I become a god in another world

Chapter 698 Different Goals
Chapter 698

Paper Man Zhang's laughter echoed throughout the ghost realm, while the others remained silent.

Yu Lingzhu was initially unaware of the details of the Sun family case, but through listening to everyone's conversation, she managed to glean some clues.

This is truly a cruel twist of fate, making one feel especially indignant and resentful.

Meng Po felt as if her heart was being burned by fire, filled with both resentment and a sense of loss.

The truth she had been pursuing for many years was finally laid bare before her. She learned that the death of her daughter, which indirectly affected her lifelong misfortune, was merely the action of a petty person in a moment of weakness. Moreover, this petty person ultimately died a peaceful death. In comparison, her own lonely and desolate existence seemed all the more unfair to heaven.

"Heaven is unjust."

The thoughts that Meng Po had in her heart were spoken out by the paper figure Zhang.

Don't you feel that this world is unfair?

Upon hearing Zhang the Paper Doll say this, Meng Po immediately became alert.

Although resentment arose in her heart, affecting her rationality, she still remembered one thing: Paper Man Zhang was not a good person.

Is there any absolute fairness in this world?

Zhao Fusheng gave a calm reply.

Her words surprised the paper doll Zhang.

She was currently bound by the Ghost Tree, unable to spare any attention, and even unable to break free of her own freedom. Why was she still so calm?

Upon thinking of this, Zhang Yi, the paper figure, also became wary.

Zhao Fusheng is a complex and difficult person. She is both worldly and shrewd, yet she also possesses a kind of stubbornness and naiveté that Paper Man Zhang finds hard to understand. To put it bluntly, if it weren't for her formidable strength, Paper Man Zhang would even consider her foolish.

"Human nature is complex and fickle; wherever there are people, there will be conflict. And where there is conflict, people will naturally be divided into different classes," Zhao Fusheng said.
"The power hierarchy decreases from one level to the next, with the Demon Suppression Division at the top, suppressing the royal family and the common people."

The royal family was controlled by the Demon Suppression Bureau, but it also suppressed officials, merchants, and ordinary people.

There are also different levels among ordinary people.

The prefectural government controlled the county seat, and the county seat suppressed the villages and towns.

Villages and towns also have clans, where elders suppress villagers, and villagers are suppressed, even forming a hierarchy: based on family status, parents and elders suppress younger generations, and among the younger generations, men suppress women.

Millions of women from impoverished families ultimately became the bearers of suffering.

"If you're talking about unfairness, it's not your place to say it."

Zhao Fusheng said nonchalantly:
"There are many people who suffer in silence."

She said:
“If you are just complaining, that’s fine, but you shouldn’t assume that you have the right to judge others just because you’re suffering.”

"You are adept at controlling ghosts, possess immense power, and have frequently fabricated wrongful and major cases, causing countless wrongful deaths and making many people's lives miserable because of you." Zhao Fusheng's tone was serious.

"And why is that? It's not that the heavens are unjust, but that you are powerful and use your strength to commit crimes."

After saying this, Zhao Fusheng let out two cold laughs:

"If you admit that you acted out of selfish desires and went your own way, I would think more highly of you; but you actually believe that your actions are for the greater good, which shows that you are quite insane."

The deaths of his wife and daughter could no longer shake his spirit, nor could the death of his only son, Zhang Chuanshi, make him regret anything.

When asked about the death of Zang Xiongshan, with whom he had once shared a life-or-death bond, he spoke calmly.

Zang Xiongwu, whom Zhang Chuanshi described as a warm-hearted and righteous man, ultimately died in this world.

In the instant he controlled the ghost, he may have already become a ghost himself.

……

The ghost lantern froze in mid-air for a moment, and after a long while, the paper figure Zhang's sinister voice rang out:

"Perhaps you are right, but doesn't this just show that the way of heaven is unjust? Praying to gods and ghosts is useless, relying on others is unreliable, and in the end you can only rely on yourself."

After saying this, he seemed to realize he had lost his composure, and immediately composed himself, smiling as he said:
"But I'm also curious, why are you interested in Sun Jicai's life?"

He was puzzled:
"This person is a typical villain; a single wrong decision led to his downfall—"

He paused for a moment before continuing:

"I have indeed done a lot, but everything depends on human effort and fate. Achieving such an ideal result is certainly not something that I could have accomplished alone."

Zang Xiongshan's personality changed drastically, and he was the murderer who harmed Shen and Sun by establishing the "right of the first night" rule.

Sun Jicai's unbearable jealousy and the evil in human nature are also important weapons.

"Human nature is complex."

Zhao Fusheng sighed:
"How can a person be judged by pure good or pure evil?"

When Sun Jicai was young, he was immature, had little knowledge, and acted impulsively without knowing the consequences.

Judging from the results mentioned by Zhang the Paper Doll later, Sun Jicai was not entirely evil by nature.

In young Sun Jicai's imagination, the eventual outcome was likely that Shen Yishu would be sent to the authorities. The Sun family had connections, and perhaps the 'right of virginity' would only defile Shen Yishu and bring shame upon the Sun family.

He hadn't expected things to have such serious consequences, and he underestimated the destructive power of the vengeful ghost.

……

"It's all just your speculation," Paper Man Zhang said coldly, then added impatiently:

"You asked about Sun Jicai's later life just to tell me this?"

Zhao Fusheng sighed:
"I don't want to only hear about the evil in human nature."

"..."

Her words startled the paper figure Zhang.

Meng Po, who had been looking worried, instinctively looked up at the direction where Zhao Fusheng was, and a look of astonishment appeared in her eyes.

"You...you don't want to hear about the evil in human nature?" the paper figure Zhang murmured.

“This world is bad enough already,” Zhao Fusheng said with disgust.

Since her rebirth, she has faced the inevitable death of being plotted against by the two Fans and possessed by a vengeful ghost.

Later, he fought with Paper Man Zhang and risked his life to enter the Beggar's Alley.

The ghostly calamity of Beggar's Alley, in retrospect, is itself a terrible consequence that is difficult to assess.

The existence of the beggar ghost initially seemed to be to solve the "headless ghost case," but in reality, considering the causes and consequences, this case can be said to be a man-made disaster.

Zang Xiongshan's case created the headless ghost, which indirectly led to the existence of the beggar ghost and Liu Huacheng.

Unfortunately, Zang Xiongshan was initially innocent; his descent into evil was due to witnessing his future self being resurrected as a vengeful ghost.

The reason he witnessed it was also related to Zhang the Paper Doll.

The reason why Paper Man Zhang created this series of events was because Zang Xiongshan's vengeful ghost had resurrected and killed his family.

……

Everything was a tangled mess, impossible to unravel.

But when Zhao Fusheng entered the beggar's alley, he witnessed the evil in human nature.

The very existence of Beggar Alley is a breeding ground for evil.

Liu Huacheng was guilty of crimes during his lifetime.

He kept his promise to guard the headless ghost, sparing no expense to do so, spending his entire life confined to the temple, accompanied by the ghost.

At the same time, he was a ruthless killer, and the names on that list of people who had been haunted by vengeful ghosts showed that Liu Huacheng was guilty of countless sins.

If reincarnation were useful, in Zhao Fusheng's opinion, this person should be cast into the realm of hungry ghosts, never to be liberated.

……

In the case of the ghost in Dog Head Village, the villagers committed evil deeds that raised a vengeful ghost, and were ultimately devoured by the ghost.

The case of the ghost in Kuailiang Village was caused by the harsh environment;
In the Shilipo case, Qiao Yuesheng's case further exemplifies the evil of human nature.

“I’ve seen too much evil, but I want to hear about the good in humanity,” Zhao Fusheng said.

The paper figure Zhang asked blankly:
"why?"

"In order to avoid being influenced by evil, in order to keep my mind clear, and in order to see that there is still a glimmer of hope in this world."

Zhao Fusheng's words stunned Meng Po. She thought of Zhang Chuanshi.

The paper effigy Zhang caused her great harm, but Zhang Chuanshi silently did his best to atone for his sins while he was alive.

"you--"

Paper Man Zhang's voice was hoarse, and he was speechless for a moment.

But after a long while, he suddenly laughed sharply:

"You talk like you're a saint."

"Your parents' vengeful ghosts have returned. Didn't you send the ghosts to Magistrate Bao, causing many deaths? Do you remember those who died unjustly?"

He was furious, and what he said made Zhao Fusheng laugh.

"remember."

Zhang Lisheng, the paper figure, said:

"Since you remember, you should also know that your hands are not clean. All this talk of goodness, clarity, and the flame of hope is nothing but an excuse—"

"When my parents' vengeful spirits revived, I was powerless to help. What difference did it make whether the spirits stayed in Wan'an County or Bao County? I was not capable enough. At that time, Bao County Magistrate Zheng He was the deputy magistrate, and he commanded evil spirits. Those who are capable should bear the consequences of the spirits. After I stabilized my control over the spirits, I would still step up when I encountered a ghost case, and I would save my companions if I could."

Regardless of the magnitude of the ghostly calamity, she faced it head-on without hesitation or evasion.

This code of conduct was consistent with her understanding, and Zhao Fusheng felt no remorse for his actions that day.

Moreover, she was not the one who started this whole thing; the real culprit is still Paper Doll Zhang.

"You're a smart person too, you don't need to waste your breath on me with such pointless nonsense."

As soon as she finished speaking, the paper figure Zhang was silent for a moment, then said:

"That's right."

After he finished speaking, he asked again:

"After you became skilled at controlling ghosts, why didn't you kill the two Fans?"

His words caused Fan Bisi and Fan Wujiu to bite their lips tightly.

The two brothers were actually just as uneasy as anyone else.

This question remained hidden in their hearts. At first, they wanted to ask but dared not. Later, as they developed feelings for each other, they were afraid to hear the answer and thus avoided answering.

The case involving the Zhao family was a taboo subject for the Fan brothers and a point that the people of Wan'an County rarely touched.

Zhao Fusheng looked up at the sky:
“When I took over Wan’an County, the county was short-staffed.”

At first, only she could control ghosts, and there were only two messengers, Fan and Erfan.

Later, once she had established herself, the power of the evil spirits she controlled grew stronger, making killing people as easy as killing chickens. At this point, killing the two Fan brothers would naturally be a piece of cake.

"They harmed my family of three, but in the case of Magistrate Bao's ghost, the two redeemed themselves by helping me subdue the door gods and saving the people of the county."

Later, in the case of Kuai Liang Village, Fan Wujiu accompanied her deep into the ghost realm and resolved the local ghostly calamity.

In the case of the ghost fetus, everyone followed her all the way to the capital, participated in handling the ghost disasters in Huangma Town, Wenxing County, Jin County and Shangyang County, and followed her into reincarnation, breaking through the seventeen layers of ghost realms.

……

"The meaning of their lives is greater than their deaths."

Now that the two of them can control ghosts, they can save even more people in the future.

She possessed Zhao Fusheng's body and was able to take revenge on the Zhao couple.

"This is my fault, and it is my own karma. I will be affected by this karma and feel guilty and remorseful, but this is my own business and has nothing to do with others or you."

As soon as Zhao Fusheng finished speaking, Fan Bisi's eyes stung with tears.

This answer was beyond his expectations.

There was no resentment or rebuke as he had imagined, only a straightforward account, which made him feel even more remorseful and guilty.

The human heart is made of flesh.

However, he grew up in the Zhao family and lived a cautious life. His first thought was always about his own and his brother's safety and well-being. He didn't care about the lives of others, which made him very selfish.

The reason I felt uneasy later was not because of guilt, but because I was afraid that Zhao Fusheng would bring up old scores again.

But now that they have been together for a long time, and he is being taken care of by Zhao Fusheng, he is no longer troubled by the pressure of life and death. He has friends and companions in the Demon Suppression Division, and they have a life-or-death bond with each other. So he has also learned about etiquette and shame.

But the mistake has already been made, so how can it be made up for?

At this moment, Fan Bisi finally understood Zhang Chuanshi's feelings.

In that day's cycle of reincarnation, he knew he couldn't save his mother and sister, yet he still rushed ahead without hesitation, ultimately dying from the ghostly calamity—perhaps because he couldn't overcome the torment in his heart.

The better life is now, the more awakened one's conscience becomes, the more painful it becomes.

Fan Bisi was burning with grief, but he clenched his teeth and remained silent.

Fan Wujiu, being simple-minded and straightforward, smiled with relief upon hearing this:
"Brother, the magistrate doesn't blame us. He's right. In the future, I will kill more ghosts and save more people to make up for my mistakes!"

Fan Bisi's heart was bleeding, but he forced a smile as he looked at his younger brother:
"……it is good."

"...Even when death is imminent, he still puts on such a pretense."

"Paper Man Zhang said through gritted teeth."

Zhao Fusheng, however, was not afraid:

"Whether I live or die is irrelevant. The laws of the Ghost Tree have already been established. Even if I die and the vengeful ghosts are resurrected, these laws will still act according to my obsession."

People have selfish motives, and their code of conduct is more or less influenced by their own perception, which makes it unfair.

Both Zhu Guangling in the past and Zhang the Paper Doll in the present are the best examples.

Regardless of whether their motives are so-called public or private, they all act based on their own will, likes, dislikes, and principles.

But ghosts are the fairest.

Ghosts have no consciousness, no emotions, and treat everyone the same.

Before the demons, there is no distinction between men and women, young and old, royalty and commoners; they only care about killing according to the law.

"After I die, if anyone commands me, they must act according to my laws, even if they have selfish motives—"

At this point, Zhao Fuyi made a pointed remark, his eyes glancing towards the ghost lantern:

"Those who control me must also be bound by me and try to find loopholes in my laws. Even if there are occasional oversights, the fundamental laws will always ensure fairness and justice for the majority."

She couldn't achieve a perfect layout.

Back then, Zang Junji tried his best to eliminate the abuses of the Demon Suppression Bureau because of the Du Mingsheng case, but as a result, his descendants could not be protected, and ultimately Paper Man Zhang caused so many series of ghost cases.

If Zang Junji, who opened the seventeenth level of hell, was still like this, then Zhao Fusheng, who has only opened the twelfth level of hell, has already done his best!

She didn't expect herself to handle things perfectly; even someone as capable as Zang Junji back then couldn't completely resolve the matter.

"I only need to set the beginning. As long as there is hope in this world, there will always be someone who shares my vision, who will continue to rebuild order and create entirely new rules," she said coldly.
"I'm not some savior, I just did my best and have a clear conscience."

Her words made Zhang the Paper Doll's tone turn somber:
"……snort."

He gave a cold, violent snort:
"No matter how eloquent you are, your death is imminent."

In the blink of an eye, Sun Shaoyin's ghost head had vanished without a trace.

The ground began to vibrate with a 'buzzing' sound.

Meng Po, Chen Duozi, and Ding Datong looked down with difficulty and saw that a deep abyss had appeared below the split giant tree.

The black gas surged upwards in layers, forming a huge mushroom-shaped cloud.

As the black mist dissipated, the roots and fruits below were revealed.

Beneath the giant tree, there was a coffin.

The coffin was rotten, and the deformed corpse of an old woman resembled a strange 'human-shaped tree root' growing at the base of a giant tree.

The true nature of the ghost case in Wuqing County was finally revealed at this point.

(End of this chapter)