A New Plan

Chapter 115: A New Plan

Although these mercenaries were weak, there was no guarantee that they posed no threat.

Moreover, among them were a few Dou Shi (Dou Masters).

If any of them were truly loyal to Mu She, they would undoubtedly seek revenge on him.

No… If it were just revenge against him, he could accept that.

Xiao Yan's eyes gradually darkened with venomous intent.

Now that he had killed Mu She, there were bound to be others whose interests were harmed by his death.

There must be…

He wasn't afraid of revenge.

But he was afraid that those around him would suffer retaliation because of the enemies he had failed to eliminate.

Even if there was only the slightest possibility…

A black mist surged within Xiao Yan's scarlet pupils, and his heart slowly sank into darkness, allowing himself to fall deeper and deeper.

Mu She was dead. There was no one left in Qingshan Town who could resist him. So, he should just eliminate everyone in this town—

(Little Yan!!!)

!!!!!!!

Yao Chen's urgent shout jolted Xiao Yan awake. His scarlet pupils instantly returned to their usual black, the black mist around him dissipated in an instant, and the negativity clouding his mind cleared away.

In the next second, a cold sweat covered his body. He panted heavily, his heart pounding wildly.

Covering his mouth with one hand, his black pupils trembled uncontrollably.

Was that… me just now?

How could I have such dangerous thoughts?

Now fully conscious, Xiao Yan felt an overwhelming sense of fear.

If not for Yao Chen's warning, he might have really acted on those twisted thoughts.

Why would he develop such an idea—acting recklessly just because of his strength, the very thing he despised the most?

Bang!

Under the stunned gazes of the mercenaries, Xiao Yan clenched his fist and punched himself hard in the face.

Just because he had killed Mu She, the strongest in Qingshan Town, was he now intoxicated by his own power?

Xiao Yan was genuinely terrified.

Strength… was truly intoxicating.

At that moment, he finally understood.

He understood why those who worshipped the law of the jungle did so.

The thrill of standing above others, the absolute freedom to do whatever one desired—no matter how vile the act—without facing any consequences.

Because… there was no one left to hold them accountable!

But to Xiao Yan, this was the most terrifying realization of all!

It meant that he had lost himself!

His own heart was supposed to be the final boundary for his actions!

If he lost even that, then what right did he have to call himself human?!

Wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth, Xiao Yan's eyes once again shone with unwavering determination.

His righteous path was far from over!!!

(Senior Yao, thank you!)

Xiao Yan solemnly expressed his gratitude to Yao Chen in his heart.

He understood very well—if he had followed through with those dark thoughts just now, he would have crossed a line from which there was no return.

He would have forever lost the person he was now.

Hearing Xiao Yan's gratitude, Yao Chen remained silent for a long time before finally speaking in a calm voice.

(Once this matter is settled, stop training for a while… if you truly want to stay on your path.)

(Yes!)

Xiao Yan responded firmly in his heart. Even if Yao Chen hadn't said it, he would have done so himself.

He sought power to walk his righteous path, not to become a slave to power!

Reversing one's purpose was the most foolish and the easiest mistake to make.

Lowering his gaze to Mu She's corpse, Xiao Yan stored it into his storage ring, then turned back to collect Mu Li's corpse as well. Afterward, he walked past the mercenaries frozen in place, leaving them with a single sentence:

"There are wounded comrades behind Wan Yao Zhai. Go treat them."

With that, Xiao Yan strode away toward the Wolf Head Mercenary Group.

He had promised Xiao Yi Xian that he would bring Boss Yao back safely. That was his current top priority.

As for Mu She and Mu Li's corpses, he would find a place to bury them properly after everything was settled.

"…Uh…"

"Hm?"

Hearing a hesitant voice from behind, Xiao Yan turned his head slightly, looking questioningly at the mercenary who had spoken. The moment Xiao Yan's gaze landed on him, the mercenary flinched in fear but mustered his courage to continue.

"Are… are you going to the Wolf Head Mercenary Group to rescue Boss Yao?"

"Yes."

Xiao Yan nodded lightly. The mercenary then added:

"Be careful… There's a Dou Ling powerhouse (Dou Spirit) in the Wolf Head Mercenary Group."

Dou Ling?!

Xiao Yan's expression froze. Wasn't Mu She supposed to be the strongest in Qingshan Town? How had another Dou Ling suddenly appeared?

Sensing Xiao Yan's confusion, the mercenary quickly explained.

"We weren't originally members of the Wolf Head Mercenary Group, but Mu She suddenly came into a large sum of money some time ago and used it to recruit us. Everyone could see that the conflict between the Wolf Head Mercenary Group and Wan Yao Zhai was escalating. At first, we didn't want to join, no matter how much money was offered. After all, many of us owed our lives to Boss Yao and Xiao Yi XCian, and we didn't want to become their enemies."

"But Mu She didn't just offer money—he threatened us with death! If we refused to join, the Dou Ling backing him would kill us! One of the mercenary group leaders who stood against Mu She was slaughtered by that Dou Ling for refusing to surrender!"

These mercenaries were rough men, but many of them still had a conscience.

However, at the end of the day, they were just ordinary people. Resisting the temptation of money was already difficult enough. But when their lives were on the line, few had the resolve to die for the sake of their benefactors.

No matter how guilty they felt, they had still ended up on the opposite side of Wan Yao Zhai.

Even if they were forced into it, it was still their own decision.

Between choosing death and betraying their benefactors, most had chosen the latter.

And those who had chosen death… were all long gone.

In the end, they were merely the weak, with no choice but to obey the strong—or die.

This was what it meant to be powerless.

Xiao Yan stared at the mercenary in a daze, the man's words echoing in his mind.

Suddenly, enlightenment struck him.

Perhaps those he had deemed irredeemable weren't unwilling to walk the righteous path—perhaps they simply couldn't.

Maybe it wasn't that they chose to stray from the righteous path but that the world around them forced them to.

Xiao Yan couldn't expect everyone to risk their lives for righteousness like he did.

Even he… if the lives of his loved ones were threatened, could he truly stay unwavering on his path?

Hadn't he almost strayed just moments ago?

(So… that's how it is.)

Xiao Yan's heart cleared.

Many weren't unwilling to follow the righteous path—the world simply made it impossible for them to do so.

The cost of righteousness… was far too high for ordinary people to bear.

"Thank you."

With newfound clarity, Xiao Yan smiled and bowed deeply to the mercenary.

"Thank you very much!"

Then, without looking back, he sprinted toward the Wolf Head Mercenary Group's base, his steps firm upon the earth.

A new plan had taken root in his heart.

Before, Xiao Yan had believed that only by personally promoting righteousness could he change this world's law of the jungle.

But now, he understood—

The one who changed the world didn't have to be him.

He had no right to claim himself as the sole representative of righteousness.

Such a notion was selfish and arrogant.

Instead, he needed to ensure that even if he were gone, the world would continue walking the righteous path!

To spread righteousness across the land—just as deeply as the belief in the survival of the fittest!

(End of Chapter)