Chapter 40: Zhong Yushu

"200!"

"That's the highest I can go!"

"If you don't agree, just talk to them yourself. I can lose this old face of mine!"

Elder Zhong had the look of a scoundrel, his eyes squinting but continuously scrutinizing Yu Sheng.

Paired with that tuft of a goatee, he looked rather sly, hardly the image of a good man.

"Oh..."

To Elder Zhong's surprise, Yu Sheng showed no interest in further bargaining. Instead, he pulled out a familiar-looking smartphone and expertly dialed the Security Bureau’s number.

"Under Mo Pavilion civil law."

"Public sale of pornographic videos, detention for fifteen days, and a fine of 2000."

"According to commercial management punishment regulations, selling counterfeit goods, based on the severity, is punishable by varying fines."

"If taken more seriously, it's fraud."

"To report this..."

"5000!"

As Yu Sheng spoke, he suddenly felt tempted and decisively chose to make the call.

Elder Zhong, like a startled porcupine, snatched the phone from Yu Sheng’s hand and clutched it tightly to his chest: "Kid, this is immoral!"

"Things of the underworld should stay in the underworld!"

"Dragging the authorities into this isn’t right."

"Is it easy for an old man to earn his coffin money?"

"If people find out, what will become of Zhong Yushu’s reputation?"

Elder Zhong glared at Yu Sheng, continuing to rant.

Yu Sheng looked innocent and pointed to the phone in Elder Zhong’s embrace: "That thing..."

"You didn’t hang up."

Silence fell for a moment.

Elder Zhong stiffly lifted the phone, staring at the screen which showed the call was still active, and felt no turmoil inside.

Had he just...

Mentioned his name?

It seemed like he did, and yet, maybe he hadn’t.

After a brief silence, a slightly youthful voice came from the other end: "Are... Are you Zhong Yushu, Elder Zhong?"

"Wrong person."

"Sorry, I was just bluffing!"

"How could I possibly be the human hero, Zhong Yushu!"

Without hesitation, he retorted and hung up.

Within half a minute, Elder Zhong broke out in a cold sweat. When he looked at Yu Sheng again, his expression carried a trace of inexplicable meaning.

This kid... is rather ruthless.

Playing for real with an old man like me.

There's an old saying: ask for the moon to settle for less. All I did was try bargaining once, and this kid just threw sand in my face.

How is that reasonable?

"300, deal!"

With a face full of sorrow, Elder Zhong clenched his teeth. Turning away from the people nearby, he shakily pulled out three hundred-yuan bills from his pocket. He handed them to Yu Sheng very slowly, all the while saying...

"Haven’t you heard the stories about Zhong Yushu?"

"I am a hero of the human race."

"I’ve guarded Demon-Suppressing Pass for thirty years."

"I've shed blood for our kind."

"I... I... damn it!"

Ultimately, Yu Sheng silently accepted the money without any hesitation.

Even because Elder Zhong was holding them so tightly, Yu Sheng had to tug sharply.

Amid Elder Zhong's desperate, reluctant gaze, Yu Sheng pocketed the money.

In that moment, any hope vanished from Elder Zhong’s eyes; he fully realized that no matter how much he emphasized his status, this kid wouldn’t have a change of heart and return the money.

...

"Wow, Elder Zhong really favors this little guy."

"Exactly, look how agitated Elder Zhong is, his whole body trembling."

"Could it really be some unparalleled genius?"

"Or is it... that the human race is saved?"

A group of retired veterans watching the scene began to praise aloud.

"Why does that big fool Liu Qingfeng get to mentor such a fine student?"

"Pfft, what can that failure teach?"

"Leading astray, leading astray indeed."

"This kind of exceptional talent should be mentored by me. When this kid stands at the pinnacle of the world years from now, I’ll have played a part in it."

"Heh, lost all sense of shame, have we?"

The group was buzzing, mostly criticizing Liu Qingfeng, while a few were boasting about themselves.

Simply put...

They were moved.

Elder Zhong, given his stature, had no need to reside in the dilapidated Veterans Camp.

Should he choose, Mo Pavilion would offer him the highest honors to spend his twilight years in comfort.

But Elder Zhong's final words were...

"Mobei is my root, after a lifetime of busyness, it's time to return home."

"And... the smell of the military is in my blood; I can't get used to living outside the barracks."

Thus, under the complex gazes of everyone, Elder Zhong, carrying a worn bag, descended from Demon-Suppressing Pass alone, just as he had done in his youth, with the fervor of a young man stepping onto the pass.

He arrived with nothing and left with nothing.

What remained at Demon-Suppressing Pass...

Were just the three characters of Zhong Yushu, along with his entire life.

...

"Is there really no chance for Elder Zhong's injuries to heal?" asked Liu Qingfeng, wiping his hands after finishing cooking, his expression a bit downcast as he gazed at Elder Zhong's retreating figure.

The atmosphere suddenly grew heavy.

"Ah..."

"Actually, over at Mo Pavilion..."

"Elder Sun went alone into the demon realm and slew a Divine Beast."

"With the divine beast's blood and a demon core, Elder Zhong could be healed."

"But..."

One of the older men sighed and tapped his cane, seeming somewhat helpless: "But Elder Zhong isn't willing."

"He says, after so many years, he's tired and doesn't want to fight anymore."

"Being an old man, spending his remaining years peacefully in his hometown is quite nice."

Another somewhat younger person suddenly interjected: "But we all know that Elder Zhong is reluctant..."

"After all, a demon beast is incredibly precious."

"Even for Mo Pavilion, slaying one completely is extremely difficult."

"Elder Sun even returned barely alive, dragging a severe injury, and his actions incited the demon tribe to fury, launching several assaults on Demon-Suppressing Pass."

"Perhaps Elder Zhong believes... these resources could be used to cultivate a top-tier warrior for the human race, rather than... healing an old man like him."

As he spoke, his eyes grew moist, his gaze filled with sorrow as he watched Elder Zhong's figure.

"But Elder Zhong deserves it!"

"His father, his lover, his children, they all died at Demon-Suppressing Pass!"

"He has devoted his entire life to the human race."

"So many people are hoping for Elder Zhong to return. We even believe that as long as Elder Zhong remains at Demon-Suppressing Pass for a day, the demon race won't be able to advance an inch!"

With a sigh, the conversation came to an end.

However, the atmosphere had become even more solemn.