Chapter 92: Monster

“This assistant of mine is a bit playful. Please forgive him, Mr Fu,” Zhuang Qing dragged Fu Li to the couch and sat down, conveniently looking around at the people in the room. They were all important figures – if something were to happen to either one of them, many people would lose their jobs.

Fu Si smiled, though it went unappreciated due to the poor lighting in the room.

Everyone present understood very well in their hearts that it was abnormal for there to be a power failure at this moment. But the more critical the situation, the more they had to keep calm. Panic and fear would only allow the person behind the scenes to exploit the situation. For better or worse, everyone had been in the business world for a long time and possessed self-preservation instincts.

The situation outside was unknown, and there were even professional security guards surrounding them. Staying in this room was definitely safer than running out rashly. Several young heirs lost their cool and made a few complaints. But after seeing that their elders didn’t respond, they too gave in and shrank into a corner, holding up their phones as they looked at the pitch-black corridor outside.

“Phone…” A rich second generation looked at the notification that his message had failed to be sent out. His heart chilled. “There doesn’t seem to be a phone signal.”

The room quietened even further. An elder who had experienced tumultuous times walked over. “Everyone, don’t panic. There are innumerable security guards in the entire hotel, and all entryways are guarded. There will soon be people coming to resolve this problem.”

Fu Li’s gaze went around the room once. No suspicious creatures had appeared inside. He got up to switch off the air vents and realized that the corridor outside was extremely quiet, as if this lone room had been abandoned. The few security guards guarding the entrance seemed to have also sensed that something was off and were continuously adjusting their wireless intercoms that emitted no sound apart from ear-piercing static.

Thinking about the many important figures still sitting in the room, the security guards grew slightly anxious. One of them got ready to search for other people. Switching on the flashlight at his waist, he discovered that dense fog had risen along the corridor.

The fog was colorless and odorless, but its appearance at such a time and location rendered it somewhat frightening.

Despite having received special training, these security guards were still shocked by this sight. Swallowing, they took a small step into the room.

“Come in.”

The four security guards looked back simultaneously at the young man who had spoken. This gentleman was dressed exquisitely, was he the child of some rich and influential person?

“There’s fog outside, do you not want to come in?” Fu Li walked to the door and stretched his head out, glancing outside. After dragging the four security guards into the room, he closed the door.

The rest of the people in the room didn’t comment on Fu Li’s actions, because they had also seen the thick fog through the windows.

When there were many people, a sealed space would give one a stronger sense of security.

The fog grew increasingly thick, as if all the fog had converged outside, wanting to wrap around the room and devour it. For ease of sight and good lighting, this room had large floor-to-ceiling windows. But when the pretty nightscape outside the rooms all turned into fog, it became especially terrifying.

Two young workers were so scared that they even crouched at a corner and burst into sobs, their cries turning the already-solemn atmosphere even more solemn. Everyone had their gazes fixed on the windows, as if something scary would appear there at any time.

Swish!

A very loud sound rang out from the side of the window, startling everyone. The brows of even the calmest individuals trembled for a moment.

Fu Li was pulling the curtains across the windows. He beamed at everyone. “The fog is a little heavy tonight, there’s nothing nice to see outside.”

Everyone nodded repeatedly. Contrary to expectations, closing the curtains made them feel extra secure. This was similar to how people who feared ghosts would have a death grip on their blankets. Even if they knew that the blanket wouldn’t protect them, this sort of emotional reassurance would give them a little more courage.

Time creeped by. There was still no movement or sound outside. Just as everyone was about to go mad from the silence, footsteps sounded along the corridor outside. On closer listen, it seemed to be two people walking over, shoulder-to-shoulder. Their relaxed, unhurried footsteps were hair-raising.

The sound of footsteps grew closer and closer, and then stopped outside the room.

Everyone sucked in their breaths.

“Your Majesty, fog has risen,” Two voices sounded outside, but the words they spoke were identical. There was no difference even in their tones. “This servant has done the night patrols for Your Majesty. Your Majesty may be at ease.”

“W-What’s that outside?” A rich second generation in the midst of an emotional breakdown shivered. “Did an acting lunatic mix in with us?”

Your Majesty? This servant? Come on, feudalism died out a long time ago!

Fu Li shot a glance at Zhuang Qing, who was sitting motionlessly and silently on the couch. He walked to the door and asked, “Who is this?”

“This servant is Ye Zhong.”

“This servant is You Guang.”

Everyone looked at Fu Li with expectant and encouraging eyes. Anyone who dared to take the initiative at this moment was a brave warrior. No wonder Chairman Zhuang specially brought him to walk the red carpet; he was a talent who remained steady and fearless in the face of danger, and would step forward bravely at a critical juncture. When this was over, they would definitely have to show their gratitude to Chang Long.

Fu Li had heard of Ye Zhong and You Guang’s story. It was said that the two of them were brothers, but because they were joined at the arm, they often ate and slept together. In addition, because of their infamy, evil ghosts dared not approach them, which was why they were conferred the title of Night Wandering Ghosts.

But the Night Wandering Ghosts frequently did night patrols for monarchs, why would they be here? Was it because they had mistaken Zhuang Qing as a monarch because of his dragon qi?

“His Majesty and the chancellors have been surrounded by evil spirits. May I bother these two daren to expel the evil spirits, and ensure the safety of His Majesty and all the darens.”

“Yes!”

Everyone looked at Fu Li, and then glanced at Zhuang Qing. Chairman Zhuang’s selection criteira for his assistant was rather unexpected. Not only was Fu Li’s courage and insight outstanding, he was also… quite good at acting.

Someone was going to pluck up their courage and tease Fu Li, but unexpectedly, shrieks and sobs sounded outside, along with a girl’s voice shouting ‘falsely accused’.

“Zhao Wu, you killed me and my child, you will not have a good death.”

This half-crying, half-accusatory voice drifted into the room, and a certain rich second generation’s complexion turned deathly-pale, his entire body trembling nonstop. With one look at him, Fu Li knew where the surging resentment outside came from. This individual had provoked a human girl with a special fate and was unwilling to take responsibility, causing the human girl to die tragically. Now, she had turned into an evil spirit and was demanding repayment.

The sound of the woman cursing as well as the infant’s wails stabbed into everyone’s hearts like daggers, releasing a painful chill.

Fu Li leaned against a table silently, as if he hadn’t heard the sounds outside. The other people each had strange expressions. No one spoke. Only the rich second generation called Zhao Wu could no longer contain his fear and rushed up to Fu Li. “Help me. As long as you’re willing to help me, you can ask for any reward.”

Fu Li looked at the blazer that Zhao Wu’s grip had wrinkled. He furrowed his brows.

Zhuang Qing stood up and walked over to Fu Li, pushing Zhao Wu away.

“Mr Zhao, there is a phrase called ‘all debts have to be repaid’. Your life is not more noble than the woman and infant outside,” Fu Li said with a cold face. “You toyed with someone else wantonly and even shoulder several infant spirits. I cannot help you.”

“No no no no, I was wrong, I know I’m wrong. I will definitely change in the future. When we leave, I’ll invite someone to recite heavenly scriptures for 49 days. Really!” At this moment, Zhao Wu tossed all concern for face out the window, eager to kowtow to Fu Li.

“The death of a person is akin to the extinguishing of a flame. No matter how good the tomb is, what use does it have?” Fu Li was disgusted. “Even wild beasts don’t devour their cubs. You can’t even match up to animals.” Several scattered and smashed bodies of children lay on this human, one of whom was in bits and pieces. This meant that he had been eaten by a person during his life, and that the person who had eaten him was the human in front of Fu Li.

Fu Li had heard that stories of human cannibalism were tragedies belonging to a time very far back, and that there was no significance in bringing them up now. But this Zhao Wu didn’t lack money nor food, why would he lay his hands on an infant?

Fu Li tapped the infant spirit’s head and read its memories. He nearly vomited right there and then. It had not even occurred to him that this Zhao Wu would believe in a nonsensical prescription and for the sake of that thing on his lower body, get someone to bring the unborn children his girlfriend aborted back home and create medicine out of them to boost his sex drive.

Zhuang Qing saw that there was something off about Fu Li’s complexion and kicked Zhao Wu to the side. “Are you okay?”

Fu Li shook his head. “I’m fine, I just feel disgusted.”

The other people watched Zhao Wu take a good few tumbles after being kicked by Zhuang Qing, and couldn’t quite react. Amiability was key to doing business; one might be badly bruised in private while fighting for certain projects, but only smiles would be seen in public. Someone like Zhuang Qing who used physical means without saying anything was really quite special.

Those who had extremely close business dealings with the Zhao family couldn’t help saying a few words of persuasion upon seeing this situation. “Everyone, let’s sit down and slowly talk it out if there’s something to say. Is there a need to…”

“I have nothing to say to a beast who can even eat the flesh of his own child.” In front of these rich and influential figures, Zhuang Qing directly declared, “From today onwards, Chang Long will not cooperate with the Zhao family on any projects.”

As a veteran merchant in the business world, Chang Long occupied a very special position. Many few merchants within the industry even suspected that Chang Long had the support of the country. For the one calling the shots in Chang Long to directly say these words, it was clear that he was beyond disgusted by Zhao Wu.

But eating the flesh of his biological child…

The people who were about to stoop over and help Zhao Wu up retracted their hands and took a few steps to the side. Those present were not pure white lotuses, but they could not bring themselves to blindly approve of eating human flesh and even the flesh of their own children.

“Your Majesty, this servant has captured the evil spirits. Your Majesty, please instruct this one.”

The voice of a Night Wandering God drifted into the room from outside. This time, only one person spoke.

Fu Li looked at Zhuang Qing, who glanced at Zhao Wu. Zhao Wu had shrunk into a ball from fright. Zhuang Qing told Fu Li in a low voice, “Settle it as you deem fit.” He walked over to the couch and sat down, sending a message to the management bureau in passing to let them know that they needn’t come over.

The fact that the signal had been blocked by evil ghosts didn’t affect Zhuang Qing in the slightest.

“Help her to leave this place, and then…” Fu Li shot a glance at Zhao Wu. “Let her go.”

“No no, you can’t let her go!” Zhao Wu shook his head in alarm. “What if she causes more trouble for me in the future?”

Fu Lu grinned. Gold light flickered in his pupils. “Isn’t that great?”

Under Fu Li’s golden-eyed gaze, Zhao Wu felt like there was a large hand around his throat that prevented him from saying anything. He looked back, his entire body trembling, and then realized that everyone in the room was motionless like statues.

“You are, you are…” Zhao Wu let loose a shout. “A monster!”

Fu Li beamed and opened his mouth, revealing sharp teeth. “If you continue shouting, I’ll eat you!”

“Monster, monster.” Zhao Wu was terrified into urinating, quivering as he crawled backwards. He found that a leg had moved a little, and hurriedly grabbed a hold of it. “This person is a monster.”

Zhuang Qing kicked the human that smelled of urine to one side, asking expressionlessly, “What monster?”

“Your assistant is a monster!” Zhao Wu’s voice carried a sobbing tone. His entire person had descended into a state of madness.

“The monster you were speaking of,” Zhuang Qing placed his phone down. “Does it look like this?”

The next instant, golden dragon scales appeared on his face. Firm, forked horns grew out of his head as well, giving off golden rays of light in the darkness.

Zhao Wu’s mouth gaped open. With a bang, he collapsed on the floor.

“Useless piece of trash. Can’t handle being frightened, but has the guts to eat his own children,” Fu Li crouched and held the several infant spirits sitting on Zhao Wu’s shoulders. With a tap of his right forefinger, these infant spirits gained an extra pair of wings.

He opened the window and smiled at the infant spirits. “The wings will bring you to the road to the underworld, go.”

The infant spirits wound around his arm, crying quietly.

“I hope you will have a happy family in your next life and that you won’t meet this sort of human scum again,” Fu Li smiled as he patted their bright red heads, no dislike for their unpleasant-looking appearances. “Go.”

Only then did the infant spirits with undeveloped limbs part from Fu Li. Flapping the wings that radiated a golden glow, they flew into the night.

Zhuang Qing stepped forward and closed the windows. With a subtle shake of his sleeves, the fog surrounding the room disappeared without a trace. With auspicious qi all over his body, eliminating fog created from resentment was merely a matter of blinking an eye. He had only endured till now because Fu Li seemed to have other plans.

All the people in the room had been frozen by him. He smiled helplessly. “Do you want to get rid of Zhao Wu’s memories?”

“Isn’t it more interesting to let him retain those memories?” Fu Li opened the door and waved a hand. The four security guards were restored to the positions they were in before they entered the room and everything in the room returned to its original state.

Zhuang Qing dragged Fu Li over to the couch to sit before coughing once.

Everyone in the room came alive. They forgot the fog that had just appeared outside the doors and windows, as well as the Night Wandering Gods. All they knew was that they had been sitting in the room and talking for a few minutes.

The electric circuits resumed normalcy. It was only then that everyone found Zhao Wu, who had blacked-out at a corner of the room and was concealed by the curtains. Just as everyone was about to call an ambulance for Zhao Wu, he woke up. He looked at the now-bright room and absent-mindedly felt like he seemed to have had a dream.

“Mr Zhao, are you all right?” A worker hastily helped him up.

“Zhao Wu, I didn’t expect you to be this scared of the dark.”

“It’s just a problem with the electric circuits, don’t be scared.”

Zhao Wu sat down on the couch, and then realized that his pants were wet. The memories before he fainted all returned to him. All of a sudden, he stood up from the couch. “What about the fog and female ghost from just now?”

Everyone was at a loss. What fog? What ghost?

“Mr Zhao, were you dreaming?” Fu Li looked at Zhao Wu with deep concern.

“You, you!” Zhao Wu turned and saw Zhuang Qing and Fu Li. His teeth chattered and he fainted again.

A commotion arose in the room once more.

Only Fu Si rubbed his temples doubtfully. He remembered that Assistant Fu had been sitting on the left side of the couch just now, why was he sitting on the right the next instant?

Or had he remembered wrongly because the room was too dark?