Chapter 72 – Shackles

Translator: Xena

Sorry about the late upload guys. I was sick last week and still recovering right now. I will try to upload another chapter this week to make up for it, thank you <3

The location is easy to guess. It would most likely be the abandoned hospital Lu Xueya visited last time.

Since the monsters couldn’t move [Eagle Eye] and possessed a cold, calculating temperament, once they learned of Jian Xie’s existence, they would only come to the gathering if they saw something tangible. For this reason, Lu Xueya’s death was a necessary sacrifice.

She knew where [Eagle Eye] was.

Presumably for the sake of confidentiality, Minister Zhang did not disclose this information; otherwise, the other investigators would not have shown such surprise at this time.

In other words, she was also one of the “threats” that the monster despised. An insider.

If Green-Hair did bring Minister Zhang to the monsters in search of protection, then they were very likely to take her to the place of their gathering.

After all, it involved “Qin Zhuo,” which was not something a single monster could handle directly.

“……”

In the silence, the only unfamiliar young man carrying a long strip of black cloth stood up and stared at Jian Xie’s face.

“I’ll go with you.” He said, “Others will hold us back, but I won’t.” 

Jian Xie replied, “No need.” 

Surprisingly, after carefully looking at Jian Xie’s face for a while, he suddenly gave up on the suggestion and sat back down.

“It’s up to you now.” The young man said, “If anything happens, you can contact Cheng Li anytime, and he will let us know.” 

Since the strongest have already tacitly agreed that Jian Xie could act alone, there was no more reason for the others to stop him.

Cheng Li remained frowning, deep in thought: “…You need to be careful.”

“I will,” said Jian Xie. 

Those present were on high alert.

However, as for him, aside from the fact that finding Minister Zhang meant speed was essential, this was just another ordinary hunt.

Thinking of the plan revealed by that Super Special A-level earlier, his expression turned cold. It would be fast food this time.

……

Before going to the address Lu Xueya gave him, Jian Xie contacted Wu Qinghe first.

No one answered, so he decided to leave it for the time being, turned off his phone, and went out to find a ride.

As soon as he stepped out, he searched for the address on his phone, glanced at it briefly, and unconsciously frowned.

The abandoned hospital located within the first three districts was actually in the next city, just over two hours away by high-speed rail.

—So the Supernatural Management Bureau is so bold that they built right near the three districts with the most monsters?

But Cheng Li seemed to have mentioned that this city was currently a relatively safe place, roughly located within a dozen or so districts…

It looked just like the city where Superman and Batman live in the comics. Although they were only separated by a bridge, the security conditions on both sides were incomparable.

With thoughts racing through his mind, Jian Xie bought a high-speed rail ticket on his phone and then hailed a taxi.

As soon as he stepped out of the residential area, a sudden summer downpour began. The torrential rain came very suddenly, and the previously leisurely crowd on the street was thrown into chaos.

He didn’t have an umbrella, so he took temporary shelter from the rain under the eaves of a convenience store. The buildings collapsed in the puddles by the roadside, and the whole world became a two-way mirror.

Fortunately, the taxi location was right at the entrance of the community, so Jian Xie didn’t have to run around in the rain. He just had to wait for the taxi to arrive.

He first went into the convenience store, intending to buy an umbrella, but after thinking about it, he ended up picking up a plastic raincoat instead and paying for it.

Once outside, his shirt, soaked by the rain, clung to his body. He unbuttoned the top few buttons, then loosened his school uniform tie, took it off, crumpled it into a ball, and squeezed out the water.

His phone lay loosely inside his coat pocket, giving him a relaxed and natural air, exuding a youthful vibe unique to summer.

The scene was quite pleasing to the eye, and even passersby on the street without umbrellas couldn’t help but cast their gazes at Jian Xie a few more times.

【I’m awake.】

A lazy voice sounded in his ear. Jian Xie paused in twisting the hem of his clothes, letting out a barely perceptible sigh of relief.

It was Qin Zhuo.

[Why did you suddenly disappear?] he asked. [What happened?]

In such situations, the other never failed to offer his opinion, so Qin Zhuo’s silence made him somewhat uncomfortable.

【It’s nothing.】 A black mist emerged from behind him, and a sudden weight pressed down on his shoulder. Jian Xie turned his head and realized that It’s chin was resting on his shoulder blade. 【Don’t worry. It’s just because of the risk. I’m starting to have a physical form now, so I have to gather the materials as soon as possible, otherwise all my previous efforts will be in vain.】 

Jian Xie paused for a moment. [I understand, it’s on its way.]

【I didn’t mean to rush you.】

It was true. Qin Zhuo never mentioned this. If he hadn’t suddenly lost his voice, Jian Xie wouldn’t have gotten the answer from him.

【Although I appreciate you going to great lengths for me,】 He said with a smile, nuzzling his forehead against Jian Xie’s shoulder, 【it’s not so good if the fun turned into a chore.】

Jian Xie: “…”

[Qin Zhuo,] he suddenly said.

【Hmm.】 He responded to the human name. 【Why?】

He paused for a moment and then said, [Next time you have such requests, or if you need to temporarily fall asleep, be sure to tell me in advance.]

[…Although I’m not sure what my feelings for you are right now, I know for sure that I don’t want you to disappear from my life. Even if the price is maintaining this shared body, or having my shadow used by you—this somewhat distorted way of being together.] 

[You always seem to prioritize your own interests. Just like that monster said, if we separate, you’ll probably lose interest in me very quickly.]

This was something Jian Xie had been pondering on his way to his apartment complex after leaving the parent-teacher’s conference. He couldn’t help but wonder how he really felt about those words.

He would find it unbearable.

Just thinking about this possibility made Jian Xie feel an unusually unpleasant emotion.

After the car accident, he rarely experienced intense emotional fluctuations, but the various emotions he had been feeling recently were almost all related to Qin Zhuo.

[Maybe something like that would happen? I don’t care. Because that’s not important, what’s important is—]  

[You can only be by my side.]

As his words fell, the rain poured amidst silence. The only sound was the raindrops hitting the ground. The whole world seemed to have quieted down.

His breathing suddenly felt a little tight.

Prior to this, Qin Zhuo had also mentioned that It’s name was to be used as the trigger word for Jian Xie to use when he encountered “danger”.

However, because Jian Xie’s strength was equally overwhelming, he actually never had the chance to use it.

This was his first time using it.

So he wasn’t calling It’s name just now, but trying to get Him to take it seriously.

Jian Xie didn’t know if his words were offensive to the evil god. After all, Qin Zhuo’s temperament was well-known.

How could a human want to completely possess an evil god?

[I’m a boring person.] Jian Xie said, [But I think it’s better for you to stay by my side.]

【…It’s not boring.】

After a moment, Qin Zhuo spoke in a low, hoarse voice, seemingly through the rain. 【Besides, that’s also what I think.】

“……”

Jian Ye reached into his shirt and pulled out the mementos of his parents that he had retrieved from Zhou Cheyun.

He then handed it to the surging black mist in front of him.

[It was a wedding anniversary gift for my parents. I thought I’d lost it in the car accident and would never find it again.] 

Jian Xie looked up at It. [Since you gave me a ring as a token of our promise, I don’t have much money to buy such an expensive gift, but this… is actually quite valuable. So, this is now my first gift to you.] 

Qin Zhuo smiled.【I already received the first one not long ago.】

It was referring to the wooden carving that It used to shape It’s body.

[Then let’s put it another way,] Jian Xie said without hesitation, [This are the shackles I’m placing on you.]

…The shackles placed on Itself?

Was this human trying to act as It’s executioner? It’s hatchet man?

That’s really quite impressive…

He didn’t even know to whom he had made such a shocking remark.

Qin Zhuo hooked the pendant with his finger and easily spread it out. The pendant swayed in mid-air, with the silver chain wrapped around his finger as its center of gravity.

His eyes held a scrutinizing gaze.

As far as Jian Xie was concerned, the fact that the other took it without protest was good enough; since It hadn’t spoken up to refuse, this could perhaps be taken as a tacit acceptance.

However—

After a while, It suddenly clicked It’s tongue.

With a flick of It’s fingers, It snatched the pendant in his palm, emitting a crisp “clack”.

Then, something unexpected happened. The evil god lowered his head and hung the pendant around his neck right in front of Jian Xie.

Although it was just a simple gesture, it was probably the first time It had completely bowed It’s head before a human being.

【I accept,】It said lazily.

Qin Zhuo made no attempt to hide his joy, even reaching out to grasp Jian Xie’s fingers and interlocking their fingers so that their two rings touched.

“……”

The inside of his coat suddenly vibrated. It was a phone call, interrupting the somewhat romantic atmosphere.

Jian Xie withdrew his gaze from Qin Zhuo’s neck and turned around.

At the same time, a taxi stopped in front of him. The car that was to take him to the high-speed rail station had arrived.

……

This used to be a municipal hospital, but it was abandoned as the city center was redeveloped and shifted westward.

Looking through the gate, one can vaguely imagine the bustling crowds that once filled the area.

But now the iron gate lay abandoned, the weeds have grown nearly two meters tall, and the air was thick with an unsettling scent of death.

Looking out the window at the pattering rain, Green-Hair felt a surge of displeasure. He had brought Minister Zhang, an important figure from the [Investigation Department], to the place mentioned by a Special A-level monster. He thought that at least one monster would come to meet him, but they didn’t even look at his face and simply threw him into the room closest to the corridor.

They didn’t even bother to say a few words to him, as if he were a formidable enemy.

Green Hair only vaguely heard them mention words like “parent-teacher meeting” and “eyes,” and then they locked him up here, which was extremely annoying.

I’m supposed to be seeking asylum, isn’t the protection they’re providing far too careless?

A damp, musty smell rose from the corner of the building. Although it was afternoon, the entire building was dark and cold with little light.

Green-Hair was sitting on a hospital bed when he suddenly heard a knock on the door. He immediately perked up, jumped off the bed, and walked toward the door, cursing as he went. He then pulled the door open.

“There’s no electricity here, how am I supposed to wait?” I told you, Minister Zhang is very useful. Asking him alone right away won’t yield any useful information. We’ll need my help—” 

But no one responded.

A strange feeling welled up in his heart. Before he could finish speaking, he looked up and, in the dim light, saw the outline of the person in front of him. His voice stopped abruptly.

A sudden flash of lightning illuminated the entire corridor, allowing Green-Hair to see firsthand the enormous black shadow behind the other person.

A terrifying, viscous mist swirled in mid-air, emanating an extremely sinister aura. It was over two meters high, making the visitor standing in front of it appear exceptionally thin, creating a striking visual contrast.

The green-haired guy’s pupils trembled.

T-this is—

The next moment, the other person took off the hood of their raincoat, revealing that familiar face.

“No rush.” Jian Xie said, “Let me ask for you.” 

The moment the words left his mouth, everything went black before Green Hair’s eyes, and he instantly lost consciousness.

As Jian Xie stepped through the door, the black mist instantly turned into liquid, dripping onto the floor and flowing through the cracks, filling the entire room.

At the same time, a tentacle rose from the black pool, dragged the green-haired man into the room, and closed the door behind Jian Xie.

【The woman is still alive, and the monster is on its way.】 It said lazily, raising several tentacles that gently wrapped around Jian Xie’s calves. 【They’re going to take him there. If you need to change clothes to disguise yourself, would you like my help?】

Author’s Note:

Qin Zhuo: He’s a pet now; do not worry about him.