The Bottom Line of Being Human, Cannot Be Broken

Zhang San wore the motley uniform of the White Horse Gang; his frame was not burly, but rather somewhat thin and frail, his face etched with the wear of the world.

Every evening, he would return home punctually, often carrying oil-paper parcels that looked like leftovers from a restaurant, or perhaps a few steaming hot buns.

What moved Lin Qing even more was that Zhang San had an elderly, sickly mother at home.

The first thing Zhang San did upon returning home was to serve his mother her meal, his movements cautious and meticulous, his eyes filled with genuine concern.

From a distance, Lin Qing could even hear him speaking to his mother in soft, gentle whispers, a stark contrast to the crudeness of typical street thugs.

Lin Qing had also gathered from the scattered gossip of the nearby neighbors.

Though Zhang San was in the White Horse Gang, he survived primarily by being ruthless and reckless with his life.

Yet, his temperament seemed somewhat stubborn.

When collecting protection money, he would often turn a blind eye to those who were truly destitute and lonely, taking only a pittance.

For this, he was frequently reprimanded by the gang's minor leaders and did not fit in well with the other thugs.

This Zhang San, he is actually a filial son? And it seems his conscience has not yet been extinguished?

Lin Qing stood in the shadows, watching Zhang San carefully pick out the shredded meat from his meager haul for his mother, while he himself gnawed on dry rations with pickled vegetables, and his heart could not help but ripple with emotion.

He thought of his own mother's hardships in his past life, the tragic fate of Old Fan's family, and the days he had spent relying on his sister for survival in this life.

In this world, it was already difficult enough for the common folk at the bottom to stay alive.

Someone like Zhang San, who still sought to preserve a shred of conscience while mired in the mud, was all the more rare.

The Ge Pao Society's assessment task was to teach him a lesson and seize the meager wealth in his home.

But that bit of money might be the life-saving medicine for his old mother, the very hope they had to keep living.

To lay a hand on a person like this, I cannot do it...

Lin Qing shook his head slowly, his mind already made up.

He, Lin Qing, pursued strength to protect his loved ones.

He did it to survive in this chaotic world and to live better.

It was not to become an executioner who could not distinguish right from wrong and who bullied the good.

If he were to strike at a man who still possessed a conscience just to pass an assessment, how would he be any different from the likes of the Pan Family or Lord Leopard of the White Horse Gang?

His path did not lie there.

"The heavens have their ways, not existing for the sake of kings. A man of ambition must be strong, and not fear the frost."

"At worst, I will offer up the secret recipe for the Blood Nourishing Powder and ask Master to step in on my behalf."

In the night, Lin Qing took one last look at the dilapidated window glowing with lamplight, then turned away in silence.

No matter what, the bottom line of being a human could not be broken.

The next day, at the first light of dawn.

With a complex heart, Lin Qing found Zhang Shun in a quiet corner of the martial arts hall.

A helpless, bitter smile on his face, he cupped his hands and said, "Senior Brother Zhang, I am afraid I cannot comply with the assessment task you assigned me."

He was prepared to see the disappointment in Zhang Shun's eyes.

After all, refusing an organization's assessment task was, in the eyes of any gang or sect, akin to a provocation or an act of cowardice.

However, to his surprise, Zhang Shun was not displeased upon hearing this; instead, a meaningful smile appeared on his face.

He patted his shoulder firmly, his tone carrying a hint of approval:

"Good, Junior Brother Lin, you truly did not disappoint me. And you did not let Big Brother misjudge you!"

Lin Qing was stunned, his eyes full of astonishment: "Senior Brother Zhang, what do you mean by this?"

Zhang Shun laughed heartily, draped an arm around his shoulder, and led him to a more secluded spot before lowering his voice to explain: "Did you think that assessment task was really just about bullying a thug and snatching some silver?"

"Could it be that there is more to it?" Lin Qing's heart stirred.

"Naturally!"

Zhang Shun nodded, his expression becoming more serious.

"The original intention behind the founding of our Ge Pao Society, besides leading the brothers to make money and fight for a prosperous future in this chaotic world, is to value righteousness above all else. We all believe in the Guanwu Emperor!"

"The Guanwu Emperor?"

Lin Qing felt a jolt in his heart. Did this other world actually have a belief similar to Guan Gong?

"Indeed!"

A look of reverence appeared in Zhang Shun's eyes.

"Legend has it that the Guanwu Emperor was righteous to the heavens, loyal and brave beyond compare!"

"Back then, to save his sworn brother, he went to the meeting alone with only a blade, falling deep into the encirclement of ten Martial Saints. He even went so far as to sever his own cultivation path, cutting off his future as a Martial Saint just to preserve the bond of brotherhood."

"Such acts of deep loyalty and righteousness, sacrificing oneself for the sake of honor, have been praised by generations and serve as a model for us all."

He looked at Lin Qing, his tone carrying a hint of scrutiny: "That rascal Zhang San, though he belongs to the White Horse Gang, is filial to his mother and has never truly committed evil among the neighbors; a shred of conscience still remains in him."

"If you were to strike him down indiscriminately just to complete a task, robbing him of his livelihood, that would be heartless and unrighteous, running contrary to the principles of benevolence and righteousness held by our Ge Pao Society."

"A person with such a disposition, no matter how skilled, would never be accepted into our ranks."

"So that's how it is..."

Lin Qing suddenly understood, a ripple of emotion stirring within his heart.

He had not expected that this underground organization, which seemed to harbor filth and operate in the gray areas, would possess such distinct creeds and bottom lines.

The story of the Guanwu Emperor was so similar to what he knew from his past life.

That heroic spirit, willing to sacrifice oneself for the sake of loyalty, was enough to move hearts in any world.

Deep down, he identified with this sentiment as well.

Zhang Shun laughed: "Big Brother had people look into your background long ago; he said you have a reputation for kindness on Yongning Street. Therefore, this assessment was not testing your skills, but your heart."

"It was to see if you still possess a basic sense of right and wrong, and whether you would use unscrupulous means for the sake of profit. Junior Brother Lin, you held your ground; you have passed this first trial!"

Lin Qing breathed a sigh of relief, though he also felt a new sense of wariness toward the Big Brother he had yet to meet; this man's methods were truly seasoned and ruthless.

However, identification was one thing, but Lin Qing's mind remained clear.

He would never, because of a few words about benevolence and righteousness, naively believe that the Ge Pao Society was some kind of chivalrous organization.

He had not forgotten Liu Xiaodao and his brothers, nor the Farmer Twin Fists.

Human nature, after all, is complex.

There are no permanent friends, only permanent interests.

Zhang Shun himself had said that the society was a mixed bag of people, and its primary goal was making money.

This so-called benevolence might be a banner used to unite people, a creed upheld by certain high-ranking members.

But it could never be expected that all members would be moral gentlemen.

Joining them was merely a matter of mutual need, borrowing their channels and resources.

Inside, one still needed to tread carefully and remain vigilant.

"Many thanks for the clarification, Senior Brother; I understand now," Lin Qing said, cupping his hands.

"Since you have passed the assessment, according to the rules, it is time to take you to meet Big Brother."

Zhang Shun's expression turned serious: "Follow me."

The two did not leave through the main entrance of the martial arts hall.

Instead, they slipped silently into an alleyway through a side door.

On the way, Zhang Shun handed him a black iron mask.

At the same time, he put on a black iron mask of his own.

"Members of the Ge Pao Society do not know each other's identities; we only maintain single-line contact. Once you join the Ge Pao Society, I will be your direct superior," Zhang Shun explained.

"Understood." Lin Qing nodded, taking the mask and putting it on.

Zhang Shun was clearly extremely familiar with the route.

He led Lin Qing through the intricate, winding alleys of the inner city.

Finally, they arrived at the back door of a restaurant that looked ordinary but appeared to be doing good business.