Chapter 25

Chapter 25

Amidst the noisy rain, Le You hugged his younger brother and looked at Jiang Xingzhuo nervously.

Jiang Xingzhuo also looked at them, smiling as she asked, "Want to draw a card?"

"We, we don't have any money."

"Oh, it's a pity. Since you don't have any core cards in my pool, I can't let you draw for free," Jiang Xingzhuo said regretfully, her tone gentle and tolerant, evoking an indescribable feeling—both fear and attraction.

Hearing this, Le You felt ashamed of not having money to draw cards and couldn't help but lower his head.

"Then, farewell," Jiang Xingzhuo said.

When Le You looked up again, Jiang Xingzhuo had vanished, along with the strange feeling she brought.

...

Although Zheng Quan didn't have much contact with Le You, he had always been concerned about the situation of these pitiful children and knew that Le You had moved out of his foster parents' home and rented a small place. Sensing something was wrong with his keen sense like a hound, he rushed to Le You's neighborhood in his police car, sirens blaring, fearing the worst.

He held an umbrella and ran up the stairs, only to find the two brothers standing in front of an unfinished building. Seeing Le You's stomach wound and Le Yang's bloodied head, he was shocked.

"You..."

"We encountered that person. They've already run away," Le You said.

Zheng Quan took out his phone: "Let's go to the hospital first!"

Soon, ambulances and more police cars arrived.

Le You and Le Yang were taken to the hospital. On the surface, Le Yang seemed worse off with his head covered in blood, looking as if his brain might be exposed, but in fact, Le You was more seriously injured. Although the stab wasn't fatal, he had lost a lot of blood.

The doctors who initially planned to treat Le Yang were confused when they saw him. Le Yang stared innocently at the doctors, who stared back in disbelief.

"With this amount of bleeding, it can't just be a superficial wound."

"But the CT scan shows his head is fine."

"How could such a minor injury bleed so much? Look, there's even brain matter here!"

Le Yang said, "My brother drew a card and saved me."

The doctor was stunned, not taking it seriously, and cleaned the blood from his face and stitched up the cuts on his scalp. Soon, Le Yang got off the bed, bouncing around outside the operating room waiting for his brother.

Zheng Quan was dumbfounded: "You look pretty badly hurt. Could the blood be your brother's?"

"It's mine," Le Yang said with a smile.

Zheng Quan was puzzled: "Aren't you scared?" Back then, Le Yang had witnessed his parents being killed, which traumatized him so much that he developed a high fever and forgot everything. Tonight, they encountered that person again, and Le Yang almost died, yet he still managed to smile.

Le Yang: "With a deity around, I'm not afraid of bad guys!"

When that psychopath suddenly appeared before him, grabbed him, and smashed his head with a brick, he was terrified. But now, those fears had been washed away. He only remembered the overwhelming presence Jiang Xingzhuo brought. That monster was tall and imposing, but in front of her, he shrank to nothingness.

And the card created by this terrifying entity saved his life and his brother's, even though they didn't have the right to draw cards. Her arrival alone ensured their survival, which was enough to be grateful for.

Zheng Quan: "Huh?"

The surgery light turned off, and Le You was wheeled out.

Le You was under local anesthesia and fully conscious. He felt this matter must be known by Zheng Quan, no, by everyone.

"Officer Zheng, are there reporters outside the hospital? Let a few of them in to see me; I have something to say."

...

Ou Xinchen got into the car, removed his mask, and drove quickly back to his residence.

Only after parking in the garage of his villa did he breathe heavily, noticing goosebumps all over his arms.

He took out the cards from his pocket, especially the Bone Knife and Devour cards.

"Hah."

He took a deep breath, making a blissful expression, the goosebumps multiplying, and his scalp tingling. He rarely felt this way, born not as a normal person but a natural criminal with weak empathy, only killing could give him this pleasure.

But now, things were different. He believed no one else could experience what he was feeling. He felt stronger and more advanced.

The allure of becoming stronger was irresistible even to someone like him. After all, getting stronger meant hunting more valuable prey!

Just like how once a psychopath starts killing, they can never stop, after tasting the thrill of gaining strength from devouring a companion, Ou Xinchen couldn't stop either.

Who would be his next prey?

Ou Xinchen gazed at the cards, a sinister smile on his lips, his eyes dark and terrifying.

...

Five years ago, the news of Le You and Le Yang's parents being murdered shocked the public. The serial killer has yet to be found, and now the only two survivors were attacked again. News media, like cats sensing blood, had indeed found their way to the hospital, interviewing neighbors and acquaintances.

Thus, even before Le You left the operating room, news articles began circulating online, speculating whether they had encountered the same serial killer again, whether the brothers' lives were in danger, and whether they had seen the killer's face. These sensationalist stories quickly caught the attention of netizens, especially since Le You's foster parents were a popular charity couple with five million followers.

Opinions about this couple were mixed; some accused them of fake charity, using the children to gain attention, while others believed they were genuinely kind-hearted. When Le You and Le Yang were 13 and 5 respectively, they witnessed their parents' murder and barely escaped, leaving deep psychological scars. This made adoption challenging, especially for Le You, who was older. The couple stepped forward during this time, benefiting greatly from the publicity.

Once this news broke, it immediately trended due to the couple's controversial reputation. As soon as the video of Le You's interview was released, people flooded in to watch.

Clicking on the video, before she could even praise her brother for being handsome, she heard him say, "What Zhou Shuning and Zhou Shujie said at the press conference in H City is true. The True God has indeed descended upon the world."

Despite the ongoing hot search about Zhou Shuning and Zhou Shujie being strong but possibly not very smart, the journalists had seen it and were all stunned. Zheng Quan, who was standing nearby, was equally bewildered.

Le You spoke into the camera: "I swear that every word I am about to say is true and legally accountable. Tonight, my brother and I encountered the same serial killer who murdered our parents. He claimed we were the only two who escaped from him, and he's been looking for us for a long time. He also mentioned having a female accomplice."

"We couldn't defeat him. My brother was caught first by the psychopath and beaten almost to death. I was stabbed. He intended to torture me slowly. In that moment, I remembered what the siblings said, and out of fear, I prayed to Him. I hoped something would save me from this desperate situation."

"Then a miracle happened. He really appeared..."

The journalists listened quietly, expecting a typical plot where the deity punishes the bad guys and saves the brothers. However, they were surprised when the narrative suddenly shifted to card drawing, and even more so when it involved a serial killer drawing cards like Bone Blade and Devour, which seemed incredibly powerful. Was there something wrong with this plot development?

Le You confidently continued, "If you don't believe me, ask the doctors if my brother's blood loss doesn't match his injuries, or if there's brain matter in the blood despite his brain being undamaged. Ask the police officer if another psychopathic killer was found with his throat slit and nearly decapitated, which can't be done with just a small dagger. The fact that we survived such an encounter and can sit here talking about it is proof enough."

Le You's eyes were bright, his speech clear and confident, making it hard to believe he was lying. Moreover, everything he said could be easily verified. Even a nurse peeking through the door covered her mouth, as many had heard the doctors discussing the inexplicable events.

Zheng Quan's face changed repeatedly, initially suspecting Le You had suffered brain damage or been hypnotized by the psychopath, but now began to doubt the truthfulness of his claims.

The journalists looked at each other, feeling goosebumps, and the female reporters rubbed their arms.

Journalist: "Why did you specifically tell the public about this?"

Le You replied, "To let everyone know that He truly exists. Zhou Shuning and her brother didn't lie. I hope more people will pray and be saved like my brother and me."

Journalist: "Can you describe how it felt to see Him?"

Le You thought for a moment, struggling to find the right words: "It's hard to describe. It's a deep-seated fear that emerges from within, coupled with an inexplicable sense of reverence. In His presence, everything seems insignificant. Anyone who sees Him would know it's Him."

"..."

The video was only about 15 minutes long, yet it left viewers feeling as though much more time had passed, perhaps due to the absurdity and incredibility of the content. Yet, they sensed a hint of truth amidst the absurdity.

Everyone viewed the event differently. For Le You and Le Yang, Jiang Xingzhuo's appearance saved them; without her, they would have been killed by the psychopath. They felt grateful and reverent, wanting to share this good news with others.

However, many others focused on the fact that Jiang Xingzhuo gave a card to a psychopathic killer, who then gained the Devour card, allowing him to become a terrifying monster by killing more companions.

"Oh my god, I'm getting goosebumps."

"What he said sounds true..."

"My rational mind tells me there's no deity, but the evidence seems compelling. Tagging the police here."

"I find it strange. If there really is a deity, why does He need money? Why give a card to a serial killer? That psychopath has escaped and now has those cards, making future crimes easier and more deadly. How many more lives will be lost?"

"Is this really a deity? Isn't it more like a demon?"

"Hey, isn't anyone else skeptical? This must be for attention."

"To be honest, I'm starting to believe it. Even if Zhou Shuning and Zhou Shujie said it, Le You corroborates it, and these three seem to be from different worlds."

"A tip: a friend of mine is an outer disciple of an ancient martial arts family. They say those magical cards do exist..."

Across the country, discussions were rampant, and the topic remained high on the trending list.

The central authorities were nearly overwhelmed.

Damn, they had just told Zhou Shuning and Zhou Shujie not to reveal anything about the cards, and now Le You had spilled everything. Their efforts to maintain stability had kept the information hidden, leaving some departments unaware and unprepared to prevent such statements and videos.

And now, more importantly...

"He actually gave a card to a psychopathic killer, the first known evil card drawer among all of them..." The ministers tightened their jaws, convening an emergency meeting.

"The Bone Blade card and the Devour card, how vicious these cards are in the hands of a psychopathic criminal!"

"Is He good or evil?"

"No, wait. The Devour card requires devouring similar beings, meaning the killer can only gain power by killing other psychopaths. Thinking about it, He might be good."

"Does a non-human entity like Him really care about good and evil?"

People fell into suspicion. Previously, all known card drawers were not bad people. The only exception, the venomous leech, who gained card-drawing qualifications, ended up killing itself, while a military mole survived. This led them to wonder if Jiang Xingzhuo was good and kind.

But now, upon her reappearance, she didn't give cards to Le You and his brother but instead to the vicious criminal. Even if the Devour card seemed to guide the bad to kill the bad, how many innocent lives would be lost in the process?

Suddenly, they were unsure.

...

Upon seeing the video, the various ancient martial arts families were shaken.

"Wen Nang, is it true? Are those cards real? Don't hide it anymore; this is serious!"

"Yes, if such things exist, the government will eventually come after us. We need to unite now!"

"After all these years, who hasn't had some dirty laundry? Do you think your family can escape scrutiny?"

Amidst the back-and-forth, the Wen family finally spoke up.

"It is true."

After Murong Ying spoke, Wen Qing's mother immediately sought him out. They had suspected something was off ever since Wen Qing brought Murong Xue back. He became moody and violent, often abruptly stopping during meals to accuse his brothers, even though no one was speaking. He even imprisoned and tormented Murong Xue, acting as if possessed.

If Wen Qing suddenly had telepathy, it made sense. Human minds are complex and dirty; anyone suddenly facing these truths would struggle to remain sunny and calm.

Wen Qing was calmed by his mother and obediently handed over the Voice of the Mind card. Witnessing the light converge into a card, even the seasoned head of the family shivered.

This world truly had such things, such entities!

Crime syndicates across the nation were abuzz with excitement.

The Viper Organization.

"Is this for real?!"

"Damn it! Bone Blade! Devour! I freaking want them!!"

"No way, you guys actually believe this crap? If there were gods in this world, I'd kick my own head around like a ball."

"Must be some kind of hypnotism, probably that psychopathic killer's new game."

"But, have you considered that the mysterious deaths of all members of the Leeches might be related to this?"

This single statement silenced the chattering leaders instantly. The situation with the Leeches was still a mystery, and the rumors within their ranks had become increasingly outrageous, even including possession by spirits. But now, thinking about these two bizarre trending topics, they suddenly felt enlightened.

If it were true, everything would make sense—the sudden mass slaughter, the disappearance of their private assets without a trace. What if they encountered an unimaginable creature and spent their money on card draws, obtaining incredible cards? They imagined themselves in that situation and felt a sense of danger, knowing that if someone drew a great card, others would surely try to steal it, and they would fear being robbed as well.

"Boss." At this moment, a companion looked up from the computer, her expression one of utter shock.

Boss: "What is it?"

"Do you remember that old man who came to our base wanting to hire someone to kill Tan Yiwu?"

"Yeah, he hasn't shown up in days. Probably took his grandkids to drink pesticide."

This companion was a tech expert and computer whiz. She shook her head and turned the screen towards them: "That disfigured granddaughter and comatose grandson of his are Zhou Shuning and Zhou Shujie!"

What?!

Everyone sitting down jumped up in unison, crowding around the computer screen. There, detailed information about the Zhou family and photos of the siblings before and after their card draws were displayed. The contrast between the pictures was stunning.

Silence fell over the room for a long while, and no one could find their voice.

Finally, the boss's eyes gleamed with determination: "Find a way. We need to locate that psychopath and seize those cards from him!"

They were certain now. This was real; divine beings had truly descended, and those mind-bending cards had indeed appeared!

...

The tremors were not limited to the surface world; the hidden depths of the internet also stirred, with even more extensive information spreading.

In the dark web, a hacker claiming to be a disciple of an ancient martial arts family offered a hefty sum for information on the psychopath.

Others were willing to pay hundreds of millions just to find a way to get him out of the country.

[Are those cards real?]

[Yes.]

[Outside the wall, everyone is praying for His arrival. Xiang Xian's sister has been resurrected, and it seems Xiang Xian isn't planning any revenge against society inside the wall anymore. He spends his days preaching with his sister.]

[I'm willing to pay a hundred million for a single card, any function will do. I just want to see if it's really that amazing.]

[...]

Anonymous chat windows buzzed with discussion, some believing, some disbelieving, and others half-believing.

Fear of Jiang Xingzhuo was minimal; instead, people were fixated on the cards.

If such things really existed, who wouldn't want them? With a Bone Blade, one would feel so much safer, able to draw a knife at any time to fend off threats or monsters, without worrying about security checks on subways or planes—how convenient!

Having superpowers like Zhou Shuning and Zhou Shujie would be even better, making one practically invincible, turning slaughterhouses into mere nuisances.

Want, really want, can prayers really summon Him?

Good people, bad people, indifferent people—all were filled with anticipation, greed, and fear.

Countless emotions transformed into energy, surging towards Jiang Xingzhuo from all corners of the country.

This nation, like a corner of a tranquil lake struck by a pebble, began to ripple, gradually spreading its waves worldwide.

Jiang Xingzhuo lifted her head, breathing deeply, feeling the power coursing through her. Who wouldn't enjoy this sensation of omnipotence, capable of crushing any enemy?

But it wasn't enough. This world needed more effort, more chaos.

Why give the psychopath the chance to draw cards? To prevent them from mistaking her for an angel and developing misplaced affection. Such affection is not faith but merely useless sentimentality.

Every human in this world, good or bad, was her battery. If all the bad people believed she would destroy them and all the good people thought she would bring justice, her losses would be immense.

A competent scammer should profit from both sides 🙂

This world needed more chaos, not only to generate energy for her but for another crucial reason.