Chapter 68. Who am I talking to right now?

"I'm going to explain the operation, so tidy up and sit down."

The chaotic hall instantly became quiet. After clearing the table and tidying up the surroundings, an officer brought in the large situation board that the Chief Warden used.

I waited calmly until the officers were ready to listen.

Once everything was in order, Xiaojunping said,

"Lord Fang, please speak."

He pointed to the large paper that the Chief Warden used.

"Spread that out on the table."

The paper was laid out on the table, and an officer at the end of the line handed me a brush dipped in ink. I took the brush, stood up, and after looking at the paper, I made a dot.

"Black Cat Gang."

I wrote "Water" (水) about a foot above it.

"Water Master."

I drew a simple triangular mountain shape between the Black Cat Gang and Water Master.

"Ruthless Charge Formation."

Hongxin asked,

"Is it a surprise attack?"

I nodded.

"Yes, it's a surprise attack. I will limit the number of people to those who can perform light movement without stopping from here to Water Master. Xiaojunping."

"Yes."

"Do you understand the plan?"

Xiaojunping asked for confirmation,

"Rush to Yunhui Hall without stopping. Those who fall behind don't need to participate in the surprise attack, right?"

"Exactly. But that's not all. You need to follow the details as well. This is not just a light movement competition. I will start with the officers. I will lead the way, but I won't check if you are keeping up. Naturally, there will be a gap based on each person's light movement skills. It doesn't matter. We will continue moving in the order of arrival, jumping over the walls of Yunhui Hall and heading straight to Water Master's residence."

Xiaojunping's eyes widened.

"Continue running even after reaching Yunhui Hall?"

I nodded.

"Yes, you will keep running until you find Water Master. I will be the straight line, the apex, and the spear. You will also move forward, cutting down or throwing darts at anyone who blocks you. Abandon those who run away. Only kill those who block you head-on, charge, charge, charge... Follow me and keep charging until I meet Water Master."

I checked the expressions of my subordinates.

"Do you all understand the plan?"

"Yes."

"Everyone except the slow ones will start."

"When will we start?"

In response to Chachengtai's question, I said,

"Now."

At the word "now," everyone jumped up.

Even Youshaoqing, who had been listening, got up, sensing the situation.

I said to Youshaoqing,

"Prisoners are excluded."

"Yes."

"Chachengtai will supervise the prisoners."

"Yes?"

Dugusheng patted Chachengtai's shoulder as he passed by.

"Chief, good luck."

The Four Generals now treated Chachengtai more casually.

"Chief Cha, good luck."

"Good luck."

"Watch them well."

"Hey, now you're earning your keep."

Xiaojunping said in an urgent tone,

"Lord Fang, we need time to explain to the subordinates..."

"There's no time for that. Just tell them to follow. Those who fall behind can consider it light movement practice. Water Master will be enough with just us."

Last night, the leader of Wuakmen and the lady of Tie Island had defected, and the morale of Yunhui Hall, which had already been low, was even lower. Of course, before that, I had killed the vice-leader with my axe. It was natural that we needed to crush the weakened Yunhui Hall first, not the Longlao Army.

I paused at the main gate and looked around at the officers.

"I'm curious about the order in which you will arrive. Think of it as a ranking race. Let's go."

At the word "let's go," Dugusheng kicked the main gate and rushed out like a whirlwind.

Xiaojunping glared at Dugusheng.

"That crazy bastard..."

I said to the officers and disciples,

"Why are you so relaxed? Start. I'm faster than you anyway."

"Yes?"

"Ah..."

Hongxin, who was quick-witted, seemed concerned about the light movement ranking and followed Dugusheng, with Bai Ren, Qing Jin, and Bai Yu starting simultaneously. Only then did Xiaojunping and the other officers start to use their light movement skills in surprise.

I took a few steps and then started my light movement.

As I increased my speed, I quickly caught up with Xiaojunping and the other officers of the Black Cat Gang.

I said to Xiaojunping as I passed him,

"Junping, faster."

Xiaojunping focused on his light movement without responding.

Ahead, Qing Jin and Bai Yu were running side by side. Passing them, I saw Bai Ren. After leaving Bai Ren behind, I looked ahead and saw Hongxin and Dugusheng leading the way.

I whispered to the two,

"I've already caught up."

Hongxin suddenly screamed and sped up, taking the lead.

I ran alongside Dugusheng and chuckled.

"Dugusheng, not bad?"

Dugusheng let out a meaningless roar. I left Dugusheng, who was making pig-like sounds, behind and chased after Hongxin.

I caught up with Hongxin and said,

"Sister Hong, do you need to go to the bathroom? You're quite fast."

Hongxin didn't have the energy to respond but maintained a fast speed, showing natural talent.

Deep inner strength doesn't necessarily mean being fast, but Hongxin had both deep inner strength and a talent for running.

However, I have deeper inner strength and a physique suited for running.

I increased my speed, thinking of the fast experts of Kuaidang, and passed Hongxin.

"Sister Hong, you're the fastest. Maintain this speed. If you run like this, the others won't be able to catch up."

Hongxin responded briefly,

"Yes."

I ran, thinking that perhaps Hongxin could join Kuaidang. While it might be difficult at this level, with continued cultivation and more intense training, she has the potential to catch the eye of Kuaidang's experts.

I was getting farther from my subordinates but didn't slow down.

I ran as if I were going in alone.

If Water Master had sent scouts near the Black Cat Gang, I would be faster than them, making this surprise attack impossible to block.

As I ran, I imagined what Water Master was doing.

He would have a lot to do.

He would be anxious and start moving his assets.

He would urgently ask for help from known experts.

If Water Master was with the Longlao Army, I planned to burn Yunhui Hall. I ran with the intention of destroying Yunhui Hall today, whether Water Master was there or not.

A moment later, as soon as I saw the wall of Yunhui Hall, I leaped high into the air.

Now, I could no longer see my subordinates, only Water Master's subordinates.

Perhaps because I leaped so high, some of them just said "Huh?" and stood there in surprise as I landed over the wall.

I kicked off the ground and started running again, and only then did I hear the cry, "It's an enemy!"

But they didn't seem to realize that the enemy was a maniac dancing in the moonlight.

The commotion behind me started, and the guards began to follow.

I ran past a pond and a burning ground, and kicked the main gate of the main hall to pieces as I entered.

The main hall, used for performances, was empty.

I leaped over the audience seats, stepped on the stage, and entered the back corridor. In the corridor, the lackeys occasionally attacked.

But I kept running, ignoring non-threatening attacks and using foot strikes or point pressure techniques on those who blocked me. I passed through the corridor, climbed the stairs, and struck the faces of the lackeys who suddenly appeared, drawing my Black Cat Blade in front of the room where the guards were blocking.

To the common shouts of the guards, I responded,

"It's me. The moonlight madman..."

As the guards, startled, hastily reached for their swords,

I released a horizontal wave of blade energy and kicked the large door open.

With a bang, the heads of the guards, cut by the blade energy, rolled off their bodies. I entered the room and greeted Water Master.

"Water Master, it's me. Did you sleep well last night?"

The room was spacious, with a large bed at the end. Water Master, who had just put on his pants, was hurriedly running to a sword on the table.

There were other people, but I only saw Water Master.

I quickly closed the distance and swung my Black Cat Blade. Water Master, who had just grabbed the sword, blocked it and finally looked at my face.

"......!"

For a moment, we clashed swords fiercely without a word. I swung the Black Cat Blade with a closed mouth. Water Master, in his disheveled state, fiercely swung his sword in resistance.

I looked into Water Master's eyes, swung the Black Cat Blade, released a palm force, and then a series of blade energies. I used finger pressure and the Flame-Throwing Technique to knock away Water Master's sword and used the Absorption Technique to instantly grab Water Master's neck.

"Choke."

I looked into Water Master's eyes.

"Water Master?"

While pinning Water Master against the wall with the Black Cat Blade embedded in his abdomen, I examined his face.

"So, this is what you look like?"

I finally pulled out the Black Cat Blade.

Splat!

Water Master slumped to the ground, leaning against the wall.

I wiped the blood off the Black Cat Blade and sheathed it. I tidied my messy hair and looked around. Then I saw young women on the large bed, covering themselves with blankets. Both had dazed expressions.

I squatted down and looked at Water Master again.

Water Master seemed to be trying to say something, so I asked,

"What? I can't hear you well."

"Dog..."

"Dog? Are you going to end your last words with an insult? Pathetic. Why didn't you come to surrender? I told you that you wouldn't have another chance to live. Believe others sometimes. Don't always think you're right. What are you doing in broad daylight, Water Master?"

"......"

It seemed he had stopped breathing.

I said to the women, who were still staring at me,

"Who am I talking to now? I was talking to a corpse."

The women responded,

"Save us..."

I replied before they finished speaking,

"Oh, right. I'll save you."

At that moment, my subordinates appeared at the door. Blood was dripping from their weapons.

The disciples looked at the already dead Water Master with shocked expressions. It seemed strange to them that their master's long-time enemy had died so futilely.

Dugusheng, who had arrived late, looked inside and asked,

"Is it over?"

I said to my subordinates,

"Go down and clean up. Announce that Water Master is dead. Don't kill those who kneel, but kill all those who continue to fight."

"Yes."

The officers gathered and went down the road.

I also went down the stairs to finish the job. As I slowly descended, the sounds of shouts, weapons clashing, and screams gradually decreased.

As I stepped out in front of the main hall, quite a few people were kneeling.

With the situation now settled, many of the Black Cat Gang's subordinates who had not yet arrived were still coming in, panting.

I looked at the panting subordinates and said to Xiaojunping,

"We need to make the training more intense. Can you fight a strong force like this?"

Xiaojunping nodded and replied,

"I will make it more intense."

I slowly looked around the kneeling people and my allies. They were all looking at me.

"Last night, I slept, had a hearty breakfast, and drank during the day, waiting for Water Master to surrender. Since he didn't, I came to kill him myself. I will send those who can't pull themselves together and attack to their master. Try to cooperate with my subordinates' instructions. Yunhui Hall is finished."

I added, as my subordinates seemed to expect something else,

"But I won't be finished. Do I look like I will be finished?"

"......"

The reaction wasn't very good.