Book 13: Chapter 109

Thanks to Gu Xianxians interruption, I forgot where I was supposed to dig and the formation, making me have to map it out in my head again. Yes, there was a strategic thought to the digging. I learnt the method from my late grandmaster. Wait, I meant my grandmaster!

Till today, Grandmasters wondrous abilities to arrange army formations were still talked about. I couldnt imagine him as Zhang Fei on the battlefield based on the legends pa.s.sed down, but I did hear he was b.l.o.o.d.y formidable. From what I heard, he used formations to defeat divisions numbering tens of thousands and once surrounded dozens of elites alone.

In my s.h.i.+fus generation, Grandmasters formations underwent another evolution. Although I couldnt say if my s.h.i.+fu truly surpa.s.sed my grandmaster, but I could guarantee that his formations were ten times better at triggering people. My jerkfu was a genius when it came to setting people up. There had yet to exist an underhand tactic that he wasnt a master at. You could teach him a complex formation, and hed transform it into a trap to screw someone over.

If I had the luxury of time, Id have loved to show Lang Qing my s.h.i.+fus two ultimate formations Feces Holes Eighteen Trips and A Fierce Man is Just Clothing.

s.h.i.+fu once said that the essence of hole digging lied in the phrases, Outside the long pavilion. Beside the old road. Above the fragrant gra.s.s. Evidently, he was an expert. However, I was told to learn what they meant on my own.

The formation I was digging up shared origins with my grandmasters formation theories and my s.h.i.+fus improvements. I couldnt tell you the first thing on the theory side. My s.h.i.+fu considered himself above digging holes, so I was the one who dug holes for his traps the majority of the time. The saying went that the partic.i.p.ant typically couldnt comprehend the formation. As formations were ineffective on me, though, I ended up memorising the arrangement of the holes.

I think the holes had a wicked name like Heavenly Dog Steed f.o.o.ks Your Dad and Aunt. Dont take my word for it. I didnt understand the intricacies of the name, but can you argue that a formation that can screw over even your dad and aunt is overpowered?

We made a lot more progress thanks to Gu Xianxians a.s.sistance. Though he didnt have a good head, he was physically fit. Plus, he was motivated to get revenge, so he worked harder than Yan JIangnan and I. We used the spare time to disguise he holes before we took a rest.

We had two hours until the allotted time for the duel.

Its almost time. I got up and dusted myself. What do you think our next step is?

Wait to butcher Lang Qing! enthused Gu Xianxian.

Please use some common sense. Killing Lang Qing isnt a big issue, but have you thought about how youre going to explain yourself to Zero?

Gu Xianxian slammed the table. My wife was stolen! Has Zero thought about he should explain himself to me?!

I didnt think about that

But I was the one who challenged him to a duel. I cant just butcher him without any preparation first.

Yan Jiangnan: I thought I am butchering him.

I wagged my hand. Whats yours is mine, and whats mine is yours. Theres no need to fuss over such a minor point.

I need to go have a chat with Zero. Im going to tell him Lang Qing has a grudge with me and seek protection.

Yan Jiangnan: Come back as soon as you can. Otherwise, there will only be two of us

How long do you think it takes to get across a few sentences? Look at you shake.

Zero actually knew about Gu Xianxians matter. While Gu Xianxian distracted Zero from suspecting me, I wasnt completely safe. Since she knew Lang Qings personality, she most likely wouldve just laughed off my accusations and wouldnt be able say anything even if I turned Lang Qing into a vegetable. After all, itd be her fault for ignoring me when I reported the issue. Needless to say, I wasnt going to tell her we had a duel arranged. The story would go that Lang Qing suddenly picked a fight with me, forcing me to defend myself. For that reason, speaking to her about Lang Qing was necessary.

I didnt run into anyone on the way to Zeros place. Howbeit, I noticed someone closing in real fast on me without any signs of slowing down. In other words, they were approaching me with a purpose. Most importantly, I had never seen them before, or I had never noticed them before as I had never heard his gait rhythm before or sensed his qi flow route.

Despite not sensing any qi locked onto me, he had ama.s.sed internal energy in his hand.

What is this?! What is this about?!

The moment I took a step forward during an opening, he chopped at me using his hand in an axing motion. Whoever he was, his internal strength rivalled Tiangou and Kuanggu Sheng.

Who the h.e.l.l is this guy? Is he the amba.s.sador of that perverted organisation Kuanggu Sheng wanted to join?!

I dropped and rolled. As a result, he chopped the wall and scattered stone chips. I called my evasion manoeuvre Donkey Roll After Stealing the Tigers Dinner, which was listed in my Night Net Manual. I initially created it as an evasion manoeuvre for after you stole food from someone. It might not have been the prettiest move, but it was effective regardless of the opponents three consecutive attacks. Its only weakness was that it only worked in combat, not when the opponent sneak attacked. Put plainly, you had to notice the incoming attack, or it was up to your luck. After all, in a fight for food, n.o.body was just going to sit back.

He reacted surprised that I managed to evade his sneak attack when he ensured everything was in his favour. At the same time, my profound martial prowess left him with qualms.

Come on, man, dont give me that look. We really going to keep going?

Thus, I had to dodge three more times and asked, Are you the one dispatched by the organisation?

He flinched and stopped. Even though he had everything but his eyes and hands covered in black garments, his hesitation was visible from the way his eyes darted back and forth. As he heard the sounds of guards coming over in response to the sound he made, he snorted haughtily in a soft voice that had me scratching my head over his gender. Subsequently, he took off.

It was kind of awkward to see him withdraw so coolly while I could clearly hear him head south and find a hiding spot

Shall I go have a chat with him later?

Judging from the shape of the shattered rock, he was quite strong. I thought he was the person Kuanggu Sheng mentioned.

It didnt take long for Zero and her henchmen to arrive on the scene. She sighed a breath of relief when she spotted me, but she went back to being stern the moment she saw the shattered pieces. Therefore, she ordered the immediate capture of the culprit.

Zero questioned me over every detail she could think of, and I gave the most detailed answers I could provide. The only moment she wasnt her usual collected self was when she heard I managed to dodge the first attack. Additionally, she kept asking me if there was only one person or if there were two.

Its him!

You trained to read minds?!

She sounded as though she had been waiting to hear about the person in question. Well, she was probably mistaken over his ident.i.ty, unfortunately.

Lord San Shens patience has finally run dry.

No, it hasnt.

What makes you say its him? I asked.

She pointed to the damaged wall. Look at the damage.

You can tell which sects skill was used to inflict the damage?

It doesnt belong to any sect. The palm strike was delivered with pure brute strength. The internal energy has no properties, but its overwhelmingly potent. Its an external Hard Realm internal energy.

How does that lead to the conclusion that its him?

Because he doesnt utilise any specific discipline.

It feels like shes worked out the important part of an unimportant fact, but that fact is also wrong

Hes made his move Hes finally made his move, she muttered.

It doesnt seem like this is the right time to bring up Lang Qings issue. How about I just off him first and then report later?

As I quietly retreated, I quietly said, I shall take my leave

I know how now! She suddenly looked up and told her subordinates, Follow Mr. Wu around the clock.

By your order!

What? What did you just say?!

Wait! I yelled.

What?

What are they following me around for?

To protect you, obviously. He is watching from the shadows, and we dont know what hes plotting. The fact that he started with you first proves that my conjecture is correct. Since he failed on his first attempt, theres a possibility that he will try again. Youre his target, so we can catch him if we guard you.

Her subordinates who went off before returned to report that they couldnt find any traces of him.

What do you mean? Hes hiding right there!

He only just made his move, yet hes vanished without a trash? He must have a base She looked at me with a piercing gaze. He must have another ident.i.ty here. Thats the only way to explain how he vanished without a trace.

Dont follow that line of thought! I have a second ident.i.ty, but he has another base! You cant do this! What did I ever do to deserve this?! Im innocent! Why is some group of perverts the one to ruin all my planning?! Just you wait. Im going to drag you out of your hole!

But I, its inconvenient for so many people to be following me around.

You have something important to do?

I have an arranged duel to attend!

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