It seemed that even the Captain’s pull had limits.
Yang Yi’s heart started trembling but he still maintained his courage and softly said, “Brother Yong, there’s no need for you to refuse me so quickly. Why don’t you hear me out first?”
Zhang Yong sighed rather feebly and said with a troubled expression, “Lil’ bro, look here, it’s not that I don't sympathize but I came in here to hide. Do you get that? I can sleep, eat, no one bothers me and no one asks me to do anything troublesome. Don’t you think that sort of life sounds wonderful? And right now, you’ve suddenly appeared out of nowhere and asked me to teach you. So, what makes you think I’ll agree to your request?”
Yang Yi asked softly, “Aren’t you bored in here?”
Zhang Yong shook his head as he replied, “Nope, I'm not bored at all. I’m good.”
Yang Yi swallowed and said, “The Captain said you might refuse, so he asked me to pass along a message. If you’re willing to teach me, the favor you owe him will be considered returned.”
Zhang Yong slapped his leg heavily and grumbled indignantly, “I knew it, that bastard just likes to cause trouble for others!”
He then looked at Yang Yi and said in dissatisfaction, “If that's so, can you please pass a message back to the Captain. Tell him I do owe him a favor and I will return it, but it doesn’t mean he can just send anyone over to settle the favor owe him.”
Yang Yi was stunned for a moment and couldn’t help but say, “It was with great difficulty that I finally managed to find you and I paid a great price to do so.”
Zhang Yong innocently said, “Did I invite you here? Did I say you should come here? What did we agree to do? Do I owe you anything?”
Yang Yi was rather speechless. He was disappointed and had no idea what to say in response.
Zhang Yong sighed and seemed rather embarrassed when he said, “I don’t blame you for this. Who asked the Captain to decide on behalf of me? As you can see, I came here to have a peaceful life. I don’t believe you will make things difficult for me right? Look at it from my perspective, I was enjoying life here and then a random guy comes out of nowhere asking me to teach him. Not only that, but I must teach the guy. Do you think that’s acceptable?
Yang Yi couldn’t stop himself and said, “I know I’m being rather presumptuous but can you tell me why you refuse to teach me?”
Zhang Yong answered as if bewildered, “Is there still a need to ask? Do you know how much trouble there could be if I take on an apprentice? Am I in here for an idyllic life or to become an instructor? If I wanted to be an instructor, do you think I would come here? Do you take me for a fool?
Yang Yi was both speechless and overwhelmed. Since the other party wasn’t willing to teach, would he have to use force? If Yang Yi had the ability, he wouldn’t have to use any means possible to find Zhang Yong and learn from him.
Seeing the dumbstruck Yang Yi, Zhang Yong had no choice but to say something. “I’m actually a person who keeps my word. If I had made a promise, I would definitely fulfill it. If I owe someone a favor, it will definitely be returned. I will return it the moment I get out of here. If we’re talking about trustworthiness and loyalty, wouldn’t you say that not only do I not know you, I also don’t owe you a thing?”
Yang Yi pressed both of his hands on his head and after a brief moment, he spoke in Chinese, “I’m from China.”
Zhang Yong immediately replied in Chinese, “I know that. Anyone introduced by the Captain would definitely be from China.”
Yang Yi spread both of his hands as he helplessly said, “Let’s not talk about the favor. Why don’t you tell me under what conditions would you be willing to teach me?”
Zhang Yong laughed, “I’m not teaching. No matter what, I’m not teaching.”
Yang Yi was rather helpless as he had no idea what he should say next. After hesitating for a short while, he finally said, “So, the Captain’s face won’t do right?”
Zhang Yong gave him a bitter smile, “I could still potentially agree if it was any other request. However, it’s a different story when it comes to accepting an apprentice. I wouldn’t dare do it. Think about it, do you know how troublesome accepting an apprentice can get? I’m a person who holds ties in great importance. Do you think after accepting you as my apprentice, all I would have to do is teach you? As my apprentice, do you think I could just ignore it if you got into trouble? Since I’m all alone, I get to live a carefree life. If you become my apprentice, not only would I have to teach you, I would also have to think about your future and there’s no way I could just watch when you’re in trouble. Since you came all the way here to look for me, you definitely have your own personal issues. I’m not foolish enough to think it was simply to be my apprentice or that you’re going to claim familial ties. Do you think I want to get involved in your mess?
Yang Yi solemnly said, “If that’s the case, we can forgo the traditional master and apprentice relationship. Let’s keep it simple. You just need to teach me and all my problems will have nothing to do with you. Is this arrangement acceptable?”
Zhang Yong spread his hands wide open and said, “Why should I? I have it easy right now. I would have to waste a lot of energy to teach you. Moreover, didn’t you say you want to become a spy just now? I’m not a spy, so there’s nothing I can teach you.
Yang Yi immediately said, “But the Captain said you’re the best spy out there.”
Zhang Yong waved his hand as he answered with a smile, “I have been a lot of things in the past. A hitman, a mercenary, a bodyguard and I worked for an intelligence broker before but I was never a spy. To put it precisely, I was a troubleshooter for an intelligence broker. How could I teach you when I have never been a spy before?”
Yang Yi solemnly countered, “A spy is just a term. I’m not asking you to teach me how to become a spy. Instead, you just have to teach me the skills a spy needs. I know you’re brilliant. So, you just need to teach me using your expertise. Let me phrase it another way, you just need to point me in the right direction and train me a little. Is that possible?”
Zhang Yong sighed again, “I must say, don’t you know how to take a hint? It’s boorish to reject someone but even my patience has limits. So, can you stop dallying here? If you want me to kill someone, I won’t hesitate to do it regardless of how difficult it might be. Teaching, on the other hand, I will refuse since it’s just too troublesome for me.”
Zhang Yong then used a shooing motion and said, “Please leave. You should go back to where you came from. You can use my name if anyone tries to bully you. I have not used the moniker Earthworm for a very long time now. I’m called Landmine here. So, don’t get it wrong.”
Yang Yi ignored Zhang Yong’s order to leave and looked at the cards on the bench before he said, “Are you playing poker or blackjack?”
Zhang Yong laughed, “Blackjack.”
Yang Yi let out a breath of relief as he said, “Isn’t it pointless to play alone? Why don’t you let me sit down and play a few hands with you?”
Zhang Yong chuckled as he shook his head, “Did the Captain tell you I like to gamble? Did he also tell you that there are some things I will never allow as a gambling bet?”
Yang Yi took out two boxes of cigarettes and placed them on the bench. He then shook his head, “The Captain didn’t tell me you loved to gamble. If that’s the case, we can use cigarettes to bet. Anyway, I won’t say things like you have to teach me if you lose. So, let’s play a few hands. What do you say?
Zhang Yong hesitated for a moment before he nodded and laughed, “I usually only take cash as a bet when it comes to gambling. If it’s cigarettes though… sure, I will accept it. We’ll play a few hands of Blackjack. I will be the dealer.”
It seemed that even the Captain’s pull had limits.
Yang Yi’s heart started trembling but he still maintained his courage and softly said, “Brother Yong, there’s no need for you to refuse me so quickly. Why don’t you hear me out first?”
Zhang Yong sighed rather feebly and said with a troubled expression, “Lil’ bro, look here, it’s not that I don't sympathize but I came in here to hide. Do you get that? I can sleep, eat, no one bothers me and no one asks me to do anything troublesome. Don’t you think that sort of life sounds wonderful? And right now, you’ve suddenly appeared out of nowhere and asked me to teach you. So, what makes you think I’ll agree to your request?”
Yang Yi asked softly, “Aren’t you bored in here?”
Zhang Yong shook his head as he replied, “Nope, I'm not bored at all. I’m good.”
Yang Yi swallowed and said, “The Captain said you might refuse, so he asked me to pass along a message. If you’re willing to teach me, the favor you owe him will be considered returned.”
Zhang Yong slapped his leg heavily and grumbled indignantly, “I knew it, that bastard just likes to cause trouble for others!”
He then looked at Yang Yi and said in dissatisfaction, “If that's so, can you please pass a message back to the Captain. Tell him I do owe him a favor and I will return it, but it doesn’t mean he can just send anyone over to settle the favor owe him.”
Yang Yi was stunned for a moment and couldn’t help but say, “It was with great difficulty that I finally managed to find you and I paid a great price to do so.”
Zhang Yong innocently said, “Did I invite you here? Did I say you should come here? What did we agree to do? Do I owe you anything?”
Yang Yi was rather speechless. He was disappointed and had no idea what to say in response.
Zhang Yong sighed and seemed rather embarrassed when he said, “I don’t blame you for this. Who asked the Captain to decide on behalf of me? As you can see, I came here to have a peaceful life. I don’t believe you will make things difficult for me right? Look at it from my perspective, I was enjoying life here and then a random guy comes out of nowhere asking me to teach him. Not only that, but I must teach the guy. Do you think that’s acceptable?
Yang Yi couldn’t stop himself and said, “I know I’m being rather presumptuous but can you tell me why you refuse to teach me?”
Zhang Yong answered as if bewildered, “Is there still a need to ask? Do you know how much trouble there could be if I take on an apprentice? Am I in here for an idyllic life or to become an instructor? If I wanted to be an instructor, do you think I would come here? Do you take me for a fool?
Yang Yi was both speechless and overwhelmed. Since the other party wasn’t willing to teach, would he have to use force? If Yang Yi had the ability, he wouldn’t have to use any means possible to find Zhang Yong and learn from him.
Seeing the dumbstruck Yang Yi, Zhang Yong had no choice but to say something. “I’m actually a person who keeps my word. If I had made a promise, I would definitely fulfill it. If I owe someone a favor, it will definitely be returned. I will return it the moment I get out of here. If we’re talking about trustworthiness and loyalty, wouldn’t you say that not only do I not know you, I also don’t owe you a thing?”
Yang Yi pressed both of his hands on his head and after a brief moment, he spoke in Chinese, “I’m from China.”
Zhang Yong immediately replied in Chinese, “I know that. Anyone introduced by the Captain would definitely be from China.”
Yang Yi spread both of his hands as he helplessly said, “Let’s not talk about the favor. Why don’t you tell me under what conditions would you be willing to teach me?”
Zhang Yong laughed, “I’m not teaching. No matter what, I’m not teaching.”
Yang Yi was rather helpless as he had no idea what he should say next. After hesitating for a short while, he finally said, “So, the Captain’s face won’t do right?”
Zhang Yong gave him a bitter smile, “I could still potentially agree if it was any other request. However, it’s a different story when it comes to accepting an apprentice. I wouldn’t dare do it. Think about it, do you know how troublesome accepting an apprentice can get? I’m a person who holds ties in great importance. Do you think after accepting you as my apprentice, all I would have to do is teach you? As my apprentice, do you think I could just ignore it if you got into trouble? Since I’m all alone, I get to live a carefree life. If you become my apprentice, not only would I have to teach you, I would also have to think about your future and there’s no way I could just watch when you’re in trouble. Since you came all the way here to look for me, you definitely have your own personal issues. I’m not foolish enough to think it was simply to be my apprentice or that you’re going to claim familial ties. Do you think I want to get involved in your mess?
Yang Yi solemnly said, “If that’s the case, we can forgo the traditional master and apprentice relationship. Let’s keep it simple. You just need to teach me and all my problems will have nothing to do with you. Is this arrangement acceptable?”
Zhang Yong spread his hands wide open and said, “Why should I? I have it easy right now. I would have to waste a lot of energy to teach you. Moreover, didn’t you say you want to become a spy just now? I’m not a spy, so there’s nothing I can teach you.
Yang Yi immediately said, “But the Captain said you’re the best spy out there.”
Zhang Yong waved his hand as he answered with a smile, “I have been a lot of things in the past. A hitman, a mercenary, a bodyguard and I worked for an intelligence broker before but I was never a spy. To put it precisely, I was a troubleshooter for an intelligence broker. How could I teach you when I have never been a spy before?”
Yang Yi solemnly countered, “A spy is just a term. I’m not asking you to teach me how to become a spy. Instead, you just have to teach me the skills a spy needs. I know you’re brilliant. So, you just need to teach me using your expertise. Let me phrase it another way, you just need to point me in the right direction and train me a little. Is that possible?”
Zhang Yong sighed again, “I must say, don’t you know how to take a hint? It’s boorish to reject someone but even my patience has limits. So, can you stop dallying here? If you want me to kill someone, I won’t hesitate to do it regardless of how difficult it might be. Teaching, on the other hand, I will refuse since it’s just too troublesome for me.”
Zhang Yong then used a shooing motion and said, “Please leave. You should go back to where you came from. You can use my name if anyone tries to bully you. I have not used the moniker Earthworm for a very long time now. I’m called Landmine here. So, don’t get it wrong.”
Yang Yi ignored Zhang Yong’s order to leave and looked at the cards on the bench before he said, “Are you playing poker or blackjack?”
Zhang Yong laughed, “Blackjack.”
Yang Yi let out a breath of relief as he said, “Isn’t it pointless to play alone? Why don’t you let me sit down and play a few hands with you?”
Zhang Yong chuckled as he shook his head, “Did the Captain tell you I like to gamble? Did he also tell you that there are some things I will never allow as a gambling bet?”
Yang Yi took out two boxes of cigarettes and placed them on the bench. He then shook his head, “The Captain didn’t tell me you loved to gamble. If that’s the case, we can use cigarettes to bet. Anyway, I won’t say things like you have to teach me if you lose. So, let’s play a few hands. What do you say?
Zhang Yong hesitated for a moment before he nodded and laughed, “I usually only take cash as a bet when it comes to gambling. If it’s cigarettes though… sure, I will accept it. We’ll play a few hands of Blackjack. I will be the dealer.”
