The Creatures that We Are

Old Fisherman Wharf, Xijing District, two o’clock in the morning.

Moonlight fell quietly on the river, its shimmering surface like whispered words in the water's sleep. Gao Yang, War Tiger, and the ten new members walked down the levee to the pier, finding neither ferry nor boat in sight.

Gurgle. Gao Yang stood at the pier's edge as the river bubbled before him.

Soon, Raven Shark surfaced. Fish and marine animals leaped around him, splashing water in what seemed like a playful scuffle.

“Captain.” Raven Shark spoke with his gaze on Gao Yang’s feet.

“All clear in the area?” Gao Yang asked.

“All clear.” Raven Shark’s friends had scouted out the place.

“Good.” Gao Yang stomped his right foot down lightly. A gold energy line trailed from his foot along the pier and into the river. The line split into twelve branches, extending to form a bus-sized rectangle, pushing out the water within its bounds.

Splash. Waves soared into the air. When the water settled, a well-sized circular hole gaped in the river's surface.

Having witnessed Elder White Tiger's golden flying ship, they weren't surprised by Gao Yang's golden submarine. They formed a line and jumped into the hole in order.

Gao Yang entered last, sealing the hole behind him. The small golden submarine carried its twelve passengers swiftly along the riverbed, with Raven Shark leading the way and thousands of marine animals serving as guards.

They reached the port downstream Li River, following the official channel until they came upon a literal isolated island. No larger than half a square kilometer, it held only an abandoned lighthouse. Located at the Mist's edge, the island had seen no visitors for years.

Mischievous Monkey, Qing Ling, and Hong Xiaoxiao had already built a large house there. Raven Shark had transported Dr. Jia's laboratory using Dimensional Storage. This was the Nine Scions and Twelve Zodiac Signs' second base.

Splash. The golden submarine surfaced slowly, moving to the coast before dissolving into golden particles. Nine Frost, another Gao Yang, and Chen Ying had been waiting.

The sight struck the newcomers as unnervering—they had traveled here with Gao Yang, yet another stood before them, face impassive with a quiet dignity that commanded respect.

“He doesn’t know you yet. It’ll be fine in a sec.” Gao Yang's true double said with a reassuring smile before approaching the real Gao Yang, hand outstretched.

Gao Yang caught the double's hand and pulled. The double melted into him in an otherworldly display until they became one. He closed his eyes, taking a few seconds to absorb the double's experiences. When he opened them again, his expression had softened to a friendly one.

“Welcome.”

…

Ten minutes later, the group gathered in the spartan living room, sitting on metal chairs around a long table crafted from earth elements. War Tiger and Nine Frost organized a simple onboarding session.

While the others continued their meeting, Gao Yang sat cross-legged atop the abandoned lighthouse that stood on the reef shore. He rolled a mint candy in his hand, gazing bemusedly at the false vast ocean before him.

Sensing someone approach, he pocketed the candy.

With easy grace, Nine Frost jumped onto the lighthouse and sat beside him. He took out his phone, sending a text file to Gao Yang. “We allow the newcomers to choose whether to join the Nine Scions or the Twelve Zodiac Signs. I just sent you the new member list. Please have a look.” ℞áℕŐꞖĘŜ

Gao Yang checked the file on his phone.

Nine Scions: Gao Yang, Nine Frost, Qing Ling, Wang Zikai, Nainai, Hong Xiaoxiao, Chen Ying, Ke Yo, Raven Shark, Liao Liao, Gregor, Dr. Jia, Gao Xinxin, One Stone, Bumblebee, Old Seven, Small Luo, Veggie. P.S. Zhang Wei, Wang Weiyan, and Vermilion Bird await rescue.

Twelve Zodiac Signs: Dragon, War Tiger, Heavenly Dog, Mischievous Monkey, Dead Pig, Adept Horse, Lying Wood, Muzitu, Harvest Song, Rewind, Lin Fu, Canary, Wandering Tune, Ting Ting. P.S. Lovely Lamb, Zhong He, and Quiet Book await rescue.

Nine Frost added, “The former Qilin Guild members joined the Nine Scions because of you and Vermilion Bird. Most former members of the Hundred Rivers Union joined the Zodiacs, most likely for Zhong He.”

Gao Yang nodded. He saw no issue with that.

“Another good news, Captain. One Stone succeeded with Tracking on Quiet Book’s hand lotion.”

“Where?” Gao Yang asked.

“Feiyang District. But she could only narrow it down to a smaller area.” Nine Frost’s eyes darkened, remembering the past. “Still, there is a landmark we are both familiar with.”

“Walled City of Ten Dragons,” Gao Yang guessed.

Nine Frost nodded.

“I’m on it.” Gao Yang rose to his feet. “Tell Heavenly Dog to come with me.”

“Captain.” Nine Frost quickly stood up. “I know you’re eager to save the hostages, but this can be a trap set up by Qilin. You haven’t slept for days. You need rest. Have Liao Liao and the recon team scout it out before making a decision.”

“I’m the best candidate for a task like this.” Gao Yang smiled with purposeful lightness when he noted Nine Frost’s dark expression. “You know I have an even odds of winning with anyone I may encounter.”

Nine Frost sighed. “Fine, but take someone else in addition to Heavenly Dog.”

“Who?”

“Gregor.”

…

At four in the morning, Heavenly Dog soared above Li City, carrying Gao Yang and Gregor in each hand. Their small, swift forms against the dark sky made them impossible to detect.

The night wind cut like razor blades against their skin. In response, Gao Yang created a partial Golden Armor for each of them, complete with shimmering translucent helmets.

Through his helmet, Gregor gazed down at the dark, orderly city below. He seemed to be in a good mood. “Writers should have a wealth of experience. So this is what it feels like to fly in the sky. It’s different than what I thought.”

“What made you join us on this stroll tonight, Mr. G?” Gao Yang said half-jokingly. “Did my sister hold your manuscript hostage again?”

“No, I volunteered,” Gregor said frankly. “I’ve decided to help you take down Qilin. So, I joined you on this small mission as practice and experience. It’s best if I can level up my Talent.”

Gao Yang was a little surprised. Gregor had been determined to stay out of the fight; he only wanted to write his novel.

“What changed your mind?” Gao Yang asked.

“Do you think I want this?” Gregor rolled his eyes. “I couldn’t write. I couldn’t get even a word out thinking about the two girls in Qilin’s grasp.”

“Life is short and fleeting like smoke. Only literature is eternal.” Gao Yang chuckled. “Wasn’t that what you said?”

“Yes. And I haven’t changed my mind about that.” Gregor sighed irritatedly. “But the annoying part about this is that I can’t stay out of it.”

He continued after a bemused pause, “I’ll give you an analogy. I’m writing the greatest masterpiece in history. I’m confident. I’m talented. I’m inspired. I can do it right now. But a fly keeps buzzing and hovering around me. It’s annoying. It’s nothing compared to the masterpiece I’m going to write. However, I can’t write with the fly bothering me. You get me?”

Gao Yang nodded and calmly concluded, “The ideal is far, and there are too many flies.”

“One has to pull away from the mortal world and reentering it to reach true enlightenment.” Gregor chuckled bitterly. “I heard that when I was ten, but I didn’t understand it until now.”

“We’re here, philosophers.” Heavenly Dog had been trying to join the conversation, but couldn’t.

“Descend,” Gao Yang ordered.

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