"You really like this city, don't you? To be honest, I did all of this!"
"The power of this pen is truly magical. To use such power merely to satisfy one's own selfish desires would be a narrow-minded approach. I've always thought about how to use it to benefit society and all of humanity. Yuezhao City is my masterpiece..."
Qin Fangtong seemed a little impatient, and proceeded to ramble on about her plans for transforming the city.
Hu Jiu responded without hesitation, "You did a fantastic job! This is exactly what I've always wanted to do!"
Perhaps because she hadn't communicated with others for so long, Qin Fangtong gradually became more talkative after finally finding someone who shared her values and was willing to agree with her.
Hu Jiu's fake smile gradually turned into a genuine one. His opponent was a young, naive girl who knew very little about the Supernatural —this was perfect!
With his proactive approach, the two chatted more and more happily, speaking freely about everything from poetry and songs to life ideals, from the past to the future.
Hu Jiu's sweet words were indeed effective. Qin Fangtong herself didn't have much of a sense of caution and inadvertently revealed most of her secrets.
The first half of her life was like a dream come true. Although her family was of average means, her parents had a good relationship and never argued. There was no emotional abuse, no psychological manipulation, and no preference for sons over daughters. Her grandparents also doted on her. Her family of origin was as happy as could be.
She was also very happy during her student days. The teachers she encountered were all very dedicated and responsible, and she got along well with her classmates. There was no bullying, no sarcasm, no comparisons, and no isolation...
Before she turned eighteen, Qin Fangtong's relatives and friends intentionally or unintentionally created a warm fairy tale paradise for her. At that time, smartphones were not yet widespread, students had no access to electronic products, let alone the internet and outside information. She seemed to be living in a beautiful cocoon and naively believed that the outside world was just as wonderful.
She knew of the existence of darkness, but she firmly believed that light would eventually dispel it.
Unfortunately, all of this came to an abrupt end when she entered university, leaving her small hometown for a bustling metropolis.
"You know, when I was a freshman, my roommate and I ate at a restaurant near the school, and I got sick because of food hygiene issues. Later, we went to argue with the restaurant owner, but we were yelled at and kicked out. Then I called the police, and the owner slapped me in front of the police. The two officers just gave me a few words of advice, took a quick note, and told me to wait for further notice."
"I believed there was justice in this world, so I went to seek justice several times. However, the police severely criticized me, telling me to stop there, that it was just a small matter, and not to be so unreasonable and keep harping on it."
"Yes, they threatened me, the victim, and demanded that I forgive them. The restaurant owner even harassed me by phone for a while afterward. Later, my advisor quietly told me that the restaurant was owned by a relative of a school leader."
At this point, a hint of resentment appeared on Qin Fangtong's face. "That was the first time I faced the darkness of society head-on. For most people, this kind of thing might just be a commonplace trifle, but for me it was different because I had never encountered such darkness before."
The fairytale curtain is torn apart, revealing a bloody and ugly truth. What will happen when someone who has never experienced darkness is suddenly plunged into it?
Hu Jiu subconsciously thought of some parents who complain everywhere, wishing they could eliminate all "negative" things from their children's lives and create a paradise of only positivity and sunshine for them.
"Actually, I'm not that fragile." Qin Fangtong's happy family background gave her a resilient spirit. Although her values were impacted, she gradually accepted the Ruyi in life. Perhaps this is what growth is all about. She also understood that it is the profession that is noble, not the person. There can be scum in every profession, including the military, police, and doctors.
If that were all, her life would still be happy. Unfortunately, real misfortune struck.
When her father came to visit her at school, he unexpectedly witnessed a murder. After reporting it to the police, he was detained as a suspect and unable to prove his innocence. The police quickly gathered witnesses and evidence and executed him. Her grandparents couldn't bear the shock and died one after the other. Her mother tried to persuade them to stop but to no avail and was instead detained and warned. In despair, she jumped from the building.
A few words could reveal the immense pain and suffering. Qin Fangtong was unwilling to mention it, or even recall that terrible past. In the blink of an eye, her family was destroyed and her loved ones were killed. It was as if the happiness of the previous eighteen years was bought with the money she had earned over the future. Her heart felt like it was being repeatedly rubbed and ravaged by a rough block of ice, and even breathing felt excruciating.
"Can you understand me? When I was a child, I learned that 'no pain, no gain, and hard work will always pay off'; but as I grew up, reality taught me that 'misfortune always finds its way to the weakest point.'"
"I've been bewildered more than once. Are the life philosophies I've learned since elementary school outdated, or are they just lies? My parents and teachers constantly told me to obey the law, to be a law-abiding and honest person, and that anyone who breaks the law will be punished; but later I discovered that this isn't the case. This person is a relative, that person is a second-generation official, and a mental illness diagnosis certificate can easily get them out of punishment."
"This world is truly cruel, mercilessly tearing everything I had apart. I finally understand that good people are treated like cattle, exploited and bullied. Especially good people at the bottom of society, who are cultured but lack family background, are strangled by Legalists and stabbed in the ribs by Confucianists. The more they value fairness, the more they suffer!"
Hearing this, Hu Jiu nodded in strong agreement. "Good manners are like a tonic, but you can't take too much of them. The biggest weakness of many good people is that their moral character is too high. As a result, they don't live as freely and comfortably as those scheming and treacherous villains. In the end, they become the 'honest people' that others laugh at, and even firmly believe in absurd theories like 'suffering a loss is a blessing.'"
Punishing and restraining illegal behavior with the law, and controlling human nature from a moral high ground with benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness, can create the vast majority of honest people. The solution is not difficult either. As the ancients said, "The timid starve to death, while the bold get rich." Just like Hu Jiu after his rebirth, who was greedy and tyrannical but rose higher and higher.
Qin Fangtong's tone suddenly became agitated, "I hate this ugly reality! I'm not willing to just let things slide like this! I can't forgive this world!"
"Fortunately, I have been blessed by the Divine Pen. I can use its power to completely shatter this filthy era. It doesn't matter if the world resents or hates me; I will rebuild a perfect ideal world from the ruins and save everyone with a smile!"
Hu Jiu clapped her hands with tears in her eyes. Idealists are indeed incurable; once they leave the paradise of ideals, they will create an ideal Hell.
Qin Fangtong stared intently at Hu Jiu, "Are you willing to help me? This world, where only good people exist and where hard work pays off, needs your help!"
Hu Jiu nodded heavily. "That's why I came here! The changes in Yuezhao City have already attracted a lot of attention, and they dare not come in, but I really like it here, a beautiful and satisfying new metropolis."
Qin Fangtong's mind has been severely corrupted by the Supernatural, making her seem rather dim-witted. Perhaps she still retains her former high moral standards, but she lacks knowledge about Ghost Tamers and is easily deceived.
Of course, she wasn't foolish enough to give the Ghost Pen directly to Hu Jiu, but it was close. The Vengeful Ghost Puzzle were attracting each other, and the person who controlled the Fierce Ghosts would inevitably be affected.
Hu Jiu now felt a strong urge to contribute the Ghost Book, and he believed that Qin Fangtong felt the same way.
"The Divine Pen told me that you have what it needs, so let's not waste any more time," Qin Fangtong urged.
Hu Jiu's eyes sharpened. "Does that pen have self-awareness?"
"Yes, it's normal for divine objects to have spirits," Qin Fangtong said matter-of-factly. "It can write and communicate with me in simple ways."
Hu Jiu seemed to be deep in thought. He reached out and unzipped his clothes, slowly taking out the Ghost Book. The eyeballs on the cover trembled, and the surrounding vein-like protrusions pulsated restlessly.
"Give it to me now!" Qin Fangtong glanced at it and immediately lost control, lunging at it like a madwoman.
"Calm down, don't be impulsive!" Hu Jiu dodged to the side, and White Sash fell from mid-air, quickly wrapping around Qin Fangtong.
The palm, pulsating with an eerie, Ghost Hand Supernatural, reached out towards the Feather Pen in Qin Fangtong's hand.
Swish--
When it was still more than ten centimeters away from the Feather Pen, it voluntarily broke away from Qin Fangtong and flew towards Hu Jiu.
The whole process was even simpler than expected; Qin Fangtong was powerless to resist. Or perhaps, the Ghost Pen possessed self-awareness, and it was... choosing the right tree to perch on?
A chilling coldness suddenly surged from his palm, attempting to penetrate his body, but it was quickly blocked. Hu Jiu swiftly retrieved Golden Container from his backpack and imprisoned the Feather Pen.
"Give it back to me! Give me back the Divine Pen!" Qin Fangtong roared, struggling desperately. Without the Ghost Pen, her body was undergoing strange changes.
--His skin grew increasingly pale, the natural lines and textures of human skin faded, and his hair clumped together—not from oiliness caused by prolonged lack of hygiene, but rather like a character from an anime, breaking into patches. Delineating lines began to appear on his skin, making him look like a figure in a portrait...
"The price of using the Ghost Pen?"
Hu Jiu stepped back, and seeing that the White Sash ribbon couldn't kill Qin Fangtong, he said, "Your current state is very strange. I'm worried that if you control the Divine Pen, something might go wrong. Let me handle the task of building a better new era. Don't worry, I will definitely follow your will and create a world that satisfies you, a world with only good people!"
"Really... really?" Qin Fangtong's struggles subsided, as if she had been calmed down.
"Of course it's true." Hu Jiu's tone and expression were full of sincerity.
"Whether it's true or false, I can't beat you anyway, I have no other choice." Qin Fangtong regained her senses slightly, realized her predicament, and black tears, as dark as ink, dripped from the corners of her eyes.
"I will help you realize the dream you are pursuing, because it is also my dream." Hu Jiu softened his tone. He didn't mind showing mercy to the dying man and saying a few false words of comfort.
"You must be exhausted after holding on for so long, right? If you feel tired, close your eyes and rest for a bit. Leave the rest of the work to me. When you open your eyes again, I promise you'll be experiencing the happiest moments, on an endless loop."
Hu Jiu slowly approached Qin Fangtong, his Ghost Hand gently stroking her long hair, shattering her last resistance.
"The happiest time?" she murmured softly.
I still remember a summer many years ago, when she came home from school to find her mother cooking. Her favorite cartoon channel was on TV, a fan was blowing the sweat off her forehead, leaving a cool breeze, and the watermelon in her hand tasted sweet. The sense of peace brought by childhood memories has carried over from the past to the present, and time seems to stand still at this moment.
"I remember now, I died long ago along with my mother..." The White Sash dissipated, and Qin Fangtong collapsed to the ground, melting into a painting.
Hu Jiu stood there, stunned, a tightness in his chest. "Can such a despicable and shameless villain even have a conscience?"
Maybe so.
A conscience, smaller than a grain of sand, can be blown away by the wind; it's better to do without it.
The portrait of the girl on the ground has her eyes closed, as if she has fallen into a deep sleep. She says that she has been dead for a long time, and that it was probably the Ghost Pen's Supernatural that kept her alive. When the Supernatural dissipates, she will be gone.
Hu Jiu gave her one last look before turning and leaving without a backward glance. Don't tell others about your suffering; those who don't care will just laugh it off. Don't expose your wounds to others; they may become a weapon to stab you in the back at any time.
If Qin Fangtong hadn't been so lonely that she couldn't help but talk about her sad past when she met "like-minded people," Hu Jiu wouldn't have seized the opportunity to use his psychological tactics.
The tragedy aroused the long-lost humanity. After being moved, his soul fell into an even deeper abyss.
The weak have the right to live, but that right is so narrow that it cannot even guarantee their own safety. Hu Jiu absolutely does not want to end up like Qin Fangtong. He wants to climb to the top step by step! To stand forever on the peak where no one can harm him!
With the Feather Pen contained, the strange tales of Yuezhao City lost their source and are likely gradually dissipating. Hu Jiu stepped out of the space constructed by Supernatural forces, with Yue Renchun and Ye Songlan standing guard outside like two guardian generals.
"You're finally out." Yue Renchun saw Hu Jiu's gloomy expression and quickly asked, "How did it go?"
Hu Jiu shook his head. "I almost got caught off guard. It was a maze inside, full of traps and mechanisms. I could only hear the voice of that strange Ghost Tamer, but I couldn't see him. However, he couldn't do anything to me."
"Heh." Yue Renchun gave a forced smile. "So, what are your plans next?"
Hu Jiu sighed deeply, "Let's go! We can't get that ghost anytime soon, so there's no need to keep wasting time. Let's just consider this a wasted effort."