Ji Yuan's right hand, which was gently tapping his knee, suddenly stopped, and his gaze shifted to Qiu Qianhai.
The latter nodded.
"He's already ambushing on Wogui Island and wants me to lead you there."
Ji Yuan didn't rush to speak but silently pondered in his mind... Liu Laizi wants to kill me, but I have no grudge with him, not even acquaintances.
In that case, it's most likely the matter Old Man Huang mentioned.
He killed my parents, and now he wants to kill me...
"So why are you telling me this? Wouldn't it be easier for you to team up with him?" Ji Yuan asked with a smile.
Qiu Qianhai shook his head and naturally said, "I have very few friends; you're the only one."
"This Zengtou City can have me kill anyone, but not you."
"So, since Liu Laizi wants to kill you, we might as well kill him."
Ji Yuan nodded slightly.
"If I remember correctly, Liu Laizi is already at the fifth level of Qi Cultivation, right?" Ji Yuan asked.
"Yes, but he was injured over at Maple Island, and I'm at the fourth level of Qi Cultivation now. What about you?"
After Qiu Qianhai finished speaking, he seriously glanced at Ji Yuan, and finally showed a trace of astonishment, "You're already at the mid-stage of Qi Cultivation?"
Qiu Qianhai's impression of Ji Yuan was that he was at the second level of Qi Cultivation.
Now, in just two short months of little contact, Ji Yuan is already at the fourth level, how could he not be surprised?
"Just luck, just luck."
Ji Yuan laughed.
"Then there's no problem. Liu Laizi is an injured fifth level, while both of us are unscathed at the fourth level. Killing him is no big deal!"
Qiu Qianhai, being no stranger to killing, decisively stood up and said.
Ji Yuan didn't stand up but instead stopped him with a hand.
"Hmm?"
"If he wants to kill, he will lure us out of Cloud Rain Marsh. If we stay in Zengtou City, he wouldn't dare act directly, would he? Moreover... you, Qiu Qianhai, are on my side. Don't you think Liu Laizi would consider that?"
Ji Yuan expressed his thoughts.
"You mean he wants to kill both of us?"
This indeed hadn't crossed Qiu Qianhai's mind.
"Someone like Liu Laizi, surviving in Zengtou City until now, must naturally be cunning beyond words. Both of us can deduce that he's just an injured fifth level; he himself surely understands it too."
"A gentleman does not stand beneath a precarious wall. Liu Laizi may not be a gentleman, but he surely gets the saying. So he's likely using himself as bait, and we're the catch."
Ji Yuan finished in one breath, and the now calm Qiu Qianhai's eyes deepened... there's an eight to nine chance that's the case; killing Ji Yuan alone isn't worth much.
His real target is me.
Otherwise, how else could he agree to all my conditions so readily?
Seated again, Qiu Qianhai analyzed: "Liu Laizi definitely doesn't know you're already at the fourth level of Qi Cultivation. If he hires someone, a beginner will be ineffective, and he's unlikely to hire another fifth level. That means the person he's hired is probably fourth level too, which we can still take on!"
Qiu Qianhai was brimming with confidence.
Ji Yuan remained silent.
Qiu Qianhai saw through his thoughts, "You think staying in Zengtou City means Liu Laizi won't dare kill you."
"No, it's just..."
"Don't just 'it's just'. You said a gentleman doesn't stand beneath a precarious wall, I'll also give you this proverb."
"A gentleman, when it's necessary to kill, must kill!"
Qiu Qianhai suddenly got up, "Since Liu Laizi has set his sights on you, regardless of success this time, he'll try all means to kill you."
"If you're willing to go today, then go. If not, I will meet him alone."
Qiu Qianhai, who always tempts fate, knew no fear.
Thoughts flashed rapidly in Ji Yuan's mind... I'm at the fourth level of Qi Cultivation now too, with Water Arrow Technique and Water Drop Finger as Attacking Techniques, plus a Thunder Strike Talisman, and 20 Spirit Stones.
And Qiu Qianhai's argument indeed makes sense.
Liu Laizi is targeting me now. If I don't deal with him while he's injured, I'll be the one worrying when he recovers.
Might not even sleep soundly.
"Damn it!"
Ji Yuan got up, "Let me head back to Zengtou City, buy some stuff, and screw him!"
Qiu Qianhai, originally about to leave, turned back, smiling.
"That's crude, what you should say is... mother of his."
On the road to Zengtou City.
"Did you study?" Ji Yuan asked curiously.
"My father loves reading ancient texts, I've been influenced since a child, so I know a bit."
"Doesn't seem like you're very refined, just learned 'mother of his'?"
"Bullshit, I also know 'Mother of his, indeed mother of his is neither pleased!' 'Damn bastard!' 'Dog-f*cked!' and plenty more."
Ji Yuan shot him a suspicious glance, "You weren't taking a jab at me, were you?"
"How's that possible? You're my brother in arms." Qiu Qianhai shook his head, "Besides, why wait for the chance to curse at you?"
"You dog-bastard!"
Ji Yuan threw a punch at him, and Qiu Qianhai quickly covered his shoulder, gasping in pain, "You brat, did you also train your body?"
"How's that possible?!"
The two chatted and laughed, seemingly unaffected by the looming life-and-death showdown.
Ji Yuan headed straight to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, spending 10 Spirit Stones to purchase a Middle Grade Talisman–the Golden Body Talisman.
Since he could buy a Thunder Strike Talisman as a trump card, he didn't believe Liu Laizi wouldn't have one too. Thus a protective talisman seemed even more precious.
With the remaining 10 Spirit Stones, he spent 5 on a Hundred Herbs Pill for healing.
The final 5 were used on a set of lethal moves recommended by Qiu Qianhai.
1 Spirit Stone per Water Ball Talisman, plus 2 Spirit Stones for a bottle of Itch Poison Solution.
Drip the Itch Poison Solution onto the Water Ball Talisman and throw it; the water ball transforms into a poison orb. Even if it doesn't wound the opponent, just a splash of the toxic water can have effects.
"You're really dirty, huh."
Seated on Qiu Qianhai's Dharma Ship, watching the rapidly receding scenery, Ji Yuan finally felt a thread of tension.
"Let's see who Liu Laizi hired first; I know most of Zengtou City's fourth level Qi Cultivators... I'll make sure to leave the weaker one to you."
"Remember, don't hesitate, if you have the upper hand, strike to kill."
Qiu Qianhai sternly instructed.
"No worries."
Ji Yuan had never killed, but at the brink of life and death, he understood this principle.
"Alright."
Not a man of many words, Qiu Qianhai ceased speaking after this, until about half an hour passed when the Dharma Ship subtly slowed.
"We're here."
Wogui Island, true to its name, was shaped like a lying turtle.
At that moment, on the sandy shore of Wogui Island sat Liu Laizi cross-legged, Qiu Qianhai's Dharma Ship approached without docking.
Liu Laizi slowly opened his eyes, glanced at the figures on the ship, and mocked, "Unbelievable, brotherly affection really exists in this Zengtou City drama."