True beauty requires no praise to be beautiful.
The first day of the competition, it was fair to say, started unfavorably.
None of these outcomes, however, exceeded Director Ji’s expectations, as he had mentally prepared for them beforehand.
Although today’s matches revealed that East Bamboo Immortal’s swordplay was not as formidable as their unarmed combat, the hope of victory remained slim.
For tomorrow’s competition, they would have no choice but to deploy all available personnel, engaging East Bamboo Immortal in a series of continuous battles to gradually wear them down.
If they still failed to secure a victory, Director Ji knew he would have to step onto the stage himself for the day after tomorrow’s match.
“It smells so good! What is this?”
Tian Qi, gnawing on a roasted chicken, inquired of He Shouwú, who was tending to Ma Yan’s injuries.
“Medicine.”
“Medicine? But I only saw you pry off a piece of bark from a tree!”
“This is called the Wondrous Fragrant Herb Tree. Its roots, leaves, fruits, and bark can all be used in medicine. Though it appears exceptionally unsightly, once the bark is peeled, it emits a unique aroma. Inhaling it has the effect of calming the mind, settling the spirit, and dispelling fatigue.”
After explaining, Director Ji smiled and patted the tree trunk, then looked up at the twisted Wondrous Fragrant Herb Tree before them.
This tree was a treasure from root to tip; its only drawback was its extremely demanding requirements for soil and water, making artificial cultivation often unsuccessful.
Yet, in the scenic lands of East Bamboo, it seemed to flourish everywhere.
“Can this be used as a seasoning?”
He Shouwú tilted his head slightly, observing Tian Qi, wondering why this man couldn’t go three sentences without mentioning food.
“It can.”
“Then can I tear off some, crush it, and use it instead of fennel? The smell seems similar to me.”
Listening to Tian Qi’s query, He Shouwú couldn’t help but frown.
In his many years of practicing medicine, he had never heard such an odd request.
The bark of the Wondrous Fragrant Herb Tree and fennel had completely different scents; how could one substitute the other?
How had Tian Qi possibly concluded that their smells were similar?
Noticing He Shouwú’s frown, Tian Qi grew puzzled.
“What’s wrong? Is it that this bark, if used in place of fennel in roasted chicken… it… wouldn’t smell good?”
“I have never tried using it as a seasoning, but it is certainly harmless for consumption.
Brother Tian, you may use it however you wish.”
Upon hearing this, Tian Qi immediately scampered off gleefully to the tree to tear off more bark, then darted away in a flash to prepare his roasted chicken.
The people in the courtyard exchanged glances, falling silent for a moment.
Today’s battle had left the onlookers feeling profoundly defeated, yet those who had already competed showed little regret, having clearly conceded defeat wholeheartedly.
Director Ji leaned against the tree, inhaling the unique aroma emanating from the peeled bark, and gazing up at the sky, lost in thought.
Tomorrow, he mused, was fraught with uncertainty.
Nevertheless, East Bamboo was a prize Polaris was determined to claim.
****
The large courtyard where Director Ji resided was situated to the west of the village, while the smaller courtyard temporarily housing Ren Du and his companions lay to the east.
Ren Du stood in the wind, the handles of two ‘Unity Force-3’ pistols protruding from his shoulder holsters.
Despite being the manager of the Jianwu Bureau, overseeing martial artists, he still carried firearms.
People often focused solely on his origins as a martial arts rogue, overlooking the fact that he had also received relevant training at the Academy of Sciences.
Yi Ranchén had secluded herself in her room, remaining silent even now.
Ma Yan’s public humiliation of her would undoubtedly induce temporary reclusiveness in anyone.
“The people from Polaris are truly despicable…”
Yunlong slammed his palm heavily against the Wondrous Fragrant Herb Tree before him, leaving a deep imprint on its trunk.
“Brother Yunlong, calm yourself.”
Ren Du stared at the moonlight on the ground, then turned his palm over, silently studying the lines etched upon it.
Wan Ren and the others watched him from the side, unsure of his thoughts, until Ren Du slowly began to speak.
“Everyone… today’s power clash with Director Ji reminded me of something…”
The group gathered around Ren Du, waiting for him to continue.
“If Polaris still fails to win this competition by the end, Director Ji will most likely step onto the stage himself.”
“Manager Ren, are you concerned that Director Ji’s power is sufficient to defeat East Bamboo Immortal?”
Wan Ren set down his small bamboo-carving knife and continued.
“From your confrontation with Director Ji today, it seems his power is not as great as yours…”
“No, Mr. Wan, I have a strong suspicion that Director Ji deliberately feigned weakness.
Throughout our exchange of blows, I never perceived any deficiency in his power.
To suggest that my final palm strike caused him to breathe irregularly is something I myself find hard to believe.”
Ren Du recalled the many moments of his clash with Director Ji.
He had indeed intended to increase the force of his final palm strike to disrupt Director Ji’s breathing, preventing him from attacking from behind while Ren Du rescued Yi Ranchén.
Director Ji had indeed shown signs of irregular breathing.
However, Ren Du felt that his victory had come too easily.
Others might have believed Director Ji’s power was insufficient, but Ren Du did not.
Having personally exchanged blows with Director Ji, his assessment of Director Ji’s strength was more accurate than anyone else’s.
Perhaps Director Ji’s irregular breathing was merely an act.
He still possessed the residual strength to launch a sneak attack on Ren Du.
The reason he hadn’t done so might have been out of consideration for East Bamboo Immortal’s attitude toward Polaris.
No, Director Ji had already laid his cards on the table with East Bamboo Immortal; why would he care about their attitude then?
He was concealing his true strength.
As for the purpose of hiding his strength, Ren Du deduced that Director Ji intended to personally face East Bamboo Immortal in the final match, and thus chose not to reveal his true capabilities beforehand.
Judging by East Bamboo Immortal’s demonstrated strength today, Ren Du estimated his own chances of victory against them were fifty-fifty.
If it were Director Ji facing them… if this thought had occurred yesterday, Ren Du would likely have considered Director Ji his equal, with similar odds of victory.
However, after today’s competition, Ren Du had changed his mind.
Director Ji’s chances against East Bamboo Immortal might be slightly higher than his own, for he was, after all, a distinguished disciple of the Shan Hai Pavilion.
Compared to him, Ren Du conceded he was ultimately a step behind.
Though Director Ji’s chances of winning against East Bamboo Immortal surpassed his own, it would not be by much.
At best, he would have a slight edge; East Bamboo Immortal was by no means destined for defeat.
“Then what does Manager Ren intend to do?”
“Tomorrow, a few of you will stand by to assist while I engage Director Ji once more, ensuring he cannot participate in tomorrow’s match.”
“But this is not a long-term solution.
Polaris has stipulated three days for the competition; what if it reaches the final day…”
Before Zhu Jifeng could finish his sentence, he seemed to grasp Ren Du’s intention and left his words unsaid.
If Ren Du could stall Director Ji tomorrow, then the final match the day after would effectively be settled.
Ren Du’s plan was to detain Director Ji tomorrow, preventing his participation, and simultaneously deplete as much of his power as possible.
Even if Director Ji could participate the day after, the significant power expended the previous day would leave him unable to face East Bamboo Immortal in optimal condition.
This would greatly diminish Director Ji’s chances of victory.
Ren Du glanced towards Yi Ranchén’s room, then directed his gaze towards East Bamboo Immortal’s dwelling.
“Manager Ren, do you plan to try persuading East Bamboo Immortal again?”
Wan Ren, discerning Ren Du’s intent, offered a word of comfort.
“You know better than us whether East Bamboo Immortal will accept the Southern Dipper Academy’s counsel…”
He emphasized the pronunciation of ‘Southern Dipper Academy’ in his words, aiming to remind Ren Du that even the most realistic and sincere advice would not erase the ‘Southern Dipper Academy’s lobbyist’ label etched in East Bamboo Immortal’s mind.
East Bamboo Immortal disliked the Academy of Sciences; to them, Polaris and Southern Dipper were indistinguishable.
“As long as there’s a sliver of a chance, it’s worth trying.”
Having spoken, Ren Du departed the small courtyard and headed towards Qingfeng Peak.
****
“Brother Zhu! Your efforts are commendable! Your efforts are commendable! Have a bowl of water!”
“Director Ji, I just saw Ren Du heading to Qingfeng Peak.”
As Zhu Peiqi stepped into the courtyard, he immediately approached Director Ji, not even bothering to drink the water Tian Qi had offered him.
Director Ji simply hummed in response, seemingly unconcerned, while Chi Yiheng, the scholarly man, grew visibly alert.
“How many people?”
“Just him alone.”
Chi Yiheng glanced at Director Ji, and seeing no reaction, suppressed the suggestion forming in his mind.
He had always felt that keeping Ren Du alive was a major hidden danger for Polaris, and it would be best to eliminate him if the opportunity arose.
“If Ren Du were removed, the Southern Dipper Academy would simply have others replace him, just as if Polaris lost me, there would still be Ji Qianchu, Ji Wanchu…”
Director Ji’s words were so comical that several people almost burst into laughter.
Yet, Yu Wusheng and the others understood that Director Ji’s remark was not meant for outsiders, but for those among them who constantly harbored thoughts of killing Ren Du.
“I have a very firm grasp of Ren Du’s patterns.
If he were replaced by someone stronger, I might not be able to predict them as accurately.
Weighing the pros and cons, the simple-minded Ren Du is more suitable for me.”
Everyone immediately burst into laughter, but laughter aside, Yu Wusheng and the others began to ponder how tomorrow’s competition should proceed.
“Everyone, tomorrow’s competition will be crucial.
I earnestly hope you will all give it your utmost.”
Director Ji rose and bowed to the assembled group, who returned his gesture in kind.
“Tomorrow, we will hold nothing back.
Those who have not yet competed will take turns on the stage, striving to defeat East Bamboo Immortal tomorrow.”
The crowd nodded, each thinking that tomorrow’s victory would likely rely on a series of continuous battles to wear down East Bamboo Immortal.
Such a victory, even if achieved, would leave them feeling somewhat disgraced, as it would be a win by attrition rather than a one-on-one triumph.
However, upon further reflection, they had already received numerous benefits from Polaris and were thus obligated to exert their full effort.
If they were to prioritize reputation excessively, leading to a fruitless journey to East Bamboo, would they not forfeit the golden opportunity for future cooperation with Polaris?
“What about the day after tomorrow?”
Tian Qi, handing a greasy water bowl to Zhu Peiqi, asked as he continued to gnaw on his roasted chicken.
All eyes immediately converged on him, everyone thinking what a buzzkill he was.
With everyone taking turns tomorrow, how could they possibly fail to win?
Even if they didn’t win, they would at least have tried their best during this journey to East Bamboo.
Polaris surely wouldn’t find fault with them or accuse them of not putting in their full effort.
Any failure this time would simply be attributed to East Bamboo Immortal’s overwhelming strength, and so on.
They could just offer a perfunctory explanation upon their return and move on.
They couldn’t possibly risk their lives fighting East Bamboo Immortal, could they?
Not everyone was a fool like Xiao Zhang.
“Then the day after tomorrow, I will have no choice but to face East Bamboo Immortal myself.”
Director Ji scanned the group, resolute determination etched on his brow.
“Regardless of the outcome, East Bamboo must be secured.”