Apocalypse: Master of Soul Beasts

Chapter 387: Chapter 21 Dinner_1

Calmness ensued after the dream. The mutant beast, initially suspected to be a mutant cat, launched no further attacks at Wen Yu. Wen Yu, unable to ascertain its true capabilities, found the following days rather uneventful.

Wen Yu’s daily routine consisted of wandering around, occasionally hunting some careless mutant beasts. However, he couldn’t find large groups of them near Las Vegas. Any that existed were likely underground or in the sewers, so his points accumulation was almost negligible.

Amidst this seemingly mundane routine, the banquet initiated in Kuangliu’s name and hosted by Claus officially began.

「 」

Night descended, and the entire Red Stone Hotel fell silent. The Red Stone Hotel was closed to the public for the night.

Inside, the Red Stone Hotel was festively decorated, with countless servants bustling about, adding a touch of vibrancy to the impending banquet.

Wen Yu was in his room, selecting his formal attire. Claus had provided the formal wear. Wen Yu, having no experience with such events, was currently trying on an ill-fitting suit under the guidance of two female servants.

The two female servants kept giggling, occasionally poking his chest lightly with their fingers, much to Wen Yu’s annoyance.

”Alright, alright, you can leave now.”

After casually dismissing the two attractive female servants, Wen Yu sat on his bed, lost in thought. He then decisively ripped the expensive suit to shreds and changed back into his usual black trench coat, nodding in satisfaction.

This banquet had been organized at Wen Yu’s request, though not in his name. Therefore, Wen Yu himself was essentially just another guest. What he wore was unimportant, and neither Claus nor Kuangliu would fault him over such a trivial matter.

Once dressed, Wen Yu picked up Cyclops and Star, then leisurely headed downstairs.

「 」

The banquet was scheduled for eight in the evening. When Wen Yu arrived downstairs, it was just a little past seven, but the banquet hall was already bustling with a considerable number of guests.

Besides Annie, Claus, and Yang Hong, many other large and small factions from Las Vegas were present. The leaders of these groups, along with their entourages, could have hosted a lively banquet on their own.

In Wen Yu’s eyes, however, these were all small fry.

And the big fish...

Wen Yu first glanced at Claus, who was greeting guests at the entrance, then surveyed the room before heading straight for a corner.

There, a neatly dressed Yang Hong was chatting animatedly with an extravagantly dressed woman. Several Early Stage Level 4 professionists cautiously stood guard around him. Their caliber wasn’t bad, and Wen Yu knew precisely whom they were guarding against.

Sure enough, upon seeing Wen Yu walk straight towards Yang Hong, Yang Hong’s men subtly positioned themselves to intercept Wen Yu’s path.

”Loyal, indeed. But are you sure you want to block my path?” Wen Yu’s lips curled into a slight smile as he transmitted a Spiritual Fluctuation directly into their ears.

However, the men remained completely unmoved.

It was Yang Hong who rescued his men. ”Brother Wen Yu! It’s been too long. You haven’t even come to see me.”

Beaming, Yang Hong approached and waved his men away.

Wen Yu casually took a wine glass from a passing servant’s tray, gestured ”after you” to Yang Hong, and said with a smile, ”What, are you hoping I’ll ’help’ you again? My appearance fee is quite steep, you know!”

Hearing this, Yang Hong roared with laughter, slung an arm around Wen Yu’s shoulders, and the two of them headed towards a dim corner, practically arm in arm.

「 」

”I didn’t expect you to show up today. Aren’t you afraid I’ll torture you again?”

The two were now seated on sofas in a corner of the banquet hall, chatting intermittently.

Wen Yu was indeed bored and wanted to try again, to see if he could coax something more out of Yang Hong. After all, among everyone present, apart from the bustling Claus and Kuangliu, only the man before him was worthy of alleviating his boredom.

Yang Hong shook his head slightly. ”I didn’t lie to you. I believe you know that. I genuinely have forgotten.”

Hearing Yang Hong’s explanation, Wen Yu pursed his lips. ”Perhaps you’re just being tight-lipped. I think another try might be in order.”

Yang Hong looked dumbfounded and said embarrassedly, ”I really can’t take it anymore. My head still aches from last time.”

Wen Yu nodded gently. ”I just didn’t expect you to be so stubborn. Even now, I find it hard to believe your memory was completely wiped by a skill.”

Hearing Wen Yu, Yang Hong fell silent. He took a sip of his drink before speaking softly, ”Actually, for the past two days, I’ve been constantly wondering what it is I’ve forgotten. But every time I dwell on it, a voice in my heart tells me: ’The truth of this matter is more important than my own life!’”

”Wen Yu, what do you believe could be more important than your own life?”

Wen Yu paused briefly at Yang Hong’s words, then shook his head decisively. ”My life is paramount. Nothing is more important than my life!”

Hearing this, Yang Hong burst out laughing. ”Spoken like a true Independent! Cheers!” With that, he clinked glasses with Wen Yu and drained his own in one gulp.

”When I fought my way back from New York to Las Vegas, I also believed nothing was more important than my own life.”

”Actually, that’s how every Independent thinks. When you’re on your own, not prioritizing your life is tantamount to suicide.”

”But when I returned home and learned of my parents’ deaths, I suddenly realized I would willingly give my own life to save them. In my eyes, their lives were more important than mine!”

”But they’re already dead,” Wen Yu stated, cutting to the heart of the matter without mercy.

Yang Hong sighed and nodded. ”Yes, they’re gone. So, I started searching again for something more important than my life. And do you know what I found?”

Wen Yu shook his head.

”This city!”

Yang Hong slowly adjusted his posture, the earlier languid expression gone from his face.

”This city holds my childhood memories, my happiest memories with my parents. It holds nearly all my treasured moments! When I returned to Las Vegas and learned of my parents’ deaths, I broke down completely. I couldn’t understand why God would put me through so many trials. You should understand how incredibly difficult it is to make it from New York to Las Vegas alone, fighting every step of the way!”

Wen Yu nodded. That distance spanned nearly the entire United States; the hardships involved were self-evident.

Yang Hong seemed to sink deep into his memories, his voice slow yet gentle. ”Then, I saw a tree.”

”It was one my father and I planted together when I was ten. It’s grown very tall now, right there in my family’s backyard. It was then I suddenly understood something! Even if people die, it doesn’t mean they leave no trace behind. I know the dead can’t be resurrected; I’ve accepted that reality. But those who have passed on always leave behind beautiful memories, a legacy for the living to cherish. For the sake of these memories, I organized the most powerful armed group in this city. When my team was first formed, its sole purpose was protection! To protect the memories in my heart, to protect the hometown I shared with my parents! To protect this place where I was born and raised!”

”So, for this city—for *my* city—I will stop at nothing!”

”That includes my own life, and naturally, my memories too!”

After speaking, Yang Hong stared intently at Wen Yu, the apprehension and wariness in his eyes at their peak.

Wen Yu, however, just shook his head and chuckled softly. ”I admire people with principles. So, rest assured, under normal circumstances, I won’t go on a killing spree. But, remember, that’s only under *normal* circumstances! If I find my life threatened, I truly... will... lose it!”

Their gazes clashed, seeming to crackle with invisible sparks. After a moment, Wen Yu was the first to laugh, while Yang Hong could only offer a helpless, wry smile.

Yang Hong then said, ”For what you just said, I can’t let any harm come to you... Alright, consider me your babysitter for now.” With that, Yang Hong took a crescent-shaped pendant from his space ring.

”This is for you. I found it a couple of days ago; it’s been under my pillow. I don’t know what it is, but judging by its description, it should be helpful for this matter.”

”Oh?” Wen Yu immediately raised his eyebrows and reached for the pendant, but Yang Hong snatched his hand back, making Wen Yu grasp at empty air.

”I need you to promise me one thing.”

”Speak!”

”If this item genuinely helps you, you’ll owe me a favor!”

”Within my capabilities!”

”Within your capabilities.”

Having said this, Yang Hong handed the pendant to Wen Yu, then rose and departed.

**Moonlight pendant (Unknown Level)**

Crafted by a powerful expert of this world, infused with their own life force and spiritual power. Possesses unknown power.

*Note: The crafting method is extremely crude and does not meet the criteria to be a system-authenticated item. However, the power it contains is genuine; thus, it cannot be graded.*

After carefully examining the pendant in his hand, Wen Yu chuckled softly and placed it into his space ring.