I Am Immortal in Great Yu

Chapter 168: Chapter 71: Blossoms (Part 2)

There, a fiery serpent snaked along. In the dim light, it was the heavily armed and armored soldiers of the Taiping Army, their steps perfectly synchronized.

"Pah! This so-called ’Rebel Army’ is no good either!"

Fang Rui recalled the incriminating information he had read earlier and sighed, "Crows are black the world over!"

In fact, after wiping out the Xia Family, he had considered launching another surprise attack on the Taiping Army to purge all of Changshan City in one fell swoop.

But he only thought about it for a moment before immediately giving up on the idea.

’My actions at the Xia Family estate couldn’t have gone unnoticed. If the Rebel Army is on guard, the chance of success will be quite low! The Disguise Technique isn’t foolproof, especially when the enemy is prepared.’

’That formidable character in the Rebel Army is extremely clever. For all I know, he’s already laid an inescapable trap and is just waiting for me!’

To be honest, Fang Rui was extremely interested in Changshan City’s most mysterious and formidable figure. He suspected that person held some of the secrets of this world.

He was very curious, but he knew full well that "curiosity killed the cat" and was able to restrain his own curiosity.

’For me, it’s better to miss an opportunity than to be reckless. After all, I have all the time in the world, but only one life.’

’To be cautious one’s entire life, like Zhuge Liang, has never been a flaw. For an Immortal like me, this is even more critical. Heedless recklessness is the one thing to be avoided at all costs!’

Fang Rui took one last, deep look in the direction of the County Magistrate’s Office, then turned and strode back toward Willow Alley.

...

「Midnight.」

「The County Magistrate’s Office.」

At the slightest noise outside, Zuo Boyang would rush out vigilantly, but each time it was a false alarm.

He paced back and forth anxiously, finally unable to hold it in any longer. "Master Zhen," he asked, "why hasn’t that person come yet?"

"Bo Yang, don’t be hasty. Haven’t I taught you? Those who would accomplish great things must possess a calm spirit. How can you succeed if you’re so flustered?"

Zhen Yi remained unhurried, reviewing official documents, his brush moving without the slightest pause.

...

Another two to four hours passed.

"Master Zhen?"

"Don’t panic!"

Zhen Yi set aside his documents, brewed a cup of tea, and began to drink it slowly.

In truth, his hand had grown a bit sore from constantly reviewing documents and writing.

It was like striking a pose—you can’t just hold the same one for half the day, can you?

...

「Dawn.」

Zuo Boyang looked over again.

"Bo Yang, don’t let your guard down! This is the darkest hour of the day, which makes it the most dangerous."

Zhen Yi said with a solemn expression, "The enemy is testing our patience!"

"Yes!"

Zuo Boyang forced himself to stay alert.

...

But even when the sky had fully brightened and the sun was high overhead, nothing had happened.

"Master Zhen?!"

Zuo Boyang’s gaze, when he looked at Zhen Yi again, was now filled with doubt.

After all, reinforcements could arrive much faster during the day, making a successful attack less likely. Even he wouldn’t choose to strike at a time like this.

"Ahem!"

Zhen Yi coughed awkwardly, realizing his scheme had failed.

So, they had spent the whole night fighting with thin air? Were all these preparations just like winking at a blind man—a complete waste?

’It wasn’t a failure of strategy!’ he thought, shaking his head.

You could prepare for every possible approach, but the enemy simply wouldn’t come. You could devise a hundred brilliant stratagems, but the enemy refused to take the bait. What could one do but sigh in vain?!

"Master Zhen, perhaps that person was simply too cautious and didn’t fall for the trap. We can just treat this as a drill," Zuo Boyang said, trying to smooth things over.

"There’s no need to make excuses for me. A failure is a failure."

Zhen Yi sighed and said, "It is a skill to be indomitable in the face of adversity. But it is also a skill to remain level-headed and restrained in times of success, to not be swept away by triumph."

"This is an extremely formidable opponent!"

He delivered his verdict: "Bo Yang, don’t relax. We must maintain this level of alert indefinitely. You must also be careful when you’re out and about."

"Don’t worry, Master Zhen, I will."

After Zuo Boyang left, Zhen Yi finally got up and rubbed his old back, which was aching from the all-nighter. He sighed, "Ah, are the young people these days all so cautious? How are us old bones supposed to make a living?"

...

「Willow Alley.」

Another beautiful day.

Fang Rui opened the window, gazing out at the azure sky and the red sun rising from behind the distant mountains.

A vast expanse of orange-red sunlight poured in through the window, outlining his silhouette. It fell into the room, creating a dappled pattern on the yellow mud wall behind him.

"Brother!"

"Brother Ah Rui!"

Fang Ling and Nannan, the two little girls, were also awake.

But just then—

"AAAAHHH, my son, Risheng!"

Outside, from the direction of the Xia Family estate, a tremendous cry of grief suddenly erupted. It was like a low roll of thunder, audible across half the city.

"Hm?!"

Fang Rui recalled the man he’d killed last night, the one who threw darts. After he had cut him down, Xia Yunzhao had seemed to make a big fuss about it.

’With a voice that loud, it must be Zuo Boyang of the Rebel Army, the Fourth Grade Martial Artist. No doubt about it.’

Fang Rui had a good idea of the man’s identity. ’So, the one I killed last night was his son, Zuo Risheng?’

’Tch, that father-son pair are both rotten to the core!’

The little booklet of incriminating information he’d found last night contained quite a few entries on Zuo Boyang and his son.

What he didn’t know was why the Xia Family had chosen to arrange a match between Xia Yunxiang and Zuo Risheng. It wasn’t just because Zuo Risheng was the son of Zuo Boyang, a Fourth Grade Martial Artist. The incriminating information they had on the pair, which could be used as leverage, was also a major factor.

’I’ve likely made an enemy of Zuo Boyang now. Should I strike first to gain the upper hand? Hmm, the enemy is out in the open, while I remain in the shadows. There’s no hurry. No hurry at all.’

Fang Rui stretched lazily, the killing intent in his eyes flashing for an instant before vanishing without a trace. He then led the two little girls, Fang Ling and Nannan, outside to wash their faces.

Outside the window, Zuo Boyang’s voice, full of impotent rage, continued to ring out.

But he could no longer be bothered to listen.

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