Chapter 30: Chapter 26: Not Human?
Xu Mo coaxed Yaoer to sleep and then went up to the rooftop. Master Batu’s obese body was carefully watering the flowers. Xu Mo watched quietly without disturbing him.
“Flowers in the Underworld are difficult to cultivate. They require a lot of time and effort. A slight mistake, and they wither,” Master Batu said softly, as if talking to himself.
But Xu Mo felt like he was using the flowers as a metaphor for people.
Flowers are like people in the Underworld. Without Master Batu’s protection, kind-hearted Miss Mia would find it hard to survive here.
“Master Batu, I encountered the killer downstairs just now,” Xu Mo said.
Master Batu seemed to already know. He continued watering in silence until the watering can was empty. He placed it aside, walked over to a chair, and sat down to rest.
His size made it difficult to fit into the chair.
“What are your thoughts?” Batu finally raised his head and asked Xu Mo.
“Did Master Batu save Yaoer?” Xu Mo asked.
“No one cares about kids. A bit of money settled it,” Batu didn’t deny it. He noticed Xu Mo had changed a lot since his parents died. He had matured.
“Do you hate me?” Master Batu asked as Xu Mo remained silent.
Xu Mo shook his head. His feelings toward his ‘parents’ largely stemmed from the original owner’s memories, allowing him to rationally view the situation.
He was merely a hired hand at Master Batu’s store. Batu saving Yaoer was already very kind. Could he expect him to save his entire family and bring trouble upon himself?
The Underworld is not a merciful place. Just staying alive is a challenge. Master Batu has his own people to protect. Even with his strength, he cannot guard Mia constantly.
“Since they took Master Batu’s money, they probably wouldn’t report to Cobra,” Xu Mo thought to himself. Otherwise, with Cobra’s reputation, those two would not be left alone.
“Your matters are for you to handle. I can’t help you. If you want to take Yaoer and leave now, go ahead. If you choose to stay, face it yourself. Live or die, it’s none of my business. If you die, I’ll try to raise Yaoer,” Master Batu seemed to know Xu Mo’s thoughts and spoke to him.
“Alright,” Xu Mo nodded, saying, “Thank you, Master Batu.”
“One more mouth to feed, it’s your choice,” Master Batu replied nonchalantly. He was also curious about what Xu Mo would choose.
Would he take Yaoer and leave, or face things himself?
Either choice meant a difficult survival. His beloved daughter would be heartbroken, but she needed to understand the harshness of the Underworld.
Master Batu shook his head in self-mockery.
Getting older makes one numb to everything.
It’s up to his fate.
…
Night fell in the Underworld. Ordinary people locked their doors and windows, avoiding going out.
But people still roamed the streets, troublemakers living in the shadows, doing unspeakable deeds.
After sending Bai Wei back, Xu Mo returned to his room alone, leaving Yaoer in Mia’s care.
In his room, he took out two playing cards, silver metallic cards taken from the golden-spectacled man he killed.
The edges of the cards were very thin, light, and easy to carry, making them more suitable as hidden weapons than Meteor Darts and less noticeable.
Xu Mo stared at the cards. They floated in front of him, guided by his mind. The two cards spun in opposite directions around his body before falling into his palm.
Controlling both cards was a bit difficult, consuming a lot of spiritual power. His time practicing the Breathing Technique was still too short.
Xu Mo closed his eyes and began practicing the Breathing Technique, with everything around him imprinting into his mind. His brain operated like a machine; this wasn’t the first time he felt this way.
Time passed bit by bit. Mia and Yaoer were already asleep, while Master Batu also sat in meditation, cultivating.
Outside the department store, a few figures approached from the distance. There were three of them, including the brothers from earlier and a tall, lean man carrying a long axe. The axe handle was long, gleaming with a silver metallic sheen.
The three headed toward Master Batu’s department store.
They were obviously here to kill.
Their orders were to kill the three adults. Although Yaoer could be sold to the black market, the money wouldn’t be theirs. Master Batu’s payment went directly into their pockets, making it embezzled. Besides, there was still a survivor.
If King Cobra found out, they’d be in deep trouble, even if alive.
So Xu Mo had to die.
When they reached the street corner, Xu Mo had already gotten up and opened his door. He walked downstairs, opened the department store door, and stepped into the darkness.
They ran into each other unexpectedly. The three saw Xu Mo and froze. The brothers then sneered, feeling lucky not to have to ‘knock’.
Seeing Xu Mo’s panicked expression, he immediately turned and ran.
The brothers grinned mockingly, thinking, “Trying to run?”
They started chasing him, with the tall man wielding his axe and following. His strides were large, and he sprinted fast.
Master Batu stood by the upstairs window, watching the chase. He didn’t realize Xu Mo had such courage at his age. He had underestimated him before.
But how did Xu Mo just happen to encounter them as he stepped out?
Xu Mo sprinted down the street, with the three men in hot pursuit. The people of the Underworld were accustomed to such scenes, silently stepping aside. At night, these things were common. Early morning sanitation workers often found bodies.
“This kid really can run!” The three chased Xu Mo without closing the distance. He kept darting into alleys as if familiar with the terrain, leaving them panting.
After numerous alleys and fewer people around, Xu Mo finally stopped.
The three pursuers also halted, bending over to catch their breath. They were exhausted from chasing.
An overwhelming stench of decay filled the alley, making them want to vomit. They glanced around at the damp alley filled with trash, unsure of where Xu Mo had led them.
“Can’t run anymore?”
“Keep running, you little brat?” One of them taunted, “I planned to spare that girl, but now I think we should take care of her too. I like seeing her cry.”
“You won’t get the chance,” Xu Mo’s voice was steady, with a cold edge, freezing them in their tracks.
This was eerie. How did his voice carry such an unsettling chill?
“This place is perfect for hiding a body. Cobra wouldn’t find out.
One of them said, advancing with a knife, eyes gleaming with murderous intent.
Xu Mo didn’t move as the man quickened his pace, intending to finish him off with one strike.
Xu Mo drew a card and suddenly lunged forward. The man raised his arm to stab Xu Mo.
The card flew like a sharp blade, slicing a perfect arc across his throat. Blood spurted as he continued to charge but clutched his neck in terror.
Moments later, he collapsed forward.
“What happened?” It was too dark for the other two to see clearly. They watched in horror as their companion fell, turning their gaze to Xu Mo.
Was he leading them into a trap?
“What’s going on?” The tall man with the axe asked his companion. “Weren’t we just killing a kid? How did one of us end up dead instead?”
“This has nothing to do with me. I’m leaving,” the tall man backed away, addressing Xu Mo. He had just come to help.
Xu Mo threw the second card. The tall man tilted his head, but the card flew in a curved path and slit his throat. Blood sprayed as he turned in shock, glaring at his companion with a mix of despair and fury.
He was betrayed unto death.
“Bang!” His body fell. The remaining thug, the one who had scared Yaoer earlier, stared in terror at the scene.
Seeing the card return to Xu Mo, hovering and spinning in mid-air, his legs went weak.
How could Xu Mo be alive? He was sure he had died.
“You’re not human. You’re not human…”
He turned to flee, legs trembling, barely able to stand, almost stumbling.
Xu Mo rushed forward, grabbed his collar, and pressed the card to his neck.
“Can you cry?” Xu Mo whispered in his ear as liquid dripped to the ground.
Xu Mo slowly drew the card across his throat. The thug trembled violently, paralyzed with terror.
Blood gushed from his throat as he stared ahead until he was lifeless.
Xu Mo wiped the blood from the card, tossed the body aside, pulled up his hood, and walked out of the alley.
…
At the department store, Batu stood outside, waiting but not seeing anyone return.
“He probably won’t come back,” Batu thought.
After waiting a bit longer with no miracle, he sighed, turned slowly, and walked inside to lock up.
Just as he was about to close the door, he saw a figure approaching from the street. Batu was stunned and then opened the door. Xu Mo walked up.
“Master Batu,” Xu Mo called.
Batu stood dumbfounded, forgetting to open the door wider.
“Master Batu, it’s done. I’m going to rest,” Xu Mo pushed past and entered the store, heading upstairs.
Batu glanced outside at the chilling Underworld night. Yet, at this moment, Batu felt he no longer understood the ‘night’.