Demon Sword Sect’s Undercover
Chapter 485 - 485 484 Straightforward

485: Chapter 484 Straightforward 485: Chapter 484 Straightforward Hou Niao slowly stepped forward, his mind pondering the strategy for what was next.

Actually, he didn’t really want a melee fight, not because he was concerned about casualties, but because in a true melee, the odds for the Cang Pirates were slim.

Just as those Daoists on the opposite side wondered, how had the Cang Pirates developed so quickly over these years?

It was somewhat illogical.

The division of power at sea, aside from relying on the leader’s strength, also needed to consider the depth of one’s background, whether it could bring welfare to everyone.

In this regard, Shan Sect and those Daoist conglomerates had a significant advantage.

During his absence, Fang Yazi had also been striving for his advancement to the Upper Realm, so there had been a gap in their control over the Cang Pirates, during which some people who even he could not completely identify had joined.

The strength of the Southeast Daoist lay in seizing such opportunities, not giving them another chance to purify and scrutinize the Cang Pirates.

They abruptly targeted King Wucheng’s private ship, intending to strike while the iron was hot and take advantage of the moment before the Cang Pirates could fully unite, catching them off guard.

This hastily begun journey saw more people joining than he had expected.

He initially thought six or seventy, all veterans whose roots he knew well, would come, but nearly a hundred showed up, far exceeding his expectations and stirring doubts within him.

It might not necessarily be that the Chasing Wind Bandits had sent spies, it could be remnants of the original Tiger Teeth, and distinguishing between them was challenging.

Fang Yazi from Shan Sect, leading the Sword Cultivators, had also warned him.

No one could be sure what was the background of these additional twenty or thirty members.

Once a melee started, was there a risk of disruption?

Even if only ten or eight of them posed a problem, it could doom the Cang Pirates in the chaos of battle.

If among his men there were forty or fifty Sword Cultivators, he wouldn’t hesitate, he would have just charged in, too lazy to even speak; or if a few amongst them had a strength comparable to his.

He was well aware that his strength was not that of a regular Shan Sect Sword Cultivator, most of whom were no different in ability from their counterparts among the elite disciples of the Great Dao Sect; considering these Sword Cultivators coming to the Lizhi Sea were seldom truly elite, it was unrealistic to rely on them.

So, a melee was out of the question!

With this mindset, the two leaders met before the battle lines, sizing each other up, engaging in mind games.

“Meeting before the lines, as if child’s play, it’s better to speak after a battle, that’s more convincing.

What do you want from me, Daoist?

Could it be the Chasing Wind Bandits are willing to concede three parts of the Cang Sea to me?”

Bao Wen was polite in tone, yet uncompromising in speech, “If you truly wanted to fight, Daoist, you would have done so already, why then meet me?

We all have our concerns, no need for provocative words; I’ve always heard that the Shan Sect acts directly and decisively, yet it turns out you too speak differently from your heart?”

They were all difficult to deceive.

In this battle of wits, Hou Niao was truly not likely to outplay these crafty Daoists, and with swords, there was no need to play either.

“How so?”

“Since neither of us wants a tragedy on the Lizhi Sea, attracting too much outside attention, let’s settle this by competition, to the satisfaction of both parties, fair and square.”

Hou Niao chuckled, “Fine, I’ll be the general on my side, you send someone from yours.

It will be clear who wins and who loses.”

Bao Wen visibly displeased, “Hou Daoist, this shows a lack of sincerity.

How can a mere individual represent the will of a hundred?

According to your logic, powers across the Continent only need to each send an old ancestor to compete, and all will be peaceful, is that realistic?”

Hou Niao scoffed, “What do you suggest?”

Bao Wen forcefully retorted, “Thirty each, let’s compete…”

Hou Niao turned as if to leave, “Thirty?

Might as well have everyone jump in at once for a quicker resolution.

We’re here to fight a simple battle, not a drawn-out war, right?”

The two tested each other’s limits, thus revealing their respective weaknesses and strengths, even though both sides were well aware of them.

Bao Wen’s eyes hardened, “Set up a stage in the air, limit to sixteen people, the last standing declares victory; the loser withdraws from Tiger Teeth territory, retreats when encountered, and also…”

Hou Niao was unyielding, “I’ll defend the stage, but sixteen is not suitable, nine is divine, it aligns better with higher intentions!”

In individual confrontations, more numbers benefited the Chasing Wind Bandits, that was the common understanding; mixing together, however, the explosive power of Sword Cultivators was fearsome, that was a fact.

So compromises had to be made, settling on twelve each; starting with the first victor as the champion, continuing in sequence until all twelve were exhausted.

During the battle, no one would know whom the opponent would send next.

But as the stage champion, one would be completely exposed, making it more challenging to defend the position.

This was a fairer method of scoring than just fighting, benefiting team strength as well as individual performance.

Bao Wen’s term actually exceeded their expectations.

Before coming, everyone had prepared for ten people; now with two added, it was an unexpected pleasure.

As for Hou Niao, better left unmentioned.

Both made their vows publicly, their Divine Sense broadcast far and wide.

To these cultivators who eked out a living at sea, it was an irrevocable decision.

Once sworn overtly, no one could fail and then muster more forces to disrupt the battle without being disdained by the entire Lihai cultivation circle.

Both sides returned to their formations, and noise erupted, a high-pitched whistling filled the air.

As pirates who lived off plunder and battle, they thrived on such spectacles, eager to make their mark during the fight.

Hou Niao returned to his people, the cultivators who felt they had a shot pushing forward, Xue Hai Tu and Fang Yazi each holding a list, making markings, both trying to push more of their own men to gain visibility, a cultivator’s glory, and leaving life’s dangers to fate.

Such recommendations could not satisfy everyone’s desires.

Except for the final champion’s spot definitely reserved for Hou Niao, all else required contention – who would lead the charge, who would exert force mid-journey, who would draw out their task, who would spearhead the charge…

Hou Niao watched amused, “How can such details be set in advance?

It needs to be flexible depending on different opponents.

You guys make a preliminary list of twenty or thirty, then decide before entering the arena based on who can best counter the opponent’s skills.”

Stopping briefly, he added with a grin, “I just need one position, the vanguard!”

Everyone gasped, some incredulously.

If he was absolutely sure, then how would others find their place?

If he faltered midway, wouldn’t that pass the burden of final responsibility to someone else?

Could anyone bear that?

Even Xue Hai Tu and Fang Yazi dared not guarantee it.

No one spoke, but such silence was also an attitude, yet Hou Niao remained unmoved,

“That settles it!

I’ll go first, the rest of you discuss amongst yourselves, or rather, prepare for the victory celebration?”