Chapter 18: Tearing Up the Contract

After being put in his place by Zheng Yuan-yi, Li Mingxing lost all interest in observing the formation Zheng had set up. He estimated that the mission was nearly complete; the architectural plans for the supply warehouse were in hand, so Li Mingxing naturally returned to his own city.

Upon his arrival, Li Mingxing noticed a change in his city—a new square-shaped building had appeared near the open plaza. This structure was crafted entirely from marble, and on each of its four walls were carved statues of five robust foreign men. After a glance, Li Mingxing realized these statues depicted the Russian warriors he had captured; twenty figures adorned the outer walls, none missing.

Inside the building, Li Mingxing saw several of his gray dwarf Destroyers and young Druid girls engaged in combat with the Russian warriors. Watching for a while, he discovered that no matter who entered the arena, the Russian fighters would give their all. Even if slain, a new Russian warrior would appear in the blink of an eye. Under such relentless pressure, whether dwarves or Russian girls, all participants fought with utmost effort, resulting in noticeable improvements in their abilities.

Satisfied after inspecting the training field, Li Mingxing was pleased with his decision to construct it ahead of schedule. With this facility, both his breeding-type and incorporeal troops would grow stronger—perhaps next time they ventured into the Inner World, their power would have risen considerably.

After leaving the training ground, Li Mingxing visited the mercenary camp at the other end of the plaza. Unlike the training field, the camp consisted merely of four tents arranged in a circle, with a bonfire burning inside.

As he entered the camp, a gust of energy suddenly blocked his path, and a voice sounded in his ear, “You have not yet learned combat skills, so please do not enter.” Upon hearing this, Li Mingxing’s first impulse was to force his way inside. After all, it was his city—there shouldn’t be any place he couldn’t go. But reconsidering, he relinquished the idea and returned to his city hall.

Back in city hall, Li Mingxing’s thoughts turned elsewhere: if the Yin Talisman Sect’s formations could increase the concentration of yin energy, could they be implemented in his city as well? With this in mind, Li Mingxing summoned Zhao Wenbin and taught him the three major skills of the Yin Talisman Sect he had just learned.

Once he had imparted everything, Li Mingxing watched Zhao Wenbin and said, “This is all I know. I lack both the time and the talent to delve deeper. But you’re different—you have time, you don’t need to fight, and you studied architecture. Your aptitude for formations shouldn’t be inferior to mine. Moreover, we’re both Easterners; our understanding of the interplay of natural forces will surely surpass that of my tutor. So I hope you can thoroughly study this and make it the foundation for all our cities.”

Zhao Wenbin did not object to Li Mingxing’s request; he saw it as an opportunity. Life in the city was unbearably dull—without something to occupy him, he would go mad. Now, with this project to research, he was naturally delighted. Li Mingxing placed no stringent demands, nor required him to reach a certain level, so Zhao Wenbin could proceed as he wished.

With this realization, a smile appeared in Zhao Wenbin’s eyes. Seeing him so, Li Mingxing also smiled.

Li Mingxing’s arrangement for Zhao Wenbin stemmed not only from a desire to strengthen his city, but also from the influence of the Dark Forest. That forest had started as a mere concept from Raymond, but with the Yin Talisman Sect’s techniques, it had become reality. If Li Mingxing mastered more technologies, he could create more than just the Dark Forest—many better things would emerge, making him stronger and more versatile, and increasing his chances of survival in the Inner World.

After setting everything in order, Li Mingxing returned once more to his district. For the third time, he sensed a change in its atmosphere. The yin energy had reached its peak; around him, it was almost solidified.

Reflecting that this environment was entirely the work of that middle-aged man, Zheng Yuan-yi, Li Mingxing admired Zheng’s strength. If Zheng weren’t so ambitious, Li Mingxing might have considered making him his subordinate.

But now, since everything in the district was settled, Zheng Yuan-yi should no longer exist. Li Mingxing needed to ensure that Zheng died in the most fitting manner.

With this resolve, Li Mingxing surveyed the surroundings with the Eye of Malice, soon locating Zheng Yuan-yi resting within the district.

As soon as Li Mingxing approached, Zheng Yuan-yi sprang up, and four battle-ready talisman constructs appeared by his side.

“You want to kill me? But it’s too late. I’ve already set up my formation here. My followers’ power is tripled, and I’ve checked everything—there’s nowhere for you to poison me. Even if you try your tricks from that night, I won’t fear you.”

Watching Zheng Yuan-yi’s bloodshot eyes, Li Mingxing smiled gently. “Is that really your plan? I don’t think you have such strength. Don’t forget, we have a contract—neither of us may kill the other.”

“A contract? Contracts are signed under duress. Now my power exceeds yours. If I want to tear up the contract, it’s just a matter of saying so,” Zheng Yuan-yi shouted. “You’d better beg for mercy now. If I’m in a good mood, maybe I’ll spare you.”

“There’s no need for that. I’m standing right here. If you want to act, go ahead.” Li Mingxing looked calmly at the four talisman constructs behind Zheng Yuan-yi, pitying them. “I don’t know how you made them, but to follow such a useless master—it’s a shame.”

Li Mingxing’s words only enraged Zheng Yuan-yi further. He pointed at Li Mingxing and shouted, “Kill him!”

No sooner had Zheng Yuan-yi spoken than he felt his heart lurch heavily. Blood spurted from his mouth. He suddenly recalled the clause in their contract: if he broke it, he would cough up blood and die.

With this realization, shock flashed in Zheng Yuan-yi’s eyes. He desperately tried to retract his words, but every time he opened his mouth, blood gushed forth, giving him no chance to speak.

Meanwhile, Li Mingxing watched Zheng Yuan-yi with a smile. Through the Eye of Malice, he saw Zheng’s aura rapidly fading, his soul steadily dissipating.

Seeing this, Li Mingxing understood Zheng Yuan-yi was being punished by the contract. If he were a typical villain in a novel, he would reveal all his motives. But Li Mingxing was not that kind of man; he did not disclose his trump card when eliminating someone. He simply watched Zheng Yuan-yi’s futile attempts to speak, his continuous vomiting of blood, and the steady loss of life, until Zheng’s soul completely dispersed in the district.

Once certain of Zheng Yuan-yi’s death, Li Mingxing let out a heavy sigh, moved the corpse aside, and began searching it.

After rummaging for some time, Li Mingxing sighed in disappointment—Zheng had been very cautious, keeping nothing valuable on his person. Now, with his soul gone, Li Mingxing had no way of obtaining his secrets.

With this regret, Li Mingxing blamed himself for his impatience. Had he waited a bit longer, he might have discovered where Zheng hid his treasures, yielding greater rewards.

With these thoughts, Li Mingxing transported Zheng Yuan-yi’s corpse to the mysterious bar. Placing it before Raymond, the old man beside him exclaimed, “This body is useless—his soul is completely gone. Don’t expect me to find anything.”

“I have no such expectation. I just want to ensure he doesn’t get a chance to resurrect. Please deal with it, and check if he hid anything on him.”

Hearing this, the old man picked up Zheng’s body, quickly dissecting it into pieces. After searching through them, he excitedly told Li Mingxing, “You were right! He stashed everything inside his body.”

As he spoke, the old man fished out a thigh bone and pointed at it. “See? This bone is fake—there must be something hidden inside. Take it yourself.”

Li Mingxing hesitated, then handed the bone back to the old man. “I think I’d rather let you handle it, and I’ll just learn by watching.”