The Yellow-Haired Villain in Soaring Phoenix’s Novels Also Desires Happiness - Chapter 190
115. Mediator
A deathly cold silence enveloped the suddenly somewhat cramped bar.
Behind the thin white smoke and dim lights, everyone stared at the man behind the bar with expressions of shock, as if thinking, “Am I dreaming?”
What did he just say?
Dogs?
Let us be his dogs?
Who does he think we are?
We are the gang leaders of the Lower City; who is this guy that suddenly appeared out of nowhere to have the audacity to say such things?
Crack.
In the silence, someone angrily crushed the wine glass in their hand, wishing they could draw their knife and kill this ignorant fool right now.
But the atmosphere remained stagnant for a long time, with not even a single person daring to step up and spit at him.
—Shuerzi was still glaring at them, unblinking.
No one knew if this madman would suddenly erupt into violence after they voiced any opposing words.
In the Lower City, the unrestrained madman was the most feared, especially when this madman’s strength was extremely terrifying.
By now, no one had seen how this man had severed Shuerzi’s head; they hadn’t even seen his weapon!
“Why is everyone so quiet? I’m not some man-eating beast.”
Completely unrecognizable as someone who had just ruthlessly killed a major gang leader, the man who called himself Bruce was not stained with a single drop of blood. He leisurely pulled out a bottle of the finest wine from behind the bar and poured himself a glass.
He swirled the wine in his glass, gazing through the crystal-clear liquid at the extremely ugly faces, his lips curling into a kind smile, as if he were a gracious host entertaining his esteemed guests.
“Come, everyone, feel free to speak your mind. If you have any questions, please ask. Although time is tight, I am still more than willing to answer you.”
“You want to rule the entire Lower District?”
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In the shadows, someone finally couldn’t hold back their question.
In a place like this, inquiring about true identities and appearances is utterly meaningless, so his question struck at the core.
“You want to become the Dark Emperor?”
“Hey, Dark Emperor, what a cliché title.”
Mu En smiled slightly, “But if that’s how you want to think of me, then so be it.”
“On what grounds?”
“Hmm… is killing Shuerzi not enough?”
“Not enough.”
“Then what if… I add you all to the mix?”
Mu En’s lips curled into a mocking smile, his tone as casual as if he were about to crush a few insignificant ants.
“Adding your lives… is that enough?”
“Are you… threatening us?”
Someone said, their voice trembling, unsure if it was from fear or anger.
“That depends on your interpretation. You can take it as a threat, or you can see it as… a display of power.”
Outside, the guards brought by various gang leaders had surrounded the bar, sealing off all exits. A faint chant echoed, their hired mages were ready to strike at any moment.
Even with the elite brought by the Rat King, it was impossible to take on everyone.
If just one person in the bar gave the order, that man would surely be turned into a pile of flesh by the furious blades and magic in an instant.
Yet he shrugged indifferently, seemingly unconcerned about the thugs outside, pouring himself another drink and taking small sips:
“Actually, I think this is a great question of choice. Since you lapdogs need a master, why can’t that master be me?”
Right.
Since a master is needed anyway.
Why can’t that master be me?
Mu En articulated this truth, which infuriated everyone, in such a calm manner.
“Enough!”
Suddenly, a stern-looking elderly woman in the corner slammed her hand on the table and shouted:
“Time and again, you humiliate us. Do you really think our tempers are that good?”
“Humiliate?”
Mu En stared at the elderly woman, a look of confusion on his face,
—
“When have I ever humiliated you?”
“You keep saying we are…”
“Calling you house dogs? No, no, no, I’m not humiliating you; I’m just speaking the truth.”
Mu En’s gaze swept over the faces filled with anger, and he said mockingly:
“Look at you, gentlemen. This anxious, restless appearance, unable to even sleep well without a master holding your leash—if that’s not a house dog, then what is it?
I’d say those wild dogs rummaging through garbage on the streets have far more backbone than you.”
Before his words had even settled, Mu En felt more than one intent to kill emanating from the people before him.
Yet, in the end, not a single person dared to draw a weapon against him or issue commands to their subordinates outside.
Simply because Shuerzi had died right before them.
Perhaps these people had once been the most brutal and terrifying beasts of the lower city, but after staying in high positions for so long, even going so far as to willingly put a leash around their own necks to secure their status, they had long since lost any semblance of a backbone.
They feared death more than anyone, just like Lorenzo before them.
So pitiful.
“With your way of thinking, I have a better idea,” the old woman suddenly spoke up.
“Mm?”
Mu En squinted, looking at the elderly woman who had spoken again.
This person is…
Recalling the intelligence provided by An, Mu En quickly recognized her identity.
The Mediator.
In her youth, she had been the mistress of a great noble, so she had considerable connections. However, after mingling in the lower city without joining any faction, her neutral status allowed her to act as a lubricant, easing the friction between many powers.
Often, when disputes arose among the major gangs, she would be called in as the intermediary.
Thus, she was known as the Mediator, holding significant prestige throughout the lower city.
“I know you all have your anxieties. Since that’s the case, why don’t we take this opportunity to unite?”
The old woman straightened up, tapping her cane against the ground, her cold gaze sweeping over everyone. When it flicked over Mu En, her eyes held a hint of disdain.
“As long as we unite, the entire lower city unites, I believe no storm can bring us down. Even this guy, this mysterious fellow, is nothing but a paper tiger! I refuse to believe that so many of us can’t take him on alone!”
“Then who will lead? Who will command the entire lower city?”
“No one commands the entire lower city, and there is no Dark Emperor!”
The old woman raised her voice: “We can emulate the noble council’s approach, establishing a fair united assembly where all gang leaders can attend, and all matters will be decided through discussion and voting!
Through this, we will become the greatest force in Belrand, and even those lofty noble lords won’t be able to dictate to us. We will break free from their shadows, and the lower city of Belrand will truly become a place that belongs to us!”