Chapter 93: Fang's Heavy Shot, The Burning Ember

Yu Jin cried for a long time.

Ren Zhong offered no comfort.

It was pointless.

After a while, Yu Jin finally released his grip and stood up again, head bowed.

“Mr. Ren, tell me, whose fault is this really? I harbor hatred in my heart, I want revenge, but I have no target for it.”

Ren Zhong remained silent.

Yu Jin continued, “I sense something is wrong, but I don’t know what. I hate it... I hate this...”

Suddenly, Ren Zhong lunged forward and covered Yu Jin’s mouth with his hand.

“Don’t say it. Don’t ever say it aloud. Keep it buried inside.”

Ren Zhong spoke slowly.

Yu Jin tried to struggle, but Ren Zhong’s strength was formidable, his physical stamina rated at over 140; Yu Jin could not break free.

Ren Zhong lowered his voice: “I understand your anger, but now is not the time. We are not strong enough yet. We can do nothing right now. Live on for your mother’s sake. Don’t erase the final meaning of her sacrifice.”

His tone was calm, his gaze drifting toward the northern gate of the town.

That hunter must still be working there busily.

Ren Zhong was trying to mimic the tone Chen Hanyu used when describing the elderly’s final resting places earlier.

His voice was calm, but carried something different within it.

Yu Jin’s eyes widened, struck as if by lightning, filled with lingering sorrow, boiling rage, and a subtle, indescribable moment of sudden clarity.

After a long pause, Ren Zhong released his hand.

“Mr. Ren, I understand now.”

“That’s good. Shall we go then?”

“Yeah, don’t worry, I’m fine now.”

Just as Ren Zhong was about to step out, Yu Jin called after him, “Mr. Ren, I won’t stay in the house next door.”

Ren Zhong looked back.

The faint morning light streamed through the window lattice, casting a diamond-shaped patch on the floor.

The edges of the diamond faded inward.

At the junction of light and shadow stood Yu Jin, his calves bathed in sunlight, his upper body swallowed by darkness.

Though speaking to Ren Zhong, his eyes lingered elsewhere, as if watching something unseen.

Ren Zhong nodded. “Okay. Good.”

“Mr. Ren.”

“Hmm?”

“I won’t let my mother’s death be meaningless. I’ll grow stronger quickly, until I can follow in your footsteps. Starting tomorrow, let’s stop the morning hunts. I’m holding you back. You really need rest. When I feel ready, I’ll come find you again.”

Yu Jin didn’t say it outright, but his meaning was clear.

He had awakened.

Ren Zhong thought for a moment. “Come find me at the Arms Market this evening. I’ll give you a gun. Here’s 2,000 points to start with. Consider it your initial capital. Now, I’m giving you your first order!”

“Okay.”

“Become as strong as you can.”

Yu Jin: “Yes, sir.”

Stepping out, Ren Zhong pondered.

There were two possible paths for Yu Jin.

Either he would perish prematurely within seven days.

Or, if he survived, he would blaze like a meteor, drawn into the inevitable battle between himself and Lin Wang.

Ren Zhong also reflected that if he himself died in the near future, and had to make this choice again, he would pay more attention to details, ensuring the survival of Yu Jin’s mother.

Even knowing that her death would inevitably spur the boy’s potential, accelerating his awakening prematurely.

But Ren Zhong did not want Yu Jin to awaken through hatred.

Pure hatred could only sustain for a moment, not a lifetime.

True awakening must be founded on a greater conviction.

Yet Ren Zhong could not force-feed Yu Jin a worldview to hasten his growth unnaturally.

His own worldview had taken twenty-three years of gradual sedimentation in the 21st century to form, allowing him to see what others could not, and build ideals others could not imagine.

Yu Jin’s path was still very long.

For now, since events had come to this, let the boy burn brightly once and see what comes of it.

---

Back inside the Thunderbolt vehicle, blocking the dead-end alley with no complaints from anyone, Chen Hanyu finally couldn’t hold back.

“Mr. Ren, I want to know what exactly it is you’re pursuing.”

Ren Zhong looked back into her clear eyes. “Once I’ve avenged you, I’ll tell you.”

“Alright, I’ll wait. But actually…”

“But what?”

“My thoughts are the same as Yu Jin’s. Though I don’t fully understand what you want to do, I will follow you no matter what. You and everyone else in this world don’t…”

Ren Zhong covered Chen Hanyu’s mouth again.

“Don’t say it. Just keep it in your heart.”

Startled by the sudden attack, Chen Hanyu blinked widely and nodded dumbly, signaling she understood.

“Remember this from now on.”

Chen Hanyu: “Yes.”

At dusk, in the Arms Market, Ren Zhong was exchanging words with Ju Qingmeng.

“Are you really going to buy that Fangtooth heavy sniper for the kid?”

Ren Zhong nodded, lifting the heavy rifle from the consignment shelf and weighing it. It was very heavy.

The long sniper rifle was dark gray, with scratches on the body and grip, looking somewhat worn.

It was about 80% new, a level-3 heavy sniper.

The stock was engraved with the letters “blh.”

“Yes,” Ren Zhong replied. “This gun is well-maintained, no performance loss. A good companion.”

“But it’s too much for him. Although the Fangtooth has recoil mitigation design, its power is too great. Normally, only a gunslinger wearing level-3 biochemical combat armor can handle its recoil. The kid can’t manage this gun.”

Ren Zhong: “That’s why I’m buying him level-3 biochemical armor as well. Since these two go together. The gun is half-price from new, 4,000 points. The armor is also half-price, 2,000 points. Also, could you add…”

“Don’t expect an amplifier. Gunslingers are different from mech pilots. The armor just assists in countering recoil. The biochemical suit has non-Newtonian fluid properties that harden upon impact. Also, its electric stimulation activates the gunslinger’s muscles at firing moment, tightening and relaxing tissues for better buffering. That’s the principle. Your mech pilots can trade delay for higher power, but the biochemical armor can’t. A level-1 gunslinger wearing level-3 armor would be electrocuted dead after just a few shots.”

Ren Zhong thought long and hard.

He reflected that with Yu Jin’s personality and their binding, if Ren Zhong himself died, Yu Jin wouldn’t survive either.

Better to burn out in battle than be crushed helplessly.

“No matter. Buy it. That’s settled.”

Yu Jin arrived on his motorcycle. Ren Zhong handed him the gun and armor.

“Hold these tight. Both are level-3 gear. These are your trump cards. You now have an official wristwatch. There are some usage instructions I won’t elaborate, study them yourself when you get home.”

Yu Jin was stunned. “How much did this cost?”

Ren Zhong: “Not much, a few thousand points. I have the money.”

Yu Jin was silent for a moment, his thoughts unknown.

“All right, wrap these up with cloth first, then go to the training ground nearby. Find an empty intermediate zone to test the sights. Be careful not to be seen.”

“Got it!”

After Yu Jin left, Ju Qingmeng said, “There are actually other level-3 rifles with less recoil, not just this heavy sniper. Even new ones you could afford. Why insist on this secondhand Fangtooth?”

Ren Zhong squinted. “Two reasons. First, it was used by Bai Lihui.”

“Hm?”

“The Fangtooth and the Scorpion-191 that Bai Lihui currently wields share the same combat style. Second, the one-shot kill trait suits Yu Jin. I’ve observed him a long time. While he performs well with rapid-fire weapons, he wastes his extraordinary ability to discern weaknesses. By the way, although both items are consigned by Bai Lihui, could you delay transferring his money for a few days?”

At this point, Ju Qingmeng fully understood Ren Zhong’s plan.

“Bai Lihui’s weapons have been on consignment here for half a year. Few in Starfire Town can afford them easily. He doesn't care much about the money; otherwise, he’d approach the traveling merchant Wang Zhaofu. Since you insist, I’ll hold his payment for seventeen or eighteen days. No problem.”

“Thanks.”

“No need. Let’s go to my office. I have some sensitive information to share with you.”

Ren Zhong nodded.

They understood each other silently.

Lin Wang’s team were all level-4 professionals. Their equipment was nearly all level-4, sourced more complexly than ordinary teams.

Some gear came from the Arms Market, some from higher administrative procurement, and some through long-term cooperation with traveling merchants on the black market.

Ju Qingmeng thought that although Lin Wang had restrained himself out of respect for Ren Zhong and Chen Hanyu’s “relationship,” things had changed.

Ren Zhong had already chosen a better “tree” to nest in—he had “betrayed” Lin Wang.

Given Lin Wang’s temperament, conflict was inevitable someday; prudence was essential.

She was willing to provide all her information to Ren Zhong.

In the office, they sat side by side.

Ju Qingmeng opened the sales list, filtered out all gear purchased under Lin Wang’s account, and began analyzing each item's performance with Ren Zhong, offering technical input as he simulated counterattack strategies.

They discussed until 10:30 p.m.

Ju Qingmeng glanced at the time, ready to suggest skipping going home tonight and chatting a bit more, perhaps sharing a room again like last time.

Unexpectedly, Ren Zhong’s wristwatch vibrated softly.

He stood and said, “Thanks for your hard work. No wonder a level-4 team is so well-funded. I didn’t expect so much special equipment sold through you. I have an appointment tonight, so I’ll head back. I’ll come find you again tomorrow.”

Ju Qingmeng felt a bit disappointed. “Okay, I’ll see you out.”

They stepped out through the long-closed heavy doors of the Arms Market.

---

A large motorcycle boat was parked at the entrance.

Ma Xiaoling, lazily holding a horsetail grass between his teeth, sat sprawled on it facing the market gate, legs wide, left foot on the ground, right foot on the rear seat. His right elbow rested on his knee, holding a small tablet, his head tilted, eyes fixed on the screen.

Seeing Ma Xiaoling waiting outside, Ju Qingmeng was briefly surprised, but quickly composed herself.

As the door opened and Ren Zhong emerged, Ma Xiaoling withdrew his foot.

“What took you so long?”

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

Ren Zhong wiped the dirty rear seat with his sleeve, swung onto the vehicle, leaned forward habitually, wrapped his left arm around Ma Xiaoling’s waist, and waved to Ju Qingmeng.

“Manager Ju, you should rest early. I’m leaving first.”

“Mm.”

...

“What are you going to talk about with my dad tonight?”

“No comment.”

“Do you believe I’ll throw you off?”

“Captain Ma, though I’m not as strong as you, I’m at least a legit level-2 mech pilot now. My hands are steady.”

“So annoying.”

“That only shows I’m trustworthy with secrets. Your father needs someone like me.”

...

Ren Zhong didn’t talk long with Ma Dafu before leaving the town hall, riding Ma Xiaoling’s vehicle back to the small courtyard.

It was Ma Dafu who had approved the donation quota from Yu Jin’s mother to her son.

But the old woman already knew the town’s census was hopeless.

This made Ren Zhong question Ma Dafu’s persona again.

He was an important partner, so Ren Zhong needed to test him to determine future plans.

Lying in his armored sleep pod, Ren Zhong recalled every detail of their conversation.

Ma Dafu explained.

Though he knew the outcome, he could not leak any information or show unusual behavior to maintain temporary stability.

The town’s quota for temporary wastrels was always limited.

Yet every year, new babies grew up.

Elder wastrels had been working hard for Mengdu Corporation for many years; it was a common practice in countless towns.

Abruptly changing this custom would arouse suspicion.

So he approved all applications as usual.

“This at least leaves some money for others. This money is crucial seed capital for the town’s youth. Your teammate Zheng Tian started a semi-professional squad thanks to this fund.”

Ren Zhong nodded in understanding, then left.

Ma Dafu’s attitude toward these matters was no different from Chen Hanyu’s, even colder.

Ren Zhong recognized where he differed from Ma.

Ma’s sympathy for the weak was just that—sympathy, perhaps with a trace of guilt.

He cared only that as many wastrels as possible survived, no matter the cost.

Ren Zhong’s sympathy was more than sympathy.

Before sleep, he sighed softly.

Ma was still trustworthy.

Ma was a man already at the pinnacle of this world’s morality, but destined to remain there.

Without me, this world would indeed be beyond salvation.

With only seven days until Lin Wang’s return, it was time to prepare more in advance.

In truth, he was somewhat weary.

He sensed clearly that Lin Wang blocked his path—the first hurdle on a long journey.

But he found it reasonable and was not discouraged.

Had he appeared earlier or fled elsewhere, not in Starfire Town, there would still be Lin Buwang, or Sen Wang.

No difference at all.

Revolution has no shortcuts.