Free Web NovelHua City, inside the third bridge arch from the left under the Kua Jiang Bridge.
Under the night sky, the stove fire flickered, the firelight reflecting on Gu Qianqian's face, her willow-leaf eyebrows tightly furrowed, as if waiting for the arrival of some important moment.
"It's time! Gu Qianqian!"
"Understood!"
Hearing the system's prompt, Gu Qianqian responded solemnly, then formed hand seals and completed the casting of the Spell using the ancient method recorded on the Great Serpent God's bamboo slips.
In an instant, the firelight flared brightly. Under the intense heat, the pig trotters on the grill quickly absorbed the sauce, and before long, a tempting aroma drifted out.
Seeing the sauce on the grilled pig trotters had been absorbed, the system reminded, "Okay, have a taste! It's definitely not worse than Calamity's grilled ones!"
Under the system's guidance, Gu Qianqian took a pig trotter from the grill, brought it to her mouth, and took a light bite.
With one bite, the crispy skin mixed with spices and meat aroma broke open. The fat and juice that had absorbed the special sauce instantly flooded her mouth. The soft, chewy, and perfectly fatty meat, carrying a rich fragrance, spread between her lips and teeth. She couldn't help but widen her eyes and let out a satisfied hum.
"Mm—! This is too delicious, isn't it? system, who did you learn this from?"
"......"
Learned from Calamity... the system muttered inwardly.
"That's not important! What's important is that you shouldn't let your will waver for a little bit of petty profit in the future, understand?"
"Mm, mm!" Gu Qianqian, who had already gobbled down half a pig trotter, nodded and said, "However, that's not important either. What's important is, did we forget something important?"
"You mean..." The system was startled for a moment and exclaimed, "Oh no, I forgot to detonate the poison!"
"What are you standing there for! Hurry up, Gu Qianqian!"
The system urged her, and only then did Gu Qianqian reluctantly cast the Spell, detonating the toxicity of the Gu poison. freēwēbnovel.com
After a pause, Gu Qianqian asked in a low voice, "However, system, are you sure that kind of poison is really effective against her?"
"I don't know about others, but it's definitely effective against her!" The system said proudly, "That kind of Gu poison is very special. It's made from the eggs of a rare strange insect that feeds on Spiritual Energy. The stronger the poisoned person's Spiritual Energy, the more violent the toxicity will be."
"A urban legend of Calamity's level, once swallowed, the effect is no different from swallowing a nuclear bomb! Even if it doesn't kill her, it can make her lose a layer of skin!"
Hearing this, a look of relief appeared on Gu Qianqian's face. Rubbing her little belly, she said, "Then I'm relieved. Oh right, system, when will the mission reward be given?"
As soon as Gu Qianqian finished speaking, a mechanical prompt sounded in her mind.
【Ding dong—!
Congratulations to the host for completing the Epic Mission · Phase One
You have gained 2000 points, one copy of the secret grilled pig trotter recipe, and one fragment of the Mount Tai Feng Chan Stone.】
Following the prompt, an A4 paper with the grilled pig trotter recipe copied on it and a small jade box suddenly appeared out of thin air in Gu Qianqian's hand.
"Gu Qianqian..." After distributing the reward, the system couldn't help but remind her seriously, "Although we have achieved a phased victory now, you can't be so slack and lazy!"
"Gu poison alone cannot kill Calamity. You must not let your guard down prematurely. I hope you overcome arrogance and impatience and continue to work hard!"
"No!" Gu Qianqian shook her head, "She didn't eat the poison at all. Just now, I failed to detonate the toxicity!"
"The Gu worm didn't respond to my Spell! She seems to have fed the Gu poison to ordinary people." freewebnovel.cσ๓
system, "???"
Why didn't you say so earlier? I've already issued the mission rewards, aren't you making things very awkward for me?
"system..."
"Hmm?"
"You won't take back the reward, right?" Gu Qianqian asked tentatively, carefully guarding the mission reward she had just received against her chest as she spoke, her expression perfectly embodying what a miser is.
"No." The system forced itself, gritting its teeth, "Although no damage was caused to Calamity, you did indeed complete the mission according to the steps, meeting the requirements for receiving the mission reward."
If something like misjudging and giving the wrong reward were to spread, how would I continue ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) to get by in the system world in the future?
Fortunately, Gu Qianqian was simple enough. Just string her along a bit, and everyone could pretend nothing happened. Anyway, those things would be given to her sooner or later. The system thought.
----
Time 9:27, an hour after the urban legend in Happiness Community appeared, on the third floor of the activity center.
Lu Yibei and Jiang Li sat side by side in the corner of the bar, wearing round-framed sunglasses, looking like nothing had happened, watching the residents of Happiness Community in the center of the dance floor continue playing music and dancing.
No one looked at them, as if they were a blind band hired by the property management to create atmosphere, and now that they had finished playing, they could freely enjoy drinks and meals on the side.
Although the residents of Happiness Community were still immersed in the beautiful dream woven by the urban legend, the new owners were still out of the loop, so the aftermath work still had to be done.
It was also very simple to do; they just needed to restore the scene to its original state and then weave a short beautiful dream for them.
Thus, cleaning up, repairing tables and chairs, arranging cold meals... these became the first things Lu Yibei had ever ordered her subordinates to do in her life.
As for those two guys who ate the poison and suddenly developed acute enteritis...
They had already been sent to the hospital.
Seeing this situation, Lu Yibei was momentarily puzzled. Did Gu Qianqian intentionally poison her, or was there really just a serious hygiene problem when she was making the potion?
----
After a long silence, Lu Yibei finally couldn't help but speak.
"Miss Meow, may I ask how you knew about the Night Watch's wanted list?"
Jiang Li's eyes, hidden behind her sunglasses, glanced at Lu Yibei. She said calmly, "Anyone with a bit of connections can find out about this kind of thing through the Night Watch's official channels for solo Psychic."
"You don't know? Oh, sorry, I forgot, you're a urban legend. Maybe you're on the list too!"
"Tsk tsk, having to deal with the Night Watch's search on one hand, and having to deal with the Maitian God that might appear at any time on the other, your future days won't be easy."
Lu Yibei, "......"
Damn it, this woman is starting to be sarcastic.
She won't do something immoral like settling scores later or discarding someone after they've served their purpose, right?
Lu Yibei muttered inwardly for a while, then pressed on, "Then this Maitian God... what does it mean to be ranked ninth on the wanted list? Compared to it, who is stronger, the Eclipse Society?"
Let's hear what the professional says, so I can decide whether to prepare thoroughly for the enemy early, or pack up and run, or perhaps go and claim the Night Watch's welfare cemetery early. Lu Yibei thought.
Jiang Li was stumped by Lu Yibei's question for a little while. She pondered for a long time before figuring out how to explain the difference between the Eclipse Society and the urban legend wanted list to her.
"How should I put it? They aren't the same type, you understand?"
"Let's put it this way, although the Eclipse Society is a bunch of lunatics, they at least have goals and objectives. Even if they cause destruction, there are traces to follow."
"And for their so-called ideals, either urban legend or humans can become their targets," Jiang Li explained.
Although she hated the Eclipse Society to the bone, she had to admit that the Eclipse Society's essential goal was to find methods and techniques to reasonably utilize urban legend and the power of urban legend.
And when carrying out those unscrupulous and crazy rituals, they would occasionally research some useful things.
In fact, some of the Spiritual Energy application techniques within the Night Watch were brought back by agents who infiltrated the Eclipse Society.
"Causing destruction in a planned and organized way for a purpose..." Lu Yibei pondered for a moment and said, "In other words, the Eclipse Society belongs to the Lawful Evil alignment?"
"......" Jiang Li mused for a moment, frowned, and said, "Although not entirely accurate, you could say that."
"Ah this... don't tell me that the so-called Maitian God belongs to the Chaotic Evil alignment!" Lu Yibei suddenly said.
If she were to be entangled by that kind of lunatic who destroys purely for the sake of destruction and just for their own pleasure, then the only option would be to go to the Night Watch tomorrow morning and fill out the application form for the welfare cemetery. Lu Yibei thought.
Jiang Li rolled her eyes at Lu Yibei and said impatiently, "Can you stop judging everything with that kind of stuff? The behavioral logic of urban legend cannot be defined by a fixed standard."
Lu Yibei nodded thoughtfully and muttered softly, "Then that's the Neutral Evil alignment..."
Jiang Li, "......" Is she not listening to what I'm saying?
I think you're the one who belongs to the Chaotic Evil alignment!
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After a few seconds of silence, she continued, "In short, you just need to know that those who can rank in the top hundred on the wanted list are urban legend that the Night Watch has repeatedly evaluated and deemed to have the probability, ability, or qualification to destroy a country, or even the world."
"Their birth is much more twisted and complex than the birth of ordinary urban legend due to human belief. Many times, they are born from the influence of the overall environment of a certain era."
“Just like the Maitian God, according to the circulating rumors, it's even involved in the Los Angeles photochemical smog incident and the London smog incident. What's more terrifying is that the latest research shows its activity can be seen in almost any polluted area.”
Three minutes later, Lu Yibei finally realized that she seemed to have provoked some incredible dark force.
“Why?!”
Lu Yibei grabbed two small cakes in grief and indignation, stuffed them into her mouth, chewed them haphazardly, and swallowed them fiercely, as if venting her anger with her appetite.
“Didn't I just snatch a rare shiny Pokémon from under their noses? They wouldn't chase me for that, would they?”
“There's no need to be afraid.” As if sensing Lu Yibei's low and wronged emotions, Jiang Li comforted her, “Don't underestimate the Night Watch. If the Maitian God really appears, someone will beat it back before it can harm you. No matter how powerful the Maitian God is, you don't need to worry about it.”
“Moreover, a urban legend of that level is highly unlikely to pick a fight with a small fry like you over such a trivial matter.”
Although Jiang Li had previously noticed Lu Yibei's body temperature rising and her hair tips showing signs of turning reddish, she had some guesses about her possibly being the creator of the Hua Yu Sunshine Resort Hotel fire.
However, even if she were that Witch Seed, it would be difficult for her to make any waves before the Maitian God. The gap between an A-Level urban legend and a top Calamity is simply too large.
“But isn't there still a small probability?” Lu Yibei said, “From your tone, it sounds like I'm dead if that small probability event triggers?”
Jiang Li thought for a moment and gave Lu Yibei a more palatable answer, “That's right.”
“......”
If that were the case, even the Night Watch's welfare cemetery probably couldn't be used. Where is there no pollution these days?
Getting buried and having people dance on your grave would be the least of it. It's likely your urn lid would be pried open, and your ashes scooped out to mix with rice.
What should I do? Do I have to retire to the mountains at such a young age? Lu Yibei thought.
She was silent for a long time, then, like a well-behaved elementary school student asking a question in class, she raised her small hand, “Teacher, one more question! Why are you telling me all this?”
Jiang Li calmly picked up the cup in front of her, glanced at her, and said, “As partners, I hope you die with understanding when you die.”
“Finally...”
“The urban legend in Happiness Community, what are you planning to...”
“Her name is Mengmeng.” Lu Yibei interrupted.
“What?” Jiang Li tilted her head.
“I just named her.”
“......” Jiang Li was silent for a moment, then continued, “Alright, Mengmeng, what are you planning to do with Mengmeng?”
In Jiang Li's opinion, although the urban legend in Happiness Community had become Lu Yibei's dependent, leaving it unchecked was ultimately a hidden danger.
In fact, she had told Lu Yibei so much, hadn't arrested her and taken her to the Night Watch, and hadn't delved into whether she was the Witch Seed that appeared at the Hua Yu Sunshine Resort Hotel. She seemed to trust her greatly, but she was still worried about what she might do in the future.
If she weren't about to participate in that gamble, which she might not return from, she would definitely personally supervise Lu Yibei. Once she discovered any suspicious behavior, she would immediately take action.
When it comes to mutual trust, they still have a long way to go.
“What else can I do? Of course, I'll let it stay here!” Lu Yibei paused her cake-eating, turned around, and looked at the crowd dancing on the dance floor. “If their beautiful dreams are broken, the consequences will be very serious.”
“However, Mengmeng won't absorb lifespan or forcibly pull people into beautiful dreams anymore. I've already told it.”
Besides, it can't do it in a short time either. I don't know why, but its brain seems to be a bit frozen. When I ask it what's wrong, it doesn't tell me... Lu Yibei grumbled inwardly.
“But that's fake.” Jiang Li said with a serious expression.
Thinking of saying similar things to Qingji herself, Lu Yibei was stunned, speechless, and after a long time, shook her head and sighed.
“Although life seems to have many choices, sometimes, everyone actually has no choice...”
Lu Yibei suddenly wanted to talk to Jiang Li about the time she used herself as bait to search for Mr. Rabbit. Although doing so seemed beneficial to most people, was it really right?
However, due to her current identity, she couldn't say it.
After a moment of silence, she stared directly into Jiang Li's eyes and said solemnly, “It might be complicated to explain this matter to you like this. If you trust me, I can let Mengmeng demonstrate the outcome of the deduction if the residents of Happiness Community wake up from their beautiful dreams.”
Jiang Li was silent, saying nothing more. After a moment, she nodded.
Seeing this, Lu Yibei reached out and gently held Jiang Li's wrist, silently saying in her heart, “Mengmeng, show her.”
Immediately after, a pale tentacle slowly emerged from behind her, then the tentacle solidified from virtual to real, wrapping around their hands.
A sharp pain came from her brow, Jiang Li frowned, and then her vision fell into darkness.
----
When Jiang Li's vision returned to light, she found herself standing in front of the gate of Happiness Community.
This community, close to the city center, was still as quiet as the distant suburbs, with excellent air and greenery. There were many birds on the treetops in the community, but it looked lifeless.
Occasionally, pedestrians passed by in a hurry, as if afraid of making eye contact with the people around them. An unsettling atmosphere permeated the quiet air of the community.
“......”
Jiang Li lingered at the gate of Happiness Community for a moment, then stepped inside. She hadn't walked far when she saw a newly built mourning hall at the corner.
Looking from afar, an ice coffin was placed quietly in the center of the mourning hall, and a black and white photo was hung above the ice coffin. The photo showed a young boy who looked about sixteen or seventeen years old.
Listening to the faint sobbing coming from inside the mourning hall, Jiang Li was lost in thought for a moment. Seeing someone walk out from inside, she hesitated for a moment and went up to them.
“Excuse me, is... something happening here?” After a pause, she added, “Oh, I'm his classmate.”
The middle-aged woman stopped by Jiang Li looked at her strangely, pursed her lips, and said, “Kids these days have such poor psychological resilience. Isn't it just a few times when their grades dropped significantly? There's no need to do something silly!”
“Since you're her classmate, you should know that this child has been particularly outstanding since childhood, right? Maybe he was used to being excellent, and after experiencing a few setbacks, he couldn't handle the blow and committed suicide by burning charcoal.”
“Forget it, I won't talk to you anymore. People have been dying in Happiness Community recently, there's probably some urban legend here. I've already given my red envelope, it's time to leave.”
Jiang Li, “......”
A few minutes later.
Jiang Li sat in the rental house, holding her phone, searching for information about Happiness Community. What came into her sight were shocking news articles.
《Why Do Children with Excellent Grades Also Want to Commit Suicide?》
《A Family of Four Died at Home on the Same Day, Suicide Note Exposed, Content Heartbreaking.》
《A Man in Happiness Community Attempted Arson After Drinking, Officer Arrived and Arrested Him on the Spot.》
...
Jiang Li read through each news report about Happiness Community from recent times, word by word, and her mood became heavier. By the time she came back to her senses and put down her phone, night had quietly fallen outside the window.
She didn't turn on the light, paced to the window, and looked out, lost in thought.
Then, she suddenly noticed a problem—the buildings in more than half of the community were dark, not a single window was lit, and the residents' lives seemed to have come to a standstill.
Only the red aviation obstruction lights on the roof were flashing, like a pair of bloodshot eyes. The ground lights in the community garden were also faintly lit, illuminating the chrysanthemums in the corner that were about to wither.
Happiness Community, which was once bustling with life, seemed to have died. The entire community was somewhat desolate in its loneliness.
As one declines, the other prospers; when there are fewer people, other things will increase. This is not a good omen. Jiang Li thought.
Just as she was thinking, a muffled sound suddenly came from above. She subconsciously looked in the direction of the sound. The next moment, a woman wearing a red Sleeping Dress with messy hair, head-first, abruptly entered her line of sight.
On that pale young face, her lifeless eyes met Jiang Li's through the window for less than a second, and then continued downwards, falling.
“Bang—!”
A muffled sound, mixed with the viscous sound of bones breaking and flesh shattering, echoed throughout the community.
Soon, a piercing scream stung the night...
