Chapter 00052: The Old, Weak, Sick, and Disabled
# The Old, Weak, Sick, and Disabled
Chapter 52
Novel: Above Destiny
Chapter 52: The Old, Weak, Sick, and Disabled
"......"
On the nearby sofa, an old man with short hair, wearing a tank top and loose shorts, could not help but shake his head at what he heard.
He was about to advise the young girl not to scare their guest when his brow furrowed in concern.
He sniffed the air, taking in the scent.
"Remember to be polite when the guest arrives, Xiaotong," Old Zhang said earnestly.
"Don't use your abilities to look at them right away."
"Ah, don't worry! I’m the most disciplined person!" Tong Hua patted her chest confidently, her sincerity evident... but in reality, those who knew her would never take her word for it.
Old Zhang sighed, slightly shook his head, and picked up the teapot.
As the saying goes, good advice is wasted on a wicked child.
The girl was still young; she had to suffer some losses to grow wise.
He focused on the two smooth iron walnuts in his hand and said nothing further.
Until the elevator began to rise slowly.
A faint voice of Xiao An could be heard.
"They're coming!"
Tong Hua's eyes lit up, and she activated her special skill, the Eye of Ether, rubbing her small hands in anticipation: "Let me take a look—"
And then, in that single moment, she froze in place.
No sound could escape her lips.
It was as if, in an instant, she had plunged into hell.
All light faded before the Eye of Ether.
The physical world lost its color, leaving only a mottled view.
Even the sunlight outside seemed to have lost its warmth.
Like falling into an icy abyss!
A wave of terror rushed through her, the sound of countless screams surrounding her.
Everything became unclear; the world blurred.
The only thing discernible was the thick, red liquid that silently slithered from the opening elevator doors, gradually spreading, rising, and gushing forth, completely engulfing her.
“W-Wait—”
Tong Hua’s expression stiffened.
Her face grew pale.
Was something wrong?
How did it seem like…
She accidentally glimpsed something she shouldn’t have.
In the flowing blood, there appeared a vague shape slowly emerging from the darkness, surveying the surroundings.
That indescribable, ever-changing shadow began crawling inch by inch closer to her.
Bit by bit.
Her smile could no longer be maintained, twisting in growing terror.
The once familiar performance she knew well had vanished in the face of sudden fear, leaving her with only one thought:
Please, can we reconcile?
Countless twisted faces emerged from the blood, dissolving into each other, overlapping and merging, slowly extending one wriggling tentacle after another, gently brushing past her face as if sensing something.
Then, one hollow eye after another emerged from the blood, gazing down at her.
Countless distorted faces grinned and drew nearer, their wails turning into bitter curses directed at her.
To forever etch into her memory and soul!
"▇▇——"
“Ah! W-Wen Jie, save me!!!”
Tong Hua retreated in fear, unable to hold back her scream: "S-Someone, help!!!"
“Holy crap…”
Ji Jue stumbled back in shock, his eyes wide.
The moment he stepped out of the elevator, he was met with a ghastly pale face staring intently at him, giving him quite the fright.
He thought a ghost had come for him.
But after gathering his courage to greet her, wanting to shake hands... why did she take off running like she was even more scared?
Shouldn't he be the one to scream?!
Wait, wasn’t he just starting a job here, about to be bullied in the office?
But seeing Xiao An’s seemingly indifferent expression, he couldn't figure out what exactly was happening.
Hesitantly, he peeked toward the old man calmly playing with his walnuts on the sofa.
"Excuse me, is this the North District Safety Bureau office…"
"Yes, that’s right."
Old Zhang nodded, smiling as he waved cheerfully.
"You must be Xiao Ji, right? Oh, it’s been so long since we’ve had a guest! Welcome, welcome! Come, sit down! Do you want some sunflower seeds? Or maybe some fruit?"
As he spoke, a variety of snacks like fruit platters, sunflower seeds, peanuts, soft candies, and chocolate suddenly appeared on the coffee table, and before Ji Jue realized what was happening, a cup of tea was placed before him.
Meanwhile, the old man, who had swiftly brewed a pot of tea, gestured for him to enjoy.
No wait, what the heck? He wasn’t here for a new year's visit!
And what about that woman who just screamed and bolted away…
“Her…”
“It’s nothing, don’t take it to heart. She watched a scary movie all night and scared herself,” Old Zhang said, lifting his teacup and sipping without a care.
After all, it was Tong Hua’s own doing; he was used to it by now.
This wasn’t the first time.
Most chosen ones walking the Ether path had this problem, being unnaturally curious and nosy, wanting to see everything, and often ended up seeing things that were better left unseen.
Now, she only saw a Xiao Ji; what was the big deal? It wasn’t like she dared to look at much worse things like the threads of fate themselves! That would truly be an issue.
A lesson learned was enough.
Yet, as he held his teacup, a chill ran down his spine, his hair standing on end.
The combined blessings of the Eye of Truth and Super Sensation with the White Deer's Blessing of Knowledge created a higher level blessing called Pure Observation.
Under normal circumstances, it could detect the true nature of all intruders within a hundred meters.
The signals from his heightened senses flooded his consciousness, revealing the threats and terrors lurking in front of him.
It had nothing to do with Ji Jue...
Rather, it was something else, something more secretive and terrifying.
This handsome youth appeared ordinary, but when Old Zhang focused, he could feel… something entwined around him.
—A massive entity formed from pure pain and despair!
Under Tong Hua’s blatant scrutiny through the Eye of Ether, they seemed awakened from a deep slumber, completely stirred, and filled with rage!
In the illusion of perception, sticky crimson colors began to rise from Ji Jue, faintly revealing hollow, twisted faces, both hungry and ferocious.
When they converged, they outlined a bizarre, ever-changing silhouette.
Like a dragon’s head, looking down coldly!
Choosing to feast upon people.
This was simply… extraordinary.
Under the gaze of those empty eyes, Old Zhang's movements paused for a moment.
Then he lifted his hand to drink, downing the tea as though nothing was wrong, still smiling as he entertained the youth in front of him.
Until the crimson and blood-like essence completely dissipated, leading to an indescribable sense of despair shrinking back into Ji Jue’s body, everything returned to normal.
As if nothing had occurred.
Old Zhang silently let out a sigh of relief.
Such a massive sign of corruption might be a bit too exaggerated?
He had seen cursed souls before, but none reached even a fraction of Ji Jue's extent.
Even considering all the lingering spiritual pollution from the previously executed techniques, this was ridiculous.
Yet, why was it that all the resentments and curses left behind by countless dying souls seemed to be protecting him?
He shook his head, deciding not to ponder further.
“Come, come, enjoy some snacks!” he lifted the fruit platter and warmly invited, “Today, little Tong specially bought watermelon that just came out of the fridge; eat it while it’s cold."
Meanwhile, Ji Jue was fully in shock.
Looking around and observing the scene in the North District, he couldn’t help but gasp—an old man, a sick person, and a disabled person?
He suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of belonging!
If he joined them, wouldn’t they form a little squad of the old, weak, sick, and disabled?
That would be perfect!
In the movies, such a group was always up to great deeds; at least saving the world wouldn’t be a problem!
It was said that nowadays teams in the Empire must include a big person, a homosexual, and a transgender person to be considered whole.
He couldn’t help but wonder what kind of mighty team it would take to achieve such an impressive lineup!
Of course, saying he was weak was undeniable, but whether the others were as weak, sick, or disabled was another matter.
Not to mention that he couldn’t see through An An at all.
Even this wiry old man seemed to have enough strength to crumble a couple of his heads easily.
Just looking at the material, Ji Jue, with his superficial knowledge of alchemy, could sense its weight.
He nodded, realizing that this strength could crush his head as easily as cracking an egg, right?
“Oh, so you finally made it here?”
From the office area, Wen Wen finally emerged, her arms filled with items.
In her left hand were two small boxes, while her right hand clutched Tong Hua as if she were carrying a little chick.
“Sorry, my little sister likes to poke around and joke with you, don’t take it to heart.”
Saying this, she tossed Tong Hua forward and playfully patted her head.
"Apologize!"
“S-Sorry,” Tong Hua mumbled, lowering her head and trembling, clinging to Wen Wen’s arm. “Big sister, let me off, I’m still young…”
What the heck?
Ji Jue blinked, but seeing them being so close and cheerful made him feel like he had become a part of some strange play, which was unsettling!
“It’s nothing, just treat it like she’s having a fit.”
Wen Wen coldly brushed it aside as she sat down, then handed over the two boxes in her hands. “Here, your trophies. I’ve been waiting for you to pick them up since last time.”
“Ah?”
Ji Jue felt unable to close his mouth since he entered.
Suddenly given equipment?
What did he do to deserve that?
But why did these beautifully crafted little boxes seem like they housed someone's eternal home?
When he opened them, he realized… they really were!
Two urns!
One was filled with some iron pieces, while the other contained only a few shattered crystals… but there was no mistaking their essence!
“What is this?!”
“Hmm? Those are the remains of the two chosen ones you killed last time,” Wen Wen replied. “I checked; one is named Ming Yan, and the other Bai Yi. They both had bounties on their heads and were no good people. They contributed nothing while alive, so now we might as well put their remains to good use.”
The remains of chosen ones were, in a way, invaluable materials.
Ming Yan’s remains could substitute for certain materials in the desolate paths, significantly enhancing their properties and durability.
Bai Yi’s fragments were clearly made of pure shadow essence, possibly remnants of that shadow beast...
Ji Jue had been troubled about the lack of enhancement materials for his cow and horse.
In any case, with the brutality of dragon blood, he had nothing to fear about digestion.
But for killing them and then using their ashes to feed his livestock, wasn’t that a bit too much?
It was tragic; some people may die but still become materials, while others, while still alive... were already targeted.
Just thinking about his own identity made Ji Jue feel a deep sadness.
What if one day Wen Jie called him into the office after work and said, “You wouldn’t want your identity as a chosen one exposed, would you?”
He wouldn't have any option aside from dropping pearls while submitting to the unwritten rules!
“What’s on your mind?”
Wen Wen furrowed her brow, glancing at him in a daze.
She reminded him, “You’re drooling.”
“N-No, nothing,” Ji Jue shook his head while sighing. “Just reflecting on how scary the adult world is, mm, scary indeed. Boys must learn to protect themselves outside.”
“Indeed, part of the reason for calling you here today is that as well…”
“Hmm?!”
Ji Jue immediately became alert.
Oh boy, Big sister finally dropped the facade of being a saint?
If that’s the case, should he comply a little, or should he resist and make a stand, appearing more interesting?
As Ji Jue's thoughts spiraled out of control, he saw Wen Wen tap Old Zhang on the shoulder and wave, “Come on, Old Zhang, the next step is yours. Don’t scare him too much.”
“Don’t worry, leave it to me.”
Old Zhang grinned, revealing warmth. “Don’t be afraid. I have plenty of experience.”
“Hmm?!”
Ji Jue’s eyes widened in shock, instinctively shaking his head and waving his hands in denial, firmly refusing, “No way, no way, that’s not possible! This is too much!”
“What the hell are you thinking?!”
Wen Wen snapped, smacking his head, nearly knocking it off. “Today is for Old Zhang to train you, to teach you some self-defense techniques and the basics of spirit enhancement! Is your head stuck in a ditch or what?!”
“Ah? Oh, oh, oh, okay~”
Ji Jue covered his head, letting out a relieved sigh. “Why didn’t you say so? I thought…”
“Thought what?”
Wen Wen’s smile turned gentle.
She raised her hand, her long fingers curling into a fist.
The sound of cracking knuckles was crisp as crystal shards, with a faint glow emanating from her fist, sharpening into spikes.
“Well then, should I take over personally?”
She grabbed Ji Jue by the collar, smiling brightly, her voice coming through clenched teeth, “Don’t worry, it will definitely leave a profound impression; I promise.”
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