Chapter 346: Tianji's Scheme

Bringing Hu San back to Plague wasn't difficult.

Out of a hundred possible methods, Yan Jing chose the most discreet: he knocked Hu San out cold and stuffed him into a sack.

Then, he dragged the sack toward his car.

"Who's there?"

A figure darted out from the corner, barking fiercely.

"Hu San isn't here!"

Yan Jing barked back just as fiercely.

"Understood."

The figure nodded and promptly turned to leave.

But Yan Jing caught up in a few strides.

"Did you see my face?"

"No, no."

The figure shook his head like a rattle-drum.

"A master at playing dumb,"

Yan Jing remarked in admiration.

"I'm not playing dumb, I swear!"

The figure continued to shake his head.

Yan Jing knocked him unconscious anyway and tossed him to the side of the road.

Soon enough, Yan Jing hauled the sack into his car, slammed the gas, and sped off.

A few minutes later, a burly silhouette appeared near this Anthill.

This Anthill had been pegged as Hu San's most likely hideout, but mere minutes ago, subordinates had reported losing contact with a large number of people in the area.

"Boss, we found them!"

A subordinate popped up, looking toward Xiong Er.

"How many?"

Xiong Er's gaze was gloomy.

"We found three over here..."

the man said.

"Boss, there's five over here too—"

"Boss, got some here as well."

Before long, all the unconscious men were dragged out—twenty-seven in total.

Xiong Er's veins bulged with rage. He strode forward, hoisted one of the unconscious men up, and immediately caught a familiar scent on the man's collar.

"Mao Si—"

His eyes flickered.

Yan Jing brought Hu San back to headquarters and found Papa Rat waiting there.

In the pitch-black office hall, Papa Rat sat alone on a desk, dressed in a sharp suit.

"Pops."

Yan Jing waved.

"Mm."

Papa Rat nodded, then gave him a questioning look.

"Where's your Third Brother?"

"Right here."

Yan Jing hefted the burlap sack he was dragging.

Papa Rat let out a helpless sigh.

"Let him out before he suffocates."

"Oh." Yan Jing hopped onto the desk, grabbed the bottom of the sack, and shook it until the man tumbled out.

"..."

Looking at the unconscious Hu San crumpled on the floor, Papa Rat sucked in a deep breath.

"You three are going to be the death of me one day!"

"What's really going on, Pops?"

Yan Jing asked.

Tonight had not been peaceful; on the way here, he had smelled blood the entire drive.

Nights in Heavenly Kingdom were as bright as day, typically the time when everyone was most active, yet today the air reeked of crime.

Such a massive commotion couldn't be Xiong Er's doing alone; he simply didn't have the capability.

Papa Rat sighed and pulled two tiny bottles of liquid from his pocket.

"Happy Water."

Yan Jing took the two bottled drinks, held them up to the only lit lamp by the door, and examined them.

"Two shady bottles of Happy Water, but there's a slight difference between them."

Smack! Yan Jing took a rolled-up newspaper to the head.

"Hah, you brat must drink this stuff all the time!" Papa Rat glared at him.

"No way! I only sell the stuff, I never touch—" Smack! Another hit.

After dealing the two blows, Papa Rat looked at Yan Jing, who was clutching his head and grinning, and couldn't help but smile helplessly.

He naturally knew the kid was just trying to lighten the mood.

He said, "One of these is the usual addictive Happy Water, and the other is a new, non-addictive variant that just showed up."

"But in reality, a new ingredient was detected in that non-addictive Happy Water."

"Once consumed in excess, this ingredient drives bionic species into a frenzy."

Hearing this, Yan Jing spoke up.

"Are you saying... Second Brother drank this?"

Papa Rat's eyes flickered.

"Ultimately, whether they are animal species or human species, bionic species cannot escape one term: genetic modification."

"Human species are humans spliced with animal genes, whereas animal species are animals spliced with human genes."

"And involved in all this is a concept known as feral suppression."

"The primal instincts in animal genes are extremely potent. For them to safely integrate into society, both animal species and human species undergo feral suppression the moment they ingest a Gene Potion."

"And this new, non-addictive Happy Water can restore that suppressed primal instinct."

Yan Jing nodded.

"Understood. Someone wants to commit a crime."

"What kind of crime?" Papa Rat looked at him.

"Provoking a conflict between the bottom rung and the superiors," Yan Jing smiled.

Although Heavenly Kingdom claimed that everyone was equal, in reality, distinctions existed. Even among different races, a definite chain of discrimination remained: original species > pseudo-native species > half Smart Seed > full Smart Seed > human species > mechanical species ≈ animal species. Although public aesthetic preferences had gradually shifted toward bionic species, the vast majority of government officials, syndicate scions, and council members were actually Smart Seeds.

Such was the case with the plutocrats and government officials Yan Jing had encountered so far.

This was perfectly normal.

Performers were considered lowly.

The fact that animal species were becoming increasingly active on screen merely proved that they occupied a lower rung in daily life.

This way, lower-class citizens found it easier to project themselves onto them.

And this same racial friction existed in the upper echelons as well.

Therefore, the moment the animal species began to run amok, this underlying conflict would completely detonate.

Who knew how many people would seize the opportunity to eliminate their rivals.

And when the higher-ups started ruthlessly oppressing the lower classes, at that point, all one had to do was...

"How vicious."

Yan Jing murmured in awe.

Killing didn't even require a knife. Deflecting a genetic defect into societal conflict—their opponent was a maestro of social crime.

Seeing that Yan Jing could see through the framework of the incident, Papa Rat felt very gratified.

"This is still just the build-up phase. When the final eruption hits, true chaos will bloom, starting from Muke District—the zone with the highest concentration of animal species."

"So what do we do now?"

Yan Jing looked at Papa Rat.

"Pops, you told us to investigate; do you already have a lead?"

"Even I can't trace the source."

Papa Rat shook his head.

"That person is deeply hidden. Their Tier might even be above mine."

"However... I've already thought of a solution. You don't need to worry about it anymore."

A mafia boss claiming he would quell social unrest.

It should have been a dark joke, but Yan Jing chose to believe him.

"What about Second Brother?" Yan Jing asked.

"Do we leave him alone too?"

"...Ignore him for now."

Papa Rat said, "I only called you boys back to lay the facts out clearly."

Papa Rat nodded.

"Alright, take your Third Brother to the medical department."

"Oh."

Yan Jing nodded. "See ya, Pops."

The medical department was on the first basement floor.

Since Boss Rat wouldn't let him use the burlap sack, he had no choice but to drag Hu San down.

As they reached the third floor, Yan Jing reached out to grab Hu San's chest.

His hand was caught in a reverse grip by the newly awakened Hu San.

Yan Jing burst into laughter.

"Ha, Third Brother, you actually dared to play dead in front of Pops."

Having his cover blown, Hu San didn't panic. Expending all his strength to stand up, he leaned against the wall, panting.

"I wasn't playing dead. I was really knocked out, but I have an alarm system."

"And then you relied on the recording module in your chest to eavesdrop on our conversation?" Yan Jing smiled.

Hu San sighed. "Since Pops didn't stop me, it means he allowed it."

"Alright, Third Brother, since you're awake, you can head to the medical department yourself."

Yan Jing pressed the button for the first floor.

The elevator continued its descent. Neither man spoke, and a quiet stillness settled within the cabin.

Hu San stayed silent for a few seconds before looking at Yan Jing.

"Old Fourth. Thanks for this."

"Don't mention it."

Yan Jing smiled.

"What kind of Old Fourth would I be otherwise?"

The elevator doors slid open on the first floor. Hu San stared at Yan Jing's back, hesitating for a moment.

Ultimately, he still leaned in, grabbed Yan Jing's shoulder, and spoke rapidly into his ear:

"Don't believe everything Pops says."

"He loves us, but what he says isn't necessarily the whole truth."

Yan Jing smiled.

"What are you talking about, Third Brother? You want me to beat up Second Brother? Sure."

With that, Yan Jing stepped out of the elevator.

Hu San watched Yan Jing's retreating back and sighed.

He felt that their Old Fourth was different from before. But just as Pops hadn't exposed him for playing dead, this patchwork family had only survived all these years by playing dumb. Sometimes, certain things were better left unsaid.

After walking out of the building, Yan Jing swapped his identity and dialed Zeng Qing's number.

"Hello?"

Zeng Qing's voice came through the receiver.

"I'm not interrupting anything, am I?" Yan Jing chuckled.

This was exactly the time of day when Zeng Qing was usually most active.

"..."

Zeng Qing tossed aside the whip in her hand.

"Whether you meant to or not, you already have."

"Spit it out. What is it?"

Yan Jing relayed the situation regarding the Happy Water to Zeng Qing.

Hearing this, Zeng Qing's expression abruptly changed, instantly grasping the severity of the matter.

"Should I go notify the Law Enforcement Agency right now?" she asked. As things stood, the only option was to report the matter to the Law Enforcement Agency, initiate an investigation into the Happy Water, and preemptively gag the rumor mill.

Otherwise, once the animal species riots fully erupted, it would truly be beyond saving.

"Do you think that would do any good?"

Yan Jing countered with a smile.

Zeng Qing blanked for a moment, then fell into silence.

Yan Jing smiled.

This was the brilliance of Tianji's plan.

They hadn't created the conflict; they had merely guided it.

The difference was that the conflict already existed.

People had long been starving for a chance, and Tianji simply handed it to them.

Even if the Law Enforcement Agency caught wind of this, would they truly choose to take action?

Among their ranks, how many would choose to suppress the intelligence for the time being, using the window to eliminate anyone they didn't like? And how many more would exploit the ensuing chaos to scrub away the grime of their own daily corruption?

Yan Jing recalled the words Papa Rat had spoken when they were watching television a few days ago.

"When peace lasts too long, there will always be those who crave chaos."

True chaos was about to begin. When it hit, this neon-lit city would plunge headfirst into madness.

"Zeng Qing."

Just as Zeng Qing was feeling flustered and entirely at a loss, Yan Jing's smiling voice drifted into her ear.

"This is an opportunity. A flawless opportunity. We're about to set sail."

"Are you ready?"