Chapter 00143: Dragon and Snake
# Dragon and Snake
Chapter 143
Novel: Above Destiny
Chapter 143: Dragon and Snake
This was a gamble.
A gamble with everything Chen Xingzhou and Lei Yaoxing had on the line.
The verdict was to be decided by the leader beyond the clouds and mist, who would oversee the entire situation—starting from the moment that single bullet shattered the balance.
There was no room for tricks, no space for pretense or acting.
Either die in a ridiculous manner, or claw your way out of hell and reach out to seize everything you desire!
This was the ultimate punishment the leader had imposed on Chen Xingzhou in advance, for his selfish actions that sought to push the Wild Gathering of Cliff City into the crosshairs of everyone's hatred.
A crime deserving of death.
From the moment that bullet was fired, the Wild Gathering of Cliff City had only two possible outcomes.
The first was that Lei Yaoxing would suppress everyone, using methods and strength surpassing even Lei Wuye's, and ascend to the throne, becoming the true ruler of Cliff City.
In that case, Chen Xingzhou would be nothing more than a clown, not even worth a laugh.
The second was that, under the weight of public anger, Lei Yaoxing would find himself with no way forward and no way back, unable to decisively end the conflict or control the situation, ultimately threatening the safety of everyone involved.
Once the tacit understanding and balance were broken, Chen Xingzhou, having returned from death, would represent all the other participants and settle the score.
Now, the victor had finally been decided before the spirit altar.
Lei Yaoxing ultimately lacked the ability to control the Wild Gathering and reshape the wasteland.
Or rather, under Chen Xingzhou's interference and guidance, one wrong step led to another, and the situation spiraled out of control to such an extent.
Meanwhile, Chen Xingzhou, who had previously been overlooked, opened his eyes and, in just one night, through promises, threats, negotiations, and schemes, managed to reunite the scattered forces once more.
The long night had ended.
After today, the dark side of Cliff City would never be the same again.
Lei Wuye was dead, and the last traces of him would be completely erased from the Wild Gathering.
The stagnant balance and confrontation of the past would never return.
No, perhaps when Lei Wuye, in order to maintain his own status and power, deliberately allowed the wilderness to stagnate and decay, he had already incurred the disdain and contempt of the White Deer.
The heavens favored balance and stability, but what the White Deer sought was the survival of the fittest and the cycle of the strong devouring the weak.
The stagnant waters of Cliff City had rotted for far too long.
And in just half a month, under Chen Xingzhou's push—all the battles they should have fought, all the hunts and struggles they should have offered, had already been repaid to the White Deer...
Even more than enough.
This was a sacrifice willingly offered to the wilderness by everyone.
For profit, for ambition, for hatred, or for other reasons...
And as the old and incompetent fools fell, new seeds, blessed by the White Deer, sprouted in the spreading blood.
Ambition and desire once again germinated in the wasteland.
The young beasts, hungry and unruly, eager to challenge everything.
The transition from old to new was complete.
From this point on, everything would be different from yesterday.
"Give up, Young Master Xing. No one will support you."
Chen Xingzhou sighed lightly, showing the supporters behind him: "The uncles and elders don't back you, the bosses don't stand with you, no one supports you. Even if I die, do you really think you can ascend to the throne? Who would believe your promises and guarantees? The position of the leader is already out of your reach."
He said, "Leave Cliff City before this afternoon, and the Wild Gathering will still have a place for you."
Boom!
Without warning, a bolt from the blue.
Old Lin, who had been outside the door, suddenly appeared in front of Chen Xingzhou, his hand wreathed in flames and smoke, forming a strange outline that firmly blocked the invisible blade slicing through the air.
The entire spirit hall shook violently, flowers flying up in the chaos, withering as they fell, leaving a scene of utter devastation.
"You think you can decide? Chen Xingzhou, what the hell are you?"
Lei Yaoxing's eyes were bloodshot as he disdainfully glanced at Chen Xingzhou and the people behind him: "You think you can win against me with a bunch of ragtag fools? This place isn't yours to command—if the leader wants my life, let him come and tell me himself! If you want my life, come and take it yourself!"
At that moment, as Lei Yaoxing spoke, many people in the spirit hall suddenly stood up, no longer holding back as they revealed their spiritual fluctuations, their malice palpable as they glared at Chen Xingzhou and his followers.
The situation? Strength? Public opinion?
For beasts, these were useless things, not even worth a laugh.
Even a cornered beast knows to fight with its back to the wall.
Who would be the leader? Only a fight would tell.
Even if the living might not win, the dead one certainly couldn't!
"Very well, at this point, I have nothing more to say."
Chen Xingzhou sighed lightly and finally said, "I leave it to you."
With that, he turned to look at Ji Jue.
"Huh?"
Ji Jue was stunned, confused, almost dropping the melon seeds in his hand.
Under everyone's gaze, his mind buzzed—what the hell? What's going on? What use is it to leave it to me?
Buddy, I'm just here to watch the show.
Your life-and-death struggles with the White Deer have nothing to do with me!
But then, a soft voice sounded from behind him.
"Alright," she said.
When Ji Jue turned around in shock, he almost thought it was Xiao An who had arrived at the scene.
But it wasn't Xiao An.
It was another figure he had just bid farewell to last night...
—An Ning!
At some point, she had brought a stool and sat behind him, but Ji Jue hadn't sensed any presence or movement.
Even during the tedious wait, she had casually tied three small braids on the back of Ji Jue's head.
And throughout it all, Ji Jue had been completely unaware...
Now, as the girl stood up and walked toward the conflict, no one could ignore her presence anymore.
The starlight-like brilliance in her eyes had vanished, replaced by an endless darkness like the night.
The gentle, sweet smile was gone, replaced by a cold, indifferent calm.
After waiting for such a long time and experiencing so many unexpected twists, her work had finally begun.
All the vivid characteristics she once had were now gone.
As An Ning actively erased all color, what remained was simply the executor of the leader's will.
Like the embodiment of the Wild Gathering.
The White Deer Hunter walked toward the conflict.
And so, facing everyone, she raised her right hand, showing the thin glove she wore, blood-red.
The black emblem of the White Deer glowed.
"Today, I represent the leader to deliver the verdict—"
She gazed at the many enraged or terrified beasts and coldly declared, "The conflict in Cliff City ends here. Do not stir up further strife. The incompetent will be expelled, the disobedient will die."
After a brief pause, the White Deer Hunter asked one final question:
"—Now, the Wild Gathering asks, do you dare to rebel against the leader?"
In that moment of silence, everyone except Chen Xingzhou and Lei Yaoxing took a step back, their expressions wavering.
Soon, the once violent spiritual fluctuations completely dissipated.
Some even voluntarily put down their weapons and guns, stepping back repeatedly.
Old Lin remained unmoved.
And behind Lei Yaoxing, among his silent supporters, some hesitated, gritted their teeth, and turned to leave in a hurry; others hesitated before stepping back.
In the end, even his closest aides and subordinates bowed their heads in submission under the White Deer Hunter's gaze.
But when they saw Lei Yaoxing still standing tall and fierce, they couldn't help but whisper advice:
"Brother Xing, as long as the green hills remain..."
"Brother Xing!"
Lei Yaoxing didn't speak, nor did he pay attention to their pulling.
His face was ashen.
He coldly stared at the retreating figures around him, and finally, his gaze fell on An Ning.
His killing intent was like a caged beast, bound by invisible chains, unable to break free.
He just gritted his teeth, stubbornly refusing to lower his head.
"Someone from the An family, huh..."
He sneered through clenched teeth, "Heh, it's been a while."
An Ning simply tossed a box toward him: "Before coming, Grandpa said, out of respect for the slight friendship he had with Lei Wuye, to bring you something."
She said, "I hope you know what's best for you."
The box landed at Lei Yaoxing's feet.
He silently bent down, picked it up, and opened it.
Inside wasn't some quick-acting poison or a letter.
Nestled in the soft, luxurious velvet and padding was just a common, coarse porcelain bowl with a rooster design.
It looked like it had been used for many years.
The rooster on it had faded, with many scratches.
"The White Deer is the way of the wilderness. The strong devouring the weak is the natural order, but the wilderness also has its rules. If anyone tries to cut off the water source and endanger the wasteland, they become the enemy of all beasts. In half a month, you failed to unite Cliff City and suppress dissent. If you still don't know when to stop and continue to struggle in vain, you will become the source of disaster."
An Ning said, "The wilderness can no longer tolerate you. You must leave the wilderness and find your own path. This is his guarantee to you."
A bowl, of course, is for holding food, even the bowl of the Wild Gathering is no exception.
As long as a person has a bowl, they have food to eat.
As long as this bowl exists, no one can take that food away.
As long as a person has food, they can survive.
This was the grace the Wild Gathering bestowed.
Leave Cliff City and find your own way.
If you have grand ambitions, perhaps one day you can make a comeback and reclaim the position of leader.
Life and fate are in your own hands.
"Now, on behalf of the Wild Gathering, I ask you once more, Lei Yaoxing—"
In the silence, An Ning asked one final question, "Do you obey the leader's command?"
Lei Yaoxing didn't answer.
He just silently stared at the bowl in his hand, a mocking smile appearing on his ashen face, though it was unclear whether he was mocking others or himself.
But in the end, when he looked up and saw the emptiness around him, and then at Chen Xingzhou in the crowd, his twitching expression gradually calmed.
In the end, only exhaustion and numbness remained.
"Heh, a complete defeat."
He sighed lightly, raising the bowl in his hand toward An Ning, his knuckles white: "Thank you, Old An, for the lifeline."
With that, he smiled calmly, without a care.
"What a pity."
Lei Yaoxing said, "I won't beg for my life on my knees!"
Crack!
With a wave of his hand, the Wild Gathering's final act of mercy fell to the ground and shattered.
The crisp sound was like thunder, startling everyone's expressions.
Then came the sound of blood flowing.
Falling to the ground.
"Ha... ha..."
Lei Yaoxing's eyes widened in shock as he raised his hand to touch his throat, only then realizing the cold, sharp sensation that cut his fingers.
As the coarse porcelain bowl fell and shattered, one of the pieces lightly bounced off the ground.
As if by coincidence, it pierced his throat.
Even the dynamic vision of a chosen one couldn't detect it, and even the regenerative abilities of a rebirth-level existence couldn't exempt him.
Unavoidable, unblockable, and impossible to guard against.
Like fate.
A bowl is for holding food.
If the bowl is shattered, there's no more food.
And a person will die.
This was the path Lei Yaoxing had chosen for himself.
.
At that moment, far beyond Cliff City, deep in the wilderness among the dense forests of the mountains, birds took flight in alarm.
An old man basking in the sun on a reclining chair seemed to sense something, his eyes slightly lifting.
But soon, he lost interest and looked away.
What a pity.
He had learned Lei Wuye's arrogance of life and death being beyond his control, but he hadn't learned the forbearance of enduring humiliation under the crotch.
Given time, he might have soared to the heavens, but alas, the dragon gate was too difficult to pass.
In the end, he was not destined for greatness.
No, perhaps he had chosen to give up because... in the clouds and mist above the heavens, that position had already been taken!
The great changes, rising and falling at will.
So high and distant that it left him utterly despairing.
But... the giant serpent that now rose with the tide and summoned the wind, when it finally revealed its true form, would it be a dragon or a snake?
The old man gazed at the dark clouds drifting in from afar, seemingly lost in thought.
After a long while, he waved his hand.
And closed his eyes to rest once more.
The clouds dispersed, the mist cleared, and the sky was once again clear and boundless.
(End of Chapter)