Chapter 27: Things Are Taking a Sinister Turn, We Are the Good Guys (Combined Chapter)

Life always has its ups and downs; that is normal. However, compressing a lifetime of highs and lows into a single day is, to put it mildly, a bit of a cardiac challenge.

The past twenty-four hours—which are not even over yet—have been, without a doubt, the most thrilling and perilous day of Ma Wei’s life. All the excitement and turmoil of his first half-life combined do not compare to this.

Getting drunk with his boss, pouring out their hearts to one another; in the blink of an eye, that boss became a corpse in his arms. Then, in another moment, his gut-wrenching wails of grief moved the entire gang. Next came the act of burying his boss with his own hands, shovel by shovel. And finally, with a face full of feigned shock, he was promoted—he had become the new boss.

His heart rate stayed at 180 throughout, spiking to over 200 at the very last second, leaving his head buzzing incessantly.

"You were Zhang Tong’s most trusted subordinate. Since he risked his life to save you, his position naturally belongs to you. Do a good job; don’t let the gang down."

Brother Bin’s words echoed in his buzzing mind like a broken record.

Ma Wei returned to the low-rise building in a daze. The bloodstains on the messy living room floor were not yet dry. His mood was as hazy and unreal as the psychedelic lights in a massage parlor.

What brought him back from the void to reality was a cold sneer on the other end of a phone call.

"I’m glad to hear you’re still alive, but I’m not happy to hear that rumors are spreading about me being a cripple."

Ma Wei shivered in terror, instantly snapping out of his fear and excitement. He scrambled to explain, "Boss, I couldn't hide that detail. If I had lied about that, I never would have fooled Brother Bin."

Feng Mu felt he had acted discreetly enough last night, but Ma Wei’s concerns were understandable; after all, a limp is a very obvious trait, and lying about such a detail would have been an easy way to get caught. Most importantly, Feng Mu was not a cripple at all.

Feng Mu pondered for a long moment before saying coldly, "This is the only time."

Ma Wei’s back was soaked in sweat. He quickly replied, "Don't worry, Boss. I won't say another word to anyone about you."

Without waiting for Feng Mu to speak, Ma Wei hurried to add, "Boss, I’ve finished looking into the tasks you gave me. Plus, my status in the gang has risen, so I’ll be able to serve you even better in the future."

Feng Mu’s eyes brightened slightly; he was satisfied with the value Ma Wei had demonstrated. "Congratulations on your promotion."

Ma Wei swallowed hard. "It’s all thanks to you, Boss."

Feng Mu grunted. "Tell me, what did you find?"

Ma Wei organized his thoughts. Skipping the details of how he investigated, he went straight to the results. "Brother Bin’s logic started with the evil ritual. Since the warehouse for the ritual is at the 47th Middle School, it’s highly unlikely the culprit is an outsider."

"It’s unlikely a teacher would commit a crime in their own place of work, so it must have been a student."

"Performing another evil ritual is dangerous. Top-performing students wouldn't do it, and students from wealthy or powerful families wouldn't go to such extremes. At the very least, if they had money, they would find a more hidden location—surely that would be safer than a school warehouse."

"So, it’s highly likely to be a poor student with failing grades who stumbled upon the ritual and, seeing it as a lifeline, took the risk regardless of the consequences."

"That is the logic Brother Bin used to narrow down the suspect list."

"Furthermore, Brother Bin originally thought the killer didn't target Zheng Hang intentionally; it was just that Wang Wei and Zheng Hang happened to be in the warehouse and were killed together."

"Wang Wei’s body was left at the scene while Zheng Hang vanished; that only suggests Zheng Hang was more suitable for the sacrifice."

Feng Mu listened silently. He had guessed at many possibilities, but he never expected Ma Bin’s investigative logic to be so simplistic. Every word was dripping with malice toward those at the bottom of the social ladder. Poverty and weakness were considered original sins, and the most ironic part was that he was right—like an arrow fired at a target, one of them had hit the bullseye.

"These days, even hunting down a killer and seeking revenge requires picking on the weak," Feng Mu thought to himself, filled with complex emotions.

Suddenly, his expression changed, and he raised his voice. "You said 'originally.' Does that mean he has changed his mind now?"

Ma Wei replied, "Yes."

Feng Mu was puzzled. "Why?"

On the other end of the line, Ma Wei was silent for three seconds. "Because Brother Tong is dead."

Feng Mu was full of questions; he didn't understand what the two events had to do with each other. "What do you mean?"

Ma Wei’s expression turned strange as he blurted it out, "Because Brother Tong went to the hospital the night before last and killed Wang Wei’s mother, and then last night..."

Feng Mu was stunned, then immediately understood.

Think about it: Wang Wei was dead, Zheng Hang was used for an evil ritual, Wang Wei’s mother was killed, and Zhang Tong was murdered at his own home. If Ma Bin connected the deaths of these four people, what would he think?

He would naturally assume that the person who sacrificed Zheng Hang and the person who killed Zhang Tong were one and the same—the killer was avenging Wang Wei.

Ma Wei’s voice continued through the earpiece. "So, Brother Bin now thinks the killer was targeting Zheng Hang from the very beginning. The ritual was a desperate move to gain the power for revenge. The killer likely had some kind of close relationship with Wang Wei."

Through a twist of fate, Feng Mu had inadvertently avenged both Wang Wei and her mother. He felt a strange sensation in his heart. If there were an afterlife, Wang Wei would probably have to repay him with her life.

Feng Mu said coldly, "Why didn't you mention such an important detail yesterday?"

Ma Wei’s facial muscles twisted strangely. A pained, tearful tone entered his voice. "I thought you were the one coming for Brother Tong yesterday too!"

Ma Wei felt miserable, but he didn't dare say it, only roaring in his heart: *So you were just killing people at random, Boss, and you happened to pick Brother Tong and me?*

Feng Mu realized he had misjudged Ma Wei and softened his tone. "How did you explain Zhang Tong’s death to the gang?"

Feng Mu hadn't really cared how Ma Wei managed to bluff his way through; he wanted results, not processes. But now, he had to ask.

Ma Wei spilled everything. "I said the killer followed Brother Tong and suddenly launched a surprise attack in the hallway, striking straight for his vitals. I rushed forward to help and was stabbed down, and Brother Tong fought to the death to hold the killer back so I could escape and call for help. By the time I came back with others, Brother Tong was lying in a pool of blood with his throat crushed."

Feng Mu gave a sincere compliment. "You understand the essence of lying. Not bad. You have some quick wit. What about the list? Did you mention it?"

Ma Wei couldn't tell if Feng Mu was praising or mocking him, so he just answered, "The list was originally pressed under a bowl. When I went back, I found it scattered over Brother Tong’s body."

"Well done." Feng Mu gave Ma Wei a mental thumbs-up.

He knew Ma Wei was doing all this to save his own skin and deceive the gang. He didn't have any subjective intention to clear Feng Mu of suspicion, but the objective result would definitely lead Ma Bin’s deductions astray.

If Ma Bin had even an ounce of sense, he would re-examine the direction of his investigation and define a new batch of suspects.

And as for me, Feng Mu—my "close relationship" with Wang Wei is something that would only happen in the next life. In this one, I didn't even get a good look at what she looked like.

*"The previous plan can be shelved, because I’m about to be cleared of suspicion?!!"*

Feng Mu’s lips curled upward. If he were cleared, he could free up his time and energy to focus more on his daily cultivation.

Therefore, Feng Mu asked, "As you said, won't the original list be voided?"

The phone went silent. Just as Feng Mu grew suspicious, the voice that came through the earpiece was filled with intense confusion.

Ma Wei said, "No. Brother Bin said to continue the investigation according to that list."

The smile on Feng Mu’s face froze. "Ma Bin has already sensed that something is wrong, yet he won't change the direction of the investigation? Is the second-in-command of your Green Wolf Gang mentally ill?"

Ma Wei hesitated. "I can't figure out what Brother Bin is thinking, but everyone in the gang knows that Brother Bin is the best at using his brain among all the brothers."

Feng Mu was silent. If he wasn't a fool, then he was making a mistake. But why?

Feng Mu felt uneasy, and his voice turned gloomy. "Did Ma Bin say anything else?"

Ma Wei answered truthfully, "Brother Bin told me to keep the matter of Brother Tong killing people a secret. Then he promised me I could take Brother Tong’s position, and he patted me on the shoulder and asserted—the killer is on that list!"

Feng Mu caught the hint. "Sounds like helping you get promoted is hush money."

Ma Wei finally sensed the implication and his voice trembled. "Boss, what do you think Brother Bin means? He wouldn't kill me to silence me, would he?"

Feng Mu didn't have an omniscient perspective; he couldn't guess Ma Bin’s thoughts at all, but he smelled a conspiracy. The whole situation was becoming increasingly treacherous and bizarre.

Even as the true killer, he couldn't see the truth behind the case. It was truly sinister.

Feng Mu frowned and pondered for a long time before comforting Ma Wei. "Since he promised you hush money, just be obedient and do as he says. Remember to report to me every night."

Listening to the cold voice on the phone, Ma Wei felt a little more at ease.

The unfolding of events was often absurd and bizarre. The person who had held his life hostage yesterday had become his source of security today.

Ma Wei replied, "Yes, I will be careful."

Feng Mu didn't care about Ma Wei’s life or death, but he hoped the latter would stay alive until the case was settled.

His voice carried a seductive quality. "You and Ma Bin share a secret. For the sake of your life, you’d better find a way to become his confidant, and then keep a close eye on him for me."

"As expected of the boss who holds my life in his hands; the advice he gives is always hit-the-nail-on-the-head." Ma Wei gasped internally.

Feng Mu gave one final, cold instruction: "Be my eyes by Ma Bin’s side, and don't die too easily."

*Beep... beep... beep...*

The call ended.

Ma Wei listened to the busy signal, then looked down at the text message on his phone—the one disguised as being from a young woman—and suddenly, a warm current flowed through his heart.

"I’m actually touched by a little concern from the person who is coercing me. I must be crazy." Ma Wei realized what he was thinking and gritted his teeth as he deleted the call history on his phone.

How could he keep the boss’s phone number in his phone? Every digit had to be firmly branded in his heart.

After hanging up, Feng Mu closed his eyes and rested on the bed for a while.

"Things are becoming bizarrely complicated. The Green Wolf Gang is investigating, but they are also *not* investigating. I seem to have been drawn into some whirlpool of conspiracy."

"A gang that is harder to deal with than the police precinct—it’s getting a bit annoying. Can’t they just let me cultivate and level up in peace?"

"The situation has changed. Whether I’m cleared of suspicion is no longer important. The important thing is what exactly Ma Bin is up to."

Feng Mu sat up abruptly, swallowed an iron bead, and began his forging exercises.

He thought, *Instead of guessing, I should cultivate. I’ll make the most of my time to level up and improve my strength. Whatever ghosts, demons, or conspiracies they have, once the time comes, I’ll just crush them all.*

[Edibility ↑↑]
[Edibility ↑↑]

The upward arrow was real and pure, undisturbed by the outside world. Even if the sky fell, as long as Feng Mu didn't stop his cultivation, the settlement panel would never let him down.

Time: 3.26, 04:00 Settlement Data.
[Iron Eater: Tier 1]
[Edible Iron Types: 1]
[Extractable Metal Traits: 1]
[Currently Detected Edible Iron: Common Pig Iron, Edibility 52.7%.]
[Extracted Trait: Embryo Molding (White)]
...

The next day, at the incinerator plant.

When Feng Mu arrived at the incineration room early in the morning, he saw Wang Jian squatting on the steps, dark circles under his eyes, puffing away at a cigarette. A pile of burnt-out butts lay scattered at his feet.

Feng Mu didn't want to get involved, but seeing Wang Jian looking like he was about to drop dead, it was hard to pretend he didn't notice.

He sighed, squatted down next to Wang Jian, and asked, "What happened?"

Wang Jian’s lips trembled, his expression a mix of wanting to talk and wanting to stay silent.

Feng Mu was empathetic. "A secret you don't want others to know? Fine. Later, when the 'corpse of the calamity' arrives, you can tell your troubles to it. I’ll stand guard at the door to ensure no one eavesdrops."

"Don't. What a horrific image, talking to an '厄尸' (Calamity Corpse)." Wang Jian grabbed Feng Mu, who was about to leave, and handed him a cigarette.

Feng Mu didn't light it, just tucked it behind his ear. "Go ahead, what is it?"

Wang Jian took a few deep drags on his cigarette, his voice hoarse. "Have you been in contact with Luo Ji lately?"

*"So it really is about Luo Ji..."* Feng Mu sighed internally, while feigning confusion on the surface. "No. Did something happen to Luo Ji?"

Wang Jian gritted his teeth, steeling himself to reveal the secret. "I might have done something wrong. I might have harmed Luo Ji."

After speaking, he stared intently at Feng Mu. Seeing that the latter remained calm, his tension eased slightly. He continued, "A few days ago, the Green Wolf Gang cornered me and questioned me. I was terrified. I was just thinking about how to get away, and without thinking, I..."

Wang Jian couldn't bring himself to say it; his face flushed red.

*"Just out of school, still innocent, conscience still intact..."* Feng Mu put an arm around Wang Jian’s shoulder and finished for him. "Luo Ji’s behavior after dropping out of school was indeed a bit unusual. It’s understandable that you let something slip while being intimidated by the Green Wolf Gang."

"Really? But I can't reach Luo Ji anymore. What if he was caught by the Green Wolf Gang?" Wang Jian’s face was filled with shame; regret and remorse were gnawing at his soul.

Feng Mu’s expression remained calm. His tranquil gaze seemed to hold the power to soothe anxiety.

He said, "Luo Ji might have just followed the advance team into the Hidden Gate. It’s normal not to be able to contact him."

Wang Jian said, "But, what if..."

Feng Mu interrupted him, putting the cigarette in his mouth. The flame from his unreliable lighter flickered, casting light and shadow on his face.

"Wang Jian, you are a good person. Luo Ji is a good person. I am also a good person. So, do you know what the common trait of good people is?" Feng Mu asked what seemed like a completely unrelated question.

Without waiting for Wang Jian to answer, Feng Mu gave the answer himself: "Weakness!"

Wang Jian was stunned. He had wanted to answer kindness, honesty, or politeness.

Feng Mu blew a smoke ring, his eyes obscure. "The essence of the world is survival of the fittest; it is people eating people. Bad people eat others because they are fierce enough; good people are eaten because they are weak."

"But is weakness a sin? No. Weakness is kindness, it is not fighting, it is following the rules, it is the radiance of humanity."

"So, suppose that good people like you, me, or Luo Ji, forced by survival, do some things that hurt others against our will—is it the good person’s fault?"

Wang Jian was immersed in Feng Mu’s words. He felt Feng Mu’s voice possessed a magic that guided him to think, to think about things his dull self had never considered.

Wang Jian answered uncertainly, "No. Good people are forced. Good people aren't wrong."

"Exactly."

Feng Mu flicked his finger, and the cigarette butt landed on the ground, crushing a passing insect, and was then ground into dust by a descending heel.

"The wrong is never the good person; it is the coercion of the bad people, and a world without constraints."

Wang Jian’s eyes lit up, and most of his inner guilt vanished. He never expected his classmate’s thinking to be so profound, like a mentor guiding a lost lamb.

"Thank you, Feng Mu. I feel much better." Wang Jian was full of gratitude.

Feng Mu grinned, showing his neat white teeth. "Did you remember the main point I just made?"

Wang Jian nodded heavily, convinced. "Yes, I remember. We are good people, and good people are not wrong."

Feng Mu smiled without a word. His gaze drifted past Wang Jian to the body bags being transported by a cart in the distance, and he sneered in his heart: *"Wrong. The truth is people eating people!"*