Procedural Progression
“You lost? You lost? What the hell were you doing?!”
Yuan Kou didn’t dare to dodge my kick. Instead, he raised his bum to take the shot with a smile.
I’d stick a shuttle in your bum, too, if you weren’t useful! It’s only the first day, yet you already went and lost!
“Life is as unpredictable as the weather.”
“My foot! I never expected you to lose.”
And to lose to Zhao Tiankui, no less! Isn’t he just going to come straight for me now?!
“You were the one person I believed wouldn’t lose. Where will we find the shame to continue competing now that you’ve gone and lost?!”
“I never knew you evaluated me so highly, Sir. I thought Lang Qing was ranked higher than me. Every fibre of my being is touched.”
“You two are same-same, but you’re slyer than he is, so you’re likely to come out on top against him.”
“Hehe, you are too kind.”
“Kind, my foot!” I kicked Yuan Kou over and set my foot on his head. “Why didn’t you be sly with him?! You usually have buckets of ideas! How did you let him win?!”
“Sir, you will understand once you take a look.” With a sour face, Yuan Kou said, “His boxing style is bizarre.”
“You’ve learnt three fists five palms, and you developed your internal strength under water. How can he compare to you?”
“It is possible.”
“Possibly your hogwash! Tell me about it as we walk!”
Whilst carrying me toward Eight Deities, Yuan Kou recounted, “My Pure Yang One Qi is about the same level as his internal energy just as you said, but it was as if his punches could penetrate through all of my openings. Of course, I used a lot of variations to hide the nature of my discipline, or I would have taken a lopsided beating.”
“You were totally outclassed, then. You didn’t take any damage?”
“Hehe, it is not that easy. I had three hidden derringers. The shots produced mist, and the mist contained poison. I had to use up all of my shots to fight an even fight.”
“… He didn’t get hurt, either?”
“Strangely, he dodged all the shots. Had he been caught, we would have fought to a draw.”
“His boxing can’t compare to your Pure Yang True Qi, and his internal energy development should be around your level, but his comprehension of boxing is head and shoulders above yours, and he must be a realm above you, so he managed to counter all of your movements. That being said, he should’ve only reached his current level recently, and he must still be trying to consolidate it, or he would’ve ended the match in just a few exchanges, and your damage wouldn’t have been so minor… It doesn’t add up. If there was such an excellent fighter in the military, I should’ve heard about them.”
“Not even I have heard of him. I paid a lot of attention to the imperial court while I was in the organisation, yet I never heard about him being so skilled.”
I sat back in my chair once I greeted Lang Qing and company at Eight Deities and crossed my arms. “Where is he now?”
“He is still waiting at the entrance. He said he would be back tomorrow,” answered Yuan Kou.
He’s coming back tomorrow? What is he? Medical plaster?! Leave me alone! If you want to even the score for bashing your son a few times, beat up my son. Why are you coming at me?
“Sir, in the worst-case scenario, you may have to personal-”
“Absolutely not going to fight,” I objected. “You think it makes sense for me to publicly kill a government official? Moreover, based on your description, if he’s as strong as you claim he is, I’m not even sure I can kill him.”
“He is parking at the door, though. Did we not promise to accept all challengers?”
I nodded and then pointed to Yuan Kou. “Go take a few more beatings.”
Yuan Kou headed off with his head drooped down.
Zhao Tiankui and Lan Jiqiong were troublesome enough to deal with without accounting for the military and Confucianism factions supporting them. Plus, the news that Jingan spread didn’t attract just them. There was Gongsun Chu himself, his lackeys still roaming free, the perverted organisation and my old enemies… All them coming at me at once was a headache. More importantly, I had to find Li Muye’s mother to dissuade her from allying with the Champion White Princes and persuade her to ally with His Majesty. If she allied with the Champion White Princes, good god.
The real challenge wasn’t locating Northern Wondrous Warrior Manor but figuring how to negotiate… Why should a Princess have cared about a duke of Nanjiang? I might not have even been granted an audience. I only had one choice; if I screwed up, I wouldn’t be able to find them again.
By the time I sneaked out, the sun was setting, so the hustling and bustling crowd had thinned out. I couldn’t see the person I was searching for no matter which direction I looked. I cleared my throat and, in a quiet voice, questioned, “Uh, you there?”
The guy selling candied haws behind me jogged over and said, “Martial world’s mobile treasury, at your service.”
“Goodness me, you’re even in the candied haws industry now?” I chilled out at the candied haw stall as I munched on one.
“It is our great honour to receive praise from you.”
Although he had a different appearance, the sarcastic flattery tone was the same as always. Never showing surprise and asking for money right away were ingrained habits. Thankfully, he didn’t bring up money yet.
“Are you looking for me to repay your debt?”
I take back what I said.
“Forget that sort of crude stuff. I need to consult you on a job.”
“Hehe. Feel free to inquire. Black and White Reflection will not withhold information.”
“Good. Help me locate Northern Wondrous Warrior Manor’s group.”
“Sure. Please wait.” Wearing his smile, he suddenly fossilised; even his eyes were out of focus. Were it not for his audible heart beats, you’d presume he was dead. In no time at all, he restored life to his eyes. “Fourteen possible locations in the capital have been identified, but they are subject to change at any given moment.”
I got what I was looking for.
“She is a cautious individual. Take heed for one careless error may compel her to vanish without a trace.”
I nodded. “I know what to do. You can leave.”
He surprisingly got up and walked off.
“Hey… aren’t you going to bring up the money?”
Wearing a blinding smile, he responded, “You have already obtained Gongsun Chu’s hidden collection. Do we need to be concerned about it any longer?”
… Have you people been stalking me?!
