Chapter 00128: Except for “No”, Everything Is Allowed (Thanks to Mad Yan Fei’s Alliance Leader)
# Except for “No”, Everything Is Allowed (Thanks to Mad Yan Fei’s Alliance Leader)
Chapter 128
Novel: Above Destiny
Chapter 128 – Except for “No”, Everything Is Allowed (Thanks to Mad Yan Fei’s Alliance Leader)
Twelve Superior Virtues – On the Battle Power Side, Everyone Agrees that Ether is unquestionably the weakest of the underclasses, even weaker than Ember.
In theory, people like this should be looked down on and thrown out of the heroes’ team, left behind in some remote backwater to live a laid-back life at their own pace.
But those who think this way have already met their end.
What use is fighting? In these troubled times with so many old coins around, are there really few fighters dying? Just last night in Cliff City, dozens if not hundreds lost their lives.
The Jianghu isn’t all about killing and brawling, nor is it only about human feelings and worldly affairs—compared to Ember, who must struggle hard just to secure even basic human rights, Ether is far more popular! After all, you may not buy alchemical items, but you always need to know where you carelessly left your key at home…
Never underestimate Ether’s intelligence network.
Just look at the Northern Mountains District.
If something went awry, Wen Wen could slack off, Old Zhang could focus on his health and tea, and Xiao An could follow Ji Jue to have some fun outdoors.
But if Tong Hua slacked off too much, half of the entire branch would go to waste.
If it hadn’t been for Tong Hua yesterday, Wen Wen’s position would already have fallen into a deep pit—how could she have extricated herself in time?
Ether has no combat power.
And Ether doesn’t need that sort of thing.
Any chosen one has no choice but to depend on Ether—the inevitability of events leaving traces, asking what has happened, am I doomed? Is there a grandchild out to harm me? Where are my enemies hiding? And does she really love me? In theory, everything that occurs has a cause and effect, and every step leaves behind a trace.
And Ether’s Eye is the one that reads it all.
Even at a higher level, it’s not just empty talk to say you can manipulate fate and alter reality.
Just look at the Tong family.
Over the years they have sat firmly in Cliff City and grown steadily, always choosing the right winners and making the important choices during every storm.
They’ve earned half of Cliff City for themselves, and they barely have any enemies… even if there are any, they were eliminated long ago; they never stood a chance.
Just this ability to quietly amass wealth already surpasses those folks who scrape by with a few scraps of funeral money from nearly lethal battles.
If bending down could make it that easy to pick up money from the ground, who would be fighting and killing?
Ji Jue must have that ability—to work behind the scenes and survive for eternity.
Under the scrutiny of Ether’s Way, there is no use in fleeing or hiding.
As long as someone has a hair, a piece of intimate clothing, or even just a photo, even if Chen Yubai flees to the ends of the earth, he will be tracked down.
More than four billion in funds and shares whose prices are nearly impossible to estimate… With such enormous wealth, it is enough for all the Ether Chosen ones in Haizhou, upon hearing of these matters, to take out their water basins, tarot cards, dice, pendulums, astrolabes, and whatever else, just to see if the Tang Monk Meat (that is, someone’s prized asset) is near their doorstep.
Up until now, only eleven people have managed to find him, and that alone is thanks to Uncle Lin’s interference blockade!
“Don’t worry,” Uncle Lin reassured. “Even from the time we built this manor, the boss already hired a Mirror affiliate Ether Chosen one to set up the Misty Secret Ceremony.”
Uncle Lin continued, “Except for the fuzzy location of Yubai, Ether can’t detect anything else—unless the other side can call in the Celestials. Otherwise, it’s absolutely safe.”
In the end, these words were nearly empty talk.
If there really were Celestials interested in these mundane worldly fortunes, then Chen Yubai would be wise to immediately step forward, kowtowing at the boss’s feet—and even a moment’s hesitation would show a lack of respect for his own life.
Moreover, even if they discovered Chen Yubai’s location, the Ether Chosen ones might not act.
Perhaps they would sell the information, or maybe they would simply take a glance and lose interest.
The opponent hasn’t even made his move—there’s no need to scare ourselves.
After Chen Yubai finished his measurement, Xiao An took the crystal ball to mess around with.
Instantly, it became completely empty and clear.
In these times, even the Ether Chosen ones know the value of life—who’s got nothing better to do than creep on An Family’s White Deer Hunter? In fact, even just having the bloodline of the An family is enough to interfere with most Ether techniques.
But then… as the crystal ball landed in Ji Jue’s hands, three dazzling red spots clearly appeared! There was no disguise, no processing at all—it was as if they were a Trojan horse lying on a computer desktop, leaving Ji Jue frozen in place in utter shock.
Three?
With a bit of thought, one of them should be Tong Hua—no matter how well prepared he was, Wen Wen would surely not be entirely neglecting him.
And another, if Ji Jue wasn’t mistaken, should be his own teacher.
He was an apprentice in the workshop, and his teacher held the form with his own signature—Professor Ye’s collections and accumulations made it clear that this teacher’s condition was almost like playing a game.
These two made Ji Jue’s heart settle, and he sighed in relief.
But… who on earth was the last one?!
Ji Jue scratched his head in bewilderment, unable to figure it out.
Could it be that after Brother Lou suffered a loss he couldn’t bear his anger, and now is keeping tabs on Ji Jue day and night, waiting for a chance to take revenge? That couldn’t be the case—no matter how formidable the Lou family is, they wouldn’t be so unwilling to lose face.
Then who is it?
Since becoming a Chosen one, he hadn’t offended any living person—the ones he did anger were already dead.
When did he attract the attention of an Ether Chosen one?
As if sensing Ji Jue’s detection, one of the red spots flickered briefly and then disappeared, leaving the remaining two calmly fixed—actually, they even intensified.
Alright, it’s certain that the remaining two are acquaintances.
Wiping the sweat from his head, Ji Jue deeply realized another truth—some matters are like cockroaches in the coffee machine, computer pop-up ads, or a bowl of pig’s trotters with two cold dishes and a fried egg for just ten bucks… As long as life goes on, it’s best not to waste time searching for one’s own fun when things are already good enough.
Best to act as if nothing is amiss!
He leaned back in his chair, gazing at the sea, doing nothing but sighing.
Meanwhile, in the restaurant, the atmosphere gradually became lively.
“Hey there! Good to see you both.”
A young man with a shock of blonde hair decked out in flashy streetwear swaggered in.
He sat next to Ji Jue and, acting all familiar, patted him on the shoulder, drawing a suspicious glance from Xiao An, who saw Ji Jue’s fingers moving before quickly averting his eyes.
Unaware that his throat was only a hair’s breadth away from touching the iron plate nearby, the young man—adorned with gold chains all over—chewed on his gum. “Call me Golden Hair, alright? I run the Nan Mountain Way territory over there; everyone calls me Brother Golden Hair. And you, brother? Haven’t seen you before.”
“Hello, Brother Golden Hair,” Ji Jue greeted with a smile and shook his hand. “I’m from the Northern Mountains District.”
“Oh, brother, your life must be rough then.”
Golden Hair was shocked, pulling down his sunglasses to inspect Ji Jue closely. “Those women at the Security Bureau are terrifying. I heard from a friend that someone snaking out of her territory got caught and beaten until half their body was paralyzed—still hasn’t even gotten up. What line of work are you in?”
Ji Jue replied, “I do home appliance repair and occasionally trade parts to make ends meet.”
“Ah, life is tough indeed.”
Golden Hair sighed and lit a cigarette. “Nowadays, life is hard. The big shots in the city fight tooth and nail, and we small fry could end up lying dead on the ground any day now. How about joining the Nan Mountain Way? Everyone’s with Boss Chen—it’s all about mutual support, earn money together. I can set up a branch for you!”
“No thanks. There aren’t enough people; we wouldn’t be able to draw a crowd,” Ji Jue said helplessly, gesturing at Xiao An sitting opposite. “There are only two of you—how can you keep an eye on things?”
“Ah, come on, don’t be so polite. How about, after the meeting, we find a place to sing a few songs?”
Brother Golden Hair was excited, his eyes alight as he continued, until a soon-approaching, white-haired, slightly haggard man called out from not far away, urging, “Ah Mao, enough nonsense! Do you want us all to sit here waiting for you to finish babbling?”
Ah Mao hesitated for a moment, glanced over at the group of people with gloomy, sullen expressions seated around the large table, then looked over at the casually relaxed Ji Jue, paused in surprise, as though finally realizing his mistake.
Looking a bit embarrassed, he got up and sat down with them.
“Old Lin, you need to give your brothers a clear answer. What’s the boss’s condition exactly? The brothers are in chaos—someone needs to step up to set things straight.”
Before the white-haired man could finish his sentence, a middle-aged man sitting next to Chen Yubai, puffing on a cigarette, snorted coldly. “What? The boss is not dead yet, and Uncle Fu already wants to jump in as his successor? I have no objection—I fully support it! Since you’re so eager to get yourself killed, let’s see if Lei Yaoxing makes you his side dish.”
“Hey, Xu, don’t spout nonsense!” Fu Yuanqing’s face suddenly darkened. “I’m doing this for the brothers, for the organization!”
“Boss got injured and is in the hospital, yet you don’t seem in a hurry,” Xu Jun raised an eyebrow. “You’re more jumpy than ever, in constant contact with the uncles.”
“This morning, one of my brothers saw someone having morning tea with people from Hengfa and Lei Yaoxing. Was that you?”
“Xu, don’t go spouting venom!”
“I say, perhaps indeed you’re the one spouting venom.” Someone nearby shot him a cold glance. “It’s not the first time you’ve played both sides. You’re so used to betraying your brothers for a good price that it’s become your style.”
“Ha, and you have the nerve to criticize me?”
Fu Yuanqing fumed, “Who doesn’t know you, Yang Jun, are playing both sides? Your adopted daughter just tumbled out of Jin Yabao’s bed and landed right under the crotch of Brow-Tooth Kun—you think no one knows?”
“Dammit, I’m loyal to the boss. I’ve stayed at the hospital since last night, watching over him. Where the hell were you?”
“I do think what Xu Jun said makes sense.”
“Fuck you—do you think that makes sense?”
“At this critical moment, while our organization is in shambles, you’re still quarreling…”
“The boss isn’t dead, and you all want a new leader already?”
“Alright, everyone, let’s calm down.”
Amid the heated arguing and quarrels, Chen Yubai, seated at the head of the table, kept his head bowed, barely daring to speak, shrinking more and more in his seat, afraid that someone might take notice of him.
Then, suddenly, a deep cough was heard from behind him.
It was Uncle Lin.
In an instant, all noise fell silent, leaving only the incessant crash of the tide outside the window.
“The boss once said that in this world, apart from life and death struggles, we must stick together. It’s alright if our own brothers have some faults and shortcomings. A man must first be able to live before he can talk of loyalty and righteousness. Now, with the boss near death, if anyone wants to change decks and slip away, there’s no reason for me to hold you back.”
Behind Chen Yubai, the man with his hands clasped behind him spoke slowly, “The accountant is downstairs. If anyone here wants to leave, once business and accounts are settled, you’re free to go. But think carefully—”
His voice grew colder, “Once you leave through that door, none of you will have any further ties, whether you become Lei Yaoxing’s loyal followers or leave Cliff City. You’re no longer connected to the boss!”
In this critical time of turmoil, Uncle Lin’s tone was anything but conciliatory.
There was no wavering in his resolve… yet the harshness in his words, under the pressure brought by Lei Yaoxing, strangely possessed a deterrent beauty that made even Ji Jue, who had been munching on his popcorn, pause in his movements.
In the long, silent pause, everyone looked at each other.
Several times, someone seemed about to speak up as if to persuade the others, but under Uncle Lin’s indifferent gaze, no one could find the words.
Expressions changed, faces shifted.
It was truly remarkable.
At this moment, those who looked sour and angry may not necessarily be demons, while those with open expressions might not truly be loyal.
More and more, the true stances of the people began to reveal themselves in hesitation and vacillation.
“Sorry, Old Lin,” began a bearded middle-aged man, who was one of the Ether Chosen sitting on the edge.
After hesitating for a moment, he finally said, “If the boss were still here, I’d risk my life without a second thought; but…”
“No need to say more, I understand.” Uncle Lin waved his hand, his expression softening as he patted the man’s shoulder, “At this critical moment, the fact that you’re the first to mention leaving—without stabbing anyone in the back—is already the height of benevolence. With the boss gone, I, as his assistant, have no right to ask you to risk your life. After all these years of hard work, let’s part on good terms. If fate permits, we’ll meet again.”
The man was stunned for a moment, then sat in a daze, and finally nodded.
He didn’t even bother looking back as he left hastily with his head down.
One leader left, then another, then a third… Soon, among the Ether Chosen present, six had departed, leaving only three people who remained seated, unmoved.
And among the others responsible for managing the business, some hesitantly stepped forward, went downstairs to settle business and left.
In less than ten minutes, the bustling atmosphere in the restaurant dwindled to nearly nothing.
The number of people remaining was less than a third of what had been there originally.
When the leader falls, the retinue scatters—in these days, isn’t everyone out here just trying to make money? Loyalty to the White Deer is a joke anyhow, and moreover, those who are willing to step up voluntarily to cut ties without betraying from behind are already considered true brothers.
Yet among those remaining, not everyone had a firm stance—perhaps some were merely waiting for a higher price.
Before the meal was finished, the gathering ended—not because there was enough food, but because there was no more coming together.
After a long while, when no one rose again, Uncle Lin spoke up once more, “No one else leaving? Ah Yi, Seventeen, Golden Hair Boy?”
“Old Uncle Lin, what do you mean by that!” Golden Hair Boy, who had been holding back his anger for a while, flushed red. “Out here, we’re all about loyalty. A true brother stands by his words. The boss’s younger brother is my brother… cough, my family—I’m not afraid of whatever Lei Yaoxing’s got!”
His words rang forcefully.
It was a pity that his voice wasn’t even steadier.
“Is everyone thinking the same?” Uncle Lin looked around.
The man nicknamed Seventeen calmly smoked, “The boss pays, and I give my life. If it weren’t for the boss taking care of my usurious loans, I’d have sold my kidneys long ago.”
“Uh…I…I’m the same…” a young man called Ah Yi nervously stood up to answer, only to stop midway, not knowing what to say, and awkwardly sat back down.
Others echoed in unison.
But unlike the thugs, the more thoughtful speakers were eloquent—speaking with a flair that made everyone feel reassured.
At this moment, Ji Jue couldn’t help but sigh—why couldn’t he be the one at the core of things? Was it because his desires weren’t strong or abundant enough? With so many of the Twelve Superior Virtues coming by, even Brother Xin Shuan wouldn’t give him a second glance? Alas, he just didn’t possess the divine talent for Ether; he had never learned how to read subtle expressions or such.
After witnessing the entire lively scene, he could only muse that everything seemed as it was—a muddle where true and fake, honest and deceitful, were impossible to tell.
But just then, Uncle Lin turned back and looked directly at him.
With respectful tones he said, “Mr. Ji, could I trouble you to take a look?”
Ji Jue paused his snacking for a moment, “I only said I would protect Chen Yubai, not that I’d work for you guys.”
“Thank you for your trouble.”
Uncle Lin earnestly pleaded, “We simply can’t leave any hidden threats behind. In case there are traitors among you, so that everyone loses peace of mind—it’s not wise to leave pests literally under our noses.”
Ji Jue sighed deeply, “Alright.”
No sooner had he spoken than, in the quiet, two phone ringtones suddenly rang out.
They came out of sequence, each distinct.
In the midst of the stunned glances and bewildered looks from everyone, Ji Jue raised his hand, pointing at the two people who had received the calls. “This one, and this one.”
As soon as the words left his mouth, blood-red light burst forth.
Black smoke and sparks of fire emerged from Uncle Lin’s hand, flickering in an instant—and then, the head of the man called Seventeen simply fell off his shoulders.
Viscous blood took over, dripping from the split, drawing out a chorus of screams and exclamations.
The bewildered expression on his face spoke volumes—he couldn’t understand what had just happened even at the moment of death.
“W-what… what is this…?”
Chen Yubai trembled violently, his hands frantic as he wiped the blood off his face. “What’s going on here?”
“Yeah, what’s happening here?”
Ji Jue rested his chin on his hand, eyes lowered as he spoke, “Some folks who pretend to be loyal have already been secretly conspiring with outsiders. Tonight, they intend to swallow up Chen Xingzhou’s inheritance. They even think that after grabbing the money, Chen Big Brother’s head can serve as a token for currying favor with the new boss.”
He paused for a moment, then looked at another person, “Right?”
“Bullshit!” Xu Jun, whose face turned furious as he glared at him, suddenly slammed his cup onto the floor. “Where did this little brat come from? Just spouting off baseless accusations that someone is a traitor—you, I bet, look more like the traitor! Old Lin, I’ve been working for the boss for so long, and now you dare let this random little bastard smear my name?”
Old Lin said nothing, merely staring at him impassively.
Ji Jue also said nothing.
Instead, in his hand his phone’s screen flickered with images of panicked and suspicious faces, one after another.
With a helpless sigh, he thought—he hadn’t intended to be so blatant and direct.
He originally planned to mention it to Old Lin after the meeting, letting him handle everything himself.
He didn’t want to get involved in these internal squabbles, let alone play a game of Werewolf with the remnants of Chen Xingzhou’s group.
He wasn’t the central figure who could read hearts like the legendary Empress, nor was he Ether, capable of discerning the truth in someone’s words…
But he did have his Mechanical Divination! Although this Mechanical Divination wasn’t omnipotent, apart from the parts it couldn’t do, it was quite effective!
These days, being a traitor without putting in effort was too careless.
If you don’t use pigeons to send messages or secret codes for communication, but simply send texts, what can you do? You can’t even pretend not to know.
This wretched place was so far from the city and lacked even a handful of helmet-wearing fishing enthusiasts, that even Unbound Communications wasn’t willing to invest in any substantial infrastructure—within a radius of a dozen or so miles around, there was only one signal tower, and it was built right next to a villa!
Ji Jue didn’t even need to step outside.
From the window by the staircase corridor, he casually connected to it.
And then he realized just how convenient this thing was.
In today’s society, where everyone is glued to their phones and even a one-segment drop in signal makes one feel uneasy, it felt as if the entire map had been opened up in an instant.
Any phone that came close would automatically connect, and Ji Jue didn’t even have to painstakingly sift through them one by one! Unless it was satellite communication or an encrypted VVVIP call from Unbound Communications, no flowing data could escape his notice.
Calls, text messages, chat app records, virtual number activity, short video browsing history… With just one command, Brother Tower would immediately relay all related information right before his eyes.
The day he arrived, he had already tampered with the signal tower and then went underground to work on the network server.
After presetting some commands, this morning he checked it again.
With Brother Tower and Service Brother on his side, not only could he track secret transactions between traitors, he even knew who was up late at night, surreptitiously using the villa’s WIFI to download cat pictures or search for the best bargains on cat food.
What do you think, Chen Yubai?
But sadly, Chen Yubai now couldn’t even smile.
Instead, his tears were on the verge of breaking free.
At the moment he sensed Uncle Lin’s cold, indifferent gaze, Xu Jun suddenly produced a gun.
Without hesitation, he pressed it against the forehead of Chen Yubai seated nearby.
Gone was the familiar warmth and friendliness from when they first met and sat down.
Now it was the stark unveiling of a dagger—only cruelty remained.
Ah, please, someone lend me a monthly pass~
(End of Chapter)