Chapter 131: True Feelings Revealed at the Moment of Collapse
Late at night, in the backyard of the hotel.
Under the constant heating of the fire of ambition, Miss Qingye finally transformed from a icy beauty into a beautiful lady with icy skin and jade-like bones. Her face flushed and she kept thanking him, claiming that she still had some secret work to do, and hurriedly found a room to rest.
If Chu Hengkong were to judge for himself, he'd say this was one of the three most difficult nights he'd endured since crossing over. Even when he was stranded in Yingshi Town, he wasn't forced to recite the Diamond Sutra all night while his tentacles were stiff. This night shift was so physically and mentally taxing that his first feeling afterward wasn't relief, but a throbbing pain in his arms.
He yawned as he walked into the backyard and found his best friend wrapped in a bathrobe, lying in an armchair, drinking sweet wine. Her eyelashes were still stained with water, and the bathrobe wrapped tightly around her upper body, revealing her slender thighs like snakes, her skin flushed with warmth.
"Be careful not to expose yourself, Miss Ji." Chu Hengkong threw a towel over.
Miss Ji stretched lazily and said nonchalantly: "Just consider it as a reward for you~"
"Please lower the neckline a bit if you're giving me benefits. I'm more interested in the upper body."
Upon hearing this, Ji Huaisu deliberately pulled his collar up tighter, even covering the meteor-shaped pendant: "When you look at a woman, you look at her breasts instead of her legs. Do you have to be so virginal?"
"Okay, okay, Captain Ji, you are experienced. When will you take me to broaden my horizons?" Chu Hengkong took off his coat.
"You wanted to learn so much, but you didn't go and cast the gray cat? It's too late to regret it now!" Ji Huaisu covered his eyes, "I avoided suspicion, so you can do whatever you want."
Chu Hengkong said helplessly: "Your fingers are as wide as a crab's. Can you please be a little reserved?"
His partner obediently covered her face with her hands. He took off his clothes and soaked in the pool, closing his eyes. He was really tired. He had been busy all day from morning till night, and only now did he finally have some time to relax.
Ji Huaisu was quiet for a while until he saw him open his eyes.
"It's hard to imagine this is only our second day out."
"Do you feel that Huilong City is peaceful now?"
"Yes, yes, it's such a happy hometown." Ji Huaisu sighed, "That sniper is your fellow villager? I heard him call you 'Sacrificial Snake'."
"That was my previous job title." Chu Hengkong looked at his coat. "My old employer's crest is a caduceus, and every generation of the family's lieutenants are called 'Sacrificial Serpents.' The text says this is the honor of offering a living sacrifice to the head of the family. In reality, they are the golden thugs who eliminate threats to the family."
"So you were the second-in-command of the underworld back then!" Ji Huaisu exclaimed. "Then who is Number 0? Do you still have a family ranking list over there?"
"That was just idle gossip. A bunch of people with money but nowhere to spend it got together to create a list of the strongest people on Earth, and they even made a serious effort to rank them 12345." Chu Hengkong almost laughed as he spoke. "But I made my debut shortly after the list was finalized, and to boost their reputation, my boss said I was better than everyone else on the list and was number 0."
"Then other people will have opinions."
"I don't think so, because I killed everyone else on the list."
Ji Huaisu exclaimed: "So you are a legend in your hometown!"
As she spoke, she suddenly realized that Chu Hengkong had never been arrogant before. On that ordinary Dust Island, he was the strongest person. She had always thought that Chu Hengkong became truly powerful after killing the Immortal Machine, but in fact, it was quite the opposite. He was a legendary figure before embarking on the path of ascension. It was just that Dust Island was too closed, and people outside could not hear his legend.
Thinking about it this way, it seems that she was not really stronger than the other party. Her previous advantage was just that she was exposed to the path of advancement earlier.
"You've been more anxious these past two days than you were in the previous six months."
"I'm cultivating the path to supremacy, so it's not normal for me to be a little emotional." Ji Huaisu curled his lips, "But I'm feeling a little better today."
Chu Hengkong raised his eyebrows. He saw a thin piece of black ice appear in his partner's hand. The ice turned transparent at a speed visible to the naked eye, and then turned white.
"You've learned a lot." He was genuinely happy for his partner. "What did you figure out?"
"The power of turbid tears actually comes from 'protection.'" Ji Huaisu stared at the ice. "Sentimental, worried about gain and loss, always thinking about loss more than gain. It's precisely because we are constantly trapped in sadness and fear that we want to protect the things around us so persistently...
"Sethron wasn't a particularly formidable fellow before, was he? But he only resisted the Stone Demon once, and that was because the Stone Demon threatened what he cared about most. In the face of such intense fear, even the weakest man can become a hero."
She blew on the ice to melt, and the water turned into sand and dust in the light, and then gathered together to form small stones.
"And the true meaning of Wu Ding Chen is principle," she tossed a stone. "If you only seek freedom, you'll end up like a golden leaf, right? So you need something to anchor yourself... Only by binding the dust with principles can you become solid stone."
"I think you can be promoted now." Chu Hengkong smiled.
"There is no formation, no formation! If I had knowledge, I would have been Shui Lingling's Turbid Tears or Wu Dingchen!" Ji Huaisu said with his teeth bared.
"Isn't it good to be a pure fire? I still think fire suits you best."
He found it hard to imagine his partner becoming a heavily armored and shielded guardian, or a skilled engineer. Those prospects were all fine, and could give meaning to life, but they weren't quite right for Ji Huaisu. She was always supposed to be the one charging forward, singing the praises of justice and courage, charging like a flame.
"Damn, do you think I don't want to? I have no idea, no idea." Ji Huaisu curled his lips, "What is Pure Fire?"
"Positive emotions like justice and courage..."
Ji Huaisu blinked. "Then what will you use to restrain justice and courage? How can you guarantee that you are not walking on the path you think is right?"
Chu Hengkong was stunned for a moment, realizing his partner's concerns. Justice and courage were the best and most resounding banners, yet too many evil deeds were committed in their name. This was actually the path most prone to going astray. He himself had witnessed many lunatics committing evil in the name of justice.
"...Your path to supremacy is truly full of minefields." He couldn't help but smile bitterly.
"Who said it wasn't!" Ji Huaisu sighed, "Say something nice. How do you plan to fight in the duel in two days?"
She didn't ask her partner if he wanted to go, because Chu Hengkong's character meant he would definitely accept the challenge. The killer didn't answer for the moment, thinking quietly.
He repeatedly recalled the bloody holy spear, the shot that instantly killed the stone monster. No matter how he reviewed it, he could not grasp the details of that shot, and no matter how much he analyzed it, the result was unpredictable.
"I haven't thought about it yet." He smiled bitterly, "To be honest, I don't think I can take it on."
"Then we should build our tactics based on the premise that we won't be able to handle it," Ji Huaisu said.
He glared at his partner, who looked bewildered. "Did I say something wrong? He has 3 points and you have 2. What makes you think you can handle his ultimate move? You have to think about how to make up for it first to win."
"You know what? I think you're right." Chu Hengkong rubbed his temple. "My thinking on dealing with old rivals is still limited to the Earth period. This will cause trouble... Do you mind helping me with this matter as an advisor?"
"Asking your sister Huaisu about beating people is definitely no problem!" Ji Huaisu gave a thumbs up, "But let's talk about it tomorrow, okay? I'm super tired today."
Chu Hengkong pondered: "Okay, remember we still have to discuss the anomaly discovered by Fander and the underground problem tomorrow..."
"ZZZ."
"There's no point in pretending to be asleep."
“Help…”
Chu Heng chatted idly, then came up to rest after a while. Soon the last light in the inn went out, and the most tired people fell into a deep sleep.
In the larger, more imposing luxury hotel in the northern part of the city, many rooms were still lit. The guests there boasted countless times today about their good judgment and thanked their good fortune, for amidst the turmoil, this hotel had remained unshaken. Neither earthquakes nor storms could destroy it; it stood tall in a corner of the city, unchanged from before the chaos.
Unlike the average person who would thank God for their life, Shax was well aware of the reason for this place's stability. The hotel was a carefully constructed position by the talisman master. Although Wu He's luck was poor, his skills were very solid. Not to mention the aftermath of the stone demon's attack, even if Wu He came here personally, it would be difficult to shake it.
The man who had built the position was still sitting by the window, gazing at the night view and sipping the red wine he'd brought. Shax placed the gun back on the bed and spoke without preamble, "I'll return your deposit. I can't do this commission anymore."
He thrust his index finger into his temple, ready to draw out his memory of the half-page blueprint, but Wu He held up his palm, signaling for patience. He noticed a subtle change in the other person's demeanor, as unfazed as when they first met at the bar.
"Before we part ways, why don't we talk about the next deal?" Wu He smiled.
"trade?"
"You've given up the commission in order to focus on the duel with the martial cultivator. I can't persuade you on this point. However, I don't think you have any reason to refuse negotiations based on this." Wu He put down his wine glass. "I'll give you some help, and in return you'll take some time to make something for me before the duel. How about that?"
Shax raised an eyebrow, feeling that hint of surprise again. He couldn't tell if it was his aura or his confidence, but what he had sensed from this man before leaving for Golden Leaf City was now resurrected within him.
"That's interesting," he said. "What can you give me?"
"Some of the principles and strategies of Longxiang Fist techniques, some fast-acting talismans, and if you offer a high enough price, I can even lend you my position temporarily." Wu He held up his fingers one by one. "In return, I want detailed information on the stone species, protection until the day of the duel, and the traps you set. What do you think? I don't think it's a disadvantage for you."
It wasn't just a loss; it was practically a waste of money. Going to such lengths to keep him here temporarily meant only one conclusion.
"—You're being watched."
Wu He pinched the strands of hair on his forehead and said, "Honestly, I wish you weren't so sensitive."
"Hunting is all about mobility. Strike first, and then retreat quickly after securing your prey. Your tactics, like setting up a position, are so incongruous. It's almost as if you knew you were about to be attacked." Shax nodded. "Not only that, but you hired me specifically, and I'm a sniper! Your intentions are so obvious. You're using the Stone Seeds to attract attention, lure the enemy into your position, and then, under the guise of 'eliminating the competition,' you'll retreat and let me take action. That's your plan from beginning to end."
"I have nothing to say." Wu He spread his hands. "To be honest, this is a personal problem. A man like you wouldn't be willing to accept an escort mission, and you're the only legend I can find in such a short time..."
"You're just too stingy to pay for two jobs!" Shax sneered.
His blunt words left Wu He helplessly silent. His employer's subtle intentions had been directly exposed, leaving him with nothing more to say. Shax continued to chatter, "Who's targeting you? Where did you, a Dragon Country martial artist, get such a grudge?"
"Don't call me Longxiang Wuxiu." Wu He sighed.
"I vaguely remember... It's said that a mercenary managed to survive the front lines and looted a staggering fortune in a remote area." Shaxx laughed. "Ah, I see. The price of wealth, huh? He was targeted by the treasure's owner."
Wu He remained silent, and Shakes stopped talking. The awkward silence lasted for several minutes until Wu He took out a bottle of milk and placed it on the table.
"I won't go into details. Money isn't easy to make, and I have my own difficulties." He raised his hands with a wry smile. "I was at a loss before, so I'm making concessions on this deal. Even if the deal doesn't go through, there's still friendship. If we can't reach an agreement, at least we can part ways amicably."
To his surprise, Shax didn't leave immediately. The sniper took the bottle of milk and sat down at the table. The tension between the two men eased.
"The information on the Stone Seed was part of my previous commission, so I'll give it to you for free. I only want information on the Dragon Country Fist in exchange for protecting you for a day and renovating your position." Shax drank half a bottle of milk. "What talismans do you have?"
"Let me think... Do you want a one-time death-replacing talisman? It requires some special materials to use."
"It's useless. At that close distance, the difference is just one or two strikes."
"You definitely don't need a fast-healing talisman..." Wu He tapped his chin. "By the way! How about a talisman for sensing the enemy? For a sniper, understanding the opponent's movements is more important than anything else."
Shax shook his head. "He's a professional killer. If he wants to hide, no one can find him."
"My talisman can do it," Wu He said confidently. "Even if he holds his breath and becomes invisible, as long as there's still life in his body, I can track him down."
He didn't seem to be bluffing, which surprised Shax a little: "Is your martial arts practice of talismans so powerful?"
"Talismans are the art of harnessing life force. They can't summon wind and rain or move objects with telekinesis, but they simply specialize in areas related to life," Wu He said. "I also hunt stone seeds for talismans. If you can find some stone seeds, I wouldn't mind giving you a few."
"No thanks. Tell me tomorrow what kind of bullet you want. I'll give you one talisman for one bullet."
"Then we have a happy business." Wu He clasped his hands together. "Just a little aside, you should have brought dinner."
“……?”
The sniper and the talisman master looked at each other in silence, with the same confusion in each other's eyes.
Wu He's smile was a little stiff: "...You didn't buy any food?"
"Me?" Shax pointed down. "This is the hotel."
"Yes, it is, but I must remind you that there was a huge earthquake in the city today. Not only the cooks, but even the waiters went home."
Shaxx pinched his brows. "They must have some food in stock."
"Can you cook?" Wu He pointed out the key question, "I can't."
“…”
“…………”
"The hotel must have a stock of instant food."
"What the hell do you think the other guests are eating?"
Shax rummaged through his luggage. "I brought instant noodles and compressed biscuits. Which one do you want?"
"I don't want to make such a hopeless choice, damn it!"
Three minutes later, in the top-floor suite of the city's most luxurious hotel, two grown men ate cheap instant noodles while looking at the night view.
Meanwhile, Tentacle Man and his group were eating hot pot in the inn, while Dome was eating Demon Slayer. This huge temperature difference reflected the fact that the quality of food had nothing to do with average strength, and people could only eat what was available.
The eventful second day and second round ended dismally amidst the constant complaints and the aroma of cheap instant noodles...
(End of this chapter)
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