The East Bamboo Immortal’s Dilemma

Without a choice, how could regret possibly arise?

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The East Bamboo Immortal resided behind Qingfeng Peak. Having visited before, Ren Du was intimately familiar with the path, thus swiftly reaching the summit of Qingfeng Peak.

Though Fenghu and the others had resolved to accompany him, Ren Du ultimately left them behind on Qingfeng Peak. Unwilling to arouse the East Bamboo Immortal’s suspicion, he proceeded alone along the narrow trail leading deeper into the mountain.

Given Director Ji’s astute intellect, it was inconceivable that he wouldn’t anticipate Ren Du’s visit to the East Bamboo Immortal. Nevertheless, Ren Du harbored no fear of an ambush; Director Ji’s true objective was the East Bamboo Immortal, not Ren Du’s life.

This was an adversary who clearly understood priorities, one who could be underestimated in words but had to be taken seriously in deeds.

‘What thoughts occupied Director Ji at this very moment? What precisely was his infallible scheme for victory? Could it truly be, as Ren Du suspected, a treacherous ambush on the East Bamboo Immortal?’

Beyond the trail on Qingfeng Peak lay the East Bamboo Immortal’s dwelling, a modest space comprising only a simple hut, with a well situated a short distance from its entrance.

Despite its simplicity, the hut had been meticulously constructed, and even the stone table near the well bore clear marks of regular upkeep.

‘It seemed the local inhabitants held the East Bamboo Immortal in profound reverence, given that even this weathered stone table, exposed to wind and sun, was frequently tended to and repaired.’

The East Bamboo Immortal sat in meditation upon a rock to one side, seemingly oblivious to Ren Du’s presence.

Ren Du’s prowess was no less than that of Yu Wusheng and his peers. Despite the considerable distance separating him from the East Bamboo Immortal, he could still discern the subtle rhythm of her breathing.

While the aura emanating from her was almost imperceptible, rendering her as still as a statue, the innate and unavoidable instinct of respiration persisted, albeit far more subtly than in an ordinary person.

Judging by her breathing, the East Bamboo Immortal’s vital energy flowed smoothly, each breath drawn out and profound, a testament to power far beyond the grasp of common martial artists. Ren Du would ordinarily have no cause for concern, yet this time, the East Bamboo Immortal’s adversary was no mere practitioner of the martial world, but the Polaris Xingwu Office.

Following the World War, Polaris had restructured its former ‘Martial Arts Academic Affairs Office’ into the ‘Xingwu Office,’ thereby re-integrating the northern martial arts factions. This new body had amassed numerous skilled individuals and extraordinary talents, gradually asserting control over ‘buffer territories’ by leveraging civilian forces. This strategy allowed them to circumvent the ‘September 15th Armistice Agreement’ and the ‘Saint Roseburg System,’ which otherwise restricted the Academy’s expansion.

Ren Du had interacted with Director Ji on numerous occasions, understanding intimately that the man possessed extraordinary strength and a deeply calculating mind. Even though Director Ji appeared, at present, to be at a loss against the East Bamboo Immortal, Ren Du was certain he harbored a hidden scheme. Perhaps he was merely biding his time, awaiting the opportune moment to launch a sudden assault.