Chapter 525: Chapter 31 Malice Strikes
“Come, come, Zijing, have some tea first.”
“What a fragrant tea, thanks, Brother Mo.”
When Gongsun Ce arrived at Mo Yuankai’s house, the first thing he saw was two tall figures sitting across from each other, drinking tea at a small table.
The youth with gray hair heaved a sigh and pulled up a stool to sit down. “What are you up to, President? Traveling all this way for tea?”
Chi Zijing said with a laugh, “Tea can be had anywhere, why bother going out? I’m here because I truly have some important matters to discuss.”
Mo Yuankai, surprised, said, “It’s rare, Zijing, you, the master of slacking off, actually want to discuss serious matters? What so important that it even alarms you?”
The President, bearing the reputation of a slacker unashamedly, and rather proudly, said with a laugh, “It’s not exactly a big issue but to be specific…”
He straightened his back, changed his tone, and spoke like a supermarket promoter, “Mr. Mo, Mr. Gongsun, there are some shortsighted youngsters in our Mutual Assistance Association who are looking to trouble you both. I truly can’t be bothered with it anymore. I’ve sneaked out a copy of their plan and am giving it to you both. If you warriors want to fight, then fight, try not to kill, just please don’t hold a grudge against our small organization.”
Gongsun Ce had just settled onto the couch and his hand, reaching for the teacup, froze mid-air upon hearing this. He stared at the indifferent-looking President. “What?”
“That is to say, some snitches are planning to move against you both.” The President patiently explained, “I had someone steal a copy of the plan, here it is, however you wish to handle it…”
The President quietly lowered his voice as Gongsun Ce’s expression turned extremely unsightly, his gaze fierce as if he were about to tear him apart.
“What the fuck are you saying? Lay a hand on big brother?”
Chi Zijing silently covered his ears as the youth with gray hair’s roar exploded like a thunderclap.
“Have they no shame? Get them all over here!!”
Mo Yuankai held back his raging junior, frowning, “Ah Ce, calm down.”
“I calm down my ass! Even the Wing of Death hasn’t made a move, and a bunch of loafers think they can start this? Chi Zijing, you still have the face to come over!” barked Gongsun Ce, eyes wide with fury, “What do you mean you can’t be bothered? Those are your subordinates!”
The President wore a troubled expression, thinking to himself that he knew this would send him into a rage. He took a sip of his tea and said helplessly, “You know my personality, I just don’t like to get involved in these troublesome matters. Moreover, our Mutual Assistance Association doesn’t really have subordinates or leaders, are we not just a group of students banding together for warmth?”
Gongsun Ce was so angry he stood up, but before he could make a move, Chi Zijing simply raised his hands, showing a brazen, unbothered demeanor.
“I know you are harboring resentment. Naturally, you and Brother Mo have stood up for the city’s security over the years, and many have benefitted from you, rightfully deserving the title of heroes. But, to fight or not, it’s never been about identity or righteousness.” Chi Zijing said, posing in surrender, “Brother Mo was once invincible, but now his strength has greatly diminished, and that’s a very tempting reason. For quite a few people, that’s reason enough for them to come out in full force…”
He withdrew his hands and raised his teacup towards both men, stating respectfully, “Many people don’t remember what you did in the past, they just know you’ve weakened now. That’s a troublesome, unfortunate, yet unavoidable reality.”
Chi Zijing drank up his tea, stood up from the chair, and was about to leave.
Gongsun Ce grabbed his arm, “Chi Zijing, stop feeding me that bullshit excuse of avoiding trouble!”
“I’m not fooling you, Gongsun Ce.”
Chi Zijing turned his head, his tone less flippant and more earnest.
“I can’t get involved in these affairs, but I truly detest them too. Why must I get involved in so many complications once I have the power? Gongsun Ce, I might also ask you, why don’t you take up your big brother’s burden?”
Gongsun Ce was nearly bursting with rage, “If I could—”
The President bluntly interrupted him, “See, you don’t want to try, you don’t want to do it. And neither do I…So how could you possibly command me? If you want to force me to act, you’d have to knock me down with your ‘Superpower,’ make me beg for mercy, and have no choice but to follow your wishes. Otherwise, you can’t interfere with my actions.”
Gongsun Ce stared at him, his grip unknowingly loosening.
Mo Yuankai stood up with a wry smile, “Thanks, Zijing. Ah Ce can be too impulsive, don’t take it to heart.”
Chi Zijing shrugged off his shoulders, showing no anger, and said with a smile, “How could I? Everyone faces their challenges, so let’s be understanding of each other. Once this matter is settled, I’ll come and have tea with you again.”
The President leisurely left. Gongsun Ce sat back on the couch, his face ashen.
“Big brother, hand me that plan.”
Mo Yuankai glanced over it, folded the plan up, and stuffed it into his pocket.
“It’s just minor trouble, nobody cares about it.” he said nonchalantly, “I can handle it myself, you just focus on recuperating.”
“Don’t joke!” Gongsun Ce shouted, “I’ll make them—”
“You’ll make them suffer, yes, but what then?” Mo Yuankai shook his head, “You talked about retiring, do you still want to return to the arena? To get involved in all that fighting and killing again?”
Gongsun Ce was left speechless, his fiery passion cooling down bit by bit, as if an ice block was stuck in his chest. Mo Yuankai’s handsome profile had never seemed so defeated, a sentiment the old brother would never have harbored before.
“Your life is pretty good now, you’ve made new friends, waiting for the school term to start next week, everything is happy and tranquil. Why bother stepping back into the murky waters?”