Chapter 249: Holding a Grudge [Part 2]
Gu Chi was certain that he was not injured.
So, where did this blood come from?
He and Kang Shi both looked at Qi Shan, whose forehead was covered in a thin layer of sweat and whose face was pale. Kang Shi grabbed Qi Shan's hand, which had fallen onto Gu Chi's sleeve, and was shocked to find that there was a wound running across Qi Shan's palm, with the skin torn open and blood dripping.
Kang Shi asked, "When were you injured?"
Judging from the color of the blood in the wound, it was a fresh injury.
Gu Chi said, "It wasn't there when we set up camp and broke out of the stronghold."
From the moment the army set out until they encountered the rebel army led by Gongxi Chou, there were no other setbacks along the way, let alone any injury to Qi Shan, a scholar of the literary mind. It should be noted that while scholars of the literary mind might not be good at other things, they have definitely honed their skills in escaping and dodging.
Looking at the location of the wound, a scene flashed through his mind, and an absurd idea surfaced in Kang Shi's heart. To verify his guess, he raised his hand and pressed on Qi Shan's chest, shoulders, back, and other parts, and felt some abnormalities even through the fabric.
He didn't use much force, but Qi Shan still winced in pain.
Gu Chi, being a shrewd person, initially didn't understand the meaning behind Kang Shi's actions, but he quickly realized it. He suddenly opened his eyes wide and turned to look at the battlefield where powerful explosions were constantly erupting.
He mouthed to Kang Shi without speaking, and Kang Shi nodded.
Gu Chi: "..."
The absurd conjecture was confirmed, and Gu Chi couldn't help but wonder if the sun had risen in the west—Qi Shan, who had always been criticized as a "lord killer" and a "wicked schemer," actually had such a "loyal and benevolent" side? Willing to be a puppet for someone else? He really wasn't afraid of death!
Kang Shi seemed to remember something.
He said in a low voice, "I'm afraid it's not what we think."
Gu Chi said, "How could it not be?"
These inexplicably appearing injuries are in the exact same locations as the injuries sustained by Shen Lang in the previous duel, suggesting they occurred at the same time.
Aside from evil spells like substitute puppets, I can't think of any other possibility. But isn't this wicked method just something imagined and fabricated from a folk tale?
Kang Shi did not explain anything else.
He merely offered a reminder: "The way of the scholar."
Gu Chi: "..."
Kang Shi offered him a new idea.
As is well known, the way of the scholar is a very special kind of "spirit of words," and also a double-edged sword that can pierce oneself at any time.
A prime example is Gu Chi's "mind reading".
Except for a very few special cases—such as Gu Ren—Gu Chi can easily know anyone's thoughts. The other person's secrets have no privacy in front of him. But the disadvantage is also obvious: Gu Chi cannot control it flexibly.
Since waking up, he has hardly had a proper night's sleep.
Even when he hid in the deep, uninhabited mountains and forests, avoiding the clamor of voices and the malice in people's hearts, the excessive consumption of his literary energy still put a great burden on his body, making him weak and chronically ill, turning him into a walking pharmacy.
Another example is Kang Shi's saying, "He always loses when he gambles."
This scholar's way of life wasn't as simple as losing a bet; those close to him were also affected, and Kang Shi himself experienced various setbacks. He later resorted to gambling to alleviate this predicament, but even then, he dared not associate too closely with others…
Kang Shi and Yan An were able to become friends and visit each other often in their youth, mainly because Yan An's scholarly way of life could somewhat restrain him.
Simply put, to be friends with Kangshi, you need to be tough!
So, the way of the scholar who prays for goodness—
Is it just a simple case of "killing one's master"?
In retrospect, that is not entirely true.
Gu Chi couldn't help but complain, "If Qi Yuanliang's former lords knew this, wouldn't they be kicking themselves?"
As long as you completely trust Qi Shan, Qi Shan's life will be entirely in your hands, and you can even gain a second life...
but--
This may be related to the fact that Qi Shan's previous lords were all "spoiled and pampered." Let alone fighting to the death in battle, they would ride horses and be carried in sedan chairs when they went out, with heavy protection around them, making it difficult for assassins to make a move, let alone to injure them by assassination.
Without injury, there will be no "surprise".
Gu Chi couldn't help but sigh.
He thought he was no different from Qi Shan.
Who would have thought that Qi Shan, who appeared to be a notorious "evil schemer," was actually so "loyal" to his master behind the scenes? Ah, truly incomparable. At this moment, Qi Shan also recovered.
The first thing I saw when I opened my eyes was the disgusting expression on Gu Chi's face.
She sat up abruptly and pushed him away.
Upon seeing the bloodstains on her hands and Gu Chi's sleeves, she instantly realized that these two shrewd people knew her secret, and she was secretly furious.
Gu Chi said, "Don't be reckless."
Qi Shan: "..."
He whispered, "Keep it a secret for now."
Gu Chi looked at Qi Shan with a questioning gaze, asking if she was joking.
If the injuries weren't serious, Qi Shan wouldn't have had much trouble keeping it from Shen Tang. But with such severe injuries, it would most likely be discovered, and a little questioning would reveal the truth. If she still doesn't understand, either Shen Lang is blind, or he knows but is pretending not to.
Qi Shan took a couple of breaths and stood up, taking Kang Shi's hand.
He said calmly, "Otherwise what?"
The operation of a force requires the advice and assistance of scholars and literati, but it also needs powerful martial artists to be in charge, deterring villains from all directions and preventing them from daring to underestimate or offend it.
Gong Shuwu alone is far from enough.
Powerful martial artists aren't easy to recruit. Why would someone give up a bright future to join a little-known, insignificant force that can't even pay its employees? Is it out of pure passion?
Since there aren't enough people, Young Master Shen will have to fill in for now.
Once this battle is won, recruiting others will be much easier.
As for these injuries—
It doesn't matter at all!
Compared to life, everything else is trivial.
Gu Chi: "..."
Kang Shi: "..."
Shen Lang's academic performance is indeed severely unbalanced, with a strong emphasis on both academics and martial arts.
At this time, Wu Xian, the leader of the alliance, also sent someone to offer his condolences.
Qi Shan simply replied indifferently, "It's just that an old wound has reopened, and I've also suffered from excessive damage before. I just need to rest for a while."
Alliance Leader Wu Xian didn't seem to doubt these words.
Qi Shan and his group fought their way out of Xiaocheng. How could they possibly be unharmed in such a chaotic situation? In addition, the journey was bumpy, and their injuries were difficult to heal. Furthermore, Lord Shen and Gongxi Chou fought each other and were on the verge of death many times. It is normal for their old wounds to rupture in their excitement.
but--
As the leader of the alliance, one should still make some gestures.
He planned to send some good medicinal herbs over after the battle was over.
Lord Shen also suffered many injuries. Whether it was sending one or two gifts, it was still sending gifts. There was never too much favor that could be exchanged for gifts.
Upon hearing this, the scholar in the black robe frowned.
However, firstly, he hadn't personally gone to check on her; secondly, he didn't know the details of the "old injury" Qi Shan mentioned; and thirdly, Kang Shi and the other man appeared calm, so Qi Shan's injury was probably not serious...
It's impossible to speculate that this is related to the Confucian path of praying for good.
They missed an opportunity to learn the truth.
At the same time, the time for Shen Tang and Gong Xi Chou to settle their differences had come. It wasn't that Shen Tang couldn't withstand the pressure, but rather that Gong Xi Chou had his own considerations—in the previous duel, both sides had won one and lost one, but warfare was not as simple as a best-of-three series.
It would be great to win the third game, but it wouldn't matter if we didn't.
The Allied forces still had well-preserved martial arts masters eyeing him covetously. If he expended too much energy here, he would be at a great disadvantage when the two armies clashed. After much consideration, he decided to conserve his strength and settle the matter with a single move against Shen Tang.
And so a comical scene unfolded: he and Shen Tang fought fiercely, leaving afterimages everywhere, while he bluntly shared his thoughts. The noise of the fight completely drowned out their barely audible voices.
Gongxi Chou asked her, "What does Mama think?"
He wasn't worried at all that Shen Tang would refuse, because he was certain that Shen Tang was the same kind of person as him—they could die at the hands of the strong, but they absolutely could not be worn down to death by an ant weaker than themselves through a war of attrition, especially after they had to fight two hard battles.
Because whether for oneself or for an opponent one respects, this kind of death is too humiliating, it's infuriating.
Shen Tang pondered for a moment.
After delivering a heavy blow to Gong Xichou, they quickly separated.
She was drenched in sweat, which diluted the blood flowing from her wounds, causing a persistent, stinging pain. Her breathing was rapid after the fierce battle, her chest heaving. Despite her disheveled state, she held her head high and defiantly accepted the challenge.
"Since that's the case, so be it!"
Gongxi Chou laughed loudly: "Bring it on, whatever tricks you have!"
Shen Tang was definitely the most formidable opponent he had ever encountered in his life.
He was also looking forward to the new surprises the other party would bring him.
Shen Tang naturally wouldn't disappoint him.
She swung her sword.
Shake off the blood and grime from the sword.
The Mother's Sword has returned to its original, gleaming state.
She said, "Then you can watch carefully."
As soon as she finished speaking, she flung the longsword out of her hand.
Gongxi Chou thought this was the ultimate move, so he dared not underestimate his opponent. He focused his energy and began to gather power in his halberd, ready to strike.
only--
The longsword, though flung out, didn't hurtle towards Gong Xichou's face. Instead, it mysteriously stopped halfway in their path. Shen Tang raised his hand and said firmly, "All generals, heed my command—"
Immediately afterwards, the corpses of the Qi giants, who had been slaughtered by Gong Xichou's soldiers, actually started to move!
It transformed into the purest black and white literary energy, surging wildly towards the Compassionate Mother Sword, and was completely absorbed in an instant!
But that's not enough!
That's far from enough!
At this moment, the Allied forces realized something was wrong.
The surrounding天地气 (heaven and earth energy) seemed to...
The scholar in the black shirt suddenly raised his head.
Gu Ren raised his hand to sense it.
He murmured, "Has the energy of heaven and earth been drained?"
Yes, the surrounding area of heaven and earth energy was forcefully drawn away, like a whale swallowing a dragon, surging towards the sword!
The whole process took only two or three breaths.
Upon seeing this, Gong Xichou was both excited and solemn, realizing that the next move would be no simple matter!
Shen Tang did not disappoint him.
"Thousands of mountains—"
The word "two" came out.
A surge of black and white ink-like energy erupted from the sword.
In an instant, they coalesced into countless sword shadows.
Shen Tang continued, "Birds have vanished!"
Both armies stared intently at the dense array of sword shadows.
My scalp is tingling!
Although the sword shadows are all very faint and blurry, and the power of a single one is not great, its destructive power should be similar to that of an arrow condensed by an ordinary martial artist, but—there are thousands upon thousands of them! If ten thousand swords are unleashed at once, even Gong Xi Chou, who has lost nearly half his strength in two fierce battles, will not be able to withstand it.
Alliance Leader Wu Xian excitedly gripped the armrest and straightened up.
The others also harbored a hint of anticipation.
Hurry, hurry, hurry—
Kill Gong Xichou!!!
However, some people are more clear-headed.
For example, the scholar in a black robe.
A closer look reveals that these sword shadows are quite weak. Their sheer number is intimidating, but they are actually feeble, clearly due to insufficient spiritual energy. If they were to force themselves to unleash a full attack, it's likely that before Gongxi Chou could even injure him, Shen Langzhu would be severely injured by the backlash!
Gu Chi and Kang Shi were even less of an option. They didn't even need to look at Shen Tang's condition or the sword shadows; just by seeing Qi Shan spitting blood, they knew that this move would be barely able to unleash even a tenth of its power.
As expected, Shen Tang did not utter the second half of the sentence.
It's not that I don't want to, it's that I can't.
Just thinking about it made her vision blur. Shen Tang didn't want to faint here and let some nobody get the kill.
She steeled herself and gritted her teeth to start.
In an instant, thousands of sword shadows rained down on the rebel camp.
Practice makes perfect.
Gong Xichou was prepared.
Shen Tang's last move was also aimed at the army.
The familiar scene played out once again.
More than 10,000 rebel soldiers shouted in unison: "Defend!"
Although today's battle was different from that one at the walls of Xiaocheng, where Gongxi Chou won three duels and killed one general, the army's morale was just as high, perhaps even surpassing it. This was because, in addition to their high spirits, they also possessed a greater sense of grief and indignation, and a willingness to die for their cause!
Seeing the pent-up morale gathering above the army, blotting out the sky, Alliance Leader Wu Xian seized the opportunity to issue the order to attack.
A loud bugle call sounded.
The morale of the Allied forces had been dragged out for too long, fluctuating between high and low. Coupled with Gong Xichou's absolute strength, which was like the arrival of a god of death, their morale was relatively lower than that of the rebels. However, thanks to Shen Tang's performance in the last battle, the situation was much better than expected.
One army forms shields, the other transforms into spears.
The Compassionate Mother Sword flew towards Gong Xi Chou, blocking his return to reinforce, while the sword shadow fell towards the giant shield formed by the force of ten thousand troops.
Shen Tang raised her hand to wipe away the blood that had spilled from the corner of her mouth.
He stared intently at the giant shield.
He said coldly, "Break it open for me!"
Thousands of sword shadows fell with earth-shattering force.
Rumble—
Rumble—
The moment the two made contact, countless dense flames shot into the sky.
The world fell silent for a moment.
The earth shook violently, the wind howled, and the heatwave seemed to boil the air. The ear-piercing sounds of the impact mingled with the battle cries of the two armies, and almost everyone's eyes turned bloodshot. It was unclear whether they were reddened by the firelight or by the murderous intent surging within their hearts.
Sizzle sizzle—
Sparks flew everywhere!
Shen Tang stood between the two armies.
She wasn't tall, but at this moment she gave off a sense of loneliness, standing on a divine altar, even inspiring the illusion of submission. Finally, the giant shield could no longer bear the weight.
The dull "crack" sounded like heavenly music to Shen Tang's ears. She watched as countless cracks spread wildly in all directions. The moment the sword shadow dissipated, the giant shield shattered completely. Shen Tang's eyes lit up with extraordinary brilliance at the sight.
Gong Xichou: "..."
The Mother's Sword that blocked him was just a feint.
Shen Tang has only one true goal.
That giant shield was formed from the combined might of ten thousand troops.
He couldn't help but recall the scene outside Xiaocheng City that day.
She pouted and said, "Mommy really holds grudges like no other."
Shen Tang forced herself to watch the giant shield disappear.
In the instant she disappeared, she had also reached her limit.
Having lost all strength, it fell straight forward.
A sharp-eyed rebel soldier fired a cold arrow at her, but before the arrow could reach her, Shen Tang, who had not yet fallen, vanished on the spot.
Upon seeing this, Gongxi Chou's brow relaxed.
Next time—
He will achieve true victory!
(σ)σ:*☆
Today I had the pleasure of trying out a TTC Silver Switch keyboard, and wow, it really is fast! Although my typing speed isn't as fast as it was a few years ago, it's still a slight improvement.
I'll try the gold powder switch tomorrow; it's lighter than the Quicksilver.
PS: Cherry MX Brown and Blue switches are definitely the keyboards I regret buying the most, damn it.
(End of this chapter)
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