Chapter 153: This Young Master Plays the Young Master Card

Chapter 153: This Young Master Plays the Young Master Card

Qiong Qi hadnt sounded threatening as he spoke but his words triggered the surrounding Rattan Armor Soldiers to pull out their spears.

Dont test me right now, Qiong Qi, Bao Si snapped, her hands still pressed to Xie Jins chest. Theyre my people.

And they killed my people, Qiong Qi said.

As if the situation created allowed for another solution, Bao Si bit back.

What about us, or this situation has given you the idea that were reasonable people? Qiong Qi said.

Bao Si finally looked up. Are you really doing this right now?

Qiong Qi shrugged. Do you expect me to overwhelm the opinions of my men? It would be the height of hypocrisy, considering why were here.

Chen Haoran stood and interrupted the back and forth, leaving Phelps and Bao Si with Xie Jin. The Rattan Armor Soldiers shifted their spears like on-guard animals as he did. His sense traveled across the soldiers in a circle, and he noted the stiffening as they felt it fall on him. Qiong Qi spared him an amused glance as his attention fell on him. Chen Haoran moved on and finally settled on the soldier who originally spoke. Qi flooded into his legs, and he disappeared from his spot and appeared before the man. The soldier had enough time to bring his spear up in a reflexive stab before Chen Haoran punched through the spear point and the haft and buried his fist into his chest.

The Rattan Armor Soldiers around the man quickly gave way. They still kept their spears pointed toward him, but the fact they backed away rather than press forward and stab him said volumes about what they thought of him. It seems his reputation had spread.

The soldier he punched doubled over before he could manipulate his vine armor to entangle him. Chen Haoran let him fall to his hands and knees and proceeded to sit on the soldiers back, crossing his legs and folding his hands. The soldier tensed as he realized what Chen Haoran was doing, and he could feel the mans qi build up beneath his armor.

If you move, Ill kill you, Chen Haoran lightly said.Visit no(v)eLb(i)n.com for the best novel reading experience

The soldier froze.

I wonder what youre intentions are, Qiong Qi mused. Surely you dont think this will end up well?

Intentions? Chen Haoran asked as if he didnt understand the question. Do I need to have a reason to take a seat?

Normally, people would sit on a chair. Not another mans back, Qiong Qi said.

Chen Haoran leaned forward. Is that so? Do you think there's a difference between you people and furniture in my eyes?

That got a reaction. The amused expression fell from Qiong Qis face, replaced with narrow, scrutinizing eyes. The Rattan Armor Soldiers bristled and found some of their lost courage in the aftermath of the insult, marching forward and holding their spears and hairsbreadth away from Chen Haorans body. Bao Si briefly looked up from Xie Jin in concern.

Youre playing a dangerous game, stranger, Qiong Qi said.

Stranger? Chen Haoran asked. No, you and I are not strangers. What you should be saying is, master. My name is Chen Haoran.

Is that name supposed to mean something to me? Qiong Qi sarcastically asked.

"It should because you're right. I am playing with you. None of you deserve my respect anyway."

Bold words for man surrounded, Qiong Qi said.

Chen Haoran shook his finger. Ah ah ah, let me tell you something. The guys Im worried about are currently outside this barrier. Inside? You chumps? Ill give you points for boldness, but if you think you can kill me, then go ahead. Lets see who ends up worse off between us.

For emphasis, Chen Haoran brushed his hand over the hilt of his sword. The Rattan Armor Soldiers collectively flinched. Qiong Qi did not move, but his two lotuses lit up with ice and fire. Chen Haoran pulled his hand away from his sword with a smile and waved at them.

Why is everyone so serious? He joked.

Qiong Qi disappeared from his spot in a burst of speed and appeared next to Chen Haoran, whirling into a kick that whipped toward his head. Chen Haoran brought up his arm to block at the same time. The sound they made when they collided was more like two massive drums being struck than actual flesh. In a match-up between leg and arm, the leg would win out in terms of power. Chen Haoran trying to block a Ninth-Layers kick with just one arm was pure arrogance. Arrogance, which he paid for as he felt his bones crack beneath the blow.

Still, he blocked it.

Earth-Rank qi. Wood Element. In their clash, Chen Haoran quickly got Qiong Qis measure and was measured in turn. Of all the Rattan Armor Soldiers hed seen, Qiong Qi was the only one comparable to Pan Gong and Lu Aotian.

Qiong Qi was the first to break off, lowering his leg and standing over Chen Haoran. Alright, who are you?

Well. That was one way to introduce yourself. Chen Haoran didnt really have a right to cast stones, however.

Your ally, I suppose, Chen Haoran said.

You say that, but your first thought was to join the Garrison, Qiong Qi retorted.

You really dont know who I am. Chen Haoran pitched his words such that the question was more of a statement. One that was full of wonder. Not that it was hard to fake. It really was wonderful that someone didnt know who he was.

Enlighten me, Qiong Qi drawled.

Chen Haoran huffed a laugh and placed his hand on Qiong Qis shoulder. Southern Dragon King Chen Qitao.

Qiong Qi stiffened.

Every time I leave you, its like you come up with better and better things, Xie Jin said in wonder. He took the stone in hand. Ill owe you this favor later.

Just recover well, Chen Haoran said. Gonna need you when we get out of here.

A hiss emerged from outside. Chen Haoran and Bao Si turned toward the curtain entranceway as Phelps slowly backed through it, qi rising off his back.

There was a knock on the frame. Its Qiong Qi.

Enter, Bao Si said.

Qiong Qi pushed aside the curtains and strode in. His gaze fell on Xie Jin, but it was brief, and he was soon ignored in favor of Bao Si and Chen Haoran. Ive come to discuss dealing with the Garrison.

Id actually like to discuss leaving here, Chen Haoran said. I dont care what else you do, but Im no longer interested in wasting time in this place.

Im afraid we dont have any way of sending you out early, Chen Haoran. Qiong Qi cupped his hands in mock respect. Do forgive me.

Chen Haoran frowned. I was told the way out would be through this pyramid once its rewards were acquired.

You heard correctly. Unfortunately, doing so will teleport everyone outside, which is at odds with our goals.

Your goals stopped mattering the moment the Garrison broke out of your traps, Chen Haoran derisively said.

Perhaps, Qiong Qi evenly replied. Youre free to try and leave. Its just that youll be teleported back to the original pyramid with the Garrison.

Chen Haoran narrowed his eyes. And where would you go?

Naturally, well be teleported elsewhere, Qiong Qi said. Im just not sure who well be able to bring with us if were suddenly forced to exit.

This fucker was threatening them.

You really think it will end well if you leave us like that? Chen Haoran asked.

Leave you? Why would I ever do that? Qiong Qi looked righteously affronted. It seems you dont trust me, which is fair. So why dont we cooperate with each other as a way to build some mutual trust.

Chen Haoran shared a look with Bao Si. Qiong Qi had worded it as them trusting him, but what he really wanted was an assurance that he could trust them.

Fine, Chen Haoran said.

Qiong Qi clapped his hands. Dont look so aggrieved. Despite what it may seem, we have no intention of being buried here. We just have to hold the Garrison here for as long as possible, preferably until their antidote supply runs out. Since we control the pyramid, we can choose to pluck its treasure anytime we want and leave.

Which is the real reason youre here, no doubt, Bao Si said.

Qiong Qi clicked his tongue. Come now, Princess Bao. I told you my ideals already.

Of course, and the treasure accumulated after 2 thousand years is just icing on the cake, Bao Si drawled.

You wound me, Princess Bao.

Enough of that, Chen Haoran said. What do you want from us?

Well, from you, I hope that you could help tie down the Garrisons Ninth-Layers, Qiong Qi said.

Chen Haoran immediately shook his head. Too much. I can hold back Pan Gong, and thats it.

While he had put up an impressive showing before, it didnt change the fact that there was a Seven-Layer difference between him and the Garrisons Captains. The Banquet Peach only put him within range of their playing field, not above them. Sure, he might have almost killed Lu Aotian, but that was when he was still hurting from what Xie Jin had done to him and because he underestimated what Chen Haoran was capable of. A fresh and wary Lu Aotian wasnt someone he was one hundred percent sure he could defeat. Plus, there was no way in hell he was going to exhaust himself fighting the Garrison with the rebels at his back. At least with Pan Gong, he had an insurmountable advantage in the Yellow Dragon.

Qiong Qi thought about it for a moment and nodded. Thats enough. Its fortunate you appeared. With you as Pan Gongs hard counter, the rest of us will face less pressure.

It isnt only Pan Gong you should be worried about, Chen Haoran said. Their Formation Officer Six-Eyes is just as dangerous if not more so.

Im aware, Qiong Qi dryly said. I was in the middle of hunting him when I met Princess Bao.

Thats right. Six-Eyes had mentioned Qiong Qi before, hadnt he? Perhaps hed given the rebel Ninth-Layer less credit than he deserved. He couldnt be average if Six-Eyes specifically noted him. Chen Haoran internally sighed. Yet another person with more layers than met the eyes.

Ive been meeting so many onions lately, Chen Haoran muttered.

Excuse me?

Nothing, Chen Haoran said. Anyway, our companion needs his rest. The Garrison isnt planning on attacking immediately, so we should have a few days. Come and find me once they start their attack.

Ah, Qiong Qi said, and for some reason, Chen Haorans heart fell. You must not know your Garrison friends as well as you thought because theyre preparing to attack as we speak.