IWYTBW - Chapter 36
Chapter 36
Flowers Have Healing Properties.
Initially, Yi Zhen hadn’t considered the possibility of a double-layered scheme.
The girl was the primary attack, the young man the backup. If the first failed, their death would pave the way for the second. It was a tactic employed by assassins, reminiscent of ancient practices.
In ancient times, when assassins targeted high-ranking officials, they often resorted to such methods due to the difficulty of approach. One would launch a suicidal attack, a moth drawn to a fatal flame, creating a diversion. The other would then “rescue” the target, earning their gratitude and trust before striking the killing blow with lightning speed.
If it weren’t for the hot soup, if the young man hadn’t chosen poisoning—a method that couldn’t possibly harm Yi Zhen—if Yi Zhen hadn’t seen the crimson poison swirling in the bowl like a bloody grin... he would never have detected the plot so quickly and counterattacked.
For the first time since gaining it, Yi Zhen had used the Bone-Eroding Spirit Scorpion venom, instantly sending the attacker to the afterlife.
“Make a note, Tai’a,” he said. “That’s two transmigrators down. I’m curious to see... just how many will ultimately fall at my hands.”
[Understood, player.]
After a pause, Tai’a added: [Would you like me to play some soothing music? You seem to be in a rather poor state.]
Yi Zhen lowered his head. “No need. I’m just... I’m fine. I’ll be better in a few days.”
[I believe humans experience physiological responses to stress,] Tai’a stated. [As emotional creatures with shared feelings of joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness, you struggle to adapt to acts of violence against your own kind.]
“That’s right,” Yi Zhen said softly. “We are emotional creatures, which is why our stances dictate our lives… A lion won’t fight another lion to protect a flock of sheep, but humans will. From the moment I chose this world, the war began. All my preparations are for victory in this war.”
“—Xiao Zhen, don’t be afraid, and don’t feel guilty for the blood on your hands. This is our world, yours and mine. Anyone who tries to take it will be nailed to a blade and burned in fire!”
A deep, hoarse male voice echoed in his ears, tenderness laced with a twisted killing intent, like a grotesque rose blooming from a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood.
Yi Zhen jolted, nearly leaping out of his chair. “What the hell was that?!”
His heart hammered against his ribs, pounding so hard it felt like it would burst from his throat. Tai’a said: [What’s wrong, player? Didn’t you like it?]
“I... like it my ass!” Yi Zhen yelled frantically. “I thought Rong Hongxue was eavesdropping on our conversation! I thought my secret was exposed, that I was completely transparent to him! I thought... I thought I was going to have a damn... hooh... heart attack...”
[I believe that was the quickest way to alleviate your stress. As evidenced, it was quite effective.] Tai’a said matter-of-factly. [Wasn’t it?]
“You’re definitely a villain on the inside...” Yi Zhen clutched his chest weakly. “Don’t ever do that again! And don’t imitate his voice either!”
[Strictly speaking, I wasn’t simulating the male protagonist’s voice. It was pre-existing data from within my database...] Tai’a explained. [However, since you insist, very well.]
Still shaken, Yi Zhen dragged his weary body down to the harbor only to be confronted by a massive crowd. For a moment, he thought transmigrators had formed a raid group to fight the boss. He braced himself, only to be suddenly ensnared by a fragrant, oversized flower wreath.
Yi Zhen: “?”
Seeing him arrive, the harbor officials swarmed him, shaking his hand enthusiastically and expressing their gratitude. Applause erupted like a joyous ocean, the scene lacking only a band playing gongs and drums.
Utterly bewildered, Yi Zhen heard the leading harbor official exclaim jubilantly, “Thank you, Mr. Yi! Thank you for your outstanding contribution to Moon Deer Harbor!”
Contribution? What contribution? The contribution of blowing up your aircraft and scattering debris across the sea?
The official beamed. “And, well, Mr. Yi’s explosion... it was truly spectacular! It blasted open a bright future for Moon Deer Harbor!”
Yi Zhen: “…………Huh?”
“All of us are grateful for Mr. Yi’s generosity!” The official declared passionately, striking a heroic pose as he draped the wreath around Yi Zhen’s neck. “Mr. Yi is not only exceptionally talented, but also a master who achieved eight consecutive victories in the qualifiers, defeating opponents far above his level. You are a truly righteous and generous hero, a rarity in this day and age!”
Flower petals rained down... Yi Zhen felt like a prize at a carnival game, his neck laden with wreaths. Camera flashes went off incessantly, a cacophony of sounds assaulting him from all directions.
“Wait, wait, wait, wait!” He pushed back with his hands. “Hold on! What’s going on? How...”
A black-suited assistant stepped forward, a professional smile on her face. Her voice, clear and steady, cut through the clamor. “Indeed, although Mr. Yi’s trip to Moon Deer Island was short, he deeply appreciated the local culture and scenery. At the same time, he was saddened by the outdated infrastructure. With Mr. Yi’s permission, the Rong Corporation has allocated special funds to replace Moon Deer Harbor and Moon Deer Island with a brand new fleet of public aircraft!”
Thunderous applause filled the air.
[I must say, Rong Hongxue acted rather swiftly.] Tai’a commented calmly.
“I think he should just swiftly drop dead...” Yi Zhen struggled amidst the sea of flowers. He’d survived being targeted by two transmigrators, only to be suffocated by flowers. “What’s with this grand spectacle?!”
Fortunately, black-suited assistants quickly surrounded him and removed the wreaths.
Under everyone’s watchful eyes, Yi Zhen had no choice but to board a Rong Corporation vehicle. Applause followed him as the car departed. Yi Zhen wiped his sweat. With the Jade Alchemy of the Eastern Sea, he shouldn’t experience fatique easily, but after dodging flower wreaths and engaging in a comical wrestling match with the enthusiastic officials, he really couldn’t help but break out in a sweat.
“Mr. Yi, regarding the sudden
explosion of the aircraft you were on, do you have any clues?”
Inside the car, the assistant’s demeanor shifted from amiable to
serious as she adjusted her glasses. “Mr. Rong’s replacement of
the harbor’s aircraft was entirely to compensate for the loss of
that aircraft. However, one thing at a time. Regarding the near-harm
you suffered due to the outdated equipment, we could easily bankrupt
the company responsible for the harbor, turning them into a penniless
slum shivering in the cold wind...qq: I feel like this might be a reference to the domineering CEO classic quote, “The weather is getting cold, let the Wang family go bankrupt.”
-sidenote, I freakin love sand sculpture novels that make fun of these quotes.
”
Yi Zhen: “Hey.”
“...We could also have all the harbor officials fired.” The assistant finished stubbornly. “Their excessive enthusiasm stems from their fear of suffering the same fate as that exploded aircraft, bursting into fragmented fireworks in the sky.”
Yi Zhen: “That’s not necessary! It wasn’t their fault.”
“Understood. That means someone was targeting you, seeing your dazzling achievements as a threat that needs to be eliminated.” The assistant nodded gravely. “In that case, I will report to Mr. Rong. We will leave no stone unturned to find the culprit and make an example of them.”
Yi Zhen: “Please don’t say such terrifying things in such a calm tone. It was just an accident, no need to make a fuss. Please just send me back to Rong... send me home, thank you!”
“...Right, and also, ah, well...”
Yi Zhen felt incredibly conflicted.
Should he warn Rong Hongxue to be careful, that some fearless transmigrator might come after him? But that madman was excessively strong. If he didn’t say anything, considering Rong Hongxue had made such a grand gesture over a single aircraft, staying silent would go against his principle of addressing every grievance. But if he did say something, how should he phrase it? ‘If someone tries to assassinate you, and their body disappears after you kill them, don’t be surprised?’ What kind of self-incriminating statement was that? It was too stupid!
Sensing his hesitation, the assistant adjusted her glasses and offered a knowing smile. “Please don’t feel pressured. Mr. Rong did all this out of concern that you wouldn’t accept it. The funds used were from your dividends.”
So, it was Rong Huaiyu’s inheritance.
Hearing this, Yi Zhen felt less uncomfortable. His dead husband’s money, even if he refused to use it, would just sit in his main account. It might as well be used for some good.
“Also, saying this might be considered a dereliction of duty by my colleagues...” The assistant hesitated, pushing their glasses up again.
Yi Zhen looked at them. The assistant frowned slightly and said, “Because Mr. Rong specifically instructed me not to tell you this. He said that rather than forcing you to change your opinion of him in such a short time, it’s better to let you continue thinking he’s autocratic. After all, you already dislike him enough, it wouldn’t make much difference.”
Taken aback by this confession, Yi Zhen’s eyes flickered, seemingly touched.
The assistant looked at him with an expectant and encouraging smile, waiting for him to speak. Then he said:
“Fine, then let him die wherever he wants. It’s all what he should be doing anyway. I won’t try to keep him in this world.”
Assistant: “...Huh?!”
Yi Zhen almost laughed at the absurdity. Rong Hongxue was truly shameless. ‘Specifically instructed not to tell Yi Zhen’? He bet the original words were, “Relay my words to Yi Zhen verbatim, and emphasize that I specifically instructed you not to tell him.”
If he had truly given specific instructions, would his subordinates, who acted like chicks around a hawk in his presence, dare to breathe a word of it?
He was a grown man playing such childish games. Yi Zhen couldn’t be bothered. He looked down, noticing the vehicle passing a bus station. “Stop here. I’ll take the bus back. Thanks for the ride.”
Still reeling from the previous shock, the assistant hurriedly tried to dissuade him. “But...”
“No buts.” Yi Zhen turned to look at them, his tone casual but his gaze brooking no argument. “Don’t worry, Rong Hongxue won’t trouble you. He knows you can’t hold me back. Relax.”
Looking at him, the assistant involuntarily signaled the vehicle to stop. The hovercar descended, stopping at the old platform.
Yi Zhen jumped out, waving goodbye to the assistant, indicating they could go back. The black motorcade hovered in the air for a moment before turning back.
“Now I’m certain Rong Hongxue knows something,” Yi Zhen looked up at the sky. “But what he knows… or rather, what he’s blindly guessing, must be miles away from the truth.”
[Do not underestimate the male protagonist’s intelligence.] Tai’a, as an objective observer, immediately corrected him. [Just because he’s repeatedly stumbled in front of you doesn’t mean he’s lost his predatory instincts regarding other matters. Even if his speculation deviates from the truth, it won’t be by much.]
“Hopefully,” Yi Zhen chuckled dryly. “Hopefully.”
A public transport vehicle wobbled towards the platform. Yi Zhen swiped his optical computer and boarded. Although he didn’t want to admit it, after all these interruptions, the gloom in his heart had indeed dissipated.
“Time to head home,” he sighed. “The preliminary rounds will be the toughest battle.”
With an entire planet as the stage, the competition wouldn’t just involve two people anymore.
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