Chapter 1 An Uneasy Calm

Speaking of two different places…

While a fierce battle was about to unfold on the martial arts stage, undercurrents surged in Gu Zhi City.

Ping Qing Sheng, having transformed into demonic energy, returned to the Demon City. As soon as he entered the city gate, he ran into his arch-rival.

“Hey, old man over there.” A soft, charming voice suddenly sounded from behind Ping Qing Sheng, “You seem to be quite busy lately, huh?”

Ping Qing Sheng knew who was speaking without even turning his head, so he just sneered softly, “Hmph… are you spying on me? Da Ji.”

“Heh…” Da Ji smiled enchantingly, walking up with light steps, circling to the front of the monstrous monk, “I’m not interested in you monks. If I were to spy on someone… I’d rather spy on handsome guys like Zhou Yu or Azai Nagamasa.”

This Da Ji from the *Musou Orochi* series was actually a nine-tailed fox spirit in human form. She wore a gorgeous moon crown headdress, and her purple hair was braided into several long braids, hanging down on her shoulders and behind her neck. Her face was delicate and beautiful, with eternal youth, and two pointed fox ears peeked out from her hair. She wore a skintight suit, revealing her curvaceous figure, and her legs were adorned with a pair of fashion-forward fishnet stockings. Light gauze ribbons were wrapped around her arms and waist. She wore no boots, exposing her bare fox feet.

“You didn’t answer my question.” Ping Qing Sheng refused to be led by the nose by Da Ji, and he pointed out her intention to change the subject.

“Ping Qing Sheng, why ask when you already know?” Upon hearing this, Da Ji’s expression suddenly turned cold, and the voice and tone that had just been like a young girl’s coquetry instantly transformed into a queen’s voice.

“Since we’re all people who understand…” Ping Qing Sheng slowly turned his head, staring at Da Ji’s eyes, and said, “Then this one might as well speak frankly…” He raised one hand, demonic energy surging in his palm, “The people you sent to monitor me have already been ‘dealt with’ by this one… if you still want to send spies to monitor me in the future, you’d better find someone a little smarter…”

“Since we’re all people who understand…” Da Ji mimicked his tone, retorting without showing any weakness, “Then why don’t you just tell me yourself… what exactly are you plotting?”

“What this one intends to do is none of your concern.” Ping Qing Sheng’s response could also be interpreted as—no way.

“Hmph… it can’t be anything good.” Da Ji said, “Ah~” She returned to her soft, lazy tone, “Should I go tell Orochi-sama?”

“Do you think Orochi-sama would care?” Ping Qing Sheng retorted, “If you really think so, then I can only say… you, who claim to be his ‘confidante military advisor,’ are nothing more than this.”

Upon hearing this, Da Ji’s anger soared, and her murderous intent was fully revealed, “Stinking monk… you better not let me catch you trying to betray Orochi-sama…” She gritted her teeth as she spoke.

“Betray…” Ping Qing Sheng repeated the two words, “Don’t you think… you, who suggested the ‘martial arts tournament’ to Orochi, are more like a traitor with ulterior motives?” He said grimly, “Although this one also believes that Great King Orochi will not lose to anyone, what exactly is your intention with this suggestion that invites trouble and threats?”

“Heh…” Da Ji sneered, “It’s useless to talk to you…” Saying this, she turned around and, before leaving, revealed the true reason for her waiting here, “In any case, when you weren’t in the city, Orochi-sama said he had something to summon you for… come with me.”

…

“Are you kidding me…”

Back at the scene of the martial arts tournament… Feng Bu Jue could only feel extremely depressed after hearing the announcement from the statue.

“I just got here, my butt isn’t even warm yet… and they’re already calling my name?” There was nothing wrong with what he said, because he really was sitting on the ground.

The reason Jue-Ge sat down was simple: the damage from the battle with the Sorrowful Spirit had not fully recovered, and sitting could help him recover faster than standing…

“Damn it…” Feng Bu Jue glanced at the game menu, muttering to himself, “Survival Value 65%, Stamina Value 2021, Spiritual Value 102… hmm…” He gritted his teeth and walked towards the martial arts stage, “Fighting people from the Pili world in this state… not good…”

“Hold on!” At this moment, someone shouted loudly, leaping onto the stage.

Looking at that person… he was nine chi tall, with a beard two chi long, a face like a heavy jujube, lips like painted rouge, phoenix eyes full of power, and silkworm-like eyebrows. He wore a single green silk robe with团花 designs, a lion-patterned waistband, a pair of embroidered unicorn jade cloud-sewn boots, and held the Qinglong Yanyue Blade (Green Dragon Crescent Blade) in his hand…

It is said… His lofty ambition and imposing manner have lasted for ages, his heroic spirit is admired by all. His dignified appearance is revered by people, who else is more loyal and brave than he?

Who was this peerless hero who stepped onto the stage, if not Guan Yunchang (Guan Yu)?

“Everyone…” Guan Yu looked around the stage and said loudly, “The dead are paramount. Let me first take these two down from the stage, then…”

“Pu-cough…”

At this very second, suddenly… Hei Tiezhen Jie, who was lying on the stage, coughed up blood and said in a rather unfriendly tone, “Who are you saying is dead?”

“Ugh… a-cough… a-cough…”

Two seconds later, Kyoukotsu also coughed up a mouthful of blood, saying, “I think I can still be saved…”

“Uh…” Guan Yu was stunned, thinking, “So you guys aren’t dead after all…”

Guan Erye (Lord Guan the Second) was, after all, peerlessly loyal and righteous. Regardless of whether these two were dead or not, he had already come up, so he might as well give them a hand. Thus, Guan Yu grabbed both of the blood-coughing swordsmen (in their own universes, they basically coughed up blood whenever they appeared, but it was never because they were cut, it was all because of consumption) under his arms with one arm each and carried them off the stage.

He had only walked about ten meters when four people surrounded him. Guan Yu glanced at them and found three familiar faces, while the remaining stranger was a strangely dressed young woman.

“General Guan, this little woman knows a little medicine. If it’s convenient, allow me to take a look at them.” Hua Jian politely bowed to Guan Yu and said.

“Hmm…” Guan Yu was still hesitating…

The trio of justice had already spoken, “General Guan Yu, please rest assured, Hua Jian-daren (milord) is a very reliable partner.”

“Indeed, my foot injury was treated by En-gong (Benefactor), whose medical skills can be described as bringing the dead back to life and possessing miraculous healing hands.”

“General Guan Yu, let me help you put them down.”

“I see…” Guan Yu still trusted these three chuuni (delusional) youths in front of him. Since they all said that Hua Jian was trustworthy, then it should be no problem.

Thus, Hua Jian began to treat the two eliminated swordsmen…

Her strategy in this script, I’m sure everyone has already seen the clues… Hua Jian knew that relying on frontal strength, she, a medical specialization player who had just reached level 40, was definitely no match for the others. It was almost impossible to enter the final list of the martial arts tournament through fighting. Therefore… her plan was to “borrow power,” to obtain as much help from the NPCs as possible while ensuring her own safety. When the situation changed, she would be able to find an opportunity to win…

“Oh… she wants to use the power of the NPCs to fight against us…” After this little interlude, Feng Bu Jue, who had stepped onto the stage, couldn’t help but glance at Hua Jian, thinking, “A very correct choice… this is the only strategy that might allow her to win, and I would do the same if I were her.”

Just as Jue-Ge was distracted by these thoughts, his opponent jumped onto the martial arts stage from the opposite side.

“Hahahahahaha…” As soon as Kuang Long Yi Sheng Xiao (Mad Dragon Laughing Sound) appeared, he let out a chilling laugh, and said in a deep voice with inner strength, “Who in the world dares to be mad? Only I look down on the martial arts world. One laugh turns the Jianghu upside down, Mad Dragon out of seclusion, worthy to be king!”

With the poem recited, his figure was settled.

Kuang Long Yi Sheng Xiao had green hair, with long strands hanging down to his chest from his temples, while the hair behind his head was braided into a giant whip, resembling a dragon’s tail. His hairline was somewhat similar to that of a Saiyan prince, seemingly bald but not quite. His bulging brow bones, the strange green patterns on his face, and the beard on his chin all made him look fierce and sinister.

As for his attire, he wore a white robe with a black coat over it, and his clothes were also adorned with many green scale-like patterns. His weapon, *Ni Lin* (Reverse Scale), was carried on his back, which was a chain with a toothed blade.

“Hehe… not a bad poem…” Feng Bu Jue silently put on the 【Smiling Mask】, chuckled dryly, and said, “Worthy of the word ‘mad.’”

“Hahaha…” Kuang Long laughed a few more times, “What are you? What gives you the right to judge me?”

“You don’t even know me, and you’re still acting all smug there, laughing like an old woman in a transvestite bar…” Feng Bu Jue would never lose to anyone in a trash-talking contest, “…are you stupid or just cheap? Little Dragon~”

“Hmm?” Kuang Long’s laughter stopped, and what rose to his brow… was anger.

“Of course, you and I both know… you’re not stupid. Not only are you not stupid, but you’re also very smart.” Feng Bu Jue said, “So… the answer to my question is already obvious.”

“Ha! Hahahaha…” Kuang Long laughed again, but this time the laughter was completely different from before, “You seem to know me very well?”

“Not bad.” Feng Bu Jue replied, “To summarize… you’re a *jiekong* (siscon – sibling complex), but your sister doesn’t like you very much. Your whole life has been entangled in this twisted, perverted relationship, and everything you do is actually full of contradictions. As someone who is extremely rational at heart, you chose madness, because madness, to some extent, can allow you to hide your true emotions and alleviate the pain in your heart. Thus, you developed a skill for acting crazy and playing dumb under the dual extreme emotions of creating pain for yourself and self-satisfaction, and brewed one tragedy after another that harmed others without benefiting yourself.”

“Crazy Not Aware, is it…” Hearing this, Kuang Long Yi Sheng Xiao showed a solemn expression, “Alright, I’ve remembered your name.” As he spoke, his hand reached towards the *Ni Lin* behind him.

“What do you mean you’ve remembered my name? Who do you think you are, Qitian Di?” Feng Bu Jue replied in a lazy tone, “I can take down twenty-five pieces of trash like you in a second. Take this chance to admit your mistake and admit defeat, and maybe I’ll spare your life.”

“Ha!” Kuang Long sneered, rushing forward, “Boy! Do you think I can’t see… you’re stalling for time!”

Before the words fell, a cold light had arrived.

Feng Bu Jue lightly tapped his feet and spun to dodge. With the calculation ability of Zero Time Difference, dodging this move wasn’t difficult.

“Pretending to be mysterious is useless.” Kuang Long’s next move followed closely, “If you were really much stronger than me, why would you need to say so much nonsense to me!”

Ling ling—

The sound of the chain trembling brought out another round of attacks.

The toothed blade spun and flew, its momentum breaking through the wind and waves, forming an arc that enveloped most of Jue-Ge’s body.

“Tch… he didn’t lose his mind even after being ridiculed like that…” Feng Bu Jue muttered softly as he jumped up, “As expected… the person who is pretending to be crazy is actually the most clear-headed.”

“He’s gone up, huh…” Seeing Jue-Ge rise into the air, the corners of Kuang Long’s mouth rose slightly, “Then it’s easy to deal with!”

Kuang Long, who wore the Rui Gan Zhi Ying (Sharp Sense Tassel – a magical artifact that could strengthen the five senses and make one’s thoughts clearer, but would greatly affect one’s mind after wearing it), was even better than Xiao Tan with the 【Eagle Eye Vision】 activated. In battle, he could always anticipate the enemy’s moves.

“Surprising Dragon Wild Slash!”

Facing the leaping Feng Bu Jue, a crazy and wild saber technique, like an evil dragon flying and soaring into the sky.

“Too naive!” Feng Bu Jue shouted loudly, he spared no effort in provoking him in this battle, “Moon Step. Lightning!”

Similar to 【Storm Leg】, Feng Bu Jue had also developed various uses for 【Moon Step】 through repeated practice. For example, this move in front of him was a technique that allowed the whole person to dash along a zigzagging path through three consecutive high-speed warps.

“Who exactly is naive?” Kuang Long’s strength and combat skills were also by no means ordinary. As soon as he saw Jue-Ge’s movements, he knew that the other party wanted to break through his attack and counterattack from above. Therefore, he immediately waved his sleeve, controlling the chain in the sky to twist and form a net, blocking Jue-Ge’s path of advance.

“You won’t let me pass, huh…” Seeing this, Feng Bu Jue stopped in time, warping again in the air, “Then I won’t come over. I’ll send you two gifts to play with!” After saying that, he took out two grenades from his arms and threw them towards Kuang Long.

The two grenades passed through the gaps in the chain net and fell towards Kuang Long’s side. Although the latter didn’t know what these two things were, he could roughly guess that they were some kind of offensive weapon, so…

“Drink—” Kuang Long gathered his yuan and spat it out, angrily urging a fierce move, “Mad Dragon Ghost Howl!”

Invisible power, like a douli (bamboo hat) facing upwards, blasted towards the mid-air, and the force of the impact detonated them with a bang the moment they came into contact with the grenades.

Boom—Boom—

The explosion brought out a flurry of shattered iron fragments, raising a sky full of hazy dust.

At this instant, two insidious madmen did the same thing… launching hidden weapons.

Chi chi chi…

Disordered strange noises, flickering light.

Kuang Long Yi Sheng Xiao let out a low shout, and dozens of green rays of light burst out from the green scales on his body, flying towards the sky.

Feng Bu Jue also gave a soft shout, offering up the Death Poker, and the 【Soul Chasing】 effect was immediately activated, with hundreds of golden rays rushing towards the enemy.

For a time, two colors of energy crisscrossed and collided in the air… with the force of thunder and the speed of lightning, scattering ten thousand points of starlight in the sky. The area within nearly a hundred meters around the two was engulfed in a chaotic light explosion.

“Hahaha… you villain! You want to plot against me?” Kuang Long retreated several zhang (丈 – a unit of length, about 3.3 meters), cursing shamelessly while manipulating the chain to block, “You really have a lot of hidden weapons on you, first those two exploding things, and then these golden streamers…”

“What are you talking about? Where did I use hidden weapons?” Feng Bu Jue wouldn’t lose when it came to being thick-skinned, “My move just now was called the Big Dipper Grenade Fist, and this move is called Soul Chasing. They’re all open and aboveboard ranged attacks, so how is that plotting?” He changed the subject, “But you… grunting with a sound like pulling out a piece of sh*t, and secretly releasing so many hidden weapons at me, that kind of dirty behavior is really too ugly.”

Watching the performance of these two on the stage, the other participants below were all ashamed. It could be said that there was always a higher mountain, and a deeper pit… these two powerful players who were crazy, wild, insidious, and ruthless, and were also shameless, really opened everyone’s eyes.

“‘Big Dipper Grenade Fist’… did you learn it from Jacky (third-ranked disciple of the Hokuto Shinken school, and the disciple with the worst strength and character)…” Even Xiao Tan couldn’t help but complain about Jue-Ge from below the stage.

“You want to use words to test my position? It seems your eyesight is not good, Crazy Not Aware!” On the stage, Kuang Long once again saw through and exposed Jue-Ge’s intention. As he spoke, he kept moving, making his voice sometimes to the left, sometimes to the right, sometimes in front, sometimes behind, making it erratic.

“Are you talking to me?” Jue-Ge in the air then took out the 【Deceptive Pocket Watch】, adjusted the voice to that of Lian Emei (Kuang Long Yi Sheng Xiao’s older sister), and said in the tone of the Pili stage plays, “Little Dragon Dragon?”

The sudden sound of his older sister’s voice amidst the light and smoke made Kuang Long’s heart shake.

In the past, it was always Kuang Long who used other people’s inner weaknesses in battle to disturb, anger, and even play with them, in order to control the battle. But today, he had met someone he didn’t understand at all—Crazy Not Aware.

The advantage in terms of intelligence made Jue-Ge the main controller of this battle, while Kuang Long had become the one being played.

“Ah—” After a breath, Kuang Long was angry, truly angry. He knew that the voice was imitated by his opponent, and that his older sister would never speak to him in that tone. “You detestable brat! I’m going to kill you!”

“Hahahaha…” Feng Bu Jue’s crazed laughter came over, and the voice he used was still Lian Emei’s, “I’m already dead, Little Dragon Dragon, you killed me, do you remember?”

“Go to hell!” Kuang Long roared, leaping up and grabbing the Ni Lin Blade, rushing towards the direction of the sound.

“What’s wrong? How does it feel to have killed your loved one?” Feng Bu Jue knew that the other party had taken the bait, and immediately activated 【Ling Consciousness Gathering Body Technique. Modified】, continuously stepping with the Moon Step, only retreating and not blocking, the words in his mouth, every sentence like a knife, “Do you regret it? Are you in pain? Are you sad? Are you unwilling?”

“Ah—” Kuang Long’s speed also increased, and his killing move 【Reverse Slash Style. Mad Dragon Slashes Without Equal】 was ready to be launched, he only needed to get closer to his opponent, and then the ultimate move would be released.

“Oh, right…” At this moment, Feng Bu Jue suddenly put away the voice changer and asked in his own voice, “Don’t you think… you’re being a little rash?”

His words seemed to be a kind of well-intentioned reminder.

But these words entered Kuang Long’s ears like a deadly curse.

When a person reminds his opponent in battle, it is obvious… that he is already sure of victory.