Chapter 2: What is a Friend

Guo Huai parked his motorcycle at a distance, locked the handlebars and then secured the tires, taking precautions as a matter of course. He had been riding this vehicle for many years, and it had become quite dilapidated. With such stringent measures in place, it was unlikely that anyone would attempt to steal it. In this day and age, with the advancement of technology, even ordinary citizens can lead a fulfilling life as long as they are diligent and hardworking, provided they do not encounter natural disasters or man-made calamities. However, there are always some individuals who prefer idleness and vice; even in a society governed by strict laws, they engage in petty theft and other illicit activities. Guo Huai had to remain vigilant. After parking his motorcycle, he carefully selected a position to observe what the person in front of him intended to do.

It turns out to be a vengeful person. After a moment, Guo Huai reached a conclusion: the individual appeared calm on the surface, yet internally, a storm was brewing. Guo Huai's perception allowed him to accurately sense certain information. Looking at his surroundings, everything became clear; he was in the Qinghuo Construction Engineering Company, a subsidiary of the well-known Qinghuo Group in the city. For several years, it had collaborated with the municipal government, undertaking the demolition and construction work for the old city renovation, reaping substantial profits, albeit every penny was tainted with illegality.

What exactly does he want to do? Guo Huai observed that the person was sitting next to a small tree, with hair that seemed uncombed for many days, messy and disheveled. The person's attire was also quite peculiar. At this time, as summer was approaching, most pedestrians on the street wore only a single garment, yet this individual was dressed in a tattered cotton coat, covering himself completely. With such high temperatures, how could he possibly sit there? Guo Huai concentrated his mind, channeling his perception into a single point, focusing intently on the person's emotions.

"It is him, it is him, he took a knife and attempted to assassinate General Zhao, everyone, catch him together." Just as Zheng and the library were about to leave, Guo Huai suddenly heard a chaotic shouting from a distance. He hurriedly turned around and saw a large group of people coming around the corner not far from the middle-aged man. The leader was continuously pointing at him and shouting, followed closely by individuals who clearly did not belong to any legitimate group, evidently thugs raised by the Qinghuo Group.

Should he still be advised to surrender? Li Dagang had the intent to assassinate; even if he had already abandoned that intention, if he were to be captured at this moment, how could General Zhao of the Qinghuo Group possibly let him go? He would likely be unable to find peace even in his dreams, and would undoubtedly seek every means to ensure Li Dagang's death. Li Dagang originally had a glimmer of hope, but now, with Wang Dehai's betrayal, that hope was completely extinguished, leading him to a true dead end. "Wang Dehai, you scoundrel, you will pay for this!" Li Dagang originally had a glimmer of hope, but now, with Wang Dehai's betrayal, that hope was completely extinguished, leading him to a true dead end. "Wang Dehai, you scoundrel, you will pay for this!"

"Wang Dehai, why did you betray me?" The middle-aged man turned out to be acquainted with that person. Guo Huai stopped the car and watched the scene with a calm expression. Hearing the middle-aged man's furious shout, the man named Wang Dehai suddenly hesitated in his steps, a flicker of struggle crossing his face, but it quickly turned resolute. Gritting his teeth, he said, "Li Dagang, I advise you to surrender willingly."

Thus, according to the regulations of class law, he made a significant contribution to the state through a large donation, thereby elevating himself from the commoner class to that of a citizen. At that time, many leaders of the underworld in the city mocked him, saying that it would be better to keep such a large sum of money for himself, as even a lifetime of indulgence would not exhaust it. They remarked that only a fool would hand over such a large amount of cash to the government.

The thugs were experienced in street fighting; upon seeing the bird gun, they scattered in all directions. Wang Dehai never anticipated that Li Dagang had not only prepared a knife but had also crafted a bird gun himself to ensure greater certainty. At this moment, the assassin originally intended for Zhao, the leader of the Qinghuo group, was directly turned against him. "Boom." Li Dagang forcefully fired the bird gun, and the power of the gunpowder propelled the sand and iron fibers packed inside the barrel to surge forth.

The Qinghuo Group, it seems that the father of Zhao Haigang, one of the Four Young Masters of Liyang, is the president of Qinghuo Group? Although Guo Huai is low-key at school and has little interaction with other students, he is still somewhat aware of the prominent names like the Four Young Masters of Liyang. Upon seeing the Qinghuo sign, he naturally thought of Zhao Haigang. Speaking of which, Guo Huai is not unfamiliar with the Qinghuo Group; he had already known about it when it was still just Qinghuo Company, before it became a group.

"He has killed someone." At that moment, a piercing scream erupted from the pedestrians on the street, followed by a brief chaos as people scattered in all directions. The thugs, having narrowly avoided a bullet, charged forward upon witnessing Li Dagang commit murder. "The bird gun can only fire once; we must go and seize him." At this moment, Guo Huai sensed an unprecedented intensity of the aura of death. At this point, Li Dagang had completely reached a dead end, with no chance of retreat and no glimmer of hope left. In despair, his resolve to die intensified. "The bird gun can only fire once; we must go and seize him." At this moment, Guo Huai sensed an unprecedented intensity of the aura of death. At this point, Li Dagang had completely reached a dead end, with no chance of retreat and no glimmer of hope left. In despair, his resolve to die intensified

Guo Huai roughly speculated on the reasons behind everything; there are too many injustices in this world, too many to even see. He has seen enough, but usually, as long as it does not involve him, he typically does not inquire. Even if he wanted to ask, he lacks the ability. What can an ordinary person with some minor abilities do? They can secretly tinker and engage in covert schemes, but when it comes to confronting openly, he cannot handle even five or six ordinary people. To gain strength, he must rely on this upcoming advancement in transcendence. He lacks that ability; what can an ordinary person with some minor abilities do? They can secretly tinker and engage in covert schemes, but when it comes to confronting openly, he cannot handle even five or six ordinary people. To gain strength, he must rely on this upcoming advancement in transcendence.

Having dealt with death for a long time, Guo Huai, despite having seen much of it, appears cold and indifferent, even somewhat dismissive of life. However, this is merely his exterior; deep down, he is a person who cherishes life. Whenever he encounters someone contemplating suicide, he usually makes an effort to persuade them, often resorting to the power of mental intervention to forcefully intervene. He believes that those who wish to end their lives are often just momentarily overwhelmed, and once the situation passes, it is behind them. Over the years, he has saved quite a number of people, and in his view, it has been like working for free.

At this moment, although he has to do unpaid work again, he does not reject it. However, upon closer observation, he feels something is amiss. A person committing suicide should choose a secluded place; ideally, there should be some lakes or rivers nearby, or they should be in a high building. Alternatively, they could simply take a wire at home and plug it into the electrical outlet. Standing by the roadside is hardly appropriate. Is it possible that they intend to throw themselves in front of an oncoming vehicle? That would be utterly disgraceful; even in death, they cannot find peace. How unfortunate for the driver who might encounter someone like that? Or they should be in a high building, or simply take a wire at home and plug it into the electrical outlet. Standing by the roadside is hardly appropriate. Is it possible that they intend to throw themselves in front of an oncoming vehicle? That would be utterly disgraceful; even in death, they cannot find peace. How unfortunate for the driver who might encounter someone like that?

Zhao Haigang's father obtained a fifth-class citizenship through his contributions to the nation, thus elevating himself from the ranks of commoners. In fact, the money spent was somewhat substantial, but it was indeed worth the expense. With this citizenship, he naturally gained corresponding social influence, allowing him to access a broader world. Otherwise, as a commoner who started from a shady background, even with the most legitimate endeavors, he would inherently be at a disadvantage when trying to communicate with the officials in the city. With citizenship, he was considered part of the same social class as others, and this status brought him endless benefits. The money he donated could easily be recouped, and he could then earn even more.

When a person dies, everything becomes void. For an ordinary person, who is not a complete devotee of the divine, once they pass away, the remnants of their soul will indeed dissipate quickly. This is something that Guo Huai, who possesses the ghostly Huai, understands all too well. The descriptions in various books about the seven days and the forty-nine days after death are merely seen as jokes to him.

Gui Huai excels at handling powers related to souls, and naturally possesses expertise in the mental realm. As a result, Guo Huai has a strong perceptual ability. Even if he has not completed the final transcendence, he can still perceive the errant spirits that are unintentionally released by ordinary people when their emotions are agitated and their mental state is not sufficiently contained. He can sense, analyze, and even obtain some clear information. At this moment, he extends his perception to ascertain what the other party intends to do.

At that moment, the strangely dressed man suddenly stood up, as if he had come to some realization. The anger of revenge that had originally consumed him gradually subsided, and Gui Huai's sense of death also faded away. Guo Huai blinked his eyes and let out a slight sigh, realizing that this time he had indeed come in vain. "Let’s just consider it a ride in the evening breeze." Seeing that the situation was not going to develop further, Guo Huai was about to ride away.

The rise of the black forces, even with relatively legitimate operations, has led to countless lives lost over the past decade and more, often exploiting legal loopholes. Particularly in the case of demolitions, they have offended numerous individuals within the city. Some protesters against the demolitions have suffered greatly under their violence. However, everyone is just an ordinary citizen, unable to provoke the colossal entity that is the Qinghuo Group. Yet, there are always some individuals driven to desperation who must resist, and this uncle is undoubtedly a typical example.

Thus, Qinghuo Company has developed step by step, and the status of Zhao Haigang's father has also been on the rise. In less than ten years, it has grown into a group company, transforming into a colossal entity that spans both legitimate and illicit realms, wielding immense influence and touching upon all aspects of the city. It is said that there are even connections with some officials at the provincial level. With such influence, it is no wonder that Zhao Haigang has earned the title of one of the Four Young Masters of Liyang.

Li Dagang forcefully pulled open his thick cotton coat and took out a stick-like object from his bosom. "Bird gun, bird gun, everyone get back!" The henchman leader behind Wang Dehai reacted quickly, realizing what that stick-like object was; it was clearly a primitive type of gunpowder weapon. Although primitive, being hit by such a gun would undoubtedly be fatal, and upon seeing that stick, he shouted loudly and took cover.

A cloud of smoke erupted in the air, and Wang Dehai was instantly turned into a sieve by that shot. This close-range shot had already caused his immediate demise. With his body lifeless, his soul could no longer find peace and was about to leave his body. As his soul departed, the mark bestowed upon him by the deity at the moment of his faith dissipated. His soul, now detached from his body, was completely exposed and subjected to constant erosion. Guo Huai gently beckoned, and that fragment of soul scattered like smoke, falling into his palm. He promptly secured it and continued to observe the unfolding events. As his soul departed, the mark bestowed upon him by the deity at the moment of his faith dissipated. His soul, now detached from his body, was completely exposed and subjected to constant erosion. Guo Huai gently beckoned, and that fragment of soul scattered like smoke, falling into his palm. He promptly secured it and continued to observe the unfolding events

At that time, Qinghuo Company was merely a company composed of local criminal forces, engaging primarily in activities such as prostitution and gambling, along with some usury. Among the criminal organizations, it was considered to be doing relatively well and was somewhat more legitimate. Relying on these businesses, Qinghuo Company gradually expanded. Once it had accumulated wealth, the company’s president was willing to spend a significant amount of money to donate to the government

Surrendering without a fight, Guo Huai looked at Wang Dehai with amusement. Surrendering without a fight? Li Dagang had originally harbored a murderous intent, ready to fight to the death. However, while waiting to act, he came to a realization; it seemed he was not yet desperate enough to that extent, as he still saw a glimmer of hope for survival. Just as he was preparing to leave, it turned out that Wang Dehai was indeed a familiar friend of his; otherwise, how would he know that Li Dagang was planning to assassinate the president of the Qinghuo Group? Li Dagang would not have been so incredulous and furious if this friend had not betrayed him by bringing a group of people to capture him.