Chapters 262 & 263: Confrontation
“How does it feel to be crushed by the Third Master’s household? Half a foot in the grave, and still unable to enjoy your twilight years in peace. Do you know what that’s called?”
“It’s called karma,” Lu Weiyi said clearly and firmly.
“You… you…” Old Master Zhuang clutched his chest and took two steps back, looking as if he were having a heart attack from anger.
“Grandfather!” Zhuang Mingxu stepped forward, only to be forcefully pulled back by Lu Weiyi.
“Don’t fake it—how many times have you performed this act already?” Lu Weiyi said mercilessly. Then he pulled Zhuang Mingxu along and prepared to leave.
“Lu Weiyi!” Zhuang Mingxu shouted with an unprecedented tone.
That was his grandfather—someone who had once gone all out to raise him.
Lu Weiyi froze slightly at the shout, then his face darkened. He stepped forward and struck Zhuang Mingxu on the back of the neck with a knife-hand blow, then hoisted him up and left the Zhuang residence without looking back.
Behind them, the Zhuang family villa was left in chaos.
By now, most members of the Only Squad had returned. They were sitting in the living room discussing the latest situation when Lu Weiyi returned, carrying someone with a cold expression.
The first thought was that someone had been injured, but before anyone could ask, Lu Weiyi slammed the bedroom door shut.
Inside the room, Zhuang Mingxu had already regained consciousness. Partly because Lu Weiyi hadn’t used much force, and partly because he himself had higher-than-average resistance.
“I have to go back,” Zhuang Mingxu said, pressing his neck and trying to keep his temper in check.
“No,” Lu Weiyi said firmly. He could already feel that someone in the Capital Base was acting against them. At this moment, he couldn’t let Zhuang Mingxu leave the team’s perimeter.
“Weiyi, my grandfather is unwell,” Zhuang Mingxu tried to reason with him.
“It’s not his first time,” Lu Weiyi showed no mercy at all.
Realizing he couldn’t get through, Zhuang Mingxu didn’t want to argue, so he got up to leave—but Lu Weiyi pulled him back and pushed him into the room.
“Before we leave, you are not to leave this room.”
“…” Zhuang Mingxu was stunned for a moment, then let out a disbelieving laugh. “Are you imprisoning me?”
Lu Weiyi didn’t bother to argue. He didn’t think there was much difference.
He could feel that something was wrong with his emotions. As a normally indifferent person, this level of emotional intensity was uncomfortable for him, even making him vaguely irritable.
“I don’t agree to you undergoing the ability transplant surgery. Stop thinking about it,” Lu Weiyi ordered without room for negotiation.
Zhuang Mingxu was naturally strong-willed. He didn’t usually show that side in front of Lu Weiyi simply because he didn’t want to. But now, being ordered like this—especially while his grandfather’s health was in question—sparked his defiance.
He was beginning to understand what Zhuang Mobai had hinted at. If back then Lu Weiyi could only rely on him, now the roles had reversed. Zhuang Mingxu had become the weaker party. Conflicts that had previously been absent now brought that power imbalance into sharp relief.
Lu Weiyi left the room after speaking. He was going to call a team meeting.
Perhaps everyone had sensed that something was wrong with his mood, because as soon as he mentioned a meeting, no one said anything extra. They got straight to the point.
“We need to leave as soon as possible. I don’t think things are right,” Xu Sa explained the incident at the market.
“I noticed it too,” Lin Mo added, glancing at Lu Weiyi to check his reaction. Seeing no objection, he continued, “The Zhuang family members who came to help were clearly less enthusiastic than yesterday. I think they’re stalling for time.”
“We didn’t find a single person all day—no results at all.”
“Cong Qing gathered some intel,” Ning Yuan added. “It seems some factions suspect we really got that shipment of supplies. But since no one saw us take it—because the mutated plant guarding it wasn’t cleared—there’s no confirmation. Every major faction made moves today. He’s not sure if it’s because of the zombie tide or us.”
All signs indicated that they couldn’t stay any longer. Lu Weiyi looked toward Antonio.
“Only three. I did my best,” Antonio shrugged. Seeing Lu Weiyi still staring, he smacked his forehead. “I’ll work overtime tonight.”
Only then did Lu Weiyi look away. “Did Ning Yuan give the family member list to Cong Qing?”
“He did. Cong Qing said he’ll help find them.”
“Then we leave tomorrow at first light,” Lu Weiyi ordered decisively.
“Yes,” the others responded, dispersing to pack.
No one cooked that night. They just boiled hot pot ingredients and made a quick meal.
The spicy broth started to boil, and several people gathered around the water ability user to wash vegetables. No one noticed the open window, through which a shadow quickly slipped by.
That figure ran right into Zhuang Mingxu, who had just climbed out the window intending to check on Old Master Zhuang.
Zhuang Mingxu was a step too late to see what the other person had done. Just as he was about to question them warily, the shadow whispered:
“Dr. Zhuang asked me to tell you.”
The shout caught in Zhuang Mingxu’s throat, and he paused as the figure continued:
“He said the old master is fine. He passed out from cardiac shock, but he’s already regained consciousness.”
As the voice fell, the man disappeared in a flash, not giving Zhuang Mingxu any time to react. Above, came Gu Qingyue’s awkward voice from his sentry post.
“Brother Zhuang, where… are you going?”
Gu Qingyue really didn’t want to get involved in a quarrel between a couple.
He didn’t lower his voice, intentionally saying it loud enough to alert those inside.
In the living room, Lu Weiyi was worried that Zhuang Mingxu might overthink things alone in the room, so he had just asked Ning Yuan to bring him over to help with dinner.
“What’s going on with you two? Did you have a fight?” Ning Yuan asked.
“…The Zhuang family is pushing him to get an ability-enhancement surgery.” The two had never quarreled before, and Lu Weiyi really didn’t know how to handle it now. He explained to Ning Yuan wearily.
Every time the old man “got sick,” it was to make demands on Zhuang Mingxu. Lu Weiyi naturally assumed he was doing it again this time to pressure Zhuang Mingxu into giving in.
Just hearing it made it sound unreliable. Ning Yuan also felt that Zhuang Mingxu might be jumping to conclusions.
He was about to head toward their bedroom when he heard Gu Qingyue’s voice. Looking out the kitchen window, he happened to see Zhuang Mingxu standing outside.
Seeing this, Lu Weiyi suddenly lost interest in everything. He waved Ning Yuan off and sat alone on the other side.
Having received the news he wanted, Zhuang Mingxu turned and jumped back in through the window.
Later, Lu Weiyi picked out some food from the dinner and brought it into the bedroom.
Zhuang Mingxu sat silently by the window, not even looking at him. He seemed to be deep in thought, but said nothing to Lu Weiyi.
Lu Weiyi was not good at handling situations like this. He was used to Zhuang Mingxu speaking up about everything and taking initiative. Now that he didn’t, Lu Weiyi felt at a complete loss.
He stood there for a moment. Seeing Zhuang Mingxu still had no intention of speaking, he finally had no choice but to set the bowl down and say softly, “Eat something. We’re… leaving first thing tomorrow morning.”
Zhuang Mingxu didn’t respond. Lu Weiyi turned and left the room—behind him came the loud clatter of dishes being thrown to the floor.
Lu Weiyi’s face darkened. If you looked closely, there was even a trace of grievance on it.
The people in the living room didn’t know what to say. Ning Yuan got up and patted his shoulder. “You eat first. I’ll go talk to him in a bit.”
“Ai Yi, go get your little daddy some meat!” he called to Zhuang Ai Yi to lighten the mood.
“Little Daddy, come on! Ai Yi saved you some meat!” Zhuang Ai Yi responded cheerfully, waving enthusiastically at Lu Weiyi from among the adults.
*
Meanwhile, at the Capital base, in the Hunter’s Guild.
Lao Qi Luo and Li Ji were also in a meeting.
Present were the leaders and vice leaders of several hunting squads, all of them possessing A-rank abilities.
“You want us to help kill a few ability users?” Su Wei, the bald man who came back with Li Xiuyin, sneered, the corner of his mouth lifting. “Why should we? You’ve got a grudge, and you want us to do the dirty work?”
Li Ji’s face bore a deep scar, making him look fierce. His upturned eyes glinted with cruelty as he raised them. “The supplies they have—everyone gets a share.”
“How do you even know they have those supplies?”
Li Ji compared the space they used and the materials they displayed, then handed documents to everyone. “They must be hiding another spatial ability.”
“That only proves they have more space. You don’t have proof they took those supplies.”
“I only believe in solid evidence,” the only woman present said after reviewing the information.
“In addition to the supplies, the guild also promises free support from healing-type ability users for five missions,” Li Ji added.
All eyes turned to Lao Qi Luo.
He was a portly middle-aged man, wearing a suit jacket and sporting a belly as round as if he were seven months pregnant. Still smiling, he said, “Li Ji is one of our guild’s own. He’s already made moves to investigate. If we don’t respond, we’ll be seen as weak.”
“Still, does it warrant involving people like us? Is it really worth it?”
“It is,” Su Wei replied. “I’ve seen them in action. Their power levels are definitely higher than mine.”
“Seriously?”
“Dead serious.”
*
After some discussion, everyone finally agreed: if there were supplies, they’d benefit. If not, the free healing support still made it worthwhile.
“We, the Overlord Flower team, will not participate.”
Lao Qi Luo smiled gently. “Qian Yu, do you think the benefits aren’t worth it?”
“No,” Qian Yu stood and smiled. “Most of my team isn’t back yet. I promised we wouldn’t take missions during this time. Sorry.”
With that, she got up and left the room.
Lao Qi Luo lowered his eyes, rubbing his fingers, silent. The rest began to laugh, mocking the woman for being timid and useless.
*
Lu Weiyi sat dazed, holding the spatial jade in his hand.
His mental power drifted unconsciously toward the bedroom.
The floor was a mess, the dinner scattered everywhere, oil stains visible. Zhuang Mingxu sat silently by the window. Ning Yuan came in to tidy up and sat across from him.
Before Ning Yuan could speak, Zhuang Mingxu said first, “If you’re really my brother, don’t try to persuade me.”
His two best friends had both awakened abilities. They communicated less and less. Now, they were becoming mouthpieces for others.
Zhuang Mingxu felt like he truly had nothing left.
