Sisters in the Deep Forest Valley: Many Fun Things

Chapter 216 Han Zhou, the Wolf in Sheep's Clothing

Ning Linlan suddenly noticed a slight change in the aura emanating from the two sisters.

Looking to the side, I saw them exchanging glances, probably plotting something.

She joked, making a bold guess: "No, you two...you wouldn't happen to want to go down and have a match too, would you?"

Lin Chunyi grinned and laughed, not giving a direct answer, "How could that be? We wouldn't have that kind of spare money!"

Lin Lanshan also said seriously, "Even if they did, we couldn't beat them. Look at those dark-faced guards, every move they make is meant to kill, they're terrifying! This is not something ordinary people like us can get involved in."

Let's call him the Black-Faced Guard who never smiles.

Ning Linlan was skeptical, "Alright, but you absolutely mustn't do anything rash and provoke them."

Those who roam the martial world, and the guards of high-ranking officials and nobles, have countless lives on their hands; they are all ruthless.

Her father had once served under the Marquis of Zhenyang and had dealt with many江湖人士 (jianghu figures, figures of the martial arts world). He said that ruthlessness and underhanded tactics were the defining characteristics of those people!

If you happen to run into them on the street, keep your distance and avoid eye contact to prevent them from inexplicably coming to your door.

The two sisters nodded and said they understood, and told her to continue watching the martial arts competition downstairs.

The dark-faced guard was agile and highly skilled in swordsmanship. He constantly changed his attack methods, his sword almost leaving afterimages as he swung it, each move aimed directly at Han Zhou's vitals.

In his previous matches, Han Zhou had only made brief, friendly exchanges. But now, faced with such a powerful and aggressive swordsmanship, he couldn't find a way to counterattack and was forced to retreat steadily.

Before he knew it, his arm was slashed by a guard.

Han Zhou had been forced to retreat to the edge of the stage. He glanced at the location of the wound out of the corner of his eye; his once perfectly good clothes now had a hole in them.

The thought that he might have to pay off his debts for the damaged clothes made his eyes turn cold instantly. "Besides the fifty taels of silver, you also have to pay for the clothes."

"What did you say?" The dark-faced guard was somewhat taken aback.

Han Zhou offered no explanation.

He had a blank expression, but he was actually quite upset inside.

Before leaving the mountain, his master instructed him to seal half of his internal energy and said that he should not easily use the sect's unique sword techniques.

Firstly, it is for training.

Secondly, they fear being discovered by those with ulterior motives, who might then become jealous and try to steal it.

Han Zhou has been exceptionally talented in martial arts since childhood. Now, apart from his master, none of his fellow disciples in the sect can defeat him.

He thought that with his swordsmanship and half of his internal energy, he would be able to travel freely outside. Unexpectedly, less than a month after he left home, he encountered two troublesome individuals in quick succession.

The first one caused him to be "sold," and the second one directly wanted to kill him!

Sigh... This outside world is full of scary people, it's really too hard to live here...

So the situation is critical now (no money, money will be deducted, and there is a possibility of "loss of virginity").

If I don't use the Dragon Roar Sword Technique and just circulate my internal energy, no one will be able to tell. That shouldn't be considered disobeying my master's orders, right?

After convincing himself, he quickly tapped his body with his right hand, releasing the other half of his sealed internal energy.

The Dragon Soaring Technique naturally began to operate, and his entire being suddenly changed, his aura doubling in size.

The dark-faced guard gripped his longsword tightly, his expression grave.

It's obvious that the difference between internal energy possessed through a unique cultivation method and internal energy without one is vast...

Lin Chunyi, on the second floor, couldn't help but look at her sister again, wanting to tease her, "Is it still a 50/50 chance this time?"

Before she could even give a signal, she spoke up on her own.

Lin Lanshan said coolly, "Don't ask, the answer is that this time it really is a 10/90 split." With one slap, they would both be sent to the afterlife.

Han Zhou's immense internal energy was so strong that she could feel it overflowing even from the second floor. How could she possibly fight him?

Moreover, he probably has more than just sealed internal energy; he likely has many other powerful techniques hidden away as well.

After all, he remained calm and composed from beginning to end, showing no concern whatsoever that he might be unable to defeat a master who suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

They are indeed quite cunning.

People should know their own limitations; she really can't fight back at all.

"..." Lin Chunyi knew in her heart that this time the odds of 10/90 were real.

She felt a little regretful, but there was nothing she could do about it.

Can't beat it, can't beat it at all!

Sigh, my idea was cut short before I even started to put it into action.

What a cunning and scheming guy! He looks so calm and unassuming, yet he's sealed and hidden half of his inner strength!

I've learned something new! This is practically an essential skill for pretending to be weak while actually being strong.

Awesome, amazing, envious, even jealous...

Ning Linlan exclaimed exaggeratedly, "I knew it! I knew it! So cunning... mmm!"

Lin Chunyi quickly covered her mouth and whispered in her ear, "Are you out of your mind? You're making such a loud noise, do you think he can't hear you?"

With Han Zhou's profound internal strength, let alone Ning Linlan's loud voice just now.

Even at the normal volume of conversation, he could hear it if he wanted to.

It's obvious without even watching the next match that the black-faced guard will suffer a crushing defeat.

Tsk, Han Zhou easily earned 150 taels of silver in just five matches. That's how fast he makes money, not only without having to smile and but also by openly beating up customers…

Tsk, even the most beautiful courtesan would want to throw away her guqin overnight and learn swordsmanship instead.

The dark-faced guard had already sustained several injuries, and his movements had slowed. Seeing that he was no longer a threat, Han Zhou raised his longsword, intending to press it against the guard's neck and end the duel.

"That's enough." A voice came from the Elegant Moon Pavilion on the second floor, but it wasn't the little maid from before.

"Second Miss, your subordinate..." The dark-faced guard was about to apologize.

"Aren't you going to get back here yet? Haven't you lost enough face outside?" Miss Ji's tone was tinged with anger and embarrassment.

"Your subordinate wouldn't dare." The dark-faced guard picked up the longsword that had been knocked away and headed upstairs.

Han Zhou was a little confused. The outcome wasn't even decided yet, so how was the money calculated? Was he not going to be paid? He had already released his internal energy and activated his cultivation technique, and now he was going to fight for nothing?

The second young lady deliberately chose to call a halt before his sword was thrust out.

What does that mean? Since there was no winner, there's no need to pay?

Han Zhou's eyes flashed with coldness again, and he said in a stiff tone, "The outcome is not yet decided, you cannot leave."

Is this guy doing this on purpose?! The sword is practically at his neck, and he calls this a draw? Does he have to say "I give up" for it to count?

The dark-faced guard looked somewhat embarrassed. "Then what do you want? Another fight?" he said, and then drew his sword.

"That's enough," Miss Ji said calmly.

"Yes, Second Miss." The dark-faced guard sheathed his sword.

"Wait, fifty taels..." Han Zhou stopped him with his sword.

That idiot!

Fangniang slapped her forehead, lifted her skirt, and ran up to him, knocking his sword away. "Does Miss Ji ever shortchange you? You money-grubbing fool!"

These words,

First, it's a reminder to the proud Miss Ji that if she doesn't want her subordinates to admit defeat, she can stop the competition. But the money that should be paid still has to be paid.

Secondly,

It was to tell Miss Ji, who had the support of a concubine sister, that Han Zhou was just a brainless, greedy person, and that he wasn't deliberately trying to embarrass her, hoping that she wouldn't hold it against Han Zhou.