A grown person fell off a street lamp without making a sound.
Standing to the side, Zhao Tingting showed no reaction whatsoever, more numb than a plastic mannequin in a shopping mall display case, simply watching Hu Jiu lie motionless on the ground like a corpse.
It wasn't until more and more passersby noticed this that Zhao Tingting's expression gradually changed from numb to lively.
The more people gathered around, the more human she seemed.
The Satellite Phone in her pocket rang, and while stopping passersby from calling an ambulance, she answered the call.
Her personal operator's voice came through the receiver, asking about her current situation.
"Hu Jiu seems to be dead. Inform the higher-ups as soon as possible."
Zhao Tingting's voice remained perfectly calm, but her operator panicked and blurted out, "Please dispose of Mr. Hu's body properly immediately!"
"I'm afraid it's too late; he seems to be recovering." Zhao Tingting remained nonchalant.
"Don't spread rumors, I'm still alive." Hu Jiu suddenly stood up from the ground, not saying a word, but uttering a cold voice.
His originally deathly pale skin had now turned an eerie bluish-gray, and passersby nearby instinctively wanted to flee.
They did indeed move away quickly.
As the crowd dispersed, Zhao Tingting said expressionlessly, "It's good that you're still alive. What's next?"
Hu Jiu completely ignored her, treating her as if she didn't exist, turned his head to look into the distance, and disappeared on the spot the next second.
On the highway to Ruihe City, a flock of strange birds was flapping their wings and soaring high into the sky.
Before Hu Jiu even got close, his brows furrowed tightly. This strange bird was indeed fierce, as if some extremely dangerous thing was wantonly spreading endless malice.
Hu Jiu stopped immediately, closed his eyes, and his eyelids melted and died. His ears closed like putty, refusing to receive any external sounds. His body became ethereal, refusing all touch.
This series of changes in vital signs was completed within half a second.
The next instant, several crow-like birds landed on the scarecrow by the roadside, staring intently at Hu Jiu had shut down his five senses and was in a ethereal state.
The birds were entirely black, with two pairs of wings, blood-red eyes, and a slit on their foreheads that resembled a third eye.
A black sedan drove by and saw many scarecrows set up by the roadside. It was puzzled because these things had never existed before.
Upon closer inspection, it became clear that those weren't scarecrows at all, but rather standing corpses!
The strange bird landed on the corpses and watched the passing vehicles.
Then the car went out of control, because the driver died and the passenger died too.
The strange birds were increasing in number without anyone noticing, as if they were splitting into many different species; one bird would fly and eventually become a large flock.
A flock of birds flew past Hu Jiu, but he dodged them all with precision.
They were flying towards places with large populations and vibrant life.
Buzz--
The Satellite Phone rang. Hu Jiu picked it up, inserted it into his temple, and pushed it into his skull. His writhing brain matter slid across the answer button, and his voice came from the other end. "Speak quickly."
"Zhao Tingting said you were dead. I'm worried. What happened just now? Are you alright?" Fu Youhua's voice came through the receiver, echoing in Hu Jiu's mind.
"I have good news and bad news. Which do you want to hear first?" Hu Jiu's tone carried a hint of playful malice.
Fu Youhua paused for two seconds. "What's the bad news?"