I’m No Longer Human After Being Blacklisted – CH69

Chapter 69: Land Combat Is Very Unfriendly to Sea Monsters

As soon as the Liao family left, Lin Jiu asked the system if it could uncover evidence from back then.

If the Liao family hadn’t come looking for him, Lin Jiu would have left it alone. But now that they were clearly plotting something and had come to disgust him twice already, he wasn’t going to let it go without a fight.

[As long as you pay enough magic points, I can find even the tiniest clues.]

Lin Jiu: Deduct whatever magic points you need. I want all the evidence of illegal activities by both the Zhou and Liao families.

[Got it! Just wait for some good news.]

Lin Jiu knew exactly how capable the system was. With this matter handed over, he focused on preparing lunch.

Jiang Xiwen walked over and asked, “Are you okay?”

Lin Jiu replied, “I’m fine, let’s get ready to open the shop.”

It was almost lunchtime, and Lin Jiu had already prepared everything. The customers who arrived early lined up on their own, waiting to enter the shop.

Since the explosion of popularity of Demon Fish Shop, several inns had opened one after another on the old street, taking advantage of the shop’s fame. The inns were doing well, and from the third floor of one of them, not far from the shop, a figure had been standing by the window for a long time. He wore a mask and a hat, the brim pulled low, his eyes fixed on the shop.

The room was littered with cigarette butts, wine bottles, and takeout boxes. He had been staying there for some time.

Every day, he would stand at the window and observe. Today was no different. When he saw Demon Fish Shop open and customers start to enter, he thought he was in for another day of waiting in vain. But then, two cars pulled up in front of the shop.

Lin Jiu hadn’t expected Lady Si to come in person and quickly walked over as the bodyguards pushed her wheelchair inside.

Hearing Lin Jiu approach, Song Mozhi’s gentle, smiling voice came from under her mask, “Boss Lin, I’m bothering you again.”

“You’re too polite. What’s your table number?”

Lin Jiu felt a bit nervous. The last two times Lady Si had visited, he and Si Xu hadn’t officially been together yet, so seeing Si Xu’s family didn’t feel like much. But now things were different, and Lin Jiu was worried about making a bad impression.

Song Mozhi handed her phone to Lin Jiu, showing a table number for a private room.

“Right this way,” Lin Jiu said, personally leading them to the private room.

Along the way, many curious eyes followed them. Customers were wondering who this person in the wheelchair was, deserving of Boss Lin’s personal attention.

Lin Jiu brought them into the room.

Four bodyguards, two stationed outside the door, and two stayed at the shop entrance. Aunt Chen attended to Song Mozhi closely, never leaving her side.

Song Mozhi removed her mask, hat, and scarf, smiling. “We’ll take two meal sets.”

This time, Lin Jiu could tell something was different about her. She seemed genuinely relaxed, unlike the forced lightness of the previous visits.

Before leaving, Lin Jiu asked, “Does Si Xu know you’re here?”

Song Mozhi smiled. “I didn’t tell him. I snagged this table myself, and I want to use it.”

To get the reservation, Song Mozhi had secretly set an alarm, which rang five minutes early, giving her plenty of time to secure the booking.

When Si Qinian was woken up by the alarm in the middle of the night, he didn’t stop her from booking the table. It had been so long since he’d seen her so invested in something. Watching her anxiously count down on her phone, then smile with joy when she succeeded, he couldn’t help but be happy with her.

Lin Jiu excused himself, leaving them to wait.

Si Xu usually came by in the evenings, as he was busy during the day. The chances of him coming around noon were slim. Lin Jiu considered calling him to let him know his mother was at the shop and to discuss the possibility of exchanging the formula for Magic Crystal Marrow.

Lin Jiu asked Lin Han to deliver two meal sets to Lady Si’s private room. As he looked up, he noticed Fu Jiu standing at the bar, looking awkward.

Everyone else had a seat, but Fu Jiu was stuck standing at the bar.

Online reservations had their pros and cons; it was all about speed and luck. Unlike queuing in front of the shop, where those who came early could secure a spot, Fu Jiu had been able to get in the previous days, but today he hadn’t managed to book a table. Unsure of what to do, he had come in person to ask.

Fu Jiu had been eating two magic meals a day, and Lin Jiu wanted him to activate his Ruta Clan bloodline as soon as possible.

Lin Jiu said, “Wait for a bit. Once we finish up, you can eat with us.”

Fu Jiu agreed and helped Lin Han and Weng Cheng deliver meals to the customers. The two of them exchanged glances, surprised that this former customer was now helping them deliver meals.

Lin Jiu checked in on Lady Si’s private room once more to confirm she didn’t need anything else before leaving.

When Song Mozhi finished her meal, Lin Jiu personally escorted her to the car, watching her leave before he felt at ease.

As lunch service wound down, they started tidying up and preparing to eat.

Fu Jiu’s meal was different from theirs; he still had his special magic meal, while Lin Jiu and the others ate the usual.

Lin Jiu had just sat down when he suddenly heard the system’s voice.

[While reviewing surveillance footage, the system discovered something.]

Lin Jiu: Every time you pause like this, I know you’re about to ask for magic points. I already said, take as much as you need.

[…Not asking for magic points this time. I wanted to tell you that your boyfriend’s mom seems to be getting followed.]

Lin Jiu: ???

Lin Jiu: What do you mean?

[Host, your man’s mom is being followed! There are four cars! Some of them have genetically enhanced abilities! Their intent is highly malicious!]

Lin Jiu leapt up, startling everyone around him.

Realizing he didn’t have a car, he rushed back, asking, “Who has a car? We need to go save her!”

Weng Cheng, Lin Han, and Fu Jiu all stood up at once.

Weng Cheng said, “We do!”

Fu Jiu added, “I have one!”

Lin Jiu bolted out the door. “Let’s go! Wen Jie, you’re in charge of the shop!”

Jiang Xiwen called out, “Got it!”

Weng Cheng, Lin Han, and Fu Jiu hurried after him.

Weng Cheng and Lin Han drove an off-road vehicle from the base, parked nearby. The four of them jumped in, and Weng Cheng immediately started the car, following Lin Jiu’s directions.

Lin Jiu anxiously asked the system, “What’s happening now?”

[There’s a red light ahead. The four cars are three vehicles away from your man’s mom!]

There was a red light on Si Xu’s mom’s side, and Lin Jiu’s group ran into one as well.

Lin Jiu asked, “Can we run it?”

This was a life-or-death situation. Without hesitation, Weng Cheng swerved and sped through, leaving the traffic officer’s whistle behind them.

Lin Jiu called the system: “Report the situation!”

[The light is about to turn green, 10, 9, 8…]

Lin Jiu was getting anxious: “System, hack the lights! Make the red light come on again!”

[Roger that!]

*

At the traffic light intersection on Green Avenue, all the drivers were waiting for the green light to continue their journey. Just as the red light was about to turn to 3 seconds, it suddenly reset to 90 seconds again.

All the drivers: “…”

The drivers remained calm, thinking that some important vehicle needed the traffic lights to be adjusted for clearance.

When the red light reset to 90 seconds again after hitting 3 seconds, the drivers became agitated, and many began honking. The traffic officers, also confused, started checking with their superiors.

By the third time the red light reset to 90 seconds, the vehicles following finally sensed something was off.

“This isn’t right! We’re not waiting anymore, rush through!”

The people in all four vehicles put on black hoods, leaving only their eyes exposed.

The lead car swerved hard, turning from the straight lane into the right-turn lane, ramming a vehicle in front of it. The other two cars followed suit, changing lanes, while the last car accelerated to crash into the vehicle in front.

“Boom!”

The impacted car lurched forward, colliding with the car ahead, causing a chain reaction, trapping Song Moxi and her bodyguards’ vehicle in place.

[Oh no! They’ve started! They’re ramming into the cars!]

Lin Jiu was sweating from the stress, urgently urging Weng Cheng to speed up. They had just turned onto Green Avenue, but a long line of traffic had them stuck at the end with no way to move, despite Weng Cheng’s frantic honking.

“Get out of the car!” Lin Jiu jumped out first, sprinting ahead while shouting, “Lin Han! Call your captain and tell him that Mrs. Si is in danger!”

Weng Cheng, Lin Han, and Fu Zhuo all jumped out of the car, running forward as well.

Just then, a thick fog suddenly rose up ahead, covering the crash site completely.

This… this was a supernatural ability!

Lin Jiu, Weng Cheng, and the others’ faces darkened.

The sound of fighting could be heard from within the thick fog, as Song Moxi’s bodyguards engaged the attackers.

Lin Jiu led the charge, diving into the fog first. It was so dense that he couldn’t even see his hand in front of his face. His trident appeared in his hand as he listened to the sounds and carefully felt his way forward.

Suddenly, a black figure lunged out of the fog, a knife aimed straight for Lin Jiu’s face. Lin Jiu swung his trident, and the black figure slammed into a nearby car with a thud, causing the people inside to scream in terror.

Lin Jiu quickly pressed on, catching sight of a few black figures fighting ahead. He charged in, knocking down anyone who came at him. The fog made it impossible to see where Song Moxi was.

“Mrs. Si? Where are you?!” Lin Jiu shouted.

Several black figures lunged at him at once. Lin Jiu used his trident to vault onto the roof of a car, running along the tops of the vehicles.

Suddenly, Aunt Chen’s scream pierced the air from the left, “Let go of me! Let go! Help! Help—!!!”

Her voice cut off with a thud. Lin Jiu leaped toward the sound, landing on top of a car with a crash. A black figure was dragging someone from the car, the person on the ground unable to stand. Lin Jiu swung his trident at the standing figure, who ducked to avoid the blow. Lin Jiu jumped down and kicked at the black figure, who nimbly jumped back.

Lin Jiu didn’t pursue the black figure. Instead, he knelt beside the person on the ground—it was Mrs. Si!

“Mrs. Si, it’s me, Lin Jiu. I’m going to get you out of here!” Lin Jiu didn’t hear a response, so he bent down to pick her up. The black figure who had jumped away now lunged back in to attack. Lin Jiu blocked with his trident, engaging in a series of clashes, but couldn’t shake him off.

Fighting on land had too many limitations. For Lin Jiu, a sea creature, it was a disadvantage. After deflecting another attack, he decided to put away his trident, crouched down, and covered Song Moxi’s ears. As the black figure charged again, Lin Jiu let out a piercing screech.

The black figure immediately clutched their head and collapsed, while the air was filled with the sound of shattering glass. Traffic lights went out, and everyone, inside and outside the fog, fell to the ground, clutching their ears in pain.

Lin Jiu picked up Song Moxi and began running forward.

Song Moxi was trembling uncontrollably, paralyzed by fear, unable to make a sound.

As Lin Jiu ran, the fog thinned, and his view became clearer until he finally emerged from it completely. The sidewalk ahead was littered with people, all either sitting or lying down, still clutching their ears.

Lin Jiu: “…”

He continued running and apologizing as he went, “Sorry, sorry…”

He had no other choice but to use his innate power. Thankfully, he had controlled its strength, or it could have been deadly.

Lin Jiu hadn’t gone far when a group of figures wearing black hoods stumbled out of the fog, wielding gleaming knives. The aftereffects of the sonic attack made them unsteady, staggering as they tried to pursue.

Lin Jiu couldn’t deal with them all and still protect Song Moxi.

He shouted, “Weng Cheng!”

Among the four of them, only Weng Cheng, besides Lin Jiu, had enhanced abilities.

Lin Jiu’s phone had been ringing nonstop, but he didn’t have the time to answer. Suddenly, a black hooded figure leaped out from the fog, moving nimbly like a monkey, quickly closing in.

Lin Jiu placed Song Moxi on the side of the road, shouting to the people on the sidewalk, “Help! Call the police!”

His trident appeared again in his hands, and he swung it at the black hooded figure as they attacked. The figure tried to block with a knife, but they underestimated Lin Jiu’s strength and the weight of the trident, being sent flying.

The remaining black hoods closed in. Lin Jiu spotted Weng Cheng staggering out of the fog, followed by Lin Han and Fu Zhuo, both looking like they were just learning to walk, stumbling with each step.

Lin Jiu: “…”

Three black hoods attacked Lin Jiu at once, and he braced himself for the fight with his trident.

Weng Cheng arrived just in time, landing a heavy punch on one of the black hoods. The figure turned to block but was hit with such force that they flew back, crashing into the ground with a resounding thud, making the earth tremble.

Lin Jiu defeats the other two masked men, but the one who was as agile as a monkey takes advantage of Lin Jiu being distracted and lunges toward Song Mozhi.

Lin Jiu rushes forward, but he knows he won’t make it in time. Suddenly, a green bicycle flies through the air and strikes the masked man. The masked man dodges quickly and prepares to continue his attack when a backpack flies at him next, followed by a blond, blue-eyed boy rushing over from the sidewalk.

This brief distraction allows Lin Jiu to catch up. He swings his harpoon, knocking the masked man back, right into the waiting arms of Lin Han and Fu Jiu, who both pounce and pin him to the ground.

Lin Jiu glanced at the blond boy picking up his backpack and bicycle. “Thanks!”

A furious roar erupts. The masked man pinned by Lin Han and Fu Jiu suddenly throws them off and leaps to his feet. His muscles bulge, blood vessels pop out on his face and neck like writhing worms, and his bloodshot eyes shrink dangerously as he pulls off his mask. His appearance is terrifying.

As he changes, the other two masked men undergo the same transformation, tearing off their masks and letting out inhuman roars as they charge at Lin Jiu and Weng Cheng.

Weng Cheng shouts, “Be careful! They’re berserkers!”

Berserkers, people who have gone mad after being exposed to some unknown radiation!

Lin Jiu swings his harpoon and strikes one of them, but the man doesn’t flinch and continues his assault as if he feels no pain. Lin Jiu blocks with his harpoon, but the berserker pushes forward with brute strength, forcing Lin Jiu to yield.

Lin Jiu lets go of the pressure, using his harpoon for leverage as he kicks the berserker in the head. The berserker staggers back but immediately lunges again.

Meanwhile, Weng Cheng is also struggling. In their berserk state, these individuals lose all sense of self, following only primal instincts. They feel no pain and know no fear, making them formidable opponents.

Every punch Weng Cheng lands sends the berserkers flying, but they quickly get up and charge again.

Lin Jiu increases his strength, smashing one berserker with his harpoon. Just as he prepares for the next attack, the second berserker rushes toward him, knife aimed at his eyes. Gritting his teeth, Lin Jiu stabs his harpoon into the berserker’s shoulder.

The berserker feels no pain, even with his shoulder impaled, and continues to charge forward. As Lin Jiu struggles, the previously thrown berserker attacks again. To make matters worse, the mist has cleared, and more masked men are coming to help.

Lin Jiu tries to pull out his harpoon, but the berserker grips it tightly. Lin Jiu panics, just as he’s about to unleash another sonic scream, the two berserkers are suddenly thrown backward. Lin Jiu, still holding his harpoon, is pulled forward by the force, but a strong arm catches him, pulling him back into someone’s chest.

Lin Jiu looks up and sees Si Xu’s cold, stern face.

Si Xu, using just one hand, levitates the three berserkers and hurls them at the approaching masked men, knocking them all to the ground!

Instantly, they’re all taken down!

The three berserkers get back up to continue their assault, but the remaining rational masked men hesitate, wary of Si Xu. While the berserkers delay, the others turn and flee.

“Don’t let them get away!” Lin Jiu grabs his harpoon and prepares to give chase, but Si Xu pulls him back again.

“You stay here.” Si Xu rushes forward, passing the three berserkers. It’s as if they’re bound by invisible ropes, dragged backward.

Just as the white mist dissipates, it rises again as Si Xu drags the three berserkers into the fog.

A car crashes through the blocked vehicles and bursts out of the mist. Si Xu follows the sound, but by the time he exits the fog, the car is already speeding away.

Si Xu calls to have the car intercepted along the route.