Chapter Thirty: My Name is Tang Hao

In the living room, the television screen flickered with cartoons. The Demon Boy sat clutching the remote, eyes glued to the flashing images.

Was this what dying in the Jurassic era felt like?

Lin Hai and Lin Fan sat quietly on the sofa, staring in dumbfounded silence at the Demon Boy, who flitted about like a deflated balloon, bouncing in excitement, unable to contain himself. Both wore a look of utter bewilderment.

Though the Demon Boy had died young, cartoons held a fatal allure for any child, and even a fierce demon wasn’t immune. Amid the cheerful atmosphere, the black stripes on his face gradually faded, and a dramatic transformation overtook his features. Where once was a savage visage now appeared a delicate, rosy-cheeked boy with bright eyes and red lips.

Lin Fan and Lin Hai exchanged glances, astonished that the Demon Boy had been such a handsome child in life.

Returning to his original appearance, the Demon Boy continued fiddling with the remote, fixated on the television, utterly absorbed and oblivious to the world.

With a crisp click, the channel changed. Suddenly, an orange-helmeted, mustachioed man wielding a chainsaw appeared on the screen.

“Damn it! Will you stop smashing the remote? If you break it, how will you pay me back?” Lin Hai finally snapped, his patience at its end. Seeing the cartoon character, his mood darkened further. “Bald Qiang! Bears Invasion! Damn it! I’ve tolerated you for ages, brat, don’t push it. Turn off the TV! This is my house!”

The Demon Boy laughed and kept watching, paying Lin Hai no mind.

Seeing this, Lin Hai snatched up the ashtray from the coffee table, ready to throw it. Lin Fan quickly intervened, grabbing his arm. “Uncle, have some sympathy! It’s obvious he didn’t watch much TV before he died. Maybe his family was poor, or maybe they were strict. Either way, he’s pitiful. He’s dead now—let him have this.”

“Get lost! Why are you everywhere? Are you blind? Do you know what time it is? If you wake up Lin Qi, you’ll see what happens!” Lin Hai gestured angrily at the wall clock.

“Oh hell, how could I forget about that little auntie! Hey, Demon Bro! Demon Bro!” Lin Fan realized the gravity of the situation and called to the Demon Boy, who was completely lost to the cartoons.

No response. Lin Fan, desperate, went over and unplugged the TV.

“Who the hell turned off the TV!” The Demon Boy exploded. His outburst rattled the entire room.

“We’re in trouble,” Lin Hai and Lin Fan thought simultaneously.

Sure enough, Lin Qi’s furious voice soon followed:

“Are you three idiots looking for death? Was I too merciful earlier? Are your heads filled with shit? Haven’t you learned your lesson? If I hear anyone yelling again, you’ll all die together!”

After the shout, silence fell upon the living room. The Demon Boy snapped back to reality, his resentment toward Lin Qi burning but, outmatched and with an urgent mission, he dared not risk another conflict.

The two men and the ghost exchanged nervous glances before sitting together on the sofa.

Lin Hai leaned past Lin Fan to glare at the Demon Boy, muttering, “Idiot! Behave yourself. If you want to die, go find her yourself. Don’t drag us down with you—we’re not done living yet!”

The Demon Boy, bullied all night, grew furious at Lin Hai’s insult. Black streaks returned to his face as he prepared to retaliate, but Lin Fan quickly clamped a hand over his mouth, pleading, “Brother Demon! Patience brings peace, step back and you’ll find the sea wide and sky clear. Keep calm!”

Lin Hai hurriedly added, “Shh! Okay, it’s my fault. Control your temper. If you unleash another sonic blast, it’ll be your swan song, and we’ll be buried with you!”

The Demon Boy was jolted by their warnings, realizing he had nearly ruined everything. He nodded, signaling Lin Fan to release him, and spoke softly, “I can speak gently, but you two better not provoke me—especially you, old ghost! I’ve got a bad temper, and if I lose control and make a scene, don’t blame me if we all go down together.”

“Damn, that’s a blatant threat. But for our shared interests, I’ll agree for now,” Lin Hai conceded.

Lin Fan nodded in agreement and turned to the Demon Boy. “Demon Bro, what are your plans now?”

The Demon Boy sighed, “What plans could I have? You saved me twice, so I’ll follow you.”

Before Lin Fan could respond, Lin Hai interrupted, “Hell no! I don’t agree! You know what you are. Why cling to him? Are you after my nephew’s indestructible body? I warn you: as long as I’m here, forget it.”

“Don’t talk nonsense! I—”

“Shh!”

“Shh!”

Lin Hai and Lin Fan both sat up straight, gesturing urgently at the Demon Boy.

Lowering his voice, the Demon Boy continued, “I may not be human or ghost, but I’m not some fat, short old man—so despicable, shameless, and lecherous. I’m a loyal Demon Bro. I don’t forget kindness. You saved my life, so I’ll stay by your side and protect you from bullies until you’re stronger than me. Then I’ll leave—how’s that?”

He looked to Lin Fan for an answer, ignoring Lin Hai’s muttering.

“This...,” Lin Fan hesitated. He’d never encountered such a situation.

“Hey, nephew, think carefully. Don’t let this cunning little ghost trick you! Keeping one around isn’t a joke—it’ll shorten your lifespan!” Lin Hai cautioned.

“Ah?” Lin Fan wanted to help, but he couldn’t risk his own life. Now that his soul had awakened, there were many mysteries he needed to explore.

Seeing Lin Fan’s hesitation, the Demon Boy quickly explained, “Don’t listen to that old fool!”

“Go to hell—”

“Shh!”

“Shh!”

Lin Fan and the Demon Boy both gestured for silence.

“One at a time. Uncle, control your temper. Don’t interrupt him—go on,” Lin Fan said to the Demon Boy.

The Demon Boy spoke quietly, “You’ve suffered severe soul damage, so your incomplete soul is vulnerable to demons and ghosts. But I’ve noticed your soul can heal itself—and very strongly.”

Lin Fan suddenly recalled the ‘Chronicle of Creation,’ which mentioned rare abilities allowing simultaneous evolution of body and soul. Excited, he blurted out, “Am I an Ultra-Spiritual Mutant?”

Lin Hai, too, was surprised. He’d suspected as much but never dared imagine it, as such powerful mutants had not appeared in his memory for ages.

The Demon Boy ignored their astonishment and continued, “Do you remember that night at Riverside Forest Park? When my little brothers and sisters possessed you, their resentment was purified entirely. That’s when I realized your soul’s uniqueness. It not only purifies vengeful spirits but also absorbs the energy from their resentment, strengthening your soul and transmitting memories and abilities from their essence. That’s incredibly powerful—it makes me envious. No soul entity can seize your body. They might control it briefly, but once your soul awakens, their fate is sealed—they’re devoured by you. In short, I say your soul possesses Devourer ability.”

“Really? Why haven’t I felt it?” Lin Fan interjected.

At this point, Lin Hai sat quietly, eyeing the Demon Boy with suspicion.

“Heh! I said, your soul isn’t strong enough yet. Right now you can only probe some memories from invading souls—otherwise, how did you know the backgrounds of the Demon Children you purified? So, staying with you will only benefit you, not threaten your safety. I’m the one at risk—if I’m careless, you might devour me!” the Demon Boy declared, as if swearing loyalty.

“Hmm, then I might consider it,” Lin Fan replied, having made up his mind.

Lin Hai, who hadn’t spoken for a while, suddenly pressed, “Ghost! Your explanation is thorough, but I have questions. Why risk so much to stay with Lin Fan? Even if you tried to seize his body, you’d come to no good—Lin Qi and I are here. So what are you after? Can you answer that?”

“Everyone has a grave buried in their heart—be it kindly lies or stubborn obsessions. Some secrets are best left unknown, and some lives not ours to meddle in. Old man, don’t you agree?” The Demon Boy looked meaningfully at Lin Hai.

Lin Hai sighed, glanced at Lin Fan and the Demon Boy, then lay back on the sofa, speaking with deep meaning: “You’ve seen dandelions drifting across the fields, dancing freely in the wind. They seem free, but their fate isn’t their own! Everyone has unspeakable worries, irretrievable regrets, unreachable dreams, unforgettable bonds... Maybe that’s just life! Ghost, if you want to stay with Lin Fan, I won’t interfere—but Lin Fan must agree willingly.”

Having pondered life, Lin Hai and the Demon Boy both looked to Lin Fan, awaiting his answer.

Lin Fan, confused, scratched his head. “Why are you two suddenly so in sync? Telepathy? I don’t get it—it’s like you’re giving me last words. I said I’ll think it over.”

“Fine by me. There’s plenty of food and drink, and cartoons to watch. No need to answer now—I can wait,” the Demon Boy chuckled, bouncing over to plug the TV back in.

“Damn, this ghost is shameless, resorting to tricks! Nephew, think carefully. Having an extra ghost at home isn’t fun! If this little pervert gets frisky at night and possesses you, then sneaks into Lin Qi’s bedroom, even your best water gun will be ripped out and shredded by that she-devil,” Lin Hai whispered in Lin Fan’s ear, both warning and maligning the Demon Boy.

Lin Fan shivered, instinctively covering his crotch, shaken. Uncle’s words weren’t entirely unreasonable.

Hesitating, Lin Fan glanced at the Demon Boy.

Having just turned on the TV, the Demon Boy seemed to hear Lin Hai’s slander. He turned and shot Lin Hai a look, saying, “I always act openly and honestly! I never do filthy things! That peeping incident had its reasons—you’ll understand someday. I promise there will be no more extreme behavior!”

He then smiled at Lin Fan. “Brother, don’t call me Demon Boy anymore. My little brothers have all gone—I can’t be their Big Bro. My name is Tang Hao. You can call me Mouse—my family used to call me that when I was alive.”

Lin Fan grinned. “Tang Hao! That’s a good name. Mouse, that’s easy to remember.”

“Bah! What kind of name is Mouse? Why not Weasel? Shifty-eyed, always lying and farting... but it suits your nature!” Lin Hai mocked.

Tang Hao ignored him, turning back to the cartoons.

Lin Fan, unwilling, stuck up for Tang Hao. “Uncle, why do I never enjoy hearing you talk? From today, he’s my little brother. If you bully him again, I’ll—”

“You’ll what? Just met him, and you’re calling him brother, you silly fool. You’d help him count the money if he sold you!” Lin Hai, worked up, unconsciously raised his voice.

“Shh!” Lin Fan quickly reminded him.

“Shh my ass! I need to piss! Get out of here, you annoy me!” Lin Hai grumbled, thinking his nephew was hopeless. He yelled at Tang Hao, “You too, keep it down!”

Neither Lin Hai nor Lin Fan noticed that Tang Hao, facing away, had tears glimmering in his eyes.