Evil As Humans, page 33
Zhong Chengshuo assumed a standard stand-up pose. When he spoke, his voice was cramped. “…Help with what?”
In front of Zhong Chengshuo, Yin Ren was sitting in a hospital bed. He had already untied his shirt and had his back turned to Zhong Chengshuo.
After the Gao Mengyu incident, Yin Ren fell in love with loose black shirts. The way he was undressing was a bit different from the norm—right now, Yin Ren didn’t take off his shirt completely, but only took off one sleeve, leaving the sleeve to hang loosely slanted across his skin.
A large part of his back was exposed, allowing the shimmering sunlight to bask his white skin. Yin Ren had beautiful back lines that fit his muscles perfectly; delicate and smooth like a swimming fish.
To make sure his back was exposed, Yin Ren lifted his long hair and pulled it to the front of his shoulders, faintly revealing the slender back of his neck.
The faint fragrance that made people slightly drunk reappeared, but it was more obvious than last time.
Zhong Chengshuo held his breath as he asked again, “…What do you want me to do?”
“I need you to poke at the location of the mark just now,” Yin Ren said casually. “It’s one thing to see it, but it’s different to feel it.”
“…Why do you need to feel it?”
“To study the flow of evil qi when he goes berserk,” Yin Ren answered sincerely. “Since we were driven out, I can only analyze it using myself.”
Wu Pengpeng had poor proportions. He was tall but short-legged. Yin Ren couldn’t figure out the exact location of the mark because of this. Given that he was currently surrounded by people of Shian, it wasn’t convenient for him to use one of his extra-long arms to poke himself.
Lord Ghost King didn’t want to take his work home, and it wouldn’t be a loss to ask his partner for help.
Zhong Chengshuo pursed his lips and walked over slowly. He stretched out his index finger, hesitated for a few seconds, and gently tapped Yin Ren somewhere in the back of his waist.
“Wu Pengpeng’s mark is here.”
Yin Ren’s skin was cool and smooth to the touch, but Zhong Chengshuo felt as if his fingertip had contracted a fever. A wave of numbness rippled through him.
“Sure enough, it’s really a bit off.” Yin Ren hummed in response and started to calculate the flow of evil qi in his head. “Draw to the lower left a little bit. Move slowly and try to follow the muscles.”
“……Okay.” Zhong Chengshuo moved his fingers imperceptibly.
His fingertip movements were slow, like a drop of warm water sliding on skin.
The room was quiet. Yin Ren had missed a few strands of hair that were still hanging around his back, which shook slightly with his movements.
“Actually, we’ve asked a lot of things already,” Zhong Chengshuo suddenly said.
Yin Ren divided his attention from his calculations and responded, “What?”
“The murderer’s behavior is somewhat inconsistent,” Zhong Chengshuo whispered. “Wu Tao was choked to death by insect corpses. This was due to the hand of a corpse servant, but looking at Wu Tao’s death, his murder seems ritualistic, and his corpse was handled very delicately.”
“Indeed.”
“Assuming that the clues provided by Wu Pengpeng are correct, Wu Tao attacked a woman that night, but the police had checked surveillance records and found nothing.”
“If she was a simple victim, there’s no need to avoid surveillance… The possibility of her being killed by the murderer is also very low. After all, Wu Pengpeng is still alive as a witness.”
“I understand what you want to say.” Yin Ren let out a low laugh. “If she’s a corpse servant, this matter doesn’t make sense.”
Zhong Chengshuo’s eyes flashed. “Yes.”
“Let’s see. If she was really attacked suddenly, it’s understandable that she would fight back with the insect corpses. Her first reaction should be to flee rather than remain in that location and cut up human flesh.”
Yin Ren adjusted his sitting posture, and his tone became more relaxed.
“Either that, or she has long been eyeing Wu Tao and wanted to use his corpse as a background, but then she didn’t need to use insect corpses and leave clues behind to reveal her identity.” They had all entered a new era. Wasn’t a stun gun just as good?
“You sound like you have your own guess,” Zhong Chengshuo stopped his movements.
“Probably the same as yours.”
Yin Ren turned his head. His eyes were glowing faintly red in the sun. He curved them as he smiled slyly.
“…There may be two murderers. At least when Wu Tao was killed, there were at least two people at the scene, excluding Wu Pengpeng.”
“Nn.” Zhong Chengshuo began to slide his fingertips again. “The woman who was attacked was most likely an unregistered corpse servant. When she was attacked by Wu Tao, those insect corpses were her self-defense in a moment of panic.”
“When Wu Tao was struggling, another person intervened and divided his body up by some means. It’s very likely that Wu Pengpeng witnessed all this and was affected by it, showing mental abnormalities.”
“In this way, that inexplicable sense of division made sense. The problem is, what’s the intention of the corpse splitter… It’s not clear to me why the death scene was set up like that. I can’t draw any conclusions from it.”
“It’s only been two days. Don’t worry.” Yin Ren became a bit drowsy from the sun and yawned. “Hey, hey. Stop. Where you were just now, remember to take a picture for me.
“What? Oh, this—”
Before Zhong Chengshuo could finish, the door to the ward was opened. The cold-eyed nurse was staring at the two of them expressionlessly.
Yin Ren glanced at himself, who was exposed, and quickly laughed. “Uh, I can explain…”
Bang, bang.
This time, the two of them were thrown directly into the elevator.
“…Zhong Ge, now we can submit our work report.” Yin Ren casually pulled on his shirt and checked the time on his phone.
Zhong Chengshuo continued to struggle to get up, finally showing a trace of grievance on his face.
……
That night. Room 601, Building 4, Ping’an Manor, Zhong Chenghuo’s home.
“Night run?” Yin Ren was holding a large bucket of rum ice cream with a spoon in his mouth.
“Yes. I run at least three times a week.” Zhong Chengshuo replied while changing into his running shoes. “I’ll be home before eleven. My dad made braised knuckles with rock sugar, so I’ll bring some back when I return.”
“Thank uncle for me.” Yin Ren’s tone was extremely sincere.
“Do you want to go for a run together?”
“No.” Lord Ghost King climbed back to the sofa and continued hugging his ice cream bucket. “Leave me and let me gain weight alone.”
He was really too lazy to move but had to put on a show for it. In fact, even if Yin Ren ate all the people of Haigu, he wouldn’t even gain a single pound.
Zhong Chengshuo didn’t try to persuade him and went out by himself.
It was just that his night run deviated a little bit from the normal route.
More than an hour later, Zhong Chengshuo was standing in front of the warehouse again. He wiped his sweat and entered the basement. He rummaged through a box at the top of the shelf, picked up a glass tube carved with runes, and took out a case of sample protectant.
After finishing his preparations, he took out a small bag from his pocket.
The bag was similar to the glass tube and was also painted in dazzling runes. It wasn’t until Zhong Chengshuo opened the bag that the contents inside were revealed.
It was a handful of dark hair.
Zhong Chengshuo sealed them up, pulled out a pen, and quickly wrote a line on the label.
[Yin Ren (?), July 13, 20xx]
The broken hair lay quietly in the sample protectant, as black as the bottom of the abyss.
Zhong Chengshuo carefully examined it for a moment, then put it in the sample basket on a certain level of the shelf. Under the pale light, countless strange specimens floated and sank in glass tubes.
A trace of minced meat, a tooth, a piece of strange-colored skin… Roughly speaking, the contents weren’t the same.
However, at the moment he was about to leave, Zhong Chengshuo hesitated.
After a few seconds of stagnation, he turned back to the shelf and picked out the hair sample again.
He stared at it quietly.
After a long time, Zhong Chengshuo let out a soft sigh. He removed it from the computer desk and placed it in the most conspicuous position.
With a click, the lights went out.
Everything sank back into darkness.
* * *
The author has something to say:
Nurse 1103, at this moment, surpassed Fu Xingchuan and became the strongest combat power in Haigu (×
Evil As Humans Ch32
Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong
Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/
* * *
Chapter 32: Ravings
Friday, July 16th, the third day of the incident.
“I have seen this mark.”
Lu Xiaohe showed them the analysis report. Today, she was wearing a t-shirt that said [Community Animal Land*].
*It’s a homonym for the idiom “put yourself in (other people’s shoes)” (设身处地), which means empathize with other people’s situation.
“The physical manifestation of the mark is similar to that of an indentation, which is why Xiao Zhong could observe it with the naked eye. As for the cause, it’s most likely the effect of anomalous phenomena… As for the meaning of the mark itself, there’s no record of it in Shian’s database.”
Yin Ren also didn’t recognize the mark. It was rare that his expression was as serious as Zhong Chengshuo’s—as long as he didn’t have to fight with Excel, he was willing to listen to whatever Lu Xiaohe said.
Zhong Chengshuo spoke with resignation. “If only there were a few more observers. Lu Jie, does your drone have a camera function?”
“No,” Lu Xiaohe said. “Even if there is, it’s unlikely Shian will let me use it.”
“Why?”
“Some concepts are quite important. As a veteran employee, it’s necessary for me to emphasize this with you two. Do you know why the rear command must be a science post?”
Yin Ren meekly shook his head.
Thousands of years ago, mortals were more or less superstitious. There were very few people like the “science post”, let alone forming a large organization. To him, every rule of the science post was brand new.
Zhong Chengshuo answered as if he were reacting to something. “In order to stay as sober and objective as possible?”
“Correct.” Lu Xiaohe put away her smile, and her expression became serious.
“As the rear commander, I cannot access conventional visual and auditory information. In my case, they will be converted into infrared imaging, data text, or waveforms. Coupled with the innate resistance of the science post, this will block ‘unknown influences’ to the max.”
Zhong Chengshuo remained silent.
Lu Xiaohe normally acted casually. However, in an actual situation, data, text, charts, and images would flood in over a short period of time. To make an accurate judgment, the rear commander had to have strong computing power, concentration, and excellent reaction speed.
This job really wasn’t something a newcomer could do.
Lu Xiaohe continued, “In case the field science post loses their judgment for various reasons, the rear commander is the last line of defense. Once the rear commander also falls…”
She didn’t continue, but both of them understood. If the last line of defense also collapsed, the field team would be in dire straits.
“Well, that’s the gist.” Lu Xiaohe clapped her hands. “And Xiao Zhong, I heard people say you seem to be quite reckless all the time, eh?”
Zhong Chengshuo: “Uh…”
“This is the second point I want to make. Your indicators are very good, but don’t think you’re absolutely safe from anomalies.”
Zhong Chengshuo sat upright with his knees together, pretending to be listening attentively. With interest, Yin Ren drew his feet together and slid closer with his swivel chair.
Lu Xiaohe: “The principle of this thing isn’t easy to explain, so let me give you an analogy.”
“You can think of everyone as a computer, and your thinking patterns as the system. In this way, ‘non-science posts’ and ‘science posts’ are two types of systems. Do you get it?”
Zhong Chengshuo: “Yes.”
Yin Ren: “Uh… Yes.” He actually couldn’t quite wrap his head around the concept, so he felt a bit guilty.
Lu Xiaohe nodded. “The ‘influence of unknown phenomena’ can be compared to a pile of data—for some systems, it’s equivalent to a computer virus, which can damage or paralyze the system; but for incompatible systems, it’s just junk data and won’t cause much damage.”
“Of course, everyone sees the world differently. The ‘two major systems’ are only roughly divided. In actual situations, everyone is affected to different degrees.”
“But Zhong Ge’s indicators are top-notch,” Yin Ren interrupted.
As long as he was proactive enough, no one could tell whether he really understood or not, Lord Ghost King thought confidently.
Lu Xiaohe rubbed her face and smiled gloomily. “It’s true that Xiao Zhong brand computer will not be affected by the virus at all, but if it were smashed by a mallet, thrown into the bottom of the river, burned into pieces… Do you think this computer can still turn on?”
Zhong Chengshuo, Yin Ren: “……”
“Listen, according to Shian’s records, even in abnormal cases, more than 90% of them have living people intervening behind the scenes.”
“It’s true that Xiao Zhong won’t be possessed by evil spirits, but he could also be attacked by villains with ulterior motives. The number of records of people harming people is tens of millions of times more than that of evil things harming people… I know he’s young and strong and can fight, but what about this?”
Lu Xiaohe stretched out her right hand and made a gun gesture. The “gun muzzle” was pointed directly at the spot right in the middle between Zhong Chengshuo’s brows.
“Bang!” She mouthed the word.
Zhong Chengshuo leaned back cooperatively. “I’m dead.”
Lu Xiaohe: “See?”
Yin Ren: “……” Is this guy still a kid? How enthusiastic.
Yin Ren changed the subject. “Xiaohe Jie, how are your indicators?”
“Well, it’s barely in the upper middle level. So, about average.” Lu Xiaohe scratched her head and resumed her lively tone. “I used to burn incense and pray for luck before my entrance exam, so I don’t have a steel will like Xiao Zhong.”
“Isn’t this job quite troublesome for you?” Yin Ren was a little confused.
Regardless of the intensity of work, Lu Xiaohe had limited mobility, so it was difficult for her to escape if she encountered danger. She wasn’t as durable as Zhong Chengshuo either, so the possibility of her being affected by anomalies was higher.
If she wasn’t careful, she would lose her life.
Lu Xiaohe answered straightforwardly. “Shian has a high salary, and it’s close to my home. I need a lot of money.”
Zhong Chengshuo: “Why?”
“Xiao Zhong, this is private. You shouldn’t just ask so casually.” Lu Xiaohe gave him a sideways glance. “Forget it. We’re in the same boat, so it’s best we get to know each other.”
She moved her gaze back to the complicated operating table.
“It’s not a profound reason. My mother is ill, and I just want her to live better. Because of this, I also… believe in it a little. I want to believe that there’s something after death.”
……
When it was almost time for them to get off work, Zhong Chengshuo’s phone vibrated. Seeing the name “Sun Qinghui” on the notification, Yin Ren’s hair almost exploded.
However, when the call was connected, Officer Sun’s voice was like heavenly music.
Sun Qinghui: “It’s the weekend. Let’s have a meal together after you get off work. My treat.”
Zhong Chengshuo quickly glanced at Yin Ren. “Uncle Sun doesn’t need to. We can pay for ourselves.”
Sun Qinghui picked a Sichuan restaurant close to Shian.
The decoration of the restaurant was a bit old-fashioned. It focused on Jianghu cuisine, which attracted mostly middle-aged and elderly people in the neighborhood. Sun Qinghui wore the same black leather jacket as usual. When he saw the two people enter, a smile appeared on his straight face, and his brows relaxed quite a bit.
Like Liang Shan, Officer Sun also booked a private room in advance.
“Hope you’re hungry. The food here is great. It’s the weekend, so it’s time for rest and relaxation.” Though Sun Qinghui said this, he didn’t order any alcoholic beverages for himself but instead stuck with cans of coconut juice.
Zhong Chengshuo was holding a menu in his hand, but his mind wasn’t on ordering food. “Uncle Sun, have you found anything yet?”
“Hey, so quick? Let’s chat while we eat.” Sun Qinghui checked the fresh pepper chicken. “Don’t be nervous. I’m not here to have a meeting with you two. I just want to hear Shian’s opinion.”
“Shian submits case analysis reports regularly,” Zhong Chengshuo said suspiciously.
Sun Qinghui chuckled. “Reading reports is different from chatting with living people. Don’t worry. You two have authority, so don’t stress about breaking the rules.”
Yin Ren, who was sitting next to Zhong Chengshuo, was busy ordering a few more dishes—he was witnessing a Hongmen Banquet* while discovering new dishes! Lord Ghost King was crying tears of joy and pain.
*It’s a metaphor nowadays used to describe superficially inviting someone to a meal, but the host has some ulterior motives. It comes from the historical event of the Hongmen Banquet where Xiang Yu tried to have his rival Liu Bang killed during a feast. || In this context he’s happy because he gets to try new food but in pain because Sun Qinghui’s invitation to a meal was all a ruse to discuss work (which he hates).
