The night was pitch-black, and the small courtyard lay in silence. Wen Heyu had once again fallen into his once-a-day, eight-hour slumber.
Jiang Fu watched with practiced calm as his breathing gradually stopped and he lay stiff and motionless like a corpse. Then she stepped out of the room and changed into clothes suited for moving about at night.
The black cat circled around her, complaining, “You’re not taking me again? You make me babysit every single day.”
Jiang Fu replied, “It can’t be helped. In his current state, I’m not comfortable leaving him alone.”
After putting on her shoes, she patted the cat’s head. “My curse will end tonight. Ying Changtian won’t come looking for me for the time being. You just guard the house. I’m leaving.”
She stepped into the darkness. Before long, she reached the edge of the base.
A zombie dressed entirely in black was crouching there.
When she saw Jiang Fu approach, she slowly stood up.
Tall and straight-backed, with short black hair tousled by the wind, her eyes gleamed in the dark like a pair of cat’s eyes.
It was Wen Zangyu.
“You’re here,” Jiang Fu said.
Wen Zangyu gave a slight nod.
Jiang Fu sent a strand of resentful energy into Wen Zangyu, blurring her outline and concealing her aura so that the stronger ability users in the base wouldn’t notice her.
“Let’s go.”
They first headed to the area where the Wen clan members lived. The people rescued from West Town were staying here now. Once upon a time, Wen Zangyu and her younger brother had lived here too.
The moment they stepped into the residential district, Wen Zangyu’s eyes turned red.
The years she and her brother had spent here—the clan’s three parts care and seven parts oppression; the so-called elders like Wen Zicheng squeezing and weighing her with calculating eyes to see how much she was worth; and, at the final break, her brother dragging her, medicine in hand, as they stumbled and fled from this place…
Flames crackled to life around her body, sparks even flashing from her eyes. Yet frost spread outward in circles beneath her feet, and the ground quickly froze over.
Her nails and teeth lengthened, and a low growl rumbled from her throat.
“Go,” Jiang Fu said. “Go take your revenge.”
With a swish, Wen Zangyu sprang upward, leaping straight onto a roof several meters high. Then, like a coiled spring, she shot forward in rapid bursts, vanishing into the night in an instant.
A gust of wind rose with her movement. Jiang Fu tilted her head slightly, her resentful energy dispersing it.
“Fire ability. Ice ability. Wind ability…”
All such explosive powers.
Soon, the sounds of heavy blows and screams echoed from ahead. After a while, the noise subsided.
Jiang Fu walked over.
Inside a house, furniture lay in chaos. Several people had been beaten by Wen Zangyu until they were bruised, swollen, and unconscious. She raised a hand toward one of them, releasing a row of silver threads that shot into his body.
Turning to Jiang Fu, she said, “Silver threads. They will roam inside him. Cut. Devour his—his own ability. Grow out from beneath the skin.”
How severe it became and how long it lasted would depend on the victim’s own strength.
As long as they were weaker than Wen Zangyu in her current state, self-rescue was nearly impossible.
She didn’t kill them—but they would suffer agony day after day, their abilities and bodies gradually ruined. For people who relied on their powers to gain status and authority, that was a torture far worse than death.
Jiang Fu looked at the man. “Continue.”
Half an hour later, Wen Zangyu had planted silver threads in every member of the Wen family in this entire area, sparing only a few. Jiang Fu guessed those were likely the ones who had once shown the siblings some kindness.
Wen Zangyu stepped out. “Done.”
Jiang Fu unfolded a list. “Next, we go after the people around Zhou Liangji. We’ll start with this one—Yan Mi.”
…
In an upscale residential complex, Yan Mi and several core members of his team were gathered together.
“I feel much better today,” Yan Mi said. “What about you?”
“Me too. Looks like we’re recovering.”
“I told you—we’re ability users. There’s no way we can’t fight off a simple illness. We must have just eaten something strange.”
Yan Mi nodded. “Exactly. We got sick right after the torrential rain. That was when plants and beasts mutated further. It’s reasonable that we humans were affected a little too.”
He looked at them. “This illness definitely has nothing to do with Brother Zhou. That nonsense about more than ten thousand people falling sick because of him must be a misunderstanding. We need to go out there and clear his name.”
The others fell silent.
Thinking back on the horrific torment of the past few days, none of them wanted to see Zhou Liangji right now. They felt like they were developing a trauma; just thinking about him made them uncomfortable. But saying so would make them seem heartless.
Yan Mi stood up. “Say something! Over the years, how much has Brother Zhou helped us? When we needed to level up, he helped us get crystal cores. When we ran into trouble, he solved it. Wherever we go, we’re treated with respect—all because of him. We can’t be ungrateful! Have you heard what people outside are saying? They’re practically turning him into some kind of contamination source!”
His words made everyone feel ashamed. Their loyalty to Zhou Liangji once again took the upper hand.
They rose one after another. “Right. Brother Zhou is going through a tough time. We can’t just stand by.”
“Our recovery is the strongest proof. This is obviously just an ordinary illness. It clears up in a week!”
Just as they were about to leave, a gust of cold wind swept in from nowhere. A wave of dizziness hit them, and they collapsed on the spot.
The door opened soundlessly. Jiang Fu walked in, Wen Zangyu close behind.
“Begin,” Jiang Fu said.
Ten minutes later, Jiang Fu unfolded the list again. “Next are the hidden faction leaders within Hongri Base. They’ve been using Zhou Liangji as a banner to wrestle with the base leadership. Ying Changtian already helped me identify them all.”
Planting silver threads one by one was tiring for Wen Zangyu. Since this was all about piling hatred onto Zhou Liangji and smearing his name, Jiang Fu thought it better to bring down those with power and influence rather than targeting minor lackeys or ordinary people.
Wen Zangyu showed no reaction. She stood there like a wooden doll. Whatever Jiang Fu said, she did.
They left as silently as they had come.
…
At the hospital, every ward was filled with people afflicted by the strange illness.
Zhou Liangji had been fighting here for five days. More precisely, he spent nights here “treating” patients, and during the day he went to various isolation sites around the base to make “house calls.”
In truth, he had no idea how to treat the illness. But facing the hospital’s demands and the patients’ resentful gazes, he had no choice but to put on a show of treatment.
He tried channeling his ability into patients’ bodies, attempting to guide out the power that belonged to him—but it flickered like a ghost, elusive and unpredictable.
He also tried planting more of his ability into them, hoping to fight poison with poison. It only made them suffer more.
For five days, he had endured endless accusations, curses, and denunciations. Patients deliberately spat at him. Family members grabbed and berated him. People around him looked at him with disdain and contempt.
He walked wearily down the corridor. Five days and nights without sleep, constant use of his ability—he was exhausted.
Suddenly, a ward door flew open. With a splash, a basin of foul liquid was dumped over his head and body.
“Oh dear, I’m so sorry, Mr. Zhou! Why are you standing here? You gave me such a fright!”
An old woman holding a chamber pot looked full of remorse. “My son just vomited again. I was going to pour it out. I’m so sorry, so sorry—you won’t be angry, right?”
Zhou Liangji looked at the filth covering him, the stench assaulting his nose. Anger surged up, but he forced it down. A burst of ability shimmered over his body, shaking the grime off.
“It’s fine!” he said through clenched teeth.
He strode away. Behind him, the old woman spat viciously. “What a thing! Caused so much harm and doesn’t feel a bit guilty!”
Zhou Liangji stopped in his tracks and turned back, roaring, “It wasn’t me! It wasn’t me! How many times do I have to say it? What would I gain from harming them? And aren’t their symptoms lighter today? Why are you still being so cruel?”
The old woman jumped in fright, then clutched her chest and cried out, “Help! Zhou Liangji’s lashing out in anger! He’s going to kill someone!”
Doors opened one after another. People poured out, shielding the old woman and condemning him.
“Mr. Zhou, why are you shouting? She’s elderly—what if you scare her into something serious?”
“Mr. Zhou, try to understand us. That night we all gathered for your sake. Then we collapsed and nearly died. Even if we recover, who knows what aftereffects there will be? This is all because of you—”
“It’s not because of me!”
“If it’s not, why have you been trying so desperately to treat us these past few days? Because you panicked. You’re afraid things will spiral out of control!”
“I just can’t bear to see you suffer. I mean well—”
“Oh, now I see why everyone used to praise you. You make a mistake, fix it, and still call it ‘good intentions.’ You harm people and expect them to thank you!”
“I’ve heard you used to help people everywhere. Did you hurt them first, then swoop in to play the hero?”
“So that’s how your good reputation was built!”
Zhou Liangji: “…”
Unreasonable. Completely unreasonable!
Furious, he turned and walked away.
Why was he even staying here to endure this?
It wasn’t his fault. He had sacrificed his own time, nearly drained his ability dry. He’d been sympathetic and patient with both patients and their families. He’d given so much—and this was the attitude he received!
Who did these people think they were? How dare they!
Even sixth- or seventh-rank ability users treated him with courtesy and respect. If he hadn’t lowered himself to accommodate them, these people would never have touched even the hem of his clothes in their entire lives.
When he was in the middle of losing his temper, Zhao Chi received the news and hurried over, stopping him at the hospital entrance.
“Liang Ji, what’s going on?”
Thinking about how he had been subjected to all kinds of criticism these past few days—and how Zhao Chi hadn’t spoken a single word on his behalf—Zhou Liangji felt a surge of anger. What kind of brother was that?
He shoved Zhao Chi away and didn’t want to say a single word.
Zhao Chi staggered back. He reached out futilely toward Zhou Liangji’s retreating figure, then slowly lowered his hand. He straightened his clothes and let out a short laugh.
“Spread the word. Zhou Liangji pretended to be a good person for a few days, but now he can’t keep up the act anymore. His true nature is finally showing.”
His eyes were cold.
Zhou Liangji, sorry—but you can’t stay in Hongri Base any longer.
Whether or not you harbor ill intentions, the fact that you can rally so many people, that you can command a response with a single call, that others can use you as a banner to stir up trouble—you shouldn’t remain here.
None of them noticed the pitch-black bird circling above the hospital, witnessing everything before flapping its wings and flying off.
…
Jiang Fu pulled out the third list. “This is the list of core members of the base’s leadership…”
Names like Zhao Chi and Ying Changtian were clearly on it. These people would be harder to deal with.
Suddenly, a bird flew over. She raised her hand, and its slender claws landed lightly on her finger. A faint trace of resentment aura emanated from the little bird. Its inorganic eyes met Jiang Fu’s gaze, and like a replayed recording, she saw what had happened at the hospital reflected within them.
She raised an eyebrow. “Only three days of being scolded, and Zhou Liangji already cracked. Looks like this great savior doesn’t have much tolerance for people who are actually suffering.”
She turned to Wen Zangyu. “The trap in West Town was set by him. Do you want revenge?”
A trap?
Wen Zangyu immediately recalled that day—the trap had been what restrained her. Otherwise, He Yu would never have needed to risk coming out, and wouldn’t have nearly been killed.
Her eyes turned red, her teeth grinding. “Yes!”
…
Zhou Liangji was going to leave this base!
In these past days, all he had received here was malice. He had never known people could be so vicious!
Since this place didn’t welcome him, he had no desire to continue giving to it.
Of course, he couldn’t leave alone—he had to take his companions with him.
But when he thought about Yan Mi and the others having fallen ill too, and about the suspicion and resentment that had crept into their gazes when they looked at him, he hesitated.
Not long after, however, he still went to Yan Mi’s residence.
He was just about to knock when the door opened from inside. Yan Mi and the others were rubbing their heads, looking as though they were about to head out.
“Brother Zhou! You’re back!” Yan Mi exclaimed in surprise.
“You all…”
Yan Mi said, “We were just about to go look for you. Our illness is almost gone, which proves it definitely has nothing to do with you. We’re willing to testify for you.”
Zhou Liangji was instantly moved. Seeing the trusting looks everyone cast toward him, he felt his heart warm again.
He told them what had happened at the hospital. “No one believes me. Since this illness will clear up in a few days anyway, there’s no need to explain. The innocent will clear themselves. Let’s leave now.”
Yan Mi was taken aback. “Leave at night? Maybe we should wait until morning.”
Zhou Liangji said, “No. We leave tonight!”
He had been hurt by those people. He didn’t want to stay even a moment longer.
As for the dangers outside the base, he had no fear. He had absolute confidence in his own strength. Only ignorant fools would dare give him such looks.
Still young, Zhou Liangji was running hot with pride and emotion, a bit reckless and heedless.
In short, he wasted no time. He led his team out immediately—dozens of them in a grand procession.
Ying Changtian stood atop the watchtower, watching them leave the base overnight. He couldn’t help but grit his teeth. “We’re just letting him go like this?”
Beside him, Zhao Chi said, “If he’s willing to leave, it means there probably wasn’t any conspiracy. This is already the best outcome. What else can we do—detain him by force?”
Ying Changtian asked, “Then what about that strange illness?”
Zhao Chi leaned back casually and shrugged. “Hasn’t your illness already lessened? Maybe you’ll recover completely soon.”
Ying Changtian shot him a cold look. He was the only one in the leadership who had fallen ill—of course Zhao Chi could afford to speak so lightly.
But without support, he couldn’t keep Zhou Liangji by himself.
Zhou Liangji had always presented himself as a great benefactor and rarely showed his true strength. No one knew just how powerful he really was.
…
Zhou Liangji and his group exited the base smoothly.
The night was vast and dark. One kilometer beyond the base, vegetation grew as densely as a forest.
After absorbing a few crystal cores, Zhou Liangji had recovered most of his energy. With a wave of his hand, silver threads shot out like blades, and a swath of vegetation collapsed.
He cleared a path with ease, and the tension in his team gradually dissipated.
“Brother Zhou is amazing!”
“Hongri Base’s loss for not appreciating Brother Zhou!”
Holding torches and other light sources, they flattered him as they walked.
Suddenly, someone stepped on something. A flash of silver light burst from beneath his foot, and living silver threads crawled up over his instep and burrowed into his skin.
“Ah! What is this? Brother Zhou!”
Immediately after, another person triggered the same trap.
In the blink of an eye, everyone’s legs were entangled in silver threads!
Zhou Liangji suddenly realized the sounds and light behind him had vanished. He spun around.
There was nothing but darkness.
Where were they?
Everyone had disappeared!
He turned back again—the road ahead was gone too.
All around him was pitch black, as if endless rolling dark mist had enveloped everything.
Panic struck his heart. His ability surged wildly, silver threads lashing out in all directions. They pierced into a soft, cottony miasma with no point of resistance, unable to break through.
Was this an illusion?
Suddenly, a figure appeared ahead.
A woman slowly emerged from the black mist and enunciated each word: “Zhou. Liang. Ji.”
Seeing her silhouette, Zhou Liangji’s heart sank. “It’s you! You followed me from West Town to the base, and now from the base to here. Who exactly are you? What do you want?”
She tilted her head slightly. “At a time like this, shouldn’t your first concern be where your companions have gone—and whether they’re still alive?”
Zhou Liangji froze, his mouth opening.
Before he could say anything, the woman let out a mocking laugh. “You’re always talking about how you can’t lose a single companion. But when it really matters, the only one you care about is yourself. Just as I thought—you’re just a hypocrite.”
The veins at Zhou Liangji’s temple throbbed. Trying to salvage his pride, he said, “You’re after me. Compared to killing them, keeping them alive to threaten me would benefit you more. Why would I need to ask?”
Jiang Fu looked at him with cold disgust, as if he were trash.
“Even when you’re in the wrong, you can still argue three points in your favor. As expected—you’re still as self-righteous and disgusting as ever.”