The Creatures That We Are

Chapter 558: Like an Ant Trying to Shake a Tree

Su Xi didn’t seem surprised at all after listening to Qing Ling’s explanation. Her expression was as gentle as ever, but underlying it was a contempt stemming from pride and indifference.

“Qing Ling.” She was still smiling. “You’re not fooling me. I know I’m pregnant with the Divine Scion.”

Qing Ling said coolly, “It seems that accepting reality is more difficult than lying to yourself.”

“Ha, Gao Yang is the one lying to himself.” Su Xi took another step forward. “Have you ever considered if he would be so weak were he the Divine Scion?”

Qing Ling paused. She had to admit that she was shaken for a moment.

But a second later, she tightened her grip.

She trusted Gao Yang.

Su Xi’s smile never dropped. “I was chosen by God ever since my birth. I exist and live solely for this day to come. You’ll never understand that feeling.”

“I’m sorry. Everyone who seeks to hurt my child must die.” Su Xi’s smile dropped.

Qing Ling took a deep breath. Why hadn’t Gao Yang and Gao Shou arrived? She couldn’t buy more time.

She raised her blades and prepared for the coming fight.

Suddenly, she sensed someone approaching, which put a frown on her face. She was surprised to see that it was Smoker, a member of Tails.

The man had messy hair and dense body hair, dressed in white sleeveless shirt, shorts, and sandals. A brown trench coat with light fabric draped around his shoulders, and perching on his nose was a pair of sunglasses with small circular lenses.

Qing Ling immediately turned around, planning to take out Smoker first.

“Not so soon, pretty girl.” Smoker grinned. “Turning you into fireworks comes later, Do you wanna know what comes first?”

Qing Ling said with a scowl, “Go on.”

“First,” Smoker raised his right forefinger and put it on his nose, “We kill the damn liar Su Xi!”

In the pavilion, Su Xi paused, but didn’t panic. “That’s not what we agreed on.”

“We protect you until you give birth, and you give us true holy water. That is the deal. However...” Smoker turned to Su Xi and was silent for three seconds. Then he shouted, “But goddammit we didn’t know you’re pregnant with the Malediction!”

Su Xi was a little disappointed. “You’d rather believe her than me?”

Smoker yanked at his messy hair like he was going to pull it out. “I’ve been doing nothing but bad since I was young. My hobby is going against good people. That’s why no one knows them better than I do...”

He glanced at Qing Ling before tugging at his hair again. “This beauty and Seven Shadow are clearly good people.”

“Good people, I hate good people the most...” Smoker tore off a strand of hair and screamed, “But good people are more trustworthy!”

Su Xi’s emerald eyes glinted.

Qing Ling fell silent. While he was despicable, Smoker did have an honest evaluation of himself.

“It’s annoying...” Smoker crouched down and started yanking at his hair more violently, his face twisting in pain as he approached madness. “Annoying, annoying, annoying!”

“I thought we’re getting actual holy water! And I’d be able to release more beautiful fireworks... I knew you bitch was lying to us!”

His head jerked up, his lips curling into a cruel smile. “It’s okay. Fireworks made from a life monster should be beautiful too!”

He stood up and splayed his hands at the sky.

Qing Ling was shocked to see countless dark figures flying into the sky from all over the Green Lotus Park, converging toward the lake and filling the sky in a dense pack. They were all wanderers plucked from across the park. Their eyes were dazed and their bodies stiff, having been marked by Smoker’s Firework and turned into elemental bombs he could detonate any time.

Yet their minds were still prone to the brainwashing effect of a life monster, and they continued to chant, “Mother, mothermothermother...”

It was eerie to say the least, and Qing Ling broke into goosebumps.

“Stop, Smoker.” Su Xi’s expression was calm, but there was a trace of wariness in her eyes. “It is fate for the Divine Scion to be born. You would be an ant trying to shake a tree.”

“Haha, stop acting!” Smoker laughed in excitement. “If you really were that strong, why would you need the protection of Tails? You’re a weakling now!”

“I hereby announce, the firework festival...” Smoker tipped his head up to relish the moment and swung his arms, hollering, “Officially commences!”

...

Meanwhile, on the street outside the Green Lotus Park.

Beep—beep—beep—

The car, having slammed into a wall, was still blaring a piercing alarm.

During the one minute after Gao Yang told the truth, two slaughterers had woken up and crashed through the window from the houses by the street, rushing at Gao Yang and Officer Huang respectively.

They dealt with the monsters easily.

After hearing Gao Yang’s confession, Officer Huang didn’t seem surprised at all.

He smiled like he had expected it. “Haha, I knew you would say that. Su Xi had expected it from you.”

“Huang Qi!” Gao Yang shouted. “When have I ever lied to you? You’re my companion and the person I trusted the most!”

“And you’re the person I trust the most.” Huang Qi lifted his head slightly and smiled. “You should know me. You know how much I want a family.”

Gao Yang paused. At that moment, he finally understood.

“You...don’t even care?”

Su Xi hadn’t been brainwashed by Su Xi, no. He simply didn’t care if his child was a Forlorn Ghost, the Divine Scion, or the Malediction. The child was his, and that was all that mattered.

Rather than answering, he asked, “Were you in my place, Gao Yang, would you stand by as your wife and kid get killed?”

Gao Yang opened his mouth but couldn’t say anything.

“There are things you have to do even though they are the wrong things to do.” Huang Qi raised his gun.

No argument mattered at that moment.

A gust of chilling wind swept over them.

Five seconds later, they made a move at the same time.