"Yuan Er, pays his respects to Mister Ning!"
At the moment Yuan Er knelt before him, Ning Zhuo hesitated.
He contemplated whether he should take advantage of the opportunity to truly take control of the entire Monkey Head Gang, making it serve his own purposes.
Although Yuan Dasheng had become a useless relic, his soul remained in the palace, and it could still be a powerful weapon to claim the Immortal Palace’s inheritance!
But then, Ning Zhuo quickly regained his composure.
"One must not be swayed by superficial gains!"
"Persuading Yuan Er was merely a matter of exploiting a moment of weakness, a victory achieved through borrowed momentum. In the end, I am not the one who has truly subdued him."
"If in the future, Fei Si tries to recruit him, or one of the other three major factions, would Yuan Er truly be loyal to me? Absolutely not."
"And more importantly, even if Yuan Er were completely loyal to me, could I truly rely on him to control the Monkey Head Gang?"
Ning Zhuo shook his head inwardly.
Many of the gang members had already lost confidence in Yuan Er.
"Could I control Yuan Dasheng through Yuan Er?"
Again, Ning Zhuo shook his head in his heart.
Yuan Dasheng had always acted independently, rarely obeying Yuan Er. Rising from the bottom, he had his own grand strategies and judgments.
He had only suffered a setback due to being caught off guard, unaware of Ning Zhuo as a formidable opponent.
Given the time to gather information, he would, with his experience in battles and rise to power, his wisdom hardened by years, soon realize his true predicament.
Most likely, he would then seek out one of the four major forces, casting Ning Zhuo aside—or even eliminating him.
"Right now, I am as weak as a chick walking along a cliff’s edge, precariously close to destruction. How can I afford to lose my footing by succumbing to temptation?"
"One wrong step, and it’s a fall off the cliff, resulting in utter annihilation!"
With that thought, Ning Zhuo’s mind cleared completely, and he was no longer dazzled by the false sense of advantage.
He reached out with both hands, helping Yuan Er stand up, and praised him, "To recognize the situation at hand is truly the mark of a wise hero…"
He spoke kindly to calm Yuan Er’s emotions, and only when he saw the man finally composed did he reveal his true purpose: "Now that you’ve pledged allegiance to our side, we will certainly do our utmost to ensure your position as leader."
"Your personal combat strength is a bit lacking, though. According to Lord Fei Si’s instructions, we will make every effort to create a custom mechanical construct for you."
"This construct will be at Foundation Establishment level, allowing you to suppress the other elders within the gang."
"Oh?" Yuan Er’s eyes lit up, feeling a surge of hope.
The substantial investment and supportive attitude from the other side reassured him.
But then, Ning Zhuo’s next words once again triggered his anger, nearly causing him to lash out!
Ning Zhuo nodded. "It’s good that you agree."
"Now, hand Yuan Dasheng over to us so we can create a powerful mechanical monkey for you."
Yuan Er almost jumped up in anger. "No, that’s impossible!"
He immediately and firmly refused without hesitation.
"Hmm?!" Ning Zhuo frowned immediately. "Leader Yuan Er, think carefully!"
"Only with the finest materials can we create the strongest constructs."
"Do you really think we sought a monkey corpse to humiliate you? You think too highly of yourself."
"Only by using parts from a monkey can an excellent mechanical monkey be crafted."
Yuan Er shook his head adamantly. "Even so, I will never use my Monkey Uncle's…"
Impatiently, Ning Zhuo waved his hand, interrupting him bluntly. "Enough, Yuan Er, why are you still clinging to sentimental nonsense?"
"Let me tell you plainly, you must provide the materials."
"Only by using Yuan Dasheng’s remains can we create a superior mechanical monkey to protect you in the future."
"We need you to remain as the leader of the Monkey Head Gang, but what do you think the elders will do?"
"Your combat power is limited, and without a strong guardian by your side, what will you do if the elders hire an assassin to take you out?"
Yuan Er remained silent.
Ning Zhuo continued, "Fools only shed tears once they see the coffin."
"But by then, it’s already too late!"
"Since you’ve decided to side with us, why not go all the way?"
Yuan Er shook his head firmly, resolute.
"Mister Ning, no need to persuade me further. My Monkey Uncle has shown me kindness beyond measure and has greatly contributed to the gang. I intend to ensure his later years are peaceful."
"If I fail to do that, what kind of person am I?!"
Ning Zhuo squinted slightly, a sudden impulse rising within him to punch Yuan Er to death right then and there, and then finish off Yuan Dasheng as well!
He had circled around this entire plan solely for Yuan Dasheng.
Now, with success within reach, this final obstacle was testing his patience.
But his rational mind reminded him not to act rashly.
Taking a deep breath, Ning Zhuo suppressed his irritation and softened his tone. "Leader Yuan Er, your virtues are truly admirable."
"I respect that kind of character, and I respect you!"
"However…you are being somewhat selfish."
Yuan Er stared, bewildered. "How can you call this selfish? If I were selfish, I would have agreed to use my Monkey Uncle’s remains as materials long ago!"
Ning Zhuo pressed on, "Leader, have you ever thought about what your Monkey Uncle would want?"
Yuan Er froze.
Ning Zhuo continued, "Your Monkey Uncle is brave, fearless, and a true warrior among warriors. Do you think he would prefer to die in battle, or to waste away in bed?"
"I think if your Monkey Uncle were to become a useless shell, confined to a bed, he would feel worse than death."
"This extended twilight of his life may be satisfying your filial piety, but to him, it’s unspeakable cruelty—a humiliation without equal!"
Yuan Er furrowed his brow deeply, lost in thought.
A cold glint flashed in Ning Zhuo’s eyes.
He gave a gentle smile, his voice soft and comforting, like a soothing rain, "Why don’t you ask your Monkey Uncle?"
"After everything he has done for you, if he truly despises such a life, I believe he would be willing to offer himself."
"Even in death, he might choose to stay by your side in another form, to watch over and protect you."
"Why don’t you ask him?"
Yuan Er raised his head, his face ashen, his gaze vacant, muttering, "Yes, Mister Ning, you’re absolutely right. Why don’t I ask my Monkey Uncle myself?"
Yuan Er left the study and went to the master bedroom, kneeling by the bedside.
Yuan Dasheng was still unconscious.
Yuan Er opened his mouth, attempting to speak, but after several tries, he found himself unable to say a word.
The mighty, towering figure that once gave him boundless security now seemed as fragile as paper, unable to offer him the slightest comfort.
Yuan Er’s thoughts grew increasingly tangled, his vision blurred with tears.
Through the veil of tears, Yuan Er seemed to journey back in time.
In his childhood…
He had climbed all over Yuan Dasheng’s body, as if scaling a towering, smoldering volcano.
When he could walk and jump…
"Monkey Uncle, they bullied me!"
Yuan Er would bring Yuan Dasheng along to settle the score, terrifying the other children to the point of tears and panic.
While playing in the water…
"Hey, Monkey Uncle, why is mine so small, but yours is so big?"
A young Yuan Er asked curiously, pointing between his legs and Yuan Dasheng’s.
Growing a little older…
Yuan Er’s fighting spirit awakened, his curiosity piqued by a question.
"Monkey Uncle, who’s stronger, you or my dad? Have you two ever fought? I asked Dad, but he never answers."
After a victorious gang battle…
Yuan Er would run up to Yuan Dasheng, his face filled with admiration and excitement.
"Monkey Uncle, you’re amazing! So powerful! When will I be as strong as you?"
Then, slowly…
Things began to change.
The harsh reality shattered Yuan Er’s childhood dream that hard work alone would bring greatness.
Cultivation was about talent.
"I can never be as strong as Monkey Uncle!"
"Monkey Uncle is really strong!"
"Monkey Uncle is incredibly strong!!"
"Monkey Uncle is…too strong…"
The once-adoring boy had turned into a troubled young man.
The same fact that once inspired admiration and reverence now filled him with unease and doubt.
"My father depended on Monkey Uncle to establish this gang. When he’s gone, will I be able to control Monkey Uncle?"
Yuan Er grew increasingly anxious as he watched his father weaken, succumbing to his injuries.
"Our strongest asset in the Monkey Head Gang is Monkey Uncle. Strength is power, and should the foundation of power rest with Monkey Uncle?"
"The Monkey Head Gang… Monkey Head Gang…is it a gang for people, or a kingdom of monkeys?"
Yuan Er felt lost as he looked upon the growing number of monkey pets.
When he noticed the elders’ trembling reverence towards Yuan Dasheng, his feelings became a complex mix.
…
During a gang battle, Yuan Er shouted in warning, "No, don’t kill him!"
But Yuan Dasheng, already in a frenzy, couldn’t stop himself.
He opened his mouth and bit the opposing cultivator in two.
The enemy’s morale collapsed, leading to a full retreat.
Yuan Er sighed deeply, "Now, there’s no turning back; we’ll have to eradicate the rival gang completely!"
After the battle, Yuan Dasheng approached, offering Yuan Er half of the dead cultivator’s body.
Yuan Er jumped in fright.
Amused by his own prank, Yuan Dasheng laughed heartily, oblivious to the dark shadow clouding Yuan Er’s eyes.