Chapter 286: Chapter 286 - Fooling Ace of Spades

The rumors about Fang Xiu's power had spread quickly among the survivors of the battle—the ones who had managed to escape the deadly clash between the Pokers and the headquarters.

They had witnessed everything—the brutal attack on the headquarters, the death of Joker, and the mysterious abilities Fang Xiu had displayed.

These survivors shared their stories, and each retelling only deepened Ace of Spades’ growing fear and awe for the man before him.

According to the rumors, Fang Xiu could use the Genesis Mask with absolute precision. It was said that he had employed the mask’s power to help Fang Moli break through to the fifth tier.

But it didn’t stop there. There were even whispers that Fang Xiu could summon Specters at will.

It was reported that during his battle with Yan Changshou, he had summoned the projection of the legendary Taotie—an entity of immense power, a Specter God.

These rumors shattered everything Ace of Spades thought he knew about Fang Xiu. Now he realized how little he truly understood about the man before him.

Fang Xiu could help others break through to the fifth tier? That alone was a power few could even dream of wielding.

And summoning Taotie? That was something entirely different—Specters of that level were beyond comprehension.

Ace of Spades had once considered himself on equal footing with such Fang Xiu, and they idea seemed like a joke now.

“Sir, please don't kill me,” Ace of Spades stammered, his voice shaky. “It wasn’t intentional, I swear! I’m just a fool—I didn’t understand your reasoning for killing Joker.”

Fang Xiu’s sneer was cold, his eyes cutting through Ace of Spades like a blade. “You’re nowhere near King of Spades' level. What a shame he’s dead. He would’ve understood my reasoning instantly.”

The mention of King caused a pang of sadness in Ace.

Those had been the days when life was simpler, when things didn’t require such deep reflection. Back then, he had trusted King completely.

Now, with the loss of his mentor, everything had become more complex, and Ace found himself drowning in uncertainty.

Fang Xiu’s voice broke through his thoughts. “Let me ask you something. Whose plan matters more, Joker's life or Zhou Qingfeng's plan?”

Ace of Spades didn’t hesitate. “Of course, Zhou Qingfeng’s.” His voice was firm, and his eyes burned with a fervent passion at the mere mention of Zhou Qingfeng’s name.

Fang Xiu’s eyes narrowed as he studied Ace of Spades. The fervor in his eyes reminded him of the same blind admiration he had seen in the eyes of many back at headquarters. People who saw only what they wanted to see, not the full picture.

“Hmph,” Fang Xiu smirked, a knowing glint in his eyes. “So you understand that Zhou Qingfeng’s plan is what matters. Then open your eyes and take a good, long look at this.”

With a swift motion, Fang Xiu tossed the Chief Commander badge—the one awarded to him by headquarters—onto the ground in front of Ace of Spades.

The badge was emblazoned with the words Chief Commander, its bold letters standing out starkly in the moonlight.

As Ace of Spades’ gaze fell upon those words, a jolt of realization hit him. His breath caught in his throat, and his mind blanked for a moment.

Suddenly, everything clicked into place. It all made sense.

Ace of Spades had known about Fang Xiu’s appointment as Chief Commander, but that wasn’t what had shocked him. He had expected that, in fact.

Now, however, with the badge before him, he finally understood the true purpose behind Fang Xiu’s actions. The pieces of the puzzle fell into place.

“Sir… could it be that you…?” Ace of Spades looked up at Fang Xiu, his eyes wide with disbelief and awe.

Fang Xiu didn’t answer directly. Instead, he simply nodded, his expression as calm and inscrutable as ever.

The silent confirmation was enough.

Ace of Spades’ heart raced with excitement. “Sir, this is brilliant. I understand now. The reason you did all this, the reason you killed Joker… it was all to become Chief Commander and take full control of the headquarters…”

Fang Xiu gave a slight nod, his gaze still unreadable as he studied Ace of Spades. “That’s correct. Now, tell me… why do you think I wanted to become Chief Commander?”

Ace of Spades swallowed hard, his thoughts spinning. He had always respected Fang Xiu, but now he realized the depth of the man’s ambition.

Ace of Spades, now fully convinced he had uncovered Fang Xiu's grand design, spoke with newfound enthusiasm, eager to demonstrate his "insight."

His voice carried a mix of reverence and urgency, as if he were about to make the most profound revelation.

“Of course, it’s all about legitimacy!” Ace of Spades began, his words tumbling out in quick succession, each more animated than the last. “You want to use the headquarters name to push the Specerization plan on a national scale! The Pokers have always been operating from the shadows. Let’s be real, if the headquarters is the legitimate ruling power, then the Pokers are nothing more than rebellious traitors. Even if a traitor somehow takes the throne, they’ll never have the support of the people. Take Cao Cao, for example—though he controlled the emperor, he still had to raise the banner of justice to maintain power.*”

Ace of Spades paused for a moment, ensuring that Fang Xiu was still listening. His eyes burned with the fervor of someone who believed they had just cracked a monumental secret.

“If the Pokers try to push the Specterization agenda, the public will see us as an evil, underground organization. Everything we do will be viewed as a threat, and resistance will be inevitable. There’s bound to be uprisings, possibly even rebellions. But, if the headquarters does it, it’s a whole different story. Once the government controls the narrative and convinces the public that Specters are unbeatable—that the only way to survive is to become a Specter—the opposition will crumble. The people will follow, and anyone who resists will seem foolish, even dangerous!”

Ace of Spades’ excitement grew as he realized the depth of his own conclusions. “Sir, you are truly a visionary. Although we lost Joker, this was all a calculated move! Now, with you in control of the headquarters, you can manipulate both the headquarters in the open and the Pokers in the shadows. Together, you can push the Specterization plan with greater efficiency, using your position to shape both the official and underground efforts. It’s the perfect strategy!”

His eyes practically gleamed with admiration as he spoke, intoxicated by his own brilliance in connecting the dots.

The more he spoke, the more he felt like he was unraveling some deep, cosmic truth. His voice held nothing but awe as he looked at Fang Xiu.

Fang Xiu, for his part, couldn’t suppress the small, satisfied smile that tugged at the corner of his lips.

He had known this would happen. Ace of Spades, ever the loyal underling, had just proven that he was exactly what Fang Xiu had hoped for. His insights were astute, but they were also predictable—a consequence of Fang Xiu’s careful orchestration.

As Ace of Spades continued to bask in the glory of his supposed discovery, he suddenly felt a rush of shame. 'How could I have ever doubted him? How can I not have seen the brilliance of the plan earlier?' His earlier skepticism seemed foolish now.

In a flash of self-reproach, Ace of Spades raised his hand and began to slap himself—hard.

SLAP! SLAP! SLAP!

Each slap echoed through the night air, sharp and resounding, as if he was punishing himself for every moment he had wasted in doubt.

“Sir, I am so sorry!” he cried, his voice cracking with remorse. “I didn’t see your grand plan before, and I even questioned your decisions! I’m truly a fool.”

Fang Xiu’s cold voice sliced through the air, steady and unforgiving. “Remember this, Ace of Spades—never question me again. Consider this a lesson for you.”

Before Ace of Spades could even respond, a sharp scream of agony escaped him. The reason for his pain wasn’t physical, but something far more terrifying.

Fang Xiu’s left hand, which had been resting lightly on Ace of Spades’ shoulder, suddenly twisted with an unnatural force.

A dark, gaping mouth appeared on Fang Xiu’s palm—Taotie’s mouth—and it lunged forward, sinking into Ace of Spades’ shadowy form with an unquenchable hunger.

“Arhhhh!” Ace of Spades screamed, but he didn’t move.

His body writhed in agony, yet he remained kneeling. He was frozen in place, as if accepting the punishment with the same stoic resolve he had seen others take in moments of supreme authority.

Even as Taotie feasted on him, he didn’t interfere. He had learned the lesson Fang Xiu intended.

Fang Xiu allowed the Taotie to feast for a few moments before finally releasing his grip.

When Ace of Spades dared to glance down, he saw that part of his shoulder—his shadowy form, that is—was missing, as though a chunk of his essence had been torn away.

However, the injury was superficial. His body, made of shadows, would regenerate soon enough.

However, Ace of Spades hesitated. He knew that healing instantly after such a punishment would be tantamount to defying Fang Xiu’s authority. It would be seen as an act of rebellion, a refusal to acknowledge Fang Xiu’s dominance.

A mental nod of approval came from Ace of Spades. Since King’s death, he had grown much wiser, more attuned to the unspoken rules of power. He knew how to read situations now, how to act in order to please those in power, and how to keep his position secure.

As Ace of Spades prepared to heal, Fang Xiu’s voice interrupted his thoughts.

“How is the situation within the Pokers?” Fang Xiu asked, his tone calm, though it carried an unmistakable edge of authority.

Ace of Spades quickly answered, “It’s not looking good, sir. With Joker dead, the organization has lost a lot of manpower. There’s no clear leader right now, and we’re seeing signs of internal division. The only thing keeping it together is Zhou Qingfeng’s influence.”

Fang Xiu nodded slightly, acknowledging the situation. But then he dropped a bombshell.

“You want to take Joker’s place, don’t you?”

Ace of Spades froze, his eyes widening in shock. Then, a surge of excitement flooded his chest. 'Could this be real?'

“I… sir, everything is at your command,” he stammered, his voice trembling with anticipation.

Fang Xiu didn’t speak, but his steady gaze and slight nod confirmed Ace of Spades’ suspicions.

It was clear now—Fang Xiu had chosen him for a role far more significant than Ace of Spades had ever dreamed.

Fang Xiu cut through the moment of silence, getting straight to the point. “I won’t be able to help you much in this matter. I’m the Chief Commander now, and this is a confidential issue. The one I trust most within the Pokers is you. No one else can know about this. Do you understand?”

Ace of Spades, now understanding the gravity of the situation, nodded vigorously. “Yes, sir! I understand! You can count on me! I’ll make sure no one else finds out.”

And with that, Ace of Spades knew his role was about to change. He was no longer just a pawn in the game—he had a stake in the future of the organization. And he would do whatever it took to ensure Fang Xiu’s plan unfolded exactly as intended.

Translator's note: Cao Cao was a very strategic military leader in Chinese history. He already had the military influence to rule the entire country at the time, but because he was a “subject,” he couldn’t directly order other ministers, as it would appear that he was overstepping his status. Therefore, he had no choice but to make the emperor his puppet, issuing commands through him.