< Chapter 71: Hand Yuan Dasheng Over to Me >
“Yuan Er, pay respects to Mr. Ning!”
The moment Yuan Er bowed to him, Ning Zhuo hesitated.
He was contemplating whether to take this opportunity to truly subdue the entire Monkey Head Gang for his own use. Yuan Dasheng had become a cripple, but his soul had entered the palace, making him a formidable weapon to seize the immortal palace inheritance!
However, Ning Zhuo quickly regained his composure.
“I must not covet temporary gains!”
“Convincing Yuan Er was merely a strategy to take advantage of the enemy’s weakened state. Ultimately, it wasn’t me who subdued him.”
“If Fei Si or any of the other three major families were to recruit him in the future, would Yuan Er remain loyal to me? Absolutely not.”
“The most crucial point is, even if Yuan Er were entirely loyal to me, could I rely on him to control the Monkey Head Gang?”
Ning Zhuo shook his head internally.
Many gang members were already disappointed in Yuan Er.
“Can I control Yuan Dasheng through Yuan Er?”
Ning Zhuo shook his head again in his heart.
Yuan Dasheng only wanted to protect Yuan Er and rarely listened to him. He had risen from the bottom with his own talent and judgment.
He had been ambushed and lost the initiative but hadn’t realized the significant threat posed by Ning Zhuo. Given time to gather information, he would rely on his combat experience and wisdom accumulated over the years to understand his true situation.
The most likely course of action for him would be to proactively seek refuge with the four major forces, abandoning or even eliminating Ning Zhuo.
“I am so weak right now, as if walking on the edge of a cliff, perilously close to destruction. How can I be tempted by profit and lose my sense of proportion!”
“One wrong step, and I will fall off the cliff and be shattered into pieces!”
At this point, Ning Zhuo completely calmed down, no longer deceived by the illusion of an advantage.
He extended both hands to help Yuan Er stand up, praising him, “Those who recognize the situation are truly wise…”
He spoke soothingly to Yuan Er, and after seeing that his emotions had gradually calmed down, he finally revealed his true purpose: “Since you have already joined our side, we must fully support you to retain your position as the gang leader.”
“Your personal combat strength is indeed a bit weak. According to Lord Fei Si’s instructions, we will fully customize a mechanical creation for you.”
“This mechanism will possess the combat strength of a Foundation Establishment stage, allowing you to overpower other elders in the gang.”
“Oh?” Yuan Er’s eyes lit up with surprise and joy.
The increased investment and support from the other side made him feel at ease.
However, Ning Zhuo’s next words made him angry again, almost to the point of wanting to hit someone!
Ning Zhuo nodded and said, “It’s good that you agree.”
“Next, hand Yuan Dasheng over to us, and we will create a powerful mechanical monkey for you.”
Yuan Er almost jumped up in rage: “No, that’s impossible!”
He immediately refused without hesitation.
“Hmm?!” Ning Zhuo immediately frowned, “Gang Leader Yuan Er, think carefully!”
“Only excellent materials can create powerful mechanisms.”
“Do you think we are asking for a monkey corpse just to humiliate you? You overestimate yourself.”
“Using a monkey as material is the only way to create an excellent mechanical monkey.”
Yuan Er shook his head repeatedly: “Even so, I would never use my Uncle Monkey’s…”
Ning Zhuo impatiently waved his hand, rudely interrupting, “Enough, Yuan Er. Do you still have such naive compassion now?”
“Let me be frank with you, the material must come from you.”
“Only by using Yuan Dasheng’s corpse can we create an excellent mechanical monkey to protect you in the future.”
“We need you to continue as the leader of the Monkey Head Gang, but what do you think the elders are thinking?”
“Your combat strength is weak, and without strong protection, what will you do if an elder hires an assassin to kill you?”
Yuan Er remained silent.
Ning Zhuo continued, “Only fools shed tears when they see the coffin.”
“But by then, it’s too late!”
“Since you’ve already decided to join us, why not do things properly?”
Yuan Er shook his head, his attitude resolute, “Mr. Ning, there’s no need to persuade me further. Uncle Monkey has shown me great kindness and has greatly contributed to the gang. I must care for him! I will ensure his final years are worry-free.”
“If I don’t do this, would I still be human?!”
Ning Zhuo narrowed his eyes, a sudden impulse rising within him to punch Yuan Er to death and then eliminate Yuan Dasheng directly!
He had gone to great lengths, all to obtain Yuan Dasheng. Now stuck at the final step, he couldn’t help but feel a bit anxious.
Rationality told him he must not act rashly.
Ning Zhuo took a deep breath, calmed himself down, and changed his tone, “Gang Leader Yuan Er, your character truly earns my admiration.”
“I respect such integrity, and I respect you as a person!”
“However… you are being a bit selfish.”
Yuan Er’s eyes widened in confusion, his mind unsettled. “With my behavior, you still call me selfish? If I were selfish, I would have agreed long ago to use Uncle Monkey as material to make a mechanism!”
Ning Zhuo continued, “Leader, have you ever thought about what your Uncle Monkey wants?”
Yuan Er was taken aback.
Ning Zhuo went on, “Your Uncle Monkey is brave and fearless, a true warrior among warriors. Do you think he would prefer to die in battle or to grow old and die in bed?”
“I think if your Uncle Monkey truly becomes a cripple and can only lie in bed, he would absolutely prefer death. This period of his old age is merely to satisfy your filial piety. For him, it is too cruel, an unparalleled humiliation!”
Yuan Er frowned deeply, lost in deep thought.
Ning Zhuo’s eyes were cold, but he smiled gently, his tone as soft as a breeze. “Why don’t you discuss it with your Uncle Monkey?”
“Your Uncle Monkey has sacrificed so much for you. If he loathes this kind of life, I believe he would definitely be willing to give himself. He might think: even if I die, I can still accompany and protect you in another way.”
“Why don’t you ask him?”
Yuan Er lifted his head, his face pale, devoid of any color. His eyes were unfocused as he murmured, “Yes, Mr. Ning, you’re absolutely right. Why don’t I ask my Uncle Monkey myself?”
Yuan Er left the small study and went to the master bedroom, where he knelt by the bed.
Yuan Dasheng was still in a state of unconsciousness.
Yuan Er opened his mouth to speak, but despite several attempts, he couldn’t utter a word.
In his memory, the once tall and imposing figure now appeared as fragile as paper, unable to provide him with the slightest sense of security.
Yuan Er’s thoughts gradually became chaotic, his eyes unfocused, and tears unconsciously began to flow.
Through his tear-blurred vision, Yuan Er seemed to be transported back to the past.
When he was a child…
He climbed on Yuan Dasheng’s body as if climbing a towering, dark volcano.
When he could walk and jump…
“Uncle Monkey, they’re bullying me!” Yuan Er brought Yuan Dasheng to confront them, scaring the other children into crying and wetting themselves.
While playing in the water…
“Hey, Uncle Monkey, why is mine so small and yours so big?” Young Yuan Er pointed at Yuan Dasheng’s crotch with a face full of curiosity.
A bit older…
Yuan Er became brave and aggressive, curious about one thing: “Uncle Monkey, who is stronger, you or my dad? Have you ever fought? I asked my dad, but he never answered me.”
After winning a gang fight…
Yuan Er ran to Yuan Dasheng, his face full of admiration and excitement. “Uncle Monkey, you’re so amazing, so mighty! When can I be like you?”
Then, and then…
Things gradually began to change.
The harsh and cold reality shattered Yuan Er’s illusion that “as long as you work hard, you can excel.”
Cultivating immortality depended on aptitude.
“I will never be as powerful as Uncle Monkey!”
“Uncle Monkey is really amazing!”
“Uncle Monkey is too amazing!!”
“Uncle Monkey is overly amazing…” The once admiring boy turned into a gloomy young man.
The same fact that once inspired admiration and awe gradually transformed into worry and suspicion.
“My father also relied on Uncle Monkey to build this foundation. When my father is gone, can I control Uncle Monkey?” Yuan Er became increasingly anxious as he watched his father weaken daily from his severe, incurable injuries.
“The highest combat strength of our Monkey Head Gang is Uncle Monkey. Combat strength is power, and the foundation of that power rests on Uncle Monkey. Is this appropriate?”
“Monkey Head Gang, Monkey Head Gang… is it a human gang or a monkey organization?” Yuan Er felt confused as he saw more and more monkey pets.
Seeing the elders’ reverence and fear towards Yuan Dasheng filled him with mixed emotions.
* * *
During a gang fight, Yuan Er shouted loudly, “No, don’t kill him!”
Yuan Dasheng, already in a frenzy, couldn’t stop himself. He opened his mouth and bit the opposing cultivator in half.
The enemy’s morale plummeted, and they began to flee.
Yuan Er sighed deeply, “Now, we can’t leave things unfinished. We have to completely destroy the enemy gang!”
Yuan Dasheng approached, holding half of the cultivator’s corpse, and suddenly handed it to Yuan Er.
Yuan Er was startled.
Successfully pranking him, Yuan Dasheng laughed heartily, not noticing the shadow in Yuan Er’s eyes.