Chapter 94 Dai Mubai's Conspiracy
From the shadows, a lone crow perched atop a rooftop, its crimson eyes gleaming as it observed the clandestine exchange below.
At last, Luo Ling understood what had been wrong.
So Dai Mubai was plotting an assassination?
Why? Did he want to hire Bu Le and his two partners to kill him?
Luo Ling almost laughed. The prince was more naïve than he'd thought.
…
"You can rest easy. The one I want dead is just a Soul Elder, and his companions are at most Soul Ancestors," Dai Mubai said evenly.
"When it's done, those three women are yours to do with as you please. I only want one of their corpses."
"The one named Tang San—his spirit is Blue Silver Grass."
His eyes were fixed coldly on Bu Le as he spoke.
Once he had Tang San's corpse, he could extract the Eight Spider Lances.
Bu Le stood partly shrouded in shadow, silent for a long moment before letting out a lecherous chuckle.
"Heh, my friend, my brothers and I can take this job—but you're only offering promises. Hard to trust words alone," he sneered.
Dai Mubai gritted his teeth. From his soul tool, he took out a pouch and tossed it over.
"There's one thousand gold soul coins here. Afterward, you'll get the remaining two thousand."
Bu Le greedily opened the pouch, his grin widening at the sight of the shimmering coins.
A thousand gold soul coins—enough to entertain himself for months.
"Fine! You've got yourself a deal!" he said, pocketing the payment with satisfaction.
"I hope you don't disappoint me," Dai Mubai muttered before hoisting the unconscious Ma Hongjun onto his shoulder and turning away.
He disappeared down the alley, leaving Bu Le behind, happily counting his advance while murmuring to himself, "Hah, when fortune's short, fools bring it to your door. Wants us to kill someone? We'll kill him too and keep both the money—and the women."
Smirking darkly, he strolled deeper into the shadows.
…
Back in the restaurant, Luo Ling's mouth twitched involuntarily.
He hadn't expected Dai Mubai's murder plot to target Tang San—just for the sake of a corpse.
So the greedy fool was after Tang San's soul bone.
Luo Ling could only shake his head. How idiotic.
Did Dai Mubai really think Tang San's soul bone was that easy to take, with Tang Hao lurking somewhere nearby?
As for Bu Le's trio, they were the kind who never honored deals. Dai Mubai's plan would crumble like sand—and might even cost him his life.
When it all fell apart, would this mark the fracture of the Shrek Seven Devils? Luo Ling found himself looking forward to it.
…
The next morning, Ma Hongjun awoke to throbbing pain.
The moment he opened his eyes, his face flinched at a sharp sting.
"Ah—" he groaned.
"Fatty! You're up!" came a familiar voice.
Turning his head, he saw Dai Mubai, whose lips and face were mottled blue and purple.
"Boss Dai, what happened?"
"We went to get your revenge, remember? Sorry—I couldn't beat that bastard," Dai Mubai said, clenching his jaw in feigned anger.
Ma Hongjun frowned in confusion, trying to recall. He remembered following the middle‑aged pervert into the alley… then darkness and pain.
Seeing Dai Mubai's injuries, guilt gnawed at him. He was the one who'd dragged his friend into this mess.
The two shared grim expressions as they dressed and left together.
That day, Yu Xiaogang still hadn't scheduled any official training, so everyone followed their own routine.
Before long, the two bumped into the others.
Seeing their battered faces, Tang San frowned deeply. "Who did this to you?"
Days of shared training had bonded them tightly; they were like brothers now. And seeing brothers beaten, he couldn't just sit still.
"A disgusting old man!" Ma Hongjun growled.
"What kind of old man's that strong?" Oscar asked curiously.
Behind them, Dai Mubai stood silent, hiding his guilt.
The truth was, he had inflicted these bruises himself when they returned, intending to bait the others into joining their "revenge."
As speculation spread, Luo Ling arrived along with Ning Rongrong, Xiao Wu, and Zhu Zhuqing.
He nearly laughed when he saw Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun's faces. After all, he knew exactly what had happened the night before.
…
"So it was just a Soul Ancestor who attacked you? Do you know his name?"
"I heard the brothel madam call him Bu Le. Not sure if it's real," Ma Hongjun said bitterly.
Hearing that name, a cold gleam flashed in Tang San's eyes. He glanced at Xiao Wu nearby and made up his mind.
It was time to act the hero again.
"A mere Soul Ancestor dared to hurt my brother? Fatty, lead the way—let's finish this. You and Boss Dai were ambushed yesterday; this time, together, we'll crush him!"
Righteous and fierce, Tang San's tone brimmed with pride, eager to display his valor before Xiao Wu.
"Third Brother…" Ma Hongjun looked ready to cry.
Dai Mubai, off to the side, winced inwardly. It was one thing to deceive Ma Hongjun—but Tang San's readiness to risk his life for them stirred a pang of shame.
Still, thinking of his crippled arm steeled his resolve.
A grand ambition required sacrifice. He needed Tang San's soul bone.
"Let's go. We'll come with you," Tang San said, patting Ma Hongjun's shoulder.
"Third Brother," Dai Mubai said, voice low, "that brothel doesn't open until nightfall. The bastard won't show up before then."
"Night it is, then! I'll go with you," Tang San nodded firmly.
"Count me in," Oscar added, then turned toward Luo Ling and Ning Rongrong's group.
"Brother Ling, will you come with us?" he asked hopefully.
Luo Ling lifted his gaze, meeting the expectant eyes of the group.
Within Shrek Academy, he and Ning Rongrong's trio often acted together, while Tang San and the others formed their own small circle.
Tang San and Dai Mubai both regarded him with quiet hostility, while Oscar and Ma Hongjun remained neutral.
Now even Ma Hongjun looked to him for help. With Luo Ling's power as a Soul Ancestor, their odds of victory would rise dramatically.
Dai Mubai also turned his gaze toward Luo Ling, torn. He both wanted and feared his involvement.
If Luo Ling came, Ning Rongrong and the other girls would, too—and that was part of his arrangement with Bu Le. But if Luo Ling fought seriously, Bu Le's side wouldn't stand a chance.
He remembered how Luo Ling could vanish without trace—fooling even Zhao Wuji. If he escaped with the others… the plan would crumble entirely.
Every eye turned toward Luo Ling.
Luo Ling smiled faintly and nodded. "All right, I'll come have a look."
He hadn't planned to refuse. Watching this drama unfold between Dai Mubai and Tang San was far too entertaining to miss.
(END CHAPTER)
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