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Translator's note:
"Young people shouldn't be paid for working. Your boss gives you a job, builds your work experience, trains your abilities, and doesn't charge you money; shame on you for taking a salary!"
This sentence is actually a satire by Chinese workers on their current situation.
Due to a series of issues such as the excessive concentration of wealth and an oversupply of labor, the problem of low income has become increasingly prominent in recent years.
People are beginning to realize that they are being severely exploited, including unpaid overtime and significant encroachment on their personal time. On the internet, there are often some nearly absurd job postings—with extremely high demands and ridiculously low wages. More absurdly, due to the excess labor supply, these positions can still find applicants.
This phenomenon clearly reveals the extremely unequal social status between Chinese workers and the wealthy. As an authoritarian state, large-scale protest is not really allowed in China. At the same time, the country is vigorously promoting a "gratitude" culture, calling on people to be grateful to the "motherland" (where the concepts of China’s ruling party, government, and the nation are heavily conflated).
When people can no longer tolerate the situation but are unable to solve the problem, they resort to satire, saying: "You might as well not pay us at all, since you've already given us a job to do, and just having something to do should satisfy us, right?"
"My child, do you really wish to become my weapon? Do you want to cut down all enemies in our path, follow me to achieve our shared dreams, all the way to the peak?"
Listening to Fang Xiu's words, Kangkang couldn't help but tremble with excitement.
"I am willing! This is my lifelong dream!" Kangkang exclaimed, unable to contain his emotions.
Seeing Kangkang's excited state, Fang Xiu knew he had him completely under control.
Kangkang's emotions and thoughts were now fully aligned with his, totally within his grasp.
Fang Xiu leaned forward slightly, his smile growing warmer, though his glasses barely hid the cold gleam in his eyes. He whispered into Kangkang's ear, "Give your all and become my weapon! Stay by my side forever."
Kangkang's six eyes widened in disbelief, his face a mix of shock and ecstasy. He even began to doubt himself, asking, "Can I really do it? Am I worthy?"
Fang Xiu gently patted Kangkang's head, soothing him, "Worthy? My child, others may not be, but you certainly are. Because you are my favorite, Kangkang."
It was the ultimate move!
Kangkang was instantly wrapped in an unparalleled feeling of happiness. He had always craved recognition, and at this moment, his desire was elevated. He felt he could die without regrets.
"I love you too," Kangkang sobbed.
His massive, five-meter-tall body shook continuously. His large tears fell to the ground, emitting a harsh sizzling sound as they corroded the floor, creating a dense pattern of holes.
"Alright, my child, no need to cry. Calm your heart, don't resist. Just accept this glory," Fang Xiu said.
"Okay!" Kangkang wiped his tears. He looked at Fang Xiu with excitement and eagerness, moving his head closer.
Fang Xiu extended his left hand. The Taotie's Mouth in the palm opened, revealing a row of stark white teeth, looking terrifyingly fierce.
Nearby, Yang Ming and others watched this scene, each thinking how twisted this hospital was.
Zhou Qingfeng, the president of this hospital, was gaslighting Specters. This Specter was willing to be devoured, and even asked before being eaten, "Am I worthy?"
It was too distorted. It was like some people saying, "Young people shouldn't be paid for working. Your boss gives you a job, builds your work experience, trains your abilities, and doesn't charge you money; shame on you for taking a salary!*"
They never imagined that gaslighting among Specters was even more extreme than among humans.
And that—"You're my favorite. I love you too!"
Apparently, the best way to express affection among Specters was to devour each other.
Fang Xiu was unaware of Yang Ming and the others' thoughts. His attention was fully focused on Kangkang.
Consuming such a powerful Specter would elevate his power to a terrifying level. Despite already feeling full, the opportunity was too good to pass up.
Then, he placed his left hand on Kangkang.
As Kangkang looked on expectantly, the Taotie's Mouth bit down hard on his black scales.
CRACK!
A sharp pain shot through Fang Xiu's left hand. He raised his hand to see that the Taotie's Mouth was bleeding at the gums.
Kangkang looked over, puzzled. Though he didn't speak, his six eyes seemed to ask, "What are you doing? Weren't you going to make me a part of you forever? Why aren't you starting?"
Fang Xiu discreetly withdrew his bleeding hand. It wasn't that the Taotie's Mouth was weak, but rather that he was too weak right now. At this stage, he simply couldn't handle consuming a Specter so powerful.
If the Taotie's Mouth were likened to a powerful magical ability, its ultimate strength largely depended on the user's own power.
For example, in the "Journey to the West," the move "Sleeve Universe" used by the ancestor of earth immortals, Zhen Yuanzi, could trap even Monkey King. But in the hands of an ordinary person, it would just be a storage space.
Similarly, if the Taotie's Mouth were used by Taotie himself, it would naturally devour everything. However, when used by Fang Xiu, it was somewhat underwhelming.
"My child, I've just sensed that you are still too weak, not yet worthy to be a part of me."
Kangkang, though clouded by fervent love, was no fool.
"Did you just bleed?" Kangkang's six eyes simultaneously showed a hint of confusion.
Although he hadn't expressed his doubts directly, once the seed of doubt is planted, it's only a matter of time before it takes root.
"It seems I need to reset again." The gentle smile slowly faded from Fang Xiu's face, turning to a dead calm.
"Reset? What are you talking about?" The confusion in Kangkang's eyes deepened.
In front of everyone's shocked eyes, Fang Xiu pulled out a scalpel. Then, he plunged it harshly into his own forehead.
…
Fang Xiu gently stroked Kangkang's scales, saying, "My child, you are not yet qualified to become my weapon. On the Other Side, I have created some experimental subjects like you. They are better, I have to say."
Kangkang was instantly agitated.
"No, I don't believe it! I am your best creation!"
Fang Xiu smiled slightly, "Actions speak louder than words, don't they?"
WOOSH!
Kangkang stood up excitedly, his massive five-meter-tall body imposing.
"Where are they? I will go defeat them and prove myself to you."
"After you go out, you'll see countless Specters. Follow the direction where the Specters appear, and there you'll find a door. That's the door to the Other Side, and one of my finished subject is guarding it. Go, my child, go and prove yourself to me."
Kangkang roared with fighting spirit, "I'll be right back. I'll prove to you that only I am worthy of being your weapon!"
With these parting words, Kangkang strode majestically out of the palace, heading towards the door to the Other Side to find Taotie.
After Kangkang had left, the gentle smile on Fang Xiu's face disappeared instantly. He walked toward the others with a calm expression.