Chapter Sixty-Two: Dialogue

"Gentlemen," Yu Youde gestured, pinching the sleeve of his right hand with his left in a refined manner, indicating, "Please, have some tea." The tea was scalding, a delicate white steam curling up from the rim of the cup, slowly spiraling into the air.

Fang Mu pushed the tea aside, speaking bluntly, "You just said we're not enemies?"

It was indeed unexpected that they had come here without a violent confrontation.

Judging by Yu Youde's demeanor, he seemed to have something to say.

"Of course not," Yu Youde shook his head, placing his teacup down, setting both hands on the table as he straightened his posture, his expression solemn. "This county regards you both as exceptional talents. How could you possibly be enemies?"

"Exceptional talents? Spare me the roundabout talk," Fang Mu pressed his hand on the handle of his butcher’s knife. "Just say it straight—what’s your purpose with this game of inviting us into the trap?"

Behind Iron Calculation Immortal, the shadowy Eight Trigrams had transitioned from vague to solid.

The air was heavy; it felt as if a single word out of place would spark a fight.

"Hahaha!" Yu Youde suddenly burst out laughing, stroking his long beard as he rocked back and forth, laughter booming from the man well past forty.

After a while, his laughter faded, his face growing serious.

"Gentlemen..." Yu Youde clasped his hands in salute to Fang Mu and his companion and spoke, to Fang Mu's surprise, "This county regards you as rare talents—would you be willing to work for me?"

The Eight Trigrams shadow behind Iron Calculation Immortal paused; he too was startled by Yu Youde's words.

"You’re already a dog without a home," Fang Mu replied after a moment, shaking his head. "What, you want to drag us down with you?"

"Not at all." Yu Youde disagreed, confident. "This county has his own methods. You need only follow me in pursuit of great plans."

"What methods?" Fang Mu asked, intrigued.

Yu Youde produced two pieces of tree bark, placing them on the table. "Eat these, and I’ll tell you."

Fang Mu withdrew his gaze; this was a ploy to turn them into Weird Scholars.

But...

Fang Mu drew the butcher’s knife from his waist and sliced the bark into fragments.

"Ah," Yu Youde sighed in regret. "This county cherishes talent. What a pity you act this way."

"This county?" Fang Mu sneered. "Still clinging to your magistrate title at a time like this? How ridiculous."

"Why not?" Yu Youde took a sip of tea, calm as ever. "Since I took office, Dragon Well County transformed from impoverished to stable. Though not wealthy, hunger and cold are no longer threats. The title is well deserved."

"To feed on your own child and kill your wife—does that merit such a title?" Fang Mu mocked. "The number of lives lost at your hands, I doubt you could count them on one hand."

Yu Youde's expression did not change. Instead, he wore an air of natural certainty.

"With ability comes longevity. I can accomplish more of what I desire," Yu Youde pointed to the teapot, drawing an analogy. "Like this teapot—only with water can it offer tea’s flavor to many. A handful of lives traded for my clean governance and the peace of a region—isn’t that a fair exchange?"

"The dead would disagree."

"That’s their reason for dying—hopelessly stubborn."

Yu Youde turned to Iron Calculation Immortal, saying, "Fang Mu, truthfully, I don’t really want him. I only want you. As for him... it’s just to give you face. Be grateful."

Iron Calculation Immortal: "..."

I haven’t said a word, and I’m suddenly caught in the crossfire. Even a tool has dignity. If not for being outmatched, I’d use divination to kill you!

"Think it over," Yu Youde poured another cup of tea. "Before the tea cools, you may answer. Frankly, I admire you. You and I are alike. I am a lover of talent."

"Oh?" Fang Mu gazed at the rising steam. "Alike how?"

"Every man for himself, heaven and earth condemn," Yu Youde said. "My actions are indeed for myself, but you’re no different. When the Great Wilderness Village was threatened by the strange, and the strange used the Inspector-General Qingruo as leverage, you showed your true colors."

Every man for himself, heaven and earth condemn?

Fang Mu never expected such a judgment from an enemy.

"So we are the same kind," Yu Youde declared, each word weighty, "and because of that, I understand you better. Together, we could achieve great things."

Fang Mu reached out, pressing the teapot on the table. With a flick—

The teapot soared and smashed to pieces on the floor.

He took Yu Youde’s teacup, lifting it and pouring the boiling tea onto the ground.

Yu Youde’s gaze sharpened, his face growing dark. "Rarely do I find someone with such potential, and you insist on being so obstinate?"

"You’re mistaken," Fang Mu replied, calm as ever.

"Oh?" Yu Youde frowned. "What did I get wrong?"

"I am not like you." Fang Mu pointed at Yu Youde, his tone dismissive. "We both act for ourselves, but you seek unattainable power, using others’ lives as stepping stones."

"But I..." Fang Mu paused, then pointed at himself. "I act for myself, but never willingly harm another’s life."

"Is there really a difference?" Yu Youde’s brow stayed furrowed.

"If slaughtering a city could make you stronger, would you do it?" Fang Mu retorted.

Yu Youde gave no answer, but his mind already held it.

If slaughtering a city could make him stronger, he would do it.

By Fang Mu’s reasoning, that was their difference.

"You mean to say I’ve lost my humanity?" Yu Youde asked.

"No," Fang Mu shook his head. "You may not even be human anymore."

"Enough talk!" Yu Youde slammed the table, as if his tail had been stepped on, furious. "Either agree or die!"

"Already rattled?" Fang Mu narrowed his eyes.

Yu Youde’s veins bulged. "Agree or refuse!"

"It will answer you," Fang Mu said coolly.

"It?" Yu Youde was puzzled.

Fang Mu drew the butcher’s knife, a flash of light slicing through the air.

By now, the sun hung in the sky.

Bathed in sunlight, the butcher’s knife gleamed with a chilling brilliance.

"Chah—"

Fang Mu stabbed the knife into the table, his gaze thick with murderous intent as he spat out two words—

"Fight me!"