Chapter 28 : Jiang Lai - Graceful Exit
"Are you someone from the Regulatory Committee?"
When the white-haired teenager's words fell, it happened to coincide with the end of a round of fireworks performance. The banging sounds echoed and disappeared, the sky returned to silence, the night curtain hung down extending to the distant horizon, light dimmed faintly, and the atmosphere gradually became heavy.
Hearing teenage Gojo Satoru's question, Jiang Lai's heart paused.
Hearing this name again at this moment made his heartstrings instinctively tighten while also raising his spirits, preparing to search for more information.
On the surface, he maintained his usual smile, neither affirming nor denying first, but tilted his head slightly and asked: "Why would you think that?"
"Because you're very strange." The white-haired teenager's reply was very direct, he said openly.
"Strange?" Jiang Lai rested one hand on his chin, "I thought you meant I looked like a supervisor who checks product quality, making undercover inspection visits to shopping centers."
Teenage Gojo Satoru: "..."
Jiang Lai's voice was calm: "Why do you think people from the Regulatory Committee are strange?"
The white-haired teenager in front said lazily: "Because I always feel that just relying on those old fools from the jujutsu higher-ups, it's impossible to create an organization with such a good reputation. Too bizarre, the ones who could convince those rotten oranges to participate must be some strange people."
Jiang Lai: "......"
How to put it, this analysis sounds a bit absurd at first, but seems very reasonable too.jpg
Immediately after, he realized, jujutsu higher-ups? This organization indeed had jujutsu world participation!
It seemed the jujutsu higher-ups were also an important part of jointly establishing this organization at the time... With their corrupt and conservative personalities, it would indeed be difficult to actively create such an organization.
Jiang Lai thought.
But their participation was also normal. The Regulatory Committee's tentacles extended step by step, covering every corner of this land. For those jujutsu higher-ups, this well satisfied their desire for control, or perhaps this was their reason for participating (one of them?).
"Do you dislike them?" Jiang Lai continued asking, while reaching out his hand, wanting to take the lighter from Gojo Satoru to light his own sparkler.
"Our family is also a participating party, mainly handled by the elder council." Teenage Gojo Satoru casually tossed over the lighter, "I don't have much good feeling toward the Regulatory Committee, but I wouldn't say I particularly dislike them, just find their omnipresence a bit annoying."
The Gojo family participated too... It seems the Big Three families should all have some involvement. Whether they actively joined or the Regulatory Committee's tentacles spread to the Big Three families, who holds the dominant position is very important.
Jiang Lai organized clues in his mind while jokingly saying: "Your family participated too? For a good reputation?"
"Not clear, who knows what those guys are thinking." Teenage Gojo Satoru shrugged casually, "Maybe it's to master more information, after all, those iris flower logos are posted everywhere."
About the same as his speculation. Jiang Lai checked off his internal clue organization. The symbols placed above various shopping center and store entrances likely had certain monitoring functions.
But this shouldn't be the only reason? Just based on information alone, it seemed insufficient to make the proudly aloof elders from Big Three families turn their attention to organizations outside their families.
Speaking of which, Jiang Lai still remembered the initial guide manual saying that because there were suspected people bought by cursed spirits within the Big Three families, for safety, they mostly self-isolated and strictly screened, rarely cooperating. So was this Regulatory Committee an exceptional cooperation project?
"You still haven't answered my question." Teenage Gojo Satoru's words broke into Jiang Lai's internal thoughts. He lifted his pair of sky-blue pupils, incomparably brilliant and deep, possessing the power to penetrate human hearts.
"For this question, no matter how I answer, you have your own judgment, right? Not something that can be swayed by one sentence from me."
Jiang Lai's expression was natural as he smiled with understanding.
"If you want to be more at ease, or hear me personally say yes or no, then my answer is, I have no relationship with them."
At least currently no relationship. Jiang Lai silently added in his heart as his words fell.
"......" The person in front lifted his glass bead-like blue eyes.
"Don't worry," Jiang Lai blinked lightly, knowing what the person in front really wanted to ask, "Between you and me, our meeting then and now wasn't a coincidence manufactured by those 'omnipresent' people, there's no targeted plan. If you suspect......"
"I don't suspect." Teenage Gojo Satoru suddenly interrupted, scratching his white hair with one hand and waving dismissively: "I was just, just asking! Don't overthink it."
His arrogant face lifted slightly, then he added: "Looking at how you knew nothing earlier, I could tell you had no relationship with them."
"Eh? You were clearly staring at me with that super scary look just now." Jiang Lai joked.
"Hey, what do you mean! I was just looking up at you, listening to you talk, without any pressure at all, okay?" Teenage Gojo Satoru complained, "On the contrary, you were casually bonking my head not long ago, but now you're saying such things. You're clearly not afraid of me."
The next second, he added: "Of course, me saying this doesn't mean I agree to you continuing to bonk my head." His Persian cat-like eyes widened, expression bright.
Jiang Lai smiled with squinted eyes, coughed once, and steered the topic to an earlier doubt: "Actually, I'm still a bit curious about something."
He tilted his head slightly: "You said your family also has people whose appearance doesn't change much as years pass?"
This couldn't be a characteristic of the unknown Regulatory Committee in the new series, could it? he thought.
"Mm... I mean," teenage Gojo Satoru looked up at the sky, "those old men, how come after all these years they still look the same wrinkled way."
Jiang Lai: "?"
Old men? Those elder council members? He understood what the other meant.
Jiang Lai said: "I thought you meant appearance not changing meant someone was immortal like me, wait, you weren't deliberately being unclear to fish for information from me, were you??"
He suddenly realized, his brown eyes sweeping over, eyebrows slightly raised.
"......" Teenage Gojo Satoru held his left fist to his lips, coughed once, quite exaggeratedly raising his tone: "No way, how could that be! I really find it strange, how after all these years, those elders still have that familiar old appearance. They should have been buried and replaced with the next batch long ago."
Gojo Satoru's words were very direct. Although these words sounded somewhat rebellious, Six Eyes obviously didn't care about those so-called orthodox moralities.
So Jiang Lai wasn't clear whether the other was genuinely puzzled about the elders' long vitality, or just casually complaining and cursing those rotten oranges.
At the beginning of this conversation, Jiang Lai thought [immortality] was a characteristic of Regulatory Committee core members. From this perspective, it seemed not to be?
But thinking about it, it was reasonable. The Regulatory Committee's core members were said to be confidential, so naturally they couldn't have such high-profile characteristics.
Even if they really were immortal, they'd probably be like Vermouth from the Detective Conan world, changing identities on the surface and continuing to live.
And they wouldn't change identities in front of Six Eyes repeatedly, or they'd most likely be seen through by the all-seeing Six Eyes.
Based on what Gojo Satoru just said about "should have been buried but still haven't changed," if this wasn't emotional language but real information, then one characteristic of the Regulatory Committee might be a certain probability of extended lifespan (similar to Tengen's immortality?), but this was currently just speculation without concrete evidence.
Anyway, let's note this down first and slowly research and verify it when there's opportunity. Jiang Lai thought. It might not be as simple as just extended lifespan.
After all, the important behind-the-scenes character Brain (Kenjaku) from the original Jujutsu Kaisen hadn't made any sound in this new series. He didn't know if it was lurking behind this organization, using it to plan its great cause of researching the ultimate human mutation and evolution.
Speaking of which, this mysterious feeling and life manipulation sounded somewhat familiar.
Jiang Lai recalled for a few seconds and suddenly understood. So it's you, the jujutsu world's Black Organization (not)!
When witnessing Jiang Lai show a thoughtful expression, seemingly feeling a bit guilty about his earlier fishing behavior, teenage Gojo Satoru added another detail:
"Actually, I wasn't talking entirely about those old men. There really is one person in the elder council who's relatively young, and has always been so."
Very young? Jiang Lai's mind conjured the person he glimpsed outside the shrine at that time. He lowered his eyes slightly and asked an additional question: "Is that so, what kind of young?"
"Younger than those old guys whose faces are full of wrinkles." Teenage Gojo Satoru mentioned briefly, "Looks about thirty-something. Probably because of his technique though."
Thirty-something... The man in ornate kimono with long black hair tied low and light green eyes that he glimpsed at the shrine seemed to be about thirty-something.
Was he referring to him? What specific technique did he possess?
Thoughts wandered in his mind, but Jiang Lai didn't voice his inquiries.
Intelligence was accumulated step by step. Probing too much information about other families at once wasn't a rational approach.
However, just in case, he asked an additional question: "The person you mentioned, he doesn't have any scars or suture lines on his forehead, does he?"
When Brain occupied a body, what Six Eyes saw and received feedback on was the original body owner's information. So if that person was Brain, Six Eyes wouldn't be able to determine that the core inside had been switched.
"Hah? Of course not." Teenage Gojo Satoru found this question somewhat puzzling, "Elder council people don't really participate in exorcising cursed spirits, they wouldn't receive such injuries. And even if they did, they would have healed long ago."
Hearing Gojo Satoru's response, Jiang Lai felt somewhat relieved. It seemed it wasn't Brain.
Although Brain mastered Reverse Cursed Technique, body-switching had constraints. That scar (suture line) wasn't allowed to be healed using Reverse Cursed Technique.
So Jiang Lai steered the conversation back to the beginning: "So, how do you see me now?" His eyebrows raised slightly, carrying a few notes of amusement.
"I now believe you're not human," teenage Gojo Satoru blinked his beautiful blue eyes, "Really. You're definitely not human."
Jiang Lai: Although it's a satisfactory answer, somehow it sounds weird ( )
The person in front was definitely being deliberately cheeky! The bratty cat personality was already starting to show!!
Before Jiang Lai could speak, teenage Gojo Satoru continued muttering: "Anyway, I only play with [existences] like you who transcend the human world." He looked down and shook the burned-out sparkler in his hand, "Everyone else is too boring."
The naturally transcendent, arrogant divine child had a sense of disconnection from the surrounding world from childhood, many people's way of interacting with him was poorly concealed probing, using, fearing, or flattering, all of which made him feel very boring. Moreover, most people couldn't keep up with his pace.
Powerful strength gave him unparalleled freedom, but seemed to also doom him to loneliness. Six Eyes found it difficult to find friends he could truly get along with comfortably.
Young Gojo Satoru was too young to have extra thoughts, adult Gojo Satoru had matured enough to navigate between the world and worldliness with ease, but as a teenager, he was at the most sensitive adolescent period, when he thought the most.
At this point, Jiang Lai finally completely understood why the white-haired teenager in front had initially asked that question about the Regulatory Committee, it was more confession than suspicion.
The teenage him wasn't used to directly confiding his feelings and troubles to others. His daily behavior was unrestrained and willful.
But when it came to moments of revealing his inner thoughts, he would hold back and couldn't speak out, at most bringing up bits and pieces half-concealed through other topics.
Like a handsome, sleek-furred, arrogant white big cat who never actively came to cling and show troubles, only creating seemingly unintentional little problems to attract attention, then bristling all over with "quickly ask me and care about me, I'll reluctantly tell you."
Jiang Lai knew that Gojo Satoru at this age, although he would go out to various places to exorcise cursed spirits, his daily life trajectory was still mainly centered on the Gojo family with occasional contact with the other two Big Three families.
Among these people, there were no sincere friends he could know and befriend.
When he went to Jujutsu High to study in the future, he would make real friends who could make him laugh heartily, Geto Suguru and Ieiri Shoko.
Jiang Lai blinked. He pressed the lighter, the swaying warm flame touched the sparkler in his other hand. After brief silence, clusters of sparkling fireworks crackled to life, cutting through the dim night like thousands of stars lit in his hand.
"Look at this."
Jiang Lai didn't hold it in his own hand, nor did he hand it to Gojo Satoru. Instead, he used his technique to control it, flicking his fingers to send it flying up into the sky.
Teenage Gojo Satoru instinctively looked up, his gaze following that sparkler shooting upward.
Another round of fireworks feast started in the distance. The crackling sparkler soared up, its star-like bright light quickly merging into the colorful, brilliant fireworks group in the sky.
His superior vision allowed him to clearly see the sparkler in the night sky from a distance, among the many sparkles in the sky, its burning pattern was special, yet it accompanied the blooming of other surrounding fireworks and flames.
They shone together in the vast, boundless night sky.
"The Gojo family is very large." Jiang Lai looked up at the starry sky like the teenager beside him, speaking slowly, "But compared to the world, it's also very small."
"If there are no friends in your family who can play with you, then step out of that threshold and seek them in a bigger world." He smiled, "You'll find them eventually, in the vast sea of people, close friends to play and frolic with you, sharing youth together."
The evening breeze carried the distant scent of fireworks and mixed with the fresh fragrance of forest grass and trees, surrounding them.
Teenage Gojo Satoru's clear, transparent blue eyes reflected the scenery in the sky, those beautiful, brilliant fireworks seemed to bloom in his eyes. He was rarely quiet at this moment.
Jiang Lai didn't speak first. He just waited patiently beside him until this round of fireworks feast ended and teenage Gojo Satoru withdrew his gaze.
Jiang Lai tossed the lighter a few times and threw it back, smiling at the same time: "Do you still have fireworks in your side bag? Want to set off a few more?"
Teenage Gojo Satoru paused for a few seconds before recovering his usual expression, his voice light: "There are a few left, let's set them all off."
They set off the last few fireworks in this open area, then threw the burned-out sparklers into the official fireworks festival trash bin.
Teenage Gojo Satoru looked relaxed, casually placing his hands behind his head, seemingly mentioning offhandedly: "I remember there are Jujutsu High schools in Kyoto and Tokyo, places where some jujutsu sorcerers go to study."
"Going to school? That sounds great." Jiang Lai nodded, smiling: "Meeting classmates of similar age from various places, you'll definitely make good friends."
"......I'm not going to school to make friends, it's not like I need company." Teenage Gojo Satoru pouted, still maintaining his proud divine child image at this time, drawing out his tone: "I'm just tired of those old fools at home, don't want to study jujutsu at home anymore, want to stay far away from them in the future."
"But going to school seems troublesome too." Teenage Gojo Satoru tilted his head slightly, "Schools have all kinds of restrictive rules, and teachers nagging."
"What does it matter?" Jiang Lai blinked, hitting the nail on the head: "You never listen anyway, am I right?"
"What kind of image do I have in your mind?" Teenage Gojo Satoru's eyebrows shot up high. Under his companion's smile, he calmed down again and snorted: "But, fine, that's indeed the case. Because I hate it most when people presumptuously spout principles and try to discipline me."
Jiang Lai: (Smile)
He continued following the other's earlier words: "Which high school will you go to?"
Teenage Gojo Satoru thought for a moment and said: "The Gojo family has estates in both Tokyo and Kyoto. The old residence is in Kyoto, the new residence is in Tokyo. But because the original worship shrine is in Kyoto, most of the old fools stay there."
"In that case, I'll go to Tokyo Jujutsu High." Teenage Gojo Satoru nodded, making his decision, "Perfect, when school breaks and I return to the Tokyo new residence, I won't have to go back to Kyoto to see those old fools' sour faces."
"That's good," Jiang Lai said, "When you're old enough for high school, you can leave home for school, by then you'll have grown taller, right?"
"Hey hey, I'm not short now either, okay?" Teenage Gojo Satoru gestured, "And I'm still in my growth spurt! Hmph, I'll definitely be much taller than you in the future."
He paused for two seconds, then asked curiously: "You probably won't grow anymore, right? Do [existences] still grow?"
Bringing up this topic, the white-haired teenager seemed to get excited. His blue eyes blinked as he fired off a series of questions:
"Do [existences] have concepts of youth and maturity? Are there other [existences] in the world? Do you have life and death? How is your power measured?"
Jiang Lai: "......"
Good questions, he didn't know either!
The current [existence] setting was something he had just performed not long ago. He hadn't figured out how to develop it further, randomly adding or changing settings was naturally not allowed. It would face rationality tests and paradox problems. It had to be enriched under appropriate circumstances.
Growing taller probably wouldn't happen, although Jiang Lai really wanted to grow a bit taller.
Whether there would be other [existences], this might depend on world consciousness. He really wasn't clear.
The concept of youth and maturity, maybe there would be?
As for the question of life and death... nothing in the world was eternal. Jiang Lai thought. Even if not human, it didn't mean one could escape this cycle.
As for the power question, Jiang Lai could answer: "obtained through acting, improved through practice." But of course he couldn't say this directly, since not all facts could be honestly disclosed.
Contemplating these questions that teenage Gojo Satoru had popped out with in his mind, Jiang Lai planned to continue temporarily using riddle-person performance to gloss over it. He had already displayed an appropriately mysterious smile, posed properly, ready to say something.
Teenage Gojo Satoru stared with blue eyes full of curiosity.
Just as Jiang Lai was about to open his lips, this fireworks festival welcomed its final closing feast. Huge banging sounds came continuously, all kinds of fireworks shot toward the sky together, colorful light filling the entire sky.
The overly brilliant scene flooded in. Teenage Gojo Satoru's consciousness instinctively wandered for a moment. When he focused again, there was no longer any trace of that person in front of him.
Six Eyes could see through dense crowds at a glance, but there was no trace of mist in the crowd.
The black-haired, brown-eyed unknown [existence] had once again gracefully departed at the most brilliant moment of fireworks blooming, gone to who knows where.
A bout of dizziness, the lively fireworks festival scene disappeared in an instant, and the scenery before him changed once again.
Jiang Lai paused, realizing.
......He'd been so busy browsing the festival, watching fireworks, and chatting that he forgot to check his phone's countdown!
He hadn't expected this countdown to end so perfectly, right at the moment of Gojo Satoru's final question and the fireworks' finale.
But it was good too, he didn't need to give a riddle-person response... although in front of Gojo Satoru, his departure might have been a bit too graceful and casual. Jiang Lai thought silently, lifting his eyes.
Alright, back to the present, where was he now?