Beneath the Dragoneye Moons - Chapter 20: years and change later

Japan – National News BroadcastThe polished news anchor sat upright, her gaze sharp as she adjusted the stack of papers before her. The newsroom behind her hummed with quiet urgency, the weight of the moment settling over the broadcast.“Authorities are baffled by a sudden and unexplained surge in sleep-related deaths across Japan,” she began, her voice steady yet tense. “More and more citizens are passing away in their sleep without any prior health concerns. Experts are working tirelessly to determine the cause, but no clear explanation has emerged. Authorities urge the public to remain vigilant and report any unusual symptoms before bedtime.”A graphic appeared, displaying the spike in fatalities over the past month. Behind her, unsettling photographs flickered across the screen—blurred images of individuals found in their beds, their faces frozen in expressions of terror.The anchor’s tone shifted. “Health officials recommend citizens avoid excessive fatigue and maintain healthy sleep habits. More updates will follow as investigations continue.”---United States – Paranormal PodcastIn a dimly lit podcast studio, the host leaned forward, his eyes wide with curiosity. Across from him, a rugged man in a worn flannel shirt, gripping a faded photograph in one hand and a beer can in the other, leaned back in his chair.“So, you're telling me you saw this creature firsthand?” the host asked, clearly intrigued.The man scoffed, shaking his head. “Damn right, I did. Ugly thing had wings bigger than my body—slow but sneaky. Thought it could steal my pigs again, but I was ready this time—camera in one hand, shotgun in the other.”He slammed the table for emphasis, then shoved the blurry image toward the host. The photograph depicted a small, red-skinned humanoid figure with large, bat-like wings, its eyes glowing faintly in the darkness.“Spit, the thing didn’t know what hit it when I fired!” the man chuckled, his voice full of excitement.The host held up the picture to the live chat. “Alright, what do you think? Mothman? Demon? Or is our friend here just seeing things?”The chat exploded with theories—some skeptical, others eager for the investigation to continue.---China – Liangyuan Street MarketSurveillance footage from a bustling night market in China captured a chilling scene. A woman in a red qipao walked gracefully through the crowd, her figure striking in the soft glow of lanterns.Suddenly, she paused. Her body flickered—like a glitch in a video—before vanishing completely, as though she had never existed.The footage zoomed in, replaying in slow motion. In the final frame before she disappeared, her face distorted unnaturally, her eyes hollow and empty.The screen cut abruptly to black.

The ancient Buddha's head was stolen by a monster with a human body and a sheep's head.The Ghost buried an eye in the Buddha's temple, and from then on, the world's fire was extinguished, and darkness engulfed the continent.To combat the Ghost' invasion, the gods of day and night were born between heaven and earth.This is a narrative passed down for generations by storytellers.What was the true nature of the ancient Buddha, the Ghost, and the wandering gods of day and night on the once great continent?Perhaps, traces can be found in a troupe named 'Zhou Family Troupe.'The Zhou Family Troupe,is a troupe that performs operas specifically for the dead...

Su Bai unexpectedly finds himself traversing into a world where urban dramas collide, bound by a mysterious system.Upon arriving at Shuxiang Yaju, he happens upon Song Qian, who is awkwardly stuck in a doorway. Without hesitation, Su Bai comes to her rescue from behind, freeing her.From that moment on, their relationship takes an unexpected turn, and before they know it, the two inadvertently find themselves wandering into a tangled web.Just as they become ensnared in one another’s company, they are caught—by none other than Tong Wenjie from Chunfeng.Blushing furiously, Song Qian stammers, “Wenjie, let me explain…”Wenjie smirks, “Explain what? I want in too!”Pei Yin interjects coyly, “Su Bai, don’t you think you should be fair? If you’re tutoring Teacher Song, I’d like the same treatment…”Nuo Lan teases, “Do these stockings look good with my dress?”Gu Jia sobs, “You’re so capable… I can’t help it!”Jiang Nansun calls out, “Su Bai!”And there are more: Xu Hongdou, Zhuge Dali, Wan Yu, Jiang Lai, Qiao Jingjing…

In short: an old lover gave me a little piglet.

Qin Zhuopu, a workaholic, has been single for many years. As he reaches middle age, his family is desperate for a child.

Until one day…

“Mr. Qin, your son is already in primary school!”

“???” I have only had one boyfriend!

Seven years after the breakup, the old lover returned to the wealthy family with a little fat pig in his arms: “Zaizai is a big eater, I can’t feed him. Zaizai’s primary school homework is too difficult, I can’t do it. I’ll give you guardianship from now on! Will you let me go to your construction site to move bricks? Son, say ‘Mommy’!”

Mr. Qin: (No, I couldn’t give birth to such a fat kid!)

Later…

Onlookers: I heard that Mr. Qin has adopted an illegitimate child born to his old lover by some woman?

Mr. Qin: Let me introduce to you, this is my own cub!

- Description from Novelupdates