by Fang Xiang
“Don’t be unable to recognize people’s aid.” Pu Yao unconcernedly glanced and then yawned. He lazily said, “Received the benefit and still pretending to be good. Mo physiques will change during maturation. Oh, you were quite fierce, played with essence blood explosions. The other is very good, and help you condense them into blood beads so it wasn’t a waste. However, she really is a powerful girl!”
Zuo Mo’s expression instantly became awkward. He had always been full of suspicion towards this woman of unknown origins.
“What’s the use of this?” The practical Zuo Mo quickly pulled the topic onto the blood beads.
“There are many uses. If you cultivate mo skills with blood and fiends, it is a very rare treasure. Right now, I can’t think of any,” Pu Yao said irresponsibly.
Coming out of the sea of consciousness, Zuo Mo coincidentally saw the female xiu. It might have been Pu Yao’s words, but he suddenly found her much more pleasing to look at.
“Thank you.” He raised the blood beads, and thanked the female xiu.
He knew the female xiu definitely wouldn’t respond. After showing his appreciation, he turned and went back to the work of building the city.
Zuo Mo didn’t know that just as he turned around, a purple light flashed across the eyes behind the mask.
———
Gongsun Cha gazed at the changes on the battlefield. He was continuously trying out new tactics. Any battle tactic, from seeing it, to familiarity, to understanding, the entire process required spending a lot of effort and thought. Even more important was actual use and experimentation.
In the war chess, Pu Yao had shown many kinds of battle tactics to Gongsun Cha. Each tactic had its own qualities, but not every tactic was like the three section wave killing charge, being able to be used after just trying it out. The tactics related to the mixture of people, and the structure of the troops.
In the war chess, there was only yaomo. To say of nothing else, the combat methods of yaomo and xiuzhe were extremely different. Just adapting the tactics over to use was not going to work.
However, after being continuously abused by all kinds of tactics, Gongsun Cha’s knowledge was much broader. No one told him what should be. He could only experiment to increase how long he could stand up under Pu Yao’s hands.
Mimicking, concluding, and experimenting.
If it was a normal person, after they had a sweet taste of the three section wave killing charge’s sharp blade, they would naturally worship it as the truth, the strongest weapon. However, Gongsun Cha was continuously experimenting with different tactics. Because it was difficult to find jade scrolls on battle formations, he had even asked Zuo Mo in hopes of finding more battle formations.
Unconsciously, he walked onto a path that had surpassed what everyone imagined.
About twenty li from them, there were two xiuzhe roaming about, watching the changes of the battlefield from a distance. Gongsun Cha ignored them. Each time they fought, they would encounter scouts like these from other factions. These scouts were extremely skilled in flight. They would only watch from afar. If they saw the situation wasn’t right, they would instantly get on a sword and fly away. There was no way of dealing with them.
So even though the scouts had been discovered, Gongsun Cha only ignored them other than preparing the necessary defenses to stop these scouts from participating in the fight.
———
However, the two people that were watching were not scouts. Jiang Wei was a leader of a faction. Previously he had not noticed Gongsun Cha. However, he had became alerted when Gongsun Cha had plucked up several of the other factions in succession.
He wasn’t unfamiliar with these factions. They had interacted before. Even though Gongsun Cha was still a distance away from his base, but he felt unsafe. So he had followed his subordinate and pretended to be scout to personally see this mysterious troop.
“Boss, that’s them.” His subordinate pointed at Gongsun Cha’s group far away.
Jiang Wei made a sound of acknowledgement. However, his heart was beating rapidly and his expression changed slightly. The battlefield seemed entrenched and chaotic, but to become a leader, how could he not have some good eyes?
This mysterious group had clearly taken the lead. Right now, they were just playing with the other side, like a cat playing with a mouse.
But after a while, he flinched with shock.
That wasn’t right! It wasn’t playing.
The chaotic battlefield gradually cleared up because this group started to organize themselves, and traces of organization.
As he continued to watch, Jiang Wei’s face paled, while his heart continuously dropped. This group’s organization and tactics were beyond his imagination. These guys were trying new tactics! Their chaos was not created by the enemy, but by themselves. As they familiarized themselves with their new tactics, the battlefield quickly turned clear.
He recognized the other side of the battle, Moustache Wang. Moustache Wang’s conduct was extremely powerful, and skilled in battle. He had a group of lawless fighters under his command. When he saw the other, he had to call the other Wang ge.
But someone as powerful as Moustache Wang was being used by the other to try out battle tactics! He actually was not able to resist!
Watching as Moustache Wang charged left and right with his band, but appearing as though he was sinking in the bog without a way out, a hint of sorrow came into Jiang Wei’s heart.
This group was too strong!
Their cooperation was very high. It wasn’t how smooth or grand their tactics were. In reality, he had seen the unfamiliarity in their cooperation at first glance . It should be a kind of tactic they had never used before. Moustache Wang did not lack skill. He had found the enemy’s flaws several times, but just when the balance was to be upset, this group would use a different kind of battle tactic.
That was the battle tactic they frequently used and were familiar with. It was astoundingly keen. Moustache Wang’s furious counterattack would be torn to pieces in moments.
Right after, this group would also return to their unfamiliar and new battle tactic in search of familiarizing their cooperation.
And so it repeated.
“It’s really terrifying!” Jiang Wei muttered to himself.
The subordinate didn’t understand why Leader would say it was scary. In his view, the two sides had fought for this long before this group had secured the advantage, they were not as strong as they were rumored to be.
Jiang Wei did not explain. He rejoiced inside that he had made a correct decision today by coming.
———
A hint of a smile finally came to Gongsun Cha’s lips. The xiuzhe under his command finally found rhythm with his new battle tactic. Any kind of battle tactic, no matter how well people trained, was discounted in power unless they went through true battle. The situation on the battlefield had tens of thousands of variations. It was completely different than normal training. Just copying what they normally practiced was useless.
As Lil’ Miss smiled, the rock in the hearts of the xiuzhe beside him finally landed.
The battle quickly ended. They had captured about one hundred and fifty xiuzhe.
Seeing the dense black patch of xiuzhe beside them, he couldn’t help but rub his forehead, “How many xiuzhe have we already captured?”
“One thousand one hundred and fifteen people,” the subordinate gave a precise number.
After some thought, Gongsun Cha ordered, “Transport them back. It is not safe to take them with us for each battle. Send a division.”
Zuo Mo was not here and could not put jinzhi in these captives. Due to that, he could only take all their talismans and send people to guard them. Some of the xiuzhe had been directly taken into the troops like those seal xiu, and three sword xiu who had comprehended sword essence, Moustache Wang among them.
These captives were very docile.
Every two or three days, they would see Gongsun C
ha and the others defeat a faction. Naturally, everyone was docile. They looked fearfully at the remaining three hundred xiuzhe. Even though their own numbers were three times that of Lil’ Miss, but no one dared to disobey.
Before this, they had never thought there would be such a terrifying army. Of course, the xiuzhe who had seen the yao army would say the yao army were the most powerful. But even those people had to admit that this troop was the strongest troop they had ever seen other than the yao army.
The subordinates had long ago suggested to Lil’ Miss to send the captives back.
No one felt it was too few for one hundred something people to transport more than a thousand captives.
This mission landed again on Wei Ran. Lil’ Miss felt that while Wei Ran’s individual strength was average, but his mind was good and he was calm. This was a person worthy of nurturing. Truthfully, Wei Ran wasn’t quite willing. He was enjoying the fight. If he had to transport the captives, wouldn’t he fall behind the others? He had just gotten a taste of the new battle tactics.
However, he did not dare to disobey Lil’ Miss’ commands. He could only lead his subordinates and dejectedly go to transport captives.
———
Looking at a portion of the troop transporting a dark patch of xiuzhe, Jiang Wei first stilled and then instantly understood. He couldn’t help but shake his head. In his view, if they included these captives in the troop, it would actually cause the battle abilities of this terrifying troop to decrease. As long as one had these three hundred people, where couldn’t they go?
Maybe they had other ideas, Jiang Wei thought. Suddenly, his eyes lit up.
A daring idea came out.
* * *
Translator Ramblings: A cliffhanger happens … … it’s been a while since we had one.
The Chinese has this obsession with jade, first white mutton-fat jade early on, and then green jade afterwards. I don’t know why but fantasy worlds seem to have endless supplies of jade. Why does all the writing and the ornamentation have to be primarily jade? I’ve never saw a story involving a jade mine. I guess jade in these worlds is very cheap and plentiful so they use it for communication and everything else and where the jade comes from isn’t of any significance.
Chapter 257: One Small Step[i]
He Xiang’s face was tight, but in reality, his mood was not as terrible as he displayed. The members of the Outer Hall were continuously gathering which allowed the leaders of the factions in Nan Sheng Village personally see the strength of the Outer Hall.
Everyone was in danger now.
Under this tense atmosphere, the secret alliance the faction leaders had brokered fell apart without any attack. They all chose to capitulate, and He Xiang quickly got the price he wanted.
Now, he only needed to catch the group of troublemakers before he would accomplish his goals. Looking at the xiuzhe that covered the sky above Nan Sheng Village, the cloud over He Xiang’s heart swept away. The number of xiuzhe in the Outer Hall had reached a terrifying three thousand people. Nan Sheng Village was small to begin with. Three thousand xiuzhe flying in the air was like a storm cloud. In his view, such a strong power could dominate all of Little Mountain Jie. If it wasn’t that Old Forefather had personally made the captivity plan, he would have already suggested to take all of Little Mountain Jie into Clear Sky Sect’s pocket.
However, there wasn’t much of a difference now, he thought contentedly. He had sent out large numbers of troops to search for the traces of those people. As soon as they found one trace, they could send out all their strength, and tear those damned people into a thousand pieces.
He believed that news would come very soon.
Just as he was thinking this, an elder landed in front of him, and said excitedly, “We found the group! Two or three hundred people, up north, about two thousand li from here. Our people have locked onto them.”
He Xiang was exhilarated, and said hatefully, “As long as we can find them, then they will definitely die. Get the scouts at the front to keep alert and don’t lose them. It’s our turn to attack!”
“Ha ha, let them see the power of our Outer Hall,” this elder also laughed.
“We’ll destroy them!” He Xiang was full of bravado. “We’ll celebrate you when you get back!” This elder was an ally he had been pursuing.
“Ha ha! Wait for my good news!” This elder laughed proudly before jumping back into the air.
The xiuzhe filling the sky started to quickly gather.
———
Nian Lu was just as discontent as Wei Ran.
His feet stepping on a lotus flower, he flew with the wind. His snowy-white robes now seemed grey and dusty. After that handsome and light-hearted face seemed somewhat slow-witted after eating wind for more than ten days. The platoon captain beside him also had an expression of dissatisfaction. “This group of bum beetles, they are so annoying! We have to even talk to them everyday, but it’s still those old faces, there’s nothing new. But they don’t have it easy either!”
The last words were full of emotion.
He turned and hollered at the xiuzhe beside him, “All of you, stay alert. Don’t blame my flying sword if you don’t listen.”
Beside him, other than his own subordinates, there were almost two hundred unfamiliar xiuzhe. These xiuzhe all had their heads hanging down without energy. These were the xiuzhe that they had captured when they took the time to especially sweep up two factions. The sweep had been done together by Lei Peng, Zong Ru, and himself. Nian Lu’s luck had been the worst and had lost in drawing straws, so that the most depressing job of baiting the enemy had fallen to him.
These captives seemed to have extremely well-prepared ling armor, but other than ling armor, all other talismans and flying swords had been taken away.
Just like this, Nian Lu lead a platoon and two hundred xiuzhe as he flew openly towards the north.
To make sure the other side didn’t lose track of them, they had to maintain a moderate speed. What was most depressing was that he could not attend the upcoming battle, he could only continue to travel away.
The greatest tragedy of life was this. Nian Lu said with sorrow and anger, “Slow down, slow down, don’t let them lose track.”
———
At the base of a mountain about four hundred li from Nan Sheng Village was an extremely well-hidden mountain cave.
“What are we waiting for? We’re just guarding this place that even the birds don’t shit, when can we go and do something!” Lei Peng rumbled.
Everyone ignored him. Zong Ru was sitting and meditating, Xie Shan had his eyes closed to rest. The other platoon captain wisely did not interrupt. With so many of the old-timers here, he did not have a turn to speak.
Ma Fan shook his head helplessly. But it was his idea. It was so troublesome. He drawled, “Soon, soon.”
Lei Peng snickered and said, “Little Nian Nian is probably being blown with a refreshing breeze right now.”
Light laughter came from the other people. Even Zong Ru showed a hint of mirth at the corner of his lips.
After killing those little groups last time, during that period of extremely short chaos, they had quietly sneaked in.
This trip had been seven days. Their luck was pretty good. They had found an extremely deep cave. With some camouflage added, it was a very good ambush point. This place was also very close to Nan Sheng Village, right under the enemy’s eyes. It was perfect for being “dark under the lamp.”
Xie Shan suddenly opened his eyes. The other people instantly had wary looks. Xie Shan said lightly, “They’ve come.”
All the xiuzhe instantly stopped talking. Xie Shan even extinguished the Small Light spell inside the cave. The cave instantly became pitch black. After a while, everyone felt streams of consciousness and strange ling power sweep across their bodies.
Fear rose in everyone’s hearts!
There were at least two thousand people from Nan Sheng Village that moved out this time! It could be
seen that the Outer Hall had put a lot into destroying them.
No one dared to move. All signs of life on their bodies disappeared. All breathing and heartbeats stopped. Even the temperature of their bodies decreased. They were like a pile of rocks. Ma Fan had taught them all a spell to conceal themselves from scouts since he was very skilled in concealment.
To avoid attracting attention, they had not used any spell or formation to disguise the entrance of the cave. Formations were the best for disguise, but that was only for experts. If it wasn’t a formation expert, the disguise formation set up would be eye-catching instead.
They only used rocks and foliage to conceal and lessen the traces of themselves. They had also specially grabbed little animals like rabbits to put in the cave.
There were too many caves in this area. Ma Fan had correctly predicted the other would not inspect the caves one by one.
Wave after wave of surveillance continued for two hours. Even Xie Shan, with the highest cultivation, couldn’t help but be shocked by the Outer Hall’s strength. From the consciousness and ling power that swept across their bodies, there were more than ten ningmai third stratum xiuzhe. He was certain that more than seven-tenths of the entire Little Mountain Jie’s ningmai third stratum had sided with the Outer Hall.
One ningmai third stratum was not scary, but ten of them was definitely a great power. If he was the commander, he definitely would arrange for the ten people to be together. Powerful xiuzhe like this were terrifying when they were used together. Why had the xiuzhe who comprehended sword essence like him been arranged together? He hadn’t understood in the past, but after following Lil’ Miss for a time, and personally experiencing it, he now understood the benefits.
However, what he admired the most right now was Ma Fan’s cautiousness. Under Ma Fan’s persistence, they had dug into the cave to an extreme depth. Then used slabs of rock to seal the top of the pit. These granite stones were more than ten zhang thick, and had almost tired them to death at the time. The entire cave was now divided into two levels. Those little animals lived on the top level.
At the time, some people had muttered that Ma Fan was making a mountain out of a molehill. Looking at it now, these measures had saved their lives!
