In Order To Ascend, I Became A Modern Wage Slave - Chapter 32: Elemental True Monarch 5

Chapter 32: Elemental True Monarch 5

 

Xi Yu crouched and waited for a while, making sure that Chen Zhidao wouldn’t wake up anytime soon. After thinking for a moment, he directly picked him up.

 

Yuan Xu suddenly opened his eyes, just in time to see Xi Yu walking out of Yuan Zhen Temple. Their eyes met unexpectedly, and Yuan Xu instinctively wanted to look away. Then he remembered that Xi Yu had never seen him before—what was there to panic about? His expression shifted from mild shock to a carefree disdain for everything, and he slowly walked toward Xi Yu.

 

A kid? Xi Yu sized him up and down before casually tossing Chen Zhidao to him, saying matter-of-factly, “You’re with him, right? He’s passed out, so you carry him.”

 

Yuan Xu dropped Chen Zhidao onto the ground and declared, “I don’t know him. We’ve never met.”

 

Xi Yu patted Yuan Xu’s head and changed his approach. “Then I’ll trouble you to carry him. Thanks.”

 

Yuan Xu had always hated being treated like a child, yet oddly, he didn’t mind Xi Yu patting his head—he just wasn’t willing to carry Chen Zhidao.

 

After some thought, Yuan Xu pursed his lips and finally grabbed the back of Chen Zhidao’s collar, dragging him along.

 

Xi Yu walked ahead, with Yuan Xu following behind.

 

Sure enough, Xi Yu asked, “What are you doing here?”

 

Yuan Xu fluently recited the excuse he had prepared long ago: “I’m a senior at the nearby high school. I didn’t want to attend evening study, so I climbed the wall and snuck out. I heard some noise on the mountain, so I came up to check it out.”

 

Xi Yu said, “You’re pretty gutsy!”

 

Yuan Xu replied, “You’ve got to be brave to—ahhhh!”

 

A scream came from behind. Xi Yu turned around to see two things rolling quickly toward him. He managed to stop one with his foot, but the other hit a tree beside him, bounced off, and fell straight into a grass-covered pit in front of him.

 

With a muffled “thud,” Yuan Xu, who had never been stepped on before in his life, clenched his fists and swallowed his anger. Trembling, he rolled over and extended a hand toward Xi Yu, pitifully saying, “Can you help me up, bro?”

 

Such heartfelt drama.

 

Xi Yu nodded, grabbed him by his school uniform sleeve, and pulled him up, even thoughtfully dusting off the dirt on Yuan Xu’s head. “All done.”

 

Yuan Xu, who had been hoping for a hand clasp: “…”

 

Xi Yu fished Chen Zhidao out of the pit, checked his breathing to make sure he was still alive, and let out a sigh of relief. He hoisted Chen Zhidao onto his back and instructed Yuan Xu, “Follow me.”

 

“But I’m scared. I can’t see well, and I might accidentally fall again,” Yuan Xu suggested. “How about you hold my hand instead?”

 

Xi Yu said flatly, “Do I look like I have a free hand?”

 

“…” Yuan Xu retorted, “You hold me, I drag him. It’s the perfect solution. What do you think?”

 

Xi Yu asked suspiciously, “Why are you so fixated on holding my hand?”

 

Because I need to steal your power, Yuan Xu thought, masking his intent with a smile. “I hurt myself earlier. I’m a bit traumatized.”

 

Xi Yu raised an eyebrow and continued walking.

 

Yuan Xu quickly followed. As he observed his surroundings, he realized they had unknowingly passed two traps. Only one was left. He had to find a way to make Xi Yu fall into it to complete his plan.

 

The night was deep and quiet. All they could hear were the chirps of birds and insects, the crunch of leaves underfoot, and the occasional rustle of wind through the trees.

 

Yuan Xu calculated in his mind until he finally came up with a brilliant idea.

 

Chen Zhidao’s consciousness gradually returned, and his whole body ached. As he slowly opened his eyes, he was suddenly overcome by a gut-wrenching sense of weightlessness. He opened his mouth, only to gulp down wind. With a final “thud,” he hit the ground and lost consciousness once more.

 

Yuan Xu stood with hands on his hips, looking down into the pit to confirm that Xi Yu had fallen in. He smirked smugly.

 

He had directly moved the trap with his power.

 

Now it was right under Xi Yu’s feet—let’s see how he escapes this time!

 

Yuan Xu looked at the two figures below. Seeing no movement, he figured they must have both passed out. It was the perfect opportunity! He leaped into the pit.

 

Inside the pit, Xi Yu was sitting against the wall with his eyes closed.

 

Overjoyed by his apparent success, Yuan Xu didn’t think twice and walked over, reaching out to place a finger on Xi Yu’s forehead.

 

At that moment, Xi Yu opened his eyes and looked at him, saying firmly, “True Lord of Elements.”

 

Yuan Xu was stunned for a moment before breaking into a smile. “That’s right, it’s me. But isn’t it too late for you to recognize me now? How about this: let’s make a deal. I’ll leave you with just enough power to live a little longer. How does that sound?”

 

As he spoke, golden light burst forth between Xi Yu’s forehead and Yuan Xu’s finger.

 

However, in an instant, the light disappeared.

 

Yuan Xu: “?”

 

Xi Yu: “…”

 

Unconvinced, Yuan Xu tried again, poking Xi Yu’s forehead repeatedly until it seemed he might leave a hole, but no golden light appeared—not even a flicker.

 

Xi Yu advised, “Don’t bother. That’s all there is.”

 

Yuan Xu cried out in disbelief, “You only have a single strand of power?!”

 

“You only have a single strand of power?!”

 

“…”

 

Time rewinds to earlier that morning.

 

Xi Yu didn’t even have a chance to take a bite of his meal before rushing off to the ghost realm to find a rich and beautiful woman. His mission could be considered complete; killing a god was no small feat, and he deserved a significant reward.

 

When he received this power, his reaction was even more exaggerated than Yuan Xu’s.

 

“That’s it?!”

 

“Yeah, what more did you expect?”

 

“At least not just this much…”

 

“You thought the power you used before was free?”

 

“…” No wonder they’re always short of people to do their work!

 

Yuan Xu tried a few more times but got the same results. He was on the verge of breaking down. Logically, losing his powers should have left him incredibly weak, but now he only had a fraction left and was still full of energy. This meant all his plans would have to be scrapped and redone!

 

Damn Xi Yi—spying on his brother every day, yet even his intel was inaccurate!

 

The expressions on Yuan Xu’s face were a colorful spectacle. Xi Yu couldn’t help but laugh and said, “You just tried to make a deal with me, didn’t you? That deal must be very important to you.”

 

He was probing, but to his surprise, the kid’s face betrayed him the moment he spoke.

 

Indeed, it was important.

 

But now, it seemed the deal wouldn’t benefit him anymore. Xi Yu guessed Yuan Xu must have learned from Xi Yi to keep everything within his control to feel secure. Unfortunately, he wasn’t as cunning as Xi Yi and had only planned one path. Now that the path was gone, he was done for too.

 

However, Xi Yu could give him a new path.

 

Xi Yu said, “How about I make a deal with you? You give me half of your remaining power, and I’ll do the work for you. How’s that?”

 

Xi Yu’s bold offer visibly unsettled Yuan Xu. Sensing his shift in mood, Xi Yu grabbed Chen Zhi Dao and dragged him out of the cave.

 

Yuan Xu dropped his pretense, immediately blocking Xi Yu’s way with his power and approaching step by step. “Do you think you’re someone I need to trade with? I was just pitying you earlier. I was playing with you. If I don’t want you to leave, do you think you can escape?”

 

“Earlier, I already marked you—and him,” Yuan Xu said, pointing at the unconscious Chen Zhi Dao on the ground. “As soon as I activate it, you’ll both experience unbearable pain and eventually die. Want to live? Then kneel and beg me!”

 

Xi Yu wasn’t fazed by Yuan Xu’s threats. Instead, he smiled and waved at him.

 

Yuan Xu gritted his teeth and was about to act when a voice suddenly called his name from behind: “Yuan Xu!”

 

He turned his head and saw Lian Bei and Bai Fan walking toward him. Folding his arms, he smirked and warned Xi Yu, “You’re finished now!”

 

However, things seemed to take an unexpected turn.

 

Lian Bei smiled and patted Yuan Xu’s shoulder, saying, “Good kid, don’t run around like this next time. Your mom’s been looking everywhere for you!”

 

Yuan Xu: “?”

 

The next second, his right ear was grabbed by Bai Fan, tilting his head to the side. Bai Fan scolded angrily, “You brat! Skipping school to come to a place like this? Just wait until we get home; I’ll teach you a lesson!”

 

“?” Yuan Xu tried to explain, “Hey…”

 

“Hey, what? Don’t you know what you’ve done? Skipping school and still acting righteous?” His attempt failed.

 

Bai Fan dragged him away angrily, disappearing from their sight.

 

Xi Yu and Lian Bei exchanged a glance. Xi Yu asked, “Not going after them?”

 

Lian Bei replied, “I’ll take you home first.”

 

The two dropped Chen Zhi Dao off at the police station, briefly explained the situation, and left. After hailing a cab, with Lian Bei’s consent, Xi Yu leaned against his shoulder to catch a nap. When he woke up, he found himself lying on Lian Bei’s lap.

 

Lian Bei was resting with his eyes closed. His long eyelashes and the tear mole at the corner of his eye were still captivating.

 

On impulse, Xi Yu reached out to touch it.

 

But before he could, his hand was intercepted midway. Lian Bei opened his eyes and looked at him. Xi Yu blinked and casually asked, “Why do you always wear a mask?”

 

“We’re here.” The driver stopped in front of an old residential building.

 

Even after they went upstairs, Lian Bei didn’t answer Xi Yu’s question.

 

Lian Bei walked him to his door, patted his head, and said, “See you next time.”

 

Xi Yu stuffed his hands in his pockets and tilted his head to watch him.

 

Lian Bei turned to leave, but as he started down the stairs, he heard Xi Yu call out, “Shan Bei.”

 

He stopped in his tracks.

 

Xi Yu continued, “I don’t understand why you don’t want me to see you. If it’s some game to see when I’d recognize you, then the game is over now.”

 

Lian Bei turned around and looked up at him.

 

Leaning against the door, arms crossed, Xi Yu appeared nonchalant.

 

He wasn’t finished. “If you think I shouldn’t remember you and your presence will disturb me, then let me tell you, I wouldn’t forget you in five lifetimes, ten lifetimes. As for not recognizing you, Shan Bei, even if you turned to ashes, I’d know which pile was you.”

 

Seeing Lian Bei standing still, Xi Yu directly reached out, pulled off his mask, and leaned in close. Their eyes met, and their breaths mingled, just like when they were kids.

 

Unhappy, Xi Yu said, “Hey, did you become mute? Say something. Or do I need to call you Lian Bei now for you to speak?”

 

Lian Bei pulled Xi Yu down without a word.