Chapter 48: A Sense of Crisis

Ren Jie’s expression darkened. It seemed Uncle Wei knew a thing or two?

Wei Pingsheng wore a solemn expression as he spoke:

"I am sure you have also searched online. The official explanation given for the cause of the Class-A Demonic Disaster in Jincheng ten years ago was an earthquake..."

Ren Jie’s expression tightened: "The official explanation? In other words, there were other reasons?"

Wei Pingsheng shook his head: "Jincheng was indeed destroyed by an earthquake, but the matter is by no means that simple. You should know what earthworms are—they are a type of Annelid-evolved Yao race, low in intelligence and not very aggressive, frequently triggering minor tremors and the like."

"However, the earthworm in Jincheng was different. It was absurdly powerful, having evolved to a remarkably high degree. It even made me feel that if dragons truly existed in this world, they would be nothing more than this."

"Furthermore, that earthworm was also a completely will-less, utterly maddened Fallen Demon..."

Ren Jie’s eyes widened: "A Fallen Demon?"

One must understand that pact-makers were not exclusive to humans. Individuals from all three races—Humans, Yao, and Spirits—stood a chance of being chosen by the Spacetime Demonic Abyss to become pact-makers.

Nor were divine favor recipients limited to the human race.

Once a pact-maker's willpower collapsed and they were devoured by demonic spirits, they would degenerate entirely into a complete demon.

This was known as a Fallen Demon.

Why did demonic disasters frequently erupt in cities without any defense or prior warning?

It was precisely because the demons that triggered urban demonic disasters were almost entirely humans turned into demons.

Demonic spirits loved to feed on emotional energy. Humans who were mentally unstable, extreme in emotion, dark, stressed, or depressed ran the risk of being devoured by demonic spirits.

Once devoured, they would degenerate into demons, following their instincts to wreak massive destruction in cities. For instance, the lava giant from earlier was a shut-in who had turned into a demon.

Such demons transformed from ordinary people were called human-demons.

Compared to Fallen Demons, the destructive power of human-demons was not quite as high; after all, Fallen Demons had a better foundation, having previously been pact-makers.

Therefore, demonic disasters were completely impossible to prevent, which had always been a headache for the Human, Yao, and Spirit races.

Wei Pingsheng nodded: "Yes! A Fallen Demon. The reason the Jincheng demonic disaster was rated as a Class-A Demonic Disaster was because Class-A is the highest rating for demonic disasters, not because that disaster only reached that level of severity!"

"Even so, an earthworm alone was not enough to easily destroy a Spark City. There was no shortage of powerful experts among the human race; the various Demon Suppression Bureaus and the Great Xia Defense Army were all mobilized."

"The problem was that people from the Heaven-Shaking Demonic Domain also arrived. Their target was likewise that earthworm, and they engaged in fierce battles with the Great Xia Defense Army and Demon Suppression Officers in Jincheng."

"That truly was... a scene straight out of the apocalypse..."

Just recalling it caused Wei Pingsheng to shudder involuntarily.

Ren Jie was stunned: "People from the Heaven-Shaking Demonic Domain even entered? They charged into Great Xia territory just for that earthworm?"

The Heaven-Shaking Demonic Domain bordered the territories of the Human, Yao, and Spirit races, and conflicts had never ceased over the years. However, instances of forces charging directly into sovereign territory were extremely rare, let alone blatant, large-scale operations.

Wei Pingsheng sighed: "Indeed~ Many people died. Of those who went to support alongside me, fewer than a tenth returned. That was truly a nightmare."

"I don't know any more than that. After all, I was only a Light-Offering Officer participating in the rescue."

"The detailed information regarding the Jincheng demonic disaster has remained classified all these years, and what can be found online amounts to mere fragments."

"Currently, a hundred-kilometer radius around the Jincheng ruins remains sealed off, designated as a heavily guarded military restricted zone. Entry is strictly prohibited for everyone without a pass."

"According to a comrade of mine who managed to get inside, the Jincheng ruins have turned into an ultra-giant crater, and the military seems to have been searching for something there all this time..."

Ren Jie swallowed hard, thinking of a possibility...

Wei Pingsheng tried his best to recall: "I remember that afterwards, everyone who participated in the rescue, and even the survivors rescued from Jincheng, were interrogated. I was called in for questioning as well..."

"They asked me if I had seen anything special, which made no sense at all. At the time, I even signed a five-year non-disclosure agreement. But now that it's declassified, it doesn't hurt to tell you—just don't go around babbling about it..."

Ren Jie’s face turned slightly pale; he could practically be certain.

The person the Heaven-Shaking Demonic Domain was looking for was himself, or rather, the item they truly wanted was that black pendant.

The military was also searching for this object.

Previously, Chen Hua and Li Zhan had sensed abnormalities through the Treasure-Stealing Mink, which was why they chose to make a move.

Li Zhan had confirmed it through his demonic might, meaning he must have seen this demonic might somewhere before.

Ren Jie’s expression tightened. This meant he was not the only one possessing the black pendant!

Hiss—when rescuing people earlier and dealing with those little pups, it was a good thing he didn't use his demonic might. Otherwise, wouldn't that be equivalent to broadcasting, "The item is on me, come and get me"?

Wait, was that also why those dogs had frantically tried to gnaw on him earlier?

Ren Jie’s face turned black...

This ability could no longer be used carelessly from now on. When used, it had to be done when absolutely no one was around.

Things had become a big deal now. The black pendant was not a secret; some people indeed knew about it.

Having this thing on him was like holding a hot potato; one misstep and he would lose his little life.

Besides... the Demon Suppression Bureau must have already guessed that the item was on him, which was why they tried every possible method to rope him into the bureau, right?

A sense of crisis constantly battered Ren Jie’s nerves.

As for the Heaven-Shaking Demonic Domain, had his identity been exposed yet? If they genuinely wanted to mess with him, a tier-one rookie like him possessed zero means of self-preservation.

What was the Demon Suppression Bureau’s attitude toward him?

Harvesting him like leeks? Or trapping him in a pit before killing him? Or did they genuinely want to protect him?

What should he do?

For a moment, countless thoughts flashed through Ren Jie’s mind, and his palms broke out in sweat...

"Xiao Jie? What is wrong with you? Why is your expression so grim? Are you not feeling well?"

Ren Jie snapped back to reality and cracked a forced smile:

"No, I probably just overdid it with the hacking earlier and got tired~"

Wei Pingsheng finally breathed a sigh of relief:

"That's good. Rest well if you're tired, I'll give you a day off tomorrow..."

"You don't need to dwell on the Jincheng affair either. Let bygones be bygones; people must always look forward~"

Ren Jie chuckled merrily: "Alright, Uncle Wei, don't forget to help me apply for the bounty later. I rescued a total of 341 people today, that's 68,200 ha~"

"And the 200,000 medical subsidy!"

Wei Pingsheng’s face darkened:
(̿▀̿益▀̿ ̿)̄ "Do you really have to remember it down to the exact number?"

Ren Jie shrugged: ╮( •́ω•̀ )╭ "You said it yourself, didn't you? People must always look forward to money~"

"I'm heading back now, see you the day after tomorrow~"

Taking advantage of the setting sun's glow, Ren Jie skipped all the way toward home, looking not the least bit exhausted.

Watching Ren Jie's retreating figure, Wei Pingsheng laughed and scolded, "You brat..."

Then, he lit two cigarettes—one for himself, and one placed upon a nearby concrete block...

"Taozi~ You managed to pull a good kid out from down there..."