Chapter 117: Perspective

Behind the screen, Liu Licheng wore an expression of keen interest, seemingly stirred by a touch of inexplicable excitement. But the moment he heard Gao Shi’s words, his smile froze, and his body stiffened for a fleeting second before returning to a natural composure. "Interesting," he mused to himself.

"Ha!" Zhuang Jin chuckled softly. "The Shen family is currently winning victory after victory against the Medicine King Gang. As a seventh-level guardian and a district warden within the Shen family, I have both status and real power. Why on earth would I jump to the sinking ship that is the Medicine King Gang? Is this what you call 'wealth and prestige'?"

"Master Zhuang, the Shen family may be formidable, but that doesn't mean it’s good. We were all beggars once, and you were only recruited as a martial apprentice. Even now that you've reached the seventh level and become a district warden, don't the other wardens still look down on you? Why not join the Medicine King Gang? We can work together, wouldn't that be better? Our Incense Master also said that as long as you join us, he will help you kill that Miao Shao fellow who holds a grudge against you..."

"You’ve certainly done your research on me." Zhuang Jin took a long look at Gao Shi. "It is true that my colleagues are somewhat cold due to my background, but I believe that with sincerity, I will eventually be accepted. As for the case involving Miao Lun, the proceedings were fair, public, and clear. The two young masters have treated me with kindness; I have no grievances, so why would I want to kill Miao Shao?"

"Setting that aside, what puzzles me most is this: you chose to come here in broad daylight at noon. Success aside, you’ve placed me in an incredibly awkward position... Is this the 'sincerity' of the Medicine King Gang?"

"Haha, what’s the word... eager... eager to... yes, eager to recruit talent! Our Incense Master..."

"Do you even believe what you’re saying?"

Zhuang Jin asked with a playful, mocking tone, his expression suddenly turning cold as he picked up his teacup. "When two armies are at war, one does not kill the envoy. You may go now. Remember: there will not be a next time."

Gao Shi wanted to say more, but seeing the icy look in Zhuang Jin’s eyes, he knew that if he continued, Zhuang Jin would likely resort to violence. He stood up and bowed—a gesture that should have been a formal courtesy, but his posture had become a habit; he hunched his body and stuck his backside out so high that he looked just like a dog, prompting an instinctive urge to kick him. With that, he took his leave.

...

After Gao Shi departed, Zhuang Jin watched as Liu Licheng emerged from behind the screen, struggling to suppress a laugh. A look of helplessness crossed Zhuang Jin’s face. "Brother Liu, if you want to laugh, just let it out!"

"Haha, Brother Zhuang, you’ve truly suffered an unprovoked disaster! To be sought out by someone like that, spouting such nonsense—if I hadn't been listening behind the screen to bear witness, it would be like having a piece of foul dog dung stuck to one's shoe; truly nauseating!"

"Indeed."

Zhuang Jin wondered how foolish he would have to be to defect to the chaotic, hyper-competitive Medicine King Gang at a time when the Shen family was ascendant and the gang was suffering defeat after defeat. Once a traitor, he would not only be distrusted, but he would also face the relentless retaliation and pursuit of the Shen family. It was a move with a hundred disadvantages and no benefits; one would have to be blinded by greed to even consider it.

"As that Gao Shi said, if you’re being ostracized by the other wardens in the Shen family, you wouldn't have to worry about that there!" Liu Licheng teased.

"Brother Liu, you jest. In the Shen family, I only face cold shoulders; if I went there, I’d likely lose my head."

Zhuang Jin shook his head, recounting his history with Gao Shi. He observed Liu Licheng’s micro-expressions, but the man didn't seem surprised. Countless thoughts raced through his mind, yet he only asked, "The Medicine King Gang’s Incense Master who came up with this scheme probably didn't expect to turn me; he just wanted to sow discord, or at the very least, disgust me. Do I need to report this to the 'Capital'?"

"Haha, as a seventh-level guardian, you are already at a different level. Why fear a bit of baseless slander? Your situation is unique because you were recruited from outside as a martial apprentice, but with me here as a witness, there is no need for such formalities."

Seeing Zhuang Jin’s relief, which then shifted into a touch of frustration, Liu Licheng poured him a cup of wine. "If you’re truly unhappy, just take your revenge tonight when you face Dong Pei, the man who came up with this underhanded scheme."

...

That evening, the Shen family’s forces in the north of the city pressed forward across the entire line. Zhuang Jin’s East Bridge Dock and Liu Licheng’s Ping Shui Dock converged on the front lines, serving as a corner of the battlefield.

Two districts against one, the Medicine King Gang could not afford any slip-ups, and lacking the raw strength to match, they predictably avoided direct confrontation. Just as they had in the first half of September, they relied on harassment and skirmishes while the Shen forces were occupied with occupying the streets, hoping to slow their advance.

"It’s the same old tactic from September. Responding this way is nothing more than a slow death."

"A slow death? That’s a fitting phrase, Brother Zhuang. I see the Medicine King Gang as grasshoppers after the autumn frost; they won't be jumping for long..."

Liu Licheng stopped mid-sentence, suddenly looking toward a spot before leaping away.

Zhuang Jin felt it too. He tapped his toes and followed, landing on the rooftop beside Liu Licheng. They looked across at a figure standing on the eaves of a building, his robes snapping violently in the wind—it was Dong Pei, the Medicine King Gang’s Incense Master.

"Is this the one who schemed to have Gao Shi come and annoy me today?"

"Indeed, that is the man. He is the one who proposed the 'Hunting Operation,' and most of the Medicine King Gang’s maneuvers in August and September were his ideas. Brother Zhuang, be careful. My assessment of Incense Master Dong is: sinister, cunning, and deeply calculating!"

Liu Licheng spoke while looking down at the streets below, where their men were steadily advancing and occupying the territory while the Medicine King Gang’s forces retreated. He asked with a smile, "I wonder, Incense Master Dong, facing such a situation, do you have any other sinister tricks to turn the tide of defeat?"

As the two traded barbs, Dong Pei maintained a faint smile. "Schemes and plots are only useful when the strength is evenly matched. Facing twice the manpower, I can only emulate my previous strategies to prevent a swift collapse."

He did not dwell on the topic, instead looking directly at Zhuang Jin. "The Medicine King Gang lacks the foundation of the Shen family, but we also lack the rigidity, decay, and the suppression of new talent that you suffer from. For the lower and middle tiers of the Shen family, it might be fine, but at this point, Warden Zhuang, have you felt nothing? The Medicine King Gang is the challenger; we are full of vitality, and we are the most equitable—the capable rise, the weak fall. We are better suited for talent like yours... As long as you join us, I can even help you with that Miao Shao..."

Dong Pei’s voice, combined with his tone and timing, carried an inexplicable sense of incitement and seduction. Yet, Zhuang Jin’s expression remained indifferent, calm from start to finish. "Incense Master Dong, do you have no new rhetoric? I’ve already heard this routine, and I’m quite tired of it!"

Before the other could respond, he continued: "It is said that Dong and I are quite fated. When I first arrived in the north of the city in May, I encountered your 'Hunting' plan... then August and September... and today, you sent that Gao Shi... one could call this a collection of new and old grievances. We are warriors; let us settle this with our own hands. I ask for your guidance."

"Hahahaha! Very well. Let me test the methods of this 'Shen family genius' everyone keeps talking about."

Dong Pei was not angry; rather, he was pleased. Zhuang Jin had only recently broken through, while he was a veteran of the seventh level. He felt he held the advantage in a duel and could teach Zhuang Jin a lesson, or perhaps even find an opportunity to critically wound him—a significant achievement in itself.

"Don't..." Liu Licheng was about to advise against a one-on-one fight.

"Brother Liu, let's attack together!" Zhuang Jin gave Liu Licheng a meaningful look, then shifted his form and launched his assault directly.

Liu Licheng: ...

'It seems I still don't understand Brother Zhuang well enough; I underestimated his "vision"!'

Liu Licheng sighed to himself, let out a loud shout of "Brother Zhuang, I’m here to assist you," and joined the fray.