Chapter Thirty-Eight: The Great Eastern Morning Post
As the darkness receded and the sun rose, a new day arrived as usual. The live chickens in the morning market let out bright cries.
It had been two days since the incident on Bowang Street.
Liang Zhi held a meat bun stuffed with marinated egg in his mouth as he perused today’s newspaper.
Lord Crow lay sprawled across the table, covering his belly with his wings.
Last night, Liang Zhi had treated him to a banquet of insects; he had eaten far too much and was still feeling bloated.
Today, Liang Zhi wasn’t reading the grease-stained Dongcheng Life News used for wrapping buns, but a proper paper—The Dazhong Morning News, issued by the Dazhong News Bureau.
Dazhong’s journalism was highly developed. For instance, the ninth son of the Fan family’s involvement in human trafficking ought to have made headlines.
“At noon yesterday, Emperor Wulong toured the ‘Imperial Manor,’ witnessed the toil of the farmers, and composed three farming poems to comfort the hearts of all tillers…”
Liang Zhi’s face darkened. “Again with these verses that aren’t even worthy of doggerel. Don’t look down on poetry! Poetry isn’t like laying eggs—you can’t just write three a day!”
He truly couldn’t stand Emperor Wulong, who fancied himself a literary giant, aspiring to compose three hundred Tang poems and dazzle Dazhong’s poetry circles.
Liang Zhi hadn’t forgotten the poems from his previous life, but they could never be brought into this world.
The reason was simple: language. In both his past life and in Dazhong, poetry required rhyme. But with the languages so different, translating those poems would strip them of all beauty.
He skipped the poetry section and found a photograph of a flawless young man’s face. “Superstar Bai Lian—him again! I really don’t want to see him!”
“Professor Hu Lai of Wangjing University died unexpectedly in the restroom…”
Liang Zhi burst out laughing. “What a miserable way to go! I wonder which faction was behind it.”
“The Dazhong Ministry of Commerce has applied for labor safety subsidies…”
Disappointed, Liang Zhi set the newspaper aside with a sigh.
Today’s Dazhong Morning News still contained not a word about Bowang Street, as if that incident had never occurred. The paper was full of trivial matters.
The only related item was the destruction of the Benevolent Children’s Home, but the focus was on the Seventh Princess’s heartfelt efforts being in vain, not the plight of the orphaned children.
“I see it clearly now—this matter will never make the news.”
Information in Dazhong was relatively contained; the only nationwide communication was through the towers, tightly controlled by the News Bureau.
If the News Bureau refused to let a story spread, it would soon be forgotten.
“If I want to complete the Chapter of Infamy, I’ll have to make the News Bureau hate me. Otherwise, no matter how notorious I am, it’ll only be in this corner of Wangjing City.”
He picked up the greasy Dongcheng Life News used for wrapping his bun—the only paper mentioning the events of that night.
But Dongcheng Life News was distributed only within Dongcheng, and with its limited coverage, it couldn’t make much impact. In three or five days, the incident would likely vanish from public view.
“Several employees of Gao Coal Company died mysteriously at home—who should be held responsible…”
Liang Zhi’s eyes lit up. This article was written by Qiu Shilu, which meant she was safe.
To avoid being caught by Dazhong’s authorities, Liang Zhi hadn’t approached Qiu Shilu or visited Pulan Street these past two days. Learning she was well brought him relief.
As for Xie Zhitou—he was bold enough to oppose Dazhong openly, so he must be confident in his own strength.
After finishing his bun, Liang Zhi bought some more breakfast and returned to Building 44 at Erxian Bridge.
This breakfast was for Old Zhao.
Ever since Liang Zhi had explained the concept of using gunpowder to propel bullets and injure enemies, Old Zhao had thrown himself obsessively into his workshop.
Liang Zhi brought him all his meals; otherwise, the old fellow would rather starve than waste time eating.
Since it was Liang Zhi who ignited Zhao’s passion, he felt obliged to look after him.
Besides, he was genuinely curious about the world’s first gunpowder firearm—what would it be like? If Old Zhao succeeded, perhaps Liang Zhi would acquire a powerful weapon.
For killing, guns were far more effective than those bizarre abilities.
After settling Old Zhao, Liang Zhi returned home and opened his list of last wishes.
The Bowang Street incident should have reached its peak; he wanted to see whether the Chapter of Infamy had changed.
Turning to that page, Liang Zhi’s eyes darkened.
The number of people who disliked him was still negative—and the count had increased since last time!
He rubbed his head in exasperation. “Why is this happening? I broke into the Judicial Office, offended the Fan family, and antagonized the Dazhong authorities…”
He tossed and turned on his bed for a long time before finally figuring it out.
“It’s because of Xie Zhitou and Fan Jiu!
During the Bowang Street incident, Xie Zhitou didn’t hide his face and even signed his name, so the Fan family and Dazhong officials hate him.
Fan Jiu, when broadcasting, only mentioned my title ‘Night Crow,’ so those who heard the broadcast are grateful to me!”
Liang Zhi stared blankly, utterly surprised by the outcome.
“No, I can’t sit still—I must continue to do evil…no, fulfill my last wishes!”
He turned to his list again; two wishes were nearly complete.
One was ‘Light-fingered Artistry’—just twenty more thefts and he’d finish the task, earning an ‘empty wallet’ as a reward.
The other was ‘Moral Blackmail’—two more successful cases and he’d receive ten thousand coins. Forcing Wang Tumor to his death had counted as one.
“But Erxian Bridge is too difficult now, and everyone there already hates me…
I need a new target. I can’t be gentle like before—stealing apples and pears or writing novel outlines won’t earn anyone’s hatred. This time, I must steal boldly!
The best targets…are the thieves of Dongcheng. Stealing from thieves will also let me complete the ‘Black Eats Black’ mission!”
Liang Zhi’s eyes shone, and he rubbed his hands in anticipation.
But soon, a problem arose: where to find thieves?
In Dazhong, nobody wants to meet a thief, though many have been robbed. But actually tracking one down is extremely difficult.
After all, the easily found thieves have already been caught by the Judicial Office.
The Judicial Office…
A smile curled at Liang Zhi’s lips. “I have a way—go find the officers. They’ll definitely know about the thieves of Dongcheng.”
…