Apocalypse Forecast-Chapter 589 - 494: Are You Going to Persecute Me Again?_1
Out of the blue, a student fell from the sky. Crying and begging to take me as their master! It’s as if I’ve suddenly become some top-tier big shot like a Xuan Niao. If they cling to my coattails, they could smoothly rise to prominence, get a promotion and a raise, and reach the pinnacle of life. Even big shots who once seemed untouchable wrote personal letters of recommendation, with warm words and friendly attitudes, seeking *my* opinion, *this* young man, trying to make a deal. ’Little brother, my no-good great-grandson is crying and shouting about serving you as his ox and horse. Could you do me a favor and take him under your wing, alright?’
Huai Shi looked down at the brief letter of recommendation, turning it over and over. He made sure he was not hallucinating or drugged. There was no Curse or hidden malice in the letter.
And Lin Nineteen indeed appeared utterly sincere, without any hint of conspiracy or trickery.
But isn’t there something not quite right? To be fair, members of the Lin family are villains through and through, but they aren’t usually brainless, are they? Besides, they’re being exceptionally polite, showing me great deference, but would I really dare to disagree? If I agreed, everything would be fine. But if I didn’t... could the contemporary Zhujuyin save face? If he became infuriated with shame, he could easily stab me to death right here, even from a hundred thousand miles away.
Deep down, Huai Shi had no desire to take on this student.
Firstly, no matter how I look at Lin Nineteen, he just doesn’t seem like an art youth crying and begging to follow me and play the cello purely out of love for classical music. Secondly, to say anyone from the Lin family is virtuous is a joke. They all walk the Path of Karma; each and every one of them deserves to be shot ten times without injustice. Compared to this family of bloodthirsty monsters, I’m nothing more than a show husky. With my dog-like demeanor, how could I possibly lead them as head of the family?
Nowadays in the Ivory Tower, the relationship between a mentor and student might not be as close as it was in ancient times. But even as an instructor, if a student gets into trouble, there’s no escape for me. If Lin Nineteen can’t suppress his criminal urges at school, I’ll likely be implicated too and end up in the police station. I might just be walking down the street, eating hotpot and singing songs, when a huge scapegoat pot falls from the sky and lands on my head... impossible to dislodge. Lin Nineteen, even if he seems innocent and harmless now, is essentially a walking disaster.
Huai Shi had only recently enjoyed more than half a year of peace and really didn’t feel like jumping into this pit again.
Therefore, he felt even more helpless.
Looking down at Lin Nineteen, who lay on the ground and wouldn’t get up, Huai Shi couldn’t help but look up to the heavens and lament, "Why must it be like this? If there’s something appealing about me, can’t I just change it? Why must you fixate on me alone?"
"How could you say such a thing, Teacher!"
Lin Nineteen was still stubbornly on the ground. When Huai Shi wasn’t paying attention, he had even managed to cling to his leg. He responded earnestly, "Teacher, you are upright and always keep yourself pure. You excel in both letters and arms, are highly respected, and strikingly handsome! Looking around the entire region, among the younger generation, who could compare with you in looks, experience, or talent?"
Huai Shi paused, stroked his chin, and couldn’t help but nod. "That’s true, though."
Seeing an opening, Lin Nineteen’s excitement surged, and he hugged Huai Shi’s leg even tighter. He went on incessantly, "Disciple knows he is dull-witted. In my heart, there is only profound respect for you, without the slightest disrespect. I only hope to serve tea and pour water for my benefactor, to stay by your side, and to Listen to your teachings. That alone would make me content.
"I hope Teacher can forget the past and take in this pitiful child who has found his way back and turned over a new leaf. Please, give me a ray of light, a piece of the sky! I will surely repay your great kindness. I would break myself to pieces, show utmost gratitude, and serve you like an ox or horse!"
"That seems correct too."
Huai Shi contemplated for a moment. He looked down at the Wood Cottage that seemed to be tied to his leg and wouldn’t come off, then smiled. "Little Nineteen..."
"Yes, Teacher! What are your instructions?"
Lin Nineteen looked up in pleasant surprise.
Then, he saw the dark muzzle of a gun.
—Ultra Miniature Judgment Device - The Fly King.
Overload mode ready.
A light capable of turning him to ash in an instant was brewing in the chamber. With a pull of Huai Shi’s trigger, Lin Nineteen’s life could start anew.
A bone-chilling coldness spread from the flickering light, freezing Lin Nineteen in place. His smile also stiffened.
Years of courting death told him this was no joke. The smiling, kindly-faced big brother in front of him truly intended to kill him right here. He was fully capable of it, too, and could even ensure he would never be reborn—not even the Spirit Coffin could revive him. Under that gaze, a realization dawned on him amid his terror: this man wasn’t killing me because his Grandfather was Zhujuyin, who intimidated all of Dongxia’s nine prisons. It was purely because... he didn’t feel like it yet.
If he wished it,
I would die.
In that instant, Lin Nineteen finally caught a glimpse of the ferocious edges and true nature beneath the man’s usually mild and languid exterior.
That was why he was truly afraid.
But Lin Nineteen couldn’t quite discern—was he more afraid of death, or of this big brother, who was only a few years his senior?
