Chapter 28 Jiang Lai: Departing in Style ()
“Are you from the regulatory agency?”
When the white-haired boy finished speaking, a round of fireworks had just ended. The popping sound echoed and disappeared, the sky returned to silence, the curtain of night extended to the distance, the light dimmed, and the atmosphere gradually became heavy.
Jiang Lai's heart skipped a beat when he heard the question from the young Gojo Satoru.
Hearing the name again at this moment made him instinctively tense up, but at the same time, he perked up and prepared to search for more information.
On the surface, he kept smiling as usual, and did not confirm or deny it first. Instead, he tilted his head slightly and asked, "Why do you think so?"
"Because you're weird." The white-haired boy's reply was very direct, and he said it openly.
"Strange?" Jiang Lai put his hand on his chin. "I thought you meant that I looked like a supervisor who was inspecting the goods and visiting the mall incognito."
Young boy Gojo Satoru: “.”
Jiang Lai said calmly: "Why do you think the people from the Regulatory Commission are weird?"
The white-haired boy in front of him said lazily, "Because I always feel that it is impossible for those old friends who are high-level in the art of sorcery to create such a reputable organization. It's too weird - those who can convince those rotten oranges to participate must be some strange people."
Jiang Lai: “…”
How should I put it? This analysis may sound a bit absurd at first, but it also seems very reasonable.jpg
Then he reacted——High-ranking sorcerers? This organization really has the participation of the sorcerer community!
It seems that the high-level sorcerers were also an important part of the establishment of this organization at that time... Given their corrupt and conservative character, it would be difficult for them to take the initiative to create such an organization.
Jiang Lai thought.
But their participation is also normal. The reach of the Regulatory Commission has gradually expanded to every corner of this land. For those high-ranking sorcerers, this satisfies their desire for control very well - perhaps this is also the reason (one of the reasons?) for their participation in the first place.
"Do you hate them?" Jiang Lai asked, and at the same time reached out to take the lighter from Gojo Satoru to light the incense stick fireworks in his hand.
"Our family is also involved, and the elders are mainly responsible." The young boy Gojo Satoru threw the lighter with one hand. "I don't have a good impression of the regulatory committee, but I can't say I hate it. I'm just a little annoyed by their omnipresence."
The Gojo family is also involved... It seems that the three families should also have a part. Did they take the initiative to join, or did the regulatory agency's influence spread to the three families? It is important to know who occupies the leading position in it.
Jiang Lai sorted out the clues in his mind. He said jokingly, "Your family also participated? For the sake of reputation?"
"I don't know. Who knows what those guys are thinking?" The young Gojo Satoru shrugged and said casually, "Maybe they want to get more information. After all, those iris signs are posted everywhere."
It was pretty much what he had guessed. Jiang Lai ticked the clues in his mind. The signs placed above the entrances of various shopping malls and stores might have some monitoring function.
But this shouldn't be the only reason. Just based on this information, it seems that it is not enough for the arrogant elders in the three families to set their sights on organizations outside the family.
Jiang Lai still remembers that the original pilot manual said that because there were people in the Yu San family who were suspected of being bribed by the cursed spirits, for safety reasons, most of them were self-enclosed and strictly censored, and rarely united. So would this supervision be an exception to the cooperation project?
"You haven't answered my question yet." The words of the young Gojo Satoru revealed Jiang Lai's inner thoughts. His sky-high eyes raised, extremely bright and deep, with the power to see through the hearts of human beings.
"Regarding this question, no matter how I answer, you have your own judgment. You can't be shaken by a single word from me."
Jiang Lai looked natural. He smiled and said he understood.
"If you want to be more reassured, or hear me say yes or no, then my answer is - I have nothing to do with them."
At least it doesn't matter for now. Jiang Lai finished speaking and added silently in his heart.
"..." The person in front of him raised his glass-like blue eyes.
"Don't worry," Jiang Lai blinked lightly. He knew what the person in front of him really wanted to ask. "You and I, our encounter in the past and now, is not a coincidence created by those 'omnipresent' people. There is no targeted plan. If you have any doubts..."
"I have no doubts." The young Gojo Satoru suddenly interrupted. He stroked his white hair with one hand and waved it away, "I'm just asking! Don't think too much."
His arrogant face slightly raised, and he immediately added: "Looking at the way you looked like you knew nothing just now, I knew you had nothing to do with that place."
"Huh? You were staring at me with that scary look just now." Jiang Lai joked.
"Hey - what? I just looked up at you and listened to what you said. I didn't put any pressure on you, okay?" The young boy Gojo Satoru complained, "But you, you hit my head casually not long ago, but now you say this. You are obviously not afraid of me."
The next second, he added: "Of course, what I said doesn't mean that I agree with you to continue hitting my head." His Persian cat-like eyes widened and his expression was bright.
Jiang Lai narrowed his eyes and smiled. He coughed and changed the subject to the previous question: "Actually, I'm still a little curious."
He tilted his head slightly and said, "You said that there are people in your family whose appearance has not changed much despite the passage of time?"
It can't be a feature of this unknown regulatory board in the new series, he thought.
"Well... that is to say," the young Gojo Satoru looked up at the sky, "how come those old guys still have wrinkles after so many years?"
Jiang Lai: “?”
The old man? The elders? He understood what he meant.
Jiang Lai said, "I thought that when you said that your appearance remained unchanged, you meant that someone was immortal like me. Wait, you didn't mean to deceive me by not explaining it clearly just now, did you?"
He suddenly reacted, his brown eyes swept over and his eyebrows raised slightly.
"..." The young Gojo Satoru put his left fist in front of his lips, coughed, and raised his voice in an exaggerated tone, "No, how could it be--! I really find it strange, how come after so many years, those elders are still the same familiar old looks, it stands to reason that they should have been buried and replaced by the next batch."
Gojo Satoru's words are very direct. Although these words sound a bit outrageous, Rokugan obviously doesn't care about the so-called moral principles.
So Jiang Lai didn't know whether the other party was really doubting the longevity of the elders, or was just casually complaining and cursing those rotten oranges.
At the beginning of this conversation, Jiang Lai thought that [immortality] was a characteristic of the core members of the Regulatory Commission, but it seems that it is not the case?
But on second thought, it makes sense. It is said that the core members of the regulatory commission are kept secret, so naturally they cannot be so high-profile.
Even if they are really immortal, they would probably change their identities in public and continue living like Vermouth in the scientific world.
And he would not change his identity and move around in front of the Six Eyes, otherwise he would most likely be seen through by the Six Eyes who can see through everything.
According to what Gojo Satoru said just now, "It should have been buried long ago, but it hasn't changed yet", if this is not emotional language but real information, then one of the characteristics of the regulatory board is that there is a certain probability of extending life (similar to Tengen's immortality?) - but this is only a guess at present, and there is no definite evidence.
Anyway, let's write this down first, and then slowly study and verify it when we have the chance. Jiang Lai thought. Maybe it's not just as simple as extending life span.
After all, the important behind-the-scenes character in the original novel, Brain Flower (Noose), has not made any appearance in this new series. I wonder if it is hiding behind this organization, using this to plan its ultimate research on human mutation and evolution.
Come to think of it, this sense of mystery and manipulation of life sounds a little familiar.
Jiang Lai thought about it for a few seconds and suddenly realized it. It turned out to be you, the black organization (bushi) in the world of sorcery!
When he saw Jiang Lai's thoughtful expression, the young Gojo Satoru seemed to feel a little guilty about his fishing behavior just now, so he added one more thing:
"Actually, I'm not talking about just those old men. There is indeed one person in the elders' group who is relatively young, and it has always been like this."
Very young? Jiang Lai's mind flashed back to the man he had seen outside the shrine. He lowered his eyes and asked, "Really? How young?"
"Younger than those old guys with wrinkled faces." The young boy Gojo Satoru briefly mentioned, "Looks to be in his early thirties. But that's probably because of his technique."
Early thirties... The man with light blue eyes wearing a gorgeous kimono and long black hair tied up low that I caught a glimpse of at the shrine seemed to be in his early thirties.
Are you referring to him? What specific technique does he possess?
His thoughts were wandering, but Jiang Lai did not ask.
Intelligence is accumulated step by step. It is not wise to find out too much information about others at one time.
But just in case, he asked one more question: "The man you are talking about, does he have any scars or stitches on his forehead?"
When the brain flower takes over the body, the six eyes see and feedback the information of the original owner of the body. Therefore, if that person is a brain flower, the six eyes cannot judge that the core inside has been replaced.
"Huh? Of course not." The young Gojo Satoru was somewhat puzzled by this question. "The elders don't often participate in exorcism of cursed spirits, so they won't get hurt like that. And even if they did, they would have been cured long ago."
After hearing Gojo Satoru's reply, Jiang Lai felt relieved. It seemed that he was not a fool.
Although Brain Flower has mastered the reversal technique, there are limitations to changing bodies, and the scar (suture line) cannot be treated with the reversal technique.
So, Jiang Lai changed the subject and returned to the beginning: "So, how do you see me now?" He raised his eyebrows slightly with a hint of smile.
"I now believe that you are not a human being," the young boy Gojo Satoru blinked his beautiful blue eyes, "Really. You are definitely not a human being."
Jiang Lai: Although it is a satisfactory answer, I don’t know why, it always sounds weird to me ()
——The person in front of me is really being naughty! His personality is beginning to show!!
Before Jiang Lai could speak, the young Gojo Satoru continued to mutter, "Anyway, I'm just playing with someone like you who is beyond the human world." He lowered his head and shook the incense sticks in his hand, which had already burned out. "The others are too boring."
Born to be aloof from the crowd, the son of God has always felt disconnected from the world around him. Many people interact with him by trying, exploiting, fearing or flattering him, which they think is well concealed. He finds this very boring. Moreover, most people cannot keep up with his pace.
His great power gave him unparalleled willfulness, but it also seemed to have doomed him to loneliness. It was difficult for Liuyan to find friends with whom he could truly get along.
As a child, Gojo Satoru was too young to have any extra thoughts. As an adult, Gojo Satoru was mature enough to be able to navigate the world and beyond with ease. However, as a teenager, he was in the most sensitive adolescence, a time when he had the most thoughts.
Only then did Jiang Lai finally understand why the white-haired young man in front of him had asked the Regulatory Commission that question in the first place - it was more of a confession than a suspicion.
As a teenager, he was not used to confiding his feelings and troubles to others directly, and he behaved recklessly in his daily life.
But when it comes to revealing one's true feelings, one can't say them out loud, and at most can only mention them half-heartedly through other topics.
Just like a handsome and arrogant big white cat with shiny fur, it never takes the initiative to show its troubles, but only creates some seemingly unintentional little troubles to attract attention, and then trembles all over, saying "Come and ask me and care about me, and I will tell you reluctantly."
Jiang Lai knew that at this age, although Gojo Satoru would go out to various places to exorcise cursed spirits, his daily life was still centered around the Gojo family, and he would occasionally come into contact with the other two Yuza families.
There were no real friends among these people whom he could meet and associate with.
It was not until he went to attend the Jujutsu High School in the future that he made friends who could really make him laugh - Geto Summer Oil and Naoko Ieiri.
Jiang Lai blinked, he pressed the lighter, and the flickering warm flame touched the fairy wand in his other hand. After a brief silence, clusters of bright sparks crackled and exploded, breaking through the dim night, like thousands of stars lighting up in his hand.
"Look at this."
Jiang Lai did not hold it in his own hand, nor did he hand it to Gojo Satoru. Instead, he manipulated it with a technique, flicked it with his fingers, and flew it into the sky.
The young boy Gojo Satoru raised his head subconsciously, following the incense smoke rising high into the sky.
Another round of fireworks feast started in the distance. The crackling burning fairy wands soared into the sky, and the star-like lights quickly merged into the colorful fireworks in the sky.
His superb eyesight enables him to see the incense stick fireworks clearly from a distance in the night sky - among the numerous stars in the sky, its burning method is unique, but it also accompanies the blooming of other fireworks around it.
They shine together in the vast and boundless night.
"The Gojo family is very big." Jiang Lai and the boy beside him both looked up at the starry sky and said slowly, "But compared to the world, it is very small."
"If there are no friends in your family who you can play with, then step out of that threshold and look for them in a bigger world." He smiled, "You will always find them - a close friend who will play with you and spend your youth with you in the vast sea of people."
The evening breeze brought the smell of distant fireworks, mixed with the fragrance of trees and grass, surrounding them.
The clear blue eyes of the young Gojo Satoru reflected the scenery of the sky. Those beautiful fireworks seemed to be placed in his eyes. At this moment, he was able to calm down.
Jiang Lai did not say anything first. He just waited patiently by the side until the fireworks feast ended and the young Gojo Satoru turned his attention away.
Jiang Lai weighed it for a few times, then threw the lighter back, and said with a smile, "Do you still have fireworks in your side cloth bag? Do you want to put a few more?"
The young Gojo Satoru paused for a few seconds before returning to his normal demeanor. He said in a brisk voice, "There are still a few left. Let's release them all."
They set off their last few fireworks in the open space and then threw the burnt-out sparklers into the official trash can set up for the fireworks event.
The young Gojo Satoru looked relaxed, his hands casually placed behind his head, and he mentioned casually, "I remember there are Jujutsu High Schools in Kyoto and Tokyo, where some Jujutsu masters go to school."
"Going to school? That's great." Jiang Lai nodded and smiled, "I'll definitely be able to make good friends when I meet classmates of the same age from all over the place."
"...I don't go to school to make friends, and I don't need anyone to accompany me." The young Gojo Satoru curled his lips, still sticking to his proud image as a son of God, and said with a long tail, "It's just that those old guys at home are too annoying. I don't want to learn spells at home anymore, and I want to stay away from them in the future--"
"But going to school seems to be a bit troublesome." The young boy Gojo Satoru raised his head slightly, "The school has various restrictive rules, and the teachers are nagging."
"What does it matter?" Jiang Lai blinked and pointed out accurately, "You never listen anyway - am I right?"
"Is this how you think of me?" The young Gojo Satoru raised his eyebrows, then calmed down in the smiles of the people around him and snorted, "But, okay, it's true. Because I hate it most when others speak loudly and teach me."
Jiang Lai: (smiles)
He continued what the other party had said before and asked, "Which technical college are you going to?"
The young Gojo Satoru thought for a moment and said, "The Gojo family has residences in both Tokyo and Kyoto. The old house is in Kyoto, and the new house is in Tokyo. However, because the original shrine is in Kyoto, most of the old family members stay there."
"In that case, I'll go to Tokyo Jujutsu High School." The young boy Gojo Satoru nodded and made a decision. "It's just right. When the school is on vacation, I can go back to my new house in Tokyo. I don't have to go back to Kyoto to face the ugly faces of those old guys."
"That's good," Jiang Lai said. "When you grow up to high school age, you can leave home and go to school. You will be taller by then."
"Hey, I'm not short now, okay?" The young boy Gojo Satoru gestured, "And I'm still in puberty! Hehe, I will definitely be much taller than you in the future--"
He paused for two seconds, then asked curiously, "You won't grow any more, right? Can [existence] still grow?"
When this topic was brought up, the white-haired boy seemed to be excited. He blinked his blue eyes and asked a series of questions:
"Does [beings] have the concept of infancy and maturity? Are there other [beings] in the world? Do you have life and death? How do you measure your power?"
Jiang Lai: “…”
Good question, he doesn’t know either——!!
The current settings of this [existence] were all acted out by him not long ago, and he has not yet figured out how to extend it. It is naturally not allowed to add or modify the settings at will. It will face reasonable tests and paradoxical problems, and must be enriched under appropriate circumstances.
He probably won’t grow any taller, although Jiang Lai really wants to grow taller.
Whether there will be other [existences] depends on the world consciousness. He really doesn't know.
The concept of juvenile and mature, perhaps?
As for the question of life and death... Nothing in this world is eternal, Jiang Lai thought. Even if I am not a human, it does not mean I can escape this cycle of reincarnation.
As for the question of strength, Jiang Lai can answer that it is "gained through acting and improved through practice." But of course this cannot be said directly, after all, not all facts can be explained honestly.
Thinking about the questions that the young Gojo Satoru had asked, Jiang Lai decided to continue to use the riddle man to reveal the past. He had already revealed a mysterious smile that was just right, and was ready to say something.
The young boy Gojo Satoru stared at him with curiosity in his blue eyes.
Just as Jiang Lai was about to open his lips, the fireworks show ushered in its final closing feast. Huge bangs sounded one after another, and all kinds of fireworks were launched into the sky at the same time, and colorful lights filled the entire sky.
The scene was too gorgeous and the young man Gojo Satoru's consciousness instinctively wandered for a moment. When he focused again, the man was no longer in front of him.
The six eyes could see through the dense crowd at a glance, but there was not a trace of cloud or mist in the crowd.
The unknown [existence] with black hair and brown eyes left the scene again at the most brilliant moment of the fireworks, and no one knew where he went.
——
The world spun around, and the lively fireworks display disappeared in an instant, and the scene in front of me changed again.
Jiang Lai paused and reacted.
…I was just visiting the temple fair, watching the fireworks and chatting, and I forgot to check the countdown on my phone!
Unexpectedly, the countdown ended at the perfect moment, right at the end of Gojo Satoru's question and the end of the fireworks.
But that's fine, there's no need for the Riddler to reply... Although in front of Gojo Satoru, I might have walked a little casually. Jiang Lai thought silently and raised his eyes.
Okay, back to the present, where are we now?
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