bookcurios Chapter 216 The final trump card
Chapter 216 The final trump card
"I don't question it," Su Ming suddenly raised his head, a hint of stubbornness in his eyes. "I just want to know why you never truly trusted me? I tried my best to complete all the tasks you assigned me, but I always felt like an outsider."
These words were the unleashing of Su Ming's long-suppressed emotions. He had never before expressed his feelings so openly in front of Lao Zhang, but at this moment, he could no longer maintain his composure or restraint. Every effort, every life-threatening mission, seemed to elicit no recognition from Lao Zhang. The feeling of being treated so coldly made the imbalance in his heart even more unbearable.
Old Zhang's expression remained unchanged, his eyes still cold and sharp. He looked at Su Ming as if he were examining an object, not a disciple with whom he had spent every day. He was silent for a moment, then finally spoke: "Trust? What do you think trust is? In this world, trust means exposing weakness and carrying greater risks. Everything I teach you is to teach you to be independent, to learn to survive in any situation, without relying on others."
Su Ming was speechless for a moment. The subtle anger in his heart gradually turned into a helpless bitterness. Every word Lao Zhang said reminded him that their relationship was never the deep master-disciple relationship he had imagined, but more like a rigorous training. Lao Zhang had always pushed him to a higher level, but he had never truly accepted him. In other words, he had never considered Su Ming as his own family or disciple.
"Do you think I don't trust you?" Lao Zhang approached slowly, his tone chilling. "If I didn't trust you, you would have died long ago. The fact that you're still alive and have received this badge proves that you're more deserving of life than anyone else. But you're not strong enough to shoulder greater responsibilities."
Su Ming's breathing quickened slightly, the oppressive feeling in his heart threatening to consume him. He couldn't understand why his master was always so cold and distant, why, when he needed understanding and support the most, Old Zhang was always so unkind. He had comforted himself countless times in his heart that Old Zhang was merely using harsh methods to temper him, to make him stronger. But now, he found it increasingly difficult to convince himself to continue accepting this coldness and alienation.
"You're always like this..." Su Ming's voice was filled with fatigue and frustration. "No matter how well I do, you always tell me I'm not good enough. I know there's no room for emotion in the world of espionage, and I know I must remain calm and rational. But I'm also human, I get tired, and I have doubts. Master, can't you... just once, acknowledge my efforts?"
Under Lao Zhang's cold gaze, Su Ming felt as if he had been forced into a corner. Feelings of loss and failure surged like a tide, but he suppressed them forcefully. He had imagined countless times the moment his master truly recognized him, the moment he could see a glimmer of pride and admiration in Lao Zhang's eyes. However, reality repeatedly shattered his illusions, making him realize that perhaps such expectations were always just wishful thinking.
The air was filled with the distinct musty smell of the basement, tinged with a hint of metallic chill, chilling him to the bone. Su Ming realized that it was pointless to continue dwelling on his emotional issues with Lao Zhang. The world was cruel and cold, and Lao Zhang's indifference was part of that. He could no longer be swayed by emotions. He had to be strong, relying on his own will to persevere. With or without his master's approval, he had to move forward.
Suddenly, a strange, cold light flashed from the corner, instantly alerting Su Ming. He narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze settling on a metal cabinet in the basement. It was a location rarely noticed, hidden away in the shadows of the corner. With a thought, he slowly walked over and pushed open the rusty cabinet door. It creaked harshly, as if something ancient had awakened.
An object lay quietly within the cabinet, oddly shaped and dark, as if imbued with countless years of coldness and murderous intent. Su Ming's heartbeat suddenly accelerated, and an unprecedented sense of oppression emanated from the object, filling the entire space. It looked like a weapon, but unlike any weapon Su Ming had ever seen. Its design was imbued with a certain cruelty and ultimate aesthetic of slaughter. It was pitch black, its surface covered in irregular patterns that seemed both intentional and naturally generated.
"What is this?" Su Ming asked in a low voice, his eyes still fixed on the weapon, and he was secretly alert.
Lao Zhang's voice came from behind him coldly, his tone still without any emotion: "That's something you shouldn't touch."
Su Ming felt a wave of unease at these words, but his hand had already reached for the weapon. The touch of the cold metal made his heart sink, as if he were holding something extremely dangerous. The weapon felt heavier than he had imagined, and it felt cold to the touch, as if it held some mysterious power. Su Ming carefully picked it up, the black lines appearing even more sinister in the dim light.
Old Zhang's gaze pierced Su Ming like a sharp blade, and he said coldly, "Do you know what this is?"
Su Ming shook his head, his tone carrying a hint of caution and tentativeness: "I don't know. But I feel that it is unusual."
"It's more than just unusual." Lao Zhang's voice held a rare solemnity. "This is a black weapon, a killing tool that has never been made public. It has no number, no records, and no ownership. Once used, it means it will be completely lost without a trace."
Su Ming's brow furrowed slightly, a faint sense of unease forming in his heart. A dark weapon? The term stirred countless questions in his mind. Why would Old Zhang possess such a thing? Why was this weapon hidden here? The secret hidden within was far more complex and dangerous than he had imagined.
"Why is this weapon here?" Su Ming suppressed his doubts and tried to get more information from Lao Zhang.
Old Zhang's gaze was profound, and he said in a deep voice, "There are some things you shouldn't know right now. You just need to understand that this thing shouldn't be used lightly. Its purpose is to be prepared for the most extreme situations. Now that you've seen it, you should understand what it means."
Su Ming's heart tightened when he heard this. He knew that Lao Zhang never warned him lightly; anything he mentioned was a matter of life and death. This black weapon was clearly a last-ditch weapon. Once deployed...