped lounging around. They stood up one by one, hastily folding their own tablecloths and hugging them in their soft paws. In the previously silent space, a soft rustling sound suddenly emerged, like the waves of the sea. The sound wasn’t loud, but juxtaposed with the previous silence, it was like a thunderclap.

What was it?

Yin Ren turned around and looked towards the source of the sound.

Then he was rendered speechless.

In Yin Ren’s imagination, Satisfaction might be something like the waves of the sea. It might be much larger than an ordinary Elemental, flooding every corridor and covering the entire Other Side. However, reality proved that his imagination was still conservative.

It was like the line between day and night.

…There was no gradual submersion, but in an instant, it irresistibly and indiscriminately covered everything. The texture of “Satisfaction” appeared to be countless melted brains and nerves, radiating a pure white color, like swirling clouds.

Like the rising sun, the white light instantly engulfed Yin Ren’s vision.

Unstoppable, unavoidable, and impossible to escape. It was like no one could escape the rising sun, capable of covering the first rays of dawn.

In an instant, Yin Ren understood many things, such as why billions of years ago, they would have an infinite fear of “Fear”, and why the creatures of the Other Side didn’t think that “Fear” would be conscious thousands of years ago.

Just a being that governed birth, “Satisfaction” made even someone like him who had experienced storms and waves feel instinctive awe. How could something of this scale, something so close to a natural phenomenon, possess consciousness?

If… If the previous “Fear” was also like this, then his current self could only be described as a cub.

Next, the suffering would begin.

According to Qi Xin, “Fear” and “Satisfaction” were naturally antagonistic, and in the realm of competition, there was always someone stronger. As an ignorant cub, he would undoubtedly be rejected by “Satisfaction”. Yin Ren cautiously closed off most of his senses, waiting for the impending ordeal.

It was like averting one’s gaze and waiting for a nurse to administer an injection—the feeling was truly agonizing.

One second passed, nothing happened, and Yin Ren relaxed his perception a little.

Five seconds passed, still nothing happened, and Yin Ren once again relaxed his perception a bit—his current state was like looking through the cracks between his fingers.

Surrounding him was an expanse of white, with extremely low visibility. Gao Mengyu’s cat was still by his feet, holding his wrist with soft paws. Qi Xin wasn’t far away, and she seemed to have used some technique to prevent the coverage of “Satisfaction”.

In a slightly further distance, mist spun out of nowhere, forming milky white whirlpools.

The whirlpools spun faster and faster, with the central white part gradually darkening and solidifying. After a few seconds, several fist-sized “Lonely” cats trembled and appeared. They stood confused in place, and their sticky limbs reached out in disarray. Some larger cats with tablecloths draped over them crawled over, bundled them up with the tablecloths, and dragged them back to their group.

Newborns.

Gao Mengyu’s cat vigorously waved its soft paws, creating a huge white vortex in the space. It tightly grasped the still-dazed Yin Ren and rushed toward the vortex like a jellyfish.

Before Yin Ren could express his opinion, suddenly, a pile of jumbled and scattered bones appeared behind him. That pile of bones forcefully pushed him, almost stuffing him into the vortex. The force was so strong that if they were in the mortal world, Yin Ren suspected he would have been pushed out of the atmosphere.

That was definitely Qi Xin’s true form.

Yin Ren: “…” What if he successfully transformed into an adult Fear? Wasn’t she afraid of him holding a grudge?

Before he could finish pondering, countless “bubbles” squeezed in. They flashed with a soapy sheen within the white brain matter, incredibly beautiful. However, as they lightly brushed past, the pain was almost enough to make Yin Ren want to dig out his brain.

Those were pieces of information, condensed to the extreme—chaotic information. If the Other Side was a well-ordered internet, then these bubbles were like compressed packages containing countless chaotic consciousness. They expanded and burst in his mind, pouring out numerous emotions like surprise blind boxes.

In just a second, Yin Ren almost fainted.

The cat seemed to be unaware of everything. It clung to Yin Ren with its soft limbs, anxiously navigating through the squeezed bubbles. This time, the frequency of brain explosions increased. Amidst the onslaught of emotions like a gusty storm, his consciousness was like a flickering candle flame that could extinguish at any moment.

No wonder… the previous Fear… lacked emotions…

Only a vegetative-like void could contain so many, so complex…

“Dream.”

Qi Xin’s voice rang out from behind Yin Ren.

“Human beings cannot handle the information of the Other Side; it is said to be a realm of chaos. But in reality, the Other Side is simply too rich in information, and humans don’t know how to deal with it. The Other Side has always operated within order, and it is here that true chaos exists.”

Countless creatures’ dreams, which was the only way for the spirit to self-repair.

Without reason, without logic, only boundless, kaleidoscopic projections of emotions.

[It’s her!]

The cat discovered something, exclaiming in joy. It released Yin Ren’s wrist and swam towards an ordinary-looking bubble. When it reached its destination, it tightly embraced the bubble, attempting to squeeze its eyeballs inside.

[You go ahead, I need to focus.] It solemnly declared.

“Wait…”

Amidst the collision of countless dreams, Yin Ren forcibly held onto his consciousness.

“Is… it Gao Mengyu’s dream… Can you help me… convey a message…”

Finishing his words, he mustered his strength and imprinted a series of words into the cat’s mind.

Just as he completed this task, a dream collided directly with his face. The infinite emotions within the dream exploded in his mind, and Yin Ren completely lost consciousness.

“That’s enough.”

Qi Xin coldly floated in the distance.

The most primal, most chaotic emotions didn’t give any chance for logical understanding and digestion. All they could do was provide repeated and intense stimulation.

Like a whetstone, they could quickly grind away the least important parts. Qi Xin casually tapped on a bubble, causing it to burst into tears at her fingertips.

“Cub, ‘humanity’ is your biggest weakness,” she said.

“To survive as a top-tier Primordial Elemental, you must discard it. Choose between ‘maturity’ or ‘humanity’… If you want both, all that awaits you is madness.”

At the same time.

Gao Mengyu abruptly woke up from her dream, sweat covering her forehead. Barefoot, she ran to the telephone and dialed the Emergency Management Department’s number directly.

“The dream has changed. I’ve received information from Unit 9,” she urgently said.

“I need to see Li Nian. It’s urgent!”

---

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

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

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

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Chapter 213: Escape Method

Meng Huai was quite tall, while Lu Xiaohe, standing near her, appeared petite.

Lu Xiaohe’s mental and physical energy couldn’t hold on for long against the overwhelming memories. They melted and shattered like wafers, revealing the scenes behind her.

The “Lonely” cats took the opportunity to huddle together openly, hiding behind the group of people. Huang Jin and Ge Tingting stood still, with Huang Jin tightly holding Ge Tingting, whose face turned red. They both looked at Qi Xin. Fu Tianyi held Dr. Cat tightly in his arms, nervously holding his breath.

The expressions of Yin Ren and Zhong Chengshuo were different, as if their souls had been exchanged—Yin Ren’s lips were tightly pursed and his mouth turned downward, while Zhong Chengshuo fixedly gazed at Lu Xiaohe’s back with eyes filled with a questioning look.

Meng Huai crossed her arms and still stood at the forefront of the trio. She narrowed her eyes and carefully observed Lu Xiaohe for a while.

“Alright.” She ruffled her hair. “I believe you’re not a person from Sunken Society.”

Upon hearing this, the man behind her immediately showed a hesitant expression. Meng Huai seemed to have eyes on the back of her head as she responded without turning around, “What’s the matter, Xiao Zheng? Do you have any objections to my judgment?”

“I just thought it would be better to be more cautious…”

Meng Huai: “People from Sunken Society wouldn’t be able to show these emotions. If we’re talking about cognitive pollution, I don’t have that much imagination. These arguments seem a bit subjective. Well, let’s say they’re sixty percent accurate.”

The man’s eyebrows twitched, but he remained silent. Yin Ren was familiar with this helpless expression. It was the same expression that Professor Li wore every time he faced the various “intuitions” of Fu Xingchuan.

Being recognized so quickly, even Lu Xiaohe herself showed a trace of disagreement on her face.

Meng Huai didn’t waste any more words. “Miss Lu, let me answer the question you care about the most. I haven’t seen your mother but given that you came here to search for missing people, I probably know where she is.”

After finishing her sentence, she added succinctly, “No one has died or gone insane in the past month, so your mother is definitely fine.”

Her tone was sharp and domineering, making these words sound genuine and convincing.

Lu Xiaohe felt her whole body sway as if a force had been sucked out of her. However, she still stood her ground, trying hard to suppress the relaxation on her face. “But you…”

But she was still unsure if the people in front of her were genuine.

“They are human,” Qi Xin said disappointedly when she realized there would be no fight. “If you don’t intend to fight, don’t waste any more of my time.”

She glanced somewhat regretfully at Yin Ren. Yin Ren pretended not to understand that look—anything that couldn’t force Yin Ren to take action was considered a waste of time in Qi Xin’s eyes.

In a sense, “Sorrow” wasn’t any better than “Love”. Ms. Qi only wanted to train her cub; she genuinely didn’t care about the life or death of humans.

Meng Huai glanced at everyone and beckoned with her finger. “It’s not convenient to talk here. Miss Lu, Mr. Zhong… You, you, you, and that cat, come with me.”

Her finger smoothly pointed at Ge Tingting, Huang Jin, and Fu Tianyi holding the cat, deliberately skipping Yin Ren and Qi Xin.

Yin Ren couldn’t sit still anymore. “Ms. Meng, what’s the meaning of this?”

Meng Huai smiled slightly. “I’ll only take humans to the stronghold of humans. Sorry, but something feels off about you two.”

Qi Xin was quite satisfied with this outcome, and her tone became relieved. “Take them all, they’re yours.”

Mr. Zhong, pretending to be clueless, pondered for a moment and decided to play dumb. He comfortingly squeezed Yin Ren’s hand, took two steps, and walked to Ge Tingting and Huang Jin’s sides.

“I’ll be back soon. It’s a good opportunity to gather information,” Before leaving, Zhong Chengshuo said with a serious expression. “Take good care of yourself.”

Yin Ren: “…” Meng Huai’s intuition was quite remarkable, but unfortunately, she missed the biggest one.

Yin Ren: “Alright, I’ll wait nearby.”

Yin Ren wasn’t too worried about the safety of these people. Although Qi Xin didn’t care about humans, at least she wasn’t foolish—if anyone from Unit 9 died due to Qi Xin’s judgment, he would definitely turn against her. Since Qi Xin voluntarily vouched for them, there shouldn’t be any problem with the identities of these people on the Other Side.

Meng Huai didn’t want to reveal the true identities of the humans to a Primordial Elemental, which was understandable. At least the members of Unit 9 who went along would learn some self-defense skills. Meng Huai had managed to survive on the Other Side for nearly thirty years, so her methods must be quite formidable.

…Zhong Chengshuo might even be safer over there.

This thought was like a thorn that pricked Yin Ren as soon as it emerged. He couldn’t help but hold his breath and look at the retreating figures of his companions.

The two groups of humans met at the gate of the small courtyard.

Yin Ren watched as Zhong Chengshuo rushed to Zhong Chengfeng’s side, urgently saying something, and towards the end, the female officer cried and laughed. Meng Huai kept chatting non-stop with Lu Xiaohe, most likely confirming the situation at Shian.

The remaining rear commander seemed enthusiastic as they chatted with Dr. Cat—this person had only disappeared two years ago, so they must have heard about their famous feline colleague.

On the Other Side, even if the visual distance wasn’t far, Yin Ren still couldn’t hear what they were saying or read their lips. In the end, he could only withdraw his gaze dejectedly.

Gao Mengyu’s cat approached cautiously and rubbed against his hand with its soft limbs.

Yin Ren: “What’s the matter?”

“You smell delicious,” the cat said. “The person who used to feed me would occasionally emit this scent. At those times, she would always come to hug me. Do you want to hug me?”

Yin Ren gently touched the sticky and brain-like limbs of the cat. “Thank you, but no need.”

He watched as Zhong Chengshuo waved at him, and then the group disappeared into the vortex. Silence returned to the vicinity of the small courtyard, and the cats once again pulled out their tablecloth and started lounging on it.

In the vast courtyard, besides the “Lonelies” lying everywhere, only Yin Ren and Qi Xin remained.

Qi Xin: “Cub, what are you thinking?”

“I feel lonely, sad, and afraid, and I’m hungry, like a little match seller.” Yin Ren’s face drooped. “I hate this kind of quiet environment the most.”

“Those humans won’t die.” Qi Xin clumsily comforted. “The woman in charge knows what she’s doing. It was only just now that I realized the existence of those three humans.”

Yin Ren’s face drooped even more severely. “I understand the reasoning.”

Qi Xin fell silent for a moment, then gave up on the “comforting” route and instead asked straightforwardly, “So what’s your plan?”

Only then did Yin Ren turn his head. “I plan to do as you wish and gain power as soon as possible—to become strong enough to easily find those people and go to their side.”

“Oh, I like that.”

Qi Xin revealed that awkward smile again, seeming human yet not quite.

“I’ll say it upfront. The process will be painful and extremely dangerous—without Old Fear around, are you sure you want to try?”

Yin Ren didn’t hesitate for a second. “It’s precisely because he’s not around that I want to give it a try as much as possible.”

“Quite the ambitious bunch you all are,” Qi Xin rolled her eyes and muttered to herself.

“What did you say?”

“Nothing.”

……

Meng Huai’s way of traveling was completely different from the cat legion.

She led everyone out of the tunnel, then took out some fresh black and white minced meat from her personal belongings. She mixed them together, put on a ring on her right hand, and pressed it firmly onto the mixture, drawing a simple symbol.

Compared to the exquisite and elegant magical rituals in the human world, this method was rough, like an ancient ceremony.

But it was effective.

In an instant, the surrounding space cracked like fish scales. Zhong Chengshuo’s vision was filled with wild colors swirling, and his footing shifted between solid and empty. When he stabilized himself, the scene before him had completely changed.

He had never seen this room before, but the door plaque was clear—Emergency Management Department’s dedicated office area.

The details of the room were vivid, and the view outside the window was beautiful. At first glance, Zhong Chengshuo even thought they had returned to the human world.

Under the afternoon sun, the tables and chairs were arranged haphazardly, and several whiteboards were filled with densely packed battle plans. Three camp beds were placed in the corner of the room, with a few pieces of clothing scattered on them. The door to the bathroom was ajar, emitting a damp smell.

On one side of the room, the screen wall in the office area continuously played various scenes.

If this was the real Emergency Management Department, it would probably display images of severe accidents or the latest data analysis from the science division. But at this moment, the scenes on the screen were heartwarming.

A young Zhong Chengfeng showed her parents her first police uniform with a face still carrying a hint of innocence. Young Meng Huai and Li Nian sat on the couch, snacking and watching horror movies. One laughed heartily, while the other remained expressionless. The man who had been missing for two years held a newborn baby, leaning forward to kiss his wife’s cheek, his eyes filled with unwavering love.

One event after another, one moment after another, all the best people and the best times.

They looped on the display screen, occasionally switching to another segment. Each segment was vivid and resembled a recorded video.

“After staying in this hellhole for a long time, we need something to reminisce about,” Meng Huai explained generously when she saw Zhong Chengshuo constantly looking at the screen. “Have a seat. As long as it doesn’t involve electricity and signals, we can imagine and use things—oh, right, don’t imagine food, and definitely don’t touch anything outside that resembles food.”

Huang Jin silently put down the mini shelf he was holding.

Meng Huai smiled at him, grabbed a whiteboard, and quickly wiped it clean. “I’m sure you all have a lot of questions, so ask away. Ah, it’s been a while since I had this kind of mission briefing!”

Ge Tingting was about to speak but was stopped by Zhong Chengshuo.

He may not be familiar with social etiquette, but he knew how to negotiate with “mission targets”.

Although everyone was friendly now, Zhong Chengfeng had basically believed in his identity as a member of the Zhong family. However, her gun was still not put away, Meng Huai maintained a low center of gravity, and the rear commander stayed in a safe corner. These people had been on the Other Side for a long time, so it was impossible to give them complete trust easily.

In this situation, the first question was crucial. It wouldn’t be appropriate if Ge Tingting opened her mouth to ask “How to gain power for battle” or “Do you have any other companions”.

“You said you know the situation of the other missing individuals—where are they? How are they doing now?” Zhong Chengshuo was the first to ask.

Meng Huai raised an eyebrow with a hint of approval on her face. “Honestly, I thought something was off about you, boy. But with that statement, you have a bit of the scent of Shian.”

She casually picked up the pen next to the whiteboard and lightly tapped it on the clean surface.

This moment was like throwing a stone into a lake, causing countless ripples to spread through the space. The images on the display wall paused momentarily, then a blinding white light emerged from the front wall and pressed towards everyone.

Zhong Chengshuo managed to raise his hand, but the white light dissipated before reaching him.

When he opened his eyes again, the other three members of Unit 9, Fu Tianyi and Meiqiu, were all still by his side. However, they were no longer in the Shian Office in the afternoon; instead, they were in a vast white space.

In the white space without any visible boundaries, it was filled with densely intertwined translucent white threads, creating a narrow and crowded environment resembling a white rainforest covered in vines. These threads were everywhere, winding around and forming nest-like structures with graceful arcs.

Zhong Chengshuo glanced at the nearest nest. Within each nest, several translucent white arms gently embraced a white cocoon, which, despite being thickly wrapped, still showed a human shape. Soft and gentle murmurs flowed out from the openings of the nests.

At first glance, it resembled the white world full of giant feet created by “Joy”.

An enemy attack?

No, it didn’t seem like it. There was no hostility around, nor the presence of a colossal being. Compared to the special space constructed by the Primordial Elementals, this place seemed more like…

More like a flashback.

And what happened next quickly confirmed Zhong Chengshuo’s speculation—

“There!” Meiqiu’s tail exploded.

Zhong Chengshuo immediately shifted his gaze, and behind him was a vortex hanging in the air.

Meng Huai, holding the unconscious Zhong Chengfeng, shouted desperately with a hoarse voice, struggling madly within the vortex. “What kind of damn place is this? Comrades, put in more effort! We’re about to drag innocent people into this! We’ll face punishment!!!”

Countless ghostly hands surrounded her, and those fierce ghosts were working together, apparently intending to pull her back to the human world. Unfortunately, the vortex continued to slowly and irresistibly engulf her.

Judging by her appearance, she was wearing the same red shirt, but her hair wasn’t yet disheveled. Meng Huai was covered in sweat and mud stains, and the clothes on her body were twisting and changing, gradually transforming into a police uniform.

“Ah, fuck me. Ahhhhhhhh—”

In the midst of Meng Huai’s sorrowful and angry screams, the vortex seemed like a mouth spitting out two watermelon seeds. It spat out both of them into the space with a “pff” sound. In the next instant, it simply vanished.

The white threads gave her no time to react as they swiftly entangled her from all directions. It was as if countless invisible spiders were spinning around the two of them, determined to wrap them up into two white cocoons.

Yes, two cocoons.

This meant that they needed to separate the two individuals first. The white threads patiently wrapped around their feet, pulling them in opposite directions.

As a candidate for the Minister of the Emergency Management Department, Meng Huai’s reaction speed was extremely fast. She held the unconscious Zhong Chengfeng tightly and quickly cast her spells. The moment she realized that her magic had failed, she reached for her bag of spirit weapons.

Huang Jin sighed on the side. Inanimate objects couldn’t enter the other realm, so it seemed that Ms. Meng Huai’s equipment was more of a liability than a blessing.

Sure enough, she came up empty-handed.

With two failed attempts, Meng Huai’s face twisted in frustration. At the same time, her legs were tightly wrapped by the white threads, and the shape of the entanglement was somewhat similar to the “nest cocoon” that surrounded them from all directions.

However, Meng Huai didn’t give up. She sneered and reached into her bosom.

This time, she pulled out a small ball sealed with a talisman. After tearing it open in three swift motions, a small, aged silver bell appeared, with its silver oxidized to a near-black color.

Meanwhile, the Evil Force surged violently, and the speed at which the white threads entangled them suddenly slowed down, as if they were wary of something.

Zhong Chengshuo: “…”

He recognized this item. It was the silver bell Yin Ren used to wear around his ankle.

During his time as the Great Celestial Master, Yin Ren used the silver bell to warn others, allowing the public to retreat. However, due to its fragile material, the silver bell was lost several times during Yin Ren’s fights against the Evil Spirits. Later on, he replaced it with a bone bell made from his own bones.

In theory, these items should be in the location where the Evil Spirits were sealed, inaccessible to ordinary people. But considering they were excavated by Shian, it seemed quite reasonable.

A typical corruption source of Evil Force, and the Evil Force on it belonged to “Fear”.

Meng Huai successfully brought it into the Other Side.

“Eat shit!”

Meng Huai held Zhong Chengfeng tightly with one hand and tightly clenched the bell with the other, pressing it against the white threads on their feet. Her movements were swift, and the white threads couldn’t avoid it in time, coming into close contact with the black bell.

Crack!

Like a flame igniting a fuse, the white threads immediately caught fire, desperately trying to escape. The black bell also quickly melted, emitting a burning red light, forcing Meng Huai to let go.

The black remnants fell to the snowy white ground. Like a drop of strong acid, it instantly corroded a huge hole, revealing the chaotic gray-black exterior.

On the other side, as the bell shrank smaller and smaller, the surrounding threads began to stir again.

Taking advantage of the bell not being completely corroded, Meng Huai embraced Zhong Chengfeng and, without hesitation, jumped into that chaos.

---

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

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

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

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Chapter 212: 2/3

The way that group of Primordial Elementals—let’s call them “cats” for now—moved was truly eye-opening for Yin Ren.

He was still baffled by what the other party had said. [There are other humans here.] Then he saw the group of cats waving their soft limbs, and the surrounding Other Side corridor began to spin rapidly. The cat legion followed one after another, entangling with the group of people and leapt into the vortex. The next moment, a brand-new tunnel appeared before everyone.

After one vortex came another, and physical distance became completely irrelevant. The people felt as if they were immersed in a kaleidoscope, with everything around them dazzling and bewildering. Although there was no ground beneath their feet, the cats leaped with determination. Though the paths were mostly similar, their strides were resolute.

The cats navigated with ease and took off in a certain direction.

Their destination was very close to the tunnel wall. As the cats approached the colorful edge of the tunnel, countless fragments writhed and merged, forming the outline of a hospice institution.

The wall tiles here were pristine and smooth, while over there the wall covering was corroded and peeling. Snow piled up on the windowsills, and rain tapped on the glass windows. At the same time, the courtyard’s floor tiles and weeds were stained red by the setting sun, reflecting a blood-red twilight. By the flower bed, a rocking chair gently swayed, and the “people” on it resembled dolls made of stitched cloth, with each inch of their skin belonging to a different person.

This small courtyard seemed to be pieced together from the impressions of countless people. Every detail was chaotic and fragmented, with only silence prevailing.

The atmosphere of this institution was gloomy, and combined with the chaotic scenery, it should have been frightening. However, the courtyard, benches, bushes… In every corner, there were tablecloths with cat patterns. They were so identical in style that it seemed like they were copy-pasted, and the colors were fresh and adorable.

Everyone in Shian looked at each other, unsure of how to react. Only Dr. Cat’s fur stood on end, revealing a subtly intriguing expression on its fluffy face.

Yin Ren somewhat understood it—when he was at the Fu residence, he saw those various paintings of Zhong Yi, and it was difficult to shake off that awkward feeling.

“The stains on them are identical to Gao Mengyu’s tablecloth.”

Zhong Chengshuo took two steps closer to Yin Ren.

“Lifeless objects cannot be brought in. These are probably their own imaginations.”

Since his hair couldn’t move now, Yin Ren simply grabbed Zhong Chengshuo’s hand and looked around.

Many cats didn’t follow the legion’s expedition. They coiled their soft limbs and collapsed lazily on the tablecloth, treating it as a comfortable nest. They spread out fourteen pairs of eyes on the ground, basking in the nonexistent sunlight.

Contrasting the physiques of these cats, Gao Mengyu’s cat was undoubtedly the fattest. Compared to the smallest cat in the courtyard, it was twice as big. At the moment, it was squeaking and chirping at the remaining companions, exhibiting the demeanor of a leader.

“Just a group of ‘Lonely’.”

Qi Xin crossed her arms, clearly unhappy to be challenged by such small creatures.

“They only grew stronger in recent centuries, but they do have some courage.”

As soon as she spoke, all the chattering “Lonely” cats in the courtyard simultaneously fell silent.

Led by Gao Mengyu’s cat, they lined up in front of Qi Xin according to their size, extending their soft limbs as if offering themselves to be cut or slaughtered.

Yin Ren almost burst out laughing.

“Lonely” Elementals? No wonder it got along so well with Gao Mengyu. There was indeed no hostility around. Whether it was due to lack of food or their nature, most of the “Lonely” cats were lazy and had nothing to do with animosity.

[I’m sorry!]

Gao Mengyu’s cat took the lead in apologizing, practically flattening itself like a pancake.

[We are just desperate. We truly mean no harm.]

Yin Ren and Zhong Chengshuo understood, but the rest of the humans couldn’t communicate with them through thoughts. To them, the cats probably just emitted an unpleasant noise.

“In Gao Mengyu’s disappearance case, this creature accidentally slipped through a gap and ended up in the human world.” As a bridge between humans and Elementals, Yin Ren quickly intervened. “Zhong Chengshuo and I have had contact with it before, and it is quite friendly towards humans.”

Seemingly to confirm his statement, Gao Mengyu’s cat clutched the tablecloth and covered its hole-ridden body with it. Unfortunately, its limbs, resembling the convolutions of a brain, still extended outward. Against the backdrop of the cute cat pattern, its appearance became even more peculiar.

Huang Jin and Ge Tingting were utterly confused, but the expression of the senior member, Lu Xiaohe, loosened slightly.

She remembered Gao Mengyu’s case.

Lu Xiaohe took a few deep breaths, finally pulling her thoughts out of extreme mode. She made an effort not to dwell on the horrors of the creatures and instead took two steps forward, extending her hand towards the cats’ soft limbs.

The cat was overjoyed and lightly touched Lu Xiaohe’s hand with its soft limb before retracting it. Two sweet “meows” were squeezed out of the holes on its body.

Yin Ren helped with simultaneous translation. “It just said, ‘I rely on consuming the “loneliness” from fresh brain marrow to survive, and humans have been kind to me’.”

“Well, I remember the case files. They eat pig brains, right?” Lu Xiaohe smirked. “Pigs are social animals, so it’s not surprising they have these emotions.”

Qi Xin still had a stern expression. “No wonder. The Other Side is so barren, while you’ve grown so fat. It turns out there were humans specifically feeding you.”

[So, I don’t want to fight humans. After we discovered those humans, we’ve been avoiding them.] The cat said.

[They might have sensed that, thinking we’re easy to deal with, so they’ve been chasing after us. I want to communicate, but they don’t understand.]

Upon hearing Yin Ren’s translation, Lu Xiaohe lost her composure first. She took a big step forward and firmly grasped the cat’s soft limb. “There are other humans here? Who? Where?”

The cat was startled by her, tilting its whole body backward.

“That’s the question I wanted to ask.” Yin Ren looked at the fourteen bright red eyes. “You said there are humans here. What’s going on?”

[I don’t know. I don’t know much about humans.]

The cat admitted honestly.

[But they will definitely come and attack soon. You can go meet them.]

……

When the cat said “soon,” it truly meant soon. Less than three minutes after the cat spoke, before Lu Xiaohe could calm down her emotions, a powerful beam of light suddenly struck the courtyard.

Flashing, dazzling radiance burst forth, causing vibrations and shaking in the small courtyard, faintly showing signs of collapsing. The cats in the entire courtyard squealed and scattered, running in all directions.

Accompanied by a massive explosion, a tremendous Evil Force washed over them.

Qi Xin stood in place, observing coldly. Yin Ren instantly wanted to erect a barrier and protect everyone. However, magic couldn’t be used, there were too many people, and their true forms couldn’t be easily revealed. Lord Ghost King was tragically stuck in place, only managing to use his body to shield Zhong Chengshuo.

As the aftermath of the explosion lingered, their enemies officially made their entrance.

Among countless flickering fragments, three young figures appeared.

The woman at the forefront had long disheveled hair, and her red shirt was torn at the edges. She stood in the front, tall and strong, laughing wantonly, constantly twirling something shiny on her fingertip—Yin Ren’s pupils contracted, barely getting a glimpse.

It was a ring attached to a bracelet.

Following closely behind her was a female police officer. The police officer’s uniform was clean, and her short hair was neatly groomed. She had a serious expression, gripping a gun tightly with the muzzle aimed at the crowd.

Behind the two women was a young man. He had a gentle and kind appearance, exuding a scholarly aura. On his chest, there hung a relatively new Shian employee ID card.

“How fascinating.”

The woman with long hair laughed.

“I mean, if you want to create cognitive pollution, at least bring out people we actually know. What’s all this?”

Her voice was loud, clear, and real.

Three humans—three humans who moved effortlessly on the Other Side, even possessing means of attack. And the faces of two of them were in the files of this mission.

Unbelievable emotions kept accumulating, causing a brief burst of chaos—

“Zhong Chengfeng!” Yin Ren pointed at the female police officer and shouted, reaching out to grab Zhong Chengshuo. “Isn’t she your sister? Her face is exactly the same as in the photo!”

Huang Jin had a more practical target. He stared at the woman with long hair in shock. “Isn’t that Meng Huai, the one who went missing?”

Lu Xiaohe’s focus was a bit off track. She looked at the man wearing the employee ID card. “That’s that person! The one who went missing two years ago in the Shian office area… I remember he was in the rear command… It can’t be wrong…”

As she spoke, her eyes gradually brightened, revealing a mix of joy and hope. She instinctively wanted to move forward but was blocked and tripped up by Dr. Cat using its body.

“Are you all idiots?! It’s been almost thirty years. How is it possible that those people have nothing to do with this?!” It yelled sharply. “This could be cognitive pollution!”

“Well, the cognitive pollution is done quite well. The acting is quite convincing.” The woman who resembled Meng Huai remarked.

“It’s just unrealistic that cats can speak human language. How about it? Did they extract too much animation information? …Shall we all transform and see?”

A group of “Lonely” cats innocently curled up—they really hadn’t done anything.

While Meng Huai joked, she didn’t slow down her actions. After adjusting her posture for a moment, she said, “Chengfeng, assist!”

“Got it!”

The woman resembling Zhong Chengfeng, the female police officer, responded and fired her gun. This time, Yin Ren remembered. He grabbed Zhong Chengshuo and Lu Xiaohe, retreating several steps in succession.

Where the bullets hit, a series of dangerous explosions erupted once again, unleashing another wave of Evil Force. Qi Xin floated calmly in the air, having made up her mind to watch coldly.

…Strange.

Yin Ren twitched his nose, distinguishing the differences in the Evil Force between the two attacks.

Each time there was an explosion, there were always two Evil Force appearing in pairs. In just two waves of attacks, there were already four different types of Evil Force.

He couldn’t figure out the principle behind it for a moment. But one thing was certain—the enemies in front of them were using Evil Force as weapons.

“Be careful.” Dr. Cat at some point had snuck up next to him and nudged his feet. “The enemies on the other side could be illusions, and these cats could be illusions too. Or even earlier—after entering the Other Side, everything is an illusion. Theoretically, it’s all possible.”

It moved its whiskers solemnly.

“If you can avoid fighting, then don’t fight. Who knows who will get hurt in the end…”

“It’s not an illusion.”

Zhong Chengshuo lifted the back of the cat’s neck and politely threw it onto Fu Tianyi’s face. He opened his pitch-black eyes wide and looked at Zhong Chengfeng not far away.

“This so-called sister of his now looks a few years younger than his physical body.”

“Leave it to me.”

With that, Zhong Chengshuo lightly patted Yin Ren’s shoulder and walked forward on his own. Then he opened his empty hands and raised them above his head, assuming a standard surrender position.

Seeing this person who appeared to be her sibling approaching, Zhong Chengfeng hesitated. She fired a few more shots, but they all landed near Zhong Chengshuo’s feet.

Zhong Chengshuo chose the most open spot in the courtyard and calmly stopped in his tracks.

The next moment, the scenery behind him changed.

Imagined memories reappeared, with half of the Zhong family’s home appearing behind him.

The repaired walls, scratched floor, old dining table, slightly greasy kitchen, outdated cabinets, and a tacky TV wall… Various scenes slowly took shape behind Zhong Chengshuo.

The elderly Zhong Youde, with white hair, was wearing an apron and carrying a bowl of stewed beef and potatoes to the table. Cheng Xuehua was holding chopsticks, her figure thin and small, with deep wrinkles on her face, like a shriveled fruit.

Zhong Chengfeng’s gunfire ceased.

The female police officer stared blankly at the scene in front of her. Her lips slightly parted, and her serious expression cracked, revealing a touch of warmth and sadness.

“Dad, Mom…”

“Chengfeng!” Meng Huai warned.

“It’s not cognitive pollution.” Zhong Chengfeng slightly lowered her gun barrel, her eyes turning red. “Home… has changed a lot, and a lot has happened… even Mom and Dad…”

Zhong Chengfeng licked her lips, took a deep breath, and paid no attention to the tears streaming down her face. She turned the gun barrel and pointed it directly at Zhong Chengshuo.

“Who are you?”

Her voice carried a sense of urgency.

Zhong Chengshuo observed her up and down for a moment without immediately answering.

He turned to Meng Huai and raised his left arm in another direction.

This time, a memory appeared of the underground elevator and corridor of Shian.

“I don’t think you’re someone who easily gets passionate. Today, I brought you here to let you see the ‘basics’ of Shian—Phenomenon A-A3, Evil Spirit.” Li Nian’s figure appeared near the elevator.

It was the familiar Professor Li that everyone knew. He still had that serious expression, dressed in a stern manner like a head teacher, and the pale reflection of a wedding ring on his slender finger.

Since it was from Zhong Chengshuo’s memory, Li Nian’s eyes were looking into the void, directly facing Meng Huai on the other side. This gaze was like Medusa’s stare, and Meng Huai froze for a full two seconds.

“Shian B-level Special Investigation Team, Unit 9, Science Post, Zhong Chengshuo.”

Zhong Chengshuo took a step closer to the two frozen individuals and raised his hands again.

“We came to the Other Side to search for clues regarding the disappearance of Meng Huai, Zhong Chengfeng, and He Huan.”

Upon hearing Zhong Chengshuo’s name, Zhong Chengfeng anxiously tried to approach, but she was stopped by Meng Huai. Unlike Zhong Chengfeng, Meng Huai’s face turned dark like the bottom of a pot.

“This is too fake. Li Nian clearly despises Shian the most,” she said. “These pieces of information can be deduced from our memories. On my end, my love life is fulfilling, and on Chengfeng’s end, her parents are healthy, as if wishes have come true… And your eyes lack a human touch. Sunken Society, right?”

[I told you it would be difficult to communicate with them.]

Gao Mengyu’s cat draped the tablecloth tightly as it whimpered and complained. Yin Ren touched its soft limbs, not knowing what to say for a moment.

He didn’t remember all the details like Zhong Chengshuo did. Moreover, there were many people present, and if he revealed his true form, it would be no different from launching indiscriminate attacks. The joy of being able to freely walk on the Other Side didn’t last long before that feeling of powerlessness resurfaced.

“If you need more evidence, I can accompany you… Lu Xiaohe?” On the other side, just as Zhong Chengshuo was about to continue negotiating, a figure stumbled forward.

Lu Xiaohe shook off the hands of Huang Jin and Ge Tingting and limped towards the other side. Her expression was somewhat twisted, filled with an overwhelming mix of emotions that ultimately flowed into her reddened eyes.

“Lu Xiaohe!” Seeing Meng Huai’s tightly gripped hand and Zhong Chengfeng’s restless gun barrel, Yin Ren couldn’t help but shout.

Just as he was about to catch up, he heard a trembling cry.

“Don’t come over!”

Lu Xiaohe continued to move forward without looking back.

“And you, Zhong Chengshuo, don’t come over either!”

Zhong Chengshuo maintained his imagination, frowning as he looked at Lu Xiaohe’s back. Yin Ren clenched his fist, completely focused on the other party, and noticed a slight movement in a strand of hair.

The two sides were not far apart, and although Lu Xiaohe walked slowly, it felt like she had been walking for a century.

“Shian B-Level Special Investigation Team, Unit 9, Science Post, Rear Command Lu Xiaohe.”

Lu Xiaohe stopped, only four or five steps away from the three on the other side. Her voice was so hoarse that it was chilling.

“I’ll get straight to the point. I reluctantly believe that you are Meng Huai, Zhong Chengfeng, and that someone who disappeared from the Shian office area. Your current actions are the basic units of the Black Seal Non-Science Post, paired with the Red Seal Science Post, along with the Rear Commander.”

“Meng Huai used to be a member of the Emergency Management Department, so she should have a way to verify the authenticity of our human identities. No matter how harmful it may be, please test it on me—of course, if you are fake, I believe my teammates will also be able to tell.”

Meng Huai narrowed her eyes. “You’ve got quite the audacity. Do you know—”

“I’m running out of time.”

Lu Xiaohe interrupted her.

She stared fixedly at Meng Huai, and the members of Unit 9 almost simultaneously took a step back. Lu Xiaohe usually spoke gently and had an incredibly good temper. They had never seen her wear such an expression.

Desire, anticipation, eagerness… along with a deep and overwhelming fear of losing and being lost.

“We have come to investigate the disappearance of Meng Huai and Zhong Chengfeng twenty-nine years ago, as well as the recent disappearance of He Huan.”

She emphasized each word.

“He Huan is my mother.”

After saying this, countless emotions found an outlet—the suppressed fuse finally burned to its end, and the imagination behind her instantly exploded.

Her mother’s embrace during her childhood, the arguments and quarrels during her student days, the leaning on each other during their university years. Lu Xiaohe gradually grew up, her baby clothes turned into school uniforms, and the school uniforms turned into plain attire. Eventually, she tightly held the medical bill and accepted Shian’s offer.

At the same time, her mother transformed from a young woman to a plump figure, only to be consumed by illness, leaving behind a withered and emaciated appearance.

The two of them underwent changes, like waves and sand.

A variety of images constructed a wall in her imagination, almost filling the sky and the earth.

And in the center, the most vivid image was the day her mother disappeared.

Lush greenery and perfect sunlight.

She vanished just like that, while those who disappeared almost thirty years earlier stood here, and those who disappeared two years earlier were also present.

But what about her mother?

“You can calculate and find countless loopholes and engage in theoretical debates for three days and nights. But I can’t wait.”

Lu Xiaohe clenched her teeth. Behind her was her entire life. They flickered incessantly, layer upon layer, weighing her down to the point of suffocation.

“Take action, Ms. Meng Huai.”

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

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

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

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Chapter 211: Cat Legion

Gao Mengyu’s appearance remained the same, with her hair casually tied in a ponytail. However, she looked slightly plumper than before and had a gleam in her eyes. Lin Bei, as composed as ever, stood up and shook hands with Li Nian and Fu Xingchuan when they entered the reception room.

“We initially wanted to contact Yin Ren, but there has been no response from him,” she explained proactively.

“You mentioned before that anything related to ‘Qiqi’ should be kept confidential. Even within the ranks of Shian, communication should be handled by designated individuals.” Lin Bei sat back down elegantly, crossed her legs gracefully, and continued, “We’re not familiar with the internal hierarchy of Shian, so we had no choice but to bother the two of you.”

“Qiqi” referred to the peculiar cat creature that Gao Mengyu used to raise. It was classified as Phenomenon C-C19 at the time, known as the “Gap Cat”.

It possessed a strong cognitive pollution ability and could induce incomplete interstitial phenomena. Now it seemed highly likely that it was some kind of Elemental. The so-called induction of incomplete interstices was similar to a cat scratching desperately at a door—it wanted to return to the Other Side but couldn’t find a way.

That Elemental should have returned a long time ago, and Gao Mengyu’s cognitive pollution had already been cured for several months.

‘Interesting,’ Fu Xingchuan thought to himself.

“There’s no need to worry about bothering us.”

Minster Fu smiled.

“It’s perfect timing that you’ve come to us. Has Ms. Gao encountered any difficulties?”

Gao Mengyu felt a bit shy compared to Lin Bei, who worked in the field of self-media. After adjusting her emotions for a while, she tightly gripped the mineral water bottle in her hands.

“Well, recently, I’ve been having the same dream. In the dream, Qiqi—well, not the cat I currently have, but the bigger creature from before—keeps banging on the door and meowing outside, trying to squeeze its tentacles through the door crack. In the dream, I want to open the door and let it in, but it firmly clings to the door lock and won’t let me open it.”

She still refused to call it a “monster”.

“It meows outside the door but doesn’t allow you to open it?” Fu Xingchuan furrowed his brows.

“Yes,” Gao Mengyu nervously replied.

“At first, I thought I just missed it. But for the past few days, I’ve been having this dream every night. After that, I told Beibei about it, and she insisted that I contact Shian.”

Lin Bei nodded in agreement. “There might not be much to it from Gao Mengyu’s perspective, but as an observer, I find it quite unsettling.”

“A wise decision. It’s highly likely that ‘Qiqi’ is trying to communicate with Ms. Gao,” Fu Xingchuan said, rubbing his face.

“It seems like it’s advising Gao Mengyu against going out.” Li Nian pondered. “In the past, when faced with danger, its reaction was to hide Gao Mengyu in the gap. But now, it can only warn her like this.”

Gao Mengyu let out a soft “Ah” and revealed a faint smile. “Thank you both. So, should I go out less often in the future?”

“Well, the current situation is unstable, so it’s wise to be cautious.” Fu Xingchuan lightly tapped the table with his fingertips. “Apart from the recurring dream, have you noticed any other abnormalities in your life?”

Gao Mengyu hesitated for a moment, and a fleeting expression of wanting to speak but the expression as if she was holding back appeared on her face. She looked at Lin Bei, who nodded gently in response. Fu Xingchuan could sense her hesitation, but he remained silent, waiting for Gao Mengyu to speak up on her own.

As expected, after half a minute of wavering, Gao Mengyu let out a soft sigh.

“I’m sorry, but I lied to Shian back then.”

She lowered her head.

“When everyone helped me with my cognitive pollution, I… I didn’t wait until it was completely cured. I lied and said it was cured. At that time, I just wanted to keep a memento so that I wouldn’t forget about Qiqi.”

“And then?” Li Nian replied nonchalantly.

Gao Mengyu averted her gaze nervously. “After that incident, all the cats I saw had fourteen eyes. Other than that, there are no abnormalities. But ever since I dreamed about Qiqi a few days ago, I started seeing… seeing…”

She seemed to be carefully choosing her words and took a while to continue.

“I see something disgusting attached to some people’s bodies.”

After speaking, she took out her phone and showed the two ministers her drawings.

It looked like an… umbilical cord-like object. It was composed of countless twisted, vein-like tubes, hanging down from the void above and softly resting on a person’s shoulder.

“I can’t capture that feeling in my drawings.” Gao Mengyu hesitated. “Is this what Qiqi is trying to show me? It’s present on people of all ages and genders, and I can’t see anything special about them.”

“Let me continue.”

Lin Bei took over the conversation.

“Mengyu has drawn more than just this one. It looks like an umbilical cord, right? But when she first started sketching, just based on the outline, it looked more like an arm.”

Fu Xingchuan suddenly looked up.

Lin Bei tucked away a disobedient strand of hair and had a serious expression on her face. “Recently, there have been reports about ‘angel’s arms’ that have been widely talked about. Our studio recently signed related contracts, and we interviewed someone yesterday who could see these arms. Mengyu also saw this thing on him.”

“…Now I can confirm that it was your cat that made you see these things,” Fu Xingchuan muttered.

Shian’s instruments and techniques couldn’t detect them, so it was likely something from the Other Side.

“Ms. Gao, if you don’t mind, would you be willing to stay at Shian for a while?” Professor Li straightforwardly extended an invitation. “We need your abilities, and in this way, your ‘Qiqi’ will also feel more at ease. Shian will cover all your living expenses and housing during this period.”

“Uh, okay.”

Lin Bei breathed a sigh of relief. “That’s good, so I don’t have to worry about this guy anymore. If there’s nothing else, I’ll leave now. I have a meeting this afternoon.”

“Wait.”

Li Nian called her back.

“Ms. Lin, earlier you mentioned that your self-media studio signed contracts related to the ‘angel’s arms’ and interviewed someone who can see the arms. Can you provide more specific information?”

Lin Bei was momentarily stunned. “Well… I can share the information, but everyone has been working on this topic recently, so I’m not sure how much help it will be.”

“Just tell us.”

“It’s about promoting the theme of ‘angel’s arms’ and linking it with ‘luck’ and ‘blessings’ to create a positive impression. However, this approach is quite common, and it wouldn’t be beneficial for self-media like us to spread negative associations.”

Lin Bei crossed her legs and clasped her hands on her thighs. When it came to her work, her tone instantly became composed.

“Basically, the goal is to make this topic popular and trending. With the current instability in society, everyone likes to see something reassuring. Several people I know are working on it as well.”

Li Nian neither confirmed nor denied anything. “I see… Do you happen to know which company is the most active investor in this field?”

“Don’t worry, this isn’t an official inquiry. Just my personal curiosity,” Professor Li added casually, noticing Lin Bei’s dilemma.

“Coral Reef Group,” Lin Bei replied. “They are also the ones who signed a contract with me this time.”

“Thank you for your cooperation.”

Li Nian nodded.

“You both have been very helpful.”

Watching the two women hurriedly leave, Fu Xingchuan chugged down a bottle of mineral water. “Coral Reef Group? Why does that name sound familiar?”

“Do you remember Gao Mengyu’s ex-boyfriend ghost called ‘Mr. Rose’? When he first appeared, he scared some employees of the Coral Reef Group.”

Li Nian tapped his temple with his slender index finger.

“And then there’s Bai Yongji, the quasi-Charon responsible for new media at the Coral Reef Group. If he hadn’t caused any trouble, he would be the one in charge of dealing with Lin Bei. Now they’re pushing the ‘angel’s arms’ matter. How interesting.”

Indeed, based on these events alone, the “Coral Reef Group” didn’t seem suspicious.

Mr. Rose’s mischief made their employees the victims. Bai Yongji’s kidnapping and modification of others had nothing to do with his job. As for the recent arm incidents, many new media players were paying attention to them, and there was no evidence of malicious intent from the Coral Reef Group.

It was a well-established local private enterprise in Haigu, known for dabbling in various products and trends. From household items to children’s animation and even mobile games for middle-aged and elderly people, Coral Reef was involved in all sorts of ventures.

Nevertheless, the repeated incidents associated with them raised some concerns…

“It’s subtle.”

With a click, Fu Xingchuan crushed the mineral water bottle.

“We can’t do anything about the Other Side,” he muttered a bit meaningfully. “But if someone interferes, we can’t let it go.”

“You want to investigate?”

“Let’s start by keeping an eye on things,” Fu Xingchuan said. “With so many trivial matters lately, we can’t afford another troublesome case.”

……

The Other Side.

Time didn’t pass here, and everyone’s biological clocks were in disarray. After enduring twenty-four hours, Qi Xin finally announced, with a touch of pity, that they could continue their journey.

The white room disappeared, and the group entered the endless tunnel that Yin Ren had seen before. Of course, except for Yin Ren and Zhong Chengshuo, the rest of the people were only able to stay there with Qi Xin’s personal assistance.

Faced with this dizzying and spectacular sight, almost everyone held their breath, except for Lu Xiaohe, whose face showed a tinge of bitterness.

Her mother was here, but this place was too vast.

She had thought that coming to the Other Side would bring her some relief, but seeing the appearance of the Other Side only intensified the despair in her heart.

Countless fragments and colors stretched out like an endless sea.

Although they could imagine everyday objects here, even if Lu Xiaohe imagined computers and devices, they were just empty shells incapable of booting up or accessing data. Not to mention Ge Tingting, Huang Jin, and Fu Tianyi; their special abilities and spells were all nullified here. They were no different from ordinary people on the street and couldn’t conduct investigations on their own.

The Other Side, the Other Side. They truly seemed like they were dead, carrying only their ethereal souls.

She didn’t know what to do. They had come here to find someone, but so far, they hadn’t found any relevant clues.

Lu Xiaohe looked at Yin Ren with a hint of melancholy. Apart from waiting for Yin Ren to start searching, it seemed like there was nothing she could do.

As this thought arose, Lu Xiaohe’s face grew even more bitter.

“Everyone, take out your photos.” Qi Xin didn’t care about the psychological state of ordinary people. “Right now, I need you to adapt to walking on the Other Side. This photo is a crucial prop.”

Lu Xiaohe took out a photo of her and her mother and lowered her gaze.

In the photo, her mother had a healthy, round face. She held a young Lu Xiaohe in her arms, smiling brightly.

Lu Xiaohe knew that behind each photo should be personalized comments from five other individuals. These comments were individually written, and no one except the commentator and the owner of the photo knew the contents—this was explicitly explained when they were asked for the photos by Shian.

As a science post, Lu Xiaohe wavered for a moment. Would it count as some kind of protection if she received the blessings of her companions and the Great Celestial Master with this photo?

At this moment, Qi Xin grabbed the photo from Yin Ren’s hand and casually flipped through it. Lu Xiaohe followed her actions and turned to the back.

Only then did she notice that the edges of the photo were connected by thin black threads, which penetrated into the hard board behind the photo. Upon closer inspection, she realized that these hard boards were intricately woven with these black threads, emitting a faint black glow.

She wasn’t the only one who noticed this. Fu Tianyi tried to tear apart the photo and its base to see how long these black threads could stretch.

“Don’t tear it apart randomly!” Just then, Qi Xin reprimanded Fu Tianyi. “The photo is made with my hair connected to my original body. Otherwise, how do you think an inanimate object like a photo can enter?”

Fu Tianyi’s hand trembled, almost throwing the photo away.

This was a physical part of a Primordial Elemental, and if Qi Xin severed the connection, it would become the most powerful source of corruption within minutes.

Lu Xiaohe couldn’t care less about the commotion. She carefully read the handwriting on the back of the photo, trying to adjust her emotional state.

[Your mother will definitely be fine. Fu Tianyi] Fu Tianyi’s handwriting was pretty, indicating some practice.

[Xiaohe Jie, jiayou*! Ge Tingting] Ge Tingting’s writing was graceful and a bit youthful.

*It’s a ubiquitous Chinese expression of encouragement and support that doesn’t have a direct translation. The closest would be “refuel” (in this context), but I don’t think it quite fits.

[Wishing you success. Huang Jin] The font was neither good nor bad, just a common style.

[Lu Xiaohe, Lu Xiaohe’s mother, He Huan. Zhong Chengshuo] …It was still the human printer style she was familiar with.

[Leave it to me! Yin Ren] It was evident that Yin Ren’s handwriting lacked skill, but it had its own beauty.

On the other side, Qi Xin glared at Fu Tianyi again and continued explaining.

“There are comments behind each photo. Both the handwriting and the content are ‘you know, I know’ intelligence… Hmm, in human terms, you have established an encrypted connection between yourselves.”

She reluctantly provided the explanation.

“On the Other Side, if there is a disturbance at one end of the connection, it will naturally affect the intelligence, such as—”

Qi Xin mercilessly struck, a mist entwined around a certain limb, and she knocked Fu Tianyi unconscious with a “thump”. Dr. Cat was almost knocked off as well, and its tail puffed up.

At the same time, Fu Tianyi’s comment disappeared from Lu Xiaohe’s photo. She looked at the empty space in shock and then at Fu Tianyi, who remained motionless. Immediately after, Qi Xin lifted Fu Tianyi and woke him up amidst his sobbing.

As Fu Tianyi regained consciousness, the crooked comment reappeared, once again appearing on the back of Lu Xiaohe’s photo.

“Loss of consciousness will cause the connection to be severed, but there is another situation.”

Qi Xin tossed the weeping Fu Tianyi aside, and her misty form acted again, grabbing Zhong Chengshuo’s collar.

Zhong Chengshuo: “?”

This time, Qi Xin’s action was swift. Before Zhong Chengshuo could express his confusion, he disappeared from the spot. Yin Ren’s fur puffed up even more than Dr. Cat’s, but he couldn’t use his abilities. Lord Ghost King stepped forward a few steps, reaching out to grab Qi Xin by the collar.

Lu Xiaohe looked back at the photo.

On the back of the photo, Zhong Chengshuo’s comment became blurry and difficult to read. Moreover, the line of text was slightly tilted, leaning in a certain direction.

Like a pointer.

“The farther the distance, the weaker the connection signal. But in times like this, it can probably indicate the location of your companions… Alright, that’s the end of my explanation. You’re all clever people. You should know how to use this thing.”

Qi Xin clapped her hands with a face showing the relief of finishing an annoying task. In the next instant, Zhong Chengshuo appeared beside her with a swoosh, looking disapproving.

Yin Ren was still gripping Qi Xin’s collar with a gaze as sharp as a knife, seemingly contemplating how to slice this person into pieces.

“What’s with your expressions? If I throw away the cub, the cub will truly be lost.” Qi Xin remained calm while being held by Yin Ren, glancing at Zhong Chengshuo from the corner of her eye. “Or perhaps, Mr. Fear, do you have a different opinion?”

Zhong Chengshuo hugged his shoulder bag tightly, remaining silent.

“Is that all?” Lu Xiaohe anxiously asked. “Do we have a similar method for the missing people…”

“As long as Yin Ren becomes a mature Primordial Elemental, he will be capable of doing all the things you’re thinking of.”

Qi Xin didn’t give a direct answer, not even sparing a glance at Lu Xiaohe.

“Next is free activity time. Do whatever you want. I’m only responsible for bringing humans here, and I don’t care about anything else. If you encounter something you can’t handle, go back to the white room and wait.”

Lu Xiaohe clenched the photo tightly.

Indeed, there was no reason for Qi Xin to help humans with her abilities. Giving them an opportunity and a little guidance was already going above and beyond. In plain terms, this so-called journey to the Other Side was just an accessory for Yin Ren and the others—like a soothing toy that babies don’t want to let go of, a tiny lifeless object.

Yin Ren and Zhong Chengshuo were okay, but when it came to other Elementals, humans needed to remain highly vigilant and avoid contact if possible.

As Lu Xiaohe contemplated, a shrill howl echoed from the end of the tunnel. A pitch-black torrent piled up like a mountain, rushing towards them.

Yin Ren recognized this scene. It was a group of Elementals forming a cluster, surging forward in search of prey.

“By the way, let me introduce.”

Tour guide Miss Qi raised her hand, pointing towards the rushing black legion.

“This is a common phenomenon in the Other Side lately—group hunting. Due to food shortages, the weak unite to tear apart any solitary Elemental. Your photos all bear my aura, so they shouldn’t easily… huh?”

The massive legion surged forward, engulfing everyone from Shian. Countless tentacles wildly thrashed about, enveloping everyone and gathering high above their heads, dashing in a certain direction.

For a moment, screams from the people of Shian mixed together. Dr. Cat’s claws tightly gripped Fu Tianyi, who let out a yelp of pain.

What an audacious kidnapping! Even Qi Xin was stunned for a full three seconds.

Were these creatures driven mad by hunger, daring to provoke “Sorrow”?

She narrowed her eyes, and her main body was itching to make a move. But just as she was about to attack, Yin Ren’s voice could be heard amidst the cries—

“Qi Xin, stop!” he urgently shouted. “It’s an acquaintance!”

As soon as he was bound, Yin Ren felt a strange sense of familiarity.

He had definitely seen these soft, slippery, decaying-colored tentacles before. The points where the tentacles intersected formed grape-like shapes, with black and gray chunks of flesh riddled with holes. And around those chunks of flesh were embedded fourteen crimson spheres.

Hmm, he had indeed seen these things before, on a night when the moon was just right. Yin Ren quickly shifted his gaze, and sure enough—

Among them, an Elemental was holding up a tablecloth with a cat pattern using its tentacles. The tablecloth swayed as if it were a flag. With sharp and shrill sounds, its round “meow” cry was particularly grating, causing even Meiqiu to look around.

…Miss Gao Mengyu, your cat is here.

[What’s going on?!]

Before Qi Xin could speak, Yin Ren’s thoughts shot out.

The fourteen-eyed cat waved its tentacles and shook the tablecloth. “Meow!”

At the same time, its thoughts also infiltrated Yin Ren’s mind.

[They want to wage war against humans, but we don’t want to fight.]

It curled its tentacles in a pitiful manner.

Yin Ren was taken aback. [War? Do you have a way to fight in the human world?]

He glanced at the soft and squishy fourteen-eyed beings beneath him. These things had their own set of cognitive pollution and could indeed be formidable opponents.

But currently, everything was calm, without any major rifts. How would these things be able to reach the mortal realm?

Even if they could pass through the gap, without possessing a physical body, they could only hide within the gap and barely survive by traversing the interstitial space. When the time came, not to mention movement, food would be a problem.

[Not “that side”, but here.]

The “cat” responded earnestly.

[There are other humans here.]

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The author has something to say:

Cat attack!

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