Chapter 338: Grand Plan
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
Fang Zhengzhi didn’t know what Princess Shan Yu was thinking now.
Or, it could be said that even if he knew, he wouldn’t be the slightest bit afraid. In reality, from the moment he decided to stay, he had been planning.
This was an extremely grand plan.
However, this plan must fulfill a requirement.
That was to build up reputation in the Southern Mountain Range.
Initially, he had planned to achieve this in two steps. The first was based off Princess Shan Yu. He wanted to use a cultured method to tell Princess Shan Yu stories, then, slowly gain Princess Shan Yu’s trust.
The second was to find an opportunity to gain popular authority among the entire army.
Initially, he felt that in order to fulfill any of these two points, sufficient time was required. However, in reality, he seemed to have overestimated the difficulty of these.
Because…
He was actually able to successfully challenge General Tai with such ease. Furthermore, what gave him an even pleasant surprise was that Princess Shan Yu had actually chosen to let Fang Zhengzhi fight with General Tai on the drill ground arena.
Most importantly, it was a battle of technique!
This was simply paving a shortcut for Fang Zhengzhi to reach the sky in a single bound.
"Then, General Tai… Sorry for exploiting you!" Fang Zhengzhi’s grin was radiant. Because, he knew very clearly what would happen after today.
Compared to Fang Zhengzhi’s radiant smile, General Tai now felt aggrieved, very aggrieved.
The great Tiger General of the Southern Mountain Range, a powerful being of the Supernatural Advanced State, was now beaten up badly by a "pawn". Most importantly…
The opponent wasn’t planning to stop!
Fang Zhengzhi naturally wouldn’t stop. The fighting technique of the Stabilisation Constabulary was very complicated. However, in theory, it was extremely easy - press forward with indomitable will. If the opponent retreats, I will advance. If the opponent falls, I will step on him a few times.
In short, as long as he was alive, he wouldn’t rest.
Even if the opponent had to search for all his teeth on the floor, he had to make sure that he wouldn’t be able to find any teeth.
After successfully landing two attacks, a third attack lashed out.
However, this time, General Tai was evidently more vigilant. It was impossible for the great Tiger General of the Southern Mountain Range to be a showy empty vessel without any practical skills.
Losing twice in a row.
This was due to reasons of carelessness as well as miscalculations.
He had never imagined that Fang Zhengzhi would use such deadly and immoral moves. Furthermore, Fang Zhengzhi’s refined and cultured appearance caused him to have great difficulty imagining that his techniques would be as swift and powerful.
Putting up such a desperate fight to the death at the start?
The anger in General Tai’s heart was now completely ignited. He began to counter-attack.
Unfortunately…
One wrong move led to many wrong moves.
How could the Stabilisation Constabulary’s battle spirit be countered as and when one wished?
On the arena of the drill ground.
Fang Zhengzhi lashed out with punches, palm strikes and grabs towards General Tai. Techniques that appeared messy and random actually combined together naturally and beautifully to form one great technique.
On the other hand, General Tai retreated step by step. He had already been completely forced to one corner of the drill ground arena.
The soldiers below the arena were completely stunned by this scene.
Before the start of the fight, they had imagined countless possibilities. For example, Fang Zhengzhi would lose a few teeth, how long it would take for Fang Zhengzhi to beg for mercy, what kind of defensive moves would Fang Zhengzhi use.
Yet, in reality.
Everything was the complete opposite.
This isn’t right, the outcome shouldn’t be like this!
Why was an ordinary soldier able to wreck the Tiger General of the Southern Mountain Range so badly that he didn’t even have the strength to counter. All he could do was…
Retreat!
General Tai’s eyes were filled with red. He couldn’t retreat anymore, he could only put his life on the line.
The huge black axe on his hand swept out horizontally at the most critical juncture as a streak of black light drew a crescent-moon like arc around his body.
This was the only move he could think of to force away his opponent.
However, even so, he received a punch to the face. The pain was burning. This punch landed on his eye.
A dark panda eye appeared on his face.
On the other hand, after Fang Zhengzhi landed an attack, he finally retreated gracefully, just like a leaf drifting down in the powerful wind, drifting to the other corner of the arena.
"He finally retreated!" Even though General Tai had to take a punch, he was still somewhat happy inside. Because, if he still allowed himself to be forced back in this manner, he might really lose.
This was something he would never wish to experience.
"Do you feel a pleasant surprise?" Fang Zhengzhi stood with hands behind his back in a corner of the arena, asking General Tai with a bright smile on his face.
He naturally didn’t have to retreat completely during that previous attack.
But, he still retreated.
The reason was very simple. He gained an opportunity, an opportunity to plant his authority and grow his reputation. Then, in order to make full use of this opportunity, he had to defeat General Tai justly and honourably.
Furthermore, he had to ensure General Tai lost fully contentedly.
If he forced General Tai off the arena in such a manner, the soldiers of the Southern Mountain Range would only believe that Fang Zhengzhi was extremely lucky.
The opportunity would disappear instantly.
That was how Fang Zhengzhi thought. However, that wasn’t how General Tai thought. In General Tai’s mind, he had forcefully pushed back Fang Zhengzhi by taking a punch.
At this moment, the spirit of the soldiers below the arena was revived.
Forced Fang Zhengzhi back?
Then, General Tai was about to demonstrate his invincible might next!
They were filled with anticipation, anticipating General Tai’s splendid performance that was coming up next.
Only Princess Shan Yu frowned slightly. Because, Fang Zhengzhi’s expression was really too leisurely, as if he hadn’t felt the slightest bit of regret after being forced back by General Tai.
This was clearly not very normal.
"Pleasant surprise?" Princess Shan Yu’s lips softly mouthed these two words. Looking at Fang Zhengzhi with her dark eyes, she grew even more curious.
General Tai was also mouthing these two words.
However, these two words came out in the form of an enraged bellow. "Pleasant surprise! Good kid… today, I really want to see how much of a pleasant surprise you can give me today!"
General Tai naturally wouldn’t believe that Fang Zhengzhi’s abilities exceeded that of himself.
However, before his voice had even landed completely.
The pleasant surprise came.
Just as surprised as himself were the soldiers below the arena, as well as Princess Shan Yu who was lying down on the golden animal skin.
"How is this possible?!" All of the soldiers widened their eyes.
Because, on the arena, Fang Zhengzhi had drawn open the Fire Rattan Bow. Furthermore, he pulled it into a perfect full moon.
The Fiery Rattan Bow emanated a scorching hot air.
At the same time, it also ignited the eyes of the soldiers standing below the arena.
A fire appeared in their eyes. That was the Fiery Rattan Bow, Princess Shan Yu’s Fiery Rattan Bow. He… actually managed to pull it open.
At this moment, Princess Shan Yu sat up from her chair.
She naturally knew very clearly how hard the Fiery Rattan Bow was. She knew even more clearly what state one’s body had to achieve in order to pull the Fiery Rattan Bow into a full moon.
Star Conglomerate!
And, at least Star Conglomerate Peak!
How old was Fang Zhengzhi?
He was only fifteen or sixteen, yet, he had already achieved the enlightenment state of Star Conglomerate Peak?
Such a talent would be regarded extremely highly even in the Great Xia, not just the Southern Mountain Range. He is definitely not any ordinary soldier, definitely not!
At this moment, Princess Shan Yu was almost completely sure.
Then…
She thought of another question.
Fang Zhengzhi and General Tai’s positions were each at a corner of the arena. This meant that the distance between them were already at a maximum.
If Fang Zhengzhi could pull open the Fiery Rattan Bow, then, was there a possibility…
That his previous retreat was on purpose?
When Princess Shan Yu thought of this, she instinctively tightened her fist. A piece of fruit instantly exploded under the pressure as the juice flowed out from between her fingers.
General Tai’s eyes was completely wide with shock.
An ordinary spy from the Great Xia was actually able to pull open the Fiery Rattan Bow?
That, during that previous competition with Princess Shan Yu, his inability to pull open the tough bow was… a pretence? This little kid dared to pretend in front of him!
He didn’t even have the time to vent his anger.
An arrow streaked towards him with a speed as fast as lightning, carrying with it a powerful whistling sound and a faint red glow at its tail.
If it was any other time, General Tai naturally didn’t care about such an arrow.
However, this time was different.
He couldn’t use his enlightenment state to fend against this. All he had was his flesh. An arrow shot out by the opponent from the Fiery Rattan Bow from such a close distance.
Could that be forcefully blocked by one’s flesh?
Only a dumb idiot would block that!
General Tai dodged without a moment of hesitation, rolling down on the ground while holding the huge black axe in his hand directly in front of his body.
"Woosh!" The whistling arrow brushed across the scalp of his head.
Immediately lighting up the beard on his face.
"Thud thud!" General Tai lashed out without hesitation, extinguishing the flame on his beard. He had been stunned by Fang Zhengzhi’s ability to pull apart the Fiery Rattan Bow.
Else, there was simply no way he would be in such a difficult and panicked position.
Just as he thought, a second arrow flew towards him.
"Hmph, you think I will let you hit me?!" General Tai huffed coldly. He didn’t roll over again. Instead, he pounced forward with his head lowered, just like a tiger leaping down the mountain.
Advancing towards Fang Zhengzhi while dodging the arrow without taking any extra steps to move forward. That was his strategy.
Else…
You think I would really wait to get shot to death?
All I have to do is to close the distance, then, you wouldn’t be able to use the Fiery Rattan Bow!
This was what General Tai thought. However, this thought was quickly replaced by confusion. Because, the instant he pounced forward, he felt something impaled in his hand.
Looking down.
His eyes turned round once again.
On the arena of the drill ground, why would there be...
Nails!
It was indeed nails. Furthermore, it was a huge patch of nails. Every piece had three edges, and on it, there were still pieces of small inverted hooks. It seemed that a lot of effort had been put into its making, causing it to flash with a faint glow under the glare of the sun.
This time, General Tai was clearly taken aback.
It was impossible for something like this to appear on the arena, unless…
As he thought, General Tai’s gaze shifted towards Fang Zhengzhi. Then, he realised that Fang Zhengzhi was leisurely throwing splashes of nails onto the ground in all directions.
Handful by handful, he threw the nails down onto the arena.
"Little kid, you…" Ever since he was born, General Tai had never experienced such anger. Despite not using his state to protect his body, even though he was still made of skin and flesh, it was impossible for nails to completely penetrate his flesh as long as he paid a little attention.
However, how was it possible for a person’s entire body to be impenetrable by nails? For example, eyes, ears, face… and the lifeblood at one’s crotch.
Who would be able to train these places to become as hard as metal?
The previous moment, General Tai was forced to press onto the ground with his hand due to having to roll forwards. His hand was trained. However, even so, under circumstances in which he completely didn’t take any precaution against, the nails still left a few faint red marks on his palms.
"Woosh!" Fang Zhengzhi didn’t pay any attention to General Tai’s cries. He directly replied General Tai’s question with an arrow. Roll? Let me see how you roll!
"Shoot you till you jump!"
Princess Shan Yu looked at Fang Zhengzhi throwing nails onto the ground and instinctively swore. "Shameless!"
However, she quickly thought of another problem.
In an arena filled with nails, General Tai was a warrior from the Southern Mountain Range, hence, his body was in a much stronger state than Fang Zhengzhi. Then, if the nails that filled the arena were stepped on…
Wouldn’t Fang Zhengzhi be on a disadvantage?
Why would he do this?
Princess Shan Yu didn’t quite understand. If this was to prevent General Tai from nearing him, that was clearly not very possible. Because, the arena of the drill ground was only that big. If Fang Zhengzhi wished to use his bow continuously, he simply couldn’t stand still on the same spot.
Fang Zhengzhi moved.
Of course, he couldn’t keep standing in the corner of the arena.
However…
What happened next caused the soldiers under the arena to be completely stunned.
As Fang Zhengzhi drew his bow and shot arrows over and over again, he threw all kinds of traps, nails and hidden weapons onto the ground.
On the other hand, General Tai jumped and rolled around with great caution about the arena, his expression deep in concentration.
His head remained constantly lowered, looking at where he stepped. However, despite this, he still couldn’t avoid stepping on the them. Even though he wouldn’t be impaled completely by the nails, he still felt as if he was dancing happily on knives.
In order to prevent himself to constantly stepping on the nails.
He had to force himself to jump slightly higher as he flipped and rolled around. This way, the force with which he landed onto the ground would be slightly larger.
In comparison to General Tai.
Fang Zhengzhi was clearly much more relaxed.
He danced around on the arena as if he was riding a gust of wind under his feet, his eyes always looking straight ahead and never below his feet. It was just as if there were eyes beneath his feet that enabled him to avoid all the nails.
General Tai flipped and rolled around on the arena in pursuit.
While Fang Zhengzhi danced casually within the arena, constantly drawing the Fiery Rattan Bow in his hand and releasing one arrow followed by another towards General Tai.
Princess Shan Yu frowned slightly. She couldn’t understand why, for the same nails on the ground, General Tai had to take utmost caution while Fang Zhengzhi didn’t even step on one.
What was this about?
Princess Shan Yu’s dark eyes fixated themselves tightly upon those loose nails and animal traps strewn across the arena. After a total of fifteen minutes, the expression in her eyes finally changed slowly, from the initial surprise into alarm.
"This kid actually knows…"