Chapter 159: So Be It
Even someone like Zhexiu, who was fated to be a lone star of calamity, was stunned by Tang Thirty-Six’s earnest attitude.
He looked at Tang Thirty-Six, wanting to say something, but in the end, said nothing. Yet his gaze made Tang Thirty-Six feel somewhat wounded, because it was probably the same look he usually gave Zhuang Huanyu or other classmates at the Heavenly Dao Academy—he knew very well that this was the look one gave to an idiot.
“If you think I’m no good, what about Chen Changsheng? I told you before, this guy is a lot like you—equally afraid of death, equally picky about food. You chew your rice twelve times? Ha, he’s a freak who chews it twenty times. In a sea of people, finding someone so similar to yourself—how rare is that? Shouldn’t you cherish it?”
Tang Thirty-Six waved his arms excitedly as he spoke.
Zhexiu still showed no reaction, continuing to eat the food provided by the Li Palace.
Somewhat helpless, Tang Thirty-Six pointed at the burly demon youth by the stream, who was like a small mountain, and said, “If you think humans can’t be trusted, I strongly recommend Xuan Yuan Po—honest, sincere, the best in the world.”
Zhexiu still ignored him.
“Are you forcing me to use my most powerful weapon?”
Tang Thirty-Six said, “Fine, your reputation isn’t small either. Having Lady Luoluo as your friend would be worth it, wouldn’t it? How about it? I don’t think you could find a better candidate for a friend. You’re both half-human, half-demon—no, demon-human—with similar backgrounds and problems. If you become friends, not to mention the benefits you might get from Her Highness, at least you could consult each other when you run into trouble, right?”
At this moment, there was none of the ethereal, aloof bearing of the young master of Wenshui. He was entirely an excellent salesman hawking his wares.
Only when he heard the name Lady Luoluo did Zhexiu finally lift his head again, looking toward the stream. His gaze was complicated, as if he were thinking about something.
Just as Tang Thirty-Six felt things were progressing, Zhexiu said in a slow voice, “I don’t need friends. Only the lonely can become strong.”
Hearing this, Tang Thirty-Six didn’t get angry. Instead, he composed himself and grew serious.
He stared into Zhexiu’s eyes and said, “Wolves are never as solitary as people imagine.”
Zhexiu met his gaze, his eyes sharpening.
Tang Thirty-Six continued calmly, “The reason you’re lonely is that your own kind won’t accept you.”
Zhexiu’s gaze suddenly turned cold, like a blade coated in frost.
Tang Thirty-Six acted as if he hadn’t seen it, saying, “Wolves always fight as a pack, don’t they? After learning who you were, many examinees wondered why you left the Snow Plain and traveled thousands of miles to the capital for the Grand Examination. Chen Changsheng thinks you couldn’t stand being pushed to second place on the Azure Cloud Ranking by Lady Luoluo, so you want to defeat Her Highness in the Grand Examination to prove yourself.”
Hearing this, Zhexiu frowned slightly, as if surprised by the National Academy’s vigilance toward him.
Tang Thirty-Six continued, “Before Su Moyu was severely injured by you, he also said he thought you simply loved fighting, and the Grand Examination duels gave you that opportunity.”
Zhexiu looked at him and asked, “And… what do you think?”
Tang Thirty-Six said, “Chen Changsheng’s concern has some merit, but it’s not enough. Otherwise, you would have already gone to Sage Peak to cause trouble for Xu Yourong in the past two years.”
Zhexiu shook his head and said, “I can’t beat her.”
Tang Thirty-Six paused for a moment, didn’t dwell on the issue, and continued, “I also don’t think Su Moyu’s guess is correct. Even if you love fighting and want to improve through battle, it has to be a life-or-death fight. In your eyes, the Grand Examination duels are probably no different from a game. How much appeal could they have for you?”
Zhexiu remained silent, indicating agreement.
“Then what do you really want? Why did you come to the Grand Examination?”
Tang Thirty-Six looked at him and said, “Tell me, and maybe I can satisfy you.”
“I… don’t want friends.”
Zhexiu’s speech was still extremely slow, painful to listen to. He looked into Tang Thirty-Six’s eyes and said, word by word, “I want… money.”
Silence fell. A gentle breeze rustled the edges of the oiled paper, making a rustling sound, and the greasy smell of the roast chicken faded slightly.
Tang Thirty-Six didn’t speak for a long time, because he was shocked.
He had left the stream to talk to Zhexiu, naturally well-prepared. No matter what Zhexiu wanted, even the strangest thing, he wouldn’t have been surprised, and he was willing to get it for him. For Chen Changsheng to take first place in the Grand Examination, he needed Zhexiu’s help, and the National Academy would pay any price for that.
But he never imagined Zhexiu would want money.
Among the younger generation of the continent, Zhexiu was undoubtedly the coldest and most aloof youth, yet what he wanted was the most vulgar thing in the world.
It took Tang Thirty-Six a long time to confirm that Zhexiu wasn’t joking, that he was serious, and that made him even more shocked.
“Money?”
“Yes, I want money. A lot of money.”
“Why?”
Zhexiu didn’t answer.
The breeze gently stirred the oiled paper; the roast chicken grew cold.
Tang Thirty-Six calmed down, looked at him, and said, “I’m very rich.”
Zhexiu said, “I know.”
Tang Thirty-Six asked, “How much?”
Zhexiu said, “Depends on the situation.”
Tang Thirty-Six was silent for a moment, then said, “Deal.”
Zhexiu looked at him, his expression indifferent, and said, “I also want some things. I hope you can give them to me.”
Tang Thirty-Six frowned slightly and asked, “Do we have those things?”
Zhexiu said, “Yes.”
Tang Thirty-Six stared into his eyes and said, “So… your purpose in joining the Grand Examination, from the beginning until now, has been the National Academy?”
Zhexiu said, “Yes.”
Tang Thirty-Six asked, “Was it Her Highness or someone else?”
Zhexiu said, “Not you.”
Tang Thirty-Six understood. Zhexiu was after Chen Changsheng.
He thought for a moment, then said, “He really wants to take first place, so I think, as long as you don’t want his life, anything else can be given to you.”
Zhexiu said, “I don’t want his life.”
Tang Thirty-Six nodded and said, “So be it. After the draw results come out, we’ll discuss what to do.”
Zhexiu didn’t respond but instead asked, “Can I eat?”
His gaze fell on the half-eaten roast chicken.
Back at the stream, facing the looks from Chen Changsheng and the other two, Tang Thirty-Six didn’t bother to say anything first. He picked up the teapot and downed three cups of warm tea in a row. Only then did Chen Changsheng notice that his back was completely soaked with sweat, and his forehead was covered in beads of sweat. He quickly took a handkerchief from his sleeve and handed it over, asking, “What happened?”
Zhexiu was notorious for being cold-blooded and violent, but Tang Thirty-Six was no pushover. There was no way he’d be scared like this for no reason.
“Scared,” Tang Thirty-Six said, wiping the sweat off his face with the handkerchief, looking at them with lingering fear.
Chen Changsheng was speechless, wondering what Zhexiu had done to scare even him.
“I never thought that wolf cub would be… a money-grubber.”
Tang Thirty-Six looked at them and said, emphasizing the word “money-grubber.”
Not just wanting money, but a complete money-grubber.
“Impossible!”
Luoluo and Xuan Yuan Po said in unison. They were from the Demon Realm, where there were even more rumors about Zhexiu, and they couldn’t believe Tang Thirty-Six’s claim.
“He really just wants money!”
Tang Thirty-Six said irritably, “If you don’t believe me, see for yourselves later.”
Chen Changsheng thought for a moment and asked, “Besides money, does he want anything else?”
“Yeah, he also wants something of yours,” Tang Thirty-Six said.
“You agreed to him?” Chen Changsheng asked, feeling inexplicably tense.
Tang Thirty-Six said matter-of-factly, “It’s not your life, so why wouldn’t I agree? I don’t think I’ll get a second chance like this.”
Chen Changsheng was a bit helpless and said, “You don’t even know what he wants, how can you agree on my behalf?”
Tang Thirty-Six retorted, “Do you want to take first place in the Grand Examination or not?”
Chen Changsheng didn’t hesitate and said, “It’s not about wanting to—I have to.”
Tang Thirty-Six said, “If that wolf cub doesn’t help, how much of a chance do you think you have?”
Chen Changsheng glanced toward the stream. Gou Hanshi was talking to his junior brothers, probably discussing the two fights between Guan Feibai, Qijian, and Zhexiu earlier. Judging by Gou Hanshi’s expression, he seemed to be giving guidance to Guan Feibai and Qijian, rather than trying to glean anything from reviewing the battles.
He looked back at Tang Thirty-Six and answered uncertainly, “Thirty percent?”
Tang Thirty-Six sneered at him and said, “Can you be any more shameless?”
“Show some respect for my teacher.”
Luoluo said displeasedly, then turned to Chen Changsheng and said uneasily, “Thirty percent… isn’t that too much?”
Tang Thirty-Six burst out laughing, drawing the attention of many examinees.
Chen Changsheng spread his hands and said, “Fine, if I were to face Gou Hanshi now, I don’t see any chance for myself.”
Luoluo said, “If I draw him in the next round, maybe your chances will be better.”
Tang Thirty-Six shook his head and said, “We need Zhexiu to fight him again. Only then can we say there’s some hope.”
Chen Changsheng asked, “But the draw might not go the way we want.”
“It doesn’t matter if Zhexiu draws someone else. Now he’s like Her Highness, responsible for clearing your path of opponents.”
Tang Thirty-Six said, “He and Her Highness are your two gate gods for taking first place.”
Hearing the words “gate gods,” Chen Changsheng thought of the pitch-black space underground, the two legendary divine generals on the stone wall, and the black dragon bound by iron chains. A surge of worry arose in him.
“Is it really appropriate to zone out at a time like this?” Tang Thirty-Six said irritably.
Chen Changsheng said, “Go on.”
Tang Thirty-Six said, “What I’m trying to say is, turning Zhexiu from the most dangerous enemy into the most powerful ally is worth any price.”
Chen Changsheng thought for a moment and said, “Makes sense.”
Tang Thirty-Six added, “So you should thank me. Not just anyone can convince that wolf cub. Talking to him is exhausting, and even more draining mentally.”
Chen Changsheng said, “Thank you.”
“Aren’t you all thinking too far ahead?” Xuan Yuan Po looked at him and said, “First, you have to defeat your own opponent. It could be Zhuang Huanyu, it could be Zhong Hui, or you might even draw Gou Hanshi in the next round. If you can’t win, even if Zhexiu really agrees to help, it won’t matter to us.”
Silence fell by the stream.
Tang Thirty-Six was a bit annoyed and said, “Too honest kids always say things that make people angry.”
Xuan Yuan Po said stubbornly, “That’s because honest kids tell the truth.”
Chen Changsheng looked beyond the crowd. In the distance, Zhexiu was silently eating chicken on a rock.
“So be it. We’ll talk after the draw results come out… Also, next time, give him a whole chicken to eat. He looks pitiful like that.”
(One: That punch Chen Changsheng threw at Huo Guang was, of course, from Street Fighter. In my life, I’ve probably only played about four games: Double Dragon, Street Fighter, that one with planes and helicopters you could choose, Delta… Such a bland life. Two: The results of the [Longevity Cup] micro-review contest have been posted in the book review section. Four winning readers still haven’t been contacted because we need shipping addresses… So, please get in touch with our hardworking deputy moderator, we beg you! Three: Everyone, take care. Four: This chapter is two songs. Besides the one by Power Station, there’s also the ringtone from Brother Dao in *Crazy Stone*—Old Wolf, please eat chicken… Old Wolf is Tang Tang, Little Wolf is Zhexiu. Roast chicken has meaning for me, and even more meaning for Zhexiu. Five: See you tomorrow.)