Chapter 24: Put Out The Fire

Li Xiaofei thought carefully and said, "I can't."

Five hundred years ago, many masters emphasized the four essential elements while learning traditional martial arts. They were wealth, companions, method, and location. It meant that a martial artist needed money, like-minded people, a training method, and a beneficial location for cultivation to achieve success. If they lacked any of these four elements, becoming a top master was impossible.

But he had the Moonlight Treasure Box, which could extract martial arts techniques from the wuxia world. This covered the method. Unifying the slum and integrating the gangs could provide some wealth. But companions? He had killed all the top fighters in the slum, leaving no one to interact with. Location? The slum didn't seem like a good place for cultivation.

"Come on, join our Red Flag High School," said Chen Fei, extending his enthusiastic invitation again. "Even though you're a bit older than the average student, I can make special arrangements. At school, there are classmates, teachers, martial arts techniques, cultivation resources, and protection. I can't think of a reason for you to refuse."

Li Xiaofei began to seriously consider it.

Chen Fei added, "Aren't you infatuated with that girl named Zhong Ling? You’ll also need to improve yourself to win her. School can change your destiny, help you rise from the slum, and become a legitimate citizen under the sun."

Li Xiaofei thought for a moment and said, "Since you are so sincere in your invitation, I will reluctantly agree."

Chen Fei was overjoyed.

This kid truly lived up to being eighteen centimeters; his weakness was indeed beauty.

But then Li Xiaofei added, "But... I have one condition."

Chen Fei said, "You want me to help you get that girl, Zhong Ling? As long as you train well..."

Li Xiaofei interrupted, "I hope the elementary and middle schools in the rule-of-law district can accept children from the slum and provide them with educational opportunities."

Chen Fei was taken aback as he fell silent. Li Xiaofei just watched him quietly. After a while, Chen Fei sighed.

"Can't do it?" Li Xiaofei asked.

Chen Fei shook his head. "No, it can be done."

"Then why did you sigh?" Li Xiaofei asked.

Chen Fei said with feeling, "I originally thought you were a ruthless scoundrel, but it turns out you have the heart of a Bodhisattva who wishes to help the world."

Li Xiaofei replied, "Even though you're complimenting me, I still have to tell you that there is no future between us."

Chen Fei's peach blossom eyes blinked questioningly. Li Xiaofei got up and walked towards Chu Yuntian, the Third Hall Master of the Cloudy Sky Gang, who was helplessly standing off to the side.

"Old Chu, spread the word that I want to be the only boss in this slum," Li Xiaofei said. "From today on, I will decide everything in the slum. I will set the rules, and anyone who disobeys will be killed."

Chu Yuntian nodded quickly, "Yes, President, I'll get on it right away."

Li Xiaofei nodded, and Chu Yuntian immediately set off to carry out the order.

Chen Fei came over and reminded him, "Uniting the slum is a good thing, but being the boss isn't easy. As the leader, you’ll have to take care of your subordinates' daily needs..."

Li Xiaofei looked at him as if he were an idiot and said, "Their daily needs are none of my business."

Chen Fei was puzzled and shocked.

"I'm only interested in being the boss, not their dad," Li Xiaofei said confidently. "I just want them to follow my rules. How they make a living is their own problem."

Chen Fei looked at Li Xiaofei for a long time before giving him a thumbs up. "Well said, Brother Eighteen. You've hit the nail on the head."

Li Xiaofei replied, "Thanks for the compliment."

Chen Fei added, "Oh, there's one more thing I need to remind you of."

Li Xiaofei looked at him.

Chen Fei said, "The martial technique you’ve mastered is incredibly powerful. It must be the true legacy of some ancient martial arts master. Remember the saying, an innocent man treasuring a jade ring becomes a criminal. Be careful, or others might come after it."

Li Xiaofei replied, "Then you'll have to work harder."

Chen Fei asked, puzzled, "Work harder on what?"

Li Xiaofei said matter-of-factly, "Since I'm becoming a student at Red Flag High School, don't you have to work hard to protect me?"

Chen Fei was speechless.

How could he say something so shameless with such ease?

Chen Fei continued, "There's another thing I need to remind you of."

Li Xiaofei asked, "Why can't you say everything at once?"

Chen Fei said, "The fact that the Ye family members appeared here is no coincidence. If I'm not mistaken, someone has set their sights on the slum and wants to take over. If you want to unify the slum, you must be prepared for the coming storm."

Li Xiaofei replied, "Can't you help me with this?"

Chen Fei smiled, "I can't help you with that. It’s your slum’s issues, so you'll have to handle it yourself.” He got up, dusted himself off, and walked away. "Report to school in three days."

***

A joyous atmosphere permeated the air in Guang’an neighborhood because the residents had received their settlement fees. 2000 star coins was a significant amount for a small family in the slum.

In his room, Li Xiaofei lay obediently on the bed, wearing only underwear. His blind aunt's delicate and beautiful hands pressed unevenly on his well-built muscles. Her hands were like works of art and seemed to have a strange magic about them. Li Xiaofei felt as though the muscles being massaged were on fire; it was an extremely comfortable sensation.

"You're going to school?" His blind aunt asked.

Li Xiaofei nodded, "Yes"

Li Xiaofei shared his plans with his beloved aunt. "I want to create opportunities for Little Jie and the children in our community to go to school. That way, maybe some of them will come back and establish a school in the slum when they graduate. The children here can then afford education, like those in the rule-of-law district, where they can train, study, and take control of their destinies instead of following in their parents' footsteps and rolling in the dirty mud, fighting, and eventually joining gangs to sell their lives cheaply. Little Aunt, what do you think?"

The blind woman listened silently for a long moment before she slowly said, "You are very good."

Li Xiaofei immediately brightened. Perhaps he had been influenced by his predecessor's memories, but being praised by his aunt thrilled him more than defeating Dugu Que.

"Little Aunt, when I make it out and earn a lot of money, I'll find the best doctors and the most expensive medicines to heal the scars on your face," said Li Xiaofei as he began to dream about the future.

The blind woman smiled silently and said, "Good, I look forward to that day."

Li Xiaofei laughed again. For some reason, being alone with his aunt brought him a rare sense of peace and tranquility. He always felt comfortable around her. The blind woman’s hands, dipped in a secret medicinal liquid, continued to press on Li Xiaofei's body.

These actions were very physically demanding. Unknowingly, a fine layer of sweat appeared on her forehead, like tiny pearls reflecting the colorful light of the setting sun. The internal injuries Li Xiaofei sustained from forcibly using the Mighty Vajra Fist were gradually healed.

Drip, drip.

The crystal-clear sweat dripped onto Li Xiaofei's back. The massage finally stopped after a full hour.

Little Jie hobbled in and said, "Little Aunt, Brother, dinner's ready."

Dinner was simple. Each person had a cup of clear water and a bowl of mixed nutrient porridge. There was also a small plate of green vegetables and a dish of blackish dried meat. This was already the level of a wealthy family in the slums.

In an era of extreme scarcity of grains and vegetables, many poor people considered themselves above the standard if they could drink a serving of industrially synthesized mixed nutrient porridge each day. People died daily from hunger, exhaustion, thirst, and disease in the slum. Scenes of life and death played out constantly. Survival was genuinely tough.

***

At the same time, the streets of the rule-of-law Gold Terrace District were wide, orderly, and clean. As the night fell, the neon lights on both sides of the street flickered magnificently, making it look like a paradise compared to the slum.

Ye Xiang's face was as dark as the night sky in the manager's office of Yongxing Hotel. Dugu Que was dead, and the slum plan had collapsed. He was deeply anxious as he tried to figure out he could explain this to his superiors.

Ding dong.

His beautiful secretary pushed in a dinner cart. The cart was laden with fruits, clear water, meat, and oil-splashed noodles. It was a sumptuous feast.

"Mr. Ye, are you in a bad mood today?" The secretary smiled charmingly and said, "Why not have a bite to eat first?"

"Come here," commanded Ye Xiang. He grabbed the secretary's delicate hair and forced her head down. "I'm burning up right now. Put out the fire for me."