Rebirth: Slice-of-life Cultivation Chapter 1627 - 888: Unbearable to Look Directly At (Part 2)

"But... you people..." Zhang Chi lowered his head, his gaze falling upon Director Li, who continued to dry heave uncontrollably.

They had been merely putting on a performance at the dining table, wasting resources and deriving pleasure from mocking him.

He questioned, "Is it truly that unbearable?"

Director Li retched once more.

Zhang Chi turned his head and caught the gaze of Boss Yang, who offered a nod, allowing the younger man to easily piece together the underlying causes.

Nearby, Director Han sat with an indifferent expression, clearly never having considered him worthy of attention.

A surge of rage overcame Zhang Chi; he desperately wanted to leap forward and shatter the man's face.

It reminded him of previous encounters with delinquent youths, where he had felt the urge to sever their limbs, only for Yan Tianpeng to manifest like a spiritual mentor to restrain him: "Chi Zi, while life may possess a tolerance for errors, there are lines that must not be crossed. Once a criminal act is committed, there is no path back."

Ultimately, Zhang Chi refrained from acting.

Within his immediate view, Director Li was tearing at the beef with his teeth, as if attempting to vent every ounce of his humiliation.

In the stifling silence of the private room, Zhang Chi suddenly interjected, "Director Li, are you intending to retaliate against me?"

The movements of Director Li abruptly ceased.

Zhang Chi continued with measured speech, "Director Li, since you initiated this, know that I am seventeen this year. Unless you possess the means to imprison me for eternity, I will remember your son from today, and I will track down your entire family once I am free."

Zhang Chi added, "My father is a wastrel, and my mother abandoned me years ago. Should anything happen to me, my grandparents would surely not survive long."

"I have nothing left to lose. If you dare to retaliate, then proceed; either execute me now, or I will slaughter your entire lineage!"

After delivering his ultimatum, Zhang Chi turned his gaze toward Director Han. His face remained bright, though splattered with soup, and possessed an unsettling, eerie quality: "Director Han, you should remember as well. If you aren't feeling intimidated, do feel free to test me!"

Without waiting for a response, Zhang Chi turned and exited the private room.

Once he had departed, the mask of indifference on Director Han's face finally crumbled, and he spat out, "Unruly and lawless!"

...

Zhang Chi walked out of the building to find Li Han still kneeling at the threshold, paralyzed by agony.

When Li Qingyang and his companions spotted Zhang Chi, they instinctively stepped aside, and to their credit, not a single soul dared to impede his path.

It was simple: the man had descended into madness, and Li Han served as a stark, living warning.

Regardless, the group held little affection for Director Li.

Zhang Chi reached the east-side greenhouse looking disheveled, which immediately caught Dongdong’s attention.

Boss Zhao caught up to him shortly after. Reaching his side, he let out a heavy sigh: "Xiao Zhang, you should gather your things and vacate the security booth today. My position here cannot accommodate you any longer. As for your wages, I will calculate them and transfer the balance."

Zhang Chi had anticipated this outcome: "That is fine."

Boss Zhao reached out as if to pat his shoulder but hesitated; he instead muttered, "Take care of yourself, and stay safe."

Zhang Chi let out a loud, mocking laugh: "I am merely seventeen, not yet even adulthood. What can they possibly do to me? At worst, I shall trade this worthless life of mine for theirs!"

Standing nearby, Dongdong listened with rapt attention.

Boss Zhao shook his head, lamenting, "Cease your talk of sacrificing your life; it holds far more value than you think."

Zhang Chi let out a cynical scoff: "Then I shall exchange my life for the lives of their entire households! It would be a worthy trade!"

With that declaration, Zhang Chi strode away.

With every step, he experienced a sense of liberation. Though he had sacrificed much, he had vented his frustrations, feeling an incredible, raw relief.

Boss Zhao watched the shrinking figure of the boy and sighed. He was yet so young and reckless; if only Zhang Chi had exercised some restraint, perhaps things would have turned out differently.

...

Dongdong, however, experienced the complete opposite reaction. Having overheard the remarks about being eighteen, he fell into deep contemplation.

After a duration, a sudden revelation hit him: 'I have finally found a role model!'

Enlightened, he abruptly spun around and glared at the boy assigned to monitor him.

The boy startled, then snapped, "Dongdong, if you attempt to slack off, I will report you to the big brother!"

Dongdong pleaded quite pathetically until he finally convinced the boy to surrender his phone. He began devouring information, and as he traversed the digital world, he was left stunned—a brand-new reality had opened up for him.

The boy yelled, "Time is up, return my phone!"

Dongdong launched into a wild bull-like charge, sending him sprawling to the ground.

Snatching up a pair of scissors, Dongdong charged toward Jiang Ning's house. Empowered by his newfound knowledge, he felt invincible.

Dongdong reached Jiang Ning’s doorstep with scissors in hand, glaring fiercely at both Jiang Ning and Xue Yuantong.

Jiang Ning, still basking in the warmth of the sun, simply asked, "?"

Xue Yuantong looked amused: "Is this some sort of insurrection?"

Dongdong stared intently at the bowl of fruit before them, his eyes filled with reckless defiance.

Jiang Ning stated calmly, "Leave now, or I will dock your pay for the rest of the day."

Dongdong, emboldened, brandished the scissors and shouted a threat: "Hand over the fruit or I will slice you up! I’m not even eighteen yet, so you cannot stop me!"

Jiang Ning paused in genuine surprise, and his expression hardened.

Xue Yuantong also froze, not having anticipated such a declaration from Dongdong. Could he truly do it? Perhaps, in his madness, he actually dared to try.

Xue Yuantong gravely instructed, "Jiang Ning, consider that I owe you seventy-five bucks. Dismiss him for the day, don't let him do any work."

Dongdong, misinterpreting the situation, was overjoyed. Thinking he had secured his freedom, he pushed his luck further: "I also want the fruit plate, or else I will..."

He was met with an impossibly fast kick. Had there been a test regarding the sensation of being struck by a heavy truck, Dongdong would have been an expert.

The blow connected firmly with Dongdong’s face, demonstrating Jiang Ning’s refined technique. He was instantly flattened, his three-dimensional presence seemingly crushed into a two-dimensional state.

As his consciousness wavered, he thought, 'I'm not even eighteen... how could this have failed?'

Jiang Ning retrieved a hemp rope, hog-tied the boy, and suspended him from the rafters. He then ventured to Butcher Zhang's house to borrow a thick belt, returning to deliver a sound thrashing.

Dongdong’s howls echoed throughout the neighborhood. Butcher Zhang wandered outside to witness the spectacle, clapping and cheering. He praised the punishment, even gifting a pound of ribs and insisting Jiang Ning apply a few more lashes.

Mr. Qian, who had been inconvenienced by Dongdong earlier, poetically recited, "Singing and dancing in joy, carefree and unrestrained!"

Xue Chuchu and the arriving Yao Yiyao understood why Jiang Ning was administering the beating and agreed that the insolent brat deserved every bit of it.

Jiang Ning struck him again: "You nearly startled me, do you realize how dangerous that was?"

After five minutes of unrelenting discipline, Dongdong could no longer endure the agony; he wailed for mercy, begging for the torment to cease.

Butcher Zhang let out a hearty, booming laugh.

Xue Yuantong sighed, "Dongdong is being beaten so severely, why are you all laughing? It’s far too excessive!"

In this cold and indifferent world, Dongdong viewed Xue Yuantong as a literal saint. He felt a glimmer of hope: 'Great, Xue Yuantong is here, I am saved!'

Xue Yuantong strolled lackadaisically toward Jiang Ning. Dongdong waited for her to intercede on his behalf, but instead heard: "What a useless thing, he cannot even withstand a proper beating!"

After three more minutes of lashes, Dongdong was finally released. He collapsed on the ground, tears and snot streaming down his face, as he blubbered, "I apologize, I was blinded by greed. I should not have said those things, I promise I will never dare to do it again!"

Dongdong scrambled away as quickly as he could.

...

To the east.

Yang Fei was supporting Director Li, while Boss Zhao assisted Li Han. The entire procession made its way toward the west.

As they passed the Xue family residence, Jiang Ning remained under the sun, casually sipping tea. "Oh, what happened to you lot?"

Xue Yuantong replied smoothly, "They were likely beaten; it seems their legs were rendered useless!"

Jiang Ning added, "A trivial matter, quite simple to remedy."

Director Li, limping along, heard their scathing remarks and glared at Jiang Ning—his hatred for the man was absolute.

Jiang Ning called out, "Xiao Ben."

A fierce hound rushed out from Butcher Zhang’s house, baring its fangs and lunging directly toward Director Li.

Director Li screamed in terror and dove aside, barely managing to dodge the attack.

At that precise moment, Xiao Ben halted its offensive, turned its head, and began to lick Jiang Ning’s hand, fawning over him with affection.

Jiang Ning smiled. "Perfectly healed, wouldn't you say?"

Xue Yuantong remarked with exaggerated awe, "Wow, a Divine Doctor indeed!"

Xue Chuchu, watching in silence, mused, '...They are far too wicked.'"