Journey to the West: Life Simulation of Sun Wukong

Ma Bangde had been observing closely from earlier until now.

As an intellectual, although he never studied abroad, he wasn't clear about the common identity between Zhang Muzhi and Huang Sirlang, but that didn't prevent him from detecting the hidden meanings and the knives concealed within their laughter in their conversation.

However, his most fundamental goal had been the same from the beginning—making money.

Therefore, when he heard Huang Sirlang bring up the two prominent families, he already understood that Huang was conceding and didn't want to come to a mutually destructive end with them.

"Knife?"

"Dollar, the money of Americans," Huang Sirlang gestured.

"Oh~ as soon as Master Huang arrives, the money comes." As an intellectual, Ma Bangde, though never formally educated, had been places and couldn't possibly be unaware of the meaning of a dollar, not to mention that Huang Sirlang had explained it outright.

But still, Ma Bangde pretended not to know and played it down.

That was where he was clever.

Ma Bangde didn't care about trafficking people; his goal was to earn money. But as an intellectual, he couldn't tarnish his name, so he pretended to be unaware.

After all, no blame can be placed on the unknowing.

"A large portion of intellectuals of this era are like Ma Bangde, men who buy their way into officialdom—perhaps unaware of the revolution, but they place great importance on surface identities like benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trust because these are connected to their future (money)," explained Zhao Xinglong, being a teacher who naturally expounded upon crucial moments.

Su Jie seemed thoughtful as well.

He had previously focused all his attention on Zhang Muzhi and Huang Sirlang, but had never considered that Ma Bangde was a character too.

One could imagine that characters like him could live a flavorful life in this era, provided there were no mishaps.

Unfortunately for Ma Bangde, that counted as a mishap.

Because he had encountered Zhang Muzhi, the resolute revolutionary.

At this moment, Zhang Muzhi looked at Ma Bangde with disdain. He wasn't surprised by Ma's words, but he still looked down on him.

"Master Huang, you flatter me."

"Everyone in the southern lands knows that in Goose City, you Huang Sirlang are the boss," Zhang Muzhi gave a thumbs-up to Huang Sirlang.

This scene, seemingly flattering, was actually brimming with murderous intent.

The implication was: Since the people of Goose City and the two great families all consider you, Huang Sirlang, the boss, then you must have something they don't, so bring it out.

Huang Sirlang's smile faded, and his expression gradually turned serious.

He already knew that he and Zhang Muzhi were not the same; Zhang had set his heart on targeting him.

Perhaps because that Liulang was indeed his son, this vengeance was a must!

Or maybe, Zhang Muzhi had always steadfastly held onto his original ideals!

The former was easier to deal with; killing was merely nodding one's head, vengeance was also for profit. As long as Zhang Muzhi was appeased, all would be well and they could all profit together from the blood money.

But the latter—

Then it would be a fight to the death with Zhang Muzhi!

This was no longer a matter of interest, but a class issue. Zhang Muzhi was set on overthrowing his life!

"The governor is joking. Although I am the boss, the money that ends up in my hands is but a tiny fraction after providing for the food, drink, and needs of the hundreds of people under me," Huang Sirlang said in his own defense, then stared at Zhang Muzhi, "However, if the governor is in a hurry to make money, I do have a good idea."

"Oh? I would like to hear more," Zhang Muzhi showed interest.

"Zhang Mazai," Huang Sirlang dropped a bombshell.

Suddenly, the expressions of Zhang Muzhi and Ma Bangde changed.

Zhang Muzhi knew he was Zhang Mazai, wondering if Huang Sirlang already knew his identity, wanting to threaten him?

And Ma Bangde was guessing whether Zhang Muzhi was Zhang Mazai.

Despite his knowledge that Zhang Muzhi and his group were bandits, and having heard Zhang claim himself to be Zhang Mazai, he couldn't guarantee the truth of Zhang's words—what if he was mistaken?

Hence, he was uncertain and took no stance.

And moreover...

Zhang Manman tapped Su Jie on the shoulder and asked, "Why did Huang Sirlang directly mention Zhang Mazai?"

"To test," replied Su Jie without a second thought, "because Huang Sirlang and Zhang Muzhi were once the same kind of person, and he clearly understands that such people would not buy their way into official positions with money, thus he suspects Zhang Muzhi's identity as a governor is fake but is not certain."

"However, from the test just now, Huang Sirlang has learned that this 'Master Tang' is solely focused on money. He is a master of feigning ignorance. No matter what, he couldn't possibly be wholeheartedly with Zhang Muzhi."

"As a result, in Huang Sirlang's mind, he has started to suspect that Zhang Muzhi has taken the place of the one who used to buy his way into being governor, while this Master Tang, Ma Bangde, has to be coerced by Zhang Muzhi to save his own life."

"Now, by saying Zhang Mazai, he wants to test the waters further, even wishing for Ma Bangde to reveal the truth, after which he could immediately capture Zhang Muzhi, the fake governor, and end it all."

"But—"

At this point, Zhang Manman continued, "But as an 'intellectual' like Ma Bangde who is uncertain, he won't commit himself, thus he will only stay silent on this topic."

"Huang Sirlang didn't take this into account."

"Hmm," Su Jie nodded, "Another thing is that Ma Bangde is very smart. He isn't clear about the actual identities of Zhang Muzhi and Huang Sirlang, but he can understand that without Zhang Muzhi, he definitely can't play against Huang Sirlang."

Huang Sirlang could make promises to Zhang Muzhi because Zhang truly had that ability, but if it were him, Ma Bangde, it would be different. Huang Sirlang's promises to him would be worth nothing.

He could only hear a sound, then smell the stench, and not being suffocated by it was already a great kindness from Huang Sirlang.

Thus, at this moment, Ma Bangde deeply understood the principle that silence is golden.

Not speaking, not wrong.

"Ah!"

Just then, a scream came from behind the curtain. Visit My Virtual Library Empire (M_VLEMPYR) for more.

A student went to check and reported back, "The one who sold mung bean jelly, seems to be named Sun Shouyi, he's dead. Those three had three spikes erected in front of them, the guy's neck was penetrated."

"But there were only the three of them at the scene, no one else—"

"That's why I suspect that Sun Shouyi was pushed by Hu Wan and the martial arts scholar, which caused him to be impaled on the spikes."

Zhang Manman sneered as she looked at Huang, "This was that guy's show of force. I reckon, soon Hu Wan and the martial arts scholar will die too, but those two will be feigning death."

The reason is quite simple.

Although the martial arts scholar was an opportunist, he was no slouch in combat. If Huang really wanted to kill him, his kung fu was such that no rope could hold him.

After all, when people like Zhang Muzhi arrived, the martial arts scholar beat the drum to claim injustice, kicking Sun Shouyi around like a ball, and didn't even let him get a scratch, which shows his remarkable martial arts prowess.

If Huang truly wanted him dead, such a man would fight to the bitter end.

That is, if you force me to die, then don't blame me for being ruthless.

Therefore, Huang didn't dare to really make a move against the martial arts scholar.

Because he understood, although the martial arts scholar could be shot dead, his martial arts were so good that, before being killed, he could easily slaughter both him and his body double.

And what about Hu Wan?

He was Huang's trusted aide, someone he had cultivated, who would carry out his commands without question, such an obedient person dying would be like Huang cutting off his own arm.

Not to mention, after Hu Wan buried his past self, he became even more like a vigorously animated corpse, Huang was even less willing to part with him.

One wouldn't want to kill a dog they had raised for many years, let alone Hu Wan, who was far more useful than a dog.

Therefore, only Sun Shouyi would truly die.

The reason is also very simple, because Sun Shouyi was the one who had been oppressed by Huang, and on top of that, he was guilty-conscience-stricken and easily could have exposed Huang.

If he didn't die, who would?

This was the price he paid for lying against his conscience in the first place.

Such a person, honest and simple, but also cowardly and despicable.

Morally speaking, those with a sense of justice, like Zhang Muzhi and others, despised him, and in their hearts, they wouldn't mind seeing him dead, but they wouldn't act on it.

In reality, scoundrels like Huang couldn't tolerate Sun Shouyi's continuous existence either.

Because he was a liability.

Death was his best destination.

Even so, in a way, Huang's actions avenged Little Sixth.

Despite being the true mastermind.

But—

Look, isn't the direct murderer who framed Sixth Master already dead?

Huang stands clear of the matter!

What is a scoundrel?

Huang is the epitome of one.

Zhang Muzhi, hearing the death scream, wasn't surprised but asked, "Zhang Mazai?"

"Yes, Zhang Mazai."

"So, does this Zhang Mazai have something to do with us, or is it about money?" Zhang Muzhi slightly raised his brows, staring at Huang.

"Both."

Huang remained calm, because he had already demonstrated his methods—the mung bean jelly incident.

As long as he wished, he could make everyone in Goose City testify for him, and he could also, under the guise of 'fairness' in the public's heart, kill anyone as he pleased, within the confines of the rules.

For instance, Sun Shouyi just now, obviously no one went to carry out the sentence, so why did he die?

It was suicide!

After all, once the curtain was drawn, there was no one else behind it, and who dictates how he actually died if not Huang?

Therefore, as long as he insists that Zhang Muzhi is Zhang Mazai, then even if Zhang Muzhi isn't Zhang Mazai, he must be Zhang Mazai because Huang has plenty of ways to fabricate "evidence."

"Oh, is this certain Zhang Mazai in Goose City?" Zhang Muzhi's gaze became slightly dangerous, he was pressuring Huang, getting a bit impatient, even considering a one-for-one exchange.

"He is,"

Huang's eyes narrowed into slits, smiling, then added another sentence, "And he isn't."

This, however, confused Zhang Muzhi a bit.

Ma Bangde, on the other hand, saw that Huang had no intention of turning hostile, glanced at Zhang Muzhi, and suddenly understood the saying 'a common man's rage is enough to spill blood within five steps.'

This was a feast at Hongmen, but once seated at the dining table, it was unlikely to truly turn to confrontation.

As for the possibility that the man in front of them was a body double...

It was minuscule.

A body double could imitate his every word and action, but could never replicate that nonchalant composure in the face of danger.

However, Ma Bangde's goal was still to make money, so as soon as he realized Huang had no intention of turning hostile, he chuckled and poured wine for Huang, saying, "Master Huang's words are quite enigmatic."

Zhang Muzhi turned and sized up Ma Bangde, "So where exactly is this lad? Care to enlighten us, Huang?"

At this point, the tension in the air relaxed a little.

But Zhang Muzhi had begun to suspect Ma Bangde, speculating that the lad might have informed against them to Huang.

After all, Ma Bangde and he weren't really on the same wavelength...