The Card Cultivation System
CCS-119

Han Mang stared at Xika's blade that was ready to slash her neck. His forehead is slightly wrinkled.

"I helped you kill that big man before and here's your reply?"

"I'm helping you not to be eaten by wolves."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm not the first to find you. The wolves were about to eat you, but I stopped them. You think the wolves will let you live after you poison their garden? Because you can negotiate with the wolves."

Han Mang's forehead was still wrinkled. He thought about what Xika said. He didn't know if the boy was lying. If yes, Xika is a reliable liar who does not give doubts and is very good at making expressions so that it can cause others to misunderstand.

"I must know your origins first to be able to tell whether we are friends or opponents."

"Considerate. But then you better tell me your background. Let me decide for myself whether you fight or comrade."

Han Mang was about to protest but Lang Jin had barked back savagely. Xika returned the wolf.

"alright. I'll talk to him. Yeah, I'll make sure you get fifty-five percent. Of course, I'll keep him from running away. Do you think he can escape under these conditions?"

Lang Jin gave a rough snort. Then he went with Lang Shu. He left behind two wolves to look after Xika and Han Mang. Perhaps it is more appropriate to say watch.

Xika turned to look at Han Mang again. The young man showed a helpless expression. He would rather face the wolves than Xika. He knows the wolves and the wolves know who and where he is. Unlike Xika, she knew absolutely nothing about the child.

"So?"

"What if I refuse?"

"Eitherway. Maybe my hand slipped. This knife is pretty heavy, you know."

Han Mang scowled. He is very upset about his current condition. Especially the ones who cause it like this.

"How am I sure you won't kill me even if I tell you my background?"

For some reason, Han Mang had a hunch that Xika was not the type to be afraid of one's background. So he did not use his background to threaten Xika. And his decision proved to be correct.

"There are no guarantees" Xika said as she shrugged both shoulders. "You're not in a position to bargain."

Han Mang's expression was getting worse.

"Look, we didn't have a bad relationship before. You could even say pretty good. And I don't intend to make that relationship bad, okay? But someone's background is pretty important to me. I have an enemy that comes from a big family, and I have to make sure you're on his side or mine."

"Please promise me you won't kill me after I tell you your background. Also, tell me who your enemy is."

"I promise." said Xika without the slightest hesitation. Han Mang saw that and was sure Xika was a respectable man who would keep his promise judging by the expression on his face.

But unfortunately Han Mang was wrong. Xika was not the respectable man she had in mind. Xika is a rotten man who will not hesitate to break his vow and will not feel sinful at all. Since childhood, he grew up in humiliation. And he had almost no honor at all. Even so, there was a time when Xika was truly being honorable and held her promise solemnly. Well, it all depends on who he promises.

Han Mang misinterpreted Xika's expression. He interpreted it as an expression that would not break his promise no matter what. But actually Xika's expression was one that would not care at all to break anything that came out of her mouth. You could say Xika is a jerk as well as an honorable man. Confusing, really.

Han Mang sighed. He has no other choice.

"My name is not Han Mang. It's just a pseudonym. My real name is Shu ( ⁇ ) Mang. I have to hide my identity, otherwise many will come after me. I am from the Divine Array Clan. Specialist clans in arrays, formations, symbols, matrices and such."

"Why didn't you tell your clan about the treasure you found? Wouldn't it be easier if you did that?"

"............"

Han-Shu Mang did not reply. Xika did not force him. He can guess the reason. He was not a direct descendant of his clan leader. Or he did not have a good status, so if possible he wanted to keep the treasure for himself. It could also be that he had a heavy rival within his clan and did not want the treasure to be known. Well, whatever the reason, it doesn't really matter.

"I've answered your question. Now it's my turn to ask. Who's your enemy? Where the hell are you from?"

"Who's my enemy? Hmm....whose name is.........................I don't think I know........"

Shu Mang gave a strange look. 'You're even hostile to a man you don't know his name?' at least that's what he wanted to say.

"ah! But I can describe his features. He looks very arrogant, arrogant, damn, a jerk who does not deserve to live, and....hmm....what else is it?"

Shu Mang's outlook had not changed. Even more confused. What Xika said sounded more like her feelings towards that person than her traits.

"Didn't you have any other features? Her usual clothes, her weapon, or her technique?"

Xika thought for a moment.

"Ah, yes. It can use two elements. Water and fire. Does that help? Not many people can do that, right?"

Shu Mang widened his eyes. His body gasped when he heard the features Xika mentioned and it made his body scream in pain. Indeed not many people have two such elements, let alone the opposite like fire and water. A name appeared in his head. And along with that, there was also news a few months ago that is still a warm conversation until now.

Then a conjecture flashed through his mind. Too great a wild conjecture that not even he dared to believe it. Then he rejected the idea. Not likely. There's no way it's Xika.

"Hm? See your reaction like you've heard it? Well, that's not very important. Now tell me, are you, or your clan, friends with him or enemies with him?"

"............neither I nor my clan are friends or enemies with him."

"Nothing neutral, huh? Then.....how can I be sure that you're not lying to live?"

Shu Mang gave a mocking laugh.

"I would rather die than beg to live. I wouldn't do such a lowly thing."

Xika stared fixedly at Shu Mang. As a jerk man, he would recognize other jerks. But Shu Mang was different from him. He is quite honorable, although sometimes mysterious and hides some things, but he is not a jerk. And Xika knew Shu Mang said that in earnest.

Xika took a breath while raising both of her shoulders. At least Han Mang was not an opponent, although not a comrade either.

"You already know my background. Can you get rid of this knife?"

As long as they spoke earlier, Xika's knife remained in place and she did not move it at all. That made Shu Mang have trouble talking but Xika pretended not to know. Xika looked at his knife at a glance and gave an expression as if he had forgotten.

And he pulled the knife back. Shu Mang breathes better.

"Who are you? Where the hell are you from?" shu Mang asked after his breath was better.

"Who am I? I'm Xing Xika. Didn't I tell you? That's my real name. I don't use pseudonyms. Where the hell am I from? That's a good question. I want to know too."

Shu Mang frowned. Xika's answer was completely unexpected.

"Whatchu mean? At least you can tell me what clan you belong to."

"Klan yes........."

Xika looked at the sky for a moment. He thought of Shu Mang's question.

"I want to know too."

Shu Mang was getting confused. He thought Xika was playing around with him.

"What the fuck?! Didn't you promise before?"

"I don't want to tell you, but I can't tell you because I don't know where I come from or which clan."

"At least you can explain a little of your past."

"The past yes.........

Well, I live hanging from small. I don't know or remember which region or clan I came from. I'm just an ordinary person who has no name and lives in contempt."

Shu Mang formed a different expression. Expression that is difficult to interpret. One word from Xika and she re-remembered her past memories. Disdain.

"Basic useless child! Just like her parents! Damn, why should I have such a stupid and stubborn sister? I told you to stay away from that guy!"

"You see that kid? You can't hang out with him. It's just a bad influence."

"Take this medicine or you'll be like that kid."

"Hey, why do you think he's still left alive today?"

"Eitherway. Maybe to be a victim someday."

"Huhaha......."

"Haha......."

"Fuckin' shit! You don't even have any talent at all. What do you live here for? Go there!"

"Hey, son of the devil! Go you! You can't be here.!"

"Really! This is not your place! Go son of the devil!"

"A useless child! You were beaten again? I told you not to bother them!"

"The boy was so stupid. His talent is really bad. How much longer are you gonna let him stay here? Even the dumbest kid has better talent than him."

"Based on the devil's son! Son of satan~ Son of satan~"

"Haha.....Son satan~"

"What's with your expression?"

Shu Mang is back. He remembered his heartbreaking past memories. She looked at Xika and realized what she was doing.

"Then what are you doing here?" ask Shu Mang.

Xika shrugged both of her shoulders.

"Find your identity." replied Xika origin.

Shu Mang was silent again.

"So how? You're gonna give me some of that treasure?"

"..........ten percent. I'll split ten percent. The remaining thirty-five percent is mine and there is no fourth party."

Xika raised both her eyebrows quite surprised.

"Thank you."

Han Mang did not answer. He looked at the stars above him and thought of various things. Xika saw that and fell asleep next to the purple grass surrounding Shu Mang. His mind wanders too.

For a while, no one spoke. Both of them are immersed in their own minds. Busy looking at the brightly shining stars far up there.

"Why are you staying here?"

"I'm not going anywhere. At least I'm with a human being anyway." Then Xika turned to Shu Mang. "Don't be too suspicious of me. But don't trust me too much either. We are strangers who happen to meet. Not friends, not enemies."

Shu Mang looked at Xika.

"Why are you saying that?"

"I only answered based on what I heard. You're not a friend of my enemy, which means you're not an enemy. But you're not my enemy, either, and that means we're not friends. For now, let's be strangers."

"What is your criterion for choosing friends based on their relationship with your enemies?"

"For now, yes."