Ninety-Nine: The Fusion of Black and White

Outside the door, two burly men lay dead.

Feng Mowang, a child no more than thirteen or fourteen years old, seemed deeply remorseful. He knelt on both knees, lips pale with distress.

Ming Tian stepped forward a couple of paces and lightly patted his shoulder. “Enough, don’t cry. Tell me what happened.”

Tears clouded Feng Mowang’s eyes as he looked up. “Masterfu, locking you up was wrong—there’s no reason for it! Lord Junma and your friends have contributed so much to our organization. Masterfu shouldn’t have locked you away, but…”

He wiped his tears and spoke solemnly, “Just now, Masterfu went out with twenty-five brothers. He said that by obtaining the princess, we could gain Yangzhou. Then the brothers would live in luxury, and everything in Yangzhou would be ours. Isn’t that what those who used to plunder us would say?”

As the child spoke, he seemed lost in memory.

“Before, Masterfu told us never to forget loyalty and righteousness. My parents taught me not to deceive or betray others and to know how to repay kindness. But now... I feel Masterfu has changed. His mind is full of how to take Yangzhou, and nothing else seems to matter. I don’t think I know him anymore.”

This child…

Ming Tian looked into those pure eyes and saw no trace of falsehood.

A child’s heart is the purest. Sometimes, a child’s sense of right and wrong is clearer than that of an adult.

Hearing his words, Ming Tian began to understand a bit about Deyiao’s philosophy.

Perhaps at the start, he was a swordsman who pursued loyalty and righteousness, founding this organization in an attempt to reclaim justice.

But the blows suffered three years ago might have shattered his confidence, and unknowingly, his inner beliefs may have warped.

Many people today are like this: fresh out of school, filled with ideals, entering society only to have that purity stained by the darkness and injustice they witness.

When ideals are tainted but one’s strength remains, those ideals can distort into a filthy lust for plunder.

“Little Feng, I’ll teach you a phrase today. You must remember it.”

Ming Tian looked solemnly at the boy and spoke gravely, “Your parents named you Feng Mowang. Do you know what it means? Your master has changed, but you haven’t—and you must never change. Remember your ideals now: never forget your original intention.”

“Never forget... the original intention,” Feng Mowang repeated blankly, the meaning still somewhat elusive to him.

But that was alright; as he grew older, he would naturally understand.

What mattered most now was Xiao Xinzhu’s situation. Rising to his feet, Ming Tian glanced back at Zhaoyu.

The girl remained listless.

“Get up,” Ming Tian extended his hand to her.

Zhaoyu looked at him. “Don’t bother with me. I... I feel there’s no reason for me to live anymore. Just leave me be…”

Smack!

Before she could say more, Ming Tian struck her on the half of her face that Deyiao had just beaten.

“I don’t care how much you loved that scoundrel. That’s your business. But don’t be so childish. Who hasn’t loved a few scoundrels in their youth? Now that bastard is abandoning you to chase after my wife and the princess you swore loyalty to. Have some dignity and come with me to show him what you’re made of! I won’t say it a third time—stand up!”

That slap seemed to awaken Zhaoyu.

Pain and grievance flooded her delicate features.

Yet she didn’t cry. After a brief daze, anger replaced that expression.

After a long moment, her eyes widened, her small fists clenched.

Though still fearful, she stood.

That was enough.

Ming Tian looked at the three of them—Yin Chan and An Luo needed no persuasion, old friends always ready to move out. Zhaoyu and Feng Mowang were now part of his team. That made five in total.

But…

Feng Mowang said Deyiao had taken twenty-five men to find Xiao Xinzhu. Five could never match him.

Without sufficient strength to oppose him, even if they exposed him, he might act desperately.

So, what now?

Ming Tian clenched his fist.

Strength—he needed more strength, a force capable of contending with Deyiao.

After a few seconds of hesitation, his gaze settled on Cui Jue deep within the dungeon.

Cui Jue seemed to have anticipated this; he rose with a vile smirk.

“Cui Jue, the soldiers of the rebel organization have undergone our training. Their numbers and combat skills likely rival those of the Wonton Rippers in Yangzhou. You don’t want your territory reclaimed by a bunch of natives, do you?”

Cui Jue chuckled nastily, seemingly expecting Ming Tian’s words.

He shook his head. “Ming Tian, we’re both smart men. No need for lengthy talk. But don’t forget, you blinded me in one eye with poison. That grudge will last a lifetime. You know that.”

Sometimes, personal grudges must be set aside.

Ming Tian cared for his wife; Cui Jue, as the chief director and third-in-command of the Chaos Rippers, naturally cared for his organization’s power.

Ming Tian had offended Cui Jue and killed the Chaos Rippers’ elite Liu Jian and the Death God Twins. In theory, Ming Tian and the Chaos Rippers were sworn enemies, locked in a battle to the death.

Yet…

It was precisely because of their hatred that they understood each other’s strength.

At this moment, Ming Tian found Cui Jue’s disgusting smile less repulsive.

“I suggest a truce. I want to leave Yangzhou, and you Chaos Rippers want control over Yangzhou. Our interests don’t conflict. How about it? Consider a temporary alliance?”

Cui Jue exhaled deeply, seemingly suppressing his hatred.

“Are you sure? I can’t guarantee I won’t bite you after this is over. I can’t sleep at night thinking of killing you.”

“Same here. I want to twist your square head off and use it as a chamber pot. Should be quite useful, right?”

Their eyes locked, fierce hostility blazing.

After a long moment, unexpectedly, both burst into hearty laughter.

“All right!”

Cui Jue shouted, his voice wild.

“You’re the only one who ever beat me once—bold and daring! That’s what it takes to be my equal! Ming Tian, as chief director of the Chaos Rippers, I agree to a short-term tactical alliance with your Yangzhou branch! Help us seize control of Yangzhou, and I guarantee your safe passage out!”

The affirmation, Cui Jue’s trust—this was mutual recognition between sworn enemies facing a common foe.

The enemy of my enemy is my friend. At this moment, the saying was true.

Stepping out through the dungeon door, Ming Tian’s confidence returned.

The battle for Yangzhou would begin tonight.

…………………………

End of Volume Four