Chapter 1422: Seizing the Bridge, Blowing Up the Waterway (Thirteen) [Seeking Monthly Tickets]
"Pah, not much skill, just fancy moves!"
A chilling wind swept around them. Gongyang Yongye spat out a mouthful of blood, a fierce and ruthless glint reminiscent of his youth appearing on his brow. The hundred ghost carvings on the blade emitted mournful howls, their ghostly faces appearing and disappearing, while spiderweb-like cracks spread from a single fissure across the entire blade.
He didn't even glance at it.
Deep in a crater in the cliff face, his leg armor was shattered, revealing several inches of white bone.
"After reciting Buddhist scriptures for several years, do you really think you're the Buddha?"
The sword energy dissipated completely after only a few breaths, but the countless strands of golden light lingered around my old friend. At first glance, the old man's appearance did have the air of a Buddha descended to earth, but unfortunately, the words he uttered were devoid of any compassion.
"I still have the strength to fight again. Can you deliver a second blow to save your life?" Blood streamed down his old friend's arms, flesh torn and bleeding, the wounds deep enough to expose bone. Yet he seemed oblivious to the pain, merely glancing at Gongyang Yongye's wretched state and letting out a cold laugh.
He thought he could finally get rid of Gongyang Yongye, but unexpectedly, this old man who had been lying flat for decades suddenly did a sit-up and managed to stand up briefly, leaving him both angry and amused, as well as helpless.
If Gongyang Yongye had truly stood up and killed him with a single blow, that would have been one thing. But instead, he only made a sit-up as a feint, giving him a glimmer of hope of overpowering his opponent, yet ultimately failing to take his life. That's just disgusting.
What's the difference between this and fishing with fake bait?
They won't even give themselves their lives, yet they call themselves old friends?
Gongyang Yongye pressed his tongue against his cheek, spitting out a mouthful of foul blood. His eyes blazed as he stared intently at his old friend, but when his voice reached the other's ear again, it was through telepathic communication: "Old man, you really won't give me an explanation? No matter how you broke through to this point, how could such a domineering secret technique not damage your foundation? Are you determined to fight to the death?"
Gongyang Yongye opened the public chat and spoke to his old friend as a member of the Kang Kingdom faction, but he used the "Secret Voice Transmission" feature, indicating that it was simply a private conversation between Gongyang Yongye and his old friend. Given Gongyang Yongye's character, how could he possibly stand idly by and watch his friend face any difficulties?
My old friend's eyes flickered a few times.
Just when Gongyang Yongye thought he was truly unrepentant, the private chat finally buzzed: "[Sigh, it's all because the central branch is so widely involved. If it weren't for—do you really think I'd just join in the fun? Let alone work for these high-minded, incompetent fools.]"
When you're out in the world, you're bound to get hurt.
Whether in the imperial court or in the martial world, it's all about human relationships and worldly wisdom.
"Well, to be honest, I must win this round, even if my opponent is you." My old friend's words revealed a lot of difficulty, and now was not the time to explain in detail. But since he dared to name Gongyang Yongye and call for him to play, he was naturally confident.
It's clear that the negotiations have broken down.
Just as his old friend kicked Gongyang Yongye away, the latter's voice reached his ears: "Damn it, why didn't you say so earlier? If you just wanted to win, did you have to fight me like this? My knife is broken! You owe them a debt of gratitude, and you owe me one too. We've known each other for decades; I won't put you in a difficult position, okay?"
My old friend said coldly, "Speak like a human being."
Gongyang Yongye couldn't suppress the smile on his lips as he thought about what he was about to say: "I'm guaranteeing you a victory, so you'll just have to buy me some more time. After it's done, whether the Central Plains wins or Kangguo wins, I'll ensure your safety!"
To put it simply, it's about each party getting what they want, and then fixing the match.
Both sides can achieve their goals.
His old friend narrowed his eyes slightly; beneath his smiling, Buddha-like face lay a deadly strike to the throat: [Delaying time?]
He had once fought on the battlefield in his early years, and even after entering the Buddhist order, he did not completely sever his bloodlust—if he wasn't diligent and checked the hills near the temple every few days, those places would be infested with bandits and thugs—he still retains some vigilance to this day.
Why would one side try to stall for time when two armies are facing off?
If a child is quiet, they must be up to no good.
From where is Kang Guo planning to launch a sneak attack and stab them in the back?
The fake Buddha, seemingly compassionate and harmless, quickly realized what secret Gongyang Yongye had spilled. And this fool even said, "The wins and losses are theirs, your life is yours!"
It's just a reinforcement brought in from outside; why risk your life for it?
My old friend chanted the Buddha's name: "Amitabha!"
He neither agreed nor refused, only saying: "I now believe you were forced into this mess. It's impossible for Shen Jun to actively recruit you and give you important responsibilities. This is a headache."
To be fair, Gongyang Yongye was indeed suited to be a master of urology and a miracle doctor who could grant children, but not to dealing with people in the officialdom.
He betrayed his own secrets the moment he opened his mouth.
Which ruler could withstand that?
Gongyang Yongye remained silent for a while, then belatedly realized he had indeed caused a huge disaster. A murderous intent surged within him, and he frantically tried to salvage the situation: "...Is it too late to kill him to silence him?"
Old friend: [It's too late.]
With a brain like that, Gongyang Yongye still claims he wants to have a child himself. Leaving aside how a man could give birth, even if Gongyang Yongye actually had that organ, he still thinks the child's life would be bleak. A disastrous start, born with well-developed limbs and a shrunken brain.
He knew perfectly well that the one in a bind wasn't Gongyang Yongye, but him. What good was knowing secrets he shouldn't know? He had no chance to pass the message on alive; knowing more was just another death warrant. Would the other side even give him a chance to speak? On the other hand, Gongyang Yongye, once he figured things out, could easily kill him with a single blow.
Damn it, I hate those old geezers the most!
They can cheat whenever they want, and no amount of effort can stop them.
Based on the tacit understanding developed over decades of doctor-patient relationships, the two understood each other's intentions with just a glance and began their fake match with serious intent. At their level, the expression of power had gradually approached a state of "simplification from complexity," concealing the immense power capable of shattering mountains beneath a simple surface, seemingly silent but actually containing hidden thunder. Experts could see the chilling effect, while laymen found it boring, even less exciting than two second-rate masters fighting.
Is it difficult to go from complex to simple, but easy to go from simple to complex?
In this strange battlefield with its special restrictions, even a Rank 20 Marquis couldn't fathom the true power hidden beneath their seemingly chaotic moves. It was a perfectly legitimate way to throw a match.
The only flaw lies in time.
[Old man, that's enough, isn't it? If you drag this out any longer, I'll be suspected too.] A fixed match might not drag on forever, but it could certainly be dragged out for a few incense sticks' time. However, the two players' strength levels and the unique nature of the battlefield prevented them from doing so.
That's enough time, know when to stop.
Even with his face bruised and swollen, Gongyang Yongye felt that was enough.
Okay, that's settled then!
Gongyang Yongye and his companion exchanged a quick glance on the cliffside, creating a huge commotion. Taking advantage of the chaos, he first dragged his wounded body back to the formation. His old friend gave chase only tokenly, but was forced back by Shen Tang's arrow. He glared angrily at Gongyang Yongye's retreating figure and uttered harsh words: "Old man Gongyang, you cowardly rat, you've lost this round. Do you accept it?"
"Pooh!"
He spat at his old friend, who was standing on the iron chain, panting heavily.
He lost the fight, but he was still defiant: "What kind of hero takes advantage of someone's misfortune? He's just a fake phoenix who was forcibly promoted through shady means. Does he really think he's some kind of real dragon?"
Two sentences ignited a murderous rage in his old friend.
Gongyang Yongye's insults were so vulgar that I regretted not hitting him hard enough earlier.
"Hmph, no matter how stubborn you are for now, when the two armies clash, I will definitely take your head!" The two old men cursed at each other across the mountains and clouds. If the Central Allied forces hadn't called their men back, they could have continued their verbal sparring for another three or five rounds.
Shen Tang had expected Gongyang Yongye to lose; after all, Lao Deng had been coasting for a long time, always maintaining a "what's the big deal? Why work so hard?" attitude, consistently embracing the "laissez-faire" philosophy. But she hadn't expected him to maintain such a good mindset even after a defeat. It seemed he wasn't concerned about losing his entire fortune; winning or losing didn't bother him at all. But what could she do now that she'd already lost?
"Your Excellency has great endurance."
Although they lost, Gongyang Yongye exceeded his delaying quota in this round, so Shen Tang couldn't say he was unreliable. For an elite army, the morale loss from a duel wouldn't affect the overall situation. Gongyang Yongye wiped the blood from his nose and said, "Hmph, good to know. I, Gongyang Yongye, have always been upright and honest, and this is the first time I've done something so dishonorable."
For military generals, throwing a match is very shameful.
Not only will their abilities be questioned, but their character will also be condemned. Anyone with a shred of decency would rather die than live in dishonor.
Gongyang Yongye made a huge sacrifice this time.
Shen Tang, sensing the subtle meaning behind the music, her eyes gleaming, immediately guessed that Gongyang Yongye's enduring prowess was likely due to a shady deal he'd made with an old friend. She glanced at the incense out of the corner of her eye, preparing to tell Luo San to go and try it.
Unexpectedly, someone else seized the opportunity first.
"Your Highness, this humble general is willing to volunteer for battle!"
His gentle, clear voice didn't sound like that of a martial artist.
All eyes turned to the usually quiet Ji Moqiu, and some even had doubts in their eyes—they didn't know much about Ji Moqiu, but the latter had been by his lord's side for many years, and he had a face similar to Gongxi Chou, which made it difficult for those generals who had fought with Gongxi Chou to ignore him.
only--
Is Ji Moqiu a martial artist?
Isn't he a scholar?
Although the lord did not directly bestow upon Ji Moqiu the title of "High Priest of Kangguo," he was still addressed as "High Priest" in daily life. As she addressed him more often, the courtiers would occasionally also use "High Priest" to refer to him, while Qi Shan and others preferred to call him Lord Ji Mo.
After discussing the title, let's look at their attire.
Jimo Qiu has always worn wide-sleeved robes in a scholarly style.
She possesses a gentle and refined temperament, quite unlike her brother.
Isn't it reasonable for these two brothers to be one scholar and the other warrior?
Some people belatedly realized that the Ji Mo Qiu brothers both belonged to the ranks of martial artists. How did they come to have this stereotype of scholars?
Shen Tang hesitated for a moment: "Is the High Priest going to participate?"
Ji Moqiu said, "I am willing to sign a military pledge."
This statement means it's either win or lose!
Some military officers voiced their opposition, indicating a lack of trust in Ji Moqiu.
The latter rarely makes a move, and despite having a face strikingly similar to Gongxi Chou, he never exudes any sense of intimidation. He seems rather unreliable, given his refined and gentle demeanor. Furthermore, the High Priest has always been portrayed as a support character; would he be suitable for dueling?
A military order is not a joke.
This could easily escalate; it wouldn't just be irresponsible towards one's own life, but also a joke on the lives of the entire army. Faced with the criticism, Ji Moqiu smiled good-naturedly: "Am I too good-natured?"
Shen Tang swallowed back her words of dissuasion.
The general, who had also received medical help from Ji Moqiu, spoke politely, saying, "A duel between generals is no child's play; High Priest, please reconsider."
Give them a way out and they'll accept it.
Ji Moqiu: "..."
He really did seem too easy to talk to.
If it were Gong Xichou, probably no one would dare to say no.
Ji Moqiu raised his hand, unleashing crimson martial energy that covered his entire body. After the flames subsided, his robes transformed into white robes and red armor, and his wooden staff burned away, leaving only a long sword. Only then did everyone realize that the body that had been wrapped in the high priest's wide robe for so many years was clearly that of a standard martial artist.
And his aura—
Gongyang Yongye was taken aback.
Pointing at Ji Moqiu, he said, "The peak of the Grand Chancellor? Him?"
He was one of the few people present who had witnessed Ji Moqiu in a fight. On one occasion, Ji Moqiu had even defeated the Gongxi Chou brothers in one fell swoop, forcing Ji Moqiu to intervene and rescue them. How long has it been since then, and Ji Moqiu's strength and realm have already surpassed Gongxi Chou's? Is this really reasonable?
The group of military officers: "???"
Isn't the peak of the Grand Master of the Prisons the eighteenth rank?
He was just one step away from becoming the Marquis of Guannei under Gongyang Yongye.
Even Qi Shan and the others were somewhat surprised.
It's no wonder they reacted this way. Ji Moqiu has been a dutiful bodyguard for Shen Tang all these years, always clocking in and out without fail, a feat that puts all the other guards to shame. While the guards are paid for their shifts, Ji Moqiu is essentially paying out of his own pocket to go to work.
That's too ruthless; you can't win against someone like that.
Fortunately, he disliked ostentation and never sought an official position for himself, leaving his officials puzzled as to what he was after. How could someone in this world be so bizarre as to pay their own way to work? Seeking neither fame nor fortune, could this person possibly be plotting against the emperor?
That doesn't make sense either. Officials petitioned for him to be granted the title of Attendant to the Emperor, but he didn't seem to push for it. His presence was subtle, his speech was understated, and his actions were unassuming. This style left many self-proclaimed seasoned veterans who considered themselves to have seen through the ways of power and unable to guess what he was thinking.
Surely she can't really be as indifferent as a chrysanthemum?
A hint of amazement flickered in Shen Tang's eyes, but she remained calm on the surface, as if she had known all along: "Envious, aren't you? If you had such great talent as him, and a sucker willing to give you a 'boost of enlightenment,' you could probably have reached this point much sooner."
It wasn't that Shen Tang was mocking Ji Moqiu, but rather stating a fact. Gong Xi Chou had complained that his brother was obsessed with Gu magic, spending seven or eight tenths of his energy on cultivating divine arts, while his efforts in honing his martial arts skills were sporadic, and he was not proactive in battle or enthusiastic about fighting.
If he had been a little more diligent, the martial energy that unlucky Marquis Che instilled in him would have been completely absorbed two years ago, and advancing his martial courage rank to the nineteenth level of Marquis within the Pass would have been no problem. Unfortunately, Ji Moqiu lacked the enthusiasm, and Gongxi Chou's excuses couldn't sway him.
Gongyang Yongye: "..."
Luo San: "..."
Ji Moqiu said, "Your Highness, my ambitions lie elsewhere."
For the high priest, anything outside of divine magic is considered heresy.
With his agreeable face, Ji Moqiu slowly walked towards the iron chain and said gently, "I am Ji Moqiu, please accept my fate!"
(=`=；)ゞ
I recently read a youth campus novel, and wow, the romance between teenagers brought even the dead back to life. It even made someone like me, who loves action and violence, want to give it a try.
(End of this chapter)
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