Chapter 12: Adding Insult to Injury (Part Two)

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Troubles come one after another, like rain falling on a leaking roof at night. Shui Sheng, already suffering heavy losses, felt a chill deep in his heart upon hearing about the stock market losses.

Over the past year, he had saved some money from his fishing catches. After repaying the loan for purchasing his fishing boat, he still had twenty thousand yuan left. Zhou Yudong told him that keeping money in the bank was like holding a negative asset; it should be invested to make money grow. Convinced, Shui Sheng handed the money over to the little chubby guy to invest.

Using a stock account opened under his mother’s name, Zhou Yudong had been dabbling in the stock market for two years. With his keen insight and accurate economic forecasts, though young, he had accumulated a modest profit in his account. He once told Shui Sheng boldly that the money they would have in the future would be as vast as the boundless ocean before them.

Now, instead of growing like the ocean, it had shrunk.

“Stocks go up and down, like the waves of the sea; it’s normal,” Zhou Yudong explained awkwardly. “Right now, the market is a seller’s market. Once we get through this phase and the buyer’s market arrives, stocks will rise, and that’s when we’ll make money. I’m optimistic about Wanyang Aquatic Products—it has huge growth potential...”

“Alright, then you handle it as you see fit,” Shui Sheng said, not understanding stocks much but choosing to trust his partner.

After Zhou Yudong left, new visitors arrived immediately. This humble shack seemed quite lively today.

The new guests were accompanied by the village chief, Old Zhou—two law enforcement officers from the “Heavenly Court” organization, a young man and woman. Seeing their pairing, Shui Sheng’s heart stirred; he recalled the incident on the boat that day.

The two officers introduced themselves as members of the Combat Enforcement Division of the Heavenly Court’s Fuling City Unit. The woman was Lin Shaowei, the man called Shao Gang.

“Shui Sheng, these two are law enforcement officers from the Heavenly Court’s Fuling City Unit. They want your cooperation to understand some situations,” the village chief said solemnly. They had actually already visited several fishing households in Wang’ao Village.

Some fishermen reported seeing Shui Sheng pulling two people from the sea, who were immediately taken away by ambulance, but they didn’t know who those people were.

“All right,” Shui Sheng pressed down the turmoil in his heart and showed considerable compliance.

“Mr. Shui Sheng, seven days ago, our officers were attacked on a fishing boat traveling from Wang’ao fishing port to Fengmen Island early in the morning. But both the attackers and the fishing boat vanished afterward. Based on the injured officer’s recollection, a sketch artist drew an image of the young helmsman of the fishing boat. Local villagers roughly identified the helmsman as you. We want to verify this with you and understand the truth of that event.”

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Lin Shaowei held up two pencil sketches: one showing a young man controlling the fishing boat’s diesel engine, the other a side profile. At first glance, the resemblance to Shui Sheng was about fifty to sixty percent.

“That’s me,” Shui Sheng said calmly. Since they had already come to his door, denying now was pointless.

Lin Shaowei and Shao Gang visibly relaxed; finding the right person meant the case could proceed. Each opened their law enforcement recorder while the other unfolded a notebook to take notes.

“Could you please recount the situation from that day?” Lin Shaowei asked.

Shui Sheng narrated the day’s events but omitted the part about the Yan family. He only mentioned that the three assailants intended to assassinate the Heavenly Court officers. He also said he jumped overboard to escape, punctured the boat’s hull, causing the fishing boat and the three assailants to perish together. Then, worried that two Heavenly Court members might drown, he rescued them ashore.

He also kept silent about the strange figure he wasn’t sure was a corpse or a ghost. That matter was too bizarre; even he couldn’t tell if it was a hallucination.

“Oh, you boy!” Old Zhou stamped his foot angrily. “Why didn’t you say anything earlier? No wonder I haven’t seen your boat these past few days!”

“I was scared,” Shui Sheng admitted. “Though it was an act of self-defense, it still involved three lives...”

“This boy’s swimming skills are really impressive,” Lin Shaowei whispered to Shao Gang.

“His emergency response and adaptability are also strong. Our organization badly needs talents like him,” Shao Gang responded softly.

After finishing their notes, the two conferred briefly. Lin Shaowei said, “Chief Zhou, Mr. Shui Sheng, based on what has just been said, Mr. Shui Sheng is a key witness and participant in the attack and drowning of these three hostile psychics. Therefore, we must ask you to accompany us to the Combat Enforcement Division of the Heavenly Court’s Fuling City Unit to assist with the investigation. The investigation and temporary detention will take about seven working days. Please pack your personal belongings and come with us.”

Shui Sheng was prepared for this and began gathering his clothes and essentials.

Old Zhou immediately grew anxious. “Officers, according to what this boy said, it was self-defense—legitimate defense! A person acting in self-defense shouldn’t be arrested like a criminal!”

“Chief Zhou,” Lin Shaowei spoke gently, “whether it is self-defense is not up to him, nor you, nor us. It must be determined by the Heavenly Court’s judiciary through proper trials. According to regulations, he must come with us. This is not only detention but also necessary for evidence collection. Please understand.”

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“Chief, I’m fine,” Shui Sheng smiled at Old Zhou. “I’ll be back soon! I heard that during detention with the Heavenly Court, food and lodging are free, and the treatment is quite good. If you get sick, there are doctors who take meticulous care, fearing any incident that might be hard to explain to the media. I’m going to experience it myself!”

Lin Shaowei and Shao Gang: ...

After packing, locking the door, Shui Sheng followed the two officers to a nearby law enforcement vehicle with flashing sirens.

Many villagers had heard the news and gathered around, including Zhou Yudong. Everyone was stunned, unable to believe that this generally likable boy, who had no parents and a pitiable background, had gotten into trouble with the law and was facing imprisonment.

There was much lamentation.

“See? Being a psychic isn’t necessarily a good thing,” some villagers said to their children. “One careless move and you get into trouble. Being an ordinary person is much safer.” Their tone was clearly tinged with jealousy.

“The greater the power, the greater the destruction,” some sighed.

Besides Shui Sheng packing his belongings, the two officers searched his entire house, packing potential evidence into two large boxes. Judging by their actions, they hadn’t found the “corpse” at all.

His “Essence of Immortal Power,” “True Water Technique,” and the crystal ball with a water droplet were all placed in the boxes. Possibly anything with psychic energy was considered evidence.

The police car doors closed and began to drive away. Watching the shack grow smaller behind him, Shui Sheng felt a surprising sense of relief. This time, that unknown “corpse” or ghost could hardly follow him to the Heavenly Court, could it?

Hopefully, when he returns next time, he won’t see it anymore.

Go find whoever you want, just don’t bother me.