Chapter 149: Nonsense

“This is not the time for idle chatter. Hiding here at this alley’s entrance is to confront Wu Suowei head-on,” Ji Linmo said solemnly, his eyes fixed unwaveringly on the alley, ready to strike.

But Lin Bufei’s face twisted into a grotesque mask.

“Heh heh heh... Are you hearing things, Old Ji? You really want to face Wu Suowei directly?”

“Do you know how formidable Wu Suowei is? He’s like a man with ten lives...”

Lin Bufei’s words caught Ji Linmo’s attention. Ten lives? Was he not even human...

Just as Ji Linmo’s doubt grew, Lin Bufei’s next words dispelled the thought.

“You don’t know, Wu Suowei is a master of brainwashing. Every one of his underlings is like a part of his own life!”

Lin Bufei shivered as if recalling something, rubbing his arm nervously.

“At Wu Suowei’s command, his men would die for him anytime, anywhere! Well, except me—I’m a rational man...”

But before Lin Bufei could finish, a sneering voice came from the alleyway.

“Oh? Talking about betrayal with such delicate terms, Lin Bufei, don’t you have any shame?”

A young thug with dyed blond hair, carrying a baseball bat, swaggered forward with a brazen air.

Behind him, surrounded by his men, stood the tall and imposing Wu Suowei.

Wu Suowei stepped steadily, surveying the surroundings as he removed his sunglasses.

“Ji Linmo, did you choose this narrow spot on purpose? Quite the tactical mind. With your throwing knives, in a place that only fits two or three people, it’s a deadly trap.”

Ji Linmo looked at Wu Suowei coldly, ready to spill blood at the first move.

But to his surprise, Wu Suowei signaled his men to lower their weapons.

“Ji Linmo, relax. I’m not here to fight this time, but to cooperate.”

“I truly admire your skills. How about joining us, teaming up with me? We, the Redeemers, will be humanity’s only salvation in this world.”

With that, Wu Suowei extended his hand towards Ji Linmo.

This towering man, like a mountain, blocked Ji Linmo’s path.

His solid muscles, like bedrock, bulged beneath a black tank top. Even his hands were rough and calloused.

Yet Ji Linmo didn’t even glance at him, expressionless as he wiped his throwing knives.

“I’m sorry, but I never team up with anyone,” Ji Linmo said firmly.

Wu Suowei seemed unperturbed by the refusal, his hand frozen mid-air.

“Then I promise, if you join us, we’ll let go of what happened with Lin Bufei.”

Ji Linmo raised an eyebrow, but in the next instant, someone yanked his collar sharply from behind.

“Sorry, he’s already taken~”

A young boy smiled and stepped sideways in front of Ji Linmo.

“Any offer he makes has to go through me first, right, Mr. Ji~”

The boy looked at Ji Linmo.

For a moment, Ji Linmo’s expression stiffened, but after a slight hesitation, he nodded.

“Hey! Old Ji! Blink if you’ve been kidnapped!”

Lin Bufei couldn’t hold back, nearly choking on his own spit from the shock of what he just heard.

What surprised him even more was that Ji Linmo didn’t resist!

Everyone else exchanged glances, their faces inscrutable.

But Wu Suowei laughed, seemingly ignoring the boy’s words, his gaze fixed on Ji Linmo.

“Ji Linmo, I used to think you were a lone wolf based on your skills. Didn’t expect you’d be willing to bow before someone, and to such a greenhorn at that.”

No sooner had Wu Suowei spoken than his men burst into loud laughter.

“Hahaha, boss, you just don’t get it!”

“Look at the dog chain he wore before. If that kid didn’t have some dirt on him, then—hehe—he must have some other needs!”

The alley was filled with a lively atmosphere, but Lin Bufei, who had been watching his good friend and noticing all the odd gestures, was beside himself.

Dog chain? Taken? What kind of words were these?

But the next moment, the laughing men all stopped abruptly, their faces turning fearful.

They sensed an all-encompassing chill.

That bone-deep cold seemed to emanate from the very person they had been mocking.

—the boy in the white shirt, smiling at them.

Smack!

Just as the blond thug was shivering from the cold, a whoosh cut through the air, and a wide slap landed squarely on his face.

It was Wu Suowei!

“What’s so funny? Huang Erlie, you’re the loudest laugher!”

Wu Suowei glared angrily at the blond Huang Erlie, then turned to Ji Linmo with an apologetic look.

“Sorry, Ji Linmo. My brothers tend to speak without thinking. Please don’t mind.”

“How about we both take a step back? I know of a game that requires teamwork to complete. I’m willing to share the intel with you and let bygones be bygones about Lin Bufei.”

“All I ask is for your help to gather enough people to participate.”

Seeing the burly man extend his hand again, Ji Linmo hesitated.

After all, this proposal was all gain with no loss, no real reason to refuse.

He glanced discreetly at the boy beside him.

It seemed he wasn’t refusing outright?

“Boss... forget those two! But are we really just letting Lin Bufei off!?”

Seeing Ji Linmo seemingly ready to shake hands, the slapped and now swollen-faced Huang Erlie protested immediately.

He furiously pointed at Lin Bufei.

“Boss, that kid stole so much from us! Aren’t we being way too generous?”

But those words seemed to strike a nerve with Lin Bufei, who stood up indignantly.

“Hey, hey! What are you saying? I told you, I had no choice at the time... We’re brothers after all. You’ve got no heart.”

Tears welled up at the corners of Lin Bufei’s eyes.

Ji Linmo looked at his longtime friend, sensing the sincerity beneath the sorrow, and spoke up for him.

“Lin Bufei, if it was out of necessity, then just say it. Don’t be afraid.”

“I... Old Ji, you really move me!”

Lin Bufei wiped away his tears, no longer looking pitiful.

“Fine, I’ll say it. Actually... uh, well... I stole those things because I really wanted them that badly!”