Chapter 53: Could there not be one person who isn’t a double agent?
Why have I been feeling like someone has been secretly watching me these past few days? Have I already been targeted?
Luxianbei felt that Jiang Li’s reference to Zigu as a fallen mythological species perfectly matched the god-like aura he felt from the gaze watching him in the shadows.
My current situation seems a bit dangerous!
Staying at the Siye Society for a long time is definitely not an option. With the uncontrolled transformation into an urban legend these past few days, if Zigu doesn’t come looking for me first, the Siye Society will probably end up killing me beforehand.
Fortunately, it seems that Zigu hasn’t completely found me yet—she has only locked my location near University City, so there is no immediate danger.
But…
Trouble has already come knocking, and I cannot entirely rely on the enemy’s mood; who knows how long it will surveil me?
I must take this opportunity to prepare in two ways.
First, the initial step is to clarify the enemy’s information; knowing ourselves and knowing our enemies will ensure victory in a hundred battles!
Luxianbei thought and then asked Jiang Li, “Boss, the fallen mythological species you mentioned… What makes it different from ordinary mythological species?”
“…” Jiang Li fell silent, resting one hand on his chin, deep in thought.
“Boss? What are you thinking about?”
Luxianbei called out, and Jiang Li snapped back to attention, staring at him intently. “I was thinking whether I should just send you to Yun Kang Psychiatric Hospital and keep you there for half a year.”
“You really know how to cause trouble. In just over half a month, a temporary worker like you has encountered more problems than a full member in a year.”
Luxianbei was taken aback, then started wailing, “No, don’t, Boss! Do I look like that kind of criminal? This isn’t my fault; it’s all them, secretly stirring things up behind my back. I just happened to stumble upon it and couldn’t contain my overflowing sense of justice, so…”
“So, I was just thinking aloud.” Jiang Li interrupted, somewhat irritated. “After all, the beds at Yun Kang Psychiatric Hospital are quite limited. If I send you there, you’d probably only be able to sleep on the floor in the corridor.”
After a pause, Jiang Li raised an eyebrow at Luxianbei and continued, “Is there anything else? Besides discovering that they were discussing Zigu, do you have any other findings?”
“Nothing else! This is all I know.” Luxianbei restrained his nervousness about lying and tried to appear calm, leveraging his natural advantage.
In his plan, there was no intention of telling the entire story at once; doing so would certainly raise Jiang Li’s suspicions regarding the story’s authenticity.
Gradually obtaining fragmented information from the chat group for a period of time would make the final woven tale more credible!
Jiang Li rubbed his forehead at Luxianbei’s words, responding lightly, “Hmm, I understand.” He then got up and limped to Luxianbei’s side, reaching out to close The Book of Siye, sitting down across from him.
“Since you asked about what the fallen mythological species is, let me teach you about that today?”
“Most mythological species are born from people’s worship of deities, and due to that worship, often carry good wishes; therefore, newly born mythological species aren’t as dangerous as other urban legends. On the contrary, they can bring certain benefits to their worshippers.”
Just like real deities, Luxianbei thought. I guessed you would say ‘but’ next?
“But…” Jiang Li straightened up, saying earnestly, “mythological species urban legends are also one of the easiest types to evolve into calamities. Due to cultural, historical, and belief changes, they can be endowed with new properties.”
“Do you know Beelzebub?”
“I have some impression… Isn’t it a demon?” Luxianbei replied.
Jiang Li nodded slightly. “In fact, it was originally called Baal-Zebub when it was born, a god of the Phoenicians, meaning ‘lord of the flies,’ but for various reasons, it ultimately became a terrible existence.”
“Wait, Boss!” Luxianbei felt a bit panicked and interrupted, “Are you implying that there really are urban legends similar to demons?”
I originally thought it was just about haunting ghosts, and as long as I was well-prepared and proceeded discreetly, I could manage somehow.
But now you’re raising the ceiling of urban legends several LEVELS, making it feel like there’s almost no desire to resist, Luxianbei thought.
Jiang Li shot Luxianbei a glare. “I was just giving an example.”
Even if there were, who would waste their time sparring with a timid and cowardly person like you?
Jiang Li thought to herself, then continued, “The fall of mythological species, though the reasons are more complicated, follows the general process mentioned above.”
“Got it!” Luxianbei interjected. “In simple terms, it’s like a good kid who can’t resist temptation and gets led astray, right?”
“Pretty much, but…” Jiang Li frowned, “I believe that once all urban legends are born, they are on the path to becoming evil; their fall is an inevitable outcome.”
“Urban legends are, after all, urban legends; humans are ultimately their food. Even mythological species are just wild hunting and captivity.”
The fall is inevitable… Luxianbei silently repeated Jiang Li’s words in his mind. Relating it to himself, he felt a wave of poignant loss and even a hint of anger from an unknown source.
Did you think I wanted to become an urban legend? I want to live as a carefree ordinary person too!
Thinking about the recent harrowing experiences, Luxianbei wanted to unleash his anger on Jiang Li, but then he considered that it had nothing to do with her. Frustration wouldn’t change the situation.
She only wanted to eliminate urban legends, which isn’t wrong.
But I don’t want to let the chaotic wheels of fate roll over me; wanting to live well is also not wrong.
While Luxianbei was lost in thought, Jiang Li’s voice suddenly interrupted his musings.
“Sorry, I may have spoken a bit too harshly…” Jiang Li hesitated, pausing for a long while before continuing, “In fact, you might never come into contact with these things in your life. The world you can interact with is still quite beautiful.”
Luxianbei was taken aback when he first saw a slightly gentle side of Jiang Li, silently thinking to himself, “Not really!”
…
After explaining the basic information about fallen mythological species urban legends to Luxianbei, Jiang Li ended today’s course early and walked him out of the office.
As they walked through the dimly lit corridor and across the courtyard, Jiang Li was just about to return to the office when Luxianbei prepared to leave. At that moment, a sudden burst of laughter erupted ahead, and from a distance, he spotted Du Sixian and An Qing approaching, leaving Luxianbei momentarily stunned.
What should one do when an urban legend in the Siye Society’s headquarters encounters their kin and laughs with a Siye Society operative?
Why is it so difficult for me? Can’t there be one person around me who isn’t a double agent? Luxianbei thought.
(Today there’s been a minor issue at home, and my mind is all over the place. I can’t write a good plot if I force it. Let’s keep it short for now! Here, I apologize to all the readers, and once I handle things at home, I’ll find a way to make it up.)
