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墨書 Inktalez
Everyone's life is marked by various titles, much like how a basketball superstar emerged years ago, once known as "Hina Yao." During the same period, an athlete captivated audiences on the track, earning the nickname "Flyer" as he soared across the green fields. The tall ones were called "Sticks," while the short and stout were referred to as "Landmines." Though often teasing, these names conveyed a sense of affection.
Nicknames arise because they reflect some prominent trait of their bearers. It makes one wonder what experiences shaped Jufeng to exude the characteristics of a "madman."
The title of "madman" was bestowed upon Jufeng during his youthful days by a select few in the football community. At that time, he was a shining star in the global football arena. However, his brilliance was fleeting, shorter than a meteor streaking across the night sky—so brief that most people in the world hardly noticed. This glory ended at his own hands, concluding with his unwavering commitment to freedom and justice.
Whenever a handful of those in the know reminisced about that past, they would sigh in regret. Yet Jufeng never regretted his choices; he believed it was as natural as a cat catching a mouse.
Though sometimes a dog might snatch the cat's meal.
Once again called "madman," Jufeng found himself momentarily lost in thought, filled with memories that were deeply buried and etched into his heart.
"Long time no see, Sharp Blade."
"Sharp Blade" is also a nickname, but it may carry different meanings in various fields. In today's world, mentioning "Sharp Blade" most readily brings to mind the dazzling star from the recent World Cup.
After embracing each other, the young man known as "Sharp Blade" invited Jufeng to sit down and poured him a drink. Memories flowed like a mountain spring along with the aroma of wine.
"Madman, it's been three or four years since we last met. You've lost quite a bit of weight compared to back then."
Jufeng smiled lightly and clinked glasses with the young man, always reluctant to dwell on the past. He then recalled the recently concluded World Cup and said, "Congratulations! I watched the final; you performed well. Should I start calling you the King of Football now?"
Regarding Huaguo's championship victory in the final, Jufeng had watched it live from Azure Waterside and was well aware of it. Thinking of Azure Waterside reminded him of the five women in his villa and led him to recall yesterday's renowned "Five Sisters Group," revealing an unspoken coincidence.
"What King of Football? It's just an empty title. If you were still around, I wouldn't have had my turn; Huaguo would have already shocked the world."
The young man raised his head and took a hearty drink, a fleeting look of melancholy crossing his face, though it was gone almost as quickly as it appeared, unnoticed even by Jufeng.
He continued, "Speaking of which, you've been away for so many years; it's about time you went back to take a look. Are you really willing to live such a mundane life? Although your uncle may not show it, he misses you dearly. His health is deteriorating day by day. Remember, one wishes to care for their parents, but sometimes they are no longer around."
Upon hearing that the elderly man was unwell, Jufeng felt a sudden tightening in his chest. However, the stubbornness inherent in youth made him sigh helplessly and shift his focus to other trivial matters.
Since they had military training in the afternoon, the meal was consumed quickly. Afterward, Jufeng urged the young man to leave first because he knew that news of the King of Football's arrival in the university town would spread like wildfire. The recent triumph of Huaguo at the World Cup would surely send these energetic college students into a frenzy.
As soon as the young man stepped out of the restaurant, he found himself surrounded by an impenetrable crowd of enthusiastic fans chanting "King of Football! King of Football!" The atmosphere was electric and hard to control.
Jufeng stood at a street corner, observing the bustling crowd and the dazzling figure among them. His gaze was deep and contemplative, lost in thought.
When he returned to the athletics field that afternoon, Jufeng overheard Diao Ke gossiping excitedly about how the King of Football had parachuted into the university town. Diao Ke animatedly recounted tales of how the King had led Huaguo through thick and thin, breaking through obstacles to welcome dawn after darkness. Jufeng remained noncommittal; if they knew that the deified King of Football had just shared drinks with their classmate, they would surely drop their jaws in disbelief.
The military training dragged on through monotonous drills. Just as dusk began to settle, Jufeng received a phone call—one that tightened his nerves instantly.
"What! My brother has been captured?" Upon relaying this news to Tong Bailong, Jufeng saw disbelief etched on Tong Bailong's face. It seemed that those troublemakers from last night were back for more.
"Brother Jufeng, we can't abandon Brother Guan. Whatever you decide to do for his rescue, I'm with you."
The caller instructed Jufeng to lead a group of burly men to a remote location in the university town without alerting the police. Jufeng understood that this meeting wouldn't be easy; if it were just him, it might have been manageable. But with friends involved, he hesitated.
After much contemplation, Jufeng decided to go; after all, he had caused trouble for Xue and couldn't betray his brotherhood.
"Tong Bailong, once we get there, follow my lead and remember not to act recklessly. Do you understand?"
Receiving a nod of confirmation from Tong Bailong, Jufeng set off towards the designated location.
Not far outside the university town, there was an area awaiting construction, filled with dilapidated buildings on the verge of collapse, and an old factory hidden among them. This was the destination of Jufeng's journey.
Upon arriving by taxi, the night had deepened significantly. In the distance, Jufeng spotted a few rough-looking youths waiting at the intersection; he knew he had arrived at the right place.
The few people sent to meet him were clearly just lackeys. After inquiring about Jufeng and his companion's names and confirming their identities, they exchanged no further words and led the two into the ruins.
As Jufeng walked, he discreetly memorized some of the nearby intersections, familiarizing himself with the environment. No matter how perilous the situation, one should never easily give up; caution was a lesson he had learned from years of struggling alone.
A few minutes later, they entered a rundown two-story building. As soon as they stepped inside, the heavy door slammed shut behind them. A dozen or so people rushed forward, wielding wooden clubs, and began to rain blows down on Jufeng and Tong Bailong.
Jufeng could have dodged or even fought back, but when he caught sight of Xue Zheng tied up nearby, battered and bruised, he knew he had to endure. He signaled to Tong Bailong not to resist and allowed them to beat him mercilessly.
After a while, a man seated in the center shouted loudly, causing the crowd to gradually disperse. When Jufeng and Tong Bailong were finally visible again, they were covered in blood and bruises.
However, it was clear that Jufeng had a good capacity for endurance; despite looking somewhat disheveled, his mind remained sharp. Tong Bailong was even less affected; his robust physique left many astonished at his resilience.
Jufeng raised his swollen arm and wiped away the blood at the corner of his mouth. He took two steps forward and addressed the only seated middle-aged man in the room: "You've taken your anger out on us now; can you let my brother go?"
Seeing Jufeng's toughness and loyalty stirred a hint of admiration in the middle-aged man's eyes. However, those who mingled in the underworld were not known for their compassion. He slowly stood up and clapped his hands with a hearty laugh. "What a young man! You’re called Jufeng? I didn't expect you to be someone significant. Very well, I can release your brother."
With that, he gestured to his subordinates. Two men stepped forward and untied Xue Zheng from the ropes that bound him, dragging him like a dead dog until they tossed him at Jufeng's feet.
Jufeng looked at Xue Zheng's battered body, instinctively clenching his fists. He took three deep breaths to suppress the emotions that threatened to erupt within him.
“Tong Bailong, let’s go!” Jufeng said, his face stern, his voice trembling slightly from intense anger.
Just as Jufeng was about to endure the situation, the leader across from him suddenly spoke up.
“Are you really planning to leave like this?”
Jufeng turned around in surprise, looking at the middle-aged man with confusion. “What do you want then?”
The middle-aged man laughed heartily and said, “At Red Gang, we take money to do a job. From now on, you and your brothers, along with that group of his, should stop doing delivery business near the university town. If I see you again, I’ll beat you until you can’t stand up anymore. Do you understand?”
Upon hearing this, Jufeng’s eyes widened in shock. He had vaguely encountered underworld forces back in high school, but at that time, the underworld felt distant from him, and he paid little attention to it. Unexpectedly, now that he was in college for only a short while, he found himself face-to-face with the underworld and embroiled in a deadly confrontation.
Realizing this, Jufeng calmed down instead. His voice lost its earlier tremor and became unusually steady.
“You’re the Red Gang Leader, but I’m also known as Brother Jufeng. If you won’t let me do deliveries, how will my brothers survive? Those brothers of Xue are orphans; what will they do? Are you really going to leave us with no way to make a living?”
Jufeng looked heavily at Tong Bailong and Xue beside him while addressing the Red Gang Leader. For some reason, the big guy sensed that today’s Brother Jufeng was different from usual.
The Red Gang Leader’s expression darkened instantly upon hearing this. “You still want to negotiate with me? Hmph! You don’t have that right. If you don’t get out of here quickly, I’ll make sure you never walk out of this door!”
Jufeng had been facing the door as he prepared to leave, but upon sensing the murderous intent in the Red Gang Leader's words, he slowly turned around.
“Since you won’t let me go, then I’ll keep you here.”
The tone was unusually calm, like a tranquil lake in midsummer, without a hint of wind or a ripple in sight.
Before the words had fully left his mouth, the Red Gang Leader had not yet reacted. Jufeng and the boss were still five meters apart when Jufeng suddenly transformed into a streak of light, darting into the crowd and brushing past the Red Gang Leader. It wasn't until he came to a halt that the large group of Red Gang members snapped back to reality.
Just as they were preparing to shout and make a scene, Jufeng's icy voice silenced all their words before they could escape their lips.
As Jufeng casually walked away, he said, "Your boss has already passed on. The Red Gang no longer exists. The aftermath is up to you. If the police find out I killed him, you'll follow in your boss's footsteps."
With that, Jufeng and Tong Bailong vanished at the doorway, leaving behind a room full of stunned gang members, speechless in shock.
After exiting, the two hopped onto the highway and were fortunate enough to flag down a taxi for their return trip. Tong Bailong held Xue's body tightly, filled with questions but too afraid to ask. He caught a glimpse of Jufeng's trembling hand and his back, which was drenched in sweat.
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