Chapter Twenty-Eight: Kill Me

After Mu You finished speaking, he threw a punch at Bai Zai with such speed that it whipped up swirling gusts, howling as it struck. Bai Zai couldn’t dodge; his serpentine body was shattered by Mu You’s fist.

“Have you ever grown up without father or mother? Have you ever watched all the women you loved, your closest friends, your classmates, slaughtered before your eyes? Have you ever been vivisected for your organs? Have you ever been falsely accused and sentenced to death? Have you ever had your guts burned by blazing fire? I’ve been through it all! Don’t you dare whine before me—you aren’t qualified!”

With every sentence, Mu You’s blows grew stronger, until every bone in Bai Zai’s body was broken. Only then did Mu You pull back.

Blood trickled from Bai Zai’s lips as he lay motionless, his body reverting to its original form, chest rising and falling in ragged breaths. He made no attempt to retaliate; his special moves had been broken by Mu You, and in close combat, he was even less a match.

Mu You straddled him again, raining blows from both sides. He was seeking vengeance for Xu Chen, and for all those innocents whose lives had been lost for nothing.

“Do you admit you were wrong?” Mu You demanded.

“No, I don’t!” Bai Zai replied.

“Are you convinced?”

“No!”

“Do you believe I’ll kill you right now?”

“If you’re going to kill me, hurry up!”

By now, Bai Zai’s face was so battered it was unrecognizable. Through swollen eyelids, he still glared defiantly at Mu You.

Mu You picked up an arrow, aimed it at Bai Zai’s brow, pressing slowly. Scarlet blood welled up, streaming down Bai Zai’s face, yet his gaze remained unnervingly calm, locked onto Mu You, neither resisting nor yielding.

He was unafraid, and Mu You was even less so. The metal tip pierced the skin, digging bit by bit into the bone of his forehead.

“Yes, like this—while I still retain a shred of humanity, kill me…” Bai Zai spoke with calm acceptance, not a trace of anguish in his voice.

“Fine! I’ll grant your wish!” Mu You raised the arrow, ready to thrust it into Bai Zai’s skull, but stopped abruptly when only a centimeter remained.

Bai Zai’s expression changed from tranquil to puzzled, looking at Mu You in confusion.

“It hurts, doesn’t it… licking your wounds alone…” Mu You’s gaze, fixed on Bai Zai, began to soften.

“True hope exists only in the despair that welcomes death, just as you did a moment ago.” Mu You pressed his forehead to Bai Zai’s, feeling his heartbeat, and spoke gently.

Bai Zai’s heart skipped a beat in his astonishment.

“If you feel pain, why force yourself to submit? Mistakes aren’t shackles that halt a person’s progress; they are necessary steps toward maturity. So what if you’re not strong? People become kind and resilient precisely because they know their own weakness. Just now, didn’t you want to die with your last shred of clarity? If you still have hope for the future, why surrender to darkness? If you truly wish to avenge yourself on this society…”

As he finished, Mu You aimed the sharp arrowhead at his own heart, placing the other end in Bai Zai’s hand, staring at him with intense, sincere eyes.

“I am willing to use my own blood to soothe your soul as it falls into the abyss. If hatred stands in the way of you raising your head, I am willing to lay down my life for you. Kill me, and say farewell to the past—face this world anew…”

As Bai Zai listened, his eyes widened, and to his surprise, tears began to flow. He had promised never to shed another tear for this world, yet at this moment, he desperately wanted to cry. This warmth felt as though, finally, someone recognized him. In front of Mu You, he could drop all his defenses, venting his bottomless pain and sorrow in a wild, unrestrained outpouring.

Was this truly the bond between condemned souls? He could only envy it.

The arrow slipped from Bai Zai’s hand.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry…” His voice grew hoarse, and at last Bai Zai broke down in sobs.

“I’m so afraid—afraid of being replaced, afraid of returning to that dark, hopeless existence. The clan system is so corrupt, I could only grow desperately within compromise. I never wanted this, but I had no choice but to obey them. I’m sorry, truly… sorry…”

Clinging to Mu You, Bai Zai poured out his terror and grief until he began to vomit blood violently.

“What’s wrong!?” Mu You cried in alarm.

“He just drank Big Brother’s blood—there was secreted venom from Big Brother’s Meridian Soul Worm mixed in. His own worm is at too low a stage, his body can’t handle it, so it’s triggering rejection,” Miao You explained, pity in her eyes as she looked at Bai Zai.

“What should I do?” Mu You asked.

“Stomach pump.”

Hearing this, Mu You grabbed a drink from the vending machine and forced it down Bai Zai’s throat as he continued to spew blood.

“Bear with it,” Mu You said, then punched Bai Zai’s belly. Bai Zai doubled over, vomiting violently.

Once he had purged the blood, Bai Zai was utterly drained, collapsing onto Mu You, his face pale, managing only a bitter smile, unable to speak.

Mu You dragged him into the vending machine’s storeroom to keep him safe from other Freemen. Looking at Bai Zai’s battered state, Mu You shook his head helplessly.

Ah, truly pitiful. Fortunately, the Meridian Soul Worm’s terrifying regenerative power should prevent lasting harm.

“What year and month were you born?” Mu You asked.

“March 2nd, 3001.”

Mu You grinned. “Looks like I’m exactly one month older than you.”

The youth was startled, then lowered his head, an unusual shyness overtaking him. He opened his mouth a few times, voice so soft it was like the buzz of a mosquito, as if he was saying something.

“What is it?” Mu You caught only fragments and asked again.

“I said, could you be my big brother…? No one has ever been so kind to me—especially after the way I treated you.”

Bai Zai didn’t dare look at Mu You, casting his gaze aside, but he mustered the courage to speak.

Mu You laughed heartily. “Of course! I’m an orphan too—no parents, no siblings. I’ll be your big brother!”

Bai Zai hadn’t expected Mu You to agree so readily. He was taken aback, but then happiness and uncertainty mingled as he tried, “Brother…”

“What did you say?” Mu You pretended not to hear, pressing his ear to Bai Zai’s and asking loudly.

“Brother!” Bai Zai, exasperated, took a deep breath and shouted with all his strength.

“That’s a good boy!” Mu You, pleased with his little joke, patted Bai Zai’s head. Seeing them both covered in blood, Mu You marveled at fate’s unpredictability—that things should end this way.

“Do you have any tracking devices from your clan on you?”

Once their emotions settled, Mu You questioned Bai Zai.

“Yes.” Bai Zai took off the ring from his finger and handed it to Mu You. “This ring not only tracks my location, but also monitors my physical condition.”

“Excellent, that makes things easier!” Mu You said, taking the ring and gripping it with both hands. With a sharp crack, the ring snapped in two.

“Brother, what are you doing?” Bai Zai asked, confused.

Mu You grinned, slipping the broken ring halves into his pocket and patting Bai Zai’s shoulder.

“A big brother has to give his little brother a welcome gift.”