LWGP - Chapter 49
Chapter 49: The Great Monkey Demon
And she could definitely do it. Just like today, she wouldn't have to bear any legal or moral responsibility, because her thinking was too meticulous, and she was adept at using human nature to make them seek their own demise.
But he didn't want her to become that kind of person.
Those of them who once held prejudice against her, who were later shaken by her excellence but never dared to admit they were wrong, still hoped she would be all right.
If only for the Old Lady's sake.
Qian Cheng spoke earnestly, with little falsehood, at most unable to hide his guilt and embarrassment.
He hadn't known her past was like this.
Powerful, and therefore cold.
He had come from the bottom, but after being high and mighty for so long, he had become blind to the suffering of the world, or perhaps he was rejecting the pain and desolation of his own youth from the bottom of his heart.
But the Old Lady had always been tolerant. She could see the purgatory in the mortal world, and in her extreme suffering, she finally put down the butcher's knife and embraced compassion.
And what about Wang Jiu? Was she moved? Qian Cheng looked at Wang Jiu, only to be startled. Wang Jiu had raised a hand to her face, to the part of her cheek covering her jaw. Her fingers slid from the left side to the right.
She said, "Other people's children lose their baby teeth naturally. When they get loose, an adult carefully wiggles them out. I was different. Here… every single one of my teeth was knocked out by someone, alive. My mother, those adults, those children… Do you know what that feels like?"
The rims of her eyes seemed to be stained red with rouge, glistening as if wet, the crimson half-melted. Many people actually hoped she would cry. If she cried, it would be closer to human nature. Perhaps she was moved, and her murderous intent could be persuaded. But they were also afraid of her tears.
No matter the civilization, the era, or the person, the tears of a beauty always evoked pity.
But in the end, there were no tears in her eyes, only a profound, bone-deep emptiness, as if she were hiding a desolate, cruel village that had lost the protection of civilization.
For a moment, Qian Cheng was speechless.
Wang Jiu rubbed the skin over her gums. "Back then, your dislike for me stemmed not only from my background, but also from me as a person. I was particularly ugly and rustic then, wasn't I? My skin was sallow, and I had a mouth full of rotten teeth. The Old Lady's daughter should have been very beautiful and lovely. You were unwilling to let a child like me take her place and enjoy the resources and affection she deserved."
Qian Cheng lowered his head and apologized, "I'm sorry."
Wang Jiu said, "There's no need to be sorry. Later on, when I picked my prey, I also chose based on looks. I can strike the ugly ones, but I can't bring myself to bite. It's human nature."
Someone shot a quick glance at Yan Yanting and Xiao Jue.
They were indeed quite handsome.
Her standards weren't low.
"However, since we're talking about human nature, on one hand, you want me to cherish those who are good to me, and on the other, you want me to learn to forgive the innocent."
"It's actually quite laughable."
"Look at them. You think they were somewhat sincere with me. But during this process that you've deemed to be me toying with them, did they not derive pleasure?"
She had already bandaged her wound and was buttoning her shirt, one by one, a faint smile on her lips. "Ask them if they were ever happy."
Xiao Jue and Yan Yanting met her gaze and both froze.
And Wang Jiu seemed to be starting to unleash her true nature. She casually crossed her left leg over her right, adjusted her blood-stained cuff, and said coolly, "Their physical forms satisfied their lust, and the romantic atmosphere of our interactions satisfied their interests. All the resentment and humiliation they feel they've received from me now have actually already been repaid during that process."
"Besides, why do you think I chose them?"
"Isn't it because they were hardly good men when it came to relationships? I wouldn't have to be responsible for hurting them. And if the truth ever came out, the Old Lady wouldn't blame me too much."
"It's like, those who treat others as prey shouldn't blame others for treating them as playthings."
"After the fireworks, there will be ashes. After the thrill, there will be desolation. Do I really need to explain such a simple principle?"
"Uncle Qian, didn't you only decide to mend your ways and study psychology after being cheated by a woman until you had nothing left but the shorts on your back? But before that, you were also a playboy who roamed the world, drawn to her beauty and sex appeal. Every time the scales of fate tip, love and hate are actually balanced."
Her melancholy seemed to fade at the speed of a Pegasus Meteor Fist with these few sentences, replaced by a wild and wicked air.
Qian Cheng: "???"
Fuck! How did she know about that secret?!
"So, don't talk to me about cherishing or not cherishing. The world loves me, but it is right that they love me, for the talent and beauty I've cultivated over these years."
"But there is one person who is different."
Qian Cheng was lost in thought. "Only the Old Lady. Only she was willing to love you when you had nothing, when you were at your most wretched."
Wang Jiu lowered her eyes and smiled. "Yes. Only her. Only she loved me, was willing to teach me principles, to teach me knowledge. She was also willing to let me fly, to let me see the mountains and rivers, to read the works of a hundred civilizations. All the grand promises she made to me when I was young, she let me have them all."
"Actually, she knows my true nature better than you do. You think she didn't know those tests of mine were fake? She knew everything."
"Just like how everyone used to mock my teeth, she took me to get them corrected."
Wang Jiu caressed her face. "She made my teeth perfectly straight so I could face people with dignity. I understood. It was like her expectation for me—that I should be an upright person."
"Actually, when she buried Zhou Shanren, I followed her. When she went back to Zhou Shanren's remains, I was hiding in the woods not far away, squatting on the ground and watching her. At that time, I told myself that if she tried to harm me, I would definitely lure that wild wolf over and let it kill her. But I saw her huffing and puffing as she buried the body, and after she was done, she even threw in something of her own. After she left, I ran out and stuffed my hair clip in as well. Then I ran down the mountain before she did. When she came back, my feet were already clean, while she was covered in dirt. She even insisted on lying to me, saying she went to the market to buy vegetables but forgot to bring money or something."
Qian Cheng's expression tightened. But this time, he still couldn't tell if her words were true or false.
"I still remember the first time she told me the story of Journey to the West. She said that Tang Sanzang was willing to edify the Great Monkey Demon not just because he was afraid the monkey would indulge its demonic nature and kill excessively, but more so because he hoped it wouldn't cross the line set by the gods and buddhas. The Tathagata represents both compassion and law. A peerless demon that crosses its boundaries can easily have its body and soul obliterated. But Tang Sanzang's ability was insufficient, so he could only bear the pain and put the golden fillet, which was like a prison, on the monkey's head. He always hoped the Great Monkey Demon would understand—in this world, no one can be an enemy to the entire world."
"At the time, I thought she was reminding me not to do bad things."
"I was thinking then, if she was that Tang Sanzang, I was willing to be the monkey she edified, willing to wear that golden fillet."
A faint halo of light seemed to tremble in her pupils. It was the stir of emotion.
For the first time, Qian Cheng saw a human-like emotional response in this most terrifying "patient."
She sat there, head bowed, as if bowing to compassion and law.
He thought she was moved, that her murderous intent was wavering, but…
With her head still bowed, she suddenly said, "But so what?"
Then she looked up.
The moved, softened expression was now icy and merciless, filled with a sharp, murderous intent.
"I watched that video dozens of times. Every time, I saw not only Yang Yu's greed, but also the others—the cowardice and selfishness of the others. They could have stopped Yang Yu then, but they didn't. They just enjoyed her protection, grieving on one hand, while watching her get eaten alive on the other."
"No one. No one stood up to protect her, not even for a moment."
"You see, Tang Sanzang was eaten bite by bite, and the monkey was going mad, but where was the Tathagata?"
Her eyes were scarlet, like burning flames. She asked the question, then abruptly stood up. With a wave of her hand, the medical kit beside her flew and crashed to the floor.
Everyone jumped in fright. They saw her appear before Qian Cheng like a phantom and repeat her question, "I'm asking you, where was he, the Tathagata?"
Qian Cheng's face was filled with grief. He was speechless.
Eaten? She was eaten.
What law, what mercy, what Tathagata—it was all just ethereal, empty edification.
Always too late, or never coming at all.
"She saved countless people. Even if it wasn't universal salvation, it was at least compassion for the world. But what was the result?"
"Innocent?" Wang Jiu stood there, her gaze somewhat unfocused, as if looking into the distance, or at the world itself.
"As members of the Yang family, sharing the same bloodline, they enjoyed the wealth and privilege created by their greed and sins. Shouldn't they bear the risks as well?"
Wang Jiu stroked the palm of her right hand, and Chieftain's Bane suddenly appeared there.
Everyone was shocked and immediately went on alert, as if facing a great enemy.
They surrounded her.
In an instant, the tension was palpable!
Her killing intent was overwhelming.
But Wang Jiu paid it no mind. She just gently scraped the blade with her fingernail, as if caressing delicate skin. Then, she plunged the sword into the ground with a clang.
"Let's cut the crap. I'll be blunt. If I walk out of here alive today, the lives of the Yang family are mine. Not even God can stop me."
"We'll also see if you're willing to risk your lives for people who have nothing to do with you."
"Let me see just how supreme humanity really is."
Her voice was light, soft.
But everyone heard it. No one tried to persuade her anymore, and no one reprimanded her.
Her temperament was not yet set, but her abilities were already ferocious, and she was eager to challenge civilized society.
"Actually, there's one question I've never understood," Li Ting, the minister of culture, finally spoke up.
But was this an appropriate time, with a battle about to break out?
He didn't immediately take a critical stance against Wang Jiu. In the mortal world, the two types of people most favored were not children and the weak, but beauties and geniuses.
Wang Jiu was both, and with the complexity of her background, plus the special nature of Miao Mountain, it made people scrutinize her even more.
He had been scrutinizing one thing in particular.
"Why did the Old Lady insist on covering up Zhou Shanren's death? True, there might have been someone behind Zhou Shanren who intended to kill her, and it might have endangered Wang Jiu's safety. But in that situation, given the Old Lady's status and position, and without knowing the exact strength of the opposing force, explaining it to the government would have been the best choice. Unless, she was trying to cover up another fact, and that fact was most likely related to Wang Jiu."
He looked back and forth between the two, only to find Qian Cheng's expression was somewhat flustered. The psychologist, usually the most eloquent, was now silent.
But just then, a phone rang. Li Ting answered it, and his expression suddenly changed. "What did you say?"
The Agility of those present was not low; they all heard the hurried report from the Investigation Team on the other end.
Everyone looked at each other, but the expressions of Qian Cheng and Song Yuanqiao changed the most.
After a moment, Li Ting hung up, his expression unsettled. He suddenly said to Qian Cheng, "They've excavated Zhou Shanren's basement. It's full of the bones of children and women. Most of them were sealed in the walls."
The state department had cooperated with Qian Cheng many times, so it wasn't unusual to discuss such a crime-suspense type of case with him. Besides, many people had probably overheard anyway. Qian Cheng was both stunned and thoughtful. "So many bones of children and women? Could he be…"
Li Ting said, "It's highly likely he was the one who disposed of the bodies for Miao Village. It's also possible he handled both sides of the operation, from selling them to disposing of the bodies. He managed it all."
Qian Cheng seemed to think of something, his eyes flickering with hesitation. But on the other side, the elderly Song Yuanqiao suddenly spoke, "My daughter… is she among them?"
Li Ting hadn't thought of that. Reminded by Song Yuanqiao, he suddenly reacted. "I know. We will definitely run DNA tests, on all of them. But since Mr. Song is here, we'll collect your blood and hair samples later."
Before Song Yuanqiao could reply, a cool voice was heard.
"It'll take you several days to exchange blood and hair. Technology often fails these days. Why don't I just tell you in advance."
"No, her body isn't there," Wang Jiu said suddenly.
Everyone turned to look at Wang Jiu.
Li Ting couldn't help but ask, "How do you know? Have you been there?! Right, you just said you've been back many times… After you left, when was the first time you went back?"
Qian Cheng glanced at Li Ting.
As expected, the officials were still suspicious and wary of Wang Jiu.
Wang Jiu said, "After my college entrance exams. I was supposed to be on a graduation trip, but I came back early and went to that house."
She was only nineteen then!
"Are you crazy! How many times did the Old Lady tell you not to go back! Do you know if his accomplices might be hiding nearby? You were only nineteen! Even if you're a freak, you think you can fly?!"
Qian Cheng was furious, pointing and yelling at Wang Jiu. Wang Jiu paused for a moment, then gave him a deep look. "I observed for three days to make sure it was safe. Besides, by then I had already learned Muay Thai and fighting techniques. The Old Lady supervised it."
Qian Cheng fell silent at once.
Oh, right. He'd forgotten that her brain and her limbs were equally developed. The Old Lady had bragged about it countless times, always by pulling a group of people into a chat, spamming a bunch of award certificates, and then immediately disbanding the group after she was done showing off.
It was as if the Old Lady was getting revenge for the "deep-seated hatred" of them despising Wang Jiu back then, which they found both hilarious and helpless.
"You went, but you didn't tell the Old Lady the result?" Li Ting looked at Wang Jiu, extremely puzzled.
Qian Cheng's scattered thoughts seemed to freeze. He shot a quick glance at Wang Jiu. Li Ting caught this detail.
He was hiding something.
Wang Jiu, however, was nonchalant. She glanced at Qian Cheng. "Stop looking. He respects my Old Lady. He won't say what the Old Lady spent her whole life hiding."
Qian Cheng was stunned, his face filled with alarm. He exclaimed, "Wang Jiu, don't tell me… that's impossible!"
Wang Jiu turned her face away, looking coolly into the distance.
Qian Cheng gritted his teeth. Under pressure from Li Ting, and given Wang Jiu's current extreme behavior, he had no choice but to speak. "The Old Lady had her doubts long ago. She knew you were extremely wary, and that you had been repeatedly beaten by those men in your youth. After your mother disappeared with the entire village, how could you let your guard down with another man and agree to let Zhou Shanren raise you? The reason was…"
"It was because every time my mother finished hitting me, or let those men finish hitting me, she would hold me and tell me to endure it, to endure until my real father came to find us… He was cultured and polite, handsome, and had a beautiful little car. He must have been looking for us all this time."
Wang Jiu spoke casually, "The first time I saw Zhou Shanren, I knew it was him. So I went with him. Later, I went back a few times, took some of his hair, and had a DNA test done. But back then, I didn't have the ability to cover my tracks and go to a lab for confirmation. I only truly confirmed it when I was twenty. There was other people's DNA too; I tested them one by one over time."
After speaking, she gave Qian Cheng a deep smile, as if mocking the secret he had been hiding for so many years.
Qian Cheng had an epiphany: she had known since she was a child. Perhaps she even knew when she led Zhou Shanren to the wolf.
Whether it was for the Old Lady or not, she truly, genuinely wanted to kill him!
At that smile, everyone felt a chill run down their spines.
Father and daughter. They were father and daughter?
Get instant access to all the chapters now.
Comments
Post a Comment