Time is like the thinning hair of a person as they grow older; it flows by quickly, unaffected by anyone's will.

Over two days, Zhang Lin and Xia Xiaonuan carefully studied "Teacher Ji's Nine Forms" at home. Zhang Lin taught her everything he knew, but unfortunately, Xia Xiaonuan was not a good student. She was only willing to learn two or three of the forms, and she was unwilling to learn any more.

Even so, Zhang Lin was very satisfied.

Xia Xiaonuan would never have done these things for him before, and he believed that given enough time, she would definitely be willing to learn the other moves.

Unlike Zhang Lin and Xia Xiaonuan, who had a pleasant two days together, Peng Bing, on the other hand, did not have a very good time.

The main issue is that I've been struggling with this in my mind.

He wanted to take his men out, seize the opportunity to kill Zhang Lin, and then take over the vanguard army. However, he was afraid that this was a trap, so he did not dare to actually take action.

However, Peng Bing still did a lot of preparatory work.

He first carefully studied the testimonies of the three people who returned with Niu Chuan and found that Zhang Lin had indeed not shown his face in the vanguard army for two or three days before Niu Chuan escaped.

To verify the authenticity of these three confessions, Peng Bing also subjected these three loyal subordinates, who refused to surrender even after being captured and risked their lives to escape, to severe torture.

The three men were tortured separately, so there was no possibility of them colluding. Therefore, Peng Bing believed their testimonies.

While obtaining confessions from the three individuals, Peng Bing also sent people to the Vanguard Army.

After being away for so long, Zhang Lin had already begun his return journey. The vanguard army was not far from Hope City at this time, and two days was enough time for Peng Bing's men to make a round trip.

He also received some information about the vanguard.

Zhang Lin had already disappeared before Niu Chuan escaped, and several days had passed since Niu Chuan's escape, yet Zhang Lin still hadn't shown up.

The vanguard was indeed stationed near the territory of the Domain Spiders and was gradually clearing away the spider webs.

Although the men sent out were absorbed into the vanguard, a few loyal ones could still be found. The new people Peng Bing sent to gather information also found many people to confirm the information.

Peng Bing also believed this intelligence.

Comparing the two intelligence reports, Peng Bing suddenly realized that Niu Chuan was telling the truth and had not deceived him.

“That’s true. Niu Chuan had his arm cut off by Zhang Lin. How could he possibly defect to Zhang Lin?” Peng Bing muttered to himself. “Besides… only I would value him. If he defected to Zhang Lin, he’d probably only be able to become a lowly soldier…”

He was convincing himself.

All I can say is that Niu Chuan knows Peng Bing too well.

Peng Bing was initially full of doubts, but Niu Chuan did nothing but cooperate with Zhang Lin to put on a good show. Now that Peng Bing has gathered the information himself, he is starting to convince himself.

"If there's no trap involved, then it's truly a stroke of luck!"

Gradually, the look of doubt and unease on Peng Bing's face disappeared, and a smile slowly began to appear.

"Moreover, I've also persuaded the city lord to agree not to get involved in the conflict between me and Zhang Lin!"

"Although we can't expand the scale, meaning we can't bring too many people, we don't actually need to bring too many... Just bring a small group, confirm Zhang Lin's death, and then take over the vanguard..."

"At that time, I will replace the city lord and become the leader of all the alliances. I will be second only to the city lord and above all others!"

"Could it be that even God is on my side?"

At that moment, Peng Bing suddenly felt that he was the chosen one.

Although he lost his son.

But if he could stand at the pinnacle of power in this life, then... perhaps his son's death was worthwhile...

For a moment, Peng Bing was filled with excitement.

Then, he immediately summoned Niu Chuan, "Go and prepare some things I need to enter the Domain Spider's territory. We're leaving right now. I want to see Zhang Lin die with my own eyes!"

"Since you don't trust me, Dad, let's find someone else to do this." Niu Chuan was no longer in a hurry.

He understands Peng Bing.

At this point, I need to employ a strategy of first suppressing and then elevating.

In this way, Peng Bing will trust him even more, making it easier for him to do some shady things.

"Xiao Niu, you're my son-in-law, how could I not trust you?" Peng Bing said with a smile. "This matter is very important, after all. I need to gather the information properly. You won't blame me, will you?"

Upon hearing this, Niu Chuan's expression shifted several times. After a long while, he said dejectedly, "I understand, Dad. I will be prepared."

After saying that, Niu Chuan dragged his weak and tired body to make preparations.

For experienced memory awakeners, entering the territory of the Domain Spider is not particularly dangerous if they prepare in advance.

The worst-case scenario is encountering something unexpected in the wild without any preparation; that would be truly troublesome.

Watching Niu Chuan's departing figure, Peng Bing revealed a disdainful smile. Only after Niu Chuan's figure had completely disappeared did he speak up: "What a piece of trash! If you weren't somewhat capable, I would have kicked you out long ago!"

Niu Chuan spent half a day preparing the necessary items, and then Peng Bing immediately led his men to set off.

At this moment, he was even more anxious than Niu Chuan.

This is a golden opportunity, don't miss it!

What if we go half a day later and Zhang Lin gets out of trouble?

Because of the city lord's orders, Peng Bing didn't dare to bring too many people. After thinking it over, he felt that he could only bring a hundred people at most, and the city lord would be unhappy if he brought more. So, he took a hundred people and hurriedly set off.

Just as Peng Bing left, Zhang Lin, who was at Xia Xiaonuan's house studying "Teacher Ji's Nine Styles" with her, received the news.

"Did this old man really fall for it?"

Zhang Lin was somewhat surprised.

He didn't have high hopes, but to his surprise, Niu Chuan understood Peng Bing best. He did almost nothing but cooperate in putting on a show, and Peng Bing actually fell for it. Knowing that there were only a hundred people, he left his sphere of influence.

"Peng Bing has left Hope City?" Xia Xiaonuan also heard the news and immediately perked up, urging Zhang Lin, "Go and deal with Peng Bing, stop messing with me!"

She was quite helpless. Given her personality, it was impossible for her to learn any of the "Nine Styles of Teacher Ji." She preferred to do things the real thing.

But there was no other way; they couldn't beat Zhang Lin in a hard battle, so they had to resort to these unorthodox methods.

Now that Zhang Lin is finally leaving, she can finally breathe a sigh of relief. She should rest up and try to defeat Zhang Lin in the next match.

Zhang Lin was initially quite happy, but upon hearing this, he was immediately speechless and exasperated.

This sounds so awkward...

Are these two instances of "搞" the same?

But Peng Bing has left his power base, which is indeed a very good opportunity. Zhang Lin thinks the same way as Peng Bing: this is a golden opportunity that will not come again!

So Zhang Lin immediately left Hope City and followed Peng Bing and the others.