Chapter 776: Ignoring It [Seeking Monthly Tickets]
Luan Xin's words undoubtedly gave Chu Yao a shot in the arm, and he hurriedly asked, "[Hope? What good strategies does Gongyi have?]"
Luan Xin said slowly: "The way of the scholar."
Chu Yao frowned: [Your way of the scholar?]
The ways of scholars are all personal matters, and they are generally not known to outsiders. Luan Xin's situation is somewhat special. When he entered Shen Tang's service, he revealed the secret as "silent nourishment," and so far he has only been honest with Shen Tang. Therefore, the information that Chu Yao knows is also "silent nourishment"—Luan Xin can infuse his literary energy into rainwater, which can indeed reveal the enemy's marching route.
With both sides' positions transparent, one can strive to avoid them.
However, they have already used this tactic.
Could it be that justice has other tricks up its sleeve?
Does his approach to literature have another subtle application?
Luan Xin continued speaking slowly, his words causing the listeners great anxiety, yet they dared not urge him: "Previously, in the Allied Army camp, I tried to get close to the scholars and intellectuals within the camp. Among them, one scholar under Wu Zhaode's command was somewhat special."
Luan Xin's true scholar's way is "interpreting similar things by analogy," which, once activated, allows him to perceive and copy the scholar's way of others. He can only back up a maximum of five copies before his scholar's way is fully mastered. Each copy of another's scholar's way places a greater burden on his body. This is one reason why Luan Xin's reactions are slow—he is constantly overloaded.
Reason told him to take it easy, but every time he saw a new and interesting way of the scholar, he couldn't help but save a copy, just in case he might need it someday. The most painful thing in life is to accumulate a new way of the scholar and painfully discard an old one.
Some of the ways of the scholar are now extinct.
Because the main character died.
Once it's removed, he'll never have the chance to make a copy again; a typical example is Miao Shu's "Silent Nurturing".
Chu Yao did not immediately understand the meaning behind Luan Xin's words.
You mean... the scholars under Wu Zhaode's command?
What is the other party's connection to the current situation?
Luan Xin was also anxious, but his reaction time was forced to be prolonged, and the two of them spent a lot of time exchanging words.
Instead of omitting the unusual aspect of openly revealing his scholarly way, he went straight to the point: "This person's scholarly way is called 'seeing nothing,' which might resolve the current crisis. Simply activate it on the enemy's target, and you'll unconsciously ignore its existence."
However, this effect is not absolute.
It was ignored, but not completely ignored.
Chu Yao: [? ? ? 】
Luan Xin continued, "Zhang Yongqing's troops are pursuing us. If we could use the methods of the literati to influence ourselves..."
Chu Yao: [Zhang Yongqing lost track of him while chasing him?]
Luan Xin nodded emphatically after several breaths.
As the distance increases, the influence of the Scholar's Way weakens, and Zhang Yongqing's troops will discover the trail and continue the pursuit. Besides distance, the coverage area of the Scholar's Way is also a factor. Luan Xin mentally calculated that the maximum distance between the two sides was approximately twenty li!
This is a very dangerous distance.
Chu Yao gritted his teeth and made up his mind: [Let's give it our all.]
The Scholar's Way requires a large amount of literary energy to activate, and it is obviously unrealistic to use it continuously for a long time; even Luan Xin himself could not withstand it. This requires timing it perfectly each time.
They're almost there! Activate the Scholar's Way, and the target disappears.
Create distance, the Scholar's Path is closed, the target appears;
They're almost there! Activate the Scholar's Way, and the target disappears.
Create distance, close the path of the literati, target...
And so it goes, in a continuous cycle.
For some reason, Chu Yao was reminded of a joke his lord had told him.
A fish has only seven breaths of memory. One day, it sees a pile of poop. "Huh, what's this?" It tastes it, finds it unpalatable, and spits it out. Seven breaths later, it sees another pile of poop. "Huh, what's this?" It tastes it, finds it unpalatable, and spits it out... and so on, in a never-ending cycle.
Zhang He's army was like that fish whose memory lasted only seven breaths.
A dozen or so breaths later, Luan Xin's face looked very ugly.
Q: [Is Wu Hui saying we're shit?]
This is obviously not important.
The important thing is that Zhang Yongqing's troops were completely outmaneuvered, and it was also a pity for Shen Tang's team, who kept a close distance and chased after them.
Gong Xichou was indeed a master of infiltration.
Possessing certain serpentine qualities, he moved freely through the shadows, ethereal and agile like wisps of smoke, leaving no trace even to the most skilled scouts. He discovered Chu Yao's troops by a riverbank. Before this, they had been engaged in a struggle with Zhang Yongqing's forces for eight or nine days, their nerves constantly on edge, never daring to relax for a moment. Even the strongest man would not be able to withstand such torment.
The grain they escorted was less than 30% of the original amount.
Everyone took the time to replenish their energy and rest.
Luan Cheng was bending over at the riverbank, drawing water and filling his bamboo tube. Just as he was about to straighten up, he vaguely saw a dark shadow dart across the water. He was so frightened that his hair stood on end. The shock overcame his fatigue, and his tired mind became completely clear. He rubbed his eyes, but there was nothing unusual.
"Could it be a hallucination?"
Luan Cheng murmured softly, not quite sure.
Whether it was a hallucination or not, he couldn't linger by the river; his uncle and the others were thirsty and waiting for water. Luan Cheng filled several bamboo tubes and held them in his arms. The bamboo tubes were distributed, and Chu Yao used his spiritual energy to heat and boil his and Luan Xin's tubes.
Luan Xin said, "Save your literary flair."
Chu Yao chuckled: "My lord often says that wild insects like to lay their eggs in water, which is difficult to distinguish with the naked eye. Unboiled water should not be consumed lightly. It's worth sacrificing a little literary skill."
We used to have the means to start a fire, but now it's too late.
Luan Xin could only accept this thoughtful gesture.
Just as Chu Yao was about to eat some dry rations with water, and the bamboo tube was near his lips, a barely perceptible movement came from the military formation he had set up! Suddenly, his expression changed drastically, and Luan Cheng also gripped his sword hilt in fright. Only Luan Xin hesitated for a few moments before asking, "What is it?"
Chu Yao stared straight at the river.
The soldiers closest to the river also noticed the unusual activity.
They all entered a state of preparation for war and defense.
Splash—
A net-like water snake crawled ashore from underwater, raising its head high, its cold, serpentine eyes piercing through the crowd and landing on Chu Yao and the others. What stirred the crowd even more was that the water snake swam forward two steps and, before everyone's eyes, transformed into human form.
Luan Cheng drew his sword and stood in front of his uncle.
Ahead, the crowd was in turmoil.
"Snake! Snake spirit!"
"What a huge snake demon!"
Only Chu Yao saw the snake spirit's face clearly. He was slightly surprised, raised his hand to signal those around him not to panic, and went straight forward.
He asked uncertainly, "Gongxi Langjun?"
Gong Xichou used his martial energy to evaporate the river water from his body.
Facing Chu Yao, he nodded: "It's me!"
Chu Yao asked, "Why is Young Master Gongxi here?"
Gong Xichou said, "Naturally, Mama sent me."
"My lord? My lord has arrived?"
Gong Xichou briefly explained the situation and then inquired about the casualties on Chu Yao's side. Chu Yao immediately saw through his plan and shook his head regretfully: "My soldiers are exhausted and our horses are weary. I'm afraid we are unable to support our lord in attacking Zhang Yongqing's forces from both sides. This move is too risky..."
They had previously fought against Zhang He's troops.
As expected, they were unable to cope.
They had no choice but to abandon their supplies and cut their losses to survive.
If Zhang He's side hadn't also been short of food, and hadn't resorted to extreme measures like fire attacks to burn their grain, that encounter would have been far from certain death.
“Alright then.” Gongxi Chou went straight to the point with his next question, spreading his hands, “Give me the Imperial Seal.”
Luan Cheng was intimidated by Gong Xi Chou's imposing manner and dared not step forward.
Upon hearing this, he momentarily forgot his fear.
He said angrily, "Military Advisor Chu, be careful, it might be a trap!"
Luan Xin raised his hand and sheathed the sword that Luan Cheng had drawn, his expression strangely odd. Although Luan Xin hadn't had much contact with Gong Xi Chou, the scene of Gong Xi Chou and his lord repelling each other's hidden arrows beneath the walls of Xiaocheng was something he would remember for a lifetime!
It's hard to say about others, but our lord has absolute trust in Gongxi Chou. Entrusting the Imperial Seal to him to draw away the pursuers isn't out of the question. Chu Yao shared the same thought and gestured for his personal guards to bring over the sword case containing the broken sword and hand it to Gongxi Chou.
Gong Xichou accepted it and carried it on his back.
He said, "Mama is right behind Zhang Yongqing's troops. Once I lure them away, you can join them quickly!"
Chu Yao cupped his hands and said, "Thank you!"
Gong Xichou waved his hand dismissively.
This was a trivial matter for him.
Luring the enemy away requires skill.
Gong Xichou initially used the marching speed of Chu Yao's troops to confuse the enemy, circling them in a small area before leading them in completely different directions. Soon after, Shen Tang's scouts reported that Zhang Yongqing's marching direction had deviated from Chu Yao's, and the deviation was widening. From this, she deduced that Zhang He had been briefly lured away and was hurrying to rejoin Chu Yao.
The two armies traveled in opposite directions and met up very quickly.
only--
When the two armies closed the distance to less than twenty miles, Shen Tang's expression suddenly changed, and a terrifying killing intent vaguely lingered around him.
Even Wei Shou was alarmed by the murderous aura emanating from it.
He first steadied his frightened warhorse, then asked Shen Tang, "My lord—what has happened ahead?"
Shen Tang's knuckles turned white from gripping the reins so tightly.
You can still faintly hear clicking sounds.
Her face was deathly pale, as if all color had been drained from her, and beneath her pupils lurked a dangerous volcano about to erupt. Shen Tang gritted her teeth: "Wu Hui—"
Wei Shou's heart skipped a beat: "What happened to Chu Wuhui?"
Judging from this situation, could it be that the person is dead?
Did Zhang Yongqing fail to be lured away and instead launch a surprise attack?
Shen Tang's killing intent surged, and he said hatefully, "Come with me!"
The killing intent in her heart had surged to an uncontrollable level! But what terrified Wei Shou even more was not this, but the faint black mist emanating from her body, vaguely revealing the outline of a human figure. The figure's eyes were tinged with crimson.
Wei Shou said, "My lord, please bear with it!"
Given this situation, evil thoughts are about to get out of control!
If the evil thought were to leave the body at this moment and the two sides were to fight, the one who would ultimately benefit would be that scoundrel Zhang Yongqing!
Ignoring the strong wind rushing towards him, Shen Tang's tone was calm yet carried a chilling undertone: "I'm very restrained!"
At this moment, Wei Shou was in a real bind.
He was heartbroken and grieved by Chu Wuhui's tragic death at such a distance, and terrified by Shen Tang's uncontrollable malice. Just as he was worrying about how to retrieve Chu Yao's body and how to explain it to Rui Ji, he heard the sound of horses' hooves.
This must be Zhang Yongqing's troops!
Pink martial energy surged from his right hand and the warhorse beneath him.
In an instant, a giant axe was in hand, and a warhorse was clad in armor.
Wei Shou lowered his center of gravity slightly, and when a figure appeared at the edge of his vision, he leaped up, pushed off his horse's back, and charged towards the enemy like a pink cannonball. The wind whistled past his ears, and just as he was about to raise his giant axe, the enemy in front of him hastily raised a barrier of literary energy.
Hmph, such a trivial trick!
Without dodging, he smashed through the enemy with his body, charging towards them at undiminished speed, only to meet a pair of eyes filled with fear, suspicion, confusion, and astonishment. Hmm? The owner of those eyes looks familiar? This thought startled Wei Shou, causing him to brake abruptly mid-air.
Emmm——
The brakes failed to stop.
Driven by inertia, Wei Shou collided with a group of people.
Chu Yao suddenly tightened the reins, turned around on his horse to look at Wei Shou, and gritted his teeth, saying, "Wei Yuanyuan, give me an explanation?"
Wei Shou: "..."
In just a short while, Shen Tang also saw Chu Yao.
"No obscurity!"
Chu Yao's attention was temporarily diverted: "My lord!"
At this moment, Shen Tang was no longer the person Wei Shou should worry about.
She rode up on her motorcycle, looking at Chu Yao with a mixture of surprise and delight, a hint of barely perceptible suspicion in her eyes—Chu Yao was clearly within her sight, yet her senses were blank. Shen Tang didn't doubt the other person's authenticity; she felt only relief.
No matter what, safety is the most important thing!
Wei Shou, supporting his aching back, stood up and spat out the sand from the corner of his mouth.
Chu Yao's attention was diverted, but Luan Xin, who was slow to react, did not: "General Wei, why did you ambush us just now?"
Wei Shou was like a mute eating bitter melon, unable to express his suffering.
He decided to give up entirely and said irritably, "What else could it be? They must have mistaken you for enemy soldiers..."
He strained his back just now!
Chu Yao: "???"
Luan Xin is still processing the chat messages.
Shen Tang scratched his head: "I suddenly lost my connection with Wu Hui and thought something bad had happened to you, so I misunderstood."
Chu Yao was also puzzled: "Why is that?"
How could Shen Tang know?
After a dozen or so breaths, the mystery was solved.
Luan Xin silently put away the phrase "ignore".
That mysterious connection has re-established itself.
Shen Tang: "???"
She was completely bewildered at that moment.
Is there a bug in the world's design?
This minor incident was quickly put aside for the time being.
Because Gongxi Chou could only buy so much time—he could lure Zhang He's troops away with the imperial seal, but he alone couldn't fabricate the appearance of a thousand-strong army. Given Zhang He's cautious nature, he would soon realize this was a diversionary tactic!
The most important thing right now is to avoid the enemy and get back to Chaoli Pass.
"Let's not delay, let's go!"
——
Zhang He realized something was wrong sooner than Shen Tang expected, and he stared grimly at the location of the Imperial Seal not far away.
He raised his hand and beckoned a trusted general.
Our side pretended not to have discovered it, allowing him to lie in wait and investigate.
Before long, the news came back.
They fell for their trap!
Zhang He narrowed his eyes, a calculating and weighing light surging within them: "Have you seen who holds the Imperial Seal right now?"
As far as he knew, Chu Yao's army was weak, lacking any capable martial artists to lead it. Their only redeeming quality was their swift and decisive execution of the military advisor's orders. They would retreat without hesitation, and abandon precious rations without batting an eye.
Sending the valiant warrior with the Imperial Seal to draw away their forces must be a desperate measure to cut off their tail and survive. Zhang He's heart trembled.
They prepared to capture a lone, daring martial artist.
result--
The military officer looked troubled.
"My lord, that man... he seems to be Gongxi Chou."
Zhang He's eyes widened in fury: "Which Gongxi Chou?"
Gongxi Chou, there is only one like him in the world!
(_)
I had just recovered a bit from my cold today, but my baby developed a fever this afternoon. His temperature fluctuated wildly, and he was crying and fussing. My mom took him straight to the hospital tonight, leaving me at home to write. They said his temperature reached a high of 39 degrees Celsius, which was terrifying. The municipal women and children's hospital prescribed medication and told me to go home and observe.
Sigh, another sleepless night.
(End of this chapter)
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