novelraw Chapter 1201: Overlooking All Beings (1)
Chapter 1201: Overlooking All Beings (1)
In the corridor, Chen Mingming walked at a leisurely pace.
The classroom was on the seventh floor of the teaching building. He saw Zhao Le heading toward the elevator, and when he looked down, he caught a glimpse of Zhao Le’s back as he exited the building.
But when Chen Mingming reached the elevator, he unexpectedly saw a woman.
“You are…”
The blonde-haired, blue-eyed woman in front of him caught Chen Mingming’s attention—she seemed like a perfect work of art. This woman belonged to that place, serving the man who had sold the handgun.
“Mr. Chen, do you have a moment? My master wishes to speak with you.”
“At this time?” Chen Mingming looked at the maid with some surprise.
Last time he had actively tested whether he could see the Boss, but this time, the Boss was seeking him out. Chen Mingming couldn’t quite gauge her intentions.
The maid smiled, seemingly waiting for his response.
Chen Mingming nodded… even if he resisted, he couldn’t resist such a mysterious force. “Where is he?”“Please follow me.” The maid gestured, and the elevator doors opened automatically.
Chen Mingming stepped in, his expression calm.
The maid followed him and said admiringly, “Mr. Chen is truly composed.”
Chen Mingming replied, “Perhaps I am just slow to react, or perhaps I am not good at expressing my emotions.”
The maid chuckled softly, “Even your heartbeat is calm.”
Chen Mingming remained silent.
The elevator soon stopped, and when the doors opened, Chen Mingming didn’t see the first floor of the teaching building… but the lobby of the shop he had visited before.
Chen Mingming liked the atmosphere in this shop; it felt like a peaceful oasis amid the bustling city. Though it wasn’t as quiet as an ancient secluded building in the mountains, it still had a sense of calm amidst movement.
This was the impression the shop left on him, and he couldn’t help feeling a bit envious.
“Looking for me… what is it?” Chen Mingming sat down, rarely furrowing his brows.
Luo Qiu set down a cup of black tea and smiled slightly. “Do you remember the wager I mentioned last time?”
Chen Mingming nodded.
Boss Luo waved his hand, and beside where the two were sitting, a human-height light screen rose. The screen shifted and eventually displayed an image of exceptional clarity, almost like 4K resolution.
“This is… Zhao Le?” Chen Mingming frowned. Through this magical screen, he could see Zhao Le’s every move. “A wager?”
Luo Qiu spoke softly, “Next will be the moment your friend, Mr. Chen, is most likely to fire a shot… a rare opportunity. Mr. Chen, are you truly unwilling to test your skill against me?”
Chen Mingming remained silent for a long moment before slowly replying, “I said, I don’t gamble.”
“If you win, how about I grant you fifty more years of life?” Luo Qiu studied Chen Mingming and smiled. “I think Mr. Chen might need that.”
Chen Mingming sighed and said solemnly, “The gap between us is too great. I can’t imagine what I have that would make you interested. This wager is yours to set, and you said you would only choose the side I select… meaning no matter what I choose, you’re guaranteed to win. The offer seems tempting, but it is merely a trap. Granting me life is a flick of your hand, but if I lose, the contract ends.”
Boss Luo said nothing. The maid spoke calmly, “Mr. Chen, given my master’s status, he naturally scorns such a trivial wager and would not interfere with its uncertainty.”
Chen Mingming lowered his head in silence.
Luo Qiu said, “Then we shall wait for the result… Mr. Chen, what do you think?”
Chen Mingming nodded, then turned to the screen.
…
This guy, Xiang Qiang, usually called A Qiang, had always been by Dong Shaofeng’s side… Zhao Le watched silently.
During class, Zhao Le had received a message from Xiang Qiang, forcing him to rush out in a hurry.
Finally, he met Xiang Qiang at the agreed location, but the man said nothing and led him into the newly constructed teaching building.
At the same time, Zhao Le received another message from Dong Shaofeng, instructing him to wait at the school gate—leaving Zhao Le nearly at his breaking point, realizing these guys intended to torment him with their schemes.
“Where exactly are you taking me!!” Zhao Le stopped and shouted at Xiang Qiang.
Xiang Qiang slowly turned, his expression slightly off. He didn’t look at Zhao Le but at the surrounding construction site, then said, “Do you know why no one is working here today?”
Zhao Le, irritated, shouted, “How would I know!”
“The boss in charge of this project is dead,” Xiang Qiang said calmly. “He committed suicide. With the foreman gone, the workers naturally didn’t show up, so no one is here.”
Zhao Le frowned. “What does any of this have to do with me?”
“Nothing. But it has to do with me. Understand? This project originally belonged to my family, but that damned man used despicable means to take it… My family was counting on this project to survive, but…”
Zhao Le froze. Unexpectedly, Xiang Qiang’s expression shifted several times before he seemed to make a decision, suddenly charging forward and kicking Zhao Le in the stomach.
Zhao Le, not athletic and physically weaker than Xiang Qiang, fell painfully to the ground. Before he could react, Xiang Qiang pinned him down and began punching his face repeatedly.
Dong Shaofeng had hit him once before, but only targeted his shoulders or back, never really painful spots.
Zhao Le couldn’t understand why Xiang Qiang had gone mad and instinctively protected his face.
“You’re insane…” Zhao Le pained.
But Xiang Qiang suddenly stopped swinging. Through his legs, Zhao Le saw Xiang Qiang’s face, and his heart sank.
Xiang Qiang’s expression was ferocious, like a demon. In his hand was a peculiar dagger with strange markings. Zhao Le barely saw it, only realizing that Xiang Qiang clearly intended to stab him!
Zhao Le’s face changed drastically. Fear triggered a surge of strength beyond his normal limits, and he twisted his body just in time.
The dagger was deflected but still pierced his shoulder. Zhao Le, in pain, struggled fiercely and managed to push Xiang Qiang away.
He scrambled to his feet, clutching his bleeding shoulder. “You’ve really lost it!!”
Xiang Qiang, pushed away, didn’t calm down but grew more violent, like a raging demon. “A life for a life… I was just testing it, didn’t expect it to be real!! Zhao Le, you coward, die in my place!!!”
Xiang Qiang lunged with the dagger.
At that moment, a figure shot out from behind Zhao Le, slamming an arm across Xiang Qiang’s chest—like a barrier. Xiang Qiang collided with it and was knocked to the ground!
Zhao Le’s eyes widened in disbelief… Dong Shaofeng?
Dong Shaofeng was slightly panting, his forehead beaded with sweat, appearing to have run all the way here. He turned, glaring at Zhao Le with a feral intensity that made Zhao Le shiver.
Dong Shaofeng stomped on Xiang Qiang’s wrist holding the dagger. “What the hell is wrong with you?!”
“F-Feng… Boss Feng…” Xiang Qiang, meeting Dong Shaofeng’s ferocious glare, seemed to sober up slightly, then panicked in terror. “Boss Feng, don’t block me… I-I don’t want to die! If I don’t kill him, I’ll die!”
“What nonsense are you spouting!” Dong Shaofeng snorted coldly. “You idiot, are you high again? I told you not to touch that stuff, but you didn’t listen!”
“You don’t understand! You don’t understand!!” Xiang Qiang raved, “You don’t understand… if you don’t let me kill him, I’ll kill you! I’ll kill you anyway!”
“You—”
In a flurry, Xiang Qiang switched the dagger from one hand to the other and slashed viciously at Dong Shaofeng… but Dong Shaofeng’s reflexes were exceptional. He stomped on Xiang Qiang’s right hand, jerking it sharply.
A flash of steel cut across, leaving a more than ten-centimeter-long gash on Dong Shaofeng’s calf.
The pain made cold sweat break out on Dong Shaofeng immediately, and he collapsed to his knees… the slash had reached his heel!
Xiang Qiang didn’t relent and lunged again. Dong Shaofeng, thinking fast, grabbed some cement dust from the ground and threw it into Xiang Qiang’s eyes.
The dust blinded Xiang Qiang, making him scream in pain as he wildly flailed the dagger.
Clenching his teeth, Dong Shaofeng stood with effort, though moving his injured foot sent sharp pain shooting through him.
But his stubborn nature wouldn’t let him give up. He lunged at Xiang Qiang, pinning him to the ground with all his strength.
Xiang Qiang was already completely unhinged, and even Dong Shaofeng’s trained strength struggled to hold him down.
He looked at the pale-faced Zhao Le, who was clutching his shoulder wound, and roared lowly, “What are you standing there for?! Come help me!!”
Though Zhao Le didn’t understand what had caused Xiang Qiang to go berserk, he hesitated—he saw Dong Shaofeng using nearly all his strength to restrain Xiang Qiang and witnessed the crazed man struggling violently. His gaze narrowed slightly.
Xiang Qiang had gone mad. Though the reason was unknown… he had gone mad!
He held a dagger… and had already slashed Dong Shaofeng!
Thinking of the items he held in Dong Shaofeng’s hands, Zhao Le’s breath quickened… maybe he didn’t even need the silver handgun.
“Come on! You bastard!!”
Zhao Le took a deep breath, shook his head, and stepped back, speaking coldly, “You dogs fight amongst yourselves—what does it have to do with me?”
Dong Shaofeng’s pupils suddenly constricted.
Zhao Le stumbled as he ran away, disappearing quickly.
Xiang Qiang, enraged, bit down on Dong Shaofeng’s arm… tearing off a chunk of flesh.
The pain exceeded the leg wound, nearly causing Dong Shaofeng to faint. His hands loosened instinctively, and Xiang Qiang thrust the dagger into his abdomen.
Dong Shaofeng’s vision spun with stars, cold sweat pouring. Xiang Qiang now had the upper hand, sitting on him, pressing him down. Dong Shaofeng saw the madness and bloodlust in Xiang Qiang’s eyes and the dagger aimed directly at his heart, a wave of despair washing over him.
Then—
Bang!!
A brick slammed violently into Xiang Qiang’s face, seemingly knocking him unconscious.
Xiang Qiang collapsed onto Dong Shaofeng… the dagger now stuck near his cheek. Dong Shaofeng’s heart raced as he saw Zhao Le holding the brick, face grim.
Dong Shaofeng pushed Xiang Qiang off, checking his movement. Though he could still breathe, the dagger wound on his abdomen was more serious than the heel injury. He tried to get up.
Unexpectedly, Zhao Le charged at him, pressing Dong Shaofeng back down. Zhao Le gripped his neck, eyes wild.
Pain made Dong Shaofeng convulse, yet he spoke calmly, “Weren’t you the one who said you wouldn’t save me? Why come back… to kill me yourself?”
“Dong Shaofeng!! You damn beast!!”
“Want revenge… fine.” Dong Shaofeng, pale-faced, gave a faint smile. “With the blood I’ve lost, I won’t last long without care… I suggest leaving here. If you want revenge, don’t risk yourself…”
“You think I don’t dare!!”
Dong Shaofeng remained silent, closing his eyes from dizziness caused by blood loss.
But the hands on his neck slowly released. He opened his eyes to see Zhao Le pressing his hands over Dong Shaofeng’s abdominal wound.
“You… you’re not going to kill me?”
Zhao Le’s voice was cold. “Do you really think I’d do something that ruins my own future? Even if I had a million reasons to kill you, even if I planned to kill all of you, even if I had everything prepared—I wouldn’t! I have family to care for! I can’t let my sister, who I barely helped recover, fall back into a tragic life just for revenge!”
“Family…” Dong Shaofeng’s heart trembled.
“Listen!!” Zhao Le glared at him, picking up his phone to call for help. “If you have any conscience, any sense of gratitude, don’t ever bother me again!! I’m not saving you; I’m saving myself!”
“I promise you…” Dong Shaofeng whispered, then his pupils suddenly constricted, face shifting drastically. He reached out and pushed Zhao Le away.
The dagger narrowly missed Zhao Le, stabbing into Dong Shaofeng’s chest.
Xiang Qiang, who should have been down for the count, now radiated black energy.
His eyes were blood-red, facial muscles sagging as if melting, giving him an eerie, horrifying appearance…