C18 Count to Three and Stay

"Pah, pah!" Liu Boxin spat in disgust after hanging up the phone. His personal car had broken down en route, and now he was being told to take a taxi—encountering a cyborg seemed to bring nothing but bad luck.

What a rotten stroke of fate!

Glancing down the road, he realized it was a one-way street, making it impossible to hail a cab. Taking the bus was out of the question; it simply didn't suit his status. But if he made it to the next intersection, he could find a taxi. With that plan in mind, Liu Boxin decided to cut through the nearby alley.

Faang Wei observed Liu Boxin's movements from a distance, squinting his eyes. Did Liu Boxin suspect an ambush and choose a deserted path on purpose?

Oh, the irony!

Feeling a bit sheepish about how easily he'd read the situation, Jumpy perched on Faang Wei's shoulder, giving him a look that was a mix of amusement and discomfort. Jumpy shivered involuntarily and spent a silent three minutes mourning for the old man's misfortune.

How had he managed to get on his own brother's radar like this?

But then again, considering Liu Boxin's earlier treatment of the cyborg, it seemed like he had it coming!

"Faang Wei, let's take him down!"

With newfound enthusiasm, Jumpy clenched his left fist and raised his right hand to the sky. However, before he could revel in his moment of bravado, Faang Wei scooped him up.

"Stay quiet. We can't leave any evidence when we're up to no good."

"Oh..."

Jumpy sulked, feeling as though Faang Wei was settling a personal score under the guise of their mission.

Faang Wei, unfazed, slipped on his hoodie and mask, indifferent to the opinions of others. Hands in his pockets, he continued to trail Liu Boxin.

Liu Boxin, meanwhile, had already spotted Faang Wei following him from the alley's entrance. A cold smirk played across his face.

What kind of petty thug was this, daring to target him?

He'd heard about the recent spike in thefts in the area. Today, it seemed, was the thief's unlucky day to cross paths with him—just the opportunity Liu Boxin needed to unleash some pent-up frustration.

Approaching the alley's midpoint, Liu Boxin paused and turned to face the hooded figure, tilting his head ever so slightly.

"Kid, I'll count to three and give you a chance. Make it out of this alley before I finish, and I'll let you go. Otherwise, you're staying put!"

"Three..."

"Two..."

"One..."

"?"

Liu Boxin was taken aback. Instead of fleeing, the figure before him had actually moved closer.

This unexpected turn of events intrigued Liu Boxin, particularly when he caught a glimpse of the other's ankles. It dawned on him why this person had come.

"Heh!"

A cold chuckle escaped Liu Boxin, his eyes brimming with mockery.

"Listen, kid, why don't you head back where you came from? Playing the hero here could cost you dearly. What if you get hurt? That could be quite expensive!"

"If it's a matter of money, that's one thing. But if I accidentally hit too hard and it's a matter of life and death, well, that's another story."

"You're showing some compassion, then?"

Faang Wei's voice was tinged with amusement, seemingly oblivious to the underlying threat, treating it more like a playful banter.

Liu Boxin narrowed his eyes, his expression growing colder. Was this young upstart really looking to pick a fight with a Cyborg today?

Well, he was about to show him the stark difference between a Cyborg and a cultivator. True talent couldn't be compensated for with mere technology!

"Kid, you're awfully young to be courting death," Liu Boxin said with a smirk, his energy pulsating around him as the spiritual essence of the universe flooded his body, creating a vortex. He was at the peak of his power, ready to deliver a fatal blow.

Faang Wei assessed his opponent's level: Primordial first level, a notch above Cai Qitian's Alpha Dawn eighth level.

The gap between Alpha Dawn and Primordial was significant. In terms of Cai Qitian's power, Liu Boxin was the equivalent of three Cai Qitians.

But to Faang Wei, that was merely three Cai Qitians.

He didn't even take three Faang Zhengyis seriously, let alone three Cai Qitians. Ridiculous!

A subtle smile played across Faang Wei's eyes, peeking out from beneath his hood and mask, leaving Liu Boxin unexpectedly bewildered.

What was happening? Why did he have such a reaction upon witnessing my strength?

His voice sounded youthful, barely twenty at most. Even as a student from Everdawn Academy, he'd only reached Alpha Dawn, and here he was, facing someone at Primordial...

Oh...

Liu Boxin had an epiphany. The other party simply didn't grasp the vast gap in power between a Cyborg and a Cultivator.

"Hehe!"

Liu Boxin's laughter began to rise.

"Little one, today you'll understand why Cyborgs are deemed worthless!"

"Because..."

"Cyborgs are garbage!"

"Really?"

Faang Wei's voice was tinged with amusement. Cyborgs were initially created to protect the vulnerable, not to vie for supremacy. Yet, due to the Cultivators, they've been forced to adapt, to fight for their freedom.

It's time for both Cultivators and Cyborgs to change this adversarial dynamic.

"Human nature shouldn't be a pretext for strife and oppression. I have no issue with a struggle for power, but it shouldn't hinge on whether one is a Cultivator or a Cyborg."

"The one fostering such prejudice is the real trash."

With that final word, Faang Wei moved in a flash.

Liu Boxin's vision blurred, and he passed out without even realizing what had occurred.

In mere moments, Faang Wei was done. He picked up a business card and glanced at it—

Liu Boxin, Dean of Wyvernwood Academy.

Hehe!

With a scoff, Faang Wei discarded the card. So, it was someone from Wyvernwood Academy. That...

That made him feel even less remorse.

Hehe!

In that instant, Jumpy also came to understand what Faang Wei meant by 'Stealing is not my style.'

It wasn't theft; it was outright plunder!

But after witnessing how this individual treated a Cyborg, Jumpy felt justified in the act. Besides, the man was from Wyvernwood Academy, which made it all the more inconsequential!

Indeed, some people do not deserve the mantle of humanity.

Cultivators have long held Cyborgs under their heel, but following the Academy Grand Tournament, Cyborgs will surely receive the recognition they deserve.

It's bound to happen!

Jumpy gazed at Faang Wei with sparkling eyes, filled with unwavering conviction...