It Worked!

Just as Flender was on the verge of exploding, Yu Xiaogang's hoarse voice Infiltrator the door again, carrying a sorrowful tone that bordered on farewell:

"Boss Fu, I know I was wrong. I don't ask for your or Erlong's forgiveness. I just want to have a proper meal with you before I leave the Heaven Dou Empire, as a way to give myself some closure for my youth..."

Yu Xiaogang paused, his voice carrying a forced sense of dignity, or perhaps a subtle display of feigned indifference:

"... Of course, if you don't want to, I won't bother you anymore!"

That last sentence, like a cold needle, pierced precisely into the most hidden and Limber corner of Flender' heart.

"Youthful years..."

These four words, like a spell, instantly extinguished Flender's boiling rage.

Countless images surged through his mind.

The initial thrill of the Golden Iron Triangle's first encounter, the exhilarating adventures across the continent, the life-or-death moments of mutual support in the Soul Beast Forest, and... and the time they chased after Liu Erlong together, those youthful years that carried all their hopes and regrets, years that can never be returned to.

Back then, Yu Xiaogang, though still stubborn and his theories not necessarily all correct, at least had a light in his eyes and a bit of youthful vigor, unlike the disgusting mess he is now.

A complex feeling, a mixture of intense disgust and a touch of indescribable, bittersweet pity, suddenly gripped Flender.

This emotion was so intense that it even overwhelmed pure hatred.

He did not forgive Yu Xiaogang for his actions, but rather... he was moved by the heavy and sorrowful reason of "saying goodbye to youth".

The room fell into dead silence.

Outside the door, Yu Xiaogang held his breath, the oil paper package he was clutching in his hand was deformed from his grip, and he could clearly hear his heart pounding wildly in his chest.

The time for the God of Wrath's test was ticking away, and every second was agonizing.

He was gambling, gambling on the lingering, thinning friendship that Flender still held onto, gambling on Spider Web's sense of responsibility as the "elder brother" and his nostalgia for the past.

After a long few seconds, accompanied by a heavy, suppressed sigh, the sound of the bolt being pulled was clearly heard.

"Squeak--"

The door was opened a crack.

Flender's tall figure appeared in the doorway, his back to the dim light in the room, his face expressionless, only showing a cold weariness and a deep-seated indifference.

His sharp gaze swept over Yu Xiaogang's disheveled figure like that of a hawk—the bloodstains on his forehead had dried and scabbed over, but were still glaring; his tattered clothes; and the oil paper package he was carrying that reeked of a mixture of cheap grease and cheap liquor.

Flender didn't speak, but simply stepped aside to make way for him.

This action itself is a silent, extremely reluctant consent.

Yu Xiaogang's heart was filled with a burst of wild joy, which almost burst out of his chest!

But he forced himself to lower his head, putting on an expression of utter misery, humility, and boundless gratitude and repentance, his shoulders hunched, as he staggered into the room.

The room was simply furnished with a table, two chairs, and a bed. The atmosphere was as oppressive as solidified lead.

Yu Xiaogang didn't say anything, but walked straight to the table and spread out the oil paper packages one by one.

The half-roasted chicken was dull and greasy, the braised tofu was dark brown, the hard biscuits were as hard as rocks, and there was a jug of cheap ale that emitted a pungent odor. It was so shabby it was heartbreaking.

"Boss Fu... sit down..."

Yu Xiaogang's voice was still hoarse, carrying a cautious, ingratiating tone.

Flender watched all this coldly, his disgust undiminished.

He walked silently to the table, but instead of looking at the inferior food, he snorted coldly, and with a flick of his wrist, a simple and elegant jade wine pot with a smooth, warm touch appeared in his palm.

This is his Last Resort, a fine vintage spirit called "Soul Fire Prairie Fire Across the Plains," which he rarely drinks himself.

"If you're going to drink, drink this."

Flender's voice was deep and cold, carrying an unquestionable tone of command.

He unscrewed the lid, and a strong, mellow aroma of liquor with a unique spicy and fruity fragrance instantly filled the air, easily masking the sour and rotten smell of inferior ale.

He took out two clean cups, filled them to the brim, then shoved one of them heavily in front of Yu Xiaogang, picked up his own cup, tilted his head back, and gulped down a large mouthful.

The pungent liquor Burn his throat, as if it could burn away his inner turmoil and nausea.

Yu Xiaogang's heart skipped a beat!

Fortunately!

Thank goodness!

His last remaining shred of reason, suppressed by extreme hatred, came into play!

He didn't choose to poison the drink!

Otherwise, the moment Flender took out his Last Resort wine, his plan would have been completely exposed!

His gratitude for Tang San's scheming grew even stronger, but he was also filled with a sense of relief at his own "caution."

He immediately picked up his glass, forcing a grateful smile onto his face.

"Boss Fu... you're the best... thank you..."

As he spoke, he imitated Flender, tilting his head back and taking a large gulp.

The spicy liquor Burn his throat, causing him to cough violently until tears streamed down his face, making his already pale complexion even more flushed.

His disheveled appearance only reinforced his "down-and-out, pitiful" persona.

Flender simply watched him cough coldly, his eyes showing no emotion whatsoever, and offered no words of advice.

He drank alone, one glass after another, as if trying to numb himself with alcohol and forget the person in front of him and all the humiliation he had brought.

The two drank in silence, the atmosphere as heavy as the calm before Hurricane, broken only by the sounds of Flender pouring and drinking, and Yu Xiaogang's occasional suppressed coughs.

Time ticked by. Yu Xiaogang outwardly maintained a facade of fear and gratitude, but inwardly he was frantically counting down the seconds.

He Lock-On a close eye on Flender's movements out of the corner of his eye.

Flender drank quickly, his face began to flush, and his eyes became somewhat unfocused, clearly the alcohol was starting to take effect.

Yu Xiaogang knew the time was almost here!

He took a deep breath, as if finally mustering his courage, and carefully picked up a small piece of roast chicken, put it in his mouth, and chewed it slowly and laboriously.

The action was like swallowing a piece of burning coal, full of deliberate "cherishing" and "humility".

He chewed slowly, but his gaze "inadvertently" swept over the packet of braised tofu.

Flender was currently in a state of alternating agitation and numbness brought on by alcohol.

Seeing Yu Xiaogang's uneasy expression as he struggled to swallow, and then looking at the cheap, greasy food on the table, a mixture of disdain and inexplicable irritation welled up inside him.

He needed something to suppress the smell of alcohol in his throat, and more importantly, he needed to do something to break the suffocating silence.

"Snort."

Flender snorted softly, his disdain undisguised. He reached out, grabbed several pieces of dark brown braised tofu without even looking at them, stuffed them into his mouth, and began to chew them roughly.

The greasy, coarse texture and the bland taste with a hint of something strange made him frown even more, but he didn't care. He was just eating for the sake of eating and wanted to end this nauseating "farewell banquet" as soon as possible.

Now!

Deep within Yu Xiaogang's cloudy eyes, the two long-suppressed, fiery dark red lights, as intense as hellish magma, burst forth uncontrollably!

A low, hoarse laugh, as eerie as the cry of Night Owl, escaped his throat.

"Heh... hehe..."