Chapter 120: Biological Modification

Chu Ning did not take Wang Jinkai’s reproaches to heart. Such reactions were human nature; whether one felt moved by them depended entirely on the recipient’s own magnanimity and sense of guilt.

In life, countless people blame heaven and earth after failing, convinced that the world is at fault rather than themselves. People habitually seek excuses to mask the fact that the ultimate cause of failure is their own lack of capability.

"Do you know what Wang Jinkai is talking about? Judging by his tone, it seems you can empathize with the situation he’s in today!" Tanya looked at Chu Ning with a thirst for knowledge, though she stepped back in fear. She felt a frantic urge to complain internally.

Lately, she had retreated more often than ever before, which made her reflect on the unpredictability of life. Her past existence had been so calm, like the surface of a quiet, endless sea without a single ripple. Now, however, the turbulent waters were churning, revealing a violent side, and the dangers she encountered left her no time to catch her breath. Tanya felt like a lone boat sailing through a raging ocean, searching for a harbor to hide from the storm.

Chu Ning offered a mysterious smile but did not answer this overly sensitive topic. He feigned indifference and kept his eyes on Wang Jinkai, ensuring he wouldn't make any drastic moves.

"Hmph, of course he won't tell you. We are monsters transformed in the same way. Take a good look at my appearance—perhaps that will dispel your fantasies about him!" Wang Jinkai grinned madly. He displayed his riddled, decaying body before Tanya, ignoring Chu Ning’s threatening gaze and acting even more brazenly.

Hearing these words, Tanya instantly visualized what might be hidden beneath Chu Ning’s hooded cloak. No wonder he always preferred clothes that covered his entire body; it all made sense now. Even though Tanya tried to treat Chu Ning with a normal mindset, she couldn't help but cast strange glances at him—an involuntary reaction.

Chu Ning shook his head helplessly and said to Wang Jinkai with a serious expression, "Actually, we are truly different. You’re overthinking it; stop misleading others."

"I am very sorry that you have become like this, but that is no reason to slander me. If you say anything like that again, I will only be able to offer a flower at your grave this time next year."

"Haha, do you really believe what Chu Ning says? Think about it, think carefully!" Wang Jinkai laughed hysterically, pointing a mocking finger at Chu Ning. He didn't believe Chu Ning’s explanation for a second. Clearly, they had both used the same method to extend their lives—or perhaps "rebirth" was a more fitting term.

Tanya had originally believed Chu Ning’s explanation, but now she felt a flicker of doubt. This touched upon the complexities of human nature; if she put herself in his shoes, she wouldn't want others to know about her own abnormalities either. People have always been intolerant of the "other," so it was only natural for Chu Ning to use lies to cover up the so-called truth, Tanya reasoned silently.

"Too talkative. How annoying!"

A black light flickered from Chu Ning’s fingertip, piercing straight through Wang Jinkai’s heart. Wang Jinkai stared at Chu Ning in disbelief, his mouth agape, before succumbing to gravity and collapsing to the ground. He fell without making a sound.

Tanya looked on in horror at the expressionless Chu Ning standing nearby. Given his demeanor, it didn't look like he had just killed a former friend. In truth, Tanya had already accepted that Chu Ning was the type to kill without batting an eye. Still, she hadn't expected him to be so ruthless toward his own past companions. She could only conclude that this was typical of him.

The outcome was something she hadn't anticipated. She felt a sense of grief for the fallen, a heavy, unsettling feeling in her heart. She could clearly see a circular hole where the heart should have been, revealing the ground beneath. Wang Jinkai’s eyes were wide open, which made Tanya’s heart race with unease.

The smell of scorched protein wafted through the air—it didn't smell half bad. It seemed all burning protein had a similar scent; if one were blindfolded, most people wouldn't be able to distinguish what was being grilled. Tanya panicked, wondering how she could get Chu Ning to abandon any plans of silencing her. This wasn't like killing a stranger; that could be easily ignored unless one was a self-righteous busybody.

She knew things she shouldn't know, and that always led to thoughts of being silenced. Chu Ning was not one to hesitate in such matters; he was a model of cold, decisive action.

"I was right, you really are heartless!"

A hoarse voice came from behind Tanya, startling her so much she nearly jumped. There was no one behind her—was the place haunted? No, wait—she was a ghost herself!

When she finally calmed down, she realized the voice belonged to Wang Jinkai, who had just collapsed. She stared dumbfounded as his heart began to regenerate at a visible rate. The X-07 material interlaced like a weaving web, forming a new, heart-like organ. Though it looked like a heart, Tanya was certain it was nothing more than an imitation.

Only then did she notice that Wang Jinkai hadn't shed a drop of blood from start to finish. Even when his heart was pierced, there was no arterial spray. The pressure in the human ventricles was immense; blood from such a wound should have spurted over a meter high. Even if the species had changed drastically, it was still modeled after a human frame—it should have at least followed basic biological construction!

"You truly have tenacious vitality. Wouldn't it be better to just disappear quietly? Must you crawl out to disgust people? It’s truly nauseating!" Chu Ning watched the resurrected creature with cool composure. The attack that should have been fatal had no real impact; he realized the creature’s original weaknesses might have vanished entirely.

The combination of X-07 and human remains had successfully overcome human flaws while retaining human advantages. Most importantly, it preserved human reason—that was the greatest achievement. When it came to extending life, humanity was capable of absolute madness. In the pursuit of immortality, people paid unimaginable prices. Countless brilliant and heroic figures had foolishly perished in this pursuit; immortality was a black hole of magic that drew people in, leaving them unable to pull themselves out.

"I have a reason I cannot die. I must live on for someone else; I absolutely cannot fall here!" Wang Jinkai said with a serious expression. Notably, his voice had returned to a masculine tone, though it was far from pleasant—like the sound of someone swallowing hot coals, enough to make one’s skin crawl.

Tanya listened to the grating, screeching sound, like fingernails on a chalkboard, and felt every hair on her body stand up. She found the sound unbearable.

"Oh! Is this the reason you’ve devolved into this half-human, half-ghost state?" Chu Ning asked calmly, his eyes fixed on Wang Jinkai’s body.

"I ended up in this state because of you! You have the nerve to bring it up!" At the mention of his body, Wang Jinkai became violent, accusing Chu Ning of his crimes with such intensity that one feared he might lose his mind and charge forward at any moment.

Tanya stood by and quietly interjected, "You can't blame everything on Chu Ning. That’s unfair to others. Please, be rational!"

"If you knew everything, you wouldn't be spouting such cold remarks. You have no idea of the suffering I’ve endured! Waaaah!" Wang Jinkai’s tears gushed out uncontrollably as he sobbed his rebuttal. If one were not the person involved, it was indeed hard to understand another’s pain; in that sense, he wasn't wrong.

"You should ask Chu Ning what he did in the past. I’m sure it would shock you!" Wang Jinkai said with a sinister tone, casting a malicious glance at Tanya.

Faced with Wang Jinkai’s aggressive questioning, Chu Ning could only offer an awkward smile. He didn't actually know what he had done; he didn't have a clear understanding of his former self either. He shrugged helplessly, putting on an innocent, pitiful expression as he looked toward Tanya.

"Since you won't tell her, I’ll do it for you! Heh heh, I’m sure you don't mind me revealing the truth." Wang Jinkai said triumphantly, clearly interested in exposing Chu Ning’s true face. He wanted Chu Ning to feel the pain of losing someone’s trust; he shouldn't be the only one suffering! Good brothers shared both fortune and misfortune, after all—he couldn't forget his "brother."

Chu Ning glanced at Wang Jinkai sideways, not taking the threat seriously. He felt he had a clear conscience. All the messy, troublesome affairs were just the baggage left behind by his predecessor; he saw no reason to blame himself for them.

"Please, begin your performance! Let me see what kind of big news you can break. Go ahead."

Chu Ning was actually quite curious about what methods the other party had against him. He was also curious about how many heinous things the original Chu Ning had done before he took over the man’s life.

These taunts clearly enraged Wang Jinkai, who glared at Chu Ning through gritted teeth, determined to ruin his reputation. He looked meaningfully at Tanya and then revealed what he considered to be valuable information—things concerning Tanya.

However, after listening to Wang Jinkai’s summary, Tanya couldn't help but think, "Is that it?" It wasn't Tanya’s fault for feeling underwhelmed; everything he said was common knowledge. In terms of news, his information was long outdated.