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Chapter 240: Chapter 116: Yang Mo: The Dumbass Demon Monarch Is Me?

With that said, he hooked an arm around Yang Mo’s neck and started dragging him out of the courtyard.

But to his surprise...

Yang Mo dug in his heels, straining against his hold with no intention of moving.

”Goddammit!”

Zhao Ci swore and just hoisted him into the air. The power of a First-Grade Flesh Soul was far beyond what Yang Mo could possibly resist, and he was carried out as easily as a farmer carrying a sheaf of wheat.

Once they were out of the courtyard,

he finally set Yang Mo down and grumbled, ”Damn it! We came to carve our names together. But when it’s time to erase one, you sneak over here all by yourself. A little rude, don’t you think?”

”I...”

Yang Mo’s voice was hoarse. ”I thought about it... It’s better if I don’t drag you down. I’m a complete waste, in both strength and mentality.”

Ying Rui’s taunts filled his mind.

’So damn accurate.’

’A worthless freeloader who only got in because of his connections.’

’He wasn’t wrong at all!’

’If my parents had actually used their power and influence to get me this post, that would be one thing. At least then I could offer some value in other ways.’

’But my parents don’t have any power or influence.’

’The only reason I’m in the Tenth Prince’s Mansion is because of our friendship.’

’If that were all...’

’...it wouldn’t be completely unbearable.’

’But what really broke me was that I have none of the conviction of the powerful.’

’Even though I lost control and ended up trading a round of Turtle Fist with Ying Rui, finding a sliver of manly pride in the process... but when the tide of courage receded...’

’...all that was left was emptiness and an even deeper sense of inferiority.’

”Bullshit!”

Zhao Ci shot back, ”You know why you’re afraid to fight people?”

Yang Mo said through gritted teeth, ”Because I’m a born coward.”

”Wrong!”

Zhao Ci shook his head. ”It’s because you don’t have anyone to back you up!”

Yang Mo froze.

Zhao Ci scoffed. ”You really think that Ying Rui is stronger than you? Shut his mouth, and he’s nothing but a third-rate swordsman. Even if he is stronger, it’s not by much.

But why is he so self-assured, while you fight so hesitantly?

It’s not because of some bullshit ’winner’s mentality.’

It’s because... he has powerful magic to fall back on. He just didn’t use it.

Didn’t you see him scrambling around the Martial Arts Arena in a panic after he couldn’t run his mouth anymore?

So, what do you think? Does *he* have a winner’s mentality?”

Yang Mo was speechless. ”I...”

Zhao Ci waved his hand dismissively. ”That ’winner’s mentality’ thing is real, but that’s not what it is. Anyone would be scared facing an opponent they can’t possibly beat. That’s not being a coward; it’s just human nature.

On the contrary!

Even when you’re completely powerless to fight back, even when you’re just taking a beating,

you still stand your ground and refuse to admit defeat.

*That’s* a winner’s mentality!

That’s something...

Ying Rui has.

And so do you.

It’s not about who’s stronger or weaker. The only difference is that he has real power as his ace in the hole.”

Yang Mo looked like a drowning man clutching a life-saving straw. He still asked, ”But I’m not just hesitant when I fight him. Against anyone, I can’t control this urge to just... cover my head and take the hits...”

Zhao Ci cut him off. ”That’s because your parents can’t bail you out. If your family was all-powerful and could set you up with a great future even if you weren’t a Mansion Official, would you still be cowering and taking hits?”

Yang Mo: ”...”

Zhao Ci pointed at himself. ”Lao Mo! Me asking you to become a Mansion Official was no different than making an investment. The moment your name was carved on that stone tablet, I was already prepared to be your safety net.

I told you before, just use this time to improve as quickly as possible.

Don’t think about the consequences of failure. Just think about how you’ll repay me when you succeed.

Stop telling yourself you’re worthless all day.

There are too many ordinary people in this world without a safety net. Who can go through their entire life without cowering at least once?

Back when Great Yu was being beaten so badly by the Longyuan Barbarians that all they could do was defend, were the soldiers defending the walls all worthless?”

As he said this,

he was speaking from personal experience.

’Because in my previous life, right after I’d left school to start a business, I had also been timid and hesitant. I was constantly getting lectured by all sorts of ’successful people’ who told me I didn’t have a grand enough vision.’

’It was only later that I realized...’

’When you fail at your startup, your family bails you out, you learn from your mistakes, and you start over.’

’When I fail at my startup, I have to become a corporate slave to pay off my loans. There’s no room for trial and error, because I only get one chance to be wrong.’

’Grand vision? Grand vision my ass!’

’Before, I hadn’t understood why Yang Mo’s instinct was to cover his head. Now, I got it completely.’

[Notification: Wish fulfilled. Reward: +1000 Enlightenment Value, 1x Demon Relief Talisman.]

[Demon Relief Talisman: Use on a target to dispel their berserk state.]

’Awesome!’

’However...’

’The wish that was supposed to reward me with the Divine Cocoon hasn’t been fulfilled?’

’Overcome fear and emerge from the cocoon...’

’Why isn’t it done yet?’

Zhao Ci was a little disappointed, but he didn’t show it.

He simply handed the hammer and chisel to him. ”You have two choices. Either go erase your name right now, or move into the Tenth Prince’s Mansion. Your parents are seriously holding you back.”

Yang Mo took a deep breath and threw the hammer and chisel on the ground. ”I’m not erasing it! But I can’t move in just yet. There are still some things at home I need to take care of.”

He had to stay at home.

Because he still had a fear rooted deep in his soul that he needed to overcome.

Zhao Ci’s mouth twisted in anger. ”You son of a...”

Yang Mo said in a heavy voice, ”Just trust me!”

Zhao Ci saw the resolve return to his gaze and figured he must have his own plan. ’Some shackles have to be broken from the inside, after all.’

’Just as I’d thought. I only pushed Yang Mo to move because seeing his friend’s state had made me anxious.’

After a moment’s thought, he nodded. ”Let’s go. Time to head to the Merit Library and redeem our rewards.”

With that,

he turned to leave.

From behind, Zhang Da Yong watched him go, a flicker of emotion in his eyes.

He had heard the entire exchange.

He had to admit...

Those words had really hit home.