The Creatures that We Are

Chen Ying tensed and got on high alert. “Be careful from now on.”

It didn’t take long for the car to reach the artificial lake in the Western Suburban Park. The three of them got out.

At the heart of the lake was a small island, on top of which sat a small wooden cabin straight out of a fairytale.

On the last night of the Crimson Tide, the cabin had been razed down, but the Heavenly Way restored it the second day like nothing had happened.

By the lake was a large patch of reeds. None from the Nine Scions could be seen.

“They’re right in there.” Little Tian pointed at the reeds.

Goldthread followed Chen Ying and Little Tian with the Black Gold briefcase containing the Support Rune Circuit.

“Come on out,” Chen Ying called out to the reeds.

There was no response, and snow continued to pour.

After a while, the reeds parted to the sides. There was a squelch on the snowy ground. Then two lines of footsteps appeared, one bigger than the other.

Gao Yang and Can made their appearance in the heavy snow.

Gao Yang stood at the front wearing a black double-breasted trench coat, black pants, and black boots, cutting a tall and handsome figure with a cold expression.

Chen Ying was momentarily taken aback. It hadn’t been long since they last met, yet Gao Yang had changed a lot. The shrewd young man was now a real man.

Standing behind Gao Yang, Can had a hand on Gao Yang’s shoulder. She was dressed in a fashionable red coat, her expression and body language stiff. It was clear that despite the calm front she tried her best to put on, she was incredibly nervous.

Chen Ying had met Can a few times. She always dressed like the girl next door. It was her first time seeing the girl wearing a coat and heels. Quite a difference it made to her overall image. Unfortunately, her control of her expression left something to be desired.

“You were late for half an hour,” said Gao Yang.

Chen Ying explained, “It was a bit of a travel and a hassle to retrieve the ware. It took time.”

“Did you bring the Rune Circuit?”

Chen Ying quietly looked at Little Tian.

The boy closed his eyes for a few seconds before opening them. “Gao Yang’s a fake.”

Gao Yang smiled after a pause. “I almost forgot that I couldn’t fool Little Tian with a double.”

Rustle. Another Gao Yang walked out of the reeds.

The double beside Can slowly disappeared. The real one came up to Can. “Now?”

Little Tian closed his eyes again and took a few seconds before looking up at Chen Ying. “All good.”

Chen Ying smiled politely. “I hope you don’t mind the precaution, Captain Gao. After all, it is a big deal for us to lend you the Rune Circuit. Nothing should go wrong.”

“I understand,” said Gao Yang.

Chen Ying glanced at Goldthread. He walked up to Gao Yang with the briefcase. “Here’s the Support Rune Circuit.”

Gao Yang was just about to take it when Goldthread quickly pulled back. “Remember, you only have three days, and Can will have to be our surety in the meantime.”

“Of course.” Gao Yang waved a hand, and Can immediately went up to Chen Ying.

Chen Ying took out a pair of Black Gold cuffs that could seal Talents from her coat pocket, putting them on Can. Then she took out a gun to point it at the back of Can’s head. “I’m sorry. As long as you don’t pull any trick, I won’t hurt you.”

“Yeah, it’s okay.” Can smiled. She wasn’t afraid.

Chen Ying nodded at Goldthread.

He threw the briefcase to Gao Yang. Gao Yang quickly opened it to find the Support Rune Circuit inside. He picked it up and checked it. It was the real deal.

“Pleasure working with you.” Gao Yang smiled politely. “Three days later, we’ll meet at the same place. I’ll return the Rune Circuit to you, and you return Can to me.”

“That’s a promise.” Chen Ying’s grip remained tight around the gun. She couldn’t afford a moment of distraction. While the possibility was slim, Gao Yang could make a sudden move to grab Can so that the Union would have neither the Rune Circuit nor the surety.

Gao Yang followed the deal and took a few steps back with the Rune Circuit, maintaining a safe distance. “You drive…”

His pupils contracted. He didn’t get to finish the sentence.

A strange insidious energy suddenly shot from the Rune Circuit to his body like an electric current, and the Rune Circuit fell from his hand, falling to the ground.

Gao Yang was just about to grab it when an out-of-body sensation hit him.

It was a spiritual curse, from the Rune Circuit!

“Agh…” Gao Yang dropped to his knees on the snow-covered ground, pressing his hands to his chest. Then his body got ignited. It wasn’t the usual flames, but dark blue ones that seemed to be burning his soul.

“Ughhhhh!!”

The great pain made Gao Yang roll around on the ground, attempting to put out the flames, but it was all in vain. The fire burned brighter, seemingly fueled by his soul, and the reeds, the snow, and the others’ faces were all cast in a strange blue glow.

“Captain…”

Can rushed over to him while shouting. Bang! Chen Ying pulled the trigger. The bullet seemed to pierce through Can’s head, splattering a fog of blood. The girl fell to the ground with her eyes wide with unfulfilled want.

Goldthread was stunned. He didn’t understand what was happening. How did things turn out this way?

He turned to Chen Ying and growled, “Chen Ying! What are you doing?”

She didn’t say anything but quietly stared at Gao Yang with an impassive expression as he rolled around on the ground.

He continued to burn. The eerie blue light danced on Chen Ying’s face as her cold gaze gained a touch of otherworldliness. Then about ten seconds later, the fire died down. Gao Yang’s body remained completely intact, as if he had simply fallen asleep.

But his body was cold and stiff; no vitality or soul could be sensed from him.

Chen Ying only let out a long sigh after that.

“Chen Ying! You tampered with the Rune Circuit!” Goldthread finally came to a realization. He stared at Chen Ying in disbelief. “It’s the soul curse! You…are Dust!”

Chen Ying remained silent, scoffing at Goldthread.

Little Tian had come to the same conclusion. He looked at the woman who had taken care of him as an older sister all this time, tears brimming in his eyes. It never occurred to him that he should flee. “No, it can’t be. Sister’s not a bad person…”

“Run, Little Tian!” Goldthread shouted as he rushed toward Chen Ying.

“Ugh!” But then a sharp pain hit his chest; it felt like an invisible hand had seized his heart.

“Aghhhh!!”

Goldthread cried out in pain and collapsed to his knees. Then just like Gao Yang, his body was enveloped by cold blue flames.

Unlike the fire that had slowly claimed Gao Yang, though, this fire quickly surged and spread until he was consumed by it and turned into a bonfire. Goldthread tipped his head up and opened his arms wide, screaming in pain at the sky. His voice rang in the silent and cold snowy night.

In three seconds, the fire vanished into blue embers, falling with the snow to paint a tragic yet strangely beautiful picture.

Goldthread toppled to the ground face-first, falling into white snow.

Chen Ying gave Goldthread a good look like she was checking something. Then she turned around to look at Little Tian.

Face covered in tears, Little Tian finally overcame his heartbreak and fear to turn on his heels, teeth clenched.

Chen Ying didn’t give chase. She quietly looked at the little boy. A few seconds later, Little Tian stumbled and fell like he had been shot.

Chen Ying remained unmoving.

She stared at the snow before her, her face and eyes illuminated by the increasingly bright and shimmering blue fire. Then the fire slowly died down until it was gone.

Ten seconds crawled by.

The world seemed to settle into a stillness. The white and blue snow alone flew in the air.

Another life burned to the death in the snow.

Another poor soul passed in the long night.

It was done…

Done?

…

No, the plan was just put in motion.

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