Old Shi gave a bitter smile, his lips bitten until they bled.
"Fine, fine. Copper Box, you son of a bitch—you win. I'll die, all right? But I won't let you off, even as a ghost. You're making me die in your place today. Do you think that'll restore your reputation? You'll be disgraced just the same. I'm dying, and you won't live much longer either."
With death staring him in the face, Old Shi no longer feared offending Copper Box. He said whatever would hurt the most. At that moment, his hatred for Copper Box far outweighed his hatred for the Mushroom People.
As he faced death, Old Shi realized that the Mushroom People weren't in the wrong. They'd been provoked, then fought back. What was wrong with that?
Copper Box, however, was thoroughly enraged.
"Give him a dignified end," Copper Box ordered in a low voice.
Old Shi closed his eyes and waited to die. He didn't want to struggle any further. He knew that fighting back would only make his death more painful.
"Hold on!"
Across from them, Jiang Yue suddenly spoke up.
"Boss Copper Box, he lost his life to me. Surely you shouldn't be the ones to kill him?"
Jiang Yue's tone was calm, but his stance left no room for argument.
Copper Box didn't oppose him on that point. Instead, he gave a mocking laugh. "Brother Mushroom Person, what do you mean? You just demanded an explanation from me, and now you won't let me act? What, do you really want me to hand him over to you?"
Jiang Yue smiled without answering, then gave a slight nod.
Copper Box chuckled and waved a hand generously. "Fine. He's yours. But if he resists, don't come crying to me."
You three Mushroom People have no