Rebirth: Slice-of-life Cultivation Chapter 1791 - 985: The Arrow Piercing the Soul
Previously on Rebirth: Slice-of-life Cultivation...
Night.
The cold moon ascends, casting shadows upon the gravel path.
Liang Sheng retreated a couple of steps, only to find himself unable to move, his shoulder firmly held.
Zhang Chi clasped Liang Sheng's shoulder, then advanced to face Deng Xiang and his companions. "You took his money, didn't you?"
Deng Xiang appraised Zhang Chi with evident contempt. "What business is it of yours?"
Duan Shigang regarded his former subordinate and attempted to reason with him. "Xiangzi, leave some room for future interactions."
Deng Xiang and Duan Shigang had long since parted ways, aligning themselves with Zhao Xiaofeng's faction and even harboring ambitions of joining Brother Tian's inner circle.
He acknowledged Duan Shigang's past prominence, but recognized that circumstances had shifted.
Thus, he showed no leniency. "Gangzi, I told you, this doesn't concern you."
Duan Shigang offered a wry smile. "Gangzi..."
Ge Hao interjected from the side. "We accepted Liang Sheng's money. It has nothing to do with you."
Zhang Chi tightened his grip on Liang Sheng's shoulder. "You tell them. Whose money was it?"
Deng Xiang chuckled. "Go on, say it. Quickly."
The youths behind him joined in the taunting laughter. "Say it! Say it!"
It was a predictable situation: if Liang Sheng claimed the money as his own, Zhang Chi would undoubtedly back down.
Conversely, if he stated it belonged to Zhang Chi, Zhang Chi would stand his ground.
Liang Sheng faltered, caught in indecision.
He was merely an ordinary student, ill-equipped to handle individuals like Deng Xiang, and his sole desire was to concentrate on his studies and eventually attend university.
Liang Sheng's lips moved, preparing to declare it was his money...
Leaning against the wall, Duan Shigang lit a cigarette. Suddenly, he posed a question: "Liang Sheng, you had someone you liked once, right?"
He possessed a keen understanding of people like Liang Sheng.
The question, seemingly out of the blue, struck Liang Sheng speechless.
This touched upon the deepest secret hidden within his heart: a pure and quiet deskmate from middle school. Whenever Liang Sheng glanced her way, she would offer a smile, sparking a youthful fantasy within him.
He remembered being a cheerful boy then, exuding the carefree radiance of adolescence.
But from that fateful day, everything changed. A boy from the back row swapped seats with him, an action he did not consent to.
Everything unraveled.
His attempts at resistance were met only with a barrage of fists and kicks.
It felt as though he were being consumed by thorns and dragged through the hallways, yet he could endure the physical torment.
Until one day, he was forced to kneel before the girl, her surprised gaze fixed upon him.
That moment would forever be etched in Liang Sheng's memory.
The physical agony and profound humiliation became deeply ingrained, poisoning his soul like a slow-acting venom, permeating every aspect of his existence.
His mind went blank, his entire body trembling uncontrollably.
Duan Shigang pressed on. "Are you willing to endure this any longer?"
Liang Sheng's answer was a resounding 'no.' He could no longer bear it.
Zhang Chi demanded, his voice booming like a tiger's roar: "Tell me, whose money is it?"
Liang Sheng, long accustomed to pain and fear, erupted in anger. "It's my money!"
Zhang Chi: "?"
Duan Shigang: "?"
Had his words been in vain?
Liang Sheng quickly clarified, "It's the money I borrowed from you, and it's the money they stole!"
Zhang Chi understood immediately and bellowed at Deng Xiang, "Fuck your mother, pay back the money!"
Ge Hao lunged forward, delivering a kick that sent Liang Sheng stumbling.
"Who gave you the right to speak?"
Liang Sheng's fury ignited, the painful memories of his past deeply affecting him. He roared, chest heaving, "You enjoy bullying people, don't you! Do you think so little of me! I won't back down anymore!"
Liang Sheng's defiant cry echoed to the heavens: "Come on, unleash my Hundred Lending Power!"
Like a ferocious tiger, Zhang Chi charged swiftly at Deng Xiang.
Deng Xiang, unfazed and seasoned by numerous confrontations, met Zhang Chi's charge head-on. His muscles bunched as he threw a powerful punch.
Zhang Chi absorbed the blow directly, powering through and sending Deng Xiang staggering backward several paces.
Deng Xiang regained his balance, his gaze shifting.
From the side, Ge Hao suddenly leaped, a sack descending to cover Zhang Chi's head.
Deng Xiang sneered, raising his leg to kick the struggling Zhang Chi on the ground.
"Damn it, how do you expect to fight me like this?" he taunted with wild arrogance.
He then cast a contemptuous glance at Liang Sheng.
Liang Sheng's earlier surge of courage rapidly waned, and a familiar timidity returned.
Duan Shigang discarded his cigarette, removed his jacket, and declared, "Alright, Chuan Dao, it's our turn now."
After speaking, he noticed no one nearby and turned, only to find Chuan Dao had vanished.
Liu Chuandao had already slipped away unnoticed.
Duan Shigang stood dumbfounded.
Deng Xiang, still kicking Zhang Chi, looked down and sneered. "Just the two of you?"
"Liang Sheng, you should join in. You can't escape this now," Duan Shigang spoke, walking towards the gathering crowd, leaving behind a figure exuding presence and leadership.
'Indeed, there’s no escaping this,' Liang Sheng mused, accepting the inevitability of retribution. One attempt at defiance only led to greater suppression. He observed the figure on the ground, struggling. Zhang Chi had once vowed to protect him, and true to his word, he was still fighting. In this world, some individuals genuinely risk their lives for others. Such loyalty fueled Liang Sheng's resolve not to give up. A flood of memories surged, and Liang Sheng spoke with utter seriousness: 'Zhang Chi, I need to borrow five hundred yuan from you once more!' 'The power of a hundred loans!' On the gravel path, Zhang Chi, like a cornered beast, tore at the burlap sack with his bare hands, his response muffled but firm: 'Okay!' Ge Hao produced another sack, preparing to cover him again. Suddenly, Duan Shigang burst forth, his right leg shooting out like a viper's strike, connecting with Ge Hao's calf. The powerful sweeping kick sent Ge Hao sprawling. Deng Xiang roared in fury, 'Seeking death!' His associates swarmed in, and the brawl erupted. ... Outside the school's main entrance, life proceeded with its usual calm at Hu Mei's spicy hotpot stand. Zhong Huai was in line when he spotted classmates and called out, 'Jiang Ning, you're late; there are no seats left.' He noticed the pairing of Jiang Ning and Xue Yuantong, observing a peculiar harmony despite their significant height difference. As he finished speaking, Hu Mei emerged from the shop, calling out, 'What a coincidence; I've just finished preparing yours.' 'Thanks,' Jiang Ning replied. Slightly unaccustomed to the directness, Hu Mei inquired, 'Just the two of you today?' 'Yeah,' came the response. With that, Jiang Ning and Xue Yuantong entered the eatery. Zhong Huai let out a soft, 'Uh...' Zhang Zhaodi witnessed the scene, her eyes narrowing. Having spent a few days at Fourth Middle School, she found Jiang Ning rather unusual, frequently absent from class. The young girl accompanying him was even more peculiar, often sleeping but seemingly without consequence from the teachers. 'He's from Wamiao Middle School; it's a shame. If I didn't have a boyfriend, I might have struck up a conversation,' Zhang Zhaodi thought, before rejoining the queue. Xue Yuantong sipped her cola, her dark eyes fixed on the plate of fried skewers before Jiang Ning. She suddenly asked, 'Jiang Ning, can you just give me 100 yuan?' 'What's in it for me?' Jiang Ning countered. 'You'll be 100 yuan richer,' she replied. Jiang Ning found the logic absurd and refused. Xue Yuantong sighed softly. She had wanted the money to fund her research into remote-controlled cars, but it had all been playfully swindled away by Jiang Ning. She silently resolved to build her own secret stash in the future. ... At Fourth Middle School, inside Classroom 2. Zhao Xiaofeng was providing an update: 'Senior Yan Chuchen has agreed to our program; she's very much looking forward to it.' Qi Tianheng, perched casually on a desk, remarked, 'Good taste, then.' Zhao Xiaofeng had privately gifted Yan Chuchen a substantial two thousand yuan, ensuring her approval. 'When Brother Tian makes his appearance, it will surely astound the audience! Countless beautiful girls will be cheering!' Zhao Xiaofeng exclaimed, fawning. Last year, Qi Tianheng had merely been an observer at the New Year's Day gala; this time, he was slated to perform on stage. Another subordinate chimed in, 'Exactly! By then, all the students from the three cities will recognize Brother Tian as a tiger descending from the mountain, leaving them utterly bewildered!' Zhao Xiaofeng smacked the lackey, scolding, 'Damn it, can't you speak properly?' Qi Tianheng's expression softened slightly as he stated, 'Actually, I prefer to maintain a low profile.' Another lackey seized the moment, adding, 'True, you're not fast at running. No need to participate in the sports meet, definitely keeping a low profile later! Brother Tian, your foresight is truly remarkable!' Zhao Xiaofeng delivered another slap, irately commanding, 'Damn it, shut up!' Noticing Qi Tianheng's darkening mood, Zhao Xiaofeng quickly tried to mend the situation. 'The sports meet is for ordinary students, Brother Tian. Your status! Those who labor with their minds rule; those who labor with their strength are ruled. Why should Brother Tian lower himself?' 'Brother Tian, you just need to preside from on high, and everything will naturally come to you!' Qi Tianheng felt a considerable sense of relief, his regard for Zhao Xiaofeng growing, while dismissing the others as mere rabble. Zhao Xiaofeng continued his adulation, escorting Brother Tian out of the classroom. He then retrieved Qi Tianheng's road bike from the shed and watched as he rode off campus. Only then did Zhao Xiaofeng feel a sense of satisfaction as he strolled along. Approaching a streetlamp, a beautiful figure turned around. With a sweet smile and a melodious voice, she said, 'Hello, let's get acquainted. I'm Yin Yu.' Zhao Xiaofeng was initially taken aback by her striking beauty. 'Hello, hello! I'm Zhao Xiaofeng!' Yin Yu tilted her head slightly. 'I'm a bit puzzled about something; could you help me understand?' Zhao Xiaofeng responded with utmost gentlemanliness, 'Gladly! It would be my honor!'Yin Yu flashed a smile and inquired, "Tell me, why is it that you consistently associate with subordinates possessing such limited emotional intelligence?"
Zhao Xiaofeng's face stiffened, a wave of panic washing over him as perspiration beaded on his forehead.