Chapter 15: Destroying You Is All Too Easy

“Just what kind of medicine has Cassel Academy been taking? Why do they keep snapping at us like rabid dogs?!”

On the 21st floor of the Runder Building, inside a large conference hall veiled by velvet curtains, Tang Wei slammed his hand on the table with frustration etched across his face. The dozen or so people seated around the table fell into stunned silence, their eyes brimming with helplessness.

Over the past three years, Tang Wei’s company had expanded several times over, steadily taking on more contracts—all thanks to that boy.

Before meeting him, Tang Wei had to carefully weigh every job posted on the Hunters’ website: whether the profit matched the risk, if the difficulty was genuine or a trap, and so on.

But since the boy entered his life, his only concern was whether the money was enough. The boy was terrifyingly capable—whenever a problem arose that no one could solve, calling him was the guaranteed solution. There was no mission he couldn’t complete.

Tang Wei never fussed over money. So when his company’s little name was changed to the World Tree, and a leader appeared who only took charge of tasks without drawing a salary, he didn’t resist much.

But now, the good times were over. Cassel Academy’s provocations had escalated from once every few months to practically every few days. Clearly, they had taken notice of their group.

“This time, Cassel Academy deployed ten senior agents. We’re doomed. Our bloodline isn’t even enough to fend off one of them…”

One of the underlings, clutching some documents with despair, spoke up. Everyone else felt like they were secret cultists finally caught by the righteous sect.

It seemed the righteous sect was about to launch their final purge. Just a small move from them, and their little cult would be wiped out.

Yet…

“On the bright side, maybe this is for the best. After all, we’ve earned enough money. If it doesn’t work out, we can just call it quits.”

Tang Wei’s tone shifted, a faint hint of pleasure gleaming in his eyes. “If it doesn’t work, we part ways here. After all, every feast must come to an end…”

Since they had earned enough, and the trouble was too great to solve, why not part amicably? Tang Wei thought with a touch of joy—he could finally distance himself from these supernatural affairs.

The underlings suddenly perked up, as if they weren’t dissolving the group but finally freeing themselves. The scene reminded one of the Journey to the West, where Tang Seng was captured by demons and Zhu Bajie was bidding farewell with a gesture.

Just as everyone was blissfully imagining their perfect lives after “not making the pilgrimage” and going separate ways, Tang Wei’s phone buzzed.

His excited expression instantly fell, and the joyful atmosphere froze. The underlings exchanged glances, and one brave soul tentatively asked, “Boss, what’s wrong?”

Tang Wei’s voice was dry, hollow, “Tang Seng went off to fight the demons himself…”

On the phone, a simple message appeared—just a few words—

The calculating and eloquent Chu Zihang: “Cassel Academy is my responsibility. You don’t need to worry.”

...

Chu Zihang pocketed his phone and glanced at Xia Mi beside him, quietly asking, “What’s next?”

“Let’s drive there,” Xia Mi replied nonchalantly, her attention still on the Kunqunir in her hand. “Since I promised I’d handle it, this matter is on me.”

Chu Zihang nodded silently. He was never one for many words; action was always more decisive.

Xia Mi toyed with the Kunqunir, her smile faint and enigmatic. “Your final request is that I take care of Cassel Academy? What are you scheming?”

Tang Xi’s tone was sincere, tinged with resignation. “I have no choice. Cassel Academy has been acting strange, constantly causing trouble like they’re searching for something. I suspect they’re after me.”

“I really hate Cassel Academy, always stirring up trouble for no reason. I just want them far away, the sooner we get rid of them, the better!”

“They are indeed troublesome,” Xia Mi agreed rarely with Tang Xi’s view. “Not much of a threat, but definitely a nuisance.”

To a Dragon King, half-breeds were like ants. Cassel could be wiped out with a mere flick of the hand.

But unfortunately, this world belonged to the ants. Even a Dragon King had to keep a low profile. Xia Mi was the best at disguising herself as human; she didn’t want years of camouflage shattered, so naturally, Cassel was a headache.

Tang Xi was thinking even deeper. As a fragment of Kunqunir, her defection barely affected Odin, but knowing Odin’s cautious nature, he would try to uncover her peculiarities.

As the one hidden deepest behind the scenes, Odin wouldn’t act personally, but surely he had people within Cassel Academy. Cassel was relentlessly searching for something in this city—most likely, it was her.

They had already uncovered the World Tree organization she founded, and it wouldn’t be long before they found Chu Zihang, and through him, Kunqunir itself. This was predictable.

Tang Xi was determined not to fall into Odin’s hands again. This trouble had to be dealt with.

“So, have you decided? After leaving Chu Zihang, do you want to come with me? Hmm?”

A girl’s teasing voice echoed in her ear. Tang Xi suddenly recalled that more than one Dragon King coveted her—this one by her side was no better.

She could abandon Chu Zihang, but if she chose a Dragon King as her host, wouldn’t she be reduced to a mere tool? Completely losing initiative, subject to arbitrary manipulation, becoming fish on the chopping block...

Terrifying. Such a fate was unacceptable!

Just as she racked her brain to find a graceful excuse to refuse, Xia Mi’s voice sounded again, tinged with disdain:

“I’m not negotiating with you. I’m informing you.”

“Put away your tricks. Three years ago, you fooled me once—that was impressive. I admit I was careless then, but there won’t be a second time, because I don’t make the same mistake twice.”

“Know your worth. You know it, I know it even better.” Xia Mi paused, her eyes flashing with subtle sarcasm. “At least for now, you’re not qualified to compete with me.”

Tang Xi fell silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled. “Fine, I’m willing to follow you. After all this time together, we’ve developed a tacit understanding, haven’t we?”

“Besides, I don’t really have a choice. If not you, then who?”

Only then did Xia Mi reveal a satisfied expression, nodding. “Good that you think so. Don’t get any ideas, don’t pull any tricks. Behave and follow me. Be my weapon—that’s your only way to survive. Otherwise, I’ll destroy you.”

“You should know, if I wanted to destroy you, it would be effortless.”