My master once told me, "A gentleman's revenge is never too late, but a villain's revenge is immediate." I never understood the meaning of this saying before, but now I do. I can say with absolute certainty that the plump man before me is definitely a villain, and the epitome of a villain at that – a true scoundrel.
While I did cause him to lose some of his蛊虫 (gu worms), it was an acceptable loss, as no possession is more important than human life. However, it now seems this fat man harbors murderous intent towards me.
Zhang Dabiao and I were the last to enter the cave; Yue'er had to pull us in. Not a single one of them cared about our lives.
Furthermore, when we entered, they must have seen my disheveled state. To ask me to do things in such a condition clearly indicated their intention to simply kill me off along the way.
I let out a cold laugh and said indifferently, "I certainly don't lack courage, but why should I go with you?"
If this fat man wants me to accompany him up the mountain to face the mountain specter, he can forget about it. I know my own capabilities.
If I were to follow Kang Pangzi up the mountain, he would surely find a way to throw me to the mountain specter as food. If I were to die by the specter's hand, where would I go to seek justice? Even if Zhang Dabiao and Yue'er wanted to avenge me, they wouldn't know where to start, as there would be no evidence!
Seeing my refusal, Kang Pangzi revealed a look of disdain. "Kid, we're putting in the effort and the resources, and all you've done is offer a wicked suggestion. What else can you do? What a waste of a good physique. You might as well go home and be a kept man."
Oh, so he's resorting to provocation because I won't fall for his trap? If it were anything else, I might have fallen for it. But this involves my life. If I fall for this, I might as well just find a block of tofu and smash my head against it.
Kang Pangzi's voice was loud, drawing everyone's attention to me. I instantly became the center of focus.
Zhang Dabiao naturally knew Kang Pangzi's intentions, so he spoke up directly, "You need someone to go with you to the mountain specter's lair. I'll go with you."
Seeing Zhang Dabiao stand up for me, Kang Pangzi pouted and remained silent. He knew that if Zhang Dabiao accompanied him up the mountain, it was uncertain who would end up dead.
Judging solely by physique, Kang Pangzi had no advantage. Zhang Dabiao was tall and muscular, his strength far surpassing Kang Pangzi's flabby body.
Seeing that Kang Pangzi wasn't responding to him, Zhang Dabiao whispered to me, "Qingyun, don't agree to it. This guy is planning to set you up. If you go up the mountain with him, he'll definitely throw you to the mountain specter as dinner."
I knew Kang Pangzi's intentions, but if I didn't agree, I didn't know what else he might say. Moreover, if I refused to go, he would surely spread rumors about my cowardice and other nonsense afterward.
If this news got out, I wouldn't be able to continue in the Feng Shui circle. I would be pointed at wherever I went. Besides, I already had a plan to deal with the mountain specter. Since you want to set me up, let's see who ends up setting up whom in the end.
My expression was somewhat grim, as if I were angered by everyone's gaze.
"Kang Pangzi, you don't need to provoke me with your words. I've been poor my whole life, so provocation doesn't work on me. If you want me to go with you, it's not impossible, but you need to offer something tangible."
Seeing that I was showing signs of agreement, Kang Pangzi's face lit up. He then cleared his throat to hide his joy and said sternly, "What tangible? What do you mean?"
I rolled my eyes. "Don't you know people pay me to do things? Going with you to the mountain specter's lair is a life-threatening job. If you don't offer me a satisfactory price, why should I go with you?"
"Brother, you..."
I waved my hand at Zhang Dabiao, signaling him to calm down.
"Ahem... you... you're extorting me! I'm risking my life to go, so why am I doing this? Isn't it for everyone to pass smoothly? You're asking me for money, so who should I ask for money?"
Kang Pangzi was so angered by my words that he almost spat blood, his triangular eyes widening considerably.
Fang Niubizi and Li Jian's faces turned extremely ugly. Even Heizi, the bodyguard, looked at me with a hint of unfriendliness, as if he felt ashamed of my behavior of demanding money at this juncture.
Even Zhang Dabiao beside me turned his head away, seemingly ashamed of my bringing up money at this critical moment. However, as he turned his head, I saw the corners of his mouth twitch into a slight smile.
I looked at Kang Pangzi with a smile, waiting to see how he would handle it. If he agreed, we could talk. If not, I wouldn't go no matter what.
Wanting to take advantage of me? It's not that easy.
At this moment, Fang Niubizi, who was standing nearby, suddenly spoke. "Ahem... young benefactor, sometimes actions cannot be measured by money, otherwise, one loses their essential humanity. Don't you agree?"
"Daoist Master Fang is right. Mr. Song, you shouldn't only act for money. Besides, we've already paid you a lot of money this time. Will you ask us for money for every subsequent incident?" Li Jian chimed in.
I narrowed my eyes at the three of them. I had been wondering why they had been discussing for so long without reaching a conclusion. Kang Pangzi, who usually listened to Fang Niubizi, was now arguing with him over the gu worms. It turned out they were plotting against me.
My expression remained unchanged, but my tone became somewhat cold. "I only do what I believe I should do. Other matters are irrelevant to me. If you believe you don't need me to go, that's fine. I can return the money to Li Zuoquan, and our transaction will end here."
With that, I turned to leave. What a joke! Is there such a thing as getting a horse to run without feeding it? Do they really think others are fools?
If you agree to Kang Pangzi's proposal, aren't you preparing to completely ruin me? If you don't want me to have an easy time, how can I let you have a smooth one?
My words made Li Jian's face change slightly, and he quickly explained, "Mr. Song, we are just discussing. Moreover, Daoist Kang didn't mean anything else. Based on your analysis of the mountain specter's weaknesses, you must be very familiar with their habits. So, asking you to go is just to prevent Kang Pangzi from making mistakes. There's no other intention. Why are you talking about withdrawing? That's a serious matter, a very serious matter!"
Seeing Li Jian giving a signal to Fang Niubizi, I inwardly gave him the middle finger for his explanation. You've already conspired, and you're still putting on a show for me? Do you really think everyone in this world is an idiot?
Upon hearing this, Fang Niubizi's face also lengthened. However, unlike Li Jian, he wasn't afraid of me leaving. He merely looked at me with a cold gaze. "Young benefactor, you're taking this too seriously. Since you're unwilling to make the trip, then so be it. Why insist on leaving?"
Seeing that both of them had softened their stance, Kang Pangzi's face turned as ugly as if he had eaten fly droppings. He looked at Li Jian, then at Fang Niubizi, his face contorted with rage, and gritted his teeth, "If you don't go, then I won't go either. I've already prepared the gu worms. You should find someone capable to handle this matter!"
His sudden abandonment of the task stunned everyone. Without him directing the gu worms, how could they obediently allow the mountain specter to eat them? This was even more serious than me refusing to go.
Li Jian's face turned ashen. He stammered twice, but nothing came out. Finally, Fang Niubizi stepped forward.
"Fifty thousand for each person."
"Deal."