Chapter 47: The Budding Shape of Power

Longyin granted Sasaki the highest authority in World Without Cards, and Sasaki swiftly took over the organization. In that instant, Sasaki understood the entirety of the building’s structure. He glanced at Longyin, who nodded, and the two activated teleportation, appearing on the ninety-ninth floor.

The vast floor was empty save for two rows of conference tables in the center. In front of the tables stood a single chair. Though the chair appeared plain, Sasaki knew it carried extraordinary significance. Longyin walked over, his fingertips gliding slowly across the back of the chair. Then he turned, flicked his cloak, and sat down, crossing one leg with a lazy slant, resting his chin on one hand and gazing at the rows of tables and chairs. Suddenly, a playful glint flashed in Longyin’s eyes; he opened his personal panel and initiated a summon.

Sasaki’s expression showed a hint of surprise as he accepted the summon prompt, and in the next moment, he appeared at the first seat of the right-hand row. As he settled in, he noticed the previously empty seat opposite him was now occupied by Yuan Shaolin, who sat expressionless. Yuan Shaolin, having accepted the summon, saw a complex look of astonishment flicker across Sasaki’s face. He turned to the cloaked figure, his voice as cold as ever, “What is this about?”

Longyin smiled serenely. “I simply wanted to tell you face to face: this world, though more of a guild than a business, needs leadership regardless of its nature. And you two are the ones I want.”

In the next moment, Yuan Shaolin realized he had been granted the highest authority in World Without Cards, equal to Sasaki’s. He glanced at Sasaki, who remained impassive, revealing nothing.

Yuan Shaolin frowned. “I refuse!”

Longyin had anticipated this. He stood, swept his cloak aside in front of Yuan Shaolin, revealing a stunningly beautiful face. Yet, like Sasaki, the first thing Yuan Shaolin noticed was the mark on Longyin’s forehead. Unable to sit still, Yuan Shaolin rose and approached, his calloused fingers tracing the vivid diamond-shaped emblem. It was real. Yuan Shaolin’s thick, dark brows arched, his fingers pressing harder, almost as if he wanted to rub the mark away. Anger burned in his eyes as he asked in a cold, angry voice, “How do I remove it?”

Longyin seemed unfazed by the rough touch, smiling calmly. “It can’t be removed,” he said, pointing to his own forehead. “In fact, even in reality, I don’t know when it will appear—maybe tomorrow, maybe in a year, maybe in ten. It’s like a ticking time bomb, ready to tear me apart at any moment.”

A shadow flickered across Yuan Shaolin’s eyes, his lips tight with anger, face tense, fingers growing ever rougher. Longyin’s forehead reddened under his touch, the pink diamond mark seeming to drink the blood, growing ever more vivid. Sasaki watched, his heart pounding—this was a desecration of the Beast God! Fury threatened to burst forth; insulted and enraged, Sasaki could not remain seated. With a roar, he transformed into his beast form. His pillar-like arms swung upward, claws spread wide, sharp as steel blades. The wind howled from his paw, but just as he was about to strike Yuan Shaolin’s head, Longyin stilled him with a warning glare.

Sasaki growled low, full of resentment and confusion, but under Longyin’s gaze, he withdrew his arm, shifted back to human form, and glared at Yuan Shaolin with barely restrained fury.

Yuan Shaolin ignored everything before him, unmoved even as Sasaki’s paw nearly struck. His anger and sorrow overflowed, stubbornly determined to erase the diamond mark from Longyin’s forehead.

Blood welled and dripped, the diamond mark growing ever more enchanting, like layers of lotus blooming, one upon another. Despair flashed in Yuan Shaolin’s eyes as he roared, “Why? Why must you all bear these death-seeking marks, why…” He was unwilling, furious, hateful. He had hoped his humble wish would find solace in this person before him, but the mark only brought despair. What Sasaki could not understand, Yuan Shaolin saw clearly: the innocent suffers for his treasure, and this flower was a poisoned mandrake, ready to turn his small hope for this person into utter hopelessness.

Yuan Shaolin’s anguished roar made Longyin’s heart tremble; the smile faded from his face, lashes lowered. Though seemingly insensible to pain, a faint sorrow lingered in the smile at his lips. How could he have wanted this power? Just as he could not choose his birth, neither could the former Dongfang Ning nor the present Longyin choose their fate. So… Yuan Shaolin, do not despair.

“I will grow stronger!” What Dongfang Ning possessed in his previous life, Longyin had in equal measure now—plus loving family, experiences that past life lacked, and more unique opportunities. Longyin’s fair hand gripped Yuan Shaolin’s tormenting hand, his voice steady as a vow, “I will grow stronger. All you need is to keep the promise you once made.”

The despair in Yuan Shaolin’s eyes gradually faded to cold indifference at this resolute pledge. Gazing at Longyin’s blood-stained, ever-more enchanting face, Yuan Shaolin finally smiled, though with grim determination and cruelty. “If you cannot keep your promise and find yourself besieged, then I will personally kill you.”

“Agreed!” So, you may kill me then. Consider it repayment for what you gave Dongfang Ning. Longyin released his grip, Yuan Shaolin withdrew his hand, but each time he looked at that blood-red diamond mark, it stung his eyes. Longyin ignored the blood on his forehead, simply raising his cloak to block Yuan Shaolin’s gaze.

Longyin returned to his seat, now lacking the former laziness, bearing a faint air of authority and seriousness. He looked at Yuan Shaolin. “Do you still refuse the invitation I made earlier?”

Yuan Shaolin paused, then sat down, confirming his position and authority within World Without Cards.

Longyin smiled at the prompt, pleased despite the ordeal. He had succeeded in recruiting Yuan Shaolin, whose intelligence rivaled his own, and whose insight into the truth behind events was even keener. His grasp of the bigger picture was no less than that of the seasoned Sasaki. Since Yuan Shaolin would inevitably be influenced by him, it was better to keep him close than let him wander beyond reach. After all, this was someone who genuinely wished Dongfang Ning well; he would do his utmost to protect him. If one day he could no longer protect Yuan Shaolin, then to die by his hand would be a fitting end.

“It’s settled, then. Uncle and Your Highness, your authorities are equal, independent, and non-interfering. Your Highness will take over Uncle’s covert operations; handle the handover among yourselves—I won’t get involved. I hope you’ll get along. If tempers flare, remember my life hangs in the balance!” Longyin’s last words carried deep meaning, and Sasaki and Yuan Shaolin exchanged glances, then simultaneously looked away in silence.

“You see, you can get along peacefully, each minding your own duties, working together when necessary. Uncle handles public affairs, Your Highness handles covert matters; the world is yours. I can finally devote myself to my own pursuits!” Longyin laughed.

Sasaki glanced at Yuan Shaolin, then at Longyin. “Boss, since World Without Cards is more like a guild, we need an emblem, rules, and positions—set them all at once.”

“Positions?” Longyin shook his head. “I won’t bother with that. The management system is divided—public and covert—set it up as you see fit. As for rules, I have two. First, to prevent prying eyes: from now on, all members must wear black cloaks when out. Second, everyone will use code names, and those not qualified to sit in this conference room will be assigned numbers according to their entry order.” Here, Longyin smiled at Yuan Shaolin. “Shall Your Highness’s code name simply be ‘Your Highness’?”

Yuan Shaolin glanced at Longyin, opened his authority panel, entered ‘Your Highness’ as his code name, and hid his original information. In the Federation’s network, the person named Lin would vanish, replaced only by ‘Your Highness’ of World Without Cards.

“What about Uncle?” he asked.

Sasaki pondered. “Since the boss is used to calling me Uncle, that’ll be my code name.”

Yuan Shaolin looked up at Sasaki, who challenged him with a provocative gaze. Unmoved, Yuan Shaolin spat out, “Shameless.”

Sasaki, imagining that Yuan Shaolin and many others would call him Uncle from now on, felt an inexplicable joy. He opened his authority panel, hid his original information, and entered ‘Uncle’ as his code name.

‘Uncle’ and ‘Your Highness’—two code names that would soon become familiar across the Federation, even within its inner circles, were born in such an ordinary yet absurd setting.

“As for the guild’s emblem, what about this?” Longyin sent out a prepared design. The fixed model bore four bold characters—World Without Cards. “Uncle’s side will use black with red letters, Your Highness’s side black with silver. Any questions?”

Yuan Shaolin shook his head, expressionless, and Sasaki followed suit. Would the emblem lack grandeur? In time, it would be proven that merely seeing the words World Without Cards would command respect and even make many forces retreat.