C22 Shamelessness

The announcement came that the finals would be held tomorrow.

The Boss and Second Brother convened a brief meeting before calling Third Brother to join them.

Upon arriving, Third Brother took a seat in the hall, his gaze fixed on the pair with a nonchalant air. He clearly didn't take them too seriously.

Their eyes were locked on Third Brother, ready at any moment to engage in a deep discussion with him.

“Spit it out already. Why beat around the bush? Wasting time isn't doing any of us any favors. We're all straight shooters here, aren't we?” Third Brother challenged Second Brother and the Boss.

“Third Brother, we had a plan to rotate the champion each year. Your unexpected emergence has upset the higher-ups. It's as if you're trying to rig the game! So, after some discussion, we've decided the third round should take place in the forest. What do you think?”

“A mixed battle? So, your disciples will gang up on mine, is that it?”

“Third Brother, why would you think that of us? We're brothers. Would we really gang up on you?”

“You might not, but your disciples would. Your disciples and mine are not brothers,” Chen Laosan retorted.

"I assure you, that will not happen!" Chen Laoda interjected.

Third Brother wasn't swayed by his words. Believing such tales would be a sign of naivety.

However, looking at the situation at hand, whether he listened to them or not was irrelevant. Once they made a decision, there would be no turning back. The outcome would follow the direction they had declared.

So be it!

If it can't be changed, then adapt.

"I'm off. I've got the picture," Chen Laosan declared before departing.

"Is this really going to work?" Second Brother asked the Boss.

"Work or not, we have no choice but to make it work. If Laosan gets the upper hand, he'll threaten our positions. Right now, it's just the two of us who can make decisions. But if Laosan takes charge, do you think we'll still have a say? No chance. We'd have to follow his lead."

Second Brother nodded in agreement. The Boss was right; once Laosan took charge, he was the type to call the shots.

It was best to avoid provoking the other party to action.

As soon as Chen Laosan returned, he began instructing Ye Qinghui.

He imparted a secret concealment technique to Ye Qinghui, one unknown to others.

If Ye Qinghui could successfully hide his tracks, the opposition would be at a loss on how to proceed without any clue of his whereabouts, leaving them utterly bewildered.

Time flew by!

The following day arrived!

Before we knew it, it was already the next day.

Everyone had reached the base of the mountain.

Now, whoever could seize the flag at the summit would be declared the champion.

This challenge was a test of both intellect and bravery.

Anyone could attempt to claim the flag, and it was fair game to wrest it from others.

Securing the flag meant victory, but the real challenge was bringing it back.

With countless opponents vying for the flag on the return journey, the path was far from easy. Thus, speed alone wouldn't guarantee victory.

Success required not just swiftness, but also formidable martial strength.

At that moment, Ye Qinghui slipped into the forest and vanished from sight.

Swoosh, swoosh!

Figures converged, nine in total, all intent on cornering Ye Qinghui. They were determined to locate him and take him down.

Their plan was sound, but Ye Qinghui seemed to have vanished into thin air, as if he had never set foot on the mountain. There was no trace of him or any sign of movement.

It was impossible to discern his location.

From his hidden vantage point, Ye Qinghui could tell that these nine individuals had no scruples.

It appeared that Chen Laosan's words rang true. A master is a master for good reason, with a deeper understanding of life's nuances. He had anticipated the cooperation among the nine and had thus taught Ye Qinghui the art of concealment.

This method of concealment was far simpler to learn than others, quickly mastered within minutes. With further practice, Ye Qinghui's ability to hide would become even more formidable.

But let's get back to the main point!

No more digressions!

At that moment, Ye Qinghui was stealthily closing in on a fellow disciple.

Out of nowhere, Ye Qinghui burst forth, launching an unscrupulous surprise attack. His iron fist mercilessly hammered into the unsuspecting disciple's back.

The master always emphasized that victory was paramount, and the means to achieve it were secondary.

Whatever method he employed, as long as he emerged victorious, that was all that mattered.

The use of a sneak attack was inconsequential.

The primary objective was to secure a win, and that was the current state of affairs.

After several strikes, his opponent was spitting blood! Even if the blows weren't fatal, the adversary was essentially incapacitated.

Everyone's gaze was fixed on Ye Qinghui. They had identified him, locked onto his gaze. In such circumstances, their thoughts were crystal clear: they could not let Ye Qinghui go unpunished.

With a swift motion, Ye Qinghui made a hasty retreat. In the blink of an eye, he vanished into the underbrush. Shielded by the foliage, he effortlessly ascended a tree, leaving no trace behind.

The pursuers were quick to follow, determined to rend Ye Qinghui limb from limb. Their hatred for this accursed man was palpable—they couldn't bear the thought of him continuing to live.

But in the end...

Ye Qinghui had vanished without a trace.

At that moment, Ye Qinghui had completely disappeared.

The frustration was overwhelming.

A man had been lost right under their watch. This accursed individual had proven to be the best at making an escape.

"Chase him down! We must flush him out. Let's split into teams of three!"

A decision was made swiftly, opting for the stability of three-person teams.

With two members now unassigned, they had no choice but to pair up.

No sooner had the two teams set off than Ye Qinghui struck from above, descending upon a fellow disciple.

He delivered a crushing blow to the crown of the senior brother's head.

The impact was staggering.

While it wasn't lethal, it was certain that the brother would be incapacitated for some time.

And before the other senior brother could even process what had happened, Ye Qinghui was on the run again.