Cataclysm Chapter 95: The Mortality Meter 01

Chapter 95: The Mortality Meter 01

Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations

Editor: Karai

 

Zhang Qiudao had been lying in a hospital bed for three days, and Mao Xiaoli silently stayed by his side the entire time. Delighted by her company, Zhang Qiudao bribed others at the office to let him extend his stay for another week. Everyone from the office, except for Mao Xiaoli, was present, including Kui Xuan.

Ma Shanfeng covered Kui Xuan’s ears and scolded, “You’re going to be a bad influence on my granddaughter.”

Kui Xuan responded, “Grandpa, I can hear you.”

Ma Shanfeng replied, “Good girl, just pretend you can’t. Hoo-hoo, it all flies away, and you hear nothing.”

Kui Xuan nodded earnestly. “Mm-hmm, hoo-hoo, it all flies away. I hear nothing.”

Chen Yang watched the grandfather-granddaughter pair with amusement. “Did you two officially recognize each other as family?” Ever since he saw Kui Xuan in her onesie and pink floral dress, the atmosphere had shifted from fairy-like to a kid being raised by grandparents. For a moment, he was stunned, but then, seeing Ji Jiang’s utterly despairing and numb expression, he felt oddly comforted. At least Kui Xuan hadn’t been overfed, which was a small relief.

Kui Xuan asked, “Grandpa said he wants to make me his god-granddaughter. I told him I’d have to ask your opinion. Chen Xiaoyang, do you agree?”

Ma Shanfeng, for the first time, gave Chen Yang a cold, expressionless look.

Chen Yang felt conflicted. “… Fine, Kui Xuan, even if you acknowledge Uncle Ma as your grandpa, don’t give up on your sense of style. Let Ji Jiang handle your wardrobe. You can’t deprive her of her job.”

Hearing this, Ji Jiang gave a grateful yet burdened expression, then turned to Kui Xuan. “Deputy Ma and Auntie Ma come early every morning to help you get ready. It’s not easy for them; you can’t be too selfish.”

Kui Xuan hesitated. Truth be told, she liked the way Ma Shanfeng and Auntie Ma dressed her, but she also liked Ji Jiang’s styling. Torn between the two, her hesitation alarmed everyone present except for Ma Shanfeng, who didn’t seem to notice the crisis in her aesthetic judgment.

Kou Xuanling stepped in to block Ma Shanfeng, while Chen Yang and Ji Jiang worked together to convince Kui Xuan.

In the end, Kui Xuan, who preferred Chen Yang, happily agreed to let Ji Jiang handle her daily outfits. Ma Shanfeng cast pitiful glances at Chen Yang, Ji Jiang, and Kou Xuanling, but the three were united in their stance on preserving the child’s sense of aesthetics.

Frustrated, Ma Shanfeng turned his attention to Zhang Qiudao and remarked, “If you’re a man, go after her openly! Faking illness, really?”

Chen Yang stopped Zhang Qiudao from speaking and directed Kui Xuan, “Go do your homework.”

Kui Xuan protested, “I already finished it!”

Chen Yang’s expression didn’t change. “Should I sign you up for piano or advanced math classes then?”

Without another word, Kui Xuan left the room, and Ji Jiang quickly followed her. Once the child was gone, Zhang Qiudao said, “Uncle Ma, don’t act like a well-fed man who doesn’t understand hunger. Among everyone here, other than Kui Xuan and Ji Jiang, who isn’t already paired up?”

Ma Shanfeng retorted, “So that justifies being unscrupulous? Lying is unacceptable. Ask anyone here—has anyone lied to win over their partner?”

Zhang Qiudao glanced at Du Shuo and Lu Xiuzhi. Both men coughed lightly and buried their faces in newspapers or magazines. They weren’t about to feel guilty about hiding their identities to court their wives—in fact, they felt a bit smug.

Their silence emboldened Ma Shanfeng. “Loving someone requires honesty. Deception means losing their trust, and trust is the most important element in a relationship. So get up and get back to work.”

Zhang Qiudao remained lying down but nodded as if he had learned something profound. “Uncle Ma, you’re right. Trust is the most important element in a relationship, especially in marriage.” With that, he grabbed his phone, which had been sitting on the blanket mid-game, and navigated to his contacts. “To avoid affecting your relationship with Auntie Ma, I’ve decided to report your secret stash of money to her—”

Ma Shanfeng moved with surprising agility for someone in his fifties. He snatched the phone, exited the contacts, and smiled warmly. “Actually, strategic deception is sometimes necessary to secure love. Used properly, it can strengthen a relationship.”

Kou Xuanling dragged a chair over and gestured. “Come here, let’s discuss.”

Chen Yang was pulled into the group. Ma Shanfeng, already seated near the bed, stayed put. Lu Xiuzhi, who was standing farther away, kept his eyes on Kou Xuanling.

As Chen Yang walked over, he grabbed Du Shuo, who was pretending to read the newspaper, and dragged him along, clinging to his arm affectionately. Zhang Qiudao found the display a bit much and looked away. “Next week, the Taoist Association is hosting a Taoist exchange conference. I want to take Xiaoli to Longhu Mountain—”

Chen Yang raised an eyebrow. “Meeting the in-laws already?”

Kou Xuanling said, “That’s way too fast. When are you planning to hold the wedding banquet?”

Ma Shanfeng shook his head and, after calculating the dates, replied, “There aren’t any auspicious dates for marriage in October, but November and December have some good options. Still, getting married soon would feel too rushed. I’ll look through the calendar again to find a better date.”

Zhang Qiudao said, “I just want to take XiaoLi to see the scenery at Dragon Tiger Mountain and show her where I live. Can you guys stop fast-forwarding?”

Chen Yang grinned. “Too fast? Confession, dating, marriage—can’t all of that be done in two months?”

Zhang Qiudao scoffed, “Who manages to handle a lifelong commitment in just two months?”

“Me.” Chen Yang pointed to himself matter-of-factly and looked over at Du Shuo. “Right, Old Du? We met, got engaged, dated, and set the wedding date—all within two months. And look at Old Kou. He and his partner also wrapped things up in about two months, pledging their lives to each other.”

Kou Xuanling, a little embarrassed, glanced down with a shy smile, and Lu Xiuzhi returned the look, their silent sweetness filling the air.

Zhang Qiudao glanced at Chen Yang and his partner, then at Kou Xuanling and Lu Xiuzhi, before letting out a cold laugh, his face expressionless. He thought to himself, Chen Yang and his partner are like a blind marriage where the pair somehow clicked. Kou Xuanling, on the other hand, essentially groomed his ideal partner since childhood. Their starting points aren’t even in the same league—how could they be compared?

At this moment, Ma Shanfeng added to the conversation, “My wife and I were introduced by a matchmaker. We liked each other at first sight. After a month of talking, we got engaged and then married. If we hadn’t had to wait for an auspicious date, we could’ve been a couple within two months.”

Zhang Qiudao, feeling slightly suffocated by the conversation, took his phone back from Ma Shanfeng and opened his game app. After playing through a round to calm down, he said, “We’re not the same.”

Chen Yang nodded. “True. You and Xiaoli have been coworkers for two or three years, and she still thinks of you as just a friend.”

Ma Shanfeng added, “Don’t rub it in, Director Chen. It’s not their fault they were both slow to figure things out. You guys had love at first sight, while Qiudao and Xiaoli have the whole ‘love grows over time’ thing going on.”

Kou Xuanling raised his hand and said, “Actually, Lu and I are also a ‘love grows over time’ situation.”

“Ohhh—” Chen Yang dragged out his tone, casting a teasing glance back and forth between Kou Xuanling and Lu Xiuzhi. “Grows over time,’ huh? Got it.”

Zhang Qiudao clicked into another round of his game, furiously playing until he regained his composure. Then he said, “Fine, just humor me a bit, will you?”

At that moment, there was a knock on the door.

Mao Xiaoli’s voice came through. “Zhang Qiudao, can I come in?”

Zhang Qiudao quickly adjusted his blanket, lay down, and hid his phone. His voice dropped a few tones as he replied, “Come in.”

Mao Xiaoli entered, looking surprised to see Chen Yang and the others there. She walked in and placed a tray on the bedside table. “Zhang Qiudao, I reheated some congee for you. Can you sit up and eat?”

Zhang Qiudao calmly responded, “I can.” He sat up, took the bowl, and ate a few silent bites. Behind Mao Xiaoli, Chen Yang and Kou Xuanling looked on with disdain, while Ma Shanfeng shook his head in quiet disapproval. Amateur, they thought.

Zhang Qiudao shot them a cold glare before taking another sip of congee, only to suddenly start coughing violently, his whole body wracked as if tearing itself apart.

Mao Xiaoli, panicked, patted his back and offered him water. “What’s wrong? Does your wound still hurt?”

Zhang Qiudao shook his head. “I just ate too fast.”

Mao Xiaoli frowned as she took the porridge bowl from his hand. “Let me feed you. Your injuries are serious—don’t eat too quickly, or the coughing will make your wounds hurt more.”

Zhang Qiudao, with a calm, even indifferent expression, declined, “No need. I can handle it myself.”

Seeing his insistence, Mao Xiaoli relented, “Alright, then you eat it yourself.” Zhang Qiudao had always been a loner, never engaging closely with any women. Having someone feed him porridge was clearly awkward for him.

He had only meant to decline out of politeness, thinking he’d eventually accept her kindness, but Zhang Qiudao froze for a moment, caught off guard.

A stifled laugh escaped Chen Yang and the others behind them. Serves him right for trying to act cool and having it backfire.

Mao Xiaoli glanced at the bandages on Zhang Qiudao’s body, frowned again, and sighed. “Forget it. I’ll feed you. If you spill it, it might burn your wounds.” This time, Zhang Qiudao didn’t refuse and accepted the spoon she offered.

Chen Yang nudged Kou Xuanling in the calf, motioning for him to stop being a third wheel and leave. Kou Xuanling dodged to the side and mouthed back, “No way. I want to see how to woo a girl.”

Before Chen Yang could say anything, Lu Xiuzhi pushed Kou Xuanling toward the door. As a man who already had a partner, he felt it inappropriate to stay and spectate. Listening wasn’t allowed either—it was time for a lesson.

Chen Yang called out, “Xiaoli, Qiudao, we’ll head out now,” and pulled Du Shuo toward the door. Ma Shanfeng followed behind them. At the same time, Kou Xuanling and Lu Xiuzhi wrestled near the door. Just as they reached it, Mao Xiaoli’s voice stopped them.

She said, “Since everyone is here, I have something to announce. I want to leave the branch office and return to Maoshan.”

Zhang Qiudao reacted strongly, grabbing Mao Xiaoli’s wrist. When his eyes met hers, he suppressed the tension and urgency threatening to spill over, forcing his expression into calmness. “You’re leaving? Why? If it’s because I saved you this time and made you uncomfortable, you don’t need to feel that way. I’d do the same for anyone.”

“For anyone else, you wouldn’t have needed to save them at all,” Mao Xiaoli replied calmly.

Chen Yang, Ma Shanfeng, and Kou Xuanling exchanged glances, each forming their own suspicions. Ma Shanfeng gestured for everyone to stay silent and let Mao Xiaoli finish her thoughts.

Mao Xiaoli continued, “I can’t keep being the one who holds everyone back. In that situation, no matter who else it was—whether it was you, brother Chen, or Lao Kou—you would’ve handled it easily without incident. But not me. I couldn’t save myself and ended up dragging everyone down.”

Zhang Qiudao’s expression tightened. “It wasn’t a burden,” he said firmly. Faced with Mao Xiaoli’s puzzled gaze, he added, “Because it was you, I wouldn’t consider it a burden.”

Mao Xiaoli froze, then her face showed a mix of surprise and guilt. Zhang Qiudao quickly averted his gaze, speaking in an even tone. “I wouldn’t think of anyone as a burden.”

Chen Yang almost rolled his eyes. The confession was so close, but at the last moment, he chickened out.

Mao Xiaoli gave a small “Oh,” scooped some porridge, and brought the spoon to Zhang Qiudao’s lips. He glanced at her before taking the spoonful of porridge and swallowing. “Are you really leaving?”

“Mn. I really am,” Mao Xiaoli confirmed.

Chen Yang objected. “No way. If you leave, the branch office will lose another person. We only have six people, and we just got Lu Xiuzhi, who doesn’t even pull his weight. If you leave, we’ll be back to the four-person setup from before. How are we supposed to surpass headquarters like that?”

Lu Xiuzhi, the so-called useless addition, glanced at Chen Yang’s self-righteous speech and shot a look at Du Shuo, silently asking him to intervene. Du Shuo, however, nodded in agreement with Chen Yang, blatantly ignoring the plea.

Mao Xiaoli said, “Brother Chen, I’m really sorry. But I’ve made up my mind to return to Maoshan. I can’t keep drifting through life. If I do, one day, I’ll be left behind by all of you and become a true burden.”

Zhang Qiudao replied softly, “I don’t mind, and I wouldn’t complain about carrying a burden.”

“I mind,” Mao Xiaoli retorted, turning to Ma Shanfeng. “Uncle Ma, you understand my resolve, don’t you?”

Ma Shanfeng asked, “You’ve really decided?”

“Mn.” Mao Xiaoli nodded firmly.

Ma Shanfeng asked, “Director Chen, what’s your take on this?”

“I disagree.” Even for Zhang Qiudao’s sake, Chen Yang couldn’t truly let Mao Xiaoli leave the branch. If she left, Zhang Qiudao would definitely follow suit. So he said, “The Mao family heirs have always had a saying about enlightenment: three barriers and nine apertures, with the ‘mud pill’ left unopened. Without connecting to vital energy, practicing the Dao is just a joke. Are you going back to the Mao family in Maoshan to open your core aperture?”

Humans have three barriers and nine apertures, the most critical being the ‘mud pill’ aperture, also called the ‘Mud Pill Palace’ in Taoism. It’s roughly the size of a peanut and determines one’s aptitude for cultivating the Dao.

Ma Xiaoli gave a small smile. “Yes. Without opening the core aperture, all my innate talent goes to waste. The Mao family heirs have always known the method for unlocking the apertures, so I need to go back—it’s going to take a lot of time.”

Historically, there’s been the saying of “a thousand sages refusing to pass it down,” meaning the secret method for unlocking the apertures was never shared outside the family and could only be taught to those deemed virtuous. Since Ma Xiaoli’s father knew the method, she would need to return to learn it.

Chen Yang replied, “I won’t stop you from advancing your skills. I’m glad you’re motivated. But there’s no need to leave the branch entirely. Treat it as further education—the branch will keep your name on the roster. Once you’re done opening your core aperture and learning the techniques, come back as soon as you can. Everyone will wait for you. Besides, isn’t school starting soon? Did you finish your summer assignments? Have you informed the school? Did they approve?”

Ma Xiaoli answered, “The summer project only requires social practice. I’ve handed it off to a responsible classmate. As for taking leave, I’ve already submitted the request for long-term medical leave to my counselor, and it was approved this morning.”

“Well, it seems you’ve made up your mind. Since you’ve prepared so thoroughly, there’s nothing more I can do to change it.” Chen Yang could only relent. He glanced at Zhang Qiudao and added, “You two… want to talk? We’ll step out.”

After leaving the room, Chen Yang closed the door behind him. He, Kou Xuanling, and Ma Shanfeng immediately pressed their ears against the door, eavesdropping. Lu Xiuzhi and Du Shuo had no choice but to follow. Du Shuo raised his hand to block Chen Yang’s forehead to prevent him from accidentally bumping into the door.

Chen Yang whispered, “Hear anything?”

Kou Xuanling’s expression was serious. “Nothing. Uncle Ma, what about you?”

Ma Shanfeng shook his head. “Looks like there’s nothing to say. Qiudao’s love life is doomed.”

After a while, Chen Yang heard footsteps and muttered, “She’s coming out.” The group scattered like startled birds.

Ma Xiaoli came downstairs carrying a bowl, looking noticeably more relaxed. “I’m going to pack my things and leave in a couple of days. Do you need me to draw any talismans before I go?”

Chen Yang nodded immediately. “Of course. Prepare at least two big boxes. We’re planning to use talismans to crush the other masters at this Taoist exchange conference.”

Ma Xiaoli laughed. “Got it. By the way, after you all left, Zhang Qiudao and I switched to chatting on WeChat, so there was nothing for you to hear.” She smirked triumphantly and walked away.

Chen Yang sighed. “The Dao rises a foot, but the devil rises ten.”

Ma Shanfeng picked up his teacup from the table and started back to his office. “The love lives of young people are none of my business. I’ll contact the Taoist exchange conference. Our branch was originally allotted three spots, but since this conference is hosted by Qiudao’s family, we get to visit the ancestral temple at Dragon Tiger Mountain. But more people means more trouble and challenges, so prepare yourselves mentally.”

Chen Yang looked puzzled. “What do you mean?”

Kou Xuanling slid off the backrest of the sofa and sprawled across the seat, explaining lazily, “The number of spots announced for each Taoist exchange conference always exceeds the ancestral temple’s capacity. They set up roadblocks, and only those who successfully overcome them and arrive at the conference on time get the spots officially.”

“Roadblocks?”

“Last time at the exchange conference at Baiyun Temple, the obstacle they set up was a painted skin demon. I don’t know where they found this demon, but it made a guest appearance and nearly drove the young Tianshi mad. It was only when they caught the painted skin demon that they won,” Ma Shanfeng explained.

The painted skin demon has a skin suit, and they can paint on it, wearing it like a living human. When they blend into a crowd, no one can tell the difference.

Chen Yang commented, “Sounds interesting.”

At that moment, a car pulled up to the open door of the branch, and Qi Yin and Wei Ning stepped out. Qi Yin had bandages wrapped around her arms and several parts of her body, clearly still recovering from her injuries.

Holding Wei Ning’s hand, Qi Yin walked in and immediately bowed to Chen Yang, sincerely thanking him, “Thank you for saving me and Ning Ning.”

Chen Yang shook his head. “It was nothing.” He looked at Wei Ning, who shyly fiddled with his fingers and quietly called out, “Brother.”

Chen Yang smiled and said, “Ning Ning, you look really handsome today!”

Wei Ning ran over and tugged at Chen Yang’s clothes, saying, “We found Zhizhi. We want to take her with us.”

Chen Yang asked, “Mn?”

Qi Yin explained for her son, “We were sent to the hospital, and when we woke up, we went back to the Wei family’s collection hall. Inside, we found the bodies of Wei Guangming, Wei Jie, Wei Mianmian, and Feng Ping, but we couldn’t find Wei Xiaoxiao and Xu Yue.” The bodies of Wei Guangming and Wei Jie were in a terrible state, unrecognizable. Wei Mianmian had fallen from upstairs and broken her neck, while Feng Ping had died of fright.

The bodies of Wei Guangming and the others were found because they still had remains before they died. Xu Yue, however, had been eaten by the painting titled “Grotesque,” leaving no remains to be found. As for Wei Xiaoxiao, she stayed in the hell of endless suffering, unwilling to return to the living world, hugging the painting “Grotesque.”

“Almost all the Wei family members are dead. The estate is left for me to handle. I’ve closed the Wei family’s collection hall and donated what could be donated. The rest I’ve sold. I’ve already sent the remaining payment for hiring you. I hope you don’t mind.” Qi Yin sighed deeply, her voice strained. “On the fifth floor of the collection hall, I found a crack in the wall. Inside, I discovered countless complete white bones. I don’t know what to do, so I had to come and tell you.”

Chen Yang said, “We’ll report it to the Taoist Association and let them handle it.”

“That’s good,” Qi Yin said, relieved. “Anyway, I will never go back to that place. By the way, I went to the fifth-floor collection room to look for Zhizhi’s remains. I found her body in a grandfather clock in the corner. I’ve already sealed it, set up a memorial tablet, and placed it in a temple to be worshipped day and night. On the other hand, I took her memorial tablet with me, hoping that with daily worship, she can soon rid herself of her sins and reincarnate.”

“That’s very kind of you,” Chen Yang said, then asked, “Which temple is Zhizhi’s body in? If possible, I want to accumulate merits for her.”

Qi Yin gave Chen Yang the temple’s address. After a pause, she hesitated and nervously asked, “Masters, I… I want to know if there’s a way to remove the relic from Ning Ning’s stomach.” She forced a smile. “I know the relic is a good thing, and Ning Ning became more enlightened because he swallowed it. But it’s too valuable, and so many demons are after it. I’m really worried. When we lived in the collection hall, those things, suppressed by the Lingsheng Mantra in the walls, still tried to lure Ning Ning. Now that we’re outside, there’s nothing to suppress them.”

“I understand,” Chen Yang replied. “But the relic has been in Ning Ning’s body for two years, and it’s already merged with him. Otherwise, Wei Guangming’s blood sampling wouldn’t have been effective.”

Qi Yin’s expression changed. “I thought—” She thought that when Wei Guangming had tried to dissect Wei Ning to retrieve the relic, it meant there was still a way to remove it.

“Ning Ning is still young. He can’t suppress the Buddha nature of the relic. Evil spirits want to consume him and turn him into a Rakshasa. But when he grows up, the relic will fully merge with him, and he will quickly understand Buddhism more than others.”

Right now, Wei Ning was like Tang Seng’s flesh—everyone wanted a bite. Rakshasas are demons that could be enlightened by the Buddha, good at understanding Buddhist teachings. If they ate Wei Ning, who contained the relic, it would make it easier for the demons to become Rakshasas.

Qi Yin asked, “What should we do?”

Chen Yang said, “If you trust me, send him to a temple to cultivate.”

Qi Yin shook her head in refusal. “How can I let Ning Ning become a monk?”

“It’s not about shaving his head and leaving the world; it’s just allowing him to cultivate while keeping his hair. He has the relic, and many high monks would be willing to take him as a disciple.”

As long as he wasn’t ordained, Qi Yin could accept it. “Thank you.”

Chen Yang shook his head. “It’s nothing.”

When he looked at Wei Ning, it was as if he was seeing himself from the past. Wei Ning, with the relic, attracted evil spirits coveting his flesh. He, on the other hand, attracted evil spirits that coveted his skin and fate because of his unique constitution. If not for the help he received along the way, he would have died long ago. So when he saw Wei Ning in a similar situation, he couldn’t help but assist him.

“The only problem is, as long as the relic is in Ning Ning’s body, countless evil spirits will keep coming for him. Once he grows older—after he turns five—during the period between six and adulthood, he’ll face an onslaught of evil spirits trying to seize his flesh. It will be hard for you to defend against them. Even if you hide in a temple and chant scriptures day and night, if you’re not careful, you’ll be caught. So you must stay vigilant at all times and never let your guard down.”

Qi Yin nodded solemnly. “Thank you for the reminder. I will be careful.”

Chen Yang took out the ancient copper coin he had worn for the past seven or eight years, strung on a red cord, and handed it to Wei Ning. “Wear this. At a critical moment, it will save your life.”

Wei Ning clenched the copper coin tightly in his palm and nodded seriously. “Mn.”

Author’s Note:
This story is purely fictional. If I occasionally mention supernatural events experienced by others, I want to say that it’s okay not to believe.
The idea of ghosts and spirits is mostly fictional, and it’s okay to explore it boldly. Just don’t approach the unknown with contempt (never be dismissive or negligent toward anything unknown).
Whether you believe or not is up to you—it all depends on personal belief.

 

 

 

 

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