by Fang Xiang
There was a handful of people with comparable strength.
However, he did not feel any jealousy towards Ma Fan. Ma Fan deserved this. They had fought many times before, so many times it was innumerable. He knew Ma Fan's strength well.
If Ma Fan was given a defense line, his strength would double.
This was Lil' Miss Daren's words, without any exaggeration. Ma Fan's achievements in other areas could only be said to be average, but once he gained control of a formation defense line, his win rate would become terrifying.
No one liked to fight a defensive battle against Ma Fan.
However, Shi Dong was full of confidence in himself. Ma Fan had a field he was skilled in, and he had his own specialization.
"Bie Han Daren's order is really strange!" Ye Ling saw Bie Han's orders and couldn't resist commenting.
Shi Dong looked into the distance and said softly, "I think I have guessed Bie Han Daren's general goal." He tried to make himself look calm as normal but the anxiousness in his eyes exposed his true thoughts.
Bie Han Daren … … was too daring!
Was this the confidence of a top battle general?
What kind of confidence was this!
"You have guessed Daren's thoughts?" Ye Ling was slightly shocked. However, he was not surprised. He knew that his strategic vision was lacking compared to Shi Dong.
Shi Dong shook his head. "Not just me, everyone else should understand by now."
"Why is that even this conversation like a riddle … …" Ye Ling said helplessly.
"Look at our position, then Tang Fei and A Zha Ge." Shi Dong's hand moved above the jie map, and an invisible line caused Ye Ling's eyes to light up. He was still slightly puzzled. "I cannot see anything … …"
Shi Dong did not waste words and continued, "Us, Tangzi Battalion, A Zha Ge battalion, appear as though we have no connection to Bright Mountain Jie, but look here."
On the jie map, he found where Grey Camp was, and with it as the center, drew out a circle. Then he found the two other battalions and drew out circles around them.
"Now look," Shi Dong said calmly, "While we are not directly connected to Bright Mountain Jie, but the area that we are active in, and the position that we guard are like three signal flares. They will attract the battalions around us, and we have blockaded the path of the enemy attempting to reinforce Bright Mountain Jie."
"I seem to understand after you say this." Ye Ling's expression was puzzled. "However, what is the use to stopping the reinforcements? Bright Mountain Jie still has Hai Jin Yu and Shang Yu Sheng. Ma Fan defeated the two mo generals but he definitely took great losses and will not have forces to and help Bie Han Daren. You should also know of Hai Jin Yun and Shang Yu Sheng, they are rare talents that have risen recently. Bie Han Daren alone … … wait! You mean … …"
Ye Ling's eyes widened. He looked in disbelief at Shi Dong as though he saw a ghost.
"Yes! We were wrong about Bie Han Daren's intentions from the start." Shi Dong tried to make his voice calm, but it was still filled with emotion. "From the start, he decided to fight one on two! We all were wrong!"
Then he said self-mockingly, "This probably is the difference between us and top battle generals. We have to bow to his self confidence."
Ye Ling's eyes were wide, and he was unable to speak for a moment.
"This this this … …"
He stammered for a while but could not continue.
Shi Dong shook his head, the shock in his eyes gradually disappearing. He recovered his usual calmness and composure. "Since Bie Han Daren dares to plan this, he must have some assurances. We will first carry out our own mission well, we cannot drag down Bie Han Daren."
A moment later, Ye Ling finally inhaled out a long breath. "This is mad! Too mad!"
It was rare for Shi Dong to see Ye Ling lose his composure. He couldn't help but flash a grin before he resumed his usual coolness. "Don't worry for Bie Han Daren, let's first think of a way to finish our mission. Ma Fan gave a beautiful performance, if we do not finish our mission, we will be laughed at when we return."
Ye Ling heard this and nodded seriously. "All Hail the King! We will do all we can in service for our king! Eh, we cannot be laughed at. Lei Peng and Nian Lu have the worst mouths! How do you think we should fight?"
"I have an idea." Shi Dong's eyes flashed with a cold light.
———
"Bie Han Daren's idea is too dangerous!" Tang Fei frowned. When Bie Han's new orders were delivered to her hands, Bie Han's intentions finally became clear. She had to admit that Bie Han Daren's goal was completely unexpected.
Miao Jun also jumped in fright at Bie Han's intention. "So mad! One against two … … I don't know what to say! He doesn't need to risk this at all. We are strong. While we are low in numbers, we are all elite battalions, there will not be much of a problem to take down Hundred Energy Jie, unless … …"
"Unless Daren has bigger ambitions!" Tang Fei continued. She said in an uncertain tone, "What will be even bigger?"
Miao Jun frowned and thought hard. He was thinking of what reason would cause Bie Han to use such a dangerous plan.
Suddenly, the two of them raised their heads and looked at each other at the same time, seeing the disbelief in the other's eyes.
Bie Han … …
———
"Too dangerous!" A Zha Ge looked at the order on his hand and murmured to himself.
Bie Han Daren's intentions had completely been made apparent, there was nothing hard to guess. However, A Zha Ge found it hard to understand why Bie Han would plan such a risky battle plan.
A Zha Ge did not know Bie Han's strength well but he knew that Bie Han Daren was much stronger than him. He was also a gold battle general but he was nothing compared to a top battle general.
Bie Han Daren's idea … …
Suddenly, his eyes lit up. A daring idea that was also impossible flashed through his mind!
Was it … …
———
"His target is us," Shang Yu Sheng said slowly. His speaking speed was slow, almost pausing between each word.
Hai Jin Yun did not have any impatience. He smiled coldly, "He really is ambitious! Tsk tsk, as expected of a top battle general, look, his boldness is something that we cannot match."
"His goal is not Bright Mountain Jie, it was us, from the beginning," Shang Yu Sheng said. "Xi cannot be mobilized, the only ones that the alliance can move to match him are the two of us."
"He's too proud! If he used the time difference and attack us separately, he might have a chance! But we have met up. He wants to use his one battalion against us, ha! He's too naïve!" Hai Jin Yun's voice was full of scorn.
The two of them were new talents of the alliance. Among the new generation, they were strong and major figures. The two of them were thought of genius youths that would possibly become top battle generals. No one doubted this. People believed that if they had a few more years, the duo would definitely become top battle generals.
Right now, they were not top ranked battle generals, but the difference was minuscule.
One of them alone might not be able to beat Bie Han, but the two of them together, they had the advantage of numbers and they worked well together, they could only be stronger than Bie Han.
Hai Jin Yun's scorn was not just due to arrogance.
Shang Yu Sheng's expression was still serious. He said in his uniquely slow manner, "If this is not the case, will we fight him?"
Hai Jin Yun stilled. He thought and then he shook his head. "No, if I encounter him alone, I will definitely avoid him, wait to meet up with you, before searching him out for a fight."
"Maybe this is what he wants," Shang Yu Sheng said.
Hai Jin Yun was not stupid and reacted quickly. He said suspiciously, "You mean that he definitely has created a situation to make us feel as though we have the upper hand?"
"Isn't that the case?" Shang Yu Sheng asked in return.
Hai Jin Yun was si
lent. Bie Han had been the one that had arranged the present situation. If Bie Han had deliberately done this, there was only one possibility. Bie Han had absolute confidence in himself!
"This is not possible!" Hai Jin Yun couldn't help but say, "I will admit that Bie Han is strong but I don't believe that he can fight against the two of us in an open battle! Not even Xue Dong can! Do you feel that the two of us cannot win against him?"
"I also do not believe it." Shang Yu Sheng shook his head. "But I believe that Bie Han definitely has powerful moves that we do not know of."
Hai Jin Yun nodded. "You are right, we need to be careful of his schemes." His expression became grave. "But I believe even more that strength is the most important in open battle! We need to keep an eye on the soldiers, maybe spies have made their way into the battalions?"
"En, you are right, use inactivity to deal with all changes. Keep an eye on the ranks, we will not panic, and there will not be any problems." Shang Yu Sheng also threw away his worries. The two of them were among the strongest battle generals of the Mo Marshal Alliance. Even though there were some areas of Bei Han's plan that they did not understand, they would not become timid because of the other's feints.
What any famed battle general believed in was himself and the battalion behind him.
Shang Yu Sheng laughed, fighting spirit in his expression and his tone excited as he said, "Yes, as long as we do not panic, he will not have a chance! Who's afraid of who! A top battle general is nothing, that's just because we have not shown our might. I want to see just how much water there is in this top battle general!"
Suddenly, a wave of urgent alarms sounded. The two exchanged a look, their expressions serious.
Bie Han had come!
Translator Ramblings: POV switch back the war. I always thought the point of a weekend was that you didn't work, but I actually work longer hours on the weekend instead. There goes most of my translation time.
Chapter 779: Cang Ling Xue
In the darkness of the night, Cang Ling Xue was silent and motionless like a puppet. Her pretty face showed faint sorrow. She threw herself into the darkness, she lost her usual aura of authority and restraint. She sat there like a normal seventeen year old girl and stared at the distant mountains.
The string of lantern lights were like the stars in the sky. She thought of the past years, their troubles, and how sparse the lights had been then. The present Cang Family was much more prosperous than before.
She did not feel much pride, only exhaustion.
At this time, she had shed her determination. She was like a helpless kitten curled in the corner.
"Daren." The hoarse voice of a male sounded in the darkness.
She did not raise her head. She was too familiar with this voice, so familiar that she did not need to pretend in front of him. She gave a light sound of acknowledgement.
"Yesterday, someone visited Second Elder, and Second Elder saw them off at the gates," the male said in a low voice. His usually calm voice was filled with indescribable fury. "Third Elder's son was accepted into the first yao art house."
Cang Ling Xue's lips moved. She said indifferently, "Isn't that what he hoped for? His prodigal son has always been a sickness on his mind."
"Chief Elder most likely cannot withstand the pressure for long," the male said in a low voice, "I heard Chief Elder's steward say that they received a threat from an unknown person yesterday, the target is Chief Elder's granddaughter. Chief Elder may likely remain quiet on this matter."
"All of them betray me, haha," Cang Ling Xue laughed. At this time, her cold laugh showed age that did not match her real age.
The male was silent for a moment before he suddenly spoke, "Daren flee!"
"Flee? Flee where?" Cang Ling Xue was bewildered. "What about the Cang Family? What about the merchant association?"
"How can we care about that now?" The male's tone became panicked. "If Daren does not flee, it is likely … …"
"What's there to be afraid of?" Cang Ling Xue smiled desolately. "Do not worry, I am worth more to them alive than dead. No matter if it is to take over the business association and the Cang Family or to become a tool to earn them money, they all need me alive."
The male was silent.
Cang Ling Xue murmured to herself, "The elders are too timid, if they could harden their resolves, the business association would be able to bargain with these people … …"
"Daren, what if we throw away the business association?" the male suddenly asked.
"Throw away the association?" Cang Ling Xue stilled. Then her brow furrowed and she sat up. "Who told you this?"
"Yesterday night when I was spying on Second Elder, I was caught by someone when returning," the male said calmly.
"Ah!" Cang Ling Xue was astounded, the sternness and authority on her face disappearing. She asked urgently, "Were you wounded?"
The male's heart warmed. He shook his head and said, "No, the other only asked me to tell you this message."
Cang Ling Xue's expression eased slightly but her heart trembled. Uncle Yan's strength was unfathomable in her eyes. No matter how difficult the mission was, Uncle Yan would finish it perfectly. Uncle Yan was the last support that her father had left her. If it wasn't for Uncle Yan, she would not have taken charge of the Cang Family so quickly. While Uncle Yan had never said how powerful he was, she could hear from between his words that Uncle Yan had been a powerful expert in the past.
"What is their background?" Cang Ling Xue asked curiously. Her mind moved quickly. She did not fear the addition of a new power. In truth, any change for her in this hopeless situation was good news.
Because the situation would not be any worse than now.
"I could not see." Uncle Yan's tone was low, and filled with a rare wariness. "The other is familiar with the underground world. I encountered at least three people that match me in strength. Those in the underground world that have such strength will not be unknown yet I cannot identify these people's origins."
Cang Ling Xue became alert. She was intelligent and Uncle Yan's words contained a great amount of information. The other was strong, and with so many experts, it would not be a minor faction. The other wanted her to give up on the business association, they clearly wanted her ability at management. Giving up on the association but not the Cang Family showed that the other had confidence they could guarantee the safety of the Cang Family.
This astounded her. If this message had not been carried to her by her most trusted Uncle Yan, she definitely would not believe it. Uncle Yan had watched her grow up and the two of them were like father and daughter. He definitely would not betray her.
Who was the other?
She knew the reason that she felt hopeless at the families pressuring her because they had the support of the Council of Elders!
They were not people that she, the Cang Family or the business association could fight.
This mysterious faction was so confident. She felt it hard to believe.
"Are there any underground factions so strong?" she murmured to herself.
"No." Unexpectedly, Uncle Yan answered. His tone was filled with certainly. "The underground world is not large, and not as mysterious as the rumors say. The relatively major underground powers are closely connected to the Council of Elders."
"Then where do they find the confidence to make this offer?" Cang Ling Xue was puzzled.
Uncle Yan hesitated for a while before saying, "They may not be an underground power."
Cang Ling Xue stilled. "How so?"
Uncle Yan explained, "In truth, underground factions are fangs and teeth. Some major factions use them for convenience in spying and dealing with matters hard to openly resolve. If someone does it in the shadows, it is much easier to handle some matters. Most of the yao underground powers have great backgrounds and support. Sometimes, they are responsible for establishing contact. If I am right, and this develops, the faction behind them will be revealed."
"No wonder
the underground factions can do as they wish." Cang Ling Xue finally realized and said.
"That is a misunderstanding. Actually, they are restrained in many aspects," Uncle Yan said. "They cannot go too far in many matters. The higher ups will turn a blind eye to some matters and not pursue them in order for them to survive. If the higher ups order something, they have to complete it. The competition between the underground factions is cruel."
The other wasn't an underground faction. Cang Ling Xue became excited. Even though the situation was already like this, she still did not hope to fall to being on the side of an underground faction. The darkness was a road of no return, especially to a clan.
"Can Uncle Yan find out the origins of this underground factions?" she asked in anticipation.
If they could find the origins of these people, maybe they would find a clue to the people behind them.
This was a deadlock. If someone disturbed it, maybe it would offer them a chance.
Cang Ling Xue's spirit rose again.
Uncle Yan looked at Cang Ling Xue whose fighting spirit had come back and nodded seriously, "I will try."
———
Zuo Mo's finger constantly moved through the air like a pen. He would occasionally stop and think for a while.
He had been in this crazed state for a few days. He constantly swiped and drew. Other people knew that he was considering a problem and did not disturb him.
Zuo Mo who had ate meat until he almost went insane originally prepared to refine the shen power he had just absorbed. Yet when he was in the cabin and preparing to refine the power, that unique pattern from the green strand reappeared once again in his mind.
This time, he saw it more clearly.
He discovered many places he had not seen clearly last time. He was overjoyed at these discoveries.
Zuo Mo was sure now that this pattern was a shen glyph!
For people now, shen glyphs were not something far away. Tian Huan had been the first to study shen glyphs and they were the ones with the most understanding of shen glyphs. Tian Huan's shen power was based in shen glyphs. As shen power developed and more and more people cultivated shen power, people's understanding of shen glyphs increased.
