Chapter 29: Tossed Back and Forth
“By my estimation, there are twelve to fifteen people, with average equipment,” Zhang Liang whispered to the few people behind him after observing the crude-looking base in the distance through his binoculars.
They had tracked the group here an hour and a half earlier, following traces left on the ground. Fortunately, these Somali pirates didn’t seem to have had their fill yet, and so had not departed. Because they’d come in a hurry, they hadn’t brought drones or thermal imaging gear, so some areas were impossible to scout directly. Still, Zhang Liang was confident their numbers wouldn’t exceed fifteen.
“Can you confirm—”
Linda was someone he had met at the airport last month. Naturally, it was her figure that first caught his eye, and she was attractive enough, so they exchanged numbers. Over the past month, he’d tested her several times, and seeing no oddities, finally arranged to meet.
I lowered the elemental arrow forming at my bowstring and declared sternly, “If I let you go, wouldn’t I be abetting criminals?” As I spoke, I raised my longbow again, conjuring another arrow.
Just as I was about to shoot indiscriminately, I suddenly sensed a faint current of air approaching from above. My first instinct was that assassins were coming—not just one or two, but at least a dozen of them.
It is said that this “Pill of Life Extension” can save anyone so long as they still draw breath, protecting the heart and bringing them back from the brink. Many have spent fortunes just to obtain a single one.
As an omnivore, Qingyan could hardly explain the delights of vegetarian cuisine to Black Serpent, a carnivore who especially preferred his meat raw.
“Director Jiang, hello.” Qin Feng extended his hand to shake with Jiang Zhengnan, offering a faint smile. The old man’s countenance suggested a righteous character, and he dealt with others courteously, giving no hint of arrogance. How, then, had he raised such a brood of scoundrels?
Even in this perilous moment, Meng Hui couldn’t help but admire Shen Yu’s archery. This wasn’t level shooting, after all, but firing uphill. Only a true sharpshooter could pierce two men with a single arrow under such conditions.
She never bothered to learn how to curse; what she truly wanted was to master the art of belittling her enemies—like stabbing someone and then taunting them with a question mark.
The Emperor of Divine Mandate trusted that Zihan would never speak recklessly, so he felt no need for special warnings. Yet today Zihan had left a funeral ceremony to request an audience, surely for something concerning Empress Dowager Ye. Thus, the Emperor could not refuse to see him.
The Cambodian state banquet was lavish beyond words, the hosts warm and generous, bringing forth their choicest dishes and using the most extravagant tableware, as if eager to present all their best to impress their Chinese guests. It was a grand feast, and all present were delighted.
“Isn’t this Sister Chixia? What brings you shopping here?” Fortunately, Black Tiger Lingxiu came to the fat man’s rescue, stepping forward to greet Chixia the Shadow Lady.
In that moment, my heart softened. I saw that my sister-in-law’s elbow was reddened—she must have bumped it on the door when she embraced me earlier.
Su Jue frowned. Redeeming a single Insight Diagram cost him a hundred, but this Law Transmission class required five hundred, making him reluctant to part with the points.
Yet, after several faint clicks, the lock was just as unresponsive as last time.
The White Mist Wraith was devouring the power of the Soul Dragon bit by bit, clearly feeling the surge of strength within. The Wraith’s emotions at that moment were beyond words. However, he failed to notice the cold smile in the Soul Dragon’s eyes.
“Plague Venom Burst!” screeched the demon, launching its attack. From the swirling mists flew serpents of green, spewing toxic venom. Two snakes twisted and bit fiercely, their struggle intense and violent.
After the first round of matches, the second round began. This stage was more straightforward: battles continued in order according to the contestant numbers. To prevent the top ten from eliminating each other too soon, a new drawing was arranged. Those selected would face the top ten; those not drawn would fight their original opponents.
A sudden gulf in power left the other four guardians shaken to their core. Was there even any point in continuing? Shadow magic of super-arcane caliber—one of black magic’s forbidden arts, utterly overwhelming. After imprisoning the soul, it would destroy the body.