Chapter 44 - 88-94

Chapter 88: Springing A Trap

The monstrous beasts stared straight at us, their attempt at hiding behind the trees rather feeble.

"Why're they looking at us? Do they usually do this?" I asked.

Monstrous beasts below Foundation Establishment behaved much like other animals. Usually, they just attacked. Yet, some retained a predatory instinct, observing their prey from afar, waiting for an opportunity.

"No," the old governor frowned. "This is strange. But we will send some people to take care of them."

"Do you think someone is leading them? They could be scouts," I offered.

The old governor paused, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "While possible, that is very unlikely. Even if, God forbid, they were led by a Foundation Establishment monstrous beast, they would be more likely to attack head-on since it would have the advantage. Even when Foundation Establishment monstrous beasts have human-like intelligence, they learn anew with a low chance of knowing human military strategies like scouts."

Certain bee-like monstrous beasts sent scouts like this, too, even without a Foundation Establishment leader. However, bringing up such a thing was useless since the creatures scouting us looked nothing like bees, and the monstrous beasts I referred to were not native to these lands.

I scrutinized the town wall and our defensive measures. Despite the rivalry between clans, the walls were manned with Body Tempering Cultivators. Yet, there were no cannons or similar deterrents against sizable monsters. To qualify as a monstrous beast, the creature would need to awaken a semblance of Qi, placing the average Body Tempering Cultivator at a massive disadvantage.

"Can I go with the party to hunt down those monsters?" I asked.

The governor met my gaze momentarily before stating, "That would be unnecessarily dangerous."

"I know, but I believe in my abilities," I insisted.

Asking him was merely a formality; we both understood I didn't need his permission. I was not his child or his servant. Quite the opposite, actually.

"Be careful out there," he nodded. Then he turned toward one of the guards and said, "Notify the team going out that they will have a new leader." 

He was making me the team leader? That was quite generous of him. It's not like I necessarily needed to lead the team. Still, it wouldn't hurt to be at the top of the command chain in the team, so there wouldn't be unnecessary arguments. 

I walked over to the edge of the wall and jumped down, softly landing on the grass with a crouch to absorb all the impact. While crouching, I touched the ground and tried to feel any tremors. 

During my experience with the scorpions while I was with Song Song, I knew just how devastating underground ambushes were. 

Standing up, I dusted off my hand, and while waiting for my new team to come out, I kept my eyes on the monstrous beasts in the distance. Controlling some of my Qi, I concentrated it softly in my eyes. The last thing I wanted was to go blind because I put too much Qi in them. That would be a ridiculous way to go blind, too. 

If I thought my vision was better before, after using Qi in my eyes, it felt like the first time I was seeing things so clearly. No longer were shadows disturbing my vision, and even as the monstrous beasts hid, they were as clear as day to me. 

The monstrous beasts spying on us were not from the same race. Just to mention some, one looked like a centaur, another was like a minotaur, and there was some kind of crow-like creature with arms and legs. 

Slowly, a handful of Body Tempering Cultivators opened the town's large gates as a dozen people came out. Unlike the others, who wore colors representing their clans, these guys were decked out in dark uniforms. They bowed their heads respectfully toward me as the door closed behind them. 

Amongst them, one of the stronger guys, who seemed to be in his late twenties and a seven-star Body Tempering Cultivator, stared at me with a heated glare. He must have been the previous leader before he was forced to step aside. 

Well, this was something I had expected regarding these kinds of things. If he tried anything hot-headed while we were out there, I would snap his wry neck and leave him for the beasts to eat his corpse. 

"If you don't know me, my name is Liu Feng. I will be your leader for this mission, and we will be exterminating those monsters just looking creepily at us," I pointed at the creatures in the distance, hiding in the shadows of the trees.

There was another reason why I would take even a minuscule amount of risk like this, but nobody needed to know that yet.

For now, only the governor should know I had broken through to Qi Gathering, and I was okay with that.

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While I never read The Art of War in my last life, I knew some of the lessons.

Appear weak where you are strong, and appear strong where you are weak. That was one of the many sayings that made perfect sense in this situation. If these monstrous beasts were really scouts, I wanted to make sure they only saw what I wanted them to.

"This is just a small mission, so grand speeches would be corny. Just follow me and stay in line, and make sure you listen to my orders no matter what they are," I said.

Thankfully, they all nodded, though some seemed reluctant to trust my commands. They still had no choice but to listen, and I was okay with that.

We began walking toward the beasts without delay, and I gave them instructions along the way. "We will all fight as a team, and don't try taking out a monstrous beast on your own. Also, if you feel overwhelmed, there is no shame in retreating and living to fight another day."

As we got closer to the monstrous beasts, they did not charge at us or act in any of their usual manners. There was not even a growl amongst them to try to look threatening.

Instead, all the monstrous beasts turned tail, and without a second thought or testing our powers, they just ran away.

What?

My team was ready to spring into a chase, but I raised my hand. "Stop!"

Surprisingly, they followed my orders, and none got too hasty before they even had the chance to think and argue my decision to stay behind.

"Monstrous beasts don't usually act like this. They might be leading us into a trap," I explained. "For now, we will retreat as we have no idea what is actually happening with this."

Going further into the forest might have revealed what these monstrous beasts were after. But in the end, I was not willing to sacrifice the lives of innocent people under my command.

As we returned to the town, the people who had come with me wore somber expressions but seemed satisfied. Before the gates opened, I leaped up, almost reaching the top of the wall in one fluid motion. Then, I used the wall as a springboard to propel myself upward again and reach the top.

The governor watched me the whole time, and I quickly began explaining what happened and my suspicions about the situation. Slowly, a frown marred his face as the old governor asked, "What would you do in a situation like this?"

As he spoke, he pointed in the distance where the monstrous beasts had returned to hiding behind the trees as soon as we had departed, showing that they were not afraid of humans despite their earlier retreat.

"I think we just have to spring their trap and see what they're up to," I said. "Preferably, two Qi Gathering Cultivators would do that, as there is no need to waste lives on it. We could go and do that right now."

"That's a good plan," the governor nodded. "But us two going away would leave the two clan heads to their own devices, and I don't trust those two quarreling fools not to get into a fight."

It was sad that he talked about them like children, but I understood his point of view and agreed with him. These clan leaders might be grown men of power, but they certainly bickered like children. Often missing the bigger picture.

"Sure, then I can just go with one of the Clan Heads," I offered.

He folded his arms and looked thoughtful for a moment before nodding. Then he told one of the soldiers, "Go and call the Lu and Hong Clan leaders. Tell them it is an emergency, so I don't have time for their dawdling around."

"I will go and do so immediately, sir!" The soldier saluted before rushing away.

After that, I turned toward the monstrous beasts in the distance and kept my eyes on them. They were the same as before, and the chances of this being a scheme were high. My mind went through a dozen scenarios of what they could be up to, but without concrete proof, such assumptions were useless.

It didn't take long for the two clan heads to arrive, and they seemed to be competing to see who could power walk faster toward us. The Lu Clan Head won that, sporting a triumphant look in his eyes.

These guys... They were ridiculous. 

Despite what I felt about these two for trying to compete against each other even at times like these, I quickly swallowed such feelings and explained my theory to them. About how there must be some kind of intelligent leader leading the monstrous beasts, and we should be ready for anything. Perhaps even a Foundation Establishment monstrous beast could be close by, giving orders and testing if we had anyone strong enough to challenge it.

"It is a good theory," the Hong Clan Leader nodded, dressed extravagantly, as always in red colors.

On the other hand, the Lu Clan Head was quieter and simply nodded. I liked him more than the constantly talkative Hong Clan Leader. That guy had mastered the art of breaking while talking somehow.

"That is why I think two Qi Gathering Cultivators like Lu Clan Head, and I should go and check how things are there, and we can escape if needed," I said.

"Oho, you reached Qi Gathering? Congratulations are in order. You're welcome to the Hong Clan anytime, and we will throw a feast that will be remembered for generations! It isn't every day that someone so young reaches such a stage in cultivation," the Hong Clan Head said, laughing with joy.

We were in the middle of a war, and he wanted to throw a party? I admired the governor for putting up with these guys all day and staying sane enough to manage a town. 

Either way, I shook my head. "Perhaps at a later date."

Before he and the Lu Clan Leader could engage in some kind of contest, I just jumped off the wall again and said, "Feel free to follow me whenever you want, Lu Clan Leader."

I had chosen the Lu Clan Head to accompany me since he was quieter and didn't want my ears to fall off from constant yapping. Also, I wanted to concentrate on the matter at hand. Despite the words the Hong Clan Leader was saying, he didn't seem to take the circumstances seriously.

The Lu Clan Head quickly rushed next to me and grunted in affirmation before saying, "What should we do?"

"Just follow my lead for now," I advised and rushed toward our target. "Also, suppress your Qi just in case. Make us seem like two normal Body Tempering Cultivators."

As we stalked close to the monstrous beasts, they kept their eyes on us, and as soon as we were within a certain distance, they immediately ran away. The Lu Clan Head and I only needed to exchange glances, and we understood each other, giving chase to the monstrous beasts.

We chased them through the naked forests of leafless trees and snow. We could have caught up to them relatively quickly, but instead, we kept a comfortable pace as our goal was not to catch them but to see what they were up to.

But as we got deeper into the forest, we stopped as our senses picked something up. The Lu Clan head's eyes widened, and he asked, "What? How come I didn't sense it until now?"

"Animals are always good at hiding, even though they lack humans' traditional training methods. There are certain things like suppressing their Qi to hide their presence that animals do subconsciously," I said.

I looked around and was greeted by quite the sight. Gorillas as tall as trees, spiders the size of cars, snakes as thick as a tree trunk and as long as a bus, and many other monstrous beasts surrounded us. There were about forty of them. Somehow, we hadn't sensed them at all.

Huh, we had found ourselves in quite a pinch here.

Chapter 89: Falling Moon

Animals needed access to Qi in some way to be considered monstrous beasts. While humans had Qi and didn't change much appearance-wise, monstrous beasts were the opposite. When encountering a monstrous beast, one could usually tell by their size and features unless it was an extremely rare case. 

Despite having Qi and its effects on their bodies, it didn't mean they could consciously use it. Doing so required more than just instinctual intelligence. 

Of course, I had read this in books, but it was something I had yet to see or prove for myself. Just like with every rule, there were exceptions, and there were Qi Gathering monstrous beasts that could use Qi too. If a couple of such monstrous beasts existed among those that surrounded us, then we were done for. 

I slammed my palms on the ground before any of the monstrous beasts started attacking. A web-like light spread out onto the ground, and a burst of mist exploded, obscuring the vision of anyone in the area. Except for myself, since the array was made by my own Qi, I could sense every slight movement within the mist. 

Monstrous beasts didn't have the same training humans did, so despite being physically stronger than humans of the same stage, they couldn't sense Qi. 

I put my hand on the Lu Clan Leader's shoulder and quietly guided him away while trying to make as little sound as possible. Thankfully, he understood what was happening and didn't say anything either. 

But two steps into our plan of escaping this mist, the monstrous beasts charged. At first, I thought it was a mad charge without a goal, which would be expected of monstrous beasts. Instead, what we got was all the monstrous beasts charging toward us with pinpoint accuracy, none of them even a little off. 

Immediately, we set off, and I whispered, "They can sense us!" 

The Lu Clan Leader's eyes widened before he looked at me and followed along as we tried to run toward the town. 

The implications of what was happening were terrifying. 

These monstrous beasts could sense us? Not just one or two of them could do that; all of them could, almost as if they were trained to do this. 

However, despite the realization, I felt strangely calm as I tried to think of how we should play this out. My chances of survival were relatively high, especially since I could just throw the other guy under the bus as he was slower than me. But that was not something I would like to do, despite how annoying the Lu Clan and Hong Clan Leaders were. 

"Shit," the Lu Clan Head cursed under his breath as a frog monstrous beast the size of a car opened its mouth and had its tongue wrapped around the Clan Leader's leg. 

Without hesitation, I turned around and swung my arm as if I were scratching the space before me. 

Falling Moon Claw! 

The air where I had swiped and aimed with my Qi twisted and turned before a condensed slash of wind shot toward the frog's tongue, easily cutting through it and allowing the Lu Clan Leader to escape. 

But before the monstrous beast could retract its tongue, I grabbed onto it and swung it around like a bowling ball on a string. It hit the other monstrous beasts, landing on a bat causing it to fall from the sky, land head-first into a tree, and skewer itself. But at the same time, my new weapon also suffered some damage due to now becoming nothing more than a clump of bloody flesh. 

What a shame; I thought it would have a stronger body as a monstrous beast. But soft-fleshed creatures like frogs usually had weaker defenses, even as monstrous beasts. They make up for such weakness with their long-range or poison. However, it seemed like this one was still in development and hadn't reached that stage yet. 

This stunt of mine had pushed several monstrous beasts away. But it had also given others the time to get closer. From what I could sense, the Lu Clan Leader hadn't gotten that far away, as his movement technique was quite slow. 

I was about to turn around when I noticed that while some monstrous beasts were clustering, they were getting in each other's way. 

They might be able to sense and perhaps even use Qi. However, they were still unable to communicate with each other and do complex maneuvers while working together. 

At that moment, I decided to put escape on hold as an idea came to mind. Though I kept running away from them, it was slower than my max speed, and they would catch up to me soon enough. 

The first one to reach me was a human-sized praying mantis-like monstrous beast, and it swiped one of its blade-like arms toward my head. But I sensed the attack and crouched down, swiping at its midsection. 

Falling Moon Claw! 

I bisected the monstrous beast, kicked its lower body away, and grabbed its upper body before it could fall to the ground. It almost surprised me that despite its injuries, this bug could survive quite a bit longer than normal creatures who took this much damage. 

But since I had grabbed onto its neck, I didn't dodge its attacks and instead just moved it around like a rag doll, causing all its attacks to miss. Then, I shot another invisible slash at its arms and used its arm as a sword against a kangaroo-looking creature with deer antlers. 

The creature tried to block, but my new weapon only ended up slicing through its arms and neck like they were nothing. 

No wonder cultivators hunted monstrous beasts to create cultivation materials and weapons. These mantis' claws were faster than anything I had seen before. 

Then I used the mantis' arm to pierce through its beady eyes, ripped off its other arm, and used it as an improvised weapon. Holding onto the scythe-like appendages was uncomfortable and inconvenient, with mantis blood sticking to my palms and making my grip quite slippery. 

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As the monstrous beasts were clustering closer, now would be an excellent time to turn around and run away. But there was an idea stuck in my mind that even if I risked my life, I wanted to try it out. It wasn't often that I had live targets to practice on. 

The countless beasts charged toward me with maddening hisses and roars. Some were even drooling as a hungry glint shone in their eyes. 

It was scary, but I was calm. Such a contradictory feeling. 

Concentrating, I gathered Qi into my hands and tried to imbue it onto my weapons. This was quite a few steps above what I usually did with Qi control. But unlike usual, I had an incentive to make this happen beyond just entertainment. Because if those monstrous beasts were not culled, then there was a good chance I would die. 

Somehow, the Qi poured into the mantis' arms, but it was inefficient and spilled out way too much. 

Imbuing Qi into inanimate objects was already hard, but doing so in the body of a creature that used to have its own Qi was harder. Their body would naturally fight the foreign Qi. 

That was why I didn't linger for long, tightened the grips on the fleshy parts of the mantis arms, and swung them like curved swords. 

Falling Moon Claw! 

Once again, the earth-grade technique was activated. But this time, it wasn't by hand, but by some sharp weapons. There was a fifty percent chance it wouldn't have worked, but it seemed like the coin flip had landed on my side. 

Two invisible slashes flew off; the only proof they existed was the Qi imbued into them and the shifting winds. But despite the monstrous beasts sensing my attack and most likely being fast enough to dodge, it was a new method and slower than usual when I used it with the mantis arms. 

However, the monstrous beasts were so clamped together that even as they tried to move out of the way of my attack, they just ended up bumping into each other. Two monstrous beasts were bisected immediately, and the force behind the attack weakened. However, some monstrous beasts were behind and still got injured. 

But despite the drawback, I couldn't help but smile a bit. These weaknesses in the technique were only there because I was new to using this with weapons in hand. 

"Just a bit more practice, and I have this in the bag," I muttered. 

Yet whatever plans I had were interrupted as something jumped at me. The creature was too fast for me to see its figure clearly, so I quickly pulled my guard up and brought the mantis claws to protect my vital parts. 

A clanging sound rang out, and I was pushed back, leaving a trail on the ground as my feet dug into the wet dirt. 

My hands shook, my elbows were in pain, and it felt like my shoulders were about to pop out of their sockets. But at least I had protected my vital organs. 

Yep, this was a good sign to get the fuck away from here. 

Before I could turn around, I caught sight of my attacker, and it was one of the giant snakes. The monstrous beast stared at me with its cold eyes, coiling onto itself, and its body shook as every one of its muscles tightened. 

Was it about to jump at me again? I was not going to stick around and find out. 

Using Qi to reinforce my legs, I jumped back as far as possible. While mid-air, I maneuvered myself and turned my back toward the monstrous beasts while keeping my senses sharp in case they decided to take advantage of this. I crouched mid-air, and my thighs swelled as all the muscles on my lower body expanded to an unnatural degree. 

As soon as my feet touched the ground, the earth below me cracked, and I shot forward like a bullet. 

Rushing Bull Step was a perfect technique for this because I soon reached the field, and then it was just a straight running patch. It didn't take long before I had almost caught up with the Lu Clan Head, who was still running with his mediocre movement technique. 

I looked back, and the monsters were still giving chase like mad beasts. 

It was a shame I was not strong enough. Otherwise, I could have experimented some more and tried other moves. It wasn't like I got the chance often to practice on live targets where I could go all out against them. 

Within a dozen seconds, I caught up with the Lu Clan Leader, who had been a disappointing deadweight until now. As I got closer to him and looked at his face better, I couldn't help but frown. The guy was pale and looked scared. 

What was up with that? Why was he panicking? He was the veteran here. 

"Everything okay?" I asked, trying to see whether he was poisoned or anything like that. 

The Lu Clan Leader shuddered. "Your theory might have some merit. The monstrous beasts did not fight or feel like their usual wild selves." 

What?—I frowned. 

I recalled how the clan leaders and governor agreed that my hypothesis was reasonable. Why was this guy reacting like he just... 

Ah, he hadn't believed my claims all along. He had just agreed so he would get on my good side. Were the governor and other clan head like this too? Had they sung my praises just so they wouldn't get on my bad side? 

That was annoying... 

Now I understood why Song Song liked honesty so much despite how often I had gotten under her skin. 

Just like before, the monstrous beasts were slowly catching up to us since I was moving at the same speed as the Lu Clan Head. 

I glanced at the Lu Clan Head and contemplated leaving him behind. When I thought of Qi Gathering Cultivators, I thought of them as useful fighters. But with how it was going, they seemed nothing more than dead weight. 

I also valued my life enough that I wouldn't be willing to put it on the line for every hobo out there. More importantly, I wouldn't like my life to be left to someone incompetent. 

These guys did not inspire the confidence Song Song exuded. If she was around, I wouldn't have to even think about worrying about my life—not like this guy, who would have been better off if I hadn't taken him along to spring this trap. 

Sighing, I stopped again and turned to face the approaching monstrous beasts. 

Perhaps I was judging him too soon, and this was his first time facing monstrous beasts like this. But in the future, I should calculate how much I would be willing to sacrifice to keep these guys alive. Putting my life on the line for them was not worth it. 

If I had learned anything from Song Song, it was that there were times in someone's life when they needed to be cold and logical. 

I slammed my hand on the ground, and a translucent purplish barrier rose. Some monstrous beasts walked in without hesitation and immediately became wobbly and sleepy. Most slowed down, and a few fell asleep. 

Huh, they seemed they hadn't been trained to handle certain arrays. So, my Sleeping Array was quite effective. Good... 

I turned around and decided not to attack the drowsy monstrous beasts as they could awake at any moment. Just an instinctive discharge of Qi would break a simple and weak effect like sleep. 

As soon as we reached the wall, I jumped up in one swoop. The Lu Clan Head did the same. While his movement sucked at speedy escapes, it had good maneuverability, as he seemed to almost dance on the wind as he climbed up. 

In the distance, the monstrous beasts awoke. But instead of continuing to give chase, they retreated. 

"How did everything go?" asked the old governor. 

I turned toward him and then glanced at the Clan Heads. 

Having someone else on the team, even someone relative to her stage in cultivation could still be a liability. With how the Lu Clan Leader had acted out there, I couldn't trust this guy to peel a potato, much less handle a war against a dangerous enemy. 

Note to self, not everyone was Song Song.

Chapter 90: Plans & Schemes

Now that I was atop the walls and safe, it gave me a chance to calm down and think things through logically. However, I had already made some decisions after witnessing the display by the Lu Clan Leader.

This was my life here, and I would not let the actions of someone incompetent jeopardize it.

I looked at the governor and the Hong Clan Leader, wondering if they were akin to the Lu Clan Head. Upon closer inspection, they seemed more like politicians than competent leaders or warriors. 

This may be my biased opinion, but they really paled compared to Song Song. I used to consider her a poor leader, but at least she possessed enough skill as a warrior to compensate for her mistakes.

Approaching them, I raised the two mantis arms I had with me. "Do you have any skilled blacksmiths in town who can work with materials from monstrous beasts?"

Considering cities experiencing Beast Waves, they usually had craftsmen to fashion weapons from the creatures they slayed every winter.

"Yes, I know just the right people for these," the governor examined the monstrous beast's parts, then met my gaze and nodded. "I also dabbled in blacksmithing back in the day. What kind of weapons do you need?"

"I'm not well-versed in weapons or monster materials. What can you tell me about them? What would be the best weapon to fashion from these two arms?" I inquired.

There were some half-truths in my words. While I hadn't directly worked with materials from monstrous beasts to create weapons or artifacts, I had compiled a monster encyclopedia. So, the subject was not unfamiliar.

But I said that to gauge the governor's response. From now on, I would scrutinize everything they claimed about their abilities. Politicians often embellished their skills to secure positions of power, and these individuals now fell into that category.

"Daggers would work best. The rough form is already there. Since we don't have someone skilled enough to fashion them into a completely new shape like a spear or similar weapon," he rubbed his chin, appearing lost in thought before continuing, "I will put in a good word for you so you can get those daggers faster."

I nodded in agreement. "Good."

He had a grasp of the basics. Perhaps even more...

As the governor handed over the mantis arms, I watched as one of the guards collected them and swiftly left.

With that task completed, I settled down cross-legged and retrieved a couple of spirit stones from my pocket. As I began to meditate, I focused on controlling my Qi, forming it into a needle-like shape in the center of my palm and slowly drawing Qi from the spirit stone.

Unlike the Qi found in nature, the Qi within a spirit stone was less rigid and readily absorbed by the body without adverse effects.

This was something I had researched but never had the opportunity to attempt myself. This new source of Qi felt refreshingly cool, akin to a revitalizing drink coursing down my throat and permeating my internal organs.

Meanwhile, the governor and the two clan heads engaged in conversation. The Lu Clan Leader, now composed, recounted the events and circumstances. Throughout, I listened intently, ensuring he didn't exaggerate his actions.

"Thankfully, we managed to fend off the monstrous beasts while making our escape-"

Before the Lu Clan Leader could tell any more fairy tales, I rose to my feet, diverting everyone's attention back to me.

Regardless of my feelings toward him, I wasn't about to expose the Lu Clan Leader's fabrications in front of everyone. Despite his cowardly conduct and panic, revealing his falsehoods yielded no benefits, while concealing his secret did. Perhaps I could use this knowledge later as leverage. 

"Anyway, it seems the monstrous beasts indeed had some sort of leader or instructor who taught them how to sense Qi and, to a lesser extent, utilize it. This mentor could either be a more mature monstrous beast or a demonic cultivator seeking chaos," I elaborated.

The governor nodded in acknowledgment, and the Hong Clan Head chimed in, "As expected of someone from the Blazing Sun Sect, your assumption was spot-on."

Despite their affirmations and the sincerity in their eyes, I harbored no trust for them whatsoever. During our escape, The Lu Clan Leader revealed he hadn't believed in my theory. It was safe to assume these guys were also peddling nonsense.

Initially, I had been willing to cede authority to others, considering their experience with Beast Waves. However, as the Lu Clan Leader demonstrated, experience could be a hindrance. They were ingrained in fighting monstrous beasts a certain way for decades, which was precisely why a "veteran" like him succumbed to panic.

The monstrous beasts had evolved, and our tactics needed to evolve in response.

Now, I needed to ascertain how to attain power and assume leadership of this operation without resorting to political machinations. If they could lure me into their arena and engage in political games, I knew I wouldn't emerge victorious. Especially against the governor, who had spent decades building a support base here.

Observing the three men before I engaged in conversation, I mostly tuned out their discussion and focused on their expressions, eye movements, and subtle gestures.

They had already shown they could fool me if they wished. Instead of distrusting them outright, I needed to get better at reading people. 

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Of course, that was easier said than done, but I noticed something peculiar as they conversed. The Hong Clan Head refrained from mocking the Lu Clan Leader. This struck me as odd since he was the type to relish such opportunities, regardless of their veracity. Yet, with ample material to ridicule the Lu Clan Leader about, considering our recent retreat from the battlefield—visible to cultivators due to their keen eyesight—his silence seemed out of character. Perhaps there was more to their rivalry than met the eye?

Despite my suspicions, I pushed them aside and focused on the present situation.

Having allowed others to lead because of my lack of desire for leadership, I had assumed a competition where there was none.

From now on, I resolved to take charge of this battlefront, as I should have from the outset!

With my mind set on my next steps, a plan began to take shape.

"Could you compile a list of all available fighters?" I interjected, addressing the governor and interrupting the discussion among the town's three leadership figures regarding potential nearby demonic cultivators. "I'd like to have a clear understanding of our troop numbers. Since I've had the most contact with the new monstrous beasts, I believe I can provide the warriors with more effective notes on how to fight them."

"Certainly," the governor replied with a nod. "I can provide you with the exact count of my guards. However, I'm not privy to the precise numbers contributed by the clans."

"Understandable. But by tomorrow, I'd like to have a comprehensive tally of our available cultivators," I stated firmly.

The governor's mortal guards would serve as little more than distractions against the monstrous beasts. Sending them into battle would be a futile waste of life and resources.

As I issued my directive, the Lu Clan and Hong Clan Leaders exchanged glances, their expressions becoming guarded as they directed narrowed gazes at the governor. Their reactions hinted at the beginning of a political skirmish. However, the Lu Clan Leader appeared hesitant, his gaze repeatedly drifting toward the forest we had recently fled from.

Whatever interpretation they made of my actions was inconsequential to me. While many aspects differed from my previous world, the one who commanded the army wielded ultimate authority and could seize control. So, I cared little about which faction boasted more members or which clan made the greatest contribution. My sole concern was identifying individuals who would align with me should the governor or clan leaders become overly incompetent in leadership roles.

"It has been quite a taxing day. I'll retire to the mansion graciously provided by the governor," I stated with a polite smile directed at the elderly governor, then bowed respectfully to the men.

There was no need to betray my thoughts on them. My only regret now was not seizing control sooner and abstaining from these political games. Had I done so, I might have been able to establish some form of defense.

Descending the wall, I noticed the tension among the guards stationed behind the gates. Despite this, they maintained a facade of camaraderie, exchanging smiles and banter, albeit still segregated by their clan affiliations.

As I strolled down the pristine road, observing the peaceful activity of the townsfolk, a sense of tranquility washed over me. Despite everything, I took solace in the knowledge that my decisions would prolong the survival of these people, rendering my endeavors not entirely self-serving.

Due to my leisurely pace, dusk had settled by the time I reached the mansion. The surroundings remained unchanged, and upon entering the courtyard, I spotted Speedy leisurely swimming in the pond, now tinged with a crimson hue.

The little guy was truly living his best, and I wouldn't stop him. If I were a turtle, I'd likely indulge in carefree antics, enjoying life with nothing better to do.

Entering the mansion, I passed through numerous doors. I entered one of the simple bedrooms, reminiscent of the living quarters back at the Sect. The modest dimensions and close walls might induce claustrophobia in some, but I found comfort in the setup. An array I had placed around my room made it difficult for assassins to detect my Qi, and the vacant master bedroom served as an obvious decoy.

Reclining on the bed, I inhaled deeply, savoring the earthy scent emanating from the wooden walls. The room had a tranquil atmosphere, allowing my thoughts to wander freely. I spent several minutes contemplating various schemes and organizing my plans for the future, all while devising contingencies for any potential setbacks.

It was a tangled web of ideas but not an insurmountable predicament... yet. If things took a turn for the worse, I still had Song Song in a nearby city whom I could call upon for assistance.

Part of me was tempted to contact her immediately, entrusting her to assert control over the situation here. However, I recognized that she had her own problems to contend with, and I couldn't rely on her to resolve every obstacle that crossed my path. Some trials in life required my personal intervention.

...

After spending a few hours resting on the bed, I finally decided on my next course of action.

Rising from the bed, I stepped into the hallway to stretch, the confined space of the room offering little room for movement. Exiting the mansion, I was greeted by an armored guard holding a piece of parchment.

Upon spotting me, he promptly knelt before me. "Honorable cultivator! The governor has instructed me to deliver this document containing the names of all available warriors who could assist in the upcoming Beast Wave. Additionally, he assured that your weapons will be ready by tomorrow, personally overseeing their preparation."

I acknowledged his report with a nod. 

"Please convey my gratitude to the governor," I replied, accepting his parchment.

The guard respectfully withdrew as I read the surprisingly detailed document, leaving me to my thoughts. 

Remarkably thorough, the paper provided each soldier's name, age, and the latest recorded cultivation levels. 

The governor's earlier claim of uncertainty regarding troop numbers was a mere facade to maintain appearances before the Clan Leaders. He likely possessed comprehensive knowledge of the Clans' military strength and chain of command.

Perhaps I had misjudged everyone else due to the Lu Clan Leader's behavior. I had been too emotional at the thought of defending the town against monstrous beasts with such incompetent people by my side. 

The governor hadn't demonstrated incompetence thus far. Still, I couldn't stake my life and the lives of the townsfolk on his administrative capabilities alone. He still hadn't proven his competence in military matters, and I would never again assume someone was good at their job just because of their age or position. 

"Sixty-eight Body Tempering Cultivators... not ideal, but not disastrous either," I muttered to myself. 

While the monstrous beasts outnumbered the defending cultivators, the city's fortifications and defensive arrays provided a significant advantage, narrowing the gap. However, the efficacy of these defenses remained uncertain in the face of the evolving threat.

With a sense of finality, I tore the paper to shreds and utilized a partial array to incinerate it into cinders.

Despite my meticulous planning, uncertainty loomed over the outcome of the impending conflict.

There was only one thing I could count on: the amount of effort I could devote to my training before the situation reached its climax.

With determination in my heart, I made my way to a tree at the corner of the yard. Leaning against the mansion, it offered a serene view of the surroundings.

Snapping off a thin branch, I broke it over my knee, fashioning two short sticks. Imagining them as daggers, I recalled the various martial arts techniques I had studied in the Sect's library. Though lacking in formal training, I had little time to learn anything new. 

Instead, I focused on mastering the fundamentals of dagger combat: more than simply stabbing with the pointy end.

Chapter 91: Logical Thoughts…

It became evident that wielding sticks at superhuman speeds was beyond their capability. Thus, I had to swap those sticks for some kitchen knives from the mansion.

That's how I spent the entire night—struggling to master weapons I'd never handled before. Progress was slow, as expected, but I managed to improve marginally from where I began.

At the break of dawn, the governor arrived at my door, a proud gleam in his eyes, accompanied by a guard bearing a box.

"Apologies for interrupting your training," the elderly governor said.

"No worries, I was nearly finished anyway," I replied.

In truth, my training sessions typically lasted until exhaustion, but this time, I didn't intend to push myself too hard. The monstrous beasts could strike at any moment, and they wouldn't wait for us to rest.

Training also honed my senses while simultaneously easing my tension. Unlike some, I wasn't cut out for war. No matter how much I tried to adapt, deep down I was the same guy who, in a different life, never had to worry about a war breaking out in his backyard.

He motioned for the guard to step forward, and the man hastily obeyed, opening the box he carried. Inside lay two daggers resting atop a silk pillow.

The daggers appeared relatively ordinary, yet they exuded a dark sheen as if crafted from obsidian.

"Though we lack a Level 4 Array Master, I soaked the daggers in ink used for inscriptions—a blend of various minerals and monstrous beast blood," the governor explained, a glint of excitement in his eyes. It was the first time he seemed genuinely enthusiastic. "It's been a while since I've fashioned daggers like these; I typically forge swords. But undoubtedly, these are the weapons I've put the most effort into crafting in recent memory."

"Thank you," I nodded, seizing the daggers by their handles and twirling them in my grip.

Then, assuming my stance, I launched into a flurry of slashes, testing their weight and balance. Surprisingly light, they allowed me to maintain my speed. My arms blurred, and as I focused my Qi, even the blurs began to vanish from my sight.

The air resonated with a metallic hum as I sliced through the wind.

After completing my routine and familiarizing myself with the new weapons, the governor applauded. "Impressive. It appears you have some skill with daggers."

"Not as much as I'd prefer, but it'll suffice for now," I replied, shifting the daggers into a reverse grip and moving around.

Sunlight glinted off the dark blades as I tightened my grip, a potent force stirring around me. Infusing the weapons with Qi, a smile crept onto my face as I glanced at the mansion.

For a moment, I entertained the idea of using Falling Moon Claw on the building. How much damage would it cause? I rarely had the opportunity to employ this technique, especially with a real weapon.

Despite the temptation, rationality prevailed. I withdrew my Qi from the daggers, sighing and letting tension drain from my body.

"That was quite the display of fighting spirit," the governor remarked. "For a moment, I thought you might slice the mansion in half."

Although he joked, a hint of seriousness lingered in his eyes, almost as if he were unnerved.

I gazed at the mansion, appreciating its wooden grandeur. Its glass windows reflected the morning sunlight while the roof tiles glistened from the overnight frost.

"It's a remarkable structure, likely the result of years of labor by mortals. It would be a shame to destroy it on impulse," I mused, a smile spreading across my lips. "Assuming, of course, I didn't botch the technique and turn myself into a circus act."

Before the governor could respond, another guard burst in, visibly distressed. He removed his helmet, his pale face and dilated pupils betraying his panic.

"Lord Governor, Honorable Cultivator," he addressed us with a bow before urgently declaring, "Monstrous Beasts are approaching from the north. They're moments away from crashing into the wall!"

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Instantly, the governor and I tensed up, exchanging a glance that conveyed our mutual understanding of the situation.

"We must depart immediately," I asserted calmly, mindful not to escalate the tension permeating the air. Panicking would only exacerbate the situation, and we were already dealing with an abundance of internal anxiety.

"Follow me," the governor instructed, devoid of his usual entourage of guards, and launched over the wall in a single fluid motion.

Crouching low, I engaged Rushing Bull Step and swiftly surpassed the guards. At my heightened speed, they appeared almost stationary.

Meanwhile, the governor traversed rooftops towards the northern wall. I kept pace from the ground, ensuring not to damage any rooftops with my more forceful movement technique. There was no need to arrive at the battlefront ahead of the governor, and I didn't want to inadvertently cause property damage.

Despite my efforts, it was evident that I wouldn't be able to match the governor's superior movement technique, a testament to his training within the Blazing Sun Sect.

We soon arrived at the marble-like walls, with the governor leaping from the rooftop to the wall's summit. At the same time, I ascended directly from the ground.

The two Clan Leaders and several dozen Body Tempering Cultivators from the clans awaited us, their expressions grave as they gazed into the distance.

On the northern horizon loomed a vast, advancing army. The sheer number of monstrous beasts was staggering, far exceeding what a town of this size could handle. Typically, during beast waves, monstrous beasts arrived in smaller groups, often of similar types like wolf packs. However, in this wave, a multitude of diverse monstrous beasts, including those not native to the region, marched together.

"Their army displays structure, with larger animals positioned at the forefront to withstand long-range attacks while smaller beasts trail behind," I observed, narrowing my eyes. "Their approach indicates a strategic intent."

"We possess an array designed to repel monstrous beasts from entering the city," the governor stated grimly, "but I fear its efficacy against an army of this magnitude."

Taking note of the monstrous beasts visible on the horizon, I turned to the others. "Do any of you have a pen and paper?"

Amidst the confusion, one of the governor's guards handed me a notebook—a ledger of supplies and other administrative matters. Even he seemed bewildered as he passed it to me, likely accustomed to following the commands of cultivators without question—an understandable instinct given their typical behavior.

With no time to dwell on the psychological dynamics of serving alongside someone who could easily overpower you, I seated myself, procured some blank sheets of paper, and swiftly jotted down everything I could recall about the monstrous beasts visible in the distance. 

Drawing them within a short timeframe wasn't feasible, so I settled for rough descriptions. Regrettably, I had left behind the encyclopedia back at the mansion. Nevertheless, I managed to catalog most of the monstrous beasts I could see, thanks to my Qi Gathering speed, akin to a rapid printer. My handwriting was precise, almost mechanical, suggesting I could sketch the creatures in seconds with more practice.

Perhaps when this was over, I could get into painting at super speed. That sounded like something pretty cool to do. 

"Here's all the information I could gather about the non-native monsters. Bear in mind, it's from memory, and even if we know their weaknesses, it doesn't imply they're weak," I informed the group, intending to explain further when my words caught in my throat.

Turning towards the advancing horde, I spotted a serpent-like beast wreathed in blue flames, its skinless form moving with surprising speed. Its gaping maw crackled with gathering Qi—a precursor to a devastating blast aimed at the gates.

Our odds were already slim, but if the gates fell, civilian casualties were inevitable, and our chances of victory dwindled further, with my own survival becoming uncertain.

Desperation seized me as I frantically searched for a solution. Yet, the snake was too distant for dagger throws, and my Earth Grade Technique's range fell short.

In a split second, my body reacted instinctively.

Perhaps the lessons from Song Song were finally taking hold, or maybe I already knew the answer and was simply executing it.

The monstrous creature, identified as a Blue Flaming Divine Snake—a rare bloodline among monsters, possibly a halfbreed—posed a grave threat. Facing the potential loss of limbs seemed a small price to pay compared to the alternative: a highly likely chance of my own death and the slaughter of innocent civilians. The logical choice was clear.

"They're aiming for the gates!" the governor's frantic shout pierced the air, finally recognizing the impending danger.

But time was against us. The blast hurtled towards me as I positioned myself before the gates.

A defensive maneuver crossed my mind fleetingly, swiftly dismissed as futile. Unlike Song Song, I lacked the mastery of Qi required to execute successive defensive and offensive techniques like Dancing Jade Armor followed by Falling Moon Claw.

Instead, I gambled everything on the attack.

Gathering every iota of Qi I could muster, I infused it into my right dagger, channeling all my strength and focus into the dominant hand and weapon.

I allowed the blast to draw closer, minimizing the distance my technique needed to travel, thus conserving its power.

Waiting until the blast was mere inches away—hardly a second since its launch—I unleashed Falling Moon Claw without hesitation.

In that moment of impending death, adrenaline surged, heightening my concentration to unprecedented levels. Suddenly, the intricacies of Falling Moon Claw became clear to me as if illuminated by a revelation. The invisible slash, its trajectory through the air, its genesis—all aspects I had practiced extensively now crystallized in my mind. It was as if I could taste the essence of the technique itself, a surreal sensation.

My thoughts shattered as the two attacks collided, engulfing us in a cacophony of explosive force.

Chapter 92: Intelligence is a Weakness!

The blast that followed the clash rattled my arm and pushed me back several steps. However, it was also partially split in two, and despite everything around me exploding, I emerged unharmed with my arm intact.

Did I misinterpret that? Blue Flaming Divine Snakes were a rare type of monstrous beast notorious for their attack powers.

I had been prepared to sacrifice an arm, so this power seemed lackluster compared to my expectations. Nonetheless, I didn't let it bother me or dwell on it too much. Instead of doubting what I had sensed, I questioned why I perceived the attack as much stronger than it actually was.

Despite my doubts, I didn't question my senses for a second. The more likely scenario was that whatever monstrous beast this was, it could somehow inflate its Qi or manipulate it to deceive my senses.

Someone like that was dangerous. Not as dangerous as a real Blue Flaming Divine Snake, but still a significant threat.

As the dust settled, a crater marked the spot where my attack had clashed with the blast. In the distance, the flaming snake stared directly at me, and I couldn't help but smile a bit. If someone could conceal their Qi so effectively, I doubted their instinctual abilities could be effective against other creatures. So, whatever it was, that flaming snake was likely the culprit.

Monstrous beasts with illusionary abilities often lacked physical power. Just like animals evolved, monstrous beasts followed a similar pattern. After all, small, weak-looking animals with bright colors often possessed venom. Similarly, monstrous beasts developed unique abilities through evolution to compensate for their deficiencies.

Allowing such a monstrous beast to get close was not advisable; it could use its illusionary powers to evade our guards and even breach the gates. That was a conclusion I could draw simply by pondering these powers; I shuddered to think what else it might have come up with given enough time.

Moreover, I wanted to test and learn some things!

There was no point in running now; there was nowhere to escape. Instead of hiding behind those walls, it would be better to at least gain something from this ordeal.

Without worrying about someone else covering for me, I could try Falling Moon Claw without restraint.

It was undoubtedly a dangerous and perhaps even reckless decision. But in times of war, what wasn't risky? I preferred to deepen my understanding of my techniques rather than cowering behind walls.

Moreover, I preferred it this way. I didn't necessarily enjoy the bloodshed or killing, even if my victims were monstrous beasts. But there was so much to be learned from battling living beings, especially when monstrous beasts came in various shapes and sizes and possessed different abilities. While humans excelled in martial arts, though lacking in that aspect, monstrous beasts held the advantage of bloodline powers.

It didn't take long to approach their army. Their charge was intimidating; it almost tempted me to flee. There were so many of them that some might not have noticed my presence. Yet, most did, and that posed more than enough danger to my life.

"This sense of danger, the rush of adrenaline. It heightens my senses like nothing else; there's no replicating this in training," I observed, noting some interesting points, especially about facing such an army.

However, before I could begin testing other things, my priority was to eliminate the monster capable of creating illusions.

Crouching down, I gathered Qi into my dagger again, feeling an imaginary weight settle on my weapon as I shifted it into a reverse grip. Then, with all the power I could muster, I swung the weapon, unleashing an invisible flying slash toward the monsters.

"Falling Moon Claw!"

Those targeted by the flying slash hesitated, and since the slash's range and power were reduced due to my charging it, some managed to evade. Yet, not everything was in their favor because my primary target, the flaming snake, had little space to dodge amidst the crowded army.

The snake-like monstrous beast met an anticlimactic end as its head was severed, along with many other monsters nearby. Despite its apparent demise, I remained highly alert, searching for any signs of illusionary trickery. Before its head hit the ground, the snake transformed into a gray serpent with misty eyes and swirling scales.

"Disappointing. I was prepared to navigate endless mazes of illusions," I grumbled slightly.

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Illusionary ability monsters were exceptionally rare, and there was a good chance I would never encounter another, even if I actively sought them out.

Make no mistake, I was relieved it met its end this way; otherwise, my life would have been in grave danger. I wouldn't have had the luxury of solving illusory puzzles while facing an army of monstrous beasts charging at me.

Still, it was disappointing that it didn't live up to its potential. The ability to mask one's Qi could easily become a deadly advantage. However, that wasn't solely why I found it intriguing.

Despite dispatching dozens of monsters with that single slashing attack, the army's numbers remained largely unaffected. Moreover, some monsters, only injured by the attack, were still targeting me.

I leaped backward, wielding my daggers to unleash rapid slashes into the air, sending multiple flying slashes toward the monsters. However, despite their quantity and speed these slashes lacked the critical power. At most, they severed limbs or struck monsters by chance but rarely delivered lethal blows.

While this attack wasn't particularly effective in battle, it was satisfying to employ it in such a manner.

With my Qi reserves dwindling, I had to retreat as the monstrous beasts began launching their own long-range attacks. Some airborne monsters noticed me and swooped down, but they were too sluggish to catch me.

Fortunately, none of the monsters seemed strong or inclined to pursue me directly. There may have been faster ones among them. Still, faster monstrous beasts typically had lower durability and lingered at the rear of the group. In comparison, the slower but sturdier ones occupied the frontline.

Scaling the marble walls with a single leap, I breathed a sigh of relief. The soldiers gazed at me wide-eyed, and even the higher-ups appeared surprised. However, the old governor merely smiled and nodded as if he had anticipated this outcome.

There wasn't much left for me to do at this point. I sat down on the rough stone floor of the wall and used some spirit stones to replenish my Qi.

"Everyone, fall into formation!" the governor bellowed, issuing his orders. "I will activate the array! Ensure you perform to the best of your abilities today, or we will meet brutal and gruesome ends!"

It was quite the impassioned speech, though I couldn't help but wonder if it was wise to instill fear in the fighters so early on.

The governor solemnly tore a card in half, his gaze fixed on the approaching monstrous beasts.

However, before the beasts could breach the walls, a yellowish barrier manifested into a large, half-spherical dome around the town. The first monster to make contact with the barrier received a shocking and chilling surprise, promptly electrocuted and frozen alive.

Witnessing this, some of the other monsters hesitated. Still, they were pushed forward by those behind them, unaware of what had transpired.

"Their initial organization suggests an intelligent design, but the monsters themselves lack the adaptability of human intelligence in certain battlefield situations," I remarked. "And don't forget to utilize the notes I provided. They can prove quite useful."

Taking command of the defense, the governor employed palm techniques, unleashing crimson red Qi akin to grenades amidst the monsters. Meanwhile, the leaders of the two clans utilized artifacts to imbue their Qi into attacks capable of harming the beasts.

The Hong Clan wielded a golden talisman inscribed with red ink, channeling the clan leader's Qi into a drill-like form. Conversely, the Lu Clan leader wore a gauntlet emitting constant shockwaves, destabilizing the monsters.

I couldn't help but wonder where he had obtained such a powerful artifact during our earlier encounter with the beasts. Perhaps it was a family heirloom seldom brought out of the clan treasury.

Even the soldier cultivators weren't idle; they hurled metallic spears coated with a strange green liquid. While the spears didn't inflict significant damage, the poison they carried weakened and killed the monsters.

A few of the governor's regular guards were actively reading my notes aloud and pointing out weaknesses in the monsters. Then, I realized how seamlessly they operated together, like a well-oiled machine engineered to exterminate monstrous threats.

Having replenished some of my Qi, I approached the governor. "Where would my skills be most beneficial?"

He turned towards me, gesturing toward the monsters. "It would be best if you positioned yourself between us and the soldiers. While engaging in combat, your ability to identify the monsters' weaknesses would be invaluable."

Standing just above the gate, I nodded, observing the diminishing wave of monsters gradually forming into a mountain of monstrous beast corpses.

"This barrier is holding up surprisingly well," I remarked to the governor.

He winced slightly. "Trust me, it's not as sturdy as it appears. If we don't end this soon, we're in deep shit."

Understanding enough about barriers, I discerned from his expression that while the barrier was strong, it likely had a limited duration.

Despite being armed with this knowledge, there was little I could do to manage the situation.

However, as the piles of monsters grew, it wasn't our side that was losing morale. Instead, some of the monsters in the rear began to retreat, and soon an astonishing sight unfolded before us.

"They're retreating?" the Hong Clan Leader questioned, echoing the confusion the rest of us shared, albeit with a sense of relief.

This retreat essentially confirmed that the monstrous beasts were being led by someone strategic. Not just one individual, but likely someone close enough to the leadership to command them effectively without revealing themselves.

This realization was quite enlightening. Despite the absence of the masterminds, several revelations emerged.

Firstly, there was a finite number of monstrous beasts. While obvious, today's events demonstrated their limit in willingness to sacrifice in battle.

Secondly, the leader of these beasts was undoubtedly not human. Otherwise, someone with even a basic understanding of barriers would know that apparent strength didn't equate to longevity. Arrays and barriers had their own balancing mechanisms. 

Yet, what intrigued me more was the leader's display of human-like emotions. Whereas disorganized beasts would have continued to attack relentlessly, a rational being chose to withdraw and preserve the remaining forces.

Good… I could use this…

Chapter 93: Qi Makes No Sense!

The ground outside was dyed red, and as snow began falling, the snowflakes absorbed the redness as soon as they touched blood. It was a strangely serene scene as I stared at the mutilated corpses of the monstrous beasts below.

But I was interrupted by the sound of something cracking. It was the yellow barrier surrounding the town, and it seemed like it had reached its time limit.

Thankfully, the monstrous beasts were gone, and there were no roars in the distance or strange creatures staring at us from behind trees.

"Hell yeah!"

"We won!"

"Nobody even had to die!"

The warriors celebrated; some breathed sighs of relief, and others cried. Even the two clans, while separated by their colors, celebrated with some hugging each other and yelling out at the top of their lungs.

There was no longer any of that sophisticated feeling about them, and they now seemed like just any other person happy to be alive another day. They would get to see their families again.

Even the clan leaders exchanged glances, which were too short to tell if it was a coincidence, and they happened to be looking at each other at the same time. But they also smiled and nodded, seemingly happy with how everything had turned out.

The governor looked happy too, though he stared in the distance with a complicated glint.

I understood where he was coming from. Despite first appearances, this seemed like our victory. If one looked at the bigger picture, we were just a fly who fell into the spider's net and struggled harder than others. We were safe for now, but that wouldn't be much longer.

This was no victory; we were just delaying the inevitable at this rate. We no longer had a high-level barrier to protect us, so any other attack from now on was going to be a massacre. Just like we had done today, except the chances of it still being in our favor were slim to none.

Neither the governor nor I said it out loud, but I was pretty sure that barrier had been a single-use thing. The old governor ripped that card to activate it, which was usually done only to activate single-use arrays. Otherwise, he would have saved the key to activate and deactivate the barrier.

I shook my head and dismissed such thoughts. Now was not the time to analyze every little thing and try to make some grand discovery.

Approaching the governor, I whispered, "I can put a barrier around town that will look just like the previous one."

Though our conversation should have been drowned out by the noise of celebration, I still decided to whisper my words. Also, putting up a sound-canceling array would just raise more brows.

"That looks like it?" The governor asked, making sure he heard right.

"Of course," I nodded with a polite smile.

Neither of us needed to say it out loud. But the only barrier I could create that would cover the whole town would be a bluff. It would look like the previous one but have zero defensive capabilities.

Also, just the barrier being there would raise morale.

"What do you need?" The governor asked; his confirmation of my plan was already evident.

"I need some monstrous beast corpses, blood, beast cores, and a couple of hundred spirit stones," I said.

Sure, the barrier would just be a bluff, but it was still a big barrier. Also, I really needed some spirit stones. I was running low on them.

"Done," he nodded and looked on ahead.

Wait, did I ask too little? Judging by how casually he acted, I asked too little. Oh well, if I needed more spirit stones, I could just ask Song Song. She probably had a lot lying around.

I looked around in the distance, and no monstrous beasts were in sight. I could only hope it stayed like that. Many unknown factors were at play here, but I was confident that the monstrous beasts wouldn't attack for a while. Especially when I put that yellow barrier up again.

That was the weakness of having a cautious leader.

We needed to get Song Song and reinforcement here and let her handle the rest. She could enjoy a good battle.

"Also, can you bring some monstrous beast corpses to my mansion as soon as possible? I need them for some of my research," I said.

He nodded, "Sure, I will come and visit you soon. We can talk about some things I have been meaning to tell you about. Your showing in this battle was nothing short of flawless."

The old governor no longer addressed me as a subordinate or somebody he could use as a tool. He knew that with the power I had shown, even he wouldn't be able to order me around.

It was hard to tell if I could defeat someone like him in a face-to-face battle. Since he could have many hidden techniques or artifacts, and due to being at a higher stage than me, he was stronger physically and had much more Qi than me.

But it wasn't like I was the kind of guy who fought fairly, either. If I wanted to eliminate someone, the last thing going through my mind was to fight him on fair grounds. Also, the soldiers and clan leaders had seen what I could do. Whether he was stronger or not, I had undoubtedly shown the most impressive results. I was the biggest contributor in this last battle.

"I will be going then," I jumped down from the wall and walked into town.

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Some of the civilians looked at me as I walked amongst them. Their looks were filled with reverence, and it was not the kind of looks someone gave to a fellow human.

It felt weird. However, at the same time, I understood them. After all, we cultivators had protected them from the roars of monstrous beasts they had heard. No doubt they would be more amazed once they saw the corpses of said monstrous beasts, and some were the size of houses or bigger.

I reached the mansion, and the lone guard in front of the gate nodded at me. As I walked past him, he called out, "S-Sorry for interrupting you, honorable cultivator. But since you are here, everything is alright on the front lines?"

"Yes," I nodded and was about to continue walking. But while my words somewhat alleviated the guard's worry, there was still some anxiousness in his gaze behind that helmet.

I never bothered thinking about who these guards were. They were just some guys the governor had picked to likely keep an eye on me and nothing more. It wasn't like I needed a mortal guard.

Despite that, these guys were still people. Someone who had a family and had lived a whole life before ending up here.

"What's got you so worried?" I inquired.

"Ah," he looked surprised and partly worried when I asked him that. "The other guy, the gate guard who protects the mansion is my brother. He was there helping with carrying supplies to the wall."

"Don't worry, nobody died in this round," I reassured him. "We had an overwhelming victory against the monstrous beasts. Your brother will probably get a big paycheck since we killed a lot of monstrous beasts, and we can sell them as ingredients. You only need to worry about which expensive restaurant you should bug him to take you as a celebration."

He breathed out a sigh of relief, "Thanks..."

I walked into the mansion with a melancholic smile on my face. As an older brother, I knew how annoying younger siblings could be. For the first time, I got a paycheck after working my first job; I bought a wedding cake for my brother's birthday. It was not that good when it came to taste, but it was good enough to throw at him.

After getting some blank papers and a notebook from the mansion, I entered the courtyard. I sat on the wet grass, leaning against the mansion's wooden walls.

I began writing down formulas and different mathematical equations as I tried calculating the barrier size I needed to erect. It was a complex job for someone at my meager level of Array Conjuring.

At least Speedy was taking this whole situation well, without a clue in the world. He was just walking on the green grass and would return and stare at the pond every now and then, which suspiciously lacked any fish.

What? Was he waiting for the fish to respawn? Sadly for him, this was not a game. But I had a better meal prepared for him. Something that would tire those little jaws of his.

As if sensing my gaze on him, Speedy turned toward me and began approaching. He was pretty fast for a turtle and lived up to his name.

Once he was close enough, I patted his head and scratched his chin. The little guy's head had grown bigger than my fist, and it seemed he would no longer fit in the wooden backpack.

This was abnormal growth, and I knew enough about monstrous beasts to understand what was happening. All those pills I had been feeding him had taken effect, and Speedy would soon sprout into a fully-fledged monstrous beast.

But just as we were relaxing, the sound of wooden wheels dragging against the ground in the distance awoke me. I looked at the front gate, where horses and armored men dragged five carriages with bloodied-up monstrous beasts on them. 

The guard at the front gate was talking to one of the armored men.

"Heh, you're alive? Did even the monstrous beasts find you too hard to digest?" asked the guard, whom only I could assume was his brother. They all looked kind of the same with that full-body armor on.

"Well, I guess I'm not taking you for drinks then."

"Wait? How much did you get paid for a cold-headed cheapskate bastard like you to be so generous?" asked the gate guard with mock confusion.

They continued their verbal banter as the other guards opened the gates of the mansion wide and dragged in the monstrous beast corpses. About a dozen of them.

Monstrous beasts often resembled normal animals, with something extra to them. In this case, some cows had four horns and were the size of a truck. There were also others like three-headed dogs and such.

However, I didn't know their exact names, as most were annoyingly long. I knew that these monstrous beasts did not have poisonous flesh or anything dangerous to consume.

"Send my thanks to the governor for such a fast delivery," I told the guards.

They bowed down to their waist, and one amongst them said. "Yes, honorable cultivator!" 

Then they walked out and left me alone with the monstrous beasts and Speedy.

"How about giving it a taste?" I grabbed Speedy and dropped the little guy before the monstrous beast corpses.

Speedy bit into the cow-like monstrous beast's thigh without a second thought. But due to its tough skin and flesh, Speedy made no progress. So I had to draw my daggers and cut up the thigh of the monstrous beast into smaller chunks of flesh that Speedy ate without a care in the world.

Monstrous beast flesh was good for humans too. Well, most of it was, as there were poisonous monstrous beasts. Or monstrous beasts that were essentially trees and were not edible. Anyway, monstrous beasts eating other monstrous beasts also helped them cultivate. 

After all the pills I had given Speedy, and with this too, he should be close to ascending into a monstrous beast himself.

It was only a matter of time, but how long would it take?

My thoughts were interrupted in their midst as I looked at Speedy. Where before his head was just bigger than my fist, it was now bigger than two fists and almost the size of a human head. Also, its body had grown proportionately.

I rubbed my eyes, making sure that I wasn't seeing things. Thankfully, I wasn't.

Holy shit! My Speedy was growing at a visible rate!

A sense of excitement rose in my chest. Was this what it felt like seeing your children grow up?

But before I could get too excited, I came to my senses and immediately turned my senses to their maximum. Then, I concentrated on the little guy.

What I sensed was nothing short of bewildering. Somehow, the bones were growing at a visible rate, and joints and ligaments were expanding in ways that did not make sense at all.

What the fuck was this shounen anime bullshit physics? Nothing grew like this!

But despite its lack of sense, it was exciting. It was like watching a magician's trick. It really seemed like there was nothing out there that couldn't be achieved using Qi.

Though it looked like the little guy would grow indefinitely, he stopped his growth once he reached my knee. But Speedy kept munching without a care in the world.

I was so concentrated on him that I almost missed a powerful Qi signature getting closer until they nearly reached the mansion's entrance. That brought me out of my thoughts, and I turned toward the newcomer.

"Governor, I did not expect you to come and visit me so soon," I said.

The old man took out a sack, and I could sense the abundant Qi inside the spirit stones in the sack. He walked up to the table on the corner of the yard and put the sack down, "This is three hundred spirit stones. I added some extra for a job well done during the Beast Wave. Also, you will get a large cut from the earnings we make from selling the monstrous beasts. Just as large as the clans."

After that, carriages came through the gate, and the guards carried barrels that reeked of blood.

"This is the monstrous beast blood you asked for. I brought it here as soon as I could," the governor said.

He worked pretty fast; no wonder this town was so prosperous under his rule. "Good. I will make the barrier as soon as I recover from the battle."

The governor nodded and opened his mouth like he was about to say something, but then he caught sight of Speedy. He frowned and looked confused. But then he shrugged and dismissed his concerns, "Anyway, there is something I wanted to talk to you about."

Ah, with all the rewards he had come with, it felt like he would ask for something troublesome. Which I was ready to refuse.

Chapter 94: Setting Up The Pieces

I took a deep breath, relishing the damp air as drops of water cascaded off the roof of the Chinese-style mansion. The governor fixed his gaze on me as if attempting to discern my intentions. Or perhaps he sought something else?

Regardless, it held no significance for me. If he expected me to undertake a perilous task merely for a handful of spirit stones and a charming smile, he would fare better with individuals like Hu Jin. He seemed the type to embark on frivolous quests at the drop of a hat.

The sole reason I'd risk my life was if it aligned with my whims and desires.

"Since you are so knowledgeable about monstrous beasts, and I wanted a second opinion," the governor grumbled, displaying his dissatisfaction. "How did the monstrous beasts approach unnoticed by any of our scouts?"

"None at all? Could you elaborate?" I inquired, pondering the level of organization among the monstrous beasts.

"We maintained regular contact with the scouts, relying on them to alert us of approaching monstrous beasts. This year's influx was the largest I've encountered since assuming office. For the scouts to miss such a significant threat..." He furrowed his brow, a bead of sweat trickling down. "The monstrous beasts must have incapacitated all the scouts simultaneously, with precision timing, just before the attack to avoid arousing suspicion from our lack of communication."

This revelation highlighted just how organized the monstrous beasts were. To execute such a maneuver was undeniably impressive.

Monstrous beasts excelled at stealth, naturally suppressing their Qi without requiring human-like training. Adding ambush plans on top of that, we had a very dangerous enemy on our hands. 

"It seems like you are probably right with something like that happening. From now on, we must keep our guards up and not think of our enemies as only mindless beasts," I cautioned. My words lacked the comfort he sought, but honesty was paramount. Fabricating the truth would only lead to our demise. "In any case, I shall resume constructing the barrier as soon as possible. However, it's essential to understand that the barrier will serve as little more than a deterrent. It is just a paper tiger."

I dispelled any potential misconceptions in the absence of witnesses. To be safe, I even used the idioms from this world in that last part. 

The governor nodded, indicating his prior understanding. "The illusion of strength is still preferable to vulnerability."

Those words reminded me of a certain quote from Sun Tzu: Appear strong where you are weak and appear weak where you are strong.—Or something like that.

I learned most of Sun Tzu's quotes from memes. If I had known I would be involved in actual war, I would have read the book ten times from cover to cover and memorized every word.

Still, this gave me an idea...

I rubbed my chin and was in deep thought. My gaze wandered toward an empty piece of paper as an idea slowly began to formulate in my mind.

The governor also seemed to be in deep thought as he looked at the sky. We seemed to be using this time as a brief scheming session. But just as he looked ready to say goodbye, two Qi signatures entered my sensory range, and the governor frowned as he noticed them too.

I turned toward the gate, and the two clan leaders were walking side by side on the stone road leading toward the mansion. The Hong Clan Leader had a smile on his face and seemed like he was talking about something. By the smug look on his face and the annoyed grimace of the Lu Clan Head, it couldn't have been anything diplomatic.

But what stood out most about them was that they each had five Body Tempering guards wearing their respective clan colors.

The number of cultivators approaching put me a bit on edge.

What was up with the bodyguards? There was no reason to have so many of them inside the town... Unless they were about to do something really dumb like attack us. Even if they were more in numbers, quality more often than not made up for quantity when it came to cultivators.

In the end, as they got closer, my worries subsided as it was just them arguing.

"Anyway, my clan made the most contributions in the war. But it isn't like the Lu Clan did so bad," the Hong Clan Leader's smug smirk widened. "I mean, you did well to get to second place."

"There are only two clans in the city..." the Lu Clan Leader grit his teeth, with veins popping on his forehead.

"Oh! Really!" The Hong Clan Leader gasped in mock surprise.

Even though I was not a part of the discussion, the Hong Clan Leader had a very annoying voice. He was as unlikable as they came and looked like a fox just waiting to get his bite of the pie.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

I glanced at the old governor, who displayed no outward emotions and looked rather calm. His face had tightened up compared to when we spoke before, which was probably a sign of annoyance. The governor had to deal with these two for decades. I understood where he was coming from.

As the two clan leaders walked past the mansion's gates, their argument intensified, and even the usually passive Lu Clan Leader started throwing back verbal jabs. It seemed that they wanted to save face in front of important people.

Before their argument could continue much longer, I smiled politely and said, "Thank you for coming here."

That got their attention, and I continued, "The governor and I were discussing a barrier to scare the beasts for now. Sadly, I don't have the skills to make a strong barrier. But we can make one that looks just like the previous one, and assuming that the thing leading the monstrous beasts is smart, it will buy us some time as they won't attack carelessly."

The clan leaders stopped arguing for a minute, and the Hong Clan Leader was the first to speak up, "Your skills are admirable and you're a rare talent. I know a bit about Array Conjurers, and someone your age who is at such a level where they can cast a city-sized barrier is still amazing."

Here came the ass-kissing. It was neat in the beginning since no one had acted like this around me before. But it was growing old fast and was becoming annoying. Maybe if they weren't praising every little thing I did, just like the theory they hadn't believed in the beginning, then I would perhaps appreciate their compliments more.

"Perhaps you should just make some smaller and stronger barriers around the important parts of town," the Hong Clan Leader suggested, his smile growing stony as a strange glint twinkled in his eyes. "Some sacrifices have to be made, and it is smarter to keep the fighting forces alive."

Ah, so that was where he was going with all this.

Despite his words and how much I disagreed with them, I didn't let my smile falter and tilted my head, looking confused about what he meant by that.

Acting like I disagreed with him would breed needless animosity; agreeing with him aloud would alienate someone else here. So, I chose the middle ground and decided to wait for now. Playing as the naive young boy could also make it seem like I was not worthy of leadership, as someone who didn't understand the underhanded meanings of words had no place as a leader. But this was the option that would cause the least damage compared to either of the other ones.

However, whether they noticed my confusion or not was a whole other matter as the governor grunted and spoke up, "As expected of Cultivator Clans, you don't care about the civilians and just want to guarantee your own safety!"

It was surprising how much rage he showed despite his words coming out as calm, but there was an edge to his voice. The dangerous kind of edge that the Clan Leaders quickly caught on, and the Hong Clan Head seemed unnerved.

"Of course not," the Hong Clan Leader shook his head. "I'm not as cold as not to care about the civilians. But we have to be realistic. Without the barrier, we are doomed either way. At least going with my suggestion, the cultivators will not die with the civilians."

Even the Lu Clan Leader, who usually spoke against him, said nothing. I suspected these clan leaders were not as annoyed with each other as they made it seem. They were just playing up their anger.

Either way, with this speech alone, their value and the efforts I was willing to go through to keep them alive had plummeted.

An ally willing to give me up at the slightest sight of trouble was useless. But I was not going to say anything that would hint at that. Even though the clan heads had quickly plummeted from 'possible allies' to 'meatshields.'

In his own words, we had to be realistic here, and Qi Gathering Cultivators made much better meatshields than civilians.

But despite sticking to the sidelines, the governor was quite angry despite his calm demeanor. So before the situation could escalate any further, I intervened, "I plan to finish the barrier today. Also, I need some monstrous beast cores as fast as possible."

This seemed to free the governor from whatever he had been thinking of doing before, and he turned toward me. "The cores aren't ready yet, as not all monstrous beasts have cores and those that do need to be extracted carefully so the cores don't break."

Monstrous beasts with cores were rare and, in many cases, much more dangerous since they had more potential than average monstrous beasts. No research was done on how a core formed inside a monstrous beast or if they were born with it. Monstrous beast cores were useful only for specific skills or situations, so despite their rarity, they were not as valuable as one might think. They were expensive but not valuable for a town like this to keep them in stock.

"We can give you some," the Hong Clan Leader said. "My clan and I believe the Lu Clan also have some cores in storage. How many do you need?"

They had them? Neat.

"At least two dozen," I said without missing a beat.

For a split second, the clan leaders faltered before the Lu Clan Head nodded, and the Hong Clan Leader hurriedly followed suit. Though they looked thoughtful as they made such a choice.

I glanced at the governor from the corner of my eye, and he also was staring at me. When I had asked him about beast cores, I had not asked him even a quarter of what I was asking from the Clan Leaders. The old governor was smart enough not to speak up about this.

To the Clan leaders, agreeing with them to take their 'gifts' was a silent message that I was on their side. With the governor, he knew I was screwing them. Yes, I was playing both sides here.

Even if the governor decided to spill the beans about my trickery, I could use it as ammunition to make the clans think he was lying to make them hate me and put a wedge in our relationship.

Both sides thought I was on their side while hating each other. Now, I just had to keep this fragile mixture bowl from becoming a fighting bowl with two sides. Internal tension was good for keeping everyone from ganging up on me, but internal conflict was the last thing we needed.

Still, for now, it was checkmate…

…

True to their word, the Clan Leaders had servants deliver the monstrous beast cores a few hours after we talked.

So, here I was, sitting on a carriage as one of the guards rode with barrels of monstrous beast blood in the back. At the same time, I stared at the crimson beast cores that looked like blood diamonds in my hand.

Some cores were entirely red, while others had a red sphere inside and looked like they were made of highly transparent glass.

"Here is our first stop, honorable cultivator," the guard told me, breaking me out of my thoughts.

I got down from the carriage, stuffed all the monstrous beast cores in the sack, grabbed the barrel of blood over my shoulder, and approached the northernmost part of the inner wall. Cracking open the barrel, I took out a thin brush and dipped it in.

Time to make a big fake barrier!