Chapter 38 A Blessing in Disguise

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*Bang!*

With a deafening roar, a bolt of lightning struck, exploding behind Zhang Hui.

Zhang Hui was still running for his life, narrowly avoiding being electrocuted.

Zhang Hui!?

Yes, it was Zhang Hui, the very same Zhang Hui who had been scared away by Gao Junwei's shout and had disappeared without a trace.

At this moment,

The other three members of Xing Lang's team had already withdrawn from the competition, but Zhang Hui hadn't. He had been waiting for an opportunity!

Interestingly, when the team was ambushed, Zheng Jiang had declared their withdrawal from the competition in a moment of crisis. However, as a member of the team who had escaped unscathed, Zhang Hui had not been expelled from the armory by the referees.

Zhang Hui was among the ten people who had gathered in the forest.

It was also Zhang Hui who had followed Wu Haoyang's team, chasing after Gao Junwei's team.

A gentleman takes revenge, even after ten years.

Besides, what was three days?

Zhang Hui wasn't sure if he could call it revenge. He only knew that if he made it into the top eight and entered the playoffs, there would be rewards.

Zhang Hui's family had plenty of money, but money couldn't buy high-quality star beads.

The rewards offered by the Bei Jiang Province High School League were never insignificant!

"That kid's struck gold," Xia Yan said, raising an eyebrow as she watched Zhang Hui's running figure. "That huge bundle of weapons must weigh a ton. He's going to be exhausted."

"The girl chasing behind him is Yu Zhen, a member of the No. 1 seed team from Third High," Jiang Xiao said.

Why did Jiang Xiao look so grave?

Because he recognized the girl.

After the team confirmations were completed, Jiang Xiao had spent the days leading up to the competition gathering information about the participating teams, paying particular attention to a few.

Why did Jiang Xiao know Yu Zhen?

Because she was on Gao Junwei's team!

"Put my bag down!" Yu Zhen yelled, wielding an illusory scepter. As a magic-type Awakened, her physical abilities were surprisingly strong, allowing her to keep up with Zhang Hui.

Keep in mind that Zhang Hui was a melee-type with agility as his specialty, speed and dexterity being his forte.

It was evident just how impressive Yu Zhen's physical stats were.

Zhang Hui, however, wore a grim expression, remaining silent. With a quick glance, he spotted Jiang Xiao's team in the depths of the forest.

More precisely, he saw Xia Yan's tall and beautiful figure.

In an instant, Zhang Hui's eyes lit up. He immediately changed direction, running towards Xia Yan.

"That woman is strong. Lightning is instantaneous," Li Weiyi said, standing at the front of the team.

Han Jiangxue responded indifferently, "Mm."

Li Weiyi, carrying his long-handled war hammer, asked, "Should we let Zhang Hui come over?"

Han Jiangxue frowned slightly, seemingly unwilling to offer Zhang Hui shelter. Her mind had never changed. Apart from a select few, she didn't care about most people or things in the world.

"Help me! I'll give you half of these weapons!" Zhang Hui seemed to be a very pragmatic person, just as he had been on the train, constantly suggesting that Xing Lang visit Han Jiangxue's compartment, even worrying that Xing Lang wouldn't express himself clearly and personally coming to visit Han Jiangxue's team to express his intentions.

Now, facing Yu Zhen's pursuit, Zhang Hui didn't rely on friendship. Instead, he chose to entice them with benefits.

Jiang Xiao chuckled and said, "Brother Li, raise the shield."

Li Weiyi was slightly surprised, but then he heard Han Jiangxue's voice, "Listen to Xiao Pi."

Li Weiyi blinked, but still raised his shield.

In fact, Han Jiangxue didn't know what Jiang Xiao was planning, but she had experienced situations like this many times before.

If Han Jiangxue had a little more time, she wouldn't have chosen to hand over command to Jiang Xiao. Instead, she would have analyzed and judged for herself, making a decision that was beneficial to the team.

Han Jiangxue acknowledged Jiang Xiao's "quick wit." This situation had occurred many times, and Jiang Xiao always made relatively wise decisions in the shortest amount of time to deal with sudden situations.

Zhang Hui's expression changed as he said, "Han Jiangxue!? Help me! 7-3! I'll give you seven, I'll keep three!"

Jiang Xiao secretly nodded in his heart. This was the effect he wanted. Li Weiyi wasn't known for his speed. How could a single shield block Zhang Hui?

Having Li Weiyi raise his shield was undoubtedly expressing their attitude.

Jiang Xiao said loudly, "You think we'll be your thugs for a few dozen weapons?"

*Bang!*

Another thunderclap. Zhang Hui was still affected by the blast, causing him to lurch forward. Fortunately, Zhang Hui was quick and nimble, narrowly avoiding being struck by lightning.

Otherwise, Zhang Hui would have fallen flat on his face, his body going numb, and Yu Zhen would have caught up with him.

"9-1, is 9-1 not enough!?" Zhang Hui struggled to his feet and threw a dagger backhanded.

Yu Zhen was still some distance away from Zhang Hui, but the dagger he threw carried a fiery arc.

Jiang Xiao muttered, "9-1 my ass, you can keep the weapons. I want the backpack you're carrying, how about that?"

Zhang Hui was stunned for a moment, almost cursing out loud. He held back, gritting his teeth as he said, "Jiang Xiaopi! Are you really Han Jiangxue's brother? How did the pioneering Han family produce someone like you..."

"Hehe," Jiang Xiao chuckled, "I'm adopted."

Everyone: "..."

Jiang Xiao didn't care if others had noticed. He had heard clearly that Yu Zhen wanted Zhang Hui's backpack, not the weapons he was holding.

Clearly, the backpack must be full of Ape Ghoul badges, which were worth more points!

"Here! The backpack is yours!" Zhang Hui said, tearing the backpack off his back and throwing it towards Li Weiyi.

Li Weiyi took the opportunity to lower his shield and catch the ordinary-looking military backpack.

*Whoosh...*

Zhang Hui stumbled past the group, dragging a large bundle of weapons, panting heavily as he collapsed to the ground, finally safe.

"Give me the bag!" Yu Zhen chased after him, glaring at the group.

Zhang Hui gasped for breath and said, "Don't listen to her... those things were all... stolen by them. Our team... Xing Lang, Zheng Jiang, and Liu... Chang were all knocked out of the competition by them."

The group was slightly surprised, not expecting such a story.

However,

Truth be told,

This kind of thing wasn't uncommon. It happened every year in every provincial and national league.

These competitions were about selecting strong students and strong teams. The competition itself encouraged combat and confrontation.

Jiang Xiao took the military backpack and said, "Stolen?"

Yu Zhen frowned slightly, seeming to realize where Jiang Xiao's words were leading.

Jiang Xiao nodded seriously and took the backpack from Li Weiyi's arms. "I like double-crossing."

Yu Zhen's eyebrows shot up, and she said slowly, "You have a lot of nerve!"

Jiang Xiao rummaged through the military backpack, replying slowly, "You have a good sense of judgment!"

Yu Zhen: "..."

"Hahahaha... cough cough..." Zhang Hui's face had been gloomy, and he had been in a bad mood, but he couldn't help but be amused by Jiang Xiao's words. Already panting heavily, he started coughing embarrassingly.

Regardless, two words: satisfying!

Yu Zhen was a proud person. It was only natural for her to rob others, but it was unacceptable to be robbed.

Ever since the military backpack had been stolen by Zhang Hui, her anger had been rising.

Now, Jiang Xiao's intervention had only made her angrier.

But although Yu Zhen was angry, she wasn't stupid. Since negotiations had failed, she knew her disadvantage and quickly retreated.

She had always crushed others, and having been pampered since she was a child, she had never suffered such humiliation.

She thought to herself that she would definitely regain her honor in the future.

However, she didn't know Jiang Xiao well enough.

The naive Yu Zhen thought she could still leave...

From any point of view, Jiang Xiao was a loyal fan of "finishing off" enemies.

This was a competition, and any team was an obstacle on the road to success!

Now, Yu Zhen had chased after them alone, which was clearly a godsend!

"Go, Xia Yan, keep her here!" Without another word, Jiang Xiao threw a Blessing on Yu Zhen.

"Ah~" Yu Zhen's body, which had already been trembling with anger, trembled even more violently. She was enveloped in Jiang Xiao's Blessing, stunned in place.

To everyone's surprise, Zhang Hui was even faster than Xia Yan. A fiery arc shot out from the side of the group!

Zhang Hui was a pragmatic person and someone who knew how to seize opportunities. Under Jiang Xiao's almost abnormal "control-type" Blessing star technique, Yu Zhen had become a lamb to the slaughter!

How could Zhang Hui miss such an opportunity? This was the woman who had chased him all the way and almost killed him!

Zhang Hui had waited for three days, seizing the opportunity of the encounter between New Danxi Eleventh High and Jiangbin Third High. He had stolen the Third High team's backpack, all the Ape Ghoul star beads they had stolen, and several bundles of yellow weapons they had taken.

But Zhang Hui was still a bit short of success, and he could only do his best and leave the rest to fate.

Faced with Yu Zhen's pursuit, he had already begun to comfort himself, after all, he had tried his best, and he had even thought about his fate, once caught, the consequences were obvious.

Zhang Hui never expected that his forbearance would not only lead to the end of the storm, but also to Jiang Xiao's Blessing!

In the next moment, Zhang Hui's thin figure followed the fiery arc.

In his hand, was a cold, gleaming, sharp dagger!

*Bang!*

The small fiery arc hit Yu Zhen with unparalleled accuracy, blasting her slender figure away, her clothes torn and blood flowing.

The fiery arc wasn't fatal. The real danger was Zhang Hui's figure, who arrived shortly after!

People's eyes widened slightly. Was this kid going to kill someone!?