Chapter Ninety-Two: The Conspiracy Resurfaces

Yes, Tu Guiwu’s subordinates had indeed rebelled. They were prepared to die; whether it was meeting a violent end outside or suffering a fate worse than death under Master Tu’s command, they had accepted it. They simply refused to go back out and face those terrifying demons.

They were thoroughly broken, paralyzed by a fear that had shattered their spirits. The cruel, mocking smiles of those men before they died and the curses they spat out; the comrades beside them who might suddenly snap at any moment; the psychopathic madmen who would not stop attacking until their bodies were truly destroyed—these things had pushed them to the brink. One by one, their companions were branded "traitors" and either slaughtered or detonated by those same turncoats. They lived in constant dread, wondering who would be next. With no hope in sight, they could no longer endure the pressure. They were nearing madness, preferring a quick death to this misery. Why should the masters stay safely inside the house while they were sent out to die at any moment?

Because the Awakened and even the military troops dared not act alone to hunt Liang Jing or carry out missions, the zombie "Brother Huang" found it easy to pick off individuals or small groups instantly. Liang Jing was never short of "material" to create more "traitors." It was precisely this cowardice—the fear of being caught in a suicidal explosion—that created the current stalemate. If they had possessed the courage to coordinate, to station capable people in key positions, and to hunt down the zombie "Brother Huang" who was responsible for harvesting "material," Liang Jing would have struggled to maintain his campaign of terror.

If they had only managed to track Liang Jing’s movements, they would not be trapped in this passive, helpless state. Ultimately, it was their own cowardice and vanity that had brought this disaster upon them.

"Ah! Liang Jing!"

*Crash!*

The solid wood coffee table beside him was shattered by Tu Guiwu’s strike. Splinters flew everywhere, some even grazing his skin, but he felt nothing. He could no longer hold it in; he needed to vent. For days, Liang Jing had been humiliating him, forcing him to live in constant fear and watch his power base be eroded piece by piece. Whether through betrayal or death, he had no way to stop it, and he hadn't even caught a glimpse of his enemy. He had even been wrong about the identity of the person he was mocking just moments ago. Failing to even identify his true opponent was the ultimate insult. He had just made arrogant, ironclad promises, only to be slapped in the face again and again.

Tu Guiwu was overwhelmed by a tidal wave of fear, panic, shame, anger, and helplessness. For a moment, he felt like he was suffocating. He no longer cared about maintaining his dignified facade; he needed a frantic, explosive release.

*Rumble!*

"Report!..."

The word "report" once again jolted the hearts of Tu Guiwu and everyone in the hall. Tu Guiwu’s body shuddered as he desperately told himself to keep his emotions in check, knowing that losing control would only make him look more like a joke.

"Report! Before the 'traitor' detonated earlier, he left a message for you."

"Speak!"

Tu Guiwu’s face was dark as water, his voice raspy and impossibly low, as if he were suppressing a volcanic eruption.

"He said... you are a complete idiot!"

*Whoosh!*

Following the special operations soldier’s loud announcement, the hall fell into an instant, deathly silence. Everyone reflexively turned to stare at Tu Guiwu.

*Snap! Snap-snap-snap!*

Tu Guiwu seemed to freeze. Liang Jing’s words made him feel as though he were about to explode. Seeing everyone in the hall staring at him simultaneously, Tu Guiwu felt his face burn with heat.

This was the sting of humiliation. To him, this was worse than death. The suffocating sensation returned, even more intense than before, making it hard to breathe. He felt as if he were dying, his vision darkening.

As the scion of a powerful, prestigious family, Young Master Tu had never encountered such a thing. He no longer cared about how many of his underlings had died, but he cared deeply about his reputation and dignity. Now, in front of so many people, he had been branded a fool. In that instant, he felt as if the whole world was mocking him, and every gaze directed at him was filled with contempt.

In reality, no one in the hall was in the mood to mock him; they were all in a fight for survival. If Liang Jing wasn't killed, they would all perish. The fate awaiting them after losing their backing was obvious, and no one’s prospects were any better than the others’. They were simply waiting to see how the young master would respond.

Tu Guiwu had never been treated this way in his life. Even when there was conflict, others would tread carefully or make concessions due to the Tu family’s long-standing influence in N City—stretching across government, business, the military, and the underworld. That was why they dared to move against the Liu family, who had deep military ties, and use brutal physical force to eliminate them. Not only people like Liang Jing, but even major tycoons and powerful figures treated him with courtesy, avoiding a direct, suicidal confrontation. He had never been driven to such a pathetic state by a mere working-class madman!

Tu Guiwu could take it no more. He needed to vent! Vent! Vent!

Even if no one said it to his face in the future, they would surely call him an idiot behind his back. He was finished. His future was ruined. With such a stain on his reputation, the family would surely disown him, stripping him of all eligibility to compete for succession.

*Boom!*

"Ah! Ahhh! Arghhh!"

Tu Guiwu stood up with a roar and ran frantically toward the outside. His mind was no longer clear. Driven by a cocktail of anger, despair, fear, helplessness, and shame, he sprinted outside with all his might, and no one dared to stop him.

"Liang Jing! Come out!"

"Liang Jing, I know you’re here! Come out! I’m not afraid of you!"

"Liang Jing, you pathetic, working-class nobody! If you have the guts, come out! I know you’re here. Let’s fight one-on-one. Be a man and show yourself!"

"I won't let you get away with this!..."

Under the astonished, spectacle-seeking gazes of the others, Tu Guiwu ran madly through the village, his face flushed and twisted, his voice a raspy, bestial roar. Uncle Xie, finally snapping out of his shock, realized that if this continued, they would lose all remaining face, and Tu Guiwu’s chances at the family succession would vanish—which meant Uncle Xie’s own future would be destroyed. He rushed after him.

"Young Master! Please, you can't do this! Snap out of it! Snap out of it!"

Unfortunately, Tu Guiwu paid him no mind. Finally, a ruthless glint flashed in Uncle Xie’s eyes, and he grabbed Tu Guiwu with both arms to restrain him.

Just then, Jing Hui, who had followed them out, heard Tu Guiwu’s shouting and suddenly froze. A realization clicked into place, and a veil was lifted: "Liang Jing, I know you’re here."

That was it!

If Liang Jing knew their every move, he must be nearby. If he was in the vicinity, why were they trying to lure him out? A sense of clarity washed over Jing Hui; his mind was sharp and focused.

"Young Master, Master Tu, I have an idea! This time, Liang Jing will have no way to escape!"

Tu Guiwu, now somewhat calmed by Uncle Xie’s restraint, glared at Jing Hui. If it weren't for him, he wouldn't be the laughingstock of everyone present. He had no patience or trust left for Jing Hui.

"Young Master, this plan could have succeeded, but why did it fail? It’s because Liang Jing knew our plans in advance. Information leaked. There must have been one of Liang Jing's people among us."

"Young Master, don't you want to kill Liang Jing? If you kill him, it will prove your brilliance. The previous failure was just a minor setback. History is written by the victors; we can just make up an excuse, say the setback was part of the plan to make Liang Jing lower his guard."

As Jing Hui continued his persuasion, Tu Guiwu seemed to regain his composure. That was it—the failure was clearly because Liang Jing had anticipated their scheme. He didn't have time to hunt for spies now; the most urgent matter was dealing with Liang Jing, the demon who robbed him of his peace.

"Young Master, this time, I guarantee Liang Jing won't escape!..."