5 Determination and desire

Chapter 5

…

It is said that humans are driven by their desires. They move, they work, and they do everything according to their own desire. And this desire is a very strong factor that could motivate someone to do good or to do evil.

As for me, I only have one desire in my life right now. And that is the desire to get stronger; I desire power more than anything else. I knew that with my current body and strength, I could not do anything against my enemies. And no one is going to help me except me.

As my body had already recovered and reached 100% of my constitution, my next goal is to improve my strength.

I began to run up and down the forest as I was instructed by grandpa who has slightly recovered from his wounds.

Due to his training, and the books he made me read, my intelligence has already reached 13, and I could feel my mind slightly clearing up and my learning process became faster.

As I was able to run now, I saw my dexterity hitting 12, but as I move up and down the forest, my constitution would also fluctuate from 100% to 80%. But I noticed that when my constitution hits 70% I would begin to pant and be out of breath. With it, my dexterity would also lessen and hit 5 or even 3.

With these exercises, I have already grasped the nature of the floating green window panel. It's like an actual systematic monitor of my vital stats.

As long as I control my body and make it stronger by monitoring the numbers on it, I could manage my body really well and optimize my growth.

Well, anyway, my desire is already set and all I have to do is follow my pace and grew as soon as I could. I don't have time to cry or be sad. I would just hold on to my sorrow and turn it into strength. I would make it fuel my rage, I would make it fuel my ambition to become powerful. This way, I will have those that did this to me, to my childhood friend, and to my parents, pay everything back with their lives.

I will make them suffer; I make them taste the feeling of despair and sorrow, that I am feeling right now.

…

The reason that I am doing all this, why I suddenly became desperate, is because of another tragedy that I have accidentally learned one day.

From a piece of crumpled newspaper inside the old tattered pants of old grandpa, I accidentally discovered a piece of shocking news that almost made me go wild in bitterness, anger, and sorrow.

From it, I read about a couple who had a car accident while traveling towards the outskirts of the city H. Their car unexpectedly fell off the cliff and it is said that the husband was drinking at the reason for that is because of his problem with his son.

When I saw the pictures of the couple, my heart feels like it was torn to shreds, they were my parents.

I could not believe that my mother and father died in that accident. I do not believe that my father drank alcohol. This is because my father does not drink liquor. This is all a plot, and I knew it.

And worst of all it was still blamed on me.

They said that I was the cause of it all. Me their only son.

Well, maybe they are right; maybe I was really the cause of this tragedy. Maybe this is because I tried to fight back. Maybe this happened because I tried to resists, I tried to fight back.

Maybe it is really all my fault...

With my trembling hands and dripping tears, I cried. I could not stop myself from feeling great sorrow and pain.

In my deep anguish, an old and slightly shaking hand carefully patted my head which gave me a slight bit of comfort.

Old grandpa then carefully held my hand and with a stern voice, he said.

"This already happened, and we cannot change anything anymore... Bare everything deep in your heart and never forget..." Old grandpa said with a stern look.

"Now, what do you want?... Do you want justice? Do you want revenge?... Your choice will be the driving force behind your will to survive. I know that you want those that did this to your parents to be held accountable, right?... But as you are now, you would be just a sheep going to the mouth of those wolves… you are too weak…"

Hearing grandpa's words, my mind was a little shaken. I knew that what he just said is true. I am really too weak. I am just an insignificant ant who didn't know how the real world works.

"Then… then what should I do grandpa?" I said with a sobbing tone.

"Sigh… I cannot help you when it comes to money or power as I too lack those things. But what I can give you is the ability, the ability to fight back against your enemies…" old grandpa said as he suddenly slightly tightens his grip.

With his words, my mind was unexpectedly enlightened. I instantly knew what grandpa means. In fact, I somewhat knew what he means and what to do for my next step.

And so, I began the most rigorous training I ever did in my life. I began to train my determination and slowly thrived to strengthen my body as I learn how to fight using the skills I have learned from my old grandpa.

I knew that it would be hard, but with my desire and determination, I know that I will make it. I will grasp my fate in my hand and someday deliver my own brand of justice.

…

Meanwhile, H city has been abuzz lately. Many citizens seem to have felt that trouble is brewing in the air as the crime rate within the city began to slowly visibly increase.

The authorities are powerless to stop this rise. They value their lives and the lives of their family hence they began to fear for their lives, they began to despair as everything, every effort they make seems to be hopeless.

The enemy is really strong and held more power than they could imagine.

And because of that, instead of fighting against the growing crime wave most of them began to go with its flow.

With that, the city slowly began to rot and its citizens are affected by its decay.

Behind this cruel madness and rapid crime rate growth in city H, are the large and powerful organizations. One of them is the well-known organization, the Hallowed Leaf.

This is the same organization where those that planned and abducted and tried to murder Xin Wei and successfully destroyed those he loved.

However, powerful as they may, Hallowed Leaf is not the only organization operating in H city. There are 5 big organizations and many small-time gangs. And these organizations and gangs have a firm grasp on the hearts of the people. Even the city leaders are powerless against them.

And so, ranging from violent crime to petty thief, the city streets are filled with them. It became the paradise for criminals, and those people wanted by the government in other places would go to City H and hide in its dark lairs.

...

Within one of the tall buildings in City H, a group of ten people are gathered. Some are playing pool, while others are on the bar drinking and while laughing.

A tall and handsome young man is sitting on the long black leather sofa while a beautiful woman is lying in his arms. The young man slowly tasted the weed as he is smoking while gazing at the large flat-screen television on the wall.

"So, did you gave the Lin's a chat? The parents of that woman, Lin Qiao might pose trouble..." The young man suddenly asked as he shifted his gaze to another young man sitting on the black leather-covered single sofa chair.

The young man is Da Bao. Da Bai then showed a slight smile on his face as he finished the can of beer he is drinking.

He suddenly crushed the tin can and threw it on the side.

"Well, that part is really a problem… You see... We made a mistake in thinking that Lin Qiao is a simple girl. I and my crew were about to visit their house, however, I discovered that the Lin family in City H is actually a part of the Lin clan from the capital." Da Bao said with a grin.

"What?!" suddenly Long Tao who is playing pool suddenly shouted with a shocked expression on his face.

"This is not what you told us before! I thought you said that she is only a daughter of a small-time businessman? How did this happen?" Long Tao shouted as he pointed at Da Bao with a criticizing tone.

"Well, at that time I made a mistake... Hehe," Da Bao chuckled with a relaxed expression.

Da Bao has a group of computer experts and he is responsible for getting intel for their group. But even with his ability, he was not able to discover the real background of Lin Qiao's family. And this made the rest of the people inside the room suddenly turned silent.

They are all familiar with the power that big families hold in the capital. If the local Lin family is from a big family in the capital city, then they are all screwed.

Da Bao briefly explained the background of the Lin clan. They are from the military and the business sector; hence they are a force to be reckoned with.

Though the Hallowed Leaf that is supporting them is a powerful organization, they can only be unruly within city H. However, outside of city H, they could not throw their weight around.

"What should we do about this then?" suddenly the woman in Yu Bai's arms, Jin Lin Mae, suddenly asked with a worried look on her beautiful face.

She did not expect this sudden turn of events. They knew that if the Lin clan truly investigated and enter City H, then their secret might be exposed.

While everyone is looking at him, Da Bao suddenly chuckled.

"Hihi… You all worry too much. Did you all forget that all the evidence is pointing in that prick's, direction? Wherever that coward may be hiding, he could not escape the fury of the Lin family. And also, you all can rest assured one thing too… Lin Qiao… she is not truly of Lin clan blood…" Da Bao said with a grin.

This is the true reason why he was not worried at all after discovering the truth.

Everyone inside the room suddenly heaves a sigh, and Long Tao abruptly slaps the back of Da Bao's head. This is his revenge for getting him riled up for nothing.

The people in the room resumed to became rowdy once again as the atmosphere settled down inside the room.

Unknown to them, their worries are a half-truth. As of this moment within the Lin family, a storm is slowly brewing.