Chapter 78

Chapter Forty-One: I Devote This Body to Memory (4K Chapter)

　　In the dark sea, once a wound is exposed, countless sharks will swarm around it, tearing it apart fiercely.

　　But “wound” is a very broad concept. When someone is put on trial under everyone’s watchful eyes, everything they’ve done can become a wound.

　　Being pretty means being a flirt, having a polished makeup look means not caring about anything else, not crying means not caring about the death of one’s son. Even proving innocence by dying doesn’t help; it just shifts the sharks’ attention to someone else.

　　In the age of online information, based on an overwhelming amount of data, differences in cultural level, cognitive disparity, environmental factors, public opinion atmosphere, and the cocoon effect all work together to make this inevitable and almost unchangeable.

　　A natural disaster caused by human groups… Yes, although it looks like a man-made disaster no matter how you see it, it’s actually a natural disaster.

　　Because man-made disasters have choices, but natural disasters are fair.

　　On the day he turned 28, when she was hastily buried in a coffin, He Shiyong sat in an internet cafe in the small town, blankly staring at the empty desktop on the computer.

　　He felt as if he had fallen into a dark sea, unable to see his hand in front of his face, with not even a star on the surface of the sea. Suddenly, a whiff of blood came from afar. Although he didn’t want to move, his body’s instinct told him: hurry up and find it, there’s something good to eat.

　　At that moment, He Shiyong understood the true nature of the world and what he should do.

　　First, he needed to wait long enough, until the emo non-mainstream disappeared from the river of history, people started to dig into “history” for reflection, set aside prejudices against minority groups, and even began to miss that era.

　　During this process, he had to carefully hide himself, hiding beside his enemies so he could grasp everything about them, making it convenient to create wounds.

　　The next year, Tianhai Tower was built, and he went to a barber shop in town. He shaved his hair and bangs into a crew cut, looking nothing like a non-mainstream youth anymore, more like a diligent, spirited young man from the village.

　　This waiting lasted nine years.

　　For nine years, he personally installed nearly half of the facilities in Tianhai Tower, touched every load-bearing wall, and finally waited for a good time to come – even female university students wrote papers analyzing their group, reminiscing about the past.

　　Now there was only one thing left to do: send them to the grand trial stage.

　　How to make it grand? He Shiyong thought for a long time and decided to use the building under his feet. He had witnessed and helped build it into a landmark of Tianhai City, and now he would light the grandest fireworks in the city with his own hands.

　　There was a little episode before this. He had found another simple-minded young man whose ability was to make explosives. Not smart enough, but after awakening his abilities, he always wanted to do big things.

　　He Shiyong planned to trick him into blowing up the load-bearing walls to make Tianhai Tower collapse. Unfortunately, not long ago, this guy went crazy and accepted a killing mission, then got killed by someone else.

　　Fortunately, it was a blessing in disguise. The person who killed the young man was also a major concern for the Hai Tian Yi Se Chamber of Commerce, luring away more than half of the tower’s fighting force, including the key Fourth-tier Perception User, allowing him to spend a lot of time coating the floors with his fire marrow.

　　”It’s time to start.”

　　He Shiyong lay in the corner of the 11th floor of Tianhai Tower, took out his mobile phone, and logged into the live streaming platform.

　　Now, it was time to send them to the trial stage.

　　…………

　　”How do you contact the Yun Family?”

　　Bai Ling asked Murong Yi, who already lacked spirit.

　　”Send messages, occasionally someone will come in person to negotiate. Also, we suspect that the Yun Family has someone secretly stationed in Tianhai City with a high ability level, ready to handle emergencies.”

　　Bai Ling understood. That person was Mr. Gray, originally responsible for monitoring the local chamber of commerce, but unexpectedly discovered his spiritual awakening and thought of handling it casually, only to get taken out instantly.

　　Alright, since that’s the case, this guy is useless now. How should he be dealt with?

　　Bai Ling pondered whether to crush him like others or torture him a bit longer.

　　In the past, she would definitely choose the latter, the worse the better, but recently, for some unknown reason, her heart seemed to soften just a tiny bit…

　　”Ya!”

　　Hearing Yuan Xiaoling’s exclamation and feeling the rise and fall of her chest—indeed quite clear because her head was resting on Ningning’s Dabeitù.

　　”What’s wrong?”

　　”He Shu started,” Yuan Xiaoling put down her mobile phone so Bai Ling could watch together, “he’s going to completely destroy the Hai Tian Yi Se Chamber of Commerce.”

　　Bai Ling adjusted to a more comfortable position on Dabeitù and looked at the screen. There was a middle-aged uncle with very short hair.

　　Compared to the photos in the files, he looked much older, but his spirit was good, with a few traces of vitality in his sunken eye sockets.

　　He sat in the corner of a building, choosing his position well. The sunlight provided just enough lighting without interfering with the mobile live stream.

　　There were some scorched black patterns on the ground around him. Bai Ling raised an eyebrow, seemingly understanding something.

　　”He’s preparing to burn down the tower,” the white-haired maiden questioned, “can this destroy the chamber?”

　　”Can,” Yuan Xiaoling said, “there are sharks.”

　　”… Sharks?”

　　Bai Ling didn’t understand at all, thinking she was acting cute, pinching Dabeitù.

　　”Don’t mess around, be serious, it’s already started.”

　　At this point, the middle-aged man in the live stream began to speak:

　　”My name is He Shiyong, and I take responsibility for what happens next at Tianhai Tower.”

　　There were very few people in the live stream room, besides bots, probably only Yuan Xiaoling, and no one who stumbled in unaware of the situation. But in the upper right corner of the screen, it showed “automatically uploading recording.”

　　”I come from a small mountain village in the eastern district of Tianhai City. Twenty years ago, under the introduction of the Village Chief, we entered the Yunhai Factory along with many others.”

　　”Under the joint deception of the Village Chief, we signed contracts with no guarantees, no benefits, and very low wages while working extremely hard.”

　　Uncle He first talked about the treatment in the factory, exaggerating it as much as possible.

　　”A bit deliberate,” Bai Ling whispered.

　　”No problem,” Yuan Xiaoling quickly replied, “the sharks eat this kind of stuff.”

　　So what exactly are these sharks? Bai Ling wanted to ask, but seeing Ningning still intensely watching the live stream,

　　Never mind, it doesn’t matter, she’ll figure it out herself.

　　Uncle He finished talking about the first ten years in the factory and finally got to the main point.

　　”Ten years ago, the factory bought a batch of inferior equipment to save costs. One day, one of my colleagues was operating a machine when it malfunctioned due to its poor quality, pulling him in and causing high-level amputation. Afterwards, they not only refused compensation but also slandered us, claiming that our improper operation caused the machine to break.”

　　Now there was no need to embellish. The most genuine memory was the most painful thing.

　　”The lawyer we hired was bribed by the boss, passersby going home were beaten by the boss’s people, and afterwards, reporters were called in to say we intentionally provoked a fight, using all sorts of means to smear us.”

　　”The disabled brother couldn’t bear it and passed away in the hospital. Those who were beaten developed chronic conditions, and several more passed away over the years.”

　　”There was also… a girl who was defamed by the newspaper, accused of various malicious things. In the end, she couldn’t bear the humiliation and chose… to prove her innocence through death.”

　　Uncle He’s voice choked up towards the end.

　　He paused to calm himself down and continued: “Her death did not bring justice. The newspaper never apologized or retracted the report. As for the brothers who died from injuries, they were portrayed as troublemakers who deserved their fate in subsequent reports.”

　　”I waited nine years for justice. This is my grudge against the subordinate families of the Hai Tian Yi Se Chamber of Commerce. Before taking action, I entrusted my fellow workers to broadcast a message, asking innocent people in the building to leave.”

　　By revealing the truth, exposing the wounds of the Hai Tian Yi Se Chamber of Commerce, and setting up the banner of “justice” for the sharks.

　　Next, when turning the tower into fireworks, He Shiyong knew there was only one last thing he needed to do.

　　Become part of the fireworks.

　　Burning his own spiritual seed can enhance skill damage. But most importantly, he must die here today because only dead men don’t make mistakes.

　　Through the words in this live stream, his image has been crafted: a honest worker from the mountains, harmed by a ruthless boss, losing his brothers and girlfriend, willing to sacrifice himself to seek justice for them, and unwilling to harm innocent people.

　　What a righteous, kind, and sincere “good person”!

　　Therefore, as long as he dies here, his image will be established. The traces left on the internet will only be glimpses from ten years ago, when he was just a passionate and open-minded young man.

　　No wounds, no weaknesses.

　　The sharks will charge forward under the carefully designed banner of justice without hesitation, with no fear of a reversal like “you’ve been deceived, He Shiyong isn’t a good person either.”

　　Now, only a spark is needed.

　　He Shiyong glanced at the live stream on his mobile phone. So far, there was only one viewer named “Ningning.” But it didn’t matter, the recording had already been uploaded, and after the brief brilliance of the fireworks, everything would be fine.

　　At this time, there were already very few people in Tianhai Tower.

　　Today was originally a day off, with no business operations. Employees living in the store heard the broadcast and left immediately. The remaining people saw so many people leaving and followed suit after thinking it over.

　　These people walked on the streets, unaware of what was about to happen in the tower, nor knowing about the live stream. They rested in restaurants and cafes across the street, ready to return at any time.

　　”Today sure is strange, first no business, then the fire system broke down, making us all leave.”

　　”I thought it was a drill.”

　　”By the way, why do we have to come to work when we’re not operating?”

　　”Who knows? Anyway, if the boss tells you to go back later, would you dare to leave?”

　　In the corner of the 11th floor of Tianhai Tower, He Shiyong put down his mobile phone, tremblingly pulling out a crumpled piece of paper from his pocket and gently unfolding it to caress.

　　It was a photo booth picture, with a young man wearing a red wig and a girl wearing a yellow wig leaning together, the background decorated with a heart-shaped special effect.

　　The red-wigged youth smiled brightly, while the yellow-wigged girl shyly pressed her lips.

　　His eyes blurred, and in a daze, he seemed to hear the voices of old friends:

　　”Brother Huo, what will we do when we go back to the village?”

　　”I want to open an internet cafe so that people won’t have to travel to town to play games. Look, when we go back, they’ll have to return too. It’s a good business opportunity.”

　　”Wow, you’ve got some business acumen. But what about your wedding banquet? Will you hold it in the internet cafe?”

　　”Well, it’s not impossible.”

　　”Decorating the internet cafe will take more than a day or two. In my opinion, let’s go to the internet cafe soon and hold your wedding in the game first. Just in time for the event giving out loudspeakers. Sister-in-law, what do you think?”

　　”Hmm… hmm.”

　　He closed his eyes, his voice becoming distant yet clear.

　　Finally, he opened his mouth:

　　”I shall dedicate this body to memory.”

　　Boom——!

　　Tianhai Tower burst into flames at noon when the sun was at its strongest. The blazing sky met the burning earth, resembling a towering pillar of fire reaching to the heavens.

　　White-collar workers drinking coffee across the street “puh—” sprayed their coffee all over, not even bothering to grab their briefcases, standing up and running.

　　”My goodness! A real safety accident!”

　　”Fire! Fire! Fire!”

　　Today, there were only a few bosses in the tower, Wang Xingsheng wasn’t among them. Boss Zhou, protected by a group of psychic bodyguards, rushed to the rooftop helipad while calling Wang Xingsheng.

　　”Big news, President, it’s on fire, the tower is burning!”

　　”How is that possible? Mr. Bai and his girlfriend are at Xiangshan Tea House.”

　　”I don’t know, the fire is getting bigger!” Boss Zhou was sweating profusely, “Is someone leaking information, wanting to rescue Zhao by besieging Wei?”

　　Wang Xingsheng thought for a moment, “I don’t know, Murong hasn’t given any updates. You go first, talk after leaving the tower.”

　　Burning down the tower is not a big deal, at most destroying some industries and causing slightly painful economic losses.

　　But they were currently fighting for their lives. Compared to life, this is nothing.

　　On the mountaintop of Xiangshan Tea House, after watching the live stream, Bai Ling marveled.

　　”First mix your own blood and spiritual power to create fire marrow, evenly coat it on the field to draw an array that enhances range and power, then use oneself as the ignition source, greatly increasing skill output and duration. This attack has the power of a peak Fourth-tier… His own strength is probably early Fourth-tier.”

　　She figured it out. The so-called sharks mean killing with borrowed knives. Now anyone who attacks the Hai Tian Yi Se Chamber of Commerce will be seen as “justified.” Naturally, there will be those who want to divide the spoils, holding high the banner of “enforcing justice” to destroy them.

　　Without going into details, there are powerful families outside, and Nameless Bar inside.

　　At this moment, Bai Ling looked up and saw Yuan Xiaoling pouting, her eyes moist as she stared at her.

　　”What’s wrong?”

　　”Nothing, it’s just that after hearing this story, you don’t feel moved at all,” Yuan Xiaoling said with a stiff face, “and also about that young lady’s experience…”

　　Bai Ling thought for a moment and reached out to hug her… Dabeitù.

　　”Don’t worry, nothing will happen,” the white-haired maiden said, “if someone tries to defame you, I’ll directly alter people’s perceptions. No matter how dirty, it won’t work.”

　　Although this comfort wasn’t normal, it worked well.

　　Yuan Xiaoling looked at the mobile phone screen; the live stream had ended, and the recording was already uploaded.

　　Putting away the phone, she hugged Bai Ling in return. Ningning softly murmured,

　　”What will happen next?”

　　Bai Ling glanced at Murong Yi, who had lost his spirit, and smirked,

　　”Tianhai City is about to catch fire.”

　　—Second Volume: Fire—

　　PS: The following part is free.

　　The second volume is over. First, thank everyone for their support after going on sale. Then, sigh, about the third paragraph of this chapter, many people know, right? After finishing the idea of ‘the dark sea,’ I saw this news yesterday, really feeling… sigh.

　　The next volume will be Bai Ling and Ningning returning to the Yuan family, relatively light-hearted and sweet, with the indispensable spice, hoping to help everyone relax a bit.

　　Vote for the monthly ticket, mwah. Also, thanks to everyone for the generous tips, I’ll try my best to add more updates, each update will be no less than four thousand words.