ID No. 019 - Chapter 10.2

Zhao Yuan was deeply affected by the deaths of Zhou Xiaoxiao and Huang Qing. He no longer joined Zhang Yan and Lin Yue in their activities but followed Chen Yang instead.

In Zhao Yuan’s opinion, Chen Yang seemed less dangerous compared to the two veteran taskers who were on their second mission, despite the curse inflicted on the latter that might turn him into a monster at any time.

Chen Yang didn’t mind. Zhao Yuan’s cheerful and lively personality had changed significantly; he spoke less and appeared more disheartened. The silence suited Chen Yang just fine.

Instead, the young man inexplicably gave Chen Yang the cold shoulder.

Soon after returning, Chen Yang discovered the cellar at Li Dafu’s house. There were signs of it having been lived in, though it was covered in a thick layer of dust. The family had once sought refuge here to escape danger.

Chen Yang traced his fingers over the furniture covered in cobwebs. Piecing together the scattered clues he had gathered, he surmised that the current inhabitants of the island were outsiders, while the vanished civilization had been the island’s original residents.

This suggested plunder and occupation. Madam Li only felt remorse before she died.

The cause and consequence were clear.

But isn’t revenge supposed to be as simple and brutal as a vengeful ghost going on a killing spree? Why would it involve fertilizers and plants? And they even offered the kindness of a new beginning.

Chen Yang feared that before they could find the source of the curse, they might all fall victim to it, consuming fertilizer and burying themselves alive.

Chen Yang hadn’t been in the cellar for long before Zhang Yan returned with news that was both unexpected and yet anticipated.

Zhang Yan saw Cheng-ge secretly burying bodies in the back mountain. Each and every body had been burnt beyond recognition.

The islanders who were captured and locked up had been burned to death!

Li Dafu’s house was enveloped in a deathly silence. Chen Yang kneaded the dust on his hands, pondering over the clues from Zhou Xiaoxiao and the information behind the stone cave. Both pointed to Ah-Wu, yet there were no signs of anything unusual on that side.

So, what should they do next?

Chen Yang came to a realization and stopped rubbing his hands. “Old Madam Qi didn’t bring anyone to check the fertilizer this morning.”

“Yes, she didn’t,” Zhang Yan said. “There’s no one outside. Everyone has shut themselves inside their homes and we don’t know how many on the island are cursed.”

Chen Yang started rubbing his hands again. Weren’t inspections supposed to be done three times a day—morning, noon, and night? Why didn’t they come to check? Didn’t they want to catch the infected, or had something happened?

In the next moment, he lost control of his strength and kneaded his hands so hard that they hurt. “Let’s go to Old Madam Qi’s house.”

“Let’s go find Old Madam Qi!” Chen Yang shouted, somewhat out of control. Ignoring the others, he handed the young man his crutches and started walking as soon as the man got up.

“What are you going to that old woman’s house for? Hey, wait for me!” Zhao Yuan quickly ran after him.

Zhang Yan grabbed his backpack and Lin Yue put away her iron shard. They followed after them without saying a word.

Today, the isle was as quiet as a deserted island.

The bright morning light illuminated the unplowed earth and the lush green vegetables, while salted fish and wild herbs were hung on the door to dry. All these signs of everyday life were shattered by the tightly shut house, creating an eerie sense of unsettling tranquility.

Chen Yang didn’t see a single islander along the way. When he reached Old Madam Qi’s place, the door was open, so he went straight inside.

Old Madam Qi wasn’t in the main room, nor had she lit any incense; she was in the back room, chanting sutras.

The room was dim.

Chen Yang felt that something was different between his visit last night and this one. He didn’t rush into the back room but instead stood cautiously at the doorway and called softly, “Old Madam Qi.”

The old woman was kneeling on a cushion with her back to him, still mumbling sutras. She wore the same black gown with dark golden peonies embroidered on the edges and cuffs, looking solemn and refined.

A strong wind blew outside, forcing the partially closed windows open. The wind swept past Old Madam Qi, swirling around Chen Yang and the others as it made its way toward the main room.

“Old Madam Qi, why isn’t anyone coming out?” Chen Yang felt a bit cold as the temperature on the island dropped. “And you didn’t come to check today either. Has the infection been brought under control?”

The turning of Old Madam Qi’s prayer beads slowed as she spoke in a voice both aged and authoritative, “No, we’re still trying to find a solution. Everyone is staying at home. You should go back as well and not wander around.”

The old woman emphasized again, “Don’t wander around.”

Chen Yang responded, “Okay, we’ll go back.”

He then glanced at the young man and hinted to leave.

The man propped himself up on his crutches and lazily turned around.

Seeing Chen Yang and the man leave, the others didn’t linger and waited for him to explain the situation.

Chen Yang said nothing and kept walking, preoccupied with his thoughts.

Suddenly, Zhao Yuan shouted from behind, “Lin Yue! You’re cursed!”

Chen Yang turned around and saw that, apart from the young man next to him, Zhang Yan, Zhao Yuan, and even Lin Yue herself were looking at her pants.

There were several needle-like things stuck on it, dark brown in color.

Chen Yang looked down and identified the plant. “Beggarticks.”

“What is that?” Zhao Yuan asked, confused.

“It’s a type of plant, an herb,” Chen Yang said. “The seeds haven’t sprouted yet in this season; they won’t grow until August or September.”

Zhang Yan, who was closest to Lin Yue, stepped back.

Lin Yue’s expression turned cold. She bent down to swipe the beggarticks off, but its sharp tips had embedded themselves into her pants. “I’m not cursed,” she said, pulling out each piece forcefully and tossing them away. “This isn’t something that grew on me; I don’t know where I ran into it.”

Zhang Yan said, “It doesn’t grow on the island, so how could you have come into contact with it?”

Lin Yue’s face revealed a twisted look.

Zhao Yuan felt an abnormal sense of satisfaction seeing her situation. “You killed Zhou Xiaoxiao and Huang Qing in the morning because you found them suspicious. Now that we suspect you, I guess that means we can kill you too.”

Lin Yue glared at him.

Zhao Yuan moved closer to Chen Yang as he continued to taunt her. “Now you finally get to experience the despair of being mistrusted!”

Lin Yue suddenly began undressing, decisively stripping down to only her underwear, revealing her clear skin.

“…”

The young man continued to face the distant mountains, immersed in his own world.

Zhang Yan and Zhao Yuan both avoided looking at Lin Yue’s body and focused on the ground. None noticed the fleeting look of panic and unease in Chen Yang’s eyes, who seemed to have his suspicions confirmed.

“See, I only have some on my pants, not on my skin,” Lin Yue said, putting her clothes back on with a sarcastic smile. “Since it isn’t the season for beggarticks, it means it grows on those who are cursed. We’re all here; who could have touched me? Do I need to spell it out?”

Chen Yang didn’t pay attention to Lin Yue’s deliberate attempt at provocation. He whispered something into the young man’s ear and the two headed into the mountains.

Zhao Yuan was stunned. “Chen Yang, what are you going into the mountains for? Are you going to mutate?”

Chen Yang threw out some words without turning around. “Old Madam Qi.”

Zhao Yuan and Zhang Yan responded in unison, “What?”

“The beggarticks came from Old Madam Qi,” Chen Yang said while observing his surroundings, his footsteps steady. “She’s the one who’s cursed!”

Zhang Yan was shocked, but seemed to come to an understanding. His stern face tightened and he swore, “Damn it.”

In the next moment, Zhang Yan started running. He quickly overtook Chen Yang, who was waiting for the young man to keep up, and spearheaded the way into the mountains.

Lin Yue followed closely behind.

Zhao Yuan was confused. However, he rushed to follow when he saw everyone running.

Before Old Madam Qi was cursed, she had captured and burned those aberrations who had been cursed.

Now that she herself was cursed, what was once an ‘anomaly’ had become ‘normal,’ while ‘normal’ was now anomalous.

Which meant she was going to start capturing people.