Here Lies The Wicked

Chapter 43: The List

When Fang Zheng had slipped away and returned to his quarters,

It was almost 11pm.

Just as Fang Zheng was taking out his keys to open the door, a commotion occurred in the house next door which was occupied by two female university students.

“January brings frost, February brings warmth, March a combination of both. Caught in a dream as I was, unable to guard myself, my throat is filled with ash…”

“Lin! Jia! Bao! Speak properly.”

“Tongtong, while I slept last night, I think I caught the Spring Flu. My throat is full of phlegm, and I’m completely fatigued. Could you pour some hot water for me and help me get better sooner?”

“Lin Jiabao! You’ve spent the entire time in your bed, glued to your laptop and binge-watching series, and you even ate two bags of chips and half a box of tiramisu. Do you think I, Chen Tongtong, would believe you!”

Fang Zheng shook his head. These two girls were night owls: never sleeping at night, and always kicking up a ruckus.

It seemed that the previous incident had been banished from their minds, and they were still vigorous and energetic young people.

Fang Zheng had just entered his twenties, but he grumbled to himself and continued to open the door.

Just as he was stepping through the door, he heard movement behind him. The elevator let out a ding as the doors opened. It turned out it was Police Chief Wei, back from overtime. Even though he had been working overtime to this hour, his uniform was still impeccably well kept, without a single fault. It amplified the air of professionalism and bravery around him.

They nodded at each other in the cordial manner that only neighbors did and that counted as trading greetings.

The two of them were not men of many words.

Fang Zheng did not take care to be particularly friendly. Everything would be the same as before, a peaceful existence.

Furthermore, ever since they saw each other at the police station, this was the first time the two men had bumped into each other. With a variety of complicated cases, the police station was constantly requiring overtime to solve the case. It was very difficult for an officer to have a normal shift schedule, and therefore the two of them did not see each other much.

“That matter regarding the list of novels last time, thanks.” Police Chief Wei said to Fang Zheng as he opened his door.

“Cooperating with the police has always been a civic duty of mine. Police Chief Wei you’re too polite. In any case, you’ve already thanked me on WeChat.” Fang Zheng smiled.

“Furthermore, I even caused trouble for you by asking you for help to forward the video of the accident to the Traffic Police in order to apprehend the owner of the car that caused the accident. If I really did help you, I think we’re even.”

“There was no issue of breaking principles for that. It can even be said to be a matter of public safety. If it were me in your shoes, I would have done the same thing.” Police Chief Wei’s eyes conveyed his honesty and candor.

“Then I will hold you no longer from your rest, Police Chief Wei.”

“Yeah, you should get to bed soon too.”

The two men nodded at each other in parting, before entering their respective homes.

As the door closed, Fang Zheng suddenly felt a wave of confusion wash over him. He suddenly felt… that the scene tonight was very familiar.

It is unknown why every person will experience this feeling. Every now and then when something occurs or something is said, it will suddenly trigger a sense of deja vu, as though the same thing had happened in the same place, maybe 5, 10 years ago.

Fang Zheng very quickly figured out why it was this familiar.

The scene tonight: two female university students who did not sleep, bumping into his new neighbor Police Chief Wei, these were the same circumstances as the descent of the Blue Moon a few nights ago!

This was just an episode, and Fang Zheng did not put much weight on it. He locked the door, and he pulled out the Human Skin Scripture in a rush.

It was glittering.

One symbol, two symbols, three symbols…

At this moment Fang Zheng was like a little goblin, counting the glowing symbols up and down.

It was ten symbols all in all, no more no less!

‘Instant wealth!’ Fang Zheng finally knew what it meant to be rich overnight!

Fang Zheng nearly forgot himself and cackled in glee. However, he quickly shut his mouth, and contained his joy within himself.

This venture was not a loss.

Neither was his little adventure to the bridge in vain.

In the face of his overnight wealth, Fang Zheng was, naturally, unable to settle down. It was as though he had randomly dug a hole, easily found an entire seam of coal, and turned into a coal tycoon overnight.

The source of the Blood Replenishing Medicine was now available.

The Sacred Book of Tendon and Wash Marrow Transformation (Level 1), Maha Golden Immunity Shield and the other martial skills he had learned, would definitely rise by another level.

Fang Zheng carefully pulled out The Sacred Book of Tendon and Wash Marrow Transformation (Level 1), First Level of The Nine Yang Divine Power and a few other secret tomes from his stash. With his overnight wealth, Fang Zheng naturally felt that his mood had lightened.

However, when he thought it through, Fang Zheng decided to give up on the endeavor of improving the books which were badly damaged.

Even though he had become rich overnight, and his savings had grown exponentially to ten symbols, it was exactly because of this that Fang Zheng had to be all the more cautious in choosing what he wanted to improve, and it would be prudent not to waste it.

In the development phase in front of him, resources were naturally scarce and valuable. Therefore it was necessary to utilize every bit to its maximum and to do his best to maximize the benefits.

Following some rumination, a plan began to slowly form in Fang Zheng’s heart.

Firstly, the Blood Replenishing Medicine was a definite priority when it comes to improvement.

After that, he would utilize the Blood Replenishing Machine, then he would fully train the last two levels of The Sacred Book of Tendon and Wash Marrow Transformation (Level 1), First Level of The Nine Yang Divine Power and Maha Golden Immunity Shield.

Regardless of what was said, since he had already upgraded it to the highest skill level, it would not do to waste it.

Furthermore, these two elite skills secret books would result in being strong beyond comparison after improvement and would be sufficient to beat various normal skills. The Wash Marrow Book alone would strengthen the constitution, and using true Yang Qi he would combat the cold and suppress skills of poison. These were all signature moves of these filthy demons. Therefore, Fang Zheng urgently required these abilities.

The third step would be to source a secret book of mental skill, in order to break down the illusions of out-of-body experiences.

When that time came, the Three Energies[1] would all have its own skill.

The first was the body.

The second, Qi referred to the true Qi.

And lastly, was the spirit; the mind.

Having experienced two out-of-body experiences back-to-back, Fang Zheng felt a sense of anxiety that concentrated on his brows.

Were it not for the out-of-body experience with the corpse cut in two occurring after he had already bought the fake secret books on Xbao, there definitely would be a copy of a secret book of mind martial arts in the 12 fake secret books that he had purchased.

Step five would require some experimentation. In his heart, the idea had already taken root. Could a secret book which had been improved once be improved again?

He did not refer to an incomplete book.

He referred to a complete one such as the Maha Golden Immunity Shield.

…

Looking at the scribbles and notes on the small books…

Fang Zheng’s face immediately darkened. According to his calculation, ten symbols just were not enough!

He had not gotten rich overnight, it was all a mistake.

He was still on the poverty line, a drag on society.

[1] A concept of Traditional Chinese Medicine, where there are three main energies that comprise a human being. The Body, Qi, and the Mind.