Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
That was when footsteps could be heard from outside the door.
It was Cheng Dongfeng.
He had not entered, but his upset voice was already audible.
“Rubbish!”
“You’re a rank-two, why would you join in the fray?”
“Could he had gotten away if I didn’t have to save you?”
At the same, time, Su Ze’s aggrieved voice could be heard too. “Didn’t I stop him, Master Cheng? Why are you blaming me now?”
Then, both men came through the door, with Cheng Dongfeng walking ahead.
His mouth twitched when he saw Jiang He, although he abruptly broke into laughter, saying, “You’re here too, Jiang He? Long time, no see… why do you look more handsome now?”
Jiang He flashed a vague smile and offered a fist and palm salute. “Grandmaster Cheng.”
Even as he spoke, he glanced at Su Ze.
Shuddering, Su Ze lowered his head in embarrassment, afraid to look at Jiang He. Still, he said, “Master Cheng, Chief Duan. I suddenly remembered something I have to do, so I’ll be going on ahead.”
With that, he fled.
After all, he feared Cheng Dongfeng would beat him up later to vent his anger.
Meanwhile, Duan Tianhe, who was not aware of the details, did not ask about it despite noting the weird tone between both men. “Old Cheng, how were things over at the East Tower? How bad was it?”
Cheng Dongfeng’s expression was solemn. His clothes were coated with Feral blood as he seethed, “Hundreds were dead when I got there. There were three waves of Ferals attacking, with the strongest amongst them being a rank-four, but all thirty-nine of them had been killed.”
“Also, the Sky Demon Cult were controlling all those Ferals. I’ve come across a wind-type Awakened in the operation—he wasn’t powerful, but he’s quick, and he managed to flee.”
Sitting behind his desk, Duan Tianhe tapped his desk with his fingers with a dark look.
“By the way, I heard you two said something about a Decan Decree and Killer Star?”
Cheng Dongfeng added quietly with a somber look then. “So, the Sky Demon Cult is mobilizing their rank-eights too? If they did, neither of us would be able to stop them. We’ll need to get help as soon as possible.”
Duan Tianhe laughed bitterly at that but said, “No rush. Let’s decide after reviewing the situation.”
“No rush?”
Cheng Dengfong barked angrily. “Old Duan, are you mental?”
“The seventy-two Heavenly Generals of the Sky Demon Cult are all rank-seven and equally match against class-seven Awakened, while their thirty-six Grands are all rank-eight and equally match against class-eight Awakened. What are we going to fight elites like them with if they attacked Lingzhou City? Harsh words?”
Nonetheless, Duan Tianhe flung his hand.
Whoosh!
He threw the Decan Decree he was holding at Cheng Dongfeng, who caught it in the air.
Then, his face dropped when he saw the token plate in his hand. “Decan Decree… wait a minute!”
“He came to a realization in the next instant, crying out, “Old Duan, where did you get a Decan Decree? It says ‘Kill’… Is this Killer Star’s Decan Decree!?”
An idea struck Cheng Dongfeng then, and he turned stiffly in disbelief and with a head full of questions to Jiang He.
Jiang He smiled elegantly without losing politeness in response.
What the hell.
What the hell?
What the hell!?
Cheng Dongfeng jumped up, shrieking, “You killed a rank-eight Grand?”
Jiang He was a little speechless.
Did he have to be so exaggerated?
Was that not a little over-the-top?
Nonetheless, he nodded.
Cheng Dongfeng was silent at that, and pinched his thigh firmly until he was screaming, before laughing bitterly. “So, I wasn’t dreaming… but I still couldn’t believe it—a rank-five advanced actually killed a rank-eight martial artist.”
Jiang He nodded in serious agreement at that, and sighed meekly, “The rank-eight martial artist is really powerful, and this Killer Star had cultivated in a technique called Stonebreaker Palm that punches through everything. When I went to help Li Fei, he hid behind an ox’s butt and suddenly ambushed me, almost killing me in the process.”
“That’s right! That’s right!”
Li Fei was beside himself with joy, his spit spraying everywhere. “That snake probably came with his eyes on Jiang He, and even before I could call out, pow! Jiang He was sent flying.”
“He must have puked three liters of blood, and his whole chest caved in.”
Li Fei was about to demonstrate the injury over Jiang He’s chest when Jiang He made him flinch with a look.
Beside them, Duan Tianhe and Cheng Dongfeng were left gaping. They felt as if their minds had gone blank and humming without end.
A rank-eight martial artist striking first and blindsiding Jiang He, only to be killed in return?
“No way!”
Duan Tianhe glared furiously at Li Fei then, scolding, “Young man, you look like you’ve got your act together, but what drivel are you spouting with that straight face? You said Jiang He was beaten half to death… but isn’t he just fine?”
“But…”
Li Fei was about to defend himself, only to realize that Cheng Dongfeng spoke reason.
Becoming doubtful as well, he asked, “I forgot to ask, Old Jiang, but weren’t you on death’s door? You can’t even stand up then, so why are you alive and kicking now? And didn’t you knock me unconscious with a kick?”
Jiang He kept a straight face, saying, “You remembered it wrongly, didn’t you?
“I kicked you?
“Did I really kick you?
“Why would I kick you?”
Li Fe’s mouth hung upon as he felt his thoughts blur, and he muttered, “You didn’t?”
But I did remember you kicked me…
Be that as it may, Li Fei was uncertain after another look at Jiang He’s face, and he rubbed his temples, saying blankly, “Could Killer Star’s aura had stunned me at the time, pressuring my nerves and creating illusions?”
“That’s right!”
“It must have been an illusion!”
Li Fei suddenly became confident, saying, “No wonder I thought I saw you about to die, before you hugged an eggplant the size of a child’s arm and stuck it down your own throat. So I was imagining things!”
“…”
Jiang He scowled at that.
‘Why does that sound like a double entendre!
‘What do you even mean, pressure… you’re just lacking in the brain department!’
Beside them, Cheng Dongfeng’s mouth curled up and he chuckled.
He might not have been there, but he was a hundred percent positive that Jiang He had kicked Li Fei. Still, that had nothing to with him.
Duan Tianhe, on the other hand, frowned. “You were hurt, Jiang He?” He asked.
“It’s fine. I’m good now.”
Jiang He smiled. “It’s just a scratched. I would never have counter-killed Killer Star if I was really hurt.”
Duan Tianhe did not press him for more information, and simply mused to himself for a bit before saying seriously, “If Killer Star really was hiding at Li Fei’s farm, he was clearly sure that you would help him. It seems that the Sky Demon Cult has gotten their hands on your information, and knows that you live at Jinyintan Village.”
“If they did let loose a horde of Ferals into attacking the towns and cities around Lingzhou City while mobilizing a rank-eight grandmaster on this occasion, I’m afraid their next move would be even more ruthless.”
Looking at Jiang He, he added, “Word that you’ve slain Killer Star would soon reach the Sky Demon Cult, and after losing dozens of elites, two Heavenly Generals and one Grand, they would send an even greater force to fight you next!”
Jiang He’s expression changed slightly at that.
But just as Duan Tianhe was about to say more, he heard Jiang He growl through clenched teeth, “Does the Sky Demon Cult think that I’m easily bullied? Looks like I would have to improve my abilities as soon as possible to handle the next threat!”
Hence, he turned and headed out of the office without looking back. “See you, Chief Duan, Grandmaster Cheng. I’m going home to cultivate!”
“…”
Behind him, Duan Tianhe’s mouth was hanging open, and he could not decide if he wanted to laugh or cry.
‘I was just about to persuade you to accept protection under the headquarters of the Martial Arts Department, please?’
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