Bab 16: Actions and Consequences

Old man Ming's voice echoed through the dimly lit room as he cast a stern gaze upon the two remaining members of the Bing gang. Their faces twisted in sheer dread, their eyes reflecting the weight of their grave mistake. How could they have been so terribly wrong to awaken this hornet's nest of trouble?

One member tried running, but before he could give his legs the command to sprint, there was a knife through his throat.

" I guess that only leaves you, huh?"

Mr. Ming nonchalantly fixed his gaze upon the solitary figure standing before him. Despite towering over six feet in height, the man appeared diminutive in Mr. Ming's presence, as if his physical stature held no sway over the situation.

" Your gang should be given a big vote of thanks, though. After all, I haven't felt this thrill in years. Being an ordinary man does have its upsides, though.

Your life will be the last on my list. Now, how about letting this old man send you off?"

A gust of wind appeared before the last remaining member, and when he looked down, there was a knife in his heart.

Unwillingness was seen in his eyes. But how sad is a pig's ambition for life in front of a butcher?

In the kitchen, amidst the array of pots and pans, Tafari stood frozen, his face a portrait of utter shock.

Taf had always prided himself on his decisiveness, but compared to Old Man Ming, it almost seemed like a joke.

It seems they were sentenced to death when they stepped through the door. He thought about the events and then started to feel nauseated.

" Sigh, Kiddo, this is the first time you have seen slaughter, huh?

I'm happy you seem sick, as it means I was right on that day to help you out. It is natural to feel this way after witnessing what you just did."

Old Ming once more sought to comfort Taf. This would be a catastrophic event for any child his age.

"Do you think me cruel or wicked? Do I frighten you?" He walked over and spoke as he looked at Taf.

Seeing the old man before him, it was as though he had drifted into another world.

How could he not have seen any signs the person he conversed with daily had such a background?

Seeing he was explicitly asked a question, Taf tried to find his bearings,

" Actually, I see it as being decisive in one's convictions. Bringing wrath to those who seek ill will to you and those you seek to protect." Taf then continued,

"Although pouring oil on the head of the leader was over the top for me, I understand. It is your Modus, as you stated."

Old man Ming was surprised by this child grasping the situation as quickly as he did,

" Good, you haven't disappointed me as usual. Tell me what you have learned by witnessing all four kills."

Taf made his way over while trying to match this old man Ming with the con man he knew before.

'The stories weren't exaggerated after all.' Taf thought.

" You stated three lessons as you took their lives. The first was to observe one's environment and use it to your advantage.

You did this in all four instances by using the knife and oil, as we are in the kitchen, and they are easily accessible." He stated.

" Good, but you forgot one key thing you didn't mention. Keep an eye on all targets, as they are part of the observation as well.

Which target will be the most difficult and the simplest to eliminate." Old Man Ming interjected,

"First, he was selected because he was the simplest. Of the four, he seemed nonchalant and unaware.

Thus, his head was taken before he realised what was happening. Taking advantage of the situation, the most dangerous was dealt a mental blow, and his life was next."

As old man Ming spoke, Taf replayed the events in his head, and things did make sense.

"The boss was the easiest to eliminate due to my ability to instil fear into him through the first death.

Trapping one in fear can also work to your advantage as you can manipulate the situation.

Fear enabled them not to think as rationally as they would, thus making them pawns to my whims." Old man Ming guided as he spoke.

Taf then proceeded with his insight,

"The second lesson is self-explanatory in that those who wish you and your family harm shall face the wrath of your own brand of justice.

This is a means of protection and a deterrent to enemies. All enemies will quiver in fear when your wrath is bestowed, and it becomes a disincentive or leash."

" Good, that is precisely what it serves as. I am impressed with your quick deduction.

The third and second parts are similar in that they are for protection. What do you think are their main differences?"

Old Man Ming questioned Taf with the precision of a seasoned teacher probing a student, his eyes intent and focused. Tafari came to a realization after a brief pause, and then carefully formulated his response, a subtle sense of urgency apparent in his demeanor.

" The main difference between the second and the third is that it is a means of complete annihilation instead of deterrence. No survivors mean the action is faultless, thorough, and complete."

" Now, do you see where you went wrong in your actions for the evening? You left a hole in your grand scheme by letting the boss escape.

One must be thorough in all actions, or irreconcilable damage will follow.

After implementing your scheme, you should have been thorough in your work and ensured all gang members were beaten to a bloody pulp."

Old Man Ming reprimanded, showing the flaws based on Taf's insights into his actions.

"You failed to do this by not being observant as you should have been. Then becoming big-headed, ravelling in your own brilliance at the time.

Thus, this leads to the situation before, whereby your enemies become a threat to the ones you love."

Finally, he ended by saying,

" What would have happened if I was not skilled enough to handle the problem?

Therefore, next time, you should ensure the utter annihilation of your enemies. When guaranteed, those you wish to protect will be just that 'Protected', which is the desired result."

PERTIMBANGAN PENCIPTA
Lord_of_sleep

I had to type this chapter twice from memory as it wouldn't save. It was originally longer but can you believe it gave the same problem once more and some parts were cut off. I'll put all those missing stuff in the next chapter. On another note though, this chapter was one of my favourites to write. Mr Ming so far is my favourite character and i'm always excited to write his chapters.

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