–”Petty people agree but do not harmonize; noble people harmonize but do not agree.”
In the dense bamboo forest, a wisp of white hair stood out starkly against the dark night as Ren Du and his companions observed the courtyard where Director Ji and his group were located, looking down from their elevated position through telescopes.
Unlike Director Ji’s formidable team of dozens, Ren Du had only a handful of people by his side, just as Director Ji had remarked—they hadn’t brought enough men to even stage an ambush.
–”Brother Fenghu, Brother Yunlong, what do you two think of Director Ji’s team?”
Ren Du caught Director Ji’s gaze, which had been directed towards his position, and realizing he had been exposed, he lowered his telescope and departed from the bamboo grove.
–”Apart from a select few like Yu Wusheng and Xu Tuzhi, the rest are nothing but a disorganized rabble, hardly worth mentioning.”
Standing to Ren Du’s left and right were two burly men: one with a gaunt face and a fierce demeanor, the other with prominent cheekbones and a menacing expression. They stood like guardian deities, flanking him, and if anyone were to suddenly glimpse them in the darkness, they would surely be scared half to death.
–”Brother Fenghu’s words are not without merit. However, Director Ji brought this group here with such brazen confidence, which suggests he still harbors some certainty of success.”
–”I doubt it. Even if he believes he has a chance, he’s likely feeling uncertain now, for competing with East Bamboo Immortal relies on one-on-one combat, not a mob assault.”
Ren Du walked forward, illuminating the path with a flashlight. Having heard their replies, he turned to question the others behind him.
–”What do you all think?”
–”The Wind and Cloud Elders speak wisely. However, Polaris has always been insidious and cunning; I fear Director Ji may have other hidden tricks up his sleeve.”
The swordsman, who had been whittling bamboo with a small knife, perceived Ren Du’s apprehension. Yet, his words still conveyed agreement with the Wind and Cloud Elders—even though he knew full well that among Director Ji’s retinue, the capable fighters were not limited to a mere handful like Yu Wusheng and Le Sishu, he had no intention of alerting the Wind and Cloud Elders to this fact.
–”Mr. Wan, what kind of tactics do you think Director Ji will employ?”
–”We have already warned East Bamboo Immortal, explaining Polaris’s schemes and our intentions. Polaris has now issued a challenge to East Bamboo Immortal, and we stand on East Bamboo Immortal’s side. If Polaris wishes to gain an advantage in the upcoming contest, they must either dispatch a master whose strength surpasses East Bamboo Immortal, or… resort to underhanded tactics.”
Having long traversed the pugilistic world, Wan Ren was well aware of the ‘tactics’ Polaris might employ. After all, the stratagems of the martial world, when boiled down, were essentially just a few variations, the only difference being whether they could withstand scrutiny or not.
–”Are you suggesting they might launch a sneak attack during the competition?”
–”Or perhaps while East Bamboo Immortal is resting.”
Wan Ren glanced at the courtyard and said gravely.
–”Given Polaris’s impatience, why would the contest need three days? With so many people, a victor could be decided in just one day. Yet Director Ji insists on a three-day contest; there must be something amiss.”
–”We should indeed be wary.”
Ren Du nodded in agreement.
–”Manager Ren, there is something I do not understand.”
The elder standing nearby spoke, posing a question. His appearance was exceedingly dignified, inspiring involuntary reverence in anyone who beheld him.
–”Please speak, Mr. Zhu.”
–”I have heard tales of Polaris Dean’s deeds. This individual is ruthless, utterly tyrannical, and rules a region through terror, truly an unparalleled tyrant in the Eastern Continent’s history. Polaris Academy, from top to bottom, is equally insidious, malicious, and fiercely cruel. Director Ji is a disciple of Gong Ce from the Shan Hai Pavilion, and Gong Ce, along with his senior martial brothers Feng Ce and Ji Ce, are known as the ‘Three Strategists of the Brocade Pouch’. They once valiantly resisted the utterly brutal Mortal Heaven, protecting the local populace, earning widespread fame and respect. Director Ji, hailing from such a renowned lineage and having been influenced by his sect’s teachings, should logically emulate his master and fight for the people. How could he willingly become a mere lackey, a pawn for Polaris to command?”
–”Mr. Zhu, do you know the meaning of ‘birds of a feather flock together’?”
Ren Du’s expression gradually grew solemn, as if recalling something.
–”This Director Ji was never a benevolent individual to begin with. He has always been engrossed in heterodox practices, disregarding his sect’s teachings. For a mere pittance, he kowtowed and curried favor with Polaris. We lament his descent into a misguided path, yet he believes he is treading a grand, open road. Perhaps Polaris’s cruel and vicious style perfectly aligns with his own inclinations.”
Zhu Jifeng remained silent after hearing this. Although Ren Du’s answer still left him with a sliver of doubt, he presumed the words to be true, for Ren Du had no reason to deceive him. Director Ji was, after all, a member of the opposing faction, and there was no need to delve deeper into his reasons for joining the enemy.
–”Should we go and remind East Bamboo Immortal again?”
Wan Ren listened to the conversation between Ren Du and Zhu Jifeng. He was not interested in what kind of person Director Ji was; his sole concern was what schemes and tricks Director Ji might employ next.
–”East Bamboo Immortal does not trust us either.”
A young woman in yellow robes carried a beautiful greatsword on her back. It was deemed beautiful not for any ornate decorations or dazzling radiance, but because its contours and form perfectly aligned with the common understanding of beauty. Thus, even without superfluous embellishments, it evoked a genuine sense of aesthetic pleasure; the smith seemed to have precisely gauged popular aesthetics.
Within the greatsword’s scabbard rested another, slender sword. The hilt of this smaller sword was visible beside the greatsword’s guard, and it too, like the greatsword, exuded an undeniable beauty.
–”East Bamboo Immortal is haughty by nature. In her eyes, I fear we are no different from Polaris.”
The young woman in yellow robes spoke, her voice like silver bells, melodic yet tinged with a hint of arrogance.
–”Miss Yi, your words are mistaken.”
The last of the four spoke.
–”Polaris has traveled a great distance to trouble East Bamboo Immortal, whereas we have come to assist her. Although East Bamboo Immortal has long resided in the mountains and forests, she has indeed heard of matters in the outside world. Her ability to recount Polaris’s monstrous crimes on the Can Shang Star today indicates she is not entirely ignorant of external affairs. Naturally, she can also understand that the actions of the Southern Dipper Star cannot be compared to those of Polaris.”
This person wore a bamboo hat, their face obscured by a veil, and their body thoroughly shrouded, making it impossible to discern their true appearance.
Ren Du walked at the forefront, listening to the back-and-forth chatter of his companions. He subtly glanced back at the Wind and Cloud Elders, who nodded in acknowledgment, as if a silent understanding had passed between them.
As Ren Du took a step forward with his left foot, the Wind and Cloud Elders simultaneously launched their four palms, a fierce palm wind instantly sweeping through the entire bamboo forest. The bamboo grove swayed violently, yet not a single stalk broke, only to reveal a fawning plea for mercy emanating from within.
–”Great one, spare my life!”
Behind Ren Du, Wan Ren subtly frowned. Zhu Jifeng slowly shook his head. Yi Ranchén looked rather smug, while the fourth person remained impassive.
–”If you want to live, get out of there!”
After Yunlong’s sharp command, a figure stumbled out of the bamboo grove, as if dispossessed of their soul.
–”So, it’s ‘Cloud-Soaring Officer’ Zhu Peiqi. Have you also defected to Polaris?”
Fenghu looked at the man before him, a laugh escaping his lips.
The man had an unpleasant appearance, standing there without any semblance of proper posture, like a defeated ruffian.
–”You scared me half to death! Thankfully, great one, you showed mercy!”
Ren Du knew without a doubt that this disciple of the Heaven-Reaching Crossroads would not appear here without reason; Director Ji must have sent him.
–”Did Director Ji send you to deliver a message?”
–”No! No! Ah? Yes! Yes!”
Zhu Peiqi tremblingly handed a letter to Ren Du. Ren Du opened it, read it, and then coldly scrutinized Zhu Peiqi.
–”Did you hear everything we just said?”
–”Heard… didn’t hear! Didn’t hear!”
Zhu Peiqi was so terrified by Ren Du that his wits abandoned him, leaving him speechless for a moment.
–”If you clearly heard it, why pretend otherwise? Go back and tell Director Ji everything you heard. Convey to him that East Bamboo Immortal’s affairs are our affairs, and the Southern Dipper Star will take charge of everything that happens in East Bamboo.”
Zhu Peiqi stood there with his head bowed, occasionally looking up to offer Ren Du a fawning smile, showing no signs of moving for a long while.
Yunlong’s eyes widened as he asked irritably.
–”Why aren’t you leaving yet?”
–”You scared me so badly, great one, my legs are like jelly. I can’t move.”
Zhu Peiqi spoke with a fawning grin, calling him ‘great one’ repeatedly, yet his expression betrayed no respect for Yunlong whatsoever.
–”Scram!”
Yunlong delivered a flying kick, but Zhu Peiqi swayed, instantly shifting backward to evade the blow. He then plunged down the cliff, and with a whistle, he leaped dozens of meters into the air. With a few more bounds, he vanished from Ren Du’s sight, leaving only his mocking words lingering in the air.
–”Manager Ren, heed Director Ji’s kind advice and leave East Bamboo quickly before you suffer a crushing defeat! Hahaha!”
Setting aside Zhu Peiqi’s mockery, what truly astounded them was that while the direction of each leap was clearly visible, his landing points consistently defied their expectations, as if he were a fallen leaf in the wind, arbitrarily changing its trajectory.
–”The Heaven-Reaching Crossroads’s ‘Divine遁甲神行步’ (Dun Jia Shen Xing Bu) truly lives up to its reputation. His leaps and bounds are like a demon possessed, a malevolent spirit clinging to him—what formidable footwork!”
The masked man couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration. Although Wan Ren and the others didn’t openly show it, they too secretly applauded in their hearts—even they might not have been able to catch up to such ghost-like, elusive footwork in mere moments.
–”Manager Ren, Director Ji has sent someone to probe our strength. Should we…”
Ren Du looked down at the village below, a hint of disdain gracing the corner of his mouth.
–”There’s no need, Mr. Zhu.”
He turned to face his companions, waved the letter in his hand, then threw it to the ground and deliberately stepped on it.
–”What is this? A trick to scare children? All bluster and no substance, merely feigning composure, hoping to send us packing with a few words? The esteemed disciple of Shan Hai Pavilion possesses such meager skill! He sent Zhu Peiqi merely to convey a message: that Polaris knows everything about us, and if we dare make a rash move, he will deal with us all. This is meant to keep us away from East Bamboo Immortal, to prevent us from wading into these troubled waters. But we are not afraid of him.”
Ren Du looked towards Qingfeng Peak and said in a deep voice.
–”You all should go back and rest first. Tonight, I will visit East Bamboo Immortal again to urge her to be more vigilant against Polaris’s people.”
Everyone nodded, finding this course of action entirely reasonable; they must not be negligent and must take extra precautions against Polaris’s people.
–”Rest is not a priority at this critical juncture. We should accompany Manager Ren.”
As Wan Ren spoke, he glanced at the others. Seeing no objections, he promptly followed Ren Du, and the rest of the group also joined them.
The bamboo forest gradually quieted as their footsteps receded, and a female figure emerged in the moonlight, bending down to pick up the letter from the ground.