C31 Only an Enemy

The next day, Wang Yipao stepped outside his villa, stretching languidly in preparation for his morning exercises, when he noticed Divine Wind Word unexpectedly standing at his doorstep.

"What's this? Planning to take me on in the real world?" Wang Yipao's mouth twisted into a wry grin as his knuckles cracked, signaling he was primed for a brawl.

"I've come to apologize."

"What?" Skepticism painted Wang Yipao's face.

He then caught sight of the contract Divine Wind Word was presenting, along with a recount of yesterday's board meeting.

"Pfft!" Wang Yipao couldn't help but laugh. "What's this? You're reaping what you've sown, kid." He gave Divine Wind Word's cheek a patronizing pat, his voice dripping with irony. "What should I even say to you? You ousted me from Divine Wind, slaved away for them, and look where it got you. You've been brought to your knees, and yet here you are, back for more. You really have a flair for the dramatic, hahaha."

Divine Wind Word's face was a mask of frustration, but he bit back any retort.

Wang Yipao, meanwhile, was shaking with laughter. He didn't force Divine Wind Word to kneel. Instead, he ripped the contract to shreds and tossed it into the trash bin outside.

Wang Yipao's gaze turned icy as he addressed Divine Wind Word, "Pass a message to the Divine Wind board for me: I'm their enemy from now on. They betrayed you for profit this time, and they'd sell me out just as easily next time. I'm not interested in their games. And what, they think I've forgotten the Divine Wind Assassination Team's rules? Without the board's say-so, you, a captain with no real power, couldn't possibly mobilize them."

"I've been demoted step by step, from a pro player to just another grunt on the pioneering team. Without their backing, you, Divine Wind Word, could team up with every pro player out there, but without any real clout, it's all for naught. I'm well aware of my enemies within Divine Wind, and while you're one of them, you're certainly not the main one. You're just a small-minded coward, scared I might snatch the captaincy from you."

"Scram. I'm not going to degrade myself by making you grovel like a dog. You're not even worthy to kneel before me. Your kneeling would just sully my floors!"

With those words, all Wang Yipao left behind was the slamming of the door.

Inside the house, Wang Yipao clicked his tongue in disapproval.

This was precisely why he had no interest in joining any clubs.

He had already endured such disgrace once and had no intention of experiencing it again.

He hadn't disrespected Divine Wind World.

It wasn't out of disdain or lack of desire, but rather because Divine Wind World now mirrored his own past self.

Outside, Divine Wind World stood in shock, staring blankly at Wang Yipao's villa door.

Why would you turn down such an opportunity?

Why did I ever sign that enslaving contract?

His thoughts were in turmoil.

Still, he had to relay Wang Yipao's message back to the board.

This time, though, he didn't convey the full message.

He simply reported to the board, "He refused."

Nothing more was said.

Maybe it was because Wang Yipao spared him the humiliation of kneeling.

Unbeknownst to Divine Wind World, the board members' faces had already darkened.

The reason was simple.

Divine Wind World had been bugged with nano-listening devices.

The board had heard every word from Wang Yipao loud and clear.

"Very well, Wang Yipao! Jian Yipao! So, he thinks we wouldn't dare touch him now that he's grown bold?" The general manager of Divine Wind World sneered with a chilling laugh.

Divine Wind World forced a bitter smile.

How could he not guess the presence of a listening device on him?

"He thinks he's invincible with those fists of his? Contact Jackhammer. Tonight, I want to see Wang Yipao's hands!" A director snuffed out his cigar, his face set in a grim expression.

Divine Wind World shuddered, realizing the board's ruthless intentions.

He knew Jackhammer well.

After all, he was the captain of the Divine Wind Pioneer Team.

But that was just the cover for his true role.

Jackhammer was more than just an employee at Divine Wind; he was a covert operative tasked with handling troublemakers and those he personally found disagreeable. Rumors swirled that he had a history of violence, with a murder charge two years prior, though mysteriously, he had been released ahead of schedule.

Divine Wind Word attempted to voice a concern, "Isn't this a bit too..." but was abruptly cut off.

"This isn't your place to speak. Get out!" came the harsh interruption.

A teacup struck Divine Wind Word's forehead, and blood streamed down to his chin before spattering onto the floor. A fellow pro player, on good terms with him, quickly ushered Divine Wind Word out, wary of further provoking the executives' ire. The incident sent shivers down the spines of the other players.

With a rueful smile, Divine Wind Word dabbed at the blood on his face. Outside the conference room, he was met with a question from a concerned teammate, "Captain, did we do something wrong?" This player had once been part of the group that had ostracized Wang Yipao.

"Knowing now changes nothing," Divine Wind Word responded, a tone of resignation in his voice. The teammate sighed in agreement.

Their contracts weren't like Wang Yipao's; they hadn't expired. They weren't at liberty to just walk away. At the club's whim, they could be cast aside, powerless to make their own choices.

In the past, Wang Yipao's formidable presence—his unyielding fists and exceptional skill—had kept the board's harsher impulses at bay, sparing the players from anything beyond the occasional verbal abuse.

But with Wang Yipao gone, there was no one left to stand up for them. The abuse escalated from insults to physical violence. The director's recent words were not just a warning to Wang Yipao but a clear threat to all the pro players: fall in line and follow orders.

Could they challenge the board? It was a futile thought. Bound by their contracts, they faced an impossible choice: comply or face crippling fines for breach of agreement—fines they could never afford to pay. Their only option was to endure the suffering.

As night fell, a shadowy figure approached Wang Yipao's villa. "Mr. Pao, Mr. Pao, it's me. Are you there, Mr. Pao?"

Silently approaching, a figure made its way to Wang Yipao's villa.

"Mr. Pao, Mr. Pao, it's me! Are you there?" a voice called out.

Recognizing the familiar voice, Wang Yipao opened the door to reveal the visitor's identity.

"Eh? Lee, what brings you here? Come on in! I've had a bit of a windfall lately and nearly forgot to treat you to a meal. How about we order some late-night snacks right now?" Wang Yipao's face lit up with joy upon seeing Lee.

Back in the day, this kid was a key player at the Divine Wind branch, always ready to lend a hand wherever he could.

Wang Yipao had been swamped with work these past few days, and with his focus on advancing to the Foundation Stage, the thought of catching up with Lee had slipped his mind.

Now, seeing Lee, his joy was unmistakable.

He considered whether to recruit him first, thinking ahead to possibly setting up a studio or even starting a club.

"Mr. Pao, forget the snacks. You need to come with me. The Divine Wind folks have lost their minds!"