Chapter 84: He Tian’s Friends (Part 2)

Lazy Cat doesn't like women!

More precisely, Lazy Cat is utterly averse to women.

Thus, on Lazy Cat’s list of targets, whenever the mark was female, he always completed the job more swiftly and decisively than any other assassin.

He Tian had always wondered what story lay behind Lazy Cat—was it that he’d been hurt by a woman? Or was there something peculiar about his preferences? Or perhaps some other unspeakable reason?

Who could say?

He Tian guessed and guessed, but never came close to unraveling the secret. Lazy Cat wouldn’t say, and questions were met with silence.

So, hearing Lazy Cat’s words to Ruth now—even indulging in “fantasies”—was astonishing!

Was this really something a eunuch would say?

He Tian’s curiosity was piqued even further.

But unfortunately, he had no opportunity to press for more. For the next changes in Lazy Cat’s expression made He Tian break into a smile.

Ruth was an exceptionally clever woman. She claimed to be the most gifted pirate—if not for a sudden mishap among her crew, He Tian would never have had the chance to rescue her.

Now, because of a single sentence from He Tian, Ruth instantly seized upon Lazy Cat’s weakness.

Lazy Cat’s weakness was women.

Thus, Ruth transformed in a moment into Lazy Cat’s most zealous, genuine fangirl—going so far as to wrap him up with her “octopus” skills, thoroughly entangling him.

He Tian knew well: Lazy Cat could be ruthless to female enemies, but with friends, there was no such harshness.

So now, Lazy Cat was sinking into a pit of misery.

He tried to escape...

But Ruth chased after him!

He Tian shook his head slightly.

“Cat, brother, there’s nothing I can do for you! Ahh…” He Tian sighed and shook his head, but inside, he was barely holding back laughter.

Had Lazy Cat finally met his nemesis?

Judging by the situation, it certainly seemed so. Unless Lazy Cat dared to make a move against Ruth—but that was absolutely impossible. He Tian knew better than anyone how Lazy Cat treated friends. Ruth, though only recently acquainted, had met Lazy Cat through He Tian. So, Ruth was Lazy Cat’s friend—there was no doubt about it.

He Tian’s urgent summons worked wonders!

A very peculiar man walked out of the airport.

He was so striking that it was impossible for him not to draw attention.

Because of his face...

He turned heads almost one hundred percent of the time!

It wasn’t because his face was handsome—no, it was because he was so hideous, so grotesque, people couldn’t help but look twice.

To be so ugly was a rare flower indeed!

His name was Ugly.

Yes, he made no attempt to hide his appearance; even his name reflected his acceptance and openness about his looks.

He Tian had met Ugly during a mission.

He Tian remembered clearly: he had received an assignment to “cleanse” someone—a former official from the homeland!

That official had absconded abroad with stolen funds and was now being protected by foreign authorities.

By official channels, it seemed impossible to bring him to justice.

But unofficially, there were many ways to make him pay.

Unfortunately, fifteen-year-old He Tian failed that time!

The target was guarded by many experts.

It was Ugly who saved He Tian!

Ugly was in the midst of robbing the target’s money...

Ugly was formidable! At fifteen, He Tian was only at the second level of internal strength, but Ugly was already at the fourth—though just the lower four, which was already top-tier.

That encounter led He Tian and Ugly to become sworn brothers.

Among all his friends, Ugly was one of the few who knew He Tian’s true identity.

Of course, He Tian now belonged to Dragon Soul, which Ugly couldn’t know. Ugly only knew He Tian worked for the government.

And He Tian gained a deep and comprehensive understanding of Ugly.

Ugly was a hero!

Yes, Ugly was a hero—a modern-day Robin Hood.

His targets were always foreigners, no matter if they were good or evil; as long as they had money, they were Ugly’s prey.

He never touched anyone domestic, no matter how rich or corrupt.

From this perspective, Ugly was a true oddity.

All the money he acquired abroad, Ugly invested in the mountainous region where he was born.

Unfortunately, He Tian did not approve of Ugly’s approach.

Not because Ugly threw away the money without a second thought, but because his method of donating was problematic.

He didn’t give it to charities, nor did he directly help those he wished to assist. Instead, he handed it over to the local government...

And as far as He Tian knew, aside from some initial monitoring, Ugly no longer paid any attention to how the money was used.

He Tian had tried to persuade Ugly many times.

But Ugly never listened!

This left He Tian helpless.

Especially when Ugly claimed he trusted the government because of his relationship with He Tian—it made He Tian feel immense pressure.

“Ugly! My brother!” He Tian embraced him.

“Tian! I’m here! I told you, whenever you need me, just call!” Ugly grinned. “But your progress has disappointed me! You’re a genius… but not hardworking enough!”

“Ugly… please, don’t discourage me!” He Tian was shocked by Ugly’s precise assessment of his current abilities.

When they first met, He Tian was only at the second level of internal strength.

Now, he’d reached the third level—the middle ranks of the third! He considered his progress remarkably swift.

But in Ugly’s eyes, it still wasn’t enough!

How could He Tian not feel speechless?

Especially considering Ugly was just twenty-eight now.

At their first meeting, Ugly was twenty-four—and already at the lower four levels of internal strength!

Ugly’s talent surpassed even He Tian’s. After all, Ugly trained alone, unlike He Tian, who had the Dragon Head guiding him.

“Pressure drives progress! I always remember that!” Ugly laughed.

“Fine, I accept your good intentions!” He Tian looked at Ugly and asked in a low voice, “You’re at the fifth level now?”

“Fifth? Don’t make me laugh! You give me too much credit! Just the upper four. I feel I’ve hit a huge bottleneck!” Ugly said, frustrated.

He Tian was speechless yet again.

Comparisons between people truly could drive one mad.

Ugly’s talent was evident.

“Take it slow! Maybe, if you change your lifestyle, you’ll find the breakthrough you need,” He Tian smiled.

The fifth level of internal strength!

That was the highest traditional tier.

He Tian didn’t know if anyone had surpassed it.

But he knew that anyone reaching the fifth level was a master—a super expert...

And Ugly was nearly among them!

Frankly, it was a powerful stimulus for He Tian.

“What’s the job?” Ugly asked He Tian.

“Don’t worry—not a robbery! Protect two people, both extremely important to me,” He Tian said seriously.

“Extremely important?” Ugly stared at He Tian.

“Extremely important!” He Tian repeated.

“I’ll do as you ask!” Ugly patted He Tian’s shoulder, smiling.

“Thank you!” He Tian understood the weight behind those simple words.

“Get lost, no need for thanks between us!” Ugly laughed and scolded.

“Since we’re talking, I won’t hold back! Ugly, I have to bring up your way of donating money again. Do you really believe your money is used as you intend?” He Tian stared at Ugly, serious. “You have to make some changes.”

“Tian, how many times have you told me? I trust them, just as I trust you!” Ugly said, slightly annoyed.

“No, Ugly, you must understand—I’m not the same as them!” He Tian truly didn’t know how to explain.

Could he say government officials aren’t trustworthy?

No—he was one himself!

Could he say Ugly’s donations breed corruption?

That would seem like an accusation—not good.

“Fine, Ugly, I must correct your views, but I won’t debate you now. When I lay out the evidence and facts before you, then you’ll believe!” He Tian gave up trying to persuade Ugly verbally, deciding to let the facts speak.

“I’ll wait for you!” A hint of pride flashed in Ugly’s eyes, though He Tian didn’t notice.

“Expert…” Lazy Cat returned, disheveled.

Ruth’s persistence drove Lazy Cat to the brink of wanting to end it all!

But upon seeing Ugly, Lazy Cat finally calmed down.

So did Ruth, who had been pestering him.

They both sensed Ugly’s strength.

When strength meets strength… there is mutual resonance.