Chapter 22: Humanoid Evil

At 1:45 in the afternoon, Qi Si stood alone in the center of the sprawling rose garden, holding the Fate Pocket Watch he had borrowed from Chang Xu.

A gray-white mist suffused the air. Along the path, obscured by twisted branches and tangled vines, massive roses drooped their damp heads. Their deep red hue was as rich and viscous as fresh blood, exuding a sinister chill.

Qi Si’s fingers traced the petals of one rose after another, finally settling on the most vibrant bloom. He gripped its thorny stem and, with a twist of his wrist, snapped it off, flower and leaves intact.

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