Jiang Mo and Zhen Yu walked out of the nauseating underground arena, the bloody scenes continuously flashing through their minds.
Just as they reached the entrance, they heard an arrogant voice: “Yo, isn’t that Jiang Mo? What are you doing in a place like this?” Jiang Mo looked up and saw it was Zhao Yuxuan, who had many grudges with him at school.
Zhao Yuxuan walked over, arms crossed and a look of disdain on his face, followed by several lackeys, each just as arrogant.
“Is this a place you can come to? You pauper, are you here looking for a chance to get rich? Be careful not to lose everything, hahahaha.” His laughter echoed around them, particularly grating.
Jiang Mo frowned and ignored him. Talking to such a brainless person was a waste of time.
Seeing Jiang Mo not respond, Zhao Yuxuan became even more annoyed. He stepped forward and blocked Jiang Mo’s path: “What? Playing mute? Without Mu Qingxue by your side, you’re nothing!”
At this, Zhao Yuxuan pulled out his phone and said fiercely, “I’m calling my dad right now. Let’s see how you’re going to get out of this today!”
Soon after, a burly middle-aged man in luxurious clothing rushed over.
As soon as he arrived, he shouted, “Who dares bully my son?”
Zhao Yuxuan hastily pointed at Jiang Mo and said, “Dad, it’s him. He’s always opposing me at school, even trying to steal my girl, and now he’s ignoring me here.”
Zhao’s father followed the direction of his finger, about to erupt, but his gaze fell upon Zhen Yu, who was standing beside Jiang Mo.
Instantly, his face turned ashen, and his arrogant demeanor vanished without a trace.
Beads of sweat the size of beans appeared on Zhao’s father’s forehead, and his body trembled slightly. He quickly stepped forward and bowed deeply to Jiang Mo: “This young brother, I am truly sorry. My son is ignorant and has offended you. Please, in your great generosity, forgive him this time.”
Zhao Yuxuan’s eyes widened in disbelief: “Dad, what are you doing? Did you mistake him for someone else? Why are you apologizing to him?”
Upon hearing this, Zhao’s father turned and slapped Zhao Yuxuan several times, the “slap, slap” sounds crisp and loud.
“You fool! Hurry up and apologize!”
Zhao Yuxuan covered his swollen face, full of grievance and confusion, but under his father’s scolding, he still reluctantly apologized to Jiang Mo.
Afterward, Zhao’s father pulled Zhao Yuxuan away in a hurry, leaving only Jiang Mo and Zhen Yu standing there.
Jiang Mo was puzzled. He turned to look at Zhen Yu, but Zhen Yu merely smiled faintly and said nothing, as if everything was within his expectations.
“They saw your face just now…” Zhen Yu whispered into Jiang Mo’s ear.
Jiang Mo was very confused by this, but Zhen Yu did not explain further.
Zhen Yu took out an exquisite red badge from his pocket and handed it to Jiang Mo, a hint of deep meaning in his eyes: “My mission is complete.”
“Keep this badge safe. If you decide to join us, bring it, and someone will meet and guide you.”
“If you have no intention of getting involved, then consider today’s events a dream and return to your original life.”
Jiang Mo took the badge and examined it carefully. Strange patterns were carved on it, faintly exuding a mysterious aura.
He understood in his heart that this was a choice that would change the direction of his destiny, but at this moment, he said nothing, merely put the badge into his pocket and turned to leave.
On the other side, Zhao Yuxuan was still grumbling in the car: “Dad, what was wrong with you today? Why did you bow down to that kid Jiang Mo?”
Zhao’s father trembled with anger, gritting his teeth as he said, “You ignorant fool! Do you know who that person beside him is? That’s a big shot we can’t afford to offend! Today, because of you, we almost brought disaster upon our entire family!”
Before he could finish speaking, a chilling aura suddenly swept over them from outside the car.
“Gengar!”
Zhao’s father looked up and saw a Gengar and a Shinny Gastly appear out of thin air. Gengar grinned, its eyes gleaming with malice, and it unleashed a Sludge Bomb without hesitation.
The black sludge instantly enveloped the vehicle like a surging tide, accompanied by a horrifying sound of corrosion. The vehicle, along with Zhao Yuxuan and his father inside, was completely corroded, leaving only a foul-smelling puddle of sludge.
Gengar signaled Gastly to come forward, and Gastly’s eyes glowed with an eerie light as it began to absorb their souls.
Moments later, Gengar used Ghost-type energy to slowly retrieve several Poké Balls from the sludge, then quickly returned with Gastly.
At this moment, Jiang Mo was about to leave when Gengar and Gastly returned to Zhen Yu’s side.
Jiang Mo saw Gastly return and nodded slightly. After recalling Gastly into its Poké Ball, he gave Zhen Yu a deep look, then turned resolutely and gradually disappeared at the end of the street.
“Were things handled cleanly?” Zhen Yu asked Gengar.
“Gengar, Gengar!”
Gengar nodded slightly, indicating that everything had been completely handled.
Zhen Yu watched Jiang Mo’s receding figure, a barely perceptible curve forming at the corner of his mouth, and said faintly.
“Little fellow, I hope you can become a qualified Young Master…”
...
Jiang Mo returned home. As soon as he released Gastly, he learned of the tragic fate of Zhao Yuxuan and his father from Gastly’s description.
He couldn't help but feel a chill, gaining a new understanding of Zhen Yu's ruthlessness.
Beneath that seemingly calm facade, such decisive methods were hidden. Human lives seemed like ants in his eyes; he would erase them without mercy.
Jiang Mo composed himself and went to find his mother, Lin Zhiqiu.
Lin Zhiqiu saw her son coming and knew what he had experienced that night. A complex expression flashed in her eyes, and she sighed softly, slowly saying, “Mo’er, the Zhen Yu you met, he belongs to an organization called Dawn.”
Jiang Mo was greatly shocked upon hearing this, because Dawn was the largest reactionary organization of the current era, the most troublesome force for the Alliance, deeply rooted in the lower classes, numerous in members, and all-pervasive.
“Your father… the reason he became a wanted criminal by the Alliance is precisely because he was also a member of Dawn,” Lin Zhiqiu continued.
“I had you meet Zhen Yu because I wanted you to face this choice. You can join Dawn like your father and follow his path, or you can choose to be like me, becoming an excellent Breeder within the Alliance system and living a stable life.”
“These two paths are vastly different. Once chosen, it might determine the direction of your entire life.” After saying this, Lin Zhiqiu returned to her room, leaving time for her son.
Jiang Mo was speechless. He never expected his father to be part of a reactionary organization; no wonder he was wanted by the Alliance.
However, this choice also made Jiang Mo very conflicted. Being a Breeder like his mother meant a stable life, while joining Dawn meant rebellion.
Most people would think it’s crazy to rebel against the Alliance. Did he want to live his life constantly hiding, like his old man?
“What if I choose both paths?” Jiang Mo murmured to himself.