Chapter 78: Hidden Motives

The shimmering hues of the phosphorescent grass danced through the underwater chamber, painting it in a riot of colors. Zhang He’s expression seemed to flicker alongside the lights, uncertain and changeable.

Bai Shuangfei could not help but ask, “Why are you so sure the ownership of the item belongs to him, and not to me?”

Zhang He refused to answer. He could hardly admit that he was no god, that he too had moments of indecision; this was simply his intuition, much like a gambler rolling dice, staking everything on one side.

But he still gave the verdict: “Because whether it’s his or yours, it makes no difference.”

Bai Shuangfei pressed, “Why?”

Zhang He replied coldly, “Because whether I help you or him, neither of you will spare us in the end.”

This time, Bai Shuangfei did not ask further. The reason was plain and needed no explanation.

The contest between the two on the lake’s surface had always been fraught with hidden motives and treacherous intent. Anyone could see that neither was a righteous gentleman; both were fickle, ruthless, and dark-hearted. Not only Zhang He, even the three leaders could see through their nature.

Still, Zhang He had decided to deal with Yan Yishan, because both had revealed flaws before him.

He had watched Yan Yishan closely as he took out the gold, noticing the slight tremor in his wrist. For a master swordsman, any part might shake, but never the hand. Yan Yishan’s trembling was not feigned; his jaw was clenched tight, his strength greatly diminished, and he was severely injured, desperate for time to recover—hence, the attempt to buy favor with gold.

When Zhang He advanced with his blade toward Bai Shuangfei, he noticed Bai’s hand was trembling as well, but differently—a tremor gathering force, ready for resistance and counterattack. This proved Bai Shuangfei still had reserves of strength.

Thus, at the last moment, Zhang He changed his mind, choosing to target Yan Yishan.

The Discipline Inspection Secretary could not help but ask, “If you deal with Yan Yishan, you’re sure he won’t trouble us?”

Zhang He sneered, “Because I’m certain I can’t really defeat Yan Yishan. At best, I have a fifty percent chance to seriously injure him; my strength is not enough to take his life.”

The Secretary was baffled, “But… I still don’t quite understand.”

Zhang He stared at Bai Shuangfei. “But I calculated one more thing.”

Bai Shuangfei insisted, “What is it?”

Zhang He replied coldly, “Once I attack Yan Yishan, you won’t let the opportunity slip. Only you have the chance to finish Yan Yishan—at least a sixty percent chance, provided you go all out.”

This the Secretary understood. In fact, everyone on the lake had sensed it: Bai Shuangfei’s internal strength was profound, far superior to Yan Yishan’s. An internal arts master with decent external skills always holds an advantage.

Yan Yishan’s strength might match Bai Shuangfei’s, but Bai was the heavier weight, slightly stronger.

Bai Shuangfei’s tone chilled, “And what does that prove?”

Zhang He answered, “It proves that if you use your full force to eliminate Yan Yishan, your newly recovered attributes will inevitably decrease. Then, the four of us combined have a hope of surviving by confronting you together.”

Bai Shuangfei asked, “But what if you attack me first? Would there be no hope?”

“Exactly!” Zhang He declared. “It’s simple—Yan Yishan is weaker than you. Even if he gives his all, he has only a thirty or forty percent chance of killing you. You’re no novice; you should understand this.”

Bai Shuangfei understood perfectly. At his level, his mind was crystal clear. With only a thirty or forty percent chance, to act would be nearly suicidal.

Zhang He continued, “Yan Yishan’s best shot might not take your life, but with the four of us, our chances rise to over sixty percent. We could whittle you down, but even if we succeed, the four of us siblings would be ruined, our states compromised. Then, Yan Yishan could turn on us, and we’d be as helpless as mosquitoes, ready to be crushed.”

Yan Yishan, lurking in ghost mode, listened and wasn’t sure whether to bemoan his luck or admire Zhang He’s ruthless insight and meticulous calculations.

The three leaders were utterly stunned. Everyone could do the math, but to calculate so precisely was less about difficulty and more about understanding this world and penetrating the hearts of its people.

In this realm, the terror of human nature far surpasses any martial skill. Conversely, to master martial arts, one must first comprehend human nature.

At this moment, Bai Shuangfei stood slowly, no longer confused or surprised, but with a face as cold and still as water, his features veiled in a chill that was more murderous than icy.

Yet his heart was even colder, as if he’d just crawled out of a mire only to fall into another frozen abyss.

He had never considered these people worthy of attention, especially Zhang He, with his cheerful grilling—yet now, that happy-go-lucky youth had become a thorn in his side, a mortal enemy.

Zhang He had only struck once, a single blow, which was trivial compared to the deadly exchanges between Bai Shuangfei and Yan Yishan, but how had it ended in such a dire situation? Bai Shuangfei suddenly felt a cold chill running down his spine.

He realized he had made a foolish mistake: you may underestimate your opponent’s strength, but never their intelligence.

His gaze sharpened, fixing on Zhang He like a blade. “Who are you, really? It seems none of the masters’ alternate accounts have your name.”

Zhang He smiled again, a philosophical, lingering smile. “That doesn’t matter.”

Bai Shuangfei pressed, “Then what does matter?”

“Not wasting time matters most…”

As soon as the word “matters” left his lips, Zhang He’s smile vanished, and the Flowing Cloud Blade struck, its arc rolling forward like drifting clouds.

Surprisingly, Bai Shuangfei did not move to evade the incoming blade—not that he wouldn’t, but he simply couldn’t.

He was a fifth-rank player, with triple internal arts realms: Ascending, Nourishing, and Transforming, allowing him to unleash fierce palm winds to subdue enemies. His other two advancements were in movement and strength at the Ascending realm.

Now, his status bar showed his internal arts icon in purple; by color, he could barely muster Ascending-level internal strength—a severe aftermath of the lake battle, the boss fight, and the fatal palm strike before.

Under normal circumstances, the Flowing Cloud Blade would be swept away by his Transforming-level palm wind five meters out; even five Zhang Hes couldn’t get close. But now, his abilities impaired and conserving strength for unforeseen changes, he triggered his movement skills, sliding back several meters.

Meanwhile, he silently recited his mental technique, trying to buy time for recovery.

But he had underestimated Zhang He. As he retreated, Zhang He flicked out a handful of copper coins, which sliced through the confined space with a fierce wind. Despite the short distance, Bai Shuangfei reacted quickly, forced to use his strength realm to bat five coins away with his bare palm.

Knowing the danger, Zhang He yelled, “Stop watching, act now!”

The Finance Bureau Director, muddled from Zhang He’s analysis, hesitated, “Chief, our work is economic development, serving the people. To use force so recklessly seems out of line with our mission, doesn’t it?”

Zhang He nearly coughed blood at this—at a time like this, still playing bureaucratic games! If you don’t act, you’ll be the next to die.

He kept silent on the principles; most people instinctively resist reasoning. The more you lecture, the less they listen, thinking you’re just nagging.

Extraordinary people require extraordinary language. A flash of inspiration came to Zhang He, and he shouted, “We’re not doing economic development now—we’re working on public security! He’s a red-name, we’re white-name. Red-name means criminal, and as good citizens, we’re obliged to assist the police in solving cases. If you don’t help, you’ll be harboring a murderer…”

The Discipline Inspection Secretary was enlightened, “Yes, assisting in cases brings rewards, contributing to economic development! Good thinking. Second and third, let’s go!”

With his command, Bai Shuangfei’s pressure skyrocketed. Even Zhang He had overlooked one thing—the three leaders had long worked together. The Union Vice-Chairman launched a flying kick, while Bai Shuangfei was still retreating.

The Secretary’s sickle-hook spear swept across with the ‘Sweep Through Thousands’ move, disrupting Bai’s footwork.

Finally, the Finance Bureau Director’s staff came down with the classic ‘Splitting Mount Hua,’ leaving Bai Shuangfei truly cornered.

Their teamwork was crude, even outdated, but it was direct and effective, much like the famous three-axe strikes of Cheng Yaojin; after three moves, dodging was no longer an option—blocking was inevitable.

Bai Shuangfei crossed his wrists, using the outer side of his bracers to block the Director’s staff.

A muffled “bang” sounded, and above Bai Shuangfei’s head appeared a red damage value, “-33.” The harm was minimal, but the force sent him staggering sideways.

He barely took a few steps before Zhang He’s Flowing Cloud Blade swept in with another gust. Bai Shuangfei gritted his teeth, triggered his movement skill, leaped up, tapped his toe on the blade, and flipped with a mid-air “Swallow Turn,” landing behind Zhang He and the others.

This was his only window. Zhang He tossed more copper coins into the air.

Bai Shuangfei, worthy of his fifth-rank status, slapped the coins away mid-air with rapid strikes. Zhang He’s coins could do nothing to him.

It was hardly Zhang He’s fault; after all, Bai Shuangfei was fifth-rank. Though his strength realm was only Ascending, his attribute points were high, making it easy to knock the coins aside.