Chapter Eighty: Deception is the Essence of Warfare

Because of its tremendous speed, the flying sword seemed to turn into a streak of light, slashing nearly half of Shen Baiyu’s clone. Xuan Yangzi’s eyes flashed with sharp determination, and just as he was about to press the attack, an unexpected scene unfolded before him: at some unknown point, Shen Baiyu had already circled to his rear, while his flying sword was still entangled with the opponent’s clone.

By this point, he understood all too well that he had fallen into Shen Baiyu’s ruse—a classic feint to lure the tiger from the mountain. The earlier clones were nothing but bait cast out to capture his attention, while the true body lay concealed in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

Alas, by the time he realized this, it was already too late. Shen Baiyu struck decisively, breaking his spell and defeating him in one move.

“One move. You’ve lost.” Shen Baiyu’s expression remained unchanged, calm and unruffled.

“You cheated!” Xuan Yangzi’s face betrayed his indignation. Had Shen Baiyu bested him openly, he would have had no complaint, but the way he had lost just now was thoroughly humiliating.

“You’re too rigid. You ought to thank me for giving you this lesson today. This tactic is called ‘all’s fair in war.’ It doesn’t matter what means are used—if it can subdue your enemy, it is a good method. Do you really expect your opponent to uphold laughable ideals of honor in a true life-and-death struggle? Don’t be so naive. Besides, even if we fought openly and directly, you would still not be my match. Why bring further humiliation upon yourself?” Shen Baiyu’s voice was as impassive as ever, tinged with a trace of chill.

Xuan Yangzi mulled over these words, his expression shifting, until at last he sighed and said to Shen Baiyu, “I admit defeat. I have no further words.”

Then he turned to Miao Shihai, offering an apologetic look. “This is my own miscalculation. If only I’d kept you within the Jade Void Monastery, perhaps things would not have come to this.”

Miao Shihai quickly shook his head. “There’s no need to blame yourself, Daoist. Your help has been a great blessing to me, and I have always been deeply grateful. Please, say no more of this.”

“Besides, running and hiding is never a real solution. I can’t be a turtle hiding in its shell forever. Rather than dragging out a wretched existence, I would rather live and die freely. That is how a true man should be.”

“Well said, young friend!”

Xuan Yangzi praised him, then added, “Take care, young man.”

Just as Xuan Yangzi was about to depart, Yi An suddenly spoke up. “Wait, Daoist. Why are we leaving? We haven’t lost yet.”

Before Xuan Yangzi could reply, Shen Baiyu asked in surprise, “Young Master Yi, have you taken leave of your senses?”

Even Xuan Yangzi had not lasted a single exchange against her. How could Yi An say such a thing? Did they have some hidden card to play? But it didn’t seem so; otherwise, Xuan Yangzi would not have been so thoroughly defeated.

Xuan Yangzi nodded in agreement, for once finding himself of the same mind as Shen Baiyu. Had Yi An not witnessed his own utter defeat at Shen Baiyu’s hands? He, too, wished he could save Miao Shihai, but harsh reality would not allow for reckless risks. To attempt what was clearly impossible would only add two more lives to the tally.

“No, I am perfectly sane, Miss Shen. I believe you must have your own reasons. Why not speak frankly with him? The Daoist and I can serve as witnesses. If things are as you say, we will not interfere further. But if not, then forgive me if I cannot stand idly by.” Yi An smiled, calm and composed, neither arrogant nor servile.

He hadn’t intended to meddle at first, but seeing the unspoken bitterness in Xuan Yangzi’s expression moved him deeply. After all, Xuan Yangzi had treated him well, and he’d always had a good impression of Miao Shihai. Most importantly, with the astonishing defenses of the Myriad Dragon Armor, along with his own experience and mastery of spellcraft, he felt he had a fighting chance against Shen Baiyu.

As for the Azure Lotus Banner, he had no intention of revealing it unless absolutely necessary. He knew all too well the peril of possessing a treasure others coveted, and besides, with his current strength, he could not unleash its true power.

“Our affairs do not require outsiders’ interference. Once you leave, he will understand everything in time. Still, I thank you for standing by him. If it were anyone else who dared to provoke me again and again, their fate would be far grimmer. But that is no reason for you to keep testing my patience—know that my tolerance has its limits.” Shen Baiyu’s gaze was icy, her demeanor unwelcoming. She could not fathom where Yi An found the nerve to bargain with her.

Clearly, she had been too merciful earlier. Mercy was the most useless, the most contemptible of virtues.

Shen Baiyu understood that all too well now.

Yi An, however, seemed entirely unsurprised by her answer. Smiling, he said, “Let’s do this: I’ll exchange a few moves with you. If I manage—by luck—to last ten moves beneath your hand, perhaps you’ll consider my earlier proposal. If I lose, I’ll leave myself to your discretion.”

Shen Baiyu looked him over once more, seeing only unwavering resolve, and replied, “To deal with you, one strike is enough.”

In fact, even saying “one strike” was giving him too much credit. Xuan Yangzi, already at the threshold of the Daylight Wandering stage, could hardly last a few exchanges—what hope had Yi An, a mere novice cultivator at the Return-to-Origin stage?

“No, no, a promise is a promise. Ten moves,” Yi An replied with a grin.

“Young friend, don’t be reckless!” Xuan Yangzi tried to dissuade him from such folly. In his eyes, no matter how favored by fate Yi An might be, he couldn’t court death so carelessly. Fortune was one thing, but the gap between him and Shen Baiyu was simply too vast—far more than a mere difference of degree.

“Trust me.” Yi An uttered those three simple words, offering no elaborate explanation. After all, even if he explained, they wouldn’t believe him. Why waste his breath? Once the result was out, they would see he was not overestimating himself.

Xuan Yangzi stared at him, dazed. Those three words seemed to hold some mysterious power, calming his worry.

“Very well, let him try. Surely she won’t be so ruthless as to kill him...” Xuan Yangzi sighed inwardly, no longer attempting to dissuade him.

Shen Baiyu said, “Very well. I’ll grant your wish. You may strike first—don’t say I never gave you a chance.”