NIP #590 - Tang Yin obtains his identity
#590 - Tang Yin obtains his identity
Returning to the cabin, Tang Yin closed the door and leaned against it, taking a deep breath. He almost overlooked the possibility of receiving a blessing, a negligence that was truly dangerous. Although the probability was likely low, it was necessary to thoroughly check, just to be safe. The dim room was lit only by a desk lamp, casting flickering shadows on the walls.
His fingers trembled slightly as he slowly unbuttoned his shirt, then lifted the inner T-shirt, revealing his abdomen. In that instant, Tang Yin's pupils contracted sharply. He bit his lower lip hard, suppressing a scream that almost erupted from deep within his throat. A chill ran up his spine, freezing him in place. When did this thing appear on his body? He hadn't noticed anything unusual.
In the dim light, Tang Yin carefully examined the bizarre pattern on his abdomen, drawn with red liquid—no, it should be said, with blood. It was a strange symbol he had never seen before, twisted lines forming some indescribable shape. Even more chilling were the characters, each stroke exuding a strange aura, as if written by some inhuman entity.
"Mirror... No, take a picture with the phone," Tang Yin muttered to himself, his trembling fingers pulling out his phone. He adjusted the angle several times, finally capturing the complete image of the blood-written words. The blue light of the phone screen illuminated the blood-red characters, adding to their sinister appearance. After some fumbling, he was finally able to clearly see the content of the text.
"Blessing of the Overseer of the Warehouse [Serpent]: Identify the lurking Yomi dweller, immediately perform Misogi and cleanse yourself, or die."
The writing gleamed eerily in the lamplight, each character seeming to pulsate, unsettling like a living thing. Tang Yin's brain raced, analyzing the meaning of the text. Was this the Serpent's mark? The phrase "Overseer of the Warehouse" was peculiar; although an original expression, it certainly fit the atmosphere of this setting.
As for the sentence "Identify the lurking Yomi dweller," it clearly indicated that the Serpent's task was to uncover the identity of the Yomi dweller. But the last sentence, "Immediately perform Misogi and cleanse yourself, or die," sent shivers down his spine. The word "die" was written with particular directness, like a sword hanging over his head. This meant he had to immediately wash off these blood-written words, or he would be contaminated and die.
Tang Yin quickly walked to the bathroom, wetting a towel with trembling hands and began to wipe away the chilling warning. The sweet, metallic scent of blood filled his nostrils, making his stomach churn. It was indeed the smell of blood, but what creature's blood? If it was animal blood, there was a high risk of infection. "What are they trying to do? Enough is enough," Tang Yin muttered through gritted teeth.
However, what concerned him even more was why the Serpent's blessing had descended upon him. He recalled that the last time, the Serpent's blessed was Zhao Gang, who had proactively exposed his identity from the start, ultimately creating a favorable situation for the Wolf faction. Because when the human faction wanted to actively identify the Wolf, the Serpent's blessing was the only means. But how could he so easily go to his death?
Wiping away the last traces of blood, Tang Yin leaned against the sink, taking a deep breath. As he had speculated yesterday, the distribution of blessings had clearly undergone a significant change. Qin Ming and Granny Rong might still be Wolves this time, but they might not be. The same was true for the others; the previous distribution had been reshuffled. It seemed that the next course of action should be based on this consideration to be on the safer side.
...
Just as Tang Yin was about to walk out of the door, a crucial question suddenly flashed through his mind: How exactly should the Serpent's blessing be used? He stopped, his brow furrowed. The blood-written words only stated his identity as the Serpent and the warning to wash them off immediately, but said nothing about how to use the ability.
He subconsciously touched his now-clean abdomen, the cold sensation sending a shiver down his spine. Did others know how to use this ability? But if he proactively asked, wouldn't that be the same as directly exposing his identity? Tang Yin bit his lip, and could only hope that there would be a detailed explanation at the start of the banquet.
"Good morning!" Tang Yin shouted as he pushed through the cotton-like thick fog. The damp mist condensed into tiny droplets on his face, blurring his vision.
"Young man, over here." Gao Zhijie's raspy voice came from nearby. Tang Yin followed the sound and finally met up with the old man. The old man's silhouette was particularly blurred in the thick fog, but the dark barrel of the hunting rifle was still clearly visible.
"Did you check?" Gao Zhijie's voice carried a hint of barely perceptible probing.
"Yes," Tang Yin replied curtly, trying to keep his facial expression calm.
"How was it?" This seemingly casual question instantly froze Tang Yin's thoughts. Cold sweat quietly soaked his back.
"What do you mean, 'How was it'?" he asked cautiously, while intently observing the other's reaction.
"Never mind, I misunderstood." Gao Zhijie said, turning his head away as if to hide something.
Tang Yin's brain raced: Was that a test? If there was a pattern on the abdomen, it meant one was a blessed, and it was too unfair to ask someone who should know nothing about it such a question. If he slipped up and answered with a specific pattern or revealed some other flaw, the other party could immediately confirm his identity. Conversely, if he answered that there was nothing, others could seize upon this handle in the future, ultimately putting him in a disadvantageous position.
If Gao Zhijie was a Wolf, was he knowingly testing him? However, looking at his sudden silence, perhaps he realized that such a question might invite misunderstanding and took the initiative to withdraw it. A strong desire for knowledge ignited in Tang Yin's heart, but he couldn't rashly say something that he shouldn't know.
"Old man Gao Zhijie, have you been around the village already?" Tang Yin tentatively changed the subject, his eyes never leaving the other's face.
"Yes," Gao Zhijie's reply was brief, but it seemed to carry a hint of unusual emotion. This should be considered an affirmative answer, Tang Yin thought.
"Is everyone alright?" Tang Yin asked carefully, but a premonition rose in his heart.
"..." Gao Zhijie was silent for a few seconds, a shadow flashing in his eyes. "One person died."
These words struck Tang Yin's chest like a heavy hammer. "Wait, I, I don't understand what's going on," he subconsciously asked, his voice trembling slightly with nervousness.
"Shut up, or I'll kill you." Gao Zhijie suddenly turned around, the muzzle of the hunting rifle pointing directly at Tang Yin's chest. His eyes became fierce, and dangerous light flickered in his muddy pupils. The fog flowed between the two, making the scene even more bizarre and terrifying.
Kill me? Tang Yin's brain raced, carefully weighing the significance of Gao Zhijie's threat. The cold muzzle gleamed coldly in the morning light, like the gaze of the Grim Reaper. "..." Tang Yin carefully remained silent, afraid that any word might be the last straw.
"Be honest, I don't trust you." Gao Zhijie narrowed his muddy eyes, not forgetting to adjust his grip on the gun. His rough finger rested on the trigger, ready to pull it at any moment. The muzzle tilted slightly upward, aiming directly at Tang Yin's heart.
"I don't know anything, I didn't do anything," Tang Yin raised his hands, trying to keep his voice steady. He could feel his back soaked with cold sweat.
"Let the banquet decide this," Gao Zhijie's tone was still cold and hard, with an unquestionable strength. This was completely different from the Gao Zhijie in Tang Yin's memory. Could it be that he wasn't a blessed this time? A thought suddenly flashed through Tang Yin's mind: By analyzing the differences from the last time, perhaps he could distinguish who his teammates were. But now, he could only awkwardly stay with this abnormally behaving old man.
As time passed, more and more people gradually gathered in the plaza. Granny Rong hunched over, her cane tapping crisply on the ground; Zhao Gang looked serious, his brow furrowed; Madam Chen Xiang still maintained her elegant posture, but her eyes revealed a hint of unease; Qin Yi lowered his head, not knowing what he was thinking; Wolf Grandpa stood at the edge of the crowd, his eyes vigilantly scanning his surroundings.
Soon after, Zhao Gang and Gao Zhijie walked towards the direction of the Qian Corporation and the student dormitories, respectively, leaving only some elderly, weak, women and children in the plaza, as well as Tang Yin.
"Hey, Uncle." Qin Yi suddenly spoke, breaking the silence. Tang Yin was stunned for a moment, realizing that apart from himself, everyone here was indeed elderly, weak, women, and children.
"You're not calling me, are you?" Tang Yin pointed to his nose, feeling somewhat amused.
"Who else could I be calling?" Qin Yi curled his lip, revealing a matter-of-fact expression.
"That's surprising. Um, what's wrong?" Tang Yin asked tentatively, observing the other's expression.
"Do you know something?" Qin Yi asked directly, his eyes flashing with inquisitive light.
"Huh? Know what?" Tang Yin pretended to be clueless.
"Don't you find it strange that you were sent to Misty Village at this time?" Qin Yi took a step closer, lowering his voice, "Didn't that idiot Qin Zhi tell you anything?"
"Uh, no, no impression," Tang Yin touched his nose, deciding to bluff along, "Anyone can see that the situation is definitely unusual, enough is enough, this thick fog definitely has a problem."
"It's not your place to speak, you psycho." Qin Yi muttered, but the hostility in his tone had clearly diminished, replaced by a somewhat inexplicable sense of familiarity. It seemed that yesterday's farce had somewhat narrowed the distance between them. Tang Yin looked at Qin Yi's back thoughtfully. The thick fog still swirled in the sky above the village, as if secretly watching this bizarre game about to unfold.
"Qin Yi, you're again" Madam Chen Xiang's elegant voice carried a hint of helplessness, and a worried look appeared on her well-maintained face. The faint light filtered through the thick fog, adding a morbid beauty to her pale face.
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"Not fighting again." Qin Yi waved his hand impatiently, looking Madam Chen Xiang up and down, "Speaking of which, don't force yourself too much, your face is already turning green."
"Sorry, Tang Yin" Madam Chen Xiang took a deep breath, bracing herself, "Anyway, you be honest for me first." Her eyes held a hint of warning.
"Hmph." Qin Yi snorted coldly, turning away.
"It's nothing." Tang Yin tried to ease the atmosphere, "Speaking of which, haven't Hualu and Xiaomei arrived yet?" He looked around, still unable to see the sisters' figures in the thick fog.
"Yes, they usually get up very early." Madam Chen Xiang frowned slightly, her voice carrying a hint of worry.
"What does the elders' business have to do with us." Qin Yi curled his lip disdainfully, his tone full of distrust of the elders.
"Xiao Yi, don't say that" Granny Rong hunched over, standing out with her cane, "I'll go call them." A hint of helplessness flashed in her muddy eyes. Tang Yin watched this scene, sighing inwardly: The interpersonal relationships here were indeed intricate.
Before long, Granny Rong returned with Hualu and Xiaomei. Hualu was dressed in a white dress, appearing even more ethereal in the thick fog. "Good morning," she said softly, carefully examining everyone in the swirling mist as soon as she stepped into the plaza. When her eyes landed on Tang Yin's face, her tense shoulders relaxed slightly, and then she nodded to him gently.
"Sister, I tripped over a cup and bumped my foot, it hurts so much" Xiaomei tugged at Hualu's clothes, her voice carrying grievance. She lowered her head, looking unusually depressed, and her usual liveliness was gone.
"Don't worry, I have a talisman to drive away the pain." Hualu gently stroked her sister's head, and this comfort seemed to be very effective.
"This fog is really thick," Madam Chen Xiang looked at the almost invisible fog around her, "This is Tang Yin's first time experiencing the thick fog of Misty Village." She gave Tang Yin a meaningful look.
"Yes, me too." Hualu responded softly, then looked up as if making a decision, "We must hold the banquet." Her voice was gentle, but with an unquestionable firmness.
"That's right." Granny Rong nodded, tapping her cane lightly on the ground.
"Hey, it's not your place to point fingers at the banquet, you idiot elder." Qin Yi suddenly burst out, his eyes flashing with angry flames.
"Don't say it, Qin Yi!" Madam Chen Xiang stopped him sharply, a crack appearing in her elegant mask.
"Sorry, I'm too useless, I'm really very sorry." Hualu lowered her head, a sad blush appearing on her fair face.
"Brother is scary." Xiaomei hid behind her sister, saying timidly.
"Do you think I'll approve of you?" Qin Yi sneered, his eyes full of hostility, "You're also one of the elders, who knows what you're planning." Tang Yin stood aside, silently observing this intricate interpersonal entanglement, and the mysteries in his heart grew deeper.