Chapter 209

The facts proved that Silijing was truly very important in Pangzi's heart—so important that not even a metaphorically sarcastic sentence could be spoken. After Pangzi beat me badly, I, under the half‑smiling gazes of Sun Miao and Yao Wenju, faced Pangzi's murderous stare and slowly recounted everything about the Masked Beast.

The facts proved that Silijing was truly very important in Pangzi's heart—so important that not even a metaphorically sarcastic sentence could be spoken. After Pangzi beat me badly, I, under the half‑smiling gazes of Sun Miao and Yao Wenju, faced Pangzi's murderous stare and slowly told everyone everything about the Masked Beast.

Translation: "The facts proved that Silijing was extremely important to Pangzi—so important that not even a sarcastic remark with a hint of metaphor could be uttered. After Pangzi beat me up badly, under the half‑smiling gazes of Sun Miao and Yao Wenju, I endured Pangzi's murderous stare and slowly recounted everything about the Masked Beast to everyone."

The facts proved that Silijing was truly very important in Pangzi's heart—so important that not even a metaphorically sarcastic sentence could be spoken.

After Pangzi gave me a severe beating, I, under the half‑smiling looks of Sun Miao and Yao Wenju, endured Pangzi's murderous gaze and slowly told everyone everything about the Masked Beast.

Ok.

Now output: 【1】 The facts proved that Silijing was extremely important to Pangzi—so important that not even a sarcastic remark with a hint of metaphor could be uttered. After Pangzi beat me up badly, under the half‑smiling gazes of Sun Miao and Yao Wenju, I endured Pangzi's murderous stare and slowly recounted everything about the Masked Beast to everyone.

Make sure it's one line.

After hearing my account, Yao Wenju furrowed his brow and asked Sun Miao, "Where is the company's CCTV?" Sun Miao bowed and replied, "It's in the security room; if President Yao needs it, I can take you there." Yao Wenju's expression remained unchanged as he said, "Alright, no delay—let's go right away."

Translation: "After hearing my account, Yao Wenju frowned and asked Sun Miao, "Where is the company's closed‑circuit TV?" Sun Miao bowed and replied, "It's in the security room; if President Yao needs it, I can take you there!" Yao Wenju's expression didn't change as he said, "Good, no delay—let's set off immediately.""

President Yao refers to Yao Wenju.

Both Pangzi and I felt the situation was urgent, so without hesitation we got dressed, completed the discharge procedures, and followed Yao Wenju and Sun Miao into the car.

Translation: "Pangzi and I both felt the matter was urgent, so without hesitation we put on our clothes, completed the discharge procedures, and followed Yao Wenju and Sun Miao into the car."

After arriving at the security room, Sun Miao opened the CCTV footage from the day of the incident for us. From my entry into the basement casino to my passage through the upper hall, everything—including my movements in the elevator—was clearly visible, with nothing escaping surveillance.

Translation: "After arriving at the security room, Sun Miao opened the closed‑circuit TV footage from the day of the incident for us. From my entry into the basement casino to my passage through the top hall, everything—including my movements in the elevator—was clearly visible, with nothing escaping the surveillance."

"Wait, rewind…" I pointed to a small dark dot on the CCTV screen and asked Sun Miao to rewind. That dot was behind the newly rich middle‑aged man, and the segment we were viewing was exactly the part where he was winning money.

Translation: ""Wait, rewind…" I pointed to a tiny black dot on the surveillance screen and asked Sun Miao to rewind. This black dot was behind the middle‑aged nouveau riche, and the segment we were viewing was exactly the part where he was winning money."

The dark dot quickly enlarged—sure enough, it was the masked fat man who had appeared in the alley that night. In the surveillance footage, he was lurking in a dark corner, secretly staring at the gambling table where the newly rich middle‑aged man sat.

Translation: "The black dot quickly enlarged—sure enough, it was the masked Pangzi who had appeared in the alley that night; on the surveillance footage he was lurking in a dark corner, covertly watching the middle‑aged nouveau riche at the gambling table."

"It's him—he's the one who knocked me out!" I pointed to the gray‑clothed fat man in the footage, his big belly unforgettable.

Translation: ""It's him, it's him who knocked me out!" I pointed to the gray‑clothed Pangzi on the screen—his big belly is something I'll never forget."

"Are you sure it's him?" Yao Wenju asked again. At that moment, Sun Miao frowned and said, "Strange—didn't he already leave?"

Translation: ""Are you sure it's him?" Yao Wenju asked again, while Sun Miao beside him frowned and said, "Strange, didn't he already leave?""

Sun Miao's comment made Pangzi and me glance at each other; Yao Wenju turned his head, pointed at the fat man on the screen, and asked Sun Miao, "Do you know him?"

Translation: "Sun Miao's comment made Pangzi and me glance at each other; Yao Wenju turned back, pointed at the Pangzi on the screen, and asked Sun Miao, "Do you know him?""

Sun Miao nodded and explained firmly, "He's one of my supervisors, though I fired him a month ago. I'm not sure why he's still in the casino." His expression showed genuine confusion, not an attempt to shift blame.

Translation: "Sun Miao nodded and explained firmly, "He's one of my subordinates—a supervisor—but I fired him a month ago. I don't know why he's still in the casino." His expression showed no attempt to shift blame; he was genuinely puzzled."

"President Yao, wait a moment—I'll go fetch his file," Sun Miao said before leaving. Yao Wenju then played with a yellow paper crane in one hand while using the other to rewind the surveillance footage again. It seemed his hands never left that yellow paper crane from the moment he entered until now.

We need to keep line break? It's one line. Ensure we include all.

Translation: ""President Yao, wait a moment—I'll go fetch his file right away!" After Sun Miao left, Yao Wenju played with a paper crane in one hand while using the remote with the other to rewind the surveillance footage again; it seemed his hands had never left that yellow paper crane since he entered."

After closely examining the surveillance footage, everyone—including Yao Wenju—noticed a strange phenomenon: they straightened their backs, narrowed their eyes, and stared intently at the screen without looking away.

Translation: "At that moment, after closely examining the surveillance footage, everyone—including Yao Wenju—saw this strange phenomenon, straightening their backs, narrowing their eyes, and staring fixedly at the screen."

In the footage, wherever the gray‑clothed fat man walked, most casino staff acted as if they didn't see him; perhaps one or two noticed him briefly, showing momentary surprise before quickly returning to normal. This wasn't simple indifference—it resembled a bewitching spell.

Translation: "In the footage, wherever the gray‑clothed Pangzi passed, many casino staff acted as if they didn't see him; perhaps one or two noticed him briefly, showing momentary surprise before quickly returning to normal. This wasn't mere indifference—it resembled a bewitching spell."

Such sorcery definitely exists in the world; nowadays many places have seen numerous elderly people being deceived—either a scammer smokes in front of you or taps your shoulder, and you obediently fall under his sway, then hand over all your savings from your wallet and home to him.

Translation: "Such a spell definitely exists in the world; nowadays many places have seen countless elderly people being deceived, or a scammer blowing smoke in your face or tapping your shoulder, after which you obediently fall under his sway and hand over all your savings from your wallet, your home, to him."

This evil art truly exists; it is similar to soul‑capturing techniques but not identical, incorporating herbal methods and belonging to a category of heterodox witchcraft. It works through the eyes, fragrant incense, and slapping motions to influence a person's mind.

Translation: "This evil art truly exists; it is similar to soul‑capturing technique but not the same, incorporating herbal methods and belonging to a type of heterodox witchcraft. Through the eyes, incense, and using a slap as a command, it influences a person's mind."

Wherever the gray‑clothed fat man passed, many people either acted as if they didn't see him or showed only a brief surprise before returning to normal—but that was enough to catch Pangzi's and my attention.

Translation: "Wherever the gray‑clothed Pangzi went, many people either ignored him or, after a brief moment of surprise, immediately returned to normal—but this was enough to draw Pangzi's and my attention."

If nothing else, they were likely affected by the black‑clothed fat man's eyes, because in the surveillance footage the areas he walked through showed no masked figure, yet whenever people appeared dazed, analysis of their movements showed they unfailingly looked toward the gray‑clothed fat man.

Translation: "If nothing else, they must have been affected by the black‑clothed Pangzi's eyes, because in the surveillance footage the places he passed showed no masking, and whenever anyone appeared dazed, analysis of their actions showed they unfailingly looked toward the gray‑clothed Pangzi."

"Heterodox left‑handed arts," Yao Wenju snorted coldly in anger. As a member of the Lítóu witch lineage, he naturally looked down on many heterodox witchcraft practices. The Lítóu clan and the Lu Ban absolute tradition are both regarded as the progenitors of witchcraft.

Translation: ""Heretical left‑handed arts." Yao Wenju snorted coldly in anger; as a member of the Plowshare Witch Sect, he naturally had the standing to look down on many heterodox witchcrafts. The Plowshare Witch Sect and the Lu Ban Absolute Teaching are both progenitors of witchcraft."

"This person can no longer be considered human; he has become a suit of evil armor!" Yao Wenju frowned and said coldly.

Translation: ""This person can no longer be considered human; he has become a wicked armor!" Yao Wenju frowned and said coldly."

"Evil armor" refers to using a person as armor, the shell of a wicked beast. In the northeast, many wild immortals who have cultivated spiritual cavities like to burrow into a person's stomach, bite onto their body, and cultivate there. This is precisely what evil armor is.

Translation: ""Wicked armor," meaning armor made from a person, the carapace of a wicked beast. In the northeast, many wild immortals who have cultivated a Spiritual Aperture like to burrow into people's stomachs, bite onto their bodies, and cultivate. This is truly wicked armor."

"Are you saying the Masked Beast is hidden inside this gray‑clothed fat man's stomach?" I asked, frowning.

Translation: ""You mean the Masked Beast is hiding inside this gray‑clothed Pangzi's belly?" I asked, frowning."

Yao Wenju nodded firmly and said, "The so‑called Buddha statue is merely a catalyst; anyone chosen by the statue becomes a target of the Masked Beast."

Translation: "Yao Wenju nodded firmly and said, "The so‑called Buddha statue is merely a catalyst; anyone chosen by the statue becomes a target of the Masked Beast.""

"Why would he do that?" Pangzi interjected, bewildered. "If he wants to harm people, he could just pick anyone at random—why go through the trouble of using an entire Buddha statue?"

Translation: ""Why would he do that?" Pangzi interjected, puzzled: "If he wants to harm people, he could just pick anyone at random. Why go to the trouble of making an entire Buddha statue?""

Yao Wenju glanced at Pangzi, then took a puff of his cigarette, extinguished the butt, and said, "Some spirits feed on human resentment, while others enhance their cultivation by exploiting people's seven emotions and six desires." After speaking, he touched his nose and gave a self‑mocking laugh: "Greed is the driving force behind human progress, yet it is also a fatal weakness that can plunge us into the abyss."

Translation: "Yao Wenju glanced at Pangzi, then took a puff of his cigarette, extinguished the butt, and said, "Some spirits feed on human resentment, while others enhance their cultivation by absorbing people's seven emotions and six desires." After speaking, he rubbed his nose and gave a self‑mocking laugh: "Greed is the driving force behind human progress, yet it is also a fatal weakness that plunges people into the abyss.""

Pangzi and I instantly understood. Looking at the surveillance footage, the masked Buddha statues had been thrown by this gray‑clothed fat man into some inconspicuous corner; later, many greedy people picked them up and claimed them as their own, which provoked the fat man to stalk them.

Translation: "Pangzi and I instantly understood. Looking at the surveillance footage, the Masked Buddha statues were thrown by this gray‑clothed Pangzi into some inconspicuous corner; later, many greedy people picked them up and claimed them as their own, which provoked the gray‑clothed Pangzi to stalk them."

Thus, even if the Masked Beast is evil, it has its own motive: it only harms greedy people who pick up the Buddha statue and claim it as theirs. This explains why, when I chased the newly rich middle‑aged man wearing a masked Buddha statue, a gray‑clothed fat man appeared to intercept me. In short, the masked Buddha is merely a lure; the gray‑clothed fat man is the hidden mastermind behind it all.

Translation: "Thus, even if the Masked Beast is evil, it has its own rationale: it only harms greedy people who pick up the Buddha statue and claim it as theirs. This explains why, when I chased the middle‑aged nouveau riche wearing a Masked Buddha statue, a gray‑clothed Pangzi appeared to intercept me. In short, the Masked Buddha is merely a lure; the gray‑clothed Pangzi is the hidden boss behind the scenes."

"President Yao, this is his file." At that moment, Sun Miao entered pushing a file, then handed it to Yao Wenju—unexpectedly, Yao Wenju said it wasn't needed and pushed the file away.

We need to correct the typo: Yao Wenju. We'll treat him as Yao Wenju. Translation: "President Yao, this is his file." At that moment, Sun Miao entered pushing a file, then handed it to Yao Wenju—unexpectedly, Yao Wenju said it wasn't needed and pushed the file away.

Yao Wenju sat down, continuing to play with the yellow paper crane in his hand, slowly closing his eyes as if meditating—or even falling asleep.

Translation: "Yao Wenju sat down, continuing to play with the yellow paper crane in his hand; slowly he closed his eyes, as if meditating or even sleeping."

Not to mention me—even Sun Miao looked bewildered for a while, standing behind Yao Wenju, neither sitting nor standing properly, feeling quite awkward.

Translation: "Not to mention me—even Sun Miao found it bewildering for a while, standing behind Yao Wenju, neither standing nor sitting properly, feeling quite awkward."

Suddenly, Yao Wenju flung his tiger‑like eyes wide open, and astonishing colors burst from his pupils.

Translation: "Suddenly, Yao Wenju flung open his tiger eyes, and astonishing colors burst forth in his pupils."

"Ordain," he intoned, forming hand seals; his seated body instantly straightened as he bellowed the command. In that instant, the paper crane unfolded its wings, soared upward, and flew out the window.

Translation: ""Command," he said, forming seals with both hands; his seated body instantly straightened as he bellowed a decree. In that second, the paper crane unfolded its wings, soared upward, and flew out the window."

Afterward, Yao Wenju remained seated, toying with his jade thumb ring, silent. After a moment, a faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth; he rose and walked smiling toward the outside of the security room.

Translation: "Afterward, Yao Wenju remained seated, toying with his jade thumb ring, silent. After a moment, a hint of smile appeared at the corner of his mouth; he rose and walked smiling toward the outside of the security room."

"Come with me," he said, waving his hand without turning his head.

Translation: ""Come with me." He waved at us without turning his head."

Pangzi, biting into an apple, asked in surprise, "Where are we going?"—as if he could find food wherever he went.

Translation: "Pangzi, biting into an apple, asked in surprise, "Where to?" Well, it seemed wherever Pangzi went he could always find something to eat."

Yao Wenju said, "Naturally we're going to look for that fat man." After the paper crane hovered for a moment, he seemed to know exactly where the man was.

Translation: "Yao Wenju said, "Naturally we go look for that Pangzi." After the paper crane hovered for a moment, he seemed to know where that Pangzi was."

His words made Pangzi and me exchange glances, swallow nervously, and quicken our steps to meet him.

Translation: "His words made Pangzi and me stare at each other; we swallowed, then quickened our steps to meet him."

Yao Wenju also seemed far from ordinary. Although I don't know the name of that technique, just by looking at someone he can use magic to pinpoint their location precisely. I ask myself: without knowing their birth‑date and horoscope, I could never do it as effortlessly as he does.

Translation: "Yao Wenju also seemed far from ordinary. Although I don't know the name of that technique, just by appearance he could use magic to locate a person precisely. I ask myself: without knowing someone's birth characters, I could not do it as easily as he does."

After getting in the car, Yao Wenju kept his hands crossed and resting on his knees; no matter how bumpy the ride, his posture remained unchanged. Perhaps this is part of the Lítóu witch clan's ritual for activating magic, or perhaps it's a finger‑gesture maneuver.

Translation: "After getting in the car, Yao Wenju kept his hands crossed and resting on his knees; no matter how the vehicle jolted, his posture remained unchanged. Perhaps this is one of the rituals the Plowshare Witch Sect uses when activating a spell, or perhaps it is a finger‑seal gesture."

In short, Yao Wenju directed Sun Miao's route the whole way. He brought no bodyguards, and after we three left the building, we went straight into the car.

Translation: "In short, Yao Wenju directed Sun Miao's route all the way. He brought no bodyguards, and after we three left the building we went straight into the car."

The car left the casino and traveled about half an hour before Yao Wenju had the driver stop at a crossroads. After Sun Miao parked, Yao Wenju led us down a street that wasn't particularly prosperous but wasn't rundown either.

Translation: "The car set off from the casino, traveled about half an hour, and Yao Wenju had the driver stop at a crossroads. After Sun Miao parked the car, Yao Wenju led us into a lane that wasn't prosperous but wasn't dilapidated either."

Yao Wenju stopped in front of a two‑story house on the street, pointed at it, and said, "This is the place."

Translation: "Yao Wenju stopped in front of a two‑story house on the street, pointed at it, and said, "This is the place.""

The lighting inside the house seemed dim, as if it had been moldy and uninhabited for a long time. That was our sole impression upon entering, and the whole house gave off a strong fishy odor mixed with the smell of peanut oil.

Translation: "The house's light seemed dim, as if it had been moldy and uninhabited for a long time. That was our only impression upon entering, and the whole house gave off a strong fishy odor, besides which there was a smell of peanut oil."

The furnishings were also very simple—tables and chairs were plainly visible, and there was no way anyone could be hidden on the first floor.

Translation: "The furnishings were also very simple; tables and chairs were plainly visible, and the first floor could hardly conceal anyone."

"Go up to the second floor!" Yao Wenju said succinctly.

Translation: ""Up to the second floor!" Yao Wenju said succinctly."

Since I was closest to the stairs, when Yao Wenju gave that order I instinctively headed up to the second floor; reaching the first landing, nothing unusual happened.

Translation: "Since I was nearest the stairs, when Yao Wenju gave that order I instinctively walked up to the second‑floor staircase; stepping onto the first landing, nothing unusual happened."

But just as I stepped with one foot into the second‑floor lobby after reaching the stairwell, a huge fist came swinging at me from the side.

Translation: "But just as I stepped into the second‑floor hall with one foot, a huge fist came swooping at me from my side."

Feeling the gust of cold wind, I instinctively dodged; at that very moment, Yao Wenju stepped forward from behind me and firmly seized the incoming fist.

Translation: "Feeling the gust of cold wind, I instinctively dodged it; at that very moment, Yao Wenju, who had just stepped forward behind me, firmly seized the incoming fist."

The owner of that fist was none other than the gray‑clothed fat man who had attacked me in the alley—the true culprit, finally appearing now.

Translation: "The owner of that fist was exactly the gray‑clothed Pangzi who had attacked me in the alley earlier. The true culprit had finally appeared."

This was the first time I, and we, got a clear look at the mastermind's appearance; from the first glimpse I knew he was merely a puppet, because his expression was dull, his complexion dark, and only his eyes seemed strange.

Translation: "This was the first time I, and we, got a clear look at the true master's appearance; from the first glimpse I knew he was merely a puppet, for his expression was dull, his complexion dark, only his eyes were somewhat strange."

Our eyes locked, and I suddenly felt dizzy, as if a shadow overlapped my vision again—like I had been knocked unconscious once more.

Translation: "Our eyes locked, and I suddenly felt dizzy, as if my shadow overlapped again before my eyes—I felt as though I had been knocked out once more."

"Roar." A low growl, like a drumbeat or a deep beast's groan, released a mysterious, ancient aura that swept over me, shaking my body and mind. Yet it was precisely that low growl that brought me back to consciousness.

Translation: ""Roar." A low growl, like a drumbeat or a deep beast's grunt, a mysterious ancient aura surged forth, shaking my body and spirit; yet it was precisely that low growl that cleared my head."

The owner of the roar was precisely Yao Wenju, who had tightly gripped the fist of the gray-clad Pangzi..