Excessive ferocity due to caution

Ten minutes later.

After washing up and getting dressed, Xu Shengzhi looked presentable again, especially with the addition of a single pair of glasses, which gave him a very distinctive look.

"Where should we eat?"

Zhao Yi asked.

Xu Shengzhi's stomach was rumbling loudly.

I don't know how long it's been since I've had a proper meal.

Xu Shengzhi said to Zhao Yi:

"Shaxian Grand Hotel, please!"

"This is the most luxurious shopping destination in our area!"

The two then went to Shaxian Snacks.

Xu Shengzhi spent lavishly, eating sixty yuan worth of food.

He even extravagantly paid for two bottles of iced cola, each costing three yuan, and drank them with Zhao Yihao.

tons tons tons tons—

"belch--"

"I haven't had such a satisfying meal in ages!"

Xu Shengzhi ate and drank his fill, then let out a satisfied burp.

The surrounding diners looked on with envy at Xu Shengzhi's audacious spending.

This place is a slum.

The people living here are all a bunch of poor bastards.

They usually save up their spare change for a week and only come to spend it once a week on the weekend.

I dare not spend more than ten yuan at a time.

Otherwise we'll go hungry next week.

Xu Shengzhi's extravagant preparation of a feast is something only a local tyrant could do!

Oh shit.

Did this kid strike it rich in the lottery?

Or did he hook up with a rich woman?

hiss--

Could it be that she's hooked up with this guy next to her?

Eek~

Nausea!

Under the suspicious gazes of the discreet diners at the Shaxian Grand Hotel, Xu Shengzhi left with Zhao Yi, completely satisfied.

The two walked along the garbage-strewn street until they reached an empty alley.

Xu Shengzhi's vain smile vanished, replaced by extreme calm.

"How are you feeling, Brother Zhao?"

Zhao Yi said thoughtfully:

"That's strange."

Xu Shengzhi replied:

"Isn't it hard to imagine that such a poor and dirty place could exist in such a prosperous and resource-rich city?"

"The people here live with garbage all day long. Some people will feel bad for days if they spend an extra dollar, and they will feel guilty to the point of tears if they waste even a tiny bit of food..."

"But in reality, these people are actually quite lucky... because at least they have money to eat."

"There is another group of unfortunate people... They can only find food in the garbage dump every day. If there is nothing in the garbage dump, they have to catch rats, poisonous insects, and eat cockroaches..."

"If they don't have these either, then they'll just have to lie in the garbage dump and starve to death."

"Isn't that absurd?"

Zhao Yi did not answer.

The warehouse ghost beside him frowned and said:

"I observe that many people in this slum possess the strength of a near-Great Fiend. Why don't they find work?"

For someone at the half-step Great Ferocity level, surviving in the ruined city couldn't be easier.

These people, however, seem to have tacitly chosen to rot in this garbage dump.

I'd rather starve to death than go out and find a job...

That's strange.

Xu Shengzhi glanced at the warehouse ghost and asked Zhao Yi for a cigarette he couldn't afford.

He took a drag of his cigarette and exhaled a puff of stale air.

"Do you think they don't want to?"

"If I could find a job, I could go out for a few drinks and some grilled skewers after work every day..."

He didn't continue, but the warehouse ghost already understood.

"Is someone preventing them from finding work in the abandoned city?"

Xu Shengzhi leaned against the wall, and the wind blowing outside would suddenly lift the corner of his clothes.

He lit some cigarette ash, his tone unusually calm, his expression forlorn.

"The abandoned city... many people come here every year..."

"But a city can only accommodate a limited number of people."

"If someone insists on squeezing in, then some people will inevitably have to leave."

"Many kind-hearted indigenous people here once had their own businesses and careers. They kindly welcomed people from outside, but before long, they were pushed out of this native city by the outsiders..."

"Isn't it ironic?"

Zhao raised an eyebrow and said:

"And then?"

Xu Shengzhi stared at the sparks on his fingertips and said:

"Some people can't survive, so they leave their homes."

"There are also some people who are quite stubborn and won't listen to anyone's advice... They'd rather rot in their own hometown."

Zhao Yi smiled and said:

"So... when you say you're helping me, you mean you want me to lead these marginalized, unwilling native inhabitants... to reclaim their city?"

Xu Shengzhi's tone was somewhat agitated:

"They are all very capable and talented people!"

"They just lack an opportunity, they lack a capable leader!!"

"Besides, our land..."

"Shouldn't we take it back?!"

He said.

He burned his hand with a cigarette butt without even realizing it.

Zhao Yi gestured to Xu Shengzhi, at which point Xu Shengzhi suddenly snapped out of his daze, scattering his hands in a flurry of activity and shouting:

"So hot! So ...

After exchanging a glance with the warehouse ghost, Zhao Yi then addressed Xu Shengzhi, who was still blowing on his hands:

"I can take the person in."

"We can also help you reclaim the land."

"But I have one request that you cannot refuse."

Xu Shengzhi's eyes lit up, and he said with delight:

"you say!"

Zhao Yi stroked his chin and said:

"From now on, all of you from before must die completely."

"Your lives are mine."

Xu Shengzhi took a deep breath, his expression serious and earnest:

"I will try my best to persuade them... Please give me some time."

P.S.: First update. Hurry up today!