Chapter 355: Standing by the Pit

People had heard of seasickness or fainting from needles, but who would have thought sword sickness existed as well?

Wang Sheng's sword control was perfectly smooth. There had not been the slightest bump when the flying sword carried Dale through the skies. However, by the time they reached their destination, Dale's face was pale and her hair was in disarray. She leaned on the door of the car that had been waiting to pick them up, bent over, and retched dryly.

Out of courtesy, Wang Sheng politely asked, "Not used to flying on a sword?"

Dale waved her hand, motioning for him to get in the car first, unwilling to be seen in such an embarrassing state.

Perhaps because Wang Sheng had shown concern, Shi Qianzhang and Liu Yunzhi unexpectedly acted like gentlemen for once. One handed over a bottle of clear water, the other offered... a jade comb.

Shi Qianzhang glared at Liu Yunzhi. "Little Liu, you... actually carry things like that with you?"

"What, is that not allowed?" Liu Yunzhi replied calmly, then lifted a lock of his own hair with a satisfied expression.

Shi Qianzhang rolled his eyes and promptly joined Dale in gagging. Liu Yunzhi's expression darkened, and he lashed out with a kick.

As the two bickered, Dale murmured her thanks and began quickly tidying her long hair. She could not help but show her frustration.

Gambi was small to begin with. Now, flames of war raged everywhere, and what little order remained had crumbled to ash. By the time the car drove them to the location of the next devilish sword, the investigation unit had already provided the precise hiding places of the last two blades.

With the backing of the investigation unit's formidable intelligence network and the lingering pressure from Wang Sheng killing an ancient vampire prince, their next two missions posed little challenge. They simply arrived, retrieved the devilish sword, cut it down in one swing, and left.

Trembling and afraid, cultivators of the Dark Faction mostly stayed hidden and watched from a distance until they left. The Blood Race had long since fled Gambi.

Leaving behind the small nation that war had ravaged in just half a day, the Hua Republic squad set out for their seventh destination. They had already destroyed eight Blood-Dissolving Divine Swords. Adding the few that had already been eradicated on Sakura Island, they had already shattered over half of the devilish swords that the Jialington Group had painstakingly nurtured.

Soon, the investigation unit discovered that the four remaining swords across Europe were being moved to one location. The Jialington Group seemed to be planning to make a desperate final stand.

Wang Sheng and his companions were initially unconcerned. Following the investigation unit's instructions, they slowed down to allow more time to gather intel. Having the last devilish swords in one spot would make things even simpler for them anyway.

However, the investigation unit quickly learned that the Jialington Group was plotting to lure Wang Sheng's squad into an ambush. In their possession were two high-yield thermonuclear warheads that the Dami Empire's military had once declared decommissioned, yet never destroyed.

No one knew where such weapons had come from. Nevertheless, it was clear that the Jialington Group wanted to draw Wang Sheng into a trap and annihilate him at any cost, even if it meant paying dearly themselves.

The Jialington Group's leaders seemed to have concluded that Wang Sheng was merely using the excuse of cleansing devilish swords to suppress their influence and that he had already shaken the foundations of their survival. They had no idea that Wang Sheng was destroying the swords to prevent the Heavenly Court's leaked immortal arts from causing the mortal world further harm.

The disputes between the Light and Dark Factions had nothing to do with the cultivators of the Hua Republic. As long as their nation was at peace, they couldn't care less if distant continents sank into the sea.

Inside the van, the "Sword-Smashing Squad" fell into heavy silence upon learning the news.

Shi Qianzhang asked, "What do we do now? Voluntarily walk into the tiger's den? Can you withstand a nuclear bomb, Brother Sheng?"

Wang Sheng shrugged. "Never tried, and I don't intend to."

Huai Jing frowned. "Why does it feel as if the Light Faction is just sitting back and watching? Although the Jialington Group is just a mere arms dealer, having weapons like this is no joke."

Shi Qianzhang snorted. "Jialington Group? Surely you mean the Dami Empire."

"Let's focus on coming up with a plan," Liu Yunzhi thoughtfully interjected. "Fortune often favors the bold, but this is a bit too dangerous. If Jialington is determined to let the devilish swords and their own followers die with us, then this is definitely troublesome."

Huai Jing cursed, "The Light Faction isn't the only one doing nothing. Have all the other foreign governments turned mute as well?"

In the back seat, Dale's face flushed red. Not knowing what to say, she could only press her lips together.

"Where are we now?" Wang Sheng asked while opening his 'mooncake' phone to project a three-dimensional map.

"You already have a plan, Brother Sheng?"

"No, but I do have an idea." Wang Sheng pointed to a coastal area not far from their location. "I heard the scenery there is quite nice. Why don't we go there to relax a little?"

The group stared at him, their confusion written all over their faces.

Wang Sheng casually explained, "We don't have to hurry. We press on slowly, keeping the initiative in our hands. Jialington still has four to five swords, but they can't escape the investigation unit's surveillance. Doesn't that mean they've just dug themselves a pit? We just have to stand on its edge, not jump in. It's not as if those few swords can destroy the world in the next couple of days."

Huai Jing chuckled. "That's true. Why rush? We get to choose when to make a move."

"Then why have we been rushing around without rest until now?" Shi Qianzhang asked.

"The sooner we finish, the sooner we can return and resume cultivation," Wang Sheng said with utmost seriousness. "Diligent cultivation is the only path to immortality. Let's support each other until we achieve it."

Shi Qianzhang rubbed his forehead, unable to decide where to start ridiculing him.

Just then, Chi Ling's video call came through.

—You can't press on for now, Little Sheng.

Chi Ling spoke gravely of the danger. Though it was still uncertain whether Jialington truly possessed nuclear warheads or this was simply a ruse, it was still safer for Wang Sheng to avoid confronting them for the moment.

Even if the swords were hidden away again, they would leave traces for as long as they remained in this world. The investigation unit just had to track them down again.

—Return for now. You've already fulfilled your mission anyway. We can choose a better opportunity to destroy the last few devilish swords."

"Mistress, we'd like to observe for a while first and figure out their true situation before forming a strategy," Wang Sheng replied.

He then subtly hinted that the group wanted a state-sponsored trip. Chi Ling agreed without hesitation.

—Very well. Where do you want to go?"

She was certainly magnanimous.

Wang Sheng smiled at his companions. "Any requests?"

"Preferably a place where we can launch a surprise attack or retreat safely to our homeland when necessary," Liu Yunzhi answered. "That way, we'll keep the initiative."

"With Brother Sheng here, what's there to fear?" Shi Qianzhang declared grandly. "If we're vacationing, it has to be somewhere with sun, sand, and crowds."

"

Amitabha,

" said Huai Jing serenely. "If possible, it would be great if the beach also has something modern nearby, like an internet cafe or e-sports hall."

Their gazes fell on Dale. She smiled helplessly. "I'm fine with anything."

Unwilling to impose demands on her, Wang Sheng said politely, "I'll let you decide, Mistress."

Chi Ling told them to wait a few minutes while she looked for a suitable place, then cut the connection.

"Should we invite Mu Wanxuan?" Shi Qianzhang asked softly.

Wang Sheng smiled. "She's in seclusion. Best not to disturb her."

***

The next day at noon, on the northern shore of the Aiqin Sea[1], Wang Sheng's squad walked across a pristine beach, drawing many eyes.

They were clearly Easterners. Three of the four men had long hair, while the other was bald and had a scar on his scalp. They all had sunglasses, gaudy shirts, oversized shorts, and identical beach sandals, exuding an air of cheap casualness.

However, the attention quickly shifted away from the four strange men. All eyes turned to the beautiful angel who walked behind them.

As a saying went, only a

dudou

[2] or a bikini could truly put a woman's figure to the test.

Having dressed up a little, Dale looked nearly flawless. She instantly became the focus of the beach, with many secretly snapping photos of her to upload online.

The squad's location was exposed, but it didn't matter. The investigation unit had never intended to conceal their movements anyway.

They rented two large parasols and five folding chairs, lined them up, and lounged amid the sea breeze. With iced sodas in hand, they savored the rare taste of leisure.

The experience could be summed up in one word: delightful.

Lying back with his arms behind his head, Shi Qianzhang grinned mischievously. "What do you think the Jialington executives and those Dark Faction cultivators will do when they see photos of us sunbathing here? Do you think they'll go mad?"

𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

Liu Yunzhi calmly answered, "Maybe not go mad, but they'll definitely smash a few devices."

"

Amitabha,

" said Huai Jing leisurely. "Shall I make the evening arrangements? We could sample the local internet cafes."

"If you're the one arranging things, it just means playing games, doesn't it?" Shi Qianzhang replied, already bored. He turned to Wang Sheng, then across to Dale on the other side. Grinning, he asked, "Brother Sheng, what do you want to do tonight?"

"Cultivate, meditate, and practice swordsmanship."

"Come on. Aren't we here to relax?"

While yawning, Wang Sheng replied, "Then I'll find a quiet corner and sleep soundly."

Aside from cultivation and his senior sister, he lived a plain and simple life.

1. A metaphorical or fictional name for a scenic or idyllic location, not the actual name of a sea. ☜

2. A traditional Chinese garment worn over the chest and stomach. It's like a small, apron-style piece of cloth, historically used as underwear or a modesty garment. ☜