Chapter 31 - 31 31 They Are Hungry

31: Chapter 31: They Are Hungry 31: Chapter 31: They Are Hungry “Uh…it’s my fault.” An Jing felt at a loss for words and could only apologize, to which Bai Qinghan responded with a quiet ‘mm’. Indeed, Bai Qinghan was not foolish—quite the opposite; she was exceptionally intelligent and could even be said to be the most talented of the 108, aside from An Jing. Why would she reveal those secrets? She wouldn’t have said a word if it hadn’t been to An Jing, who also understood the true nature of the Demon Sect. The reason Bai Qinghan had thanked An Jing earlier was because she sensed a sense of ease in his actions and mindset. —He was confident enough to restrain me without causing harm. —Combat doesn’t have to involve killing. After being soundly knocked down by three firm punches from An Jing, Bai Qinghan felt an unprecedented relief—her previous instinct to strike hard stemmed from fear. She feared that if she didn’t kill others, she would be killed herself. This chilling thought made it impossible for Bai Qinghan to control herself. However, having been defeated by her peer, An Jing, she finally woke from this nightmare of killing and being killed, and could face all her training partners with a normal mindset. After that, Bai Qinghan often sought out An Jing for conversations. Most of the time, she would ask about martial skills and techniques for pulling punches. She was extremely curious about these ‘non-lethal’ martial skills, like someone who had eaten rice all their life suddenly tasting dumplings and finding an interest in this different staple. Since only An Jing could subdue Bai Qinghan, and no one else was willing to spar with her, others were neither curious about their interactions nor surprised by their sudden practice sessions, merely admiring An Jing as ‘Eldest Senior’ for his true ability and sense of responsibility. Except for Gu Yeqi. “Be careful, Big Brother An, that person might be up to no good!” She was quite wary of Bai Qinghan, always feeling that this dangerous bad girl harbored intentions of harming An Jing—actually, this was the majority’s view of Bai Qinghan; they always thought that her frequent clinginess to An Jing was to find an opportunity to avenge her defeat. They were really overthinking it. An Jing would not lose! Thus, whenever Bai Qinghan had time, she would come to chat with An Jing and others, even joining them in training exercises, frequently acting together despite not being in the same group. Eventually, even Gu Yeqi accepted Bai Qinghan moving together with them. Although she still often complained that this ‘gloomy,’ ‘quiet,’ ‘porcelain doll-like,’ and ‘disingenuous’ girl surely had ulterior motives, their relationship improved considerably once Bai Qinghan allowed Gu Yeqi to braid her long, black, straight hair as ‘play.’ Rare peaceful days quickly passed by. During this time, An Jing continually tried to venture to Hanging Fate Valley to seek the second fragment of the Sword Spirit. Unfortunately, for some unknown reason, security at Hanging Fate Manor had tightened recently. It was one thing to wander within the manor, but leaving was absolutely impossible. An Jing and the Sword Spirit speculated that there might be some unrest from Da Chen’s side recently, as the manor’s supplies had also decreased significantly, and even An Jing’s food portions had lessened—not because it wasn’t provided, but because there really was none left. That might also be an opportunity, An Jing continued to train. He needed to be ready, to build up his strength, prepared to burst forth at the crucial moment. An Jing was well aware that he could not save all the disciples who called him ‘Eldest Senior.’ Many had already entered the Demon Dao, their bodies invaded by monstrous evil; the madness in their eyes was all too apparent. If he had encountered himself before meeting the Sword Spirit, he probably could only save himself; but after meeting the Sword Spirit, perhaps he could save Cang Linzu and Gu Yeqi, or even more people. However, facing dozens of instructors with the level of Inner Breath, and the Vice Envoy of Medicine at the Inner Strength level, saving everyone was beyond his capability. It was not a matter of how much strength one had, but rather, a matter of miracles. Sёarch* The nôvel_Fire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But… An Jing would do his utmost. He would do his utmost to save anyone he could. If he could save one, then he would save one. The final days came quickly. One day. Bai Qinghan once again approached An Jing, who was practicing joint attacks with his teammates. “Hey, Qinghan, didn’t you see we are practicing? Do you want to spy on our tactics?” Gu Yeqi stepped in front of An Jing somewhat displeased. This was what most of the young boys and girls thought. Hanging Fate Manor taught them the art of battle formations and joint attacks, certainly also to test their results. Each squadron, for possible future ‘contests’, was now spurring themselves on and intensifying their training. The instructors knew these kids were overthinking, but as long as it motivated them to train hard without needing supervision, why bother revealing the truth? Thus, with the tacit approval of the instructors, competition among the twelve groups had quietly begun. Bai Qinghan was the leader of the third group ‘Jiu Zi’, and unlike fighting, as a leader, she indeed provided reassurance to her team members. After all, who wouldn’t appreciate a courageous and assertive captain? Gu Yeqi knew this, which is why he was somewhat annoyed at Bai Qinghan—normally, it was fine to play together, but during training, the captain of the third group always came over; surely she wanted to spy on their group’s tactics! “I am just here to find Eldest Senior.” Bai Qinghan just shook her head slightly at Gu Yeqi, then, stepping past the confused girl with braids, she calmly said to the stern-faced An Jing, “They are hungry.” “Eldest Brother, they are all hungry.” “Now?” Unlike the confused faces of group one, upon hearing this, An Jing furrowed his brows solemnly, then nodded at Bai Qinghan, “I understand.” After Bai Qinghan left, An Jing cautiously turned to the side and looked toward the loft by the Martial Arts Fields. “Continue practicing!” Exhaling deeply, An Jing said in a deep voice, motioning with his hand for the other team members to keep pace, “Don’t let up, get serious!” Medicine Pavilion. “This batch… is far better than the previous one.” At the top of the Medicine Pavilion, the Vice Envoy of Medicine and Instructor Li looked over the nearby practicing field. This practice field seemed ordinary, merely a layer of compacted earth, but in reality it was elaborately designed with five layers: a layer of earth, a layer of crushed stone, another layer of earth, a layer of sand, and yet another layer of earth—after solidifying five layers, it was called Five Harmonies Soil. Such a field was durable and also less likely to cause injury to beginners. To carve out such a manor and establish such a Martial Arts Field in the deep mountains and forests, Heaven’s Will Cult had indeed put in great effort. Watching dozens of people in cotton armor shouting and sparring in the Martial Arts Field, the typically stoic Vice Envoy of Medicine couldn’t help but reveal a slight smile, “Wondering among these materials, how many ‘compatriots’ will emerge.” “Having gathered one hundred and eight people of Heavenly Gang and Earth Fiend, able to complete all Twelve Zodiac times and Jiu Yao Xing, it’s much better than previous times which only had Heavenly Gang, Earth Fiend, or sixty Complete Circuits. And they’re all survivors from the disaster victims, not the inferior materials bought from factions.” The one-eyed Instructor Li stood behind him, sweeping his gaze across the field, speaking with certainty, “Regardless of those Miscellaneous and Strange Mandates, this time at least a true ‘Star Life’ or ‘Fiend Destiny’ should emerge.” “Plus those five official disciples found already awakened with ‘Fate Pattern’… Hehe, the Northern Patrol Envoy will certainly be very pleased!”