Chapter 25: Anti-malicious Paid Slacking Punishment Mechanism
After accepting the Holy Light’s illumination, new patients were already waiting outside the Consultation Room, so Yuan Zhu chose to leave without lingering.
Exiting the hospital Door, walking alone on the Street, staring at the dim sky, Yuan Zhu fell into contemplation.
After personally experiencing 【Holy Light】, the confusion in his heart not only didn’t lessen, but he felt his own condition had worsened. It was a problem with his Spirit.
He felt that this World seemed to be sick?
Starting from yesterday, everything he came into contact with conflicted with the Three Views cognition cultivated on Earth.
Now even the sacred, just, and warm Holy Light had to be obtained by squeezing dry the Life of Mouse. Yet the locals took it for granted and praised the merciful Holy Light. It made him seem out of place and isolated from the world.
“No! You are not sick, your judgment is correct. The fault is not with you, it’s the World that has a problem! Even I, a Game Sprite, can’t stand it. This is truly an Innate Evil World.”
The Game Sprite detected abnormal Mental Wave in the host, abnormal brain hormone secretion levels, and clear depressive tendencies. So it hurriedly jumped out, interrupting his dangerous thoughts and injecting rainbow Energy.
“Really? I don’t believe it!”
Game Sprite: “There’s a saying: if you think something is bad or wrong, then transform and build it. You’re just an innocent transmigrator + Dark Big Cat. What wrong can a Kitten do? If you’re unhappy, just ruthlessly transform everything you dislike. Don’t self-destruct, dare to wrong others. Fuck over this damn World! Make it conform to your Values, shape it into your form.”
Yuan Zhu’s low mood gradually rose under the nourishment of the Game Sprite’s spiritual poison chicken soup: “Oh? Can I really do it?”
“【Great Desolation Immortal Scripture】, fulfilling your Ascension dream! Even if I can’t do it, you certainly can. Cheer up, believe in yourself!” The rainbow expert directly poured this bowl of crudely processed industrial chicken soup into the Depths of the Soul of Yuan Zhu.
Reinvigorated, Yuan Zhu no longer thought about the strangeness of Holy Light. After identifying the Direction, he boarded another bus: “Then next, let’s go check out Fire Fang.”
…
Half an hour later, he arrived at the Cleaning Company where he worked. A two-story Cement Building. Behind the small building was a Yard enclosed by a wall, with a small Warehouse built inside the Yard.
Entering the Door, someone greeted him: “Little Yuan, you’re not injured, right? Rest easy, Boss gave you 3 days off.”
“Candle, I heard you got caught in an Evil Sacrifice, and quite a few people died? How did you escape? Was it stimulating? Tell us about it.”
“Yuan Zhu, the car you drove out has been retrieved. If the keys are lost, remember to register it.”
One by one, ‘familiar’ colleagues came forward with concern. Seeing he was intact without disability or serious injury, they even joked a bit. This made him feel a bit of warmth; this World didn’t seem utterly hopeless yet?
A sturdy bucket-waisted auntie came down from the Second Floor carrying a mop. Seeing him, she spoke: “Yuan Zhu, Boss heard you came and wants you to go up to see him. He has something to discuss with you.”
“Got it, coming right up.”
Familiarly going up to the Second Floor, he pushed open the Door of the second office on the right side, where a bearded middle-aged man sat reading a newspaper. The other lifted his head, revealing an utterly ordinary face: “Little Yuan, surviving was really not easy.”
“…”
Boss: “I rushed overnight last night with people to retrieve the car and took over the cleaning work at that Manor’s murder scene. Though not much remains of the corpses, the degree of danger can be judged from the Pollution residue. You surviving is a miracle, you’re our company’s mascot. For the next period, keep an eye on strangers around you.”
Yuan Zhu: “Why is that?”
Boss smiled at him: “I don’t care what you went through. But surviving that Sacrifice unscathed, without any Pollution, is that reasonable? Someone will definitely notice. Soon, those interested in you or the Sacrifice will approach you one after another…”
Yuan Zhu knew his situation was too conspicuous and special, but there was no way around it; he couldn’t just Fleeing over such a small matter, right? He lacked cognition of this World, unfamiliar with life and people here, so it was better to continue using this identity to contact local Supernatural Powers.
As for the risks? Once he activated 【Boss Template】, those interested in him would learn who the real risk was.
Yuan Zhu spread his hands, looking expectantly at the Boss: “So what should I do? What can I do? Boss, give me some life-saving good stuff.”
Boss rolled his eyes: “I want some too. Perhaps it’s time for you to contact this circle. Mastering some self-protection Power can also handle higher-end cleaning work, earning me more money. But one thing to make clear upfront: contacting and mastering Supernatural Powers is inherently very dangerous. Think it through, don’t act on impulse. This is fundamentally different from Martial Arts Cultivation, which tempers the Body.”
“The essence of Supernatural System Cultivation is proactively, orderly, with protective Measures, gradually contacting Pollution Source. Actively Polluting oneself, self-transforming, elevating Deviation, ultimately gaining Power beyond common sense. Most importantly, once this path is started, it cannot be stopped or reversed. It comes with extremely high risks of Physical Body distortion, Spirit twisting, and Death.”
Cultivating to Get Stronger meant proactively and orderly being Polluted. Losing control and distorting was passive and disorderly Pollution. This matched his cognition of this World.
Yuan Zhu: “What about legal upright Systems? Do they also involve proactive contact with Pollution?”
Boss shrugged indifferently: “They’re all the same to me. So-called legal true gods and upright Systems are strong enough. They have the greatest influence, forces spanning the globe, controlling discourse power. So they define who is just, and that makes them just. Of course, Systems like ‘Holy Light, Immortal Scripture, Buddhist Dharma’ have lower loss-of-control risks compared to niche ones due to generations of Practitioners perfecting them, making them seem safer.”
Yuan Zhu got excited and asked: “What recommendations do you have, Boss? Which ones can I access? What ones are there in this World?”
Boss put down the newspaper, rubbed his hair: “You’ve stumped me. There are many Supernatural Systems in this World, with varying upper limits, constantly rising and falling. I suggest picking a mature, high-upper-limit, and relatively legal System. Mature means many Practitioners, richer Experience, lower loss-of-control probability. High upper limit means future potential. Legal ensures you’re not a street rat that anyone can legally kill.”
Yuan Zhu quickly stepped forward, pouring tea for the Boss, and asked: “Which Systems are like that?”
“Safe, legal, publicly recognized Systems include 【Buddhist Dharma, Dao, Holy Church】 as the imperial three families. Additionally, on the New Continent, Steam Totem, Elemental Alchemy, Knight System… are widely spread. But the one with the widest global spread, greatest influence, lowest entry difficulty, highest legality index, and strongest adaptability… is solely 【Law System】. Because legal or not is defined by 【Law System】. Even 【Security Bureau】 is a supporting facility created for 【Law】.”
Hearing this, Yuan Zhu decisively cast Holy Light aside and pressed: “Is this 【Law System】 really that strong? The world’s largest Supernatural force?”
Boss thought for a moment and replied: “Sort of? Understand this: any System has prerequisites or Price for entry. Once you successfully enter, your Body is eroded and transformed by that Power, gaining unique attributes, and building the corresponding ‘System’ within. This change is irreversible, so once selected, it’s like dyeing white paper—you can only go down that one path. The special thing about 【Law System】 is it can indirectly bind any System for its own use.”
Yuan Zhu: “Got it, other Systems can’t be regretted or exited once chosen. But 【Law System】 has countless choices, so I’d definitely pick 【Law】! Wide spread, low entry difficulty, high adaptability…”
Boss: “Do you know the entry conditions or Price of 【Law】?”
“What is it?”
“【Law System】 derives from the Legalist concept of ‘Law Clause’, which you can understand as extreme self-restraint and self-control. First, clarify your own will, then formulate a set of Law doctrines to bind yourself. From then on, strengthen your will through practice, manifesting Law Clause with will. Finally, use your own ‘Law’ to capture and bind other Supernatural Powers.”
Yuan Zhu: “Sounds a bit harsh, but the Price seems small?” Though not tempted, he felt 【Law System】 was far more proper than 【Holy Light System】.
“Lifelong adherence to precepts without breaking them—if that’s not enough? Another entry requirement for 【Law】: anyone setting precepts must unconditionally dedicate everything to Pale Great Law. Including powers accumulated from lifelong Cultivation, all Assets and Wealth, Soul after Death—everything must be offered to wield 【Law】’s Power. Can you satisfy that?”
Ultimate Pledge of Servitude?
“What is this Pale Great Law? Why offer everything to it?”
Boss sighed at this point: “Pale Great Law is a theoretical concept, the planetary will of Du Ling Star, or the Heavenly Dao of this World. 【Law System】 Practitioners are always striving to ‘artificially create an ultimate man-made Heavenly Dao that encompasses and governs all Supernatural Powers of Du Ling Star’.”
“This Planet connects to numerous different Time and Spaces, breeding countless Demonic Creatures and disaster gods. Thus, men of ambition stood up, wanting to bind it all and create an orderly, peaceful, clean new World. Thus 【Law System】 was born, creating a supreme, impartial ‘Heavenly Dao’ to operate this World.”
“Pale Great Law is the true name of this man-made Heavenly Dao. Like a code binding and enslaving all Supernatural phenomena. 【Law】 binding other Systems is essentially using Practitioners as Tools to capture, control, Refinement other Supernatural Powers. After Practitioners die, these powers return to 【Great Law】, enhancing its essence, then providing stronger ‘Law Clause’ to new Practitioners to bind and enslave stronger powers. Achieving a positive cycle.”
Yuan Zhu: “So this is working for Great Law? Or for one’s own Cultivation?”
“You, a mere Mortal, persecuted by Demonic Creatures and bullied by the strong. 【Law】 gives you a chance to Change Fate. Borrow Law’s Power in life, return everything to Law after Death—fair and reasonable. If unwilling, pick another System.”
Yuan Zhu: “What other Systems are there? Recommend a few.”
Boss shook his head: “Can’t recommend, I only know 【Law】 well, and their recruitment threshold is low. How about this: go to Rain Courtyard this weekend for consultation. There’s a discipline specially researching Supernatural Knowledge; you can pay for guidance.”
Yuan Zhu: “Rain Courtyard? Sounds so familiar. Like I’ve heard it somewhere.”
“Rain City University, Running City Gem Processing and Mineral Exploration Academy.”
“Ah! No wonder it sounded familiar.”
Boss pushed a prepared manual to Yuan Zhu: “Alright, don’t aim too high. Even if you want to choose, only a few are accessible. This is an advanced cleaning manual; study it well. It has some secret Knowledge ordinary people can’t access. Since you survived, you’re no ordinary person—prepare for higher difficulty challenges. Actually, 【Holy Light】 and 【Law】 are both pretty good, with widely certified safety—not for nothing they’re recognized upright leaders.”
Yuan Zhu: “Which faction are you, Boss?”
“Me? What’s our Company called?”
Yuan Zhu: “【Fire Fang】.”
“Isn’t that clear? I’m a Partner of 【Fire Fang King】.” A wisp of flame ignited on Boss’s finger, lighting the cigarette in his mouth. “You can go now. Go home and study the manual well. In a few days, there’s a Mission for you. A Haunted House; form your own team, go Demon Extermination and pacify spirits, Purify the whole Villa.”
Yuan Zhu perked up—this was big business already? Not even waiting for me to Upgrade first: “Haunted House—is it real or fake? Are there Ghostly Creatures?”
“Of course there are, otherwise why would the Client pay high price. Handle it as you see fit. If not done well, keep apprenticing under veteran Employees. If done beautifully, you’ll form your own team, take orders yourself, get Profit Sharing from your subordinates.”
Yuan Zhu: “Don’t worry, Boss, I’ll perform well!”
“Mm, work hard, don’t disappoint my expectations.” With that, he gestured for Yuan Zhu to take the work manual titled 《13 Demon Extermination Rituals》.
Holding the thin booklet, leaving the Boss’s office, Yuan Zhu felt a bit exhilarated—it was feedback from this Physical Body.
His predecessor had strived hard for exactly this opportunity: accessing more secretive circles, chance to learn and master Supernatural Powers. Now, he even got qualification for independent cleaning.
Yuan Zhu simply opened the 《13 Demon Extermination Rituals》 manual, reading while walking, wanting to know what this World’s secret Knowledge was like. But gradually, his expression turned weird—what on earth was written in this book?
Chapter One: High-Temperature Demon Extermination. Ignite a big fire, Burning formless spirits, burning Polluted Substance… Igniters need to purchase Daoist Talisman… blah blah.
Chapter Two: Deadly Poison Demon Extermination. Seal doors and windows, release Chlorine Gas, steam for 12 hours…
Chapter Three: Infrasonic Lightning Magic Demon Extermination. Purchase special Death God bat Mummy, purchase Lightning Magic generator, insert into anus and crown, electrify…
Quickly flipping through the book, he then saw: 【Black Vinyl Zen Sound Demon Extermination】 requires preparing shrine, Tribute, Incense, Buddha Statue, phonograph, black vinyl Buddhist Dharma record, hold a small Ritual… Further on, things like 【Formaldehyde Incense Method】, 【Radiation Ore Evil-Suppressing Method】.
It inexplicably exuded a scientific flavor.
Unclear which part of the manual involved true ‘secret Knowledge’, but the book 《13 Demon Extermination Rituals》 recorded over 20 Demon Extermination methods, sufficiently proving Fire Fang Cleaning Company’s strong Business capabilities—always one suited to the Client.
Following his good habit of slacking off, Yuan Zhu went all the way to the Toilet, found a quiet Private Room, closed the toilet lid, sat on it, and quietly flipped through the manual, wanting to find countermeasures for ‘Haunted House evil expulsion’.
Time passed second by second. The Toilet, originally with sounds of dripping water, passersby footsteps and chatter, had at some point become utterly silent. So quiet only his breathing and heartbeat could be heard…
“Something’s wrong!”
When he realized the situation was off, the Immortal Scripture also issued an alert 【Detected traces of anomalous Spatial Fluctuation! Evacuate the location immediately.】
“What’s going on?” He called the Game Sprite.
After a burst of static interference, the Game Sprite replied: “I have related records; after comparison, it matches the anomalous Spatial Fluctuation we encountered last night!”
Yuan Zhu immediately thought of that Alley not belonging to Running City, saying: “Is it caused by this Token?”
While speaking, he pulled the copper Token from the inner pocket of his jacket.
“Huh?”
The Token was indeed emitting anomalous Spatial Fluctuation; after scanning by the Game Sprite, the Fluctuation matched. But what was off was inside the Token, emitting creaking sounds, with surface metal characters and patterns twisting, rusting green, rapidly peeling off.
The entire Token was distorting and deforming under invisible Power. Like unable to withstand the heavy pressure of Space-Time distortion, emitting struggling groans, about to be crushed.
Yuan Zhu looked around; he was still in the Toilet, but surrounding light sources seemed cut off, visibility dropping lower and lower.
“Can I still escape?”
Game Sprite: “It’s happening too fast; treat this like a sealed elevator Space. We’re now detaching from the original Time-Space. Rashly breaking balance could cause bad things—better wait a bit?”
Yuan Zhu was unhappy: “Even using the Toilet leads to this mishap? How many times is this now?”
Game Sprite hesitated: “This might be Running’s ‘anti-malicious paid shitting’ punishment mechanism for salaried slackers? Dare to maliciously exceed standard time shitting on paid time, get teleported to different Time-Space for pursuit and torment?”
Yuan Zhu: “Heh… you made me laugh!”
As expected of a psychological therapy master; he suddenly wasn’t panicking, even wanted to sneer.
5k one wave clear, seeking Recommendation, Monthly Ticket, rewards, comment support…
