: Hand Over Yuan Dasheng

"Yuan Er, paying respects to Sir Ning!"

The moment Ning Zhuo saw Yuan Er bowing to him, he hesitated.

He wondered if he should seize the opportunity to truly subjugate the entire Monkey Head Gang for his own use. Yuan Dasheng was now useless, but his soul entering the palace made him an absolute trump card for seizing the immortal palace's legacy!

But then, Ning Zhuo quickly regained his composure.

"Don't be greedy for superficial gains!"

"Persuading Yuan Er was only possible by taking advantage of his weakened spirit and riding the momentum. Ultimately, it wasn't me who truly won him over."

"If Fei Si or the other three major families try to recruit him in the future, would Yuan Er remain loyal to me? Absolutely not."

"More importantly, even if Yuan Er were completely loyal to me, could I rely on him to control the Monkey Head Gang?"

Ning Zhuo shook his head inwardly.

Many gang members were already disappointed with Yuan Er.

"Could I control Yuan Dasheng through Yuan Er?"

Ning Zhuo again shook his head inwardly.

Yuan Dasheng only protected Yuan Er out of duty and rarely obeyed him. Having risen from the bottom, Yuan Dasheng had his own ambitions and ideas.

He had been ambushed and lost the initiative, unaware that Ning Zhuo was his true enemy. Given time to gather information, he would rely on his experience in battles and rise to power, along with the wisdom accumulated over the years, to realize his actual situation.

His most likely move would be to actively align himself with one of the four major powers, discard Ning Zhuo, or even eliminate him.

"I am so weak now, walking on the edge of a cliff, balancing precariously. How can I lose my composure over temptation?"

"One wrong step, and I'll fall off the cliff, shattered to pieces!"

With that, Ning Zhuo completely cooled down, no longer deceived by the illusory advantage.

He extended both hands, gesturing for Yuan Er to rise, and praised him: "Those who understand the times are truly outstanding..."

He carefully reassured Yuan Er until the latter gradually calmed down. Only then did Ning Zhuo finally reveal his true intention: "Since you have pledged allegiance to us, we will do our utmost to secure your position as gang leader."

"However, your personal combat strength is somewhat lacking. Following Lord Fei Si's intention, we will custom-build a mechanical construct for you."

"This construct will possess combat power at the Foundation Establishment stage, allowing you to overpower the other elders within the gang."

"Oh?" Yuan Er's eyes lit up, feeling pleasantly surprised.

Especially the other party's attitude of increasing investment and support made him feel reassured.

But then, Ning Zhuo's next words made him furious again, so angry he almost lashed out!

Ning Zhuo nodded and said, "Since you agree, that's good."

"Next, hand over Yuan Dasheng to us. We will create a powerful mechanical monkey for you."

Yuan Er was so angry he nearly jumped up: "No, that's impossible!"

He refused immediately, without hesitation.

"Hmm?!" Ning Zhuo immediately frowned. "Leader Yuan Er, think carefully!"

"Only excellent materials can produce a powerful construct."

"Do you think we sought monkey corpses just to humiliate you? You overestimate yourself."

"Using monkey parts is the only way to create an outstanding mechanical monkey."

Yuan Er shook his head repeatedly: "Even so, I will never use my Uncle Monkey's..."

Ning Zhuo waved his hand impatiently, cutting him off rudely: "Enough, Yuan Er! Are you still going to be foolishly sentimental?"

"Let me be frank with you—you must provide the materials."

"Only by using Yuan Dasheng's corpse can we create an outstanding mechanical monkey to protect you in the future."

"Our side needs you to remain the leader of the Monkey Head Gang, but what do you think the elders are thinking?"

"Your combat strength is weak, and you have no powerful protector by your side daily. If the elders hire an assassin to ambush you, what will you do?"

Yuan Er fell silent.

Ning Zhuo continued: "Fools only shed tears when they see the coffin."

"But by then, it's already too late!"

"Since you've decided to join us, why not go all the way?"

Yuan Er shook his head, his attitude firm: "Sir Ning, there's no need to persuade me further. Uncle Monkey has shown me immense kindness and contributed greatly to the gang. I will provide for him in his old age! I will ensure he lives without worries."

"If I don't do this, what kind of person would I be?!"

Ning Zhuo narrowed his eyes, an inexplicable impulse rising in his heart—to punch Yuan Er to death on the spot and then finish off Yuan Dasheng directly!

He had gone through such elaborate schemes just to get his hands on Yuan Dasheng. Now, stuck at the final step, he couldn't help but feel impatient.

But reason told him he must not act rashly.

Ning Zhuo took a deep breath, patiently changed his tone, and said: "Leader Yuan Er's moral character is truly admirable."

"I respect such integrity and people like you!"

"However... you are being somewhat selfish."

Yuan Er widened his eyes, utterly confused: "How am I being selfish with such behavior? If I were selfish, I would have agreed long ago to use Uncle Monkey as material for the construct!"

Ning Zhuo continued: "Leader, have you ever considered what your Uncle Monkey would think?"

Yuan Er was taken aback.

Ning Zhuo: "Your Uncle Monkey is brave and fearless, daring to fight and charge. He's a true tough guy. Do you think he would prefer to die in battle or wither away on a sickbed?"

"I believe that if your Uncle Monkey were reduced to a useless state, confined to a bed, he would rather die than live like that. Such an old age would only satisfy your filial piety. For him, it would be unbearably cruel—an unparalleled humiliation!"

Yuan Er frowned deeply, lost in thought.

A cold light flickered in Ning Zhuo's eyes. He chuckled softly, his tone gentle like a breeze or drizzle: "Why don't you discuss it with your Uncle Monkey?"

"Your Uncle Monkey has sacrificed so much for you. If he detests such a life, I believe he would be willing to offer himself. He would think: Even if I die, I can still accompany and protect you in another form."

"Why don't you ask him?"

Yuan Er looked up, his face pale and bloodless. His gaze was unfocused as he murmured: "Yes, Sir Ning, you make perfect sense. Why don't I ask Uncle Monkey myself?"

Yuan Er left the small study and went to the master bedroom. He knelt before the bed.

Yuan Dasheng was still unconscious.

Yuan Er opened his mouth to speak but tried several times without managing to utter a word.

The once mighty and towering figure in his memory now seemed as fragile as paper, offering him not a shred of security.

Yuan Er's thoughts grew increasingly chaotic, his gaze scattered. Unconsciously, tears began to flow.

Through tear-blurred eyes, Yuan Er seemed to return to the past.

When he was young...

He would climb on Yuan Dasheng's body as if scaling a dark red volcano.

When he could walk and run...

"Uncle Monkey, they're bullying me!" Yuan Er would bring Yuan Dasheng to settle scores, scaring other children into wetting themselves and crying hysterically.

While playing in the water...

"Hey, Uncle Monkey, why is mine so small and yours so big?" Little Yuan Er pointed at Yuan Dasheng's crotch, full of curiosity.

When he grew older...

Yuan Er began to enjoy fighting and became curious about one question: "Uncle Monkey, who's stronger, you or my dad? Have you ever fought? I asked Dad, but he never answers."

After winning a gang fight...

Yuan Er ran up to Yuan Dasheng, full of admiration and excitement: "Uncle Monkey, you're so amazing, so mighty! When will I be like you?"

And then, later...

Things gradually changed.

The harsh, cold reality shattered Yuan Er's illusion that "hard work alone leads to excellence."

Cultivation talent mattered.

"I'll never be as strong as Uncle Monkey!"

"Uncle Monkey is truly incredible!"

"Uncle Monkey is too powerful!!"

"Uncle Monkey is overly powerful..." The once-admiring youth turned into a gloomy young man.

The same fact that once inspired worship and awe gradually transformed into worry and suspicion.

"My father also relied on Uncle Monkey to build this foundation. After Father passes, will I be able to control Uncle Monkey?" Yuan Er grew increasingly anxious as he watched his father weaken from severe injuries.

"The strongest fighter in our Monkey Head Gang is Uncle Monkey. Combat power equals authority. Is it appropriate for the foundation of power to rest with Uncle Monkey?"

"Monkey Head Gang, Monkey Head Gang... is it a gang of humans or an organization of monkeys?" Yuan Er felt迷茫 seeing more and more monkey pets.

Watching the elders tremble with fear and respect before Yuan Dasheng, he felt conflicted.

During a gang fight, Yuan Er shouted to stop him: "Don't, don't kill him!"

But Yuan Dasheng, lost in the frenzy of battle, couldn't hold back. He bit the opposing cultivator in half.

The enemy's morale plummeted, and they began to flee.

Yuan Er sighed deeply: "Now there's no turning back. We must annihilate the enemy gang completely."

Yuan Dasheng walked over, holding half of the cultivator's corpse, and suddenly offered it to Yuan Er.

Yuan Er was startled.

Successfully teased, Yuan Dasheng laughed heartily, unaware of the shadow in Yuan Er's eyes.

(End of )