The Creatures That We Are

Chapter 643: Humanity is Ungrateful

He turned around. “Hear me?”

“Yes, Elder Yan Liang!” Xiao Xin was excited. It would at least be safe for him to hide in Dr. Jia’s lab. He wouldn’t have to worry about elite monsters and the Nine Scions.

“Haha.” Succubus stared at Dr. Jia’s face with aggression and burning passion. “A genius is going to taste good, I’m sure.”

Dr. Jia heard the unspoken words. As long as he refused to accept the request, he would have to endure the two’s watch. Yan Liang was trying to annoy him into submission.

“Fine, fine,” Dr. Jia said. “What do you want?”

“Thank you in advance.” Yang Liang took out a piece of paper. “These are what I’m asking for. I’m sure you’ll be able to do it.”

Dr. Jia took the list. “Interesting. It’s theoretically viable. Give me some time.”

“Thank you.”

“Get out of my hair after this.” Dr. Jia huffed.

“Haha, I won’t bother you in the near future.” Yan Liang turned around and left.

“Elder Yan Liang.” Xiao Xin called out and hesitated. “Do I inform Elder Vermilion Bird about what happened here?”

“No.” Yan Liang responded harshly without turning around. “Keep it a secret, or you’ll bear the consequences.”

Xiao Xin tensed. “Yes, sir!”

...

Mouse Room on the underground sixth floor of the Millenium Tower, four o’clock in the morning.

In the meeting room, War Tiger was holding a full-member meeting regarding the declaration of war the Nine Scions made to the Qilin Guild.

They had come to a consensus: it was one man’s words against another’s, and they were to stay neutral when the truth was unclear.

After the meeting, War Tiger asked White Rabbit and Heavenly Dog to stay.

Creak.

Lovely Lamb stood on her toes and held onto the handle with both hands, closing the door to the meeting room with difficulty.

The room quieted. War Tiger took his time to light a cigarette and only opened his mouth after taking a few drags. “What do you think?”

“The declaration of war must mean that Gao Yang is going to make a move,” said White Rabbit.

“Seconded,” said Heavenly Dog.

“Yeah.” War Tiger tapped on the table with his right hand, speaking with the cigarette in his mouth. “Visit Songstress’ flower shop regularly from now on, Heavenly Dog.”

“Okay.”

“Ah,” White Rabbit said. “Twenty minutes ago, Vermilion Bird called to ask about our stance.”

War Tiger grinned. “What did you tell her?”

“I said that it is the Guild’s business, and we’ll stay out of it. If they catch Green Snake alive, though, we’ll be grateful to them for handing her to us.”

“Good answer.” War Tiger nodded. “If we just cut our ties with Green Snake, it would be suspicious. It makes sense for us to want to get our hands on a traitor.”

“What do we do next?” White Rabbit’s eyes blazed. Her blood had been boiling since she read the Nine Scions’ declaration, and she was all pumped up, ready to do something.

“We do nothing.” War Tiger shrugged. “We watch.”

“Alright.” White Rabbit knew it was the right thing to do, but she was still disappointed. Reality had put out the freshly ignited fire.

...

Underground base of the Hundred Rivers Union, Nanji District, five o’clock in the morning.

Inside the special cell, Zhang Wei sat cross-legged on the single bed, hands and feet in Black Gold shackles.

Over the past few days of his imprisonment, his teammates visited him regularly and asked after him.

Zhang Wei’s anger slowly faded, and he ate after waking up, took a dump after eating, and went to sleep after relieving himself. His days were a boring blur.

It was boring until Empty Life, his teammate, handed him a collection of books named The Big Three.

Her Talent was Psychic Blessing, also known as Divine Blessing, serial number 88, Psyche-type. The Illusion Breaking Sprays the three organizations were using were made from her blood and energy.

She was in her thirties. As a vegan with little material needs, her only habit was reading.

She recommended Zhang Wei to read more for the betterment of his body and soul. Considering Zhang Wei’s lack of patience, she recommended a sci-fi novel with both entertainment value and depth.

Zhang Wei had been uninterested at first, but he got so bored that he opened the book, and he couldn’t stop. The novel opened a brand new door for him.

He read the books almost in one sitting, forgetting about sleep and eating. Then he reread the books, going over the story numerous times.

He felt like a man with a much broader perspective.

From space, humanity, and even the Mist World at large, were insignificant, a drop of water in the vast ocean. His trouble meant nothing in the grand scheme of things.

Sitting cross-legged and mediating, Zhang Wei felt as if he had reached enlightenment, with no material urges or bodily desires. Nothing would sway his mind, which had become one with the world.

Ha, what is a few days of imprisonment? What if I stay here for a few more months, a few years, or even die here?

Humans are prideful beings, fools. Even if I have the power, I’ll never work for humanity again.

Humanity will not be thankful to me, Zhang Wei, and God doesn’t care. We’re all gonna end up as two-dimensional characters featured in a novel anyway.

Click. The cell door opened, and Chen Ying walked in.

“You’re free, Zhang Wei!” Chen Ying was happy.

Zhang Wei looked at her calmly and didn’t say a word.

“The Nine Scions...Seven Shadow’s organization, I mean, declared war against the Qilin Guild. It’s now one man’s words against another’s, and the truth is unclear.” Chen Ying smiled. “I asked Madam Li to release you on the premise that I take responsibility for you.”

She took out a key to unlock the shackles. Then she fished out a tracking bracelet from her pocket. “Put this on. We all have one on just in case.”

Zhang Wei remained on the bed with an impassive expression, not moving an inch.

“Zhang Wei, you hear me?”

“Yeah.” Zhang Wei finally broke his silence, his voice a little hoarse from unuse.

“Then what are you waiting for?” Chen Ying asked. “Let’s go.”

“No. I’ll stay here. Nothing about humans matters to me anymore.”

Chen Ying paused before breaking into a smile. “Alright. Then stay here.”

She turned to leave, about to close the door.

“Wait.” Zhang Wei suddenly lifted a hand. Tamping down his ecstasy for finally being exonerated, he said in a serious tone, “I suddenly feel like there’s still hope for humanity.”

Chen Ying was exasperated and amused. “I’ll give you three seconds.”

“I’m coming, I’m coming!” Zhang Wei jumped off the bed with visible joy, rushing out after Chen Ying. “Sister Ying! What declaration did Seven Shadow make? Let me see... Holy shit! It’s epic! So fricking epic!”