Chapter 95: Everyone is Equal

Chapter 95: Chapter 95: Everyone is Equal

Seeing Fang Can lost in thought, Ji Donglai sighed and put a hand to his forehead. "I’ve already made it so clear. Why are you still hesitating?"

"Don’t tell me you’re actually thinking about something like ’equality for all,’ are you?"

"Besides the fact that they look like us, what do those ordinary people have in common with us?" Ji Donglai asked.

"There’s a fundamental difference between us and other carbon-based lifeforms. It’s like how even the most extreme egalitarian wouldn’t advocate for equality between humans and pigs or dogs, would they?"

"If pigs, dogs, and even plants were suddenly declared equal to humans, what would people eat?"

"So, isn’t this so-called egalitarianism just a more vaguely defined form of racism?"

Ji Donglai’s tone was icy. "Superhumans are natural-born rulers, possessing extraordinary talents from the moment they’re born. You’ve reached this level in such a short time. Don’t even try to say it wasn’t thanks to your powers."

"Physics tells us that everything is made of molecules and atoms, but superpowers are different. Superhumans themselves transcend the laws of physics."

"I’ve lived for over three hundred years. Before the Great Cataclysm, I was just an ordinary plumber. I understand how this so-called ’human society’ works better than anyone."

"Those capitalists are no different from ordinary mortals, but superhumans are different. They..."

"Okay, okay." Seeing Ji Donglai getting more and more extreme—to the point where his speech would be censored—Fang Can quickly waved his hands to cut him off. ’Why is he getting so worked up?’

He said helplessly, "I never said I was aiming for equality for all. I’m well aware of my own flaws. I’m not cut out for the suffering that comes with true equality."

"But what if I refuse your offer?" Fang Can asked.

"Then I’ll see you around. I’ll come back in ten years and ask you again. I have all the time in the world to wait for you to change your mind. Superhumans shouldn’t be enemies."

As he spoke, Ji Donglai looked up at the bright, clear moon, his voice taking on a tranquil quality.

"Regardless of your decision, I’m giving you Z City. Whether you choose to build it up or tear it down is entirely up to you."

"If, in the future, you can rely on the power of the Otherworld to surpass everyone, we wouldn’t care if you took over and ruled the entire New Country."

Hearing his decision, Fang Can remarked with feeling, "Now that’s what I call a grand gesture."

"That’s nothing. With your power, you have a promising future even among superhumans. Joining the Dragon Group is your best option," Ji Donglai said, never missing a chance to make his pitch.

"It seems I have no other choice, then," Fang Can said with a smile.

"What’s there to even choose? Joining has nothing but benefits, and you won’t be responsible for a thing."

"You can still spend your days doing whatever you want—eating, playing, anything. Most of the actual work is handled by subordinates."

"The only time you’ll actually be called upon is when something affects the interests of all superhumans. What’s there to hesitate about? Of course you’d have to get involved then."

By the end of his speech, Ji Donglai himself was convinced that only a saint could refuse such an offer. He, of all people, knew just how great it was to be a superhuman.

"Fine, I’ll reluctantly agree," Fang Can said, nodding. "Now that I’ve accepted, is there anything I need to do? Like report in somewhere?"

"Whatever you want. To be blunt, you’re just putting your name on a list," said Ji Donglai.

"However, your unhinged performance on the livestream made a lot of people very interested in you. If you’d like, I can throw a grand banquet for you in Akia."

"Unhinged? How was I unhinged?" Hearing this, Fang Can frowned and retorted, "I’m perfectly normal, thank you very much."

"You call a fighting style that uses guts and brains ’normal’?" Ji Donglai asked, raising an eyebrow.

Fang Can’s face stiffened for a moment before he said earnestly, "It’s a little weird, I’ll admit. But I’m really not unhinged at all."

He then realized his fighting style was indeed rather unseemly. ’I’ll have to be more careful next time,’ he thought. ’It wouldn’t do for a perfectly normal guy like me to be mistaken for some kind of freak.’

"But, now that I’ve joined the Dragon Group, don’t you guys have any goodies to share?" Fang Can asked, pushing his luck.

"The most advanced training equipment in the entire New Country, the safest medical facilities... you can train your... abstract ability with complete peace of mind. Even if your body disintegrates into cell-sized fragments, we can bring you back," Ji Donglai explained.

"That’s it?" Fang Can raised an eyebrow. "Nothing more exciting?"

"What are you getting at?"

"Like a time-controller to speed up my cultivation by a hundred times, a power-sharer to let me use other people’s abilities, a buffer to grant me healing, strength, and speed buffs," Fang Can suggested, arching a brow. He had already given a lot of thought to the idea of superhumans coordinating their powers.

"In your dreams," Ji Donglai said, rolling his eyes. "There are fewer than five thousand superhumans in the entire New Country. We don’t have enough of a variety for you to just pick and choose combinations."

"Besides, why should other superhumans have to help you train?" Ji Donglai said sternly. "I told you, it’s all benefits and no obligations. That means every superhuman is equal to every other, regardless of how strong or weak their powers are."

"Since we’re all equal, why should they waste their time having fun just so you can train? What does your personal training have to do with them?"

"There are a few superhumans whose powers could indeed help you, but if you want their help, you have to go ask them personally. You can’t just order them around like you’re some kind of lord."

"Uh..." Fang Can was speechless. He hadn’t expected superhumans to actually be so egalitarian with each other.

"Anyway, as long as it doesn’t affect other superhumans, you can do whatever you want within human society," Ji Donglai said with a shrug.

"In that case..." Fang Can hesitated for a moment. "I want to learn foreign languages! I need to learn them to fuel my cultivation."

"You brat..." Ji Donglai’s gaze turned suggestive, and the corner of his mouth curled into a smirk. "Barely got your foot in the door and you’re already asking to ’learn foreign languages,’ are you?"

"But you’re still in the early stages of your training; it’s not a good time to be messing around like that. Wait until after the Heaven-Ascending Road. We’ll throw a proper welcoming party for you then."

As Ji Donglai spoke, Fang Can grew even more exasperated. "What are you thinking? I’m serious, it’s for my cultivation."

"Harvesting Yin to supplement Yang?" Ji Donglai’s face lit up. "If you have a Cultivation Technique like that, send me a copy. I’d like to try it out myself."

"It’s not harvesting Yin to supplement Yang," Fang Can said, exasperated. "I genuinely just want to study foreign languages. There are no ulterior motives."

"See? You don’t even blink when you lie now. A genius! I told you you had a talent for this," Ji Donglai exclaimed.

"Don’t you worry. Since you’ve asked, I can easily satisfy your request. If you have any other conditions, just go ahead and state them. Don’t be shy."