EDEH Chapter 53

[007 Diary Nineteen]

 

[Though I understood long ago, experiencing these two days still makes me sigh—humans truly are the most complex life forms in nature.

 

No. 002’s comprehensive rating continues to rise.

 

Dr. Anya was right—anyone the little evil dragon likes and stays with for a long time must be a very good person.]

 

·

 

A flash of surprise crossed Huo Yanji’s eyes.

 

Colin instinctively stepped in front of Huo Yanji, blocking the supervisors behind Old Herman.

 

Huo Yanji stepped past Colin, took the so-called evidence, and casually flipped through a few pages.

 

There were testimonies from two deviants who had allegedly escaped his ‘clutches,’ plus some videos and photos of tortured low-level deviants, supposedly taken from his office computer—’souvenirs’ left after torturing deviants.

 

Behind him, the handcuffed and stumbling Shan Hongcheng smiled triumphantly. Gauze wrapped his shot-through palm, but couldn’t wrap his hollow heart from these years.

 

“How does it feel to be played by the deviants you look down on most? I told you, sooner or later you’d experience being trampled underfoot and despised by everyone—”

 

His voice stopped abruptly.

 

Old Herman straightened his hunched back, raised his gun, and pulled the trigger aimed at Shan Hongcheng.

 

“Bang.”

 

Shan Hongcheng’s maniacal laughter froze on his face. No spurting blood, no bone-piercing pain, just confusion as something slowly seeped from the wound, flowing down his forehead into his eyes.

 

His vision seemed covered by a layer of red blood mist. The supervisors on either side only held his arms as his body fell uncontrollably.

 

He suddenly remembered that day when Yu Ren was stabbed in the abdomen by him, he had also slowly fallen to the ground like this, somewhat shocked but not resisting.

 

Because he had told Yu Ren: “If you want to continue being the alien monster in those people’s eyes, that’s fine, but don’t interfere with our path to a better future.”

 

Just hearing what Huo Yanji had said, he felt nothing, but in this moment near death, he began to doubt.

 

Is there really a place for them in this so-called better future?

 

He didn’t know.

 

And he would never see it.

 

Old Herman expressionlessly wiped his gun barrel, his movements identical to Huo Yanji’s earlier actions.

 

Huo Yanji stroked his throat, saying calmly: “Though I knew this plan involved many people, seeing you still comes as a bit of a surprise.”

 

Two days ago, Huo Yanji had just written a letter of introduction for Old He, wanting to entrust Sang Jue to him, hoping Sang Jue could learn about human nature at the Supervision Bureau.

 

What was Old He thinking when he saw that letter?

 

Was he pleased by his trust, or did he find it ridiculous?

 

Old Herman’s wrinkled face twitched as he said hoarsely: “What’s so surprising? In this world, no one is worth your complete trust. I warned you about this many years ago.”

 

Huo Yanji didn’t want to say more: “Let’s go.”

 

But just as he lifted his leg, his coat tail was grabbed.

 

Sang Jue had already freed himself. The handcuffs hung from his left wrist, the other end dangling by his leg. He pressed his lips together, using his newly freed right hand to grab Huo Yanji’s coat tail.

 

Huo Yanji’s fingers moved slightly. After a long moment, he said: “Sang Jue, go back.”

 

Sang Jue asked: “Back where?”

 

He didn’t particularly like Huo Yanji’s apartment—it was bare and had nothing. He only wanted to stay because Huo Yanji lived there.

 

Huo Yanji pulled his coat away: “Anywhere. Back to an environment that makes you feel at ease.”

 

Sang Jue was stunned, vaguely remembering that last night when he was drunk, Huo Yanji had asked him, “Was your previous living environment very relaxed?” and he had agreed.

 

Sang Jue was held back by Colin’s hand on his shoulder. Watching Huo Yanji’s retreating figure, he murmured quietly: “But I can’t go back… can’t go back for now.”

 

Sang Jue was confused. Yesterday’s encounter with Old He wasn’t an accident?

 

Going to Yu Ren’s house was also arranged?

 

What about Shiwei? Did she know too? Or was she also being used? Had Old Herman killed her partner?

 

Thinking about the so-called world-saving mission the doctor had given him, Sang Jue bit his lip. But if all humans were bad, with only suspicion, malice, conspiracy, and struggle between them, what was there to save?

 

He didn’t understand.

 

In nature, no one was indispensable.

 

Only humans arrogantly believed that civilization must continue.

 

Sang Jue turned to look at Colin: “Just letting them take Ji Ji away—won’t he be killed directly?”

 

Colin comforted him: “Impossible. If the commander died in an accident outside the city, everyone could barely coexist peacefully, but dying mysteriously in the Supervision Bureau would prevent the main city from having any peace afterward. The commander’s position isn’t just talk—the military force you’ve seen so far isn’t even one percent of the total.”

 

Sang Jue didn’t care about these complications. He pressed his lips together: “If they want to kill Ji Ji, I’ll kill them.”

 

Colin paused, looking at Sang Jue’s expression—he was clearly serious.

 

Previously, he had only thought Sang Jue was somewhat naive and purely innocent. Now, thinking carefully, Sang Jue actually showed extraordinary indifference to human life.

 

His indifference was different from the supervisors’ habituation—he truly didn’t care. The death of any life couldn’t affect him.

 

…

 

News of Huo Yanji’s arrest spread within two days. It was discussed in streets and alleys everywhere, even the TV screens near the lighthouse were broadcasting news of his arrest for torturing deviants.

 

Logically, such major events involving important figures should be kept secret until confirmed. The fact that it spread so quickly meant someone was fanning the flames behind the scenes.

 

Passersby stopped to point and curse, but weren’t surprised by Huo Yanji’s ‘actions.’

 

After all, the ‘fact’ that Huo Yanji despised deviants was deeply ingrained in people’s hearts.

 

It hadn’t been this way originally.

 

Huo Yanji had only said that ‘evolution’ wasn’t the right path for humanity, but was contaminating human bloodlines.

 

This naturally led people to think that Huo Yanji despised deviants so much, even discriminated against them. Through some incitement and propagation, such conclusions became deeply rooted and became a potential murder weapon.

 

Like today, watching TV news of Huo Yanji’s arrest, whether people disliked him or were indifferent to him, none would question the charge of torturing hundreds of deviants.

 

They would only think: ah, should have seen it coming.

 

What was surprising about Huo Yanji doing such things? He had just hidden it well before, not being discovered.

 

“He’s a pervert! Though I don’t like deviants either, torture is problematic.”

 

“I don’t like deviants, but I hate Huo Yanji more! At least deviants didn’t kill my brothers!”

 

“Tsk, could Huo Yanji be the leader of the conservatives… arrogantly hunting deviants, thinking he’s protecting humanity…”

 

“With so much blood on his hands, this retribution still came too late.”

 

“Living so harshly, he’s finally facing backlash…”

 

“Will this bring the Supreme Court to investigate? Hope they can execute him publicly.”

 

“So many people died by Huo Yanji’s hand—can we each get to shoot him once?”

 

…

 

In the cafeteria, small taverns, passing pedestrians… they spoke one after another, wishing they could turn their words into blades to pierce Huo Yanji’s ‘steel’ body.

 

In their eyes, Huo Yanji’s heart was harder than iron and wouldn’t feel pain.

 

In the Supervision Center interrogation room, Huo Yanji and Old Herman sat facing each other.

 

The Court people weren’t there—only the former highest executive officer was qualified to interrogate Huo Yanji.

 

Herman said: “The evidence is ironclad. Do you confess?”

 

Deliberately luring Huo Yanji and his subordinates away, then breaking into the office to plant these photos and videos, with several so-called victim testimonies prepared in advance—this was the so-called ironclad evidence.

 

But for residents who hated Huo Yanji, how the evidence came about didn’t matter. They would only believe what they wanted to believe.

 

If there were any evidence about how good Huo Yanji was, they would dismiss it with disdain.

 

Huo Yanji didn’t respond, just quietly observed Old Herman’s face.

 

Due to their extended lifespans, deviants could barely hold back the traces left by time. For example, Commander Lin Shuyi from District 7 was actually almost fifty, but still looked elegant and steady.

 

Ordinary people weren’t so fortunate.

 

By their fifties and sixties, they could no longer leave safe zones to forage for resources in the wilderness. Some injuries and ailments from their youth were enough to break them down.

 

People who lived to seventy or eighty were even rarer. Former highest executive officer Herman was one of them.

 

Like Huo Yanji, he had killed countless infected and countless deviants who had lost order. The blood on his hands could never be washed clean, making the public hate him to the bone.

 

Yet such a person lived to an age many ‘good people’ couldn’t reach.

 

Huo Yanji still remembered first meeting Old Herman at military school. Herman was then under fifty, sharp-edged and piercing. He stood on the high platform, his stern gaze seemingly able to penetrate everyone’s inadequacies.

 

He told the students below: “There’s no problem with wanting to be a hero like Huo Feng, but heroes shine so brightly because countless ‘villains’ stand behind them, stepping in sewage.”

 

Supervisors—doing what others couldn’t do, bearing the infamy others wouldn’t bear.

 

They carried heavy burdens through the dark night, also working to bring humanity into dawn.

 

Herman stood on the high platform, his words forceful and powerful: “Where there is light, there are shadows. If someone saves people, someone must kill people.”

 

Now, this hunched, weathered old man before him showed almost no trace of his former high spirits.

 

His once sharp gaze was now fragmented and cloudy, his eyelids sagging loosely, his skin wrinkled like mottled marks left by wind and rain on walls, rough as tree bark.

 

After sitting in the interrogation room for two days, Huo Yanji finally spoke his first words. He asked flatly: “Do you know what I’ve been thinking these past two days?”

 

The recorder beside them quickly typed these words on the keyboard.

 

Old Herman asked: “What?”

 

Huo Yanji said: “I’ve been wondering if you had a hand in the public trial eleven years ago.”

 

The recorder’s fingers froze.

 

The four words “public trial” seemed to be some unspeakable taboo.

 

Old Herman slowly raised his cloudy eyes, gesturing for the recorder to stop recording and leave.

 

After the door closed, Old Herman turned off the surveillance before saying: “Bo Qing was my only student. His fate is a pain I’ll never overcome.”

 

The implication was denial of Huo Yanji’s accusation.

 

Huo Yanji didn’t continue his suspicions, but asked back: “Then what are you doing now?”

 

Old Herman didn’t avoid his gaze: “I’m doing the right thing.”

 

Huo Yanji said: “Using tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of lives to sacrifice and create a few combat weapons like Huo Feng—is that the right thing?”

 

They had no idea what was down in the rifts. Whether it was Dr. Luce over a hundred years ago or Huo Feng ninety years ago, they had all given the same warning—”Not all truths should be pursued.”

 

Those tens of thousands of people who ‘failed genetic testing’ sent into the rifts might not even make a splash, only dying blindly.

 

“You and Bo Qing are the same, both wanting a clean dawn. But dawn is red—it must be built with blood.”

 

Herman issued a long sigh, his voice slow and hoarse: “Which dark period of history didn’t emerge by stepping on countless sacrificial victims’ corpses? They are sacrificial victims, and you and I are also sacrificial victims. We’re all the same—no one is luckier than anyone else.”

 

Huo Yanji mocked: “Can victory achieved through excessive sacrifice still be called victory?”

 

Herman looked down, his aged, rough hands clasped together.

 

Huo Yanji leaned back in his chair: “We both know that so-called ‘evolution’ is a lie. A third of humanity has already become sacrificial victims. Do you want to join them in destroying more people?”

 

“We have to try. You and I both know humanity has reached a dead end.”

 

Herman’s eyes showed deep exhaustion as he slowly said: “Before coming to see you, I just received news that the Eleventh Rift riot assault caused District 27 to fall—from riot to fall took only one day… just one day.”

 

District 27 was far from the main city.

 

They didn’t even wait for support from any district before falling to the mutant rat disaster. All 1.1 million people in the city, none survived.

 

Herman said calmly: “You and Bo Qing are both too idealistic. Without sacrifice, without taking a gamble, all that awaits us is destruction.”

 

Huo Yanji quietly looked at the table, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

 

The communicator beeped once. Herman pressed answer, his cloudy eyes stirring.

 

He stood up, saying to Huo Yanji: “The Court people have reached the city gate. The Speaker has also come. They will personally interrogate you. Have a good dinner and prepare yourself mentally.”

 

Huo Yanji watched this weathered figure, suddenly saying: “What is this plan to ‘sacrifice’ those who failed genetic testing called?”

 

Herman, gripping the door handle, stopped without turning back: “Dawn No. 2.”

 

Huo Yanji asked: “Is the Speaker the one leading the execution?”

 

Old Herman paused without answering, then turned and left.

 

Huo Yanji sat alone in the interrogation room, so quiet that only his barely audible breathing could be heard.

 

After a long while, he let out a faint scoff.

 

Truly like an egg striking a stone.

 

With the Supreme Court leading, united with countless high-level officials, trying to build a bloody path to dawn with human lives—what did he, Huo Yanji, have to stop it?

 

On what grounds could he stop it?

 

…

 

Soon after, the interrogation room door was pushed open, and someone brought Huo Yanji dinner: “Please take your time.”

 

Huo Yanji opened the meal tray. Just as he gripped his chopsticks, he saw a corner of a small note emerging from the rice.

 

He pulled it out and saw a line of text:

 

[“Two days and four hours now, do you want to see me?”]

 

Huo Yanji paused.

 

The handwriting was Colin’s, but clearly not Colin’s tone.

 

Unfolding the folded part revealed another line:

 

[“I want to see you. I can’t sleep without holding you.”]

 

Huo Yanji’s eyes softened slightly, and after a long moment he uttered three words flatly: “…Little fool.”

 

After the note was completely opened, he saw the last two lines:

 

[“So I came to see you!”]

 

[“Your number one best friend: Sang Jue.”]

 

“…”

 

At the same moment, two slight sounds came from outside the door.

 

Huo Yanji had just looked up when the interrogation room door was knocked: “Knock knock—”

 

Huo Yanji was now a suspect—people coming to interrogate or deliver things didn’t need to be so polite.

 

Seeing he didn’t respond, the person outside patiently knocked twice more.

 

“…Come in.”

 

As soon as the door opened, he could vaguely see two people lying at the doorway, back to back, with no blood visible—they were probably just unconscious.

 

A figure pounced over, crashing into Huo Yanji’s arms: “Did you miss me?”

 

The voice was familiar, but the face wasn’t.

 

The person in his arms seemed to realize something and explained: “I spent six hundred coins on a fake face. Since I was in a hurry, the craftsmanship is a little rough.”

 

“Stupid.” Huo Yanji gripped Sang Jue’s nape, making him lift his chin. “A one hundred percent complete face only costs three hundred fifty. Next time ask around for market prices first.”

 

“…You’ll pay me back when you get out,” Sang Jue said dissatisfied. “I was scammed because I wanted to see you, not because I’m stupid.”

 

Huo Yanji said: “Take a few more losses and you’ll have experience later.”

 

This fake face felt realistic to the touch, but it wasn’t just “a little” rough.

 

Not only did the forehead have a small bump, the left cheek was pitted, a row of freckles spanned the cheek and nose bridge, and the chin was crooked.

 

Sang Jue asked: “Do I look good?”

 

After a long moment, Huo Yanji uttered two words: “Not bad.”

 

Sang Jue completely missed his insincerity—it must be that Ji Ji was too reserved.

 

He was so handsome that any face would look good on him.

 

Huo Yanji asked: “How did you get in?”

 

Sang Jue had a look that begged for praise: “Fought my way in—stealth, didn’t alarm them enough to shoot.”

 

“Very impressive.” Huo Yanji paused, then asked, “Did you kill them all?”

 

Originally just a rumored little lover, Huo Yanji’s troubles might not implicate Sang Jue, but breaking into the Supervision Center and killing a bunch of people would be completely different—Sang Jue would directly become a wanted criminal.

 

“Not yet, they’re temporarily unconscious.” Sang Jue said seriously, “If you dislike them, I can kill them too.”

 

Saying this, Sang Jue looked completely innocent, like a naive little demon.

 

Huo Yanji said: “They’re just following orders. You can’t kill people randomly.”

 

“Oh—” Sang Jue didn’t care about those people. He brought out his tail: “It missed you too. Pet it.”

 

Huo Yanji glanced at the surveillance—Old Herman had turned it off earlier and hadn’t turned it back on.

 

“Old He went to the city gate to meet the Court people. He’ll be back in forty minutes at most.”

 

Although breaking into the Supervision Center was a serious crime, Huo Yanji wasn’t angry. While gently stroking Sang Jue’s tail, he spoke flatly, laying out an escape route: “Although you made a fake face, your build is easily recognizable. When you leave, go straight to find Wei Lan or Adjutant Zhang. If Old Herman or the Court people come looking, as long as you don’t admit it, they can’t do anything to you.”

 

Sang Jue blinked: “The surveillance is all broken, it won’t capture me.”

 

This was 007’s doing—the surveillance had been directly replaced with normal footage, so the supervisors in the monitoring room hadn’t issued any alerts.

 

Huo Yanji’s brows moved slightly: “You went through all this trouble just to have me pet your tail?”

 

“Petting my tail is very important.” Sang Jue said, “When I’m in a good mood, I have the strength to save you.”

 

“Save me?”

 

Sang Jue nodded: “I have two plans, Plan A and Plan B. The outcomes are different, both need a few days. You choose one.”

 

A few flashes of surprise crossed Huo Yanji’s eyes: “You should at least tell me what the plans involve.”

 

Sang Jue refused to reveal: “Blind choice.”

 

A faint laugh escaped from Huo Yanji’s throat: “Blind choice is the same as you helping decide, isn’t it?”

 

His little scheme was seen through.

 

Sang Jue licked his lips, raised his hand to press against Huo Yanji’s chin, and unhappily bit down on that rolling Adam’s apple, grinding it with his fangs.

 

Huo Yanji instinctively pulled back: “Sang Jue—”

 

After biting for a while, Sang Jue finally let go, saying in a muffled voice: “Don’t want other humans anymore, okay? They’re all bad, all waiting to see you make a fool of yourself. I don’t like them.”

 

**

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