Free Web NovelChapter 100: Chapter 100: You’d Better Get Your Facts Straight Before You Speak
"How dare they! How dare they!" A person stood by the tree, punching the trunk. The rough, old bark caved in forming a fist-deep depression, through which a hint of the tender yellow branch was visible.
"What do you mean? Is Flying Tiger Organization really humiliating us like this?"
"Are you just going to let them humiliate us like this?" The narrator watched as the person’s facial expression fluctuated between bright and dark.
These wealthy merchants, indeed of low rank, fought to climb to level one with great effort. They hadn’t been invited by any organization, nor would they have accepted such invitations, as they preferred survival over serving others like mere cattle.
"I think we should unite. Even though our level is low, we are not targets to be manipulated at will."
"Everyone, now is the time to prove ourselves. This might be just a test by those organizational forces, testing whether we will resist." One individual leaped onto a large stone, stood on top, and raised his arm calling out.
The gale howled, stripping dry yellow leaves from the trees.
A dozen people stood together, expressions of anger, their clenched fists loosening, expressing unwillingness and bitterness.
"Perhaps, we should let it go after all..."
"We aren’t a match for them after all..."
The person on the stone continued to call out, while those below began expressing hesitation.
"Cowards!"
"No matter what, we must at least try." Another person stepped forward from the crowd, "If we fight for it, Flying Tiger Organization, being as big as it is, won’t do anything to us. But if we never fight, they’ll have no qualms collecting what they want in the future."
"Yes, everyone should give it a try."
"I refuse to believe Flying Tiger claims to prioritize humanity, yet secretly seizes other people’s property."
"Flying Tiger set up such a big reputation for humanity, and now they carry out these acts of private possession?"
"Alright then, let’s do it!"
...
With a few words, those anxious and hesitant people agreed to try.
Flying Tiger’s whereabouts are easy to find; there’s only one main road leading to and from Red Pearl Mental Hospital, and the usual person wouldn’t choose to go astray.
They arrived and spotted them; now with speed they could still catch up.
Xiong Jie’s car was always parked in the hospital’s garage, surrounded by understated luxury cars, shaking his head at how fast vehicles depreciated, lacking collectible value. He held no regard for such things.
The wealthy merchants planned to send someone later to drive the cars away.
Selling them second-hand could recover some costs.
Jiang Che followed behind Xiong Jie, bumping into the group of wealthy merchants face-to-face in the underground parking lot.
Jiang Che noticed the group discreetly examining them before leaving, even taking a few extra glances at the small bag Jiang Che carried.
The bag was just an old thing he found somewhere, empty except for two folders.
One was his own, the other belonged to his friend.
"We meet again," Xiong Jie said, gesturing for Jiang Che to sit beside him after opening his car door.
"Does General Manager Xiong want to join, to go demand things back from Flying Tiger Organization?" One approached their car, not bothering with Jiang Che’s bag contents.
The bag looked thin, even if hiding something, it wouldn’t be much.
What they’re retrieving is far more than that.
"Me? You all know, I haven’t even dealt with my own family issues," Xiong Jie shook his head, "Instead of demanding back my things, I’d rather spend time dealing with those traitors at home."
"Indeed, if General Manager Xiong needs help, don’t hesitate to ask. We’ll assist if we can."
Watching the group swiftly get into their cars, Xiong Jie followed suit.
Jiang Che curiously gazed out the window; this was his first time leaving through Red Pearl Mental Hospital’s front gate.
Beyond Red Pearl Mental Hospital lay a long main road, flanked by untamed maple trees that lent an unexpected touch of artfulness.
"Follow the main road out from here, it’s about an hour and a half to the city," Xiong Jie noted Jiang Che’s constant gaze outside.
"What is the city like?" Jiang Che asked like a curious child, seeing the merchants’ cars swiftly disappearing around the bend.
"The city..." Xiong Jie paused for a moment, "It’s somewhat deteriorated compared to the past, but there are still many interesting places."
Jiang Che inhaled deeply. Though breathing the same air, he felt the air carried a different scent.
He watched birds flying in the sky, then glanced back at the mental hospital receding in the distance.
As the speed increased, the towering gray walls topped with barbed iron wire disappeared behind winding curves.
Tall trees concealed the depths of the suburban Demon’s Courtyard.
Turning forward, Jiang Che pondered if he truly had left there.
On the main road there was nothing, only occasionally a few self-built houses at the roadside, but they didn’t appear inhabited.
"Since the paranormal occurrences began, those scattered households mostly moved to the city, living with everyone together."
"Even though places with people present post-paranormal occurrences can be dangerous, the sense of safety still arises from being with fellow humans," Xiong Jie drove at a modest speed, without intent to chase the Flying Tiger Squad.
Leaving Red Pearl Mental Hospital’s area, farmland sprawled ahead, alongside terraced tea mountains.
In the distance, a wide, winding river meandered by.
If only Ning and they were here too.
Jiang Che opened the window, his first thought was if Ning and the others were here.
If only everyone could see these landscapes together.
Ning would definitely like it.
He wasn’t sure if his parents and Tuantuan would enjoy such views; after all, home decorations carried a grim style.
But Ding Ning might enjoy such an environment; Ding Ning’s castle mimicked human architecture.
Xiong Jie leisurely drove, allowing Jiang Che ample time to see the sights.
He surveyed the verdant fields, feeling nostalgic.
This scenery held fond memories; such landscapes grew scarce since eerie occurrences started. Many human realm regions turned into wastelands after frequent hauntings.
When evil spirits entered the human realm, areas sometimes desolated after one event, believed spared from subsequent visits. However, they adapted to previously devastated environments.
Yet, no one expected the second haunting in the same location.
Red Pearl Mental Hospital lies within the Celestial Destiny Circle, naturally frequently invaded by haunted forces.
"Spotted the Flying Tiger Squad," Xiong Jie observed the distant convoy surrounding Fly Tiger’s car.
Jiang Che poked his head out, soon seeing Fly Tiger amidst the crowd.
Calmly, Jiang Che watched, yet Fly Tiger appeared irritated.
Was this doubting Flying Tiger Organization’s capability?
"It’s said those capable claim their place. Is there really an issue of monopoly here? Best recognize the facts before speaking."
