Chapter 97: Heping Street Neighborhood Office (5) — On the Verge of Breaking Out

Fan Shi glanced at the cat perched on the windowsill; it was a small black cat that looked not yet fully grown. He only swept a cursory glance over it before immediately turning his head back, looking at Du Zhengyi with a complex expression.

All Du Zhengyi saw in his eyes was suspicion and the annoyance of someone who believed they had been made a fool of. The respect Fan Shi demanded had always been greater than that of others. Even within the ranks of the Venerables, this was the case.

Du Zhengyi pursed his lower lip slightly, wondering if he should be glad that Fan Shi was not a Telepathic Mage. But even a Mind Mage would not necessarily be suspicious of a stray cat passing by; after all, what Mind Mage who prided themselves on their status would communicate telepathically with a cat or dog on the side of the road? Psychic Art was one thing, but building an entirely new telepathic communication system was another. Aside from a Mage with a personality like Luo Qi, who would be so shameless? Let me correct that: aside from Luo Qi, who would be so shameless.

"The Venerable has mentioned so many of my stained history," Du Zhengyi cut off these chaotic thoughts, trying to focus his attention, and said casually, "So it turns out you wanted to encourage me."

But Fan Shi did not speak, even though what Du Zhengyi had said was exactly what he had meant literally just moments ago.

He looked at Du Zhengyi with a trace of a smile at the corners of his mouth, and that pair of sharp eyes also carried a smile. The smile was like a form of urging and encouragement, urging Du Zhengyi to say for himself the words that he, as a Venerable, was unwilling to utter. The smile on that well-maintained face appeared inscrutable and cunning, a slight distance away from being decent and noble.

In his heart, for the first time, Du Zhengyi lost his respect for a Venerable.

He said word by word, "So it turns out the Venerable wants me to prove my own innocence."

"Every Mage who is loyal to Qionglin and serves the entire Magic World should have pure motives, noble pursuits, and an even more selfless heart," Fan Shi said gently. He blinked, his gaze soft, as if he himself were intoxicated by the sentiments evoked by these words. Du Zhengyi, however, was utterly bewildered; the words he spoke were so hollow, yet he performed as if he were the best actor on a theatrical stage.

He had always thought that if a person could achieve accomplishments in the field of Magic that surpassed everyone else, then this person should also have transcended the low-level weaknesses of human nature, such as a desire for performance, or vanity... but now, he was truly somewhat bewildered.

"The existing Mind Masters are almost unable to read my brain," Du Zhengyi said, but as soon as the words were out, he realized that Venerable Fan Shi was exactly trying to push him into such a predicament. No one could verify his absolute innocence, and proving his own innocence was undoubtedly like disemboweling himself; the outcome would be nothing more than seeking honor only to be humiliated.

Sure enough, he did not read any sense of understanding on Fan Shi's face either. The reasonable, empathetic Venerable from before no longer existed. Now, before him, there was only a Great Mage smiling complacently. Du Zhengyi suddenly realized that the Fan Shi of the past was merely a mask; he had wanted to take off the mask, he was just waiting for the right moment.

Du Zhengyi's lungs were left with almost only half the air, as if his lungs had just deflated like that. He heard himself say, "Even if they could do it, is it possible for there to be no selfish, self-interested thoughts in my brain? Could my motives be completely pure? Would I not have preferences for likes and dislikes? My pursuits have never been anything noble; many times, what I think of is merely survival, or at most, some simple right and wrong. I don't know what kind of proof you want."

The cat at the window meowed even louder; the sound was almost a bit shrill.

"Child, why would you think that way?" Fan Shi looked at him as if he were somewhat distressed, yet also with a trace of contempt, looking down at him from a high position, "Selflessness is an essential personal character for every Qionglin Mage and every Gushan Guard."

"Bullshit." This sentence from Du Zhengyi couldn't help but blurt out. Even though he had said it, he didn't feel there was any problem with being disrespectful to a Qionglin Venerable; he was already furious. "People are born this way; humans are driven by self-interest, because only through self-interest can one benefit others."

"Child, what has happened to you?" Fan Shi looked at him as if he were truly shocked and in disbelief, as if he were some pathetic piece of scum, "Why is your heart so dark? Qionglin raised you, and so many remarkable Mages were your teachers; why did they still educate you to be like this?"

Du Zhengyi's chest felt completely stifled, "If you become the head of the Qionglin Venerables, are you planning to hold a magnifying glass like this to check if every Mage's brain has selfish thoughts?"

"What are you saying?" Fan Shi's expression turned cold, and he looked haughtily at the young Mage who had reached a dead end before him, "Is this the attitude you should have toward your elders? Questioning your elders?"

"Venerable," Du Zhengyi said in a low voice, "who is your magnifying glass?"

Fan Shi sneered, stopped speaking, and looked at Du Zhengyi in silence.

The black cat at the window seemed to have reached its adult spring early; it had already started screaming incessantly, its claws scratching desperately at the window frame.

Du Zhengyi smiled slightly, "Fan Mage, look at how anxious the cat has become."

"What do you mean?" Fan Shi said suspiciously; his gaze did not dare to leave Du Zhengyi for even an inch. Even though he had made preparations in advance, Du Zhengyi had always been a legend within Qionglin. He was the sharpest blade in Pei Shu's hands; regardless of his age, he had been suited for slaughter since he was born. He had been raised in the way of a warrior, and he had never failed those trainings for a single day.

"Fan Mage, why exactly did Mage Liu Li not come?" Du Zhengyi asked with a slight smile, taking the opportunity to stretch his limbs, as if he had suddenly returned to a field he excelled in from a field he was entirely unfamiliar with.

Fan Shi did not answer him; he was a calm and composed Mage. Perhaps he had never been a Battle Mage for a single day, but his experience and surging power were not something an ordinary Mage could hope to match.

"Is Fan Mage interested in the Lotus Burners?" Du Zhengyi asked suddenly. Without waiting for an answer, Du Zhengyi shook his head and said, "No, that's not very likely, just as human terrorist organizations wouldn't catch the eye of any country's leader. Then... does Fan Mage want to get an imperial head of state position? Fan Shi the First of the First Magic Empire? Or... the First Emperor? The Magic First Emperor?"

Fan Shi remained silent, not answering his provocation, but a massive, overwhelming power rose from his body. Du Zhengyi took a deep breath, dispelling the foul air in his chest, and sniffed the burning scent as the force field changed, "I suppose there is already an ambush set up outside, right? With the Venerable taking action personally this time, the force field has become even more complex and unpredictable; I suppose it is unlikely I can escape. Fan Mage carefully chose a moment when Pei Shu was in seclusion to make a move; it seems I am destined to be his cannon fodder."

"It's not that serious," Fan Shi said expressionlessly, "I am just taking you back for an investigation."

"An investigation into whether I am selfish, bloodthirsty, and not noble enough?" Du Zhengyi said indignantly, unable to help but sneer, "I have never fought a Venerable before. If I am unfortunate enough to win this time, perhaps I could really win myself the title of Demon King. In future history books, will I be able to occupy a small section?"