The Real Awakening

Chapter 8: ESP

After several days, the incessant rainstorms gradually came to a rest.

Today was a rare sunny day. The sunlight that had not been seen for a long time now shone in through the window. While bathing under the suns rays, Fang Yun was in quite a good mood.

She had just finished changing bandages for a child that had undergone a surgery for amputation of the right leg. Now, she was holding a steaming bowl of oatmeal, feeding it spoonful by spoonful to the five-year-old girl that had yet to learn how to speak and could only drool. Midway through the meal, a boy with a foolish smile ran over, his eyes wide at the oatmeal as he swallowed his own saliva. Thus, Fang Yun smiled and fed him a spoonful as well.

After eating the oatmeal, he grinned dumbly again and then skipped out happily.

This was a nursery centre for handicapped children, and Fang Yun was a volunteer worker.

She had already worked here for five years despite only being a little over thirty years old. She was young, beautiful, and allegedly had studied overseas in the past. She had high academic qualifications, having received a degree in some profound subject that was related to biological research or something similar. In any case, all her colleagues at the nursery would discuss how it was truly a shame that such a talented and pretty young lady remained as a lowly volunteer with meager monthly wages.

However, Fang Yun herself never seemed to mind such matters. She would stay at the nursery for over eight hours a day, never complaining nor considering the notion of quitting.

In everyones eyes, she truly loved this arduous and low-salaried job. 

Per Fang Yuns own words, she enjoyed spending time with these children.

But the staff at this place knew very well that the majority of the children in this nursery had intellectual deficiencies, and would sometimes do unimaginably disastrous things. Having to deal with them from morning to night, day after day, was truly difficult to endure.

That was why this places employee turnover was high. Most people would leave within two years, yet Fang Yun had worked hard without complaint and persevered. No one could comprehend why.

Fang Yun would only smile at their bewilderment without providing any explanation.

Her daily responsibilities were just like now, taking care of these disabled childrens everyday lives and performing simple medical treatments and nursing.

After she finished feeding the little girl, Fang Yun cleaned the plates and took off her apron to go visit the boy at the medical centre who had sported a high fever the night before. Before departing, she even made sure to specially grab a storybook. 

Fang Yun walked very slowly down the tranquil hallway. In actuality, she did feel exhausted at times, but she had a reason that left her with no option but to stay here.

Suddenly, a mans voice rang out behind her.

Situ Yun Fei.

The mans voice was not loud, yet it gave Fang Yun a fright.

She froze in place but did not turn around.

If my guess is correct, you are Situ Yun Fei, arent you?

The mans tone was level, yet carried an unquestionably imposing aura.

Fang Yun stiffly turned to see an unfamiliar young man standing behind her.

The man was extremely good-looking, with an elegant face and refined features. But he gave off a freezing coldness, his eyes piercing straight through her like chilling daggers that forced her to involuntarily take a step back.

Sorry, Mister, butdid you mistake me for someone else?

Fang Yun forced a smile.

The man expressionlessly remained in place, peering into her eyes as he indifferently recited, Situ Yun Fei, born August 17th, 19XX, thirty-one years old. Migrated with parents to Toronto, Canada at the age of four and attended a local elementary school at the age of six. Received the title of child prodigy at the age of twelve and was accepted on exception into Americas Harvard University as a first-year biology student. Received a masters degree by the age of fifteen, and began to research anthropology and psychology at the age of sixteen. Obtained PhDs in both fields at the age of eighteen, then joined an American biological research institute at the age of nineteen to become its youngest Chinese female researcher in history.

Then suddenly resigned six years ago for unknown reasons and returned to the country alone to work for a mysterious research institute in the outskirts of the northern district. After this research institute closed down, Situ Yun Fei did not leave but rather hid in a nursery centre for disabled children and changed namesto Fang Yun.

The young man remained blank-faced after saying all this in a single breath, his frosty gaze locked onto her.

Fang Yun was dumbstruck for a while before she suddenly returned to her senses and gave a fake smile as she dodged the question. Sorry, I dont understand what youre saying.

She guiltily lowered her head, tightening her grip on the book in her hand. Just as she spun around to leave, the stranger reached out to block her path.

Please stop bothering me, or else Ill report to the

Before she could say police, her voice died in her throat.

What appeared before her eyes was the shocking sight of a 100% genuine police badge.

The man slowly commented, Su Mu, from the Special Crimes Investigation Unit at District Ts police station. I am currently requesting for your assistance in an investigation regarding a murder case. Would now be a convenient time?

Fang Yun stared in shock at the police ID in front of her, standing locked in place for a long time. Finally, she sighed in compromise and quietly stated, It isnt convenient to talk here, lets go somewhere else to speak.

Su Mu replied, Thats fine.

Ten minutes later, they arrived at a cafe near the nursery centre, finding a table in a secluded corner to take a seat across from each other.

Fang Yuns expression was somewhat uneasy. Her gaze remained lowered as she sat there with her hands gripping a glass of ice lemon water.

Su Mu crossed his arms as he looked at her and said, I dont plan on speaking in circles with you, so Ill just cut straight to the point; the reason Im here is because I want to ask you about matters related to the mysterious research institute in Zhu Sha.

Fang Yun had not imagined he would ask so directly. However, she had already expected such words. She took a deep breath and replied with a feigned lightness, Im truly sorry, but I only worked at that research institute for a year and a half. There are many things that I do not know about it.

Su Mu replied, I only need you to tell me one thing: what exactly were you researching at the time?

Fang Yun apologetically smiled and answered, I apologise, but although the research institute has shut down, this is related to its trade secret. I imagine that even a police officer would not have the right to ask, no?

Hmph, trade secret?

Su Mu scoffed and pulled out several photos from his pocket.

This is F-Universitys psychology professor, Cao Guo Xuan.

He placed this photo down on the table and slowly slid it over to Fang Yun.

Fang Yun stared at the man in the photo without a word.

This is Yunling Biological Labs researcher, Jiang Zhong Ming.

Su Mu placed a second photo down.

This is S-Citys government functionary, Du Zi Feng.

With this, there were three photographs lined up in display before Fang Yun.

Su Mu stated, I imagine that the three men depicted here are not strangers to you?

Fang Yun bit her lip without responding.

Su Mu raised a brow and flatly commented, These three people that previously worked together with you in Zhu Shas research institute are already dead. And all of them died by intentional homicide in the hands of a single murderer.

The hands gripping her glass shook slightly, but Fang Yun still maintained her silence.

Su Mu waited for a while, but seeing her lack of response, placed a fourth and fifth photo down. These are Cao Guo Xuans wife and his sixteen-year-old daughter. They were killed together during the serial killings.

Fang Yun couldnt help but close her eyes to force her eyes away from the photos.

Su Mu continued, There were also the three police officers responsible for this case: one lost his eyes, one strangled his fiancee to death before committing suicide by jumping off a building, and the other has gone completely insane. There was my partner as well, who fell from a cliff three days ago and is currently comatose in intensive care; it is not yet certain if he will survive.

His penetrating gaze pointed straight at Fang Yun after levelly saying this.

Fang Yun suddenly grabbed her glass and took a large swig of ice lemon water. She then released a long sigh and let out a chuckle in spite of herself. Officer Ye, I dont understand why youre telling me this. What exactly are you trying to say?

Su Mu furrowed his brows and replied in a lowered voice, Ive already gone this far, yet you still insist on staying tight-lipped? How many casualties will you wait for until you decide to voice the secret? Or

He scoffed and slowed his words, Or do you plan to wait until even you are murdered so that you can bring this alleged trade secret to the grave with you?

Fang Yuns head shot up in a flash, her eyes wide. I heard in the news that the serial killer was already captured, wasnt he?

Su Mus lips curled upwards humourlessly as he answered, Thats right, the killer was indeed captured and is currently locked in prison. Butat the moment, we dont have any concrete evidence nor can we figure out his motive for murder. As a result, its very likely that in the court next week, the murder sentence cannot be ruled. If the sentence cannot be ruled, we can only release him back into society. When that time comes, I cannot guarantee he wont do anything.

After saying this half-truth, Su Mu calmly took a sip of ice water.

In contrast, Fang Yun was unable to maintain her composure any longer. She instantly shot to her feet and nearly knocked over the half glass of water on the table. She stood in shock for a beat before sitting back down and accusing, How could you release such a dangerous person from prison? Thats no different from letting a tiger loose in a mountain!

Oh, dangerous? Hah. Su Mu apathetically chuckled and commented, I dont see how hes dangerous.

Thats because you have no idea what ability he possesses!

Fang Yun shouted out in fury.

Su Mu placed down the glass in his hand and emphatically asked, Then tell me. What ability does he possess?

Fang Yun froze as she belatedly realised that she had fallen for his trick. Deflating, she leaned back against her chair and dropped her head in her hands. ESPHes a carrier of ESP superpowers

Superpowers?

Yes, superpowers or extrasensory perception, ESP for short. We typically refer to them as extra sense or sixth sense. Its also equivalent to the five senses from the right brain.

Since she had already exposed herself, Fang Yun directly provided an explanation.

She continued, Just like the five senses from the left brain: sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch, the right brain has five senses too. However, over time, the human subconscious has been suppressed by knowledge, leading to these abilities gradually being sealed.

To use a comparison, the right brains five senses are more evidently expressed in animals. For example, animals will always sense things like an impending earthquake or volcano eruption before humans. Animals will similarly react to incoming danger significantly faster than humans.

Another example is if you pick up a stick with the intention of striking a mouse, you typically wont land the hit. Why? Because the mouse darts away much earlier. The mouse doesnt flee because it sees you pick up the stick, but rather has an understanding that your actions are meant to harm it. That is why it escapes long before you even lift the stick.

Now imagine if this sort of ability was used by a human. For example, before boarding a plane, you know that the plane will crash; when you see a person, you know that they will die today; before the lottery, you know the winning numbers. What do we call this?

Precognition, Su Mu stated.

Thats right, precognition or foresight.

Fang Yun drank some water as she continued, Precognition, psychometry, psychokinesis, clairvoyance, and telepathy. These are the five supernatural abilities that humans were born with but have been sealed, the right brains five senses that are referred to as ESP.

She grew more excited as she spoke, and couldnt help but drain her glass after saying this all in one breath.

It was obvious that as a researcher, she was proud of her own work.

After hearing this, Su Mu slowly asked, So the research you did back then was on developing humans superpowers?

Yes, thats precisely it. Doesnt it sound super awesome?

Fang Yuns glitter eyes turned towards Su Mu, only for him to coldly beat her down.

His voice was neither sharp nor dull as he replied, So, six years ago, your people took those children for human experimentation?

Fang Yun guiltily glanced away, but her tone remained full of self-righteousness.

Actually, I didnt want to either, but there was no alternative; ESP abilities cannot be tested using animals. Besides, any advancement in humanity requires price, sacrifices are unavoidable. 

Hmph, so those innocent children naturally became your sacrificial victims?

Su Mu snorted in disdain.

Fang Yun grew emotional, her palms down on the table as she argued, Dont you think its revolutionary research? If the experiments succeeded, humanity would never be as stupid and ignorant as they are now. We wouldnt lose so many lives after every natural disaster, and we wouldnt be so weak and helpless that we need to rely on burning incense to Buddha and praying for health and safety. We wouldnt be as primitive as spending each day not knowing what the next day holds! Humans would become more powerful, to the point where we would be above all other beings! We could easily break through these limits, we could dominate everything, we could even be omnipotent! And all of this requires paying a price! For the greatest revolution in human history, for the greatest advancement of all time, such a tiny sacrifice is nothing!

Bang!

Su Mu heavily slammed his glass down on the table, cutting off Fang Yuns endless speech.

He sternly rebuked, Dont use those pompous pretenses to cover up the crimes you have committed. Once any type of scientific research exceeds the bottom line of morality, it will cause a state of societal disorder and destroy the balance between people and the rest of the ecosystem. This is why humanity has never progressed into cloning humans despite the fact that the technology to clone organisms has been around for so long. There are some matters that inevitably lead to eternal damnation once the land mine has been triggered.

Hah, what a joke! Fang Yun raised her voice to fight back. Its precisely because of foolish people like you with your so-called bottom lines of morality and your so-called regulations that youve trapped yourselves. Thats why humanity will never have any revolutionary breakthroughs! Besides

Fang Yun took a breath and turned her face to stubbornly declare, Besides, were selective in our experiments and go through careful considerations. We dont just randomly find people to be sacrifices.

Selective? Go through careful considerations?

Su Mu smiled mockingly as he coolly pulled out a list of names and waved it. The result of your careful considerations was to take these homeless children from juvenile prison to experiment on?

Fang Yuns eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at the list in shock. There were fifty names neatly listed on the paper with each name assigned a number.

Wh-where did you get that list of names from?

Her jaw was open in disbelief as she tried to reach out and grab it, but Su Mu was faster and whisked it away.

Gi-give that list to me, she urged.

Su Mu ignored her and languidly asked, What, feeling guilty?

No! Fang Yun stubbornly denied, What do I have to feel guilty about? Those children were criminals in the first place. They stole, looted, killed, set fires, and did any misdeed possible. Some of them were admitted into the juvenile prison multiple times and had extremely nasty personalities. They were originally children with no future. Even if they returned to society, they would likely cause harm. In that case, it was better for us to use them as experiments so that they could at least have made some contributions in their lives. They should have felt honoured if anything!

Then what about the children from Zhu Sha village? What wrongs did they commit?!

Su Mu raised his voice.

Fang Yun violently jerked back at this and instantly went quiet.

The two remained in a silent confrontation for a long time before Su Mu slowly stated, Six years ago, over twenty children from the Zhu Sha village went inexplicably missing. They were all kidnapped by you guys, werent they?

Fang Yun gritted her teeth without replying. 

Answer me. Su Mu stared intently at her.

Fang Yun closed her eyes and took a deep breath. While massaging her temples, she powerlessly said in a bitter tone, II hadnt thought things would end up that way. At the time, I tried to stop them too, but it was no usebecause there was an error with the injection prescription, many children died in a single night soso they secretly captured some village children as replacement. In the endmore and more died beyond what we had imagined, and the situation spiralled out of controlBy the time we realised what was wrong with the prescription, it was all too late. We could only helplessly watch on as those children died one after another

Hmph, and thats why you didnt leave after the research institute shut down, and instead chose to stay to volunteer at this nursery centre for disabled children. Because you couldnt calm your conscience and wanted to use some way to redeem yourself. Am I right?

Su Mus words stabbed her sore spots, and Fang Yun could only tacitly drop her head, biting her lip without giving a response.

Your thinking is much too naive. Some sins can never be redeemed. 

Su Mu coldly stared her down and asked, What happened afterwards? Did all of those children die?

Fang Yun quietly nodded, but immediately shook her head after. No, no. The children in the labs died, but not those that escaped.

Escaped? How many of them were there?

Just one.

Who?

No. 13.

No. 13No. 13

There seemed to be a voice calling him in the darkness.

The voice sounded very far away and hazy, he couldnt tell where it was coming from

With his eyes closed, he struggled for a moment.

No, my name isnt No. 13. I have a name, its not No. 13

But what was his name?

I cant rememberI cant remember the name that truly belongs to me

I forgot everythingI forgot who I amforgot where Im from

The only thing he remembered were the flames that reached the sky that night.

Amidst the fire was a girls anguished shrieks that cried out:

Save me! Save me! Please, save me!

It was during these miserable screams that the youth suddenly woke. Before he could gasp for breath, he felt the pain of suffocation in his chest and an icy sensation surrounding his body. There was only endless darkness before his eyes.

Water, its all water.

He was completely submerged in saltwater. When he wanted to open his mouth for a breath of air, saltwater from every direction immediately flooded in through his mouth and nose and noisily entered his body.

In an instant, his stomach was nearly bursting with saltwater, but he could not spit any out.

He could only keep his mouth tightly shut and hold his breath.

As he gradually lost oxygen, his chest hurt so much it felt like it would rip apart.

Whats going on? Where is this? Why is water everywhere?

He frantically thrashed around, but the more he moved, the faster the water came rushing in.

He felt himself continuously sinking further under the water, and he hurriedly tried to wave his arms upwards. However, the moment he lifted his hand, his fingertips came into contact with something icy and slippery.

It feels likelike a plastic bag? Im in a plastic bag?

The youth blanked out for a moment before finally recalling everything.

Thats right, it was No. 17, that girl named Gu Xiao Rou! She and the other four boys wanted to kill me!

But why? I still dont get why in the world they would do that.

The sensation of being strangled by Wang Hai Taos hands lingered on his neck.

Perhaps they hadnt imagined that he would only faint rather than die, and now he had slowly been shocked awake by the stimulation from the frigid water.

But what exactly is this situation now? Could I have been tossed in the river as a corpse? 

No, I cant keep sinking like this! I cant just drown to death!

The youth furiously slid his arms around and treaded his feet in an attempt to float up, but his body continued to sink down. There seemed to be something heavy below his feet like a rock or some other heavy object, and this weight was currently pulling him swiftly down to the depths of the water.

No, I cant. If this continues, Ill just keep going downwards. I have to get out of this body bag as quickly as possible!

Oh yeah, the zipper! Wheres the zipper of the body bag?

He searched around the bag, but after all his strenuous efforts, he could not find the critical zipper that could save his life.

What do I do? What do I do?!

The last breath in his mouth was swiftly running out, and his physical strength was slipping too. It was at this moment when he touched something in the water. The object was very hard and pierced into his palm, inciting a slight pain. It seemed to be metal

Ah, right, the hairclip! Gu Xiao Rous half hairclip!

Wild with joy, it felt like dawn peeking through the darkness. He gripped the half hairclip and forcefully sliced the plastic bag open, then used the rest of his strength to rip open a hole and break free from the plastic bag. He immediately began to wave both arms and legs in doggy-paddle style with his life on the line.

Despite being unable to swim, one would always display unbelievable ability in a moment of life or death. After a while, his head finally broke the surface with a splash.

Gahhahhah

He greedily gulped down large breaths of the outside air. Each deep breath sent waves of sharp pain through his air-deprived lungs, but it did not matterhe already had enough fresh air; he alreadywas saved.

His happiness did not last for long, as he immediately discovered that he was currently floating in a boundless ocean. Suspended in the sky above him was the glowing full moon from before. It tranquilly emitted a frosty silver glow that illuminated the mirror-like ripples of the ocean surface in the night, lighting up the youths pale face as well.

It turned out that this was not a river, but the sea.

And the children that had died with no explanation in that mysterious place had been tossed into this ocean with rocks tied to their corpses.

Under the desolate moonlight, shadows flickered along with the sighing wind.

Terrified, the youth floated in the freezing ocean for a moment, but he did not ponder to himself for long before following the slight waves to swim towards an unusual-looking rocky shore. There was no knowing how long he swam for, but when he finally touched the slippery reef and climbed onto the shore, his energy was beyond drained.

Soaked to the skin, the youth lay collapsed on the ground, his limbs limp and his complexion ashen.

Have I finallyfinally escaped?

Has the nightmare finally ended?

He closed his eyes, tiredly gasping for breath while sprawled atop the sand.

The clean, cold night wind silently blew past, brushing past his dripping hair that was tangled with seaweed. His clothes were plastered against his skin, and he shivered from the chill.

Where is this place, and where should I go now

He blurrily thought this as he rested for a while. Then he slowly opened his eyes.

Standing there was a pair of feet feet that belonged to a girl that had at some point appeared before him. Below delicate and slim ankles were bright and clean feet like jade. Without shoes, the naked feet were a dazzling white atop the soft sand.

Yo, Im surprised you didnt die.

A familiar chime-like voice rang next to his ear.

The youths head shot up in shock. Beneath the hazy moonlight, Gu Xiao Rou was smiling sweetly as she bent down to peer at the youth.

Behind her, four boys slowly walked over.

All of them were smiling, but their smiles held a trace of indescribable eeriness.

The youth jumped up in shock, but he lost balance and his knees buckled, causing him to fall heavily onto his knees. With one hand holding himself up off the sand and one hand pressed against his numb knees, he retreated backwards bit by bit.

D-dont come over hereYouyouwhat do you want to do

Wang Hai Tao sneered and replied, What do we want? Hahaha, how amusing. Why arent you asking yourself what you did instead?

The youth stared at him in confusion and asked in a trembling voice, I-I dont knowI didnt do anything

You didnt do anything? I suggest you think about it more carefully. Sun Yuan pushed his glasses.

Next to him, Li Qing was peering at the youth with a strange grin that did not reach his eyes.

Xu Ming was chuckling oddly to himself as usual.

The youth blankly stared at them, eyebrows scrunched together in doubt. But even after considering it for ages, he only shook his head and whimpered softly, I-I dont get what youre saying?

No. 13, take a good look at me.

Gu Xiao Rou crouched down in front of him, her face closing in so that she was staring intently into his eyes. 

The youth shifted his line of sight to stare dumbly at the pale yet beautiful girls face in front of him.

You really dont remember us anymore, Jiang Cheng Fei?

Jiang-Jiang Cheng Fei?

Who is she talking to? Theres no way its me?

The youth opened his mouth, yet could not utter a single word.

Gu Xiao Rous smile disappeared, her eyes blazing as she looked at him.

Jiang Cheng Fei, try thinking back again. Who exactly am I?

The youth gulped in panic and dumbly repeated, Wh-who exactly are you

Dont tell me you really forgot? Gu Xiao Rous lips curled as she darkly stated, What happened on that summer night under the drizzling sky, in a small storehouse by the Shilin River?

The youth blankly stared at her, trying his best to recall as he repeatedly muttered to himself, That summer nightdrizzlingstorehouse by the Shilin Riverwhat happenedwhat happened

Ugh, it hurtsmy head hurts! My head hurts so much!

The youth twitched and bent over at the waist before curling up, cradling his head in severe pain. 

Vague scenes instantly flashed through his mind like lightning.

A fire alight in the gloom of a summer nightthe pattering of rainthe rush of the river

Andand the small wooden storehouse

And there seemed to be people inside theinside the storehouse

Through the metal bars over the window, he could barely spot five shadows moving about inside

The shadows belonged to five adolescents that were furiously shouting while violently kicking at the storehouse door, causing the inch-thick metal chain on the door to jangle loudly

Open the door! Open the door! Jiang Cheng Fei, open the door right now!

Let us out! Let us out!

Jiang Cheng Fei, just wait until I get out, youll be dead meat!

Yeah! Youre screwed! Wait and see how I teach you a lesson!

The enraged curses echoed one after another.

The youth outside the door remained unperturbed, wordlessly standing there in the drizzling rain with a bucket of gasoline in his hand. After a long moment of silence, he finally made his decision.

He poured the gasoline in a circle around the storehouse, then fished out a box of matches from his pocket. Under the light rain, several of his attempts at lighting matches failed. Finally, he managed to successfully get one match burning.

As he stared at the flame in front of him, he happily grinned, the pleasure of revenge growing in his heart. The children in the storehouse continued yelling angrily. The shouting then changed to pleading, and then screaming.

However, he could no longer hear any of it.

As the flame fell, the entire wooden building instantly burst into flames with a whoosh!

Gradually, the dazzling glow of the fire filled the sky as heart-wrenching cries rang out

Ahhhhhhelp!

So hot! So hot! Ahhhh! Save me! Save me

Ahhhahhh

Ahhhhhhh

The youth cradled his head in pain as he curled his body into himself, still kneeling on the sand. He dimly heard piercing wails echo through his ears as tear-stained faces distorted in the rolling smoke in front of his eyes

First was Wang Hai Tao, with the ugly scar across his left eye. Then it was Sun Yuan, with his black-rimmed glasses. After that was Xu Ming with his weird smile, and soon after was the gloomy Li Qing. And finallyfinally, it was the pale, beautiful girls face glaring at him with matchless resentment

No! No! Impossible! Thats impossible!

The youth screamed hysterically, then shot to his feet and fearfully widened his eyes at the five children with bizarre grins on their faces.

Y-you guysyou guys are already dead!

As soon as he let out this discomfited shout, he felt a splitting pain shoot through his head.

Ugh, damn it, whats going onwhat the hell is going on

He gripped his head as the scene before his eyes gradually faded black. His vision grew blurry as his consciousness turned muddled

And in the end, his head went completely blank

No. 13! No. 13! Clear your head! 

Amidst the darkness, a low voice filled with a threatening force sounded by his ear.

He awoke with a shock, vacantly opening his eyes to see a man with handsome features sitting across him.

The man frostily looked at him and asked, I will ask again, who are you?

He gasped for breath, still in a panicked state. Then he stammered out in reply, I-I-ImIm Ji-Jiang Cheng Fei

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