Chapter 97: Clash of Tigers and Wolves (II)

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Kou Li gazed into those bloodshot eyes and, for once, felt a flicker of guilt. He said, "Keep sleeping. There won’t be a next time."

The apprentices, having received his promise, immediately fell asleep. Soon, a series of snores filled the air.

But Luo Dunzi did not sleep. Instead, he repeated in astonishment, "Junior brother, you actually triggered Danbian!"

Kou Li caught the term clearly this time—not the “Single Whip” from the Mountain Sitting style, but “Danbian.” He asked, “Senior brother Luo, what exactly is Danbian?”

“Danbian is the movement of Qi in the dantian. It’s an extremely explosive technique of issuing power from the dantian. When this dantian Qi motion is combined with whip strikes, it unleashes the full might of the whip. Therefore, in the art of whips, Danbian is considered the highest level—what they call the Whip God.”

“I see,” Kou Li said with sudden understanding. No wonder that whip just now had such a powerful oppressive force, like a dragon’s tail sweeping through—mighty and overwhelming.

However, this is only an advanced method of power issuing. What Bamboo Hand requires is the essence refined from the fusion of technique and force. It still lacks something. It is entirely different from the explosive power of gunpowder energy. Though the results were decent, it was not what Kou Li needed.

“Junior brother, you seem dissatisfied?”

Kou Li nodded. “I’m trying to simulate gunpowder energy with dantian whip strikes, but Danbian is the limit of dantian’s explosive power. That leaves me a bit disappointed.”

On Luo Dunzi’s dull face, it was as if he had seen a ghost. His eyes bulged in astonishment. After a long moment, he said, “Junior brother, you really have some ideas.”

“Such a pity—the limit of whip strikes is still insufficient. Could it be that something is wrong?” Kou Li continued to ponder deeply.

“Junior brother, maybe you can try a different approach—without using whip strikes.”

“Not using whip strikes?”

“Yes, you can try the splitting force from the ancient Five Elements Fist.”

...

While Kou Li and Luo Dunzi were studying the principles of boxing, thirty miles away, inside a massive tent, a dozen military officers crowded around an old general, pointing at a giant map. The terrain on the map was the mountainous landforms of Guanchao.

“Although the remnants of the Burning Body Hall rebels hide and scatter unpredictably, haven’t you noticed they have never left this area?” The old general circled the map around Guangcheng.

“There are only three viable routes here. One is the official road leading to Xia City; another is the water entrance of Guangcheng, held by the Dragon Gate egg folk, connecting to the outer sea and the Jiulong River; the last route crosses the Wumao Mountain Range, bypassing the two Zhe provinces through one land path, one water path, and one treacherous path. Which do you think they will take...”

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The old general was speaking with enthusiasm when suddenly a guard whispered something in his ear, causing the general to frown slightly.

Shortly after, a familiar face entered—the steward of the Water Dragon Gang in Yuezhou City. He was still plump and chubby, but now his chin bore a gruesome puncture wound, flesh torn and flayed, adding a savage aspect.

Of course, this was courtesy of the pirates under Zhu Baozi.

“Greetings, old general. Apologies for disturbing you so late. The higher ups are pressing hard, so I had no choice but to come and ask: why haven’t these rebels been wiped out yet?”

The old general snorted coldly. “I am obeying orders to command troops. What business is that of yours? Stop putting on airs. If you’re dissatisfied, take it up with the commander and ask him to replace me. Let’s see who still wants this thankless job!”

The steward’s face stiffened, cursing silently. Hong, that old curmudgeon, had left behind a pack of ill-tempered dogs who snap at everyone. Still, the steward forced a smile. “General, you know this isn’t my decision alone. I need a response from you.”

“How do you want me to respond? Two deputy generals, three assistant generals—all severely wounded and still recovering, plus over a hundred soldiers dead or injured. Even this old bone is on the front line. What more explanation do you want!?”

“Whether they’re caught or not is your concern. I’m just the messenger. Besides, your superiors want a steady approach, don’t they?” The steward’s expression shifted, voice cold.

The old general fixed him with a fierce glare for a long while, then suddenly reined in his anger and said calmly: “I heard the prince in the capital is called the Decapitating Marquis, famed for slaying enemy chieftains on stormy nights. It seems there’s such a figure among the rebels too. That cannon blast was impressive. Without a battle general in the army, no one has an appetite for this. You can’t expect me to swallow it all quietly; there must be some sharpening of skills.”

Seeing the steward was about to speak further, the general waved him off. “That’s the limit. Don’t expect any more troop transfers. Public resources have limits; this isn’t your family’s business.”

“Besides,” the old general sneered, “if you can’t use public soldiers, doesn’t the Water Dragon Gang still have private troops?”

“General, don’t speak nonsense,” the steward’s face changed. “The Water Dragon Gang only deals in profit-making businesses, nothing else.”

“Don’t give me that spiel. I’ll be frank. There’s the official road, the Guangcheng water entrance, and the Wumao Mountains exit. By my experience, if they wanted to leave the province, they would have done so long ago, not delayed till now.”

“With my forces, if we want to trap them for sure, we can only defend one place. You choose the other: the official road or the waterway?”

After much discussion in the tent, the steward finally stormed off in fury. Only then did the old general reveal a mocking smile. “Water Dragon Gang, wolf soldiers—treacherous scum!”

...

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