Twin Dimension Yin-Yang Mirror: Attaining immortality through the martial path
Chapter 477 - 425 Use Its Strength, Hide Its Weakness + - 426 Eastern Evil Azure Dragon

Chapter 477: Chapter 425 Use Its Strength, Hide Its Weakness + Chapter 426 Eastern Evil Azure Dragon

The sky was growing dark.

Zhou Ping’an left his own tent and came to the western training field near the flagpole of Changshan Fort. He had only stood there for a short while when a figure flickered into view.

Fang Sheng, who had relearned the "A Stone’s Throw, Worlds Away" Stepping Technique -- whether by breaking it down and rebuilding it, or practicing it anew -- now used it without a trace of mundanity.

With each step she took, she moved freely in all directions, so much so that even Zhou Ping’an, who was also skilled in this method, couldn’t discern where her next footfall would be.

"What a fine technique. With such an unrivaled movement technique, as long as the approaching enemy knows no art of spatial binding, you can certainly save your life and return unharmed this time," Zhou Ping’an sincerely admired.

To be honest, even if he prided himself on having numerous measures and a strong offense, he wasn’t certain that he could catch Fang Sheng when she was fully utilizing her stepping and movement techniques without resorting to a sneak attack.

"Pah, pah, children’s talk!" Fang Sheng gave him a dismissive glance, yet she still felt gratified inside and chuckled, "After you thwarted my technique that time, I was ridiculed and belittled by everyone in the sect. I didn’t even make it to the top five, enduring endless mockery from that ’Expressionless’ fellow...

Only then did I come to a realization: what one usually possesses is often taken for granted, and only after losing it does one appreciate its importance."

Zhou Ping’an did not ask Fang Sheng who this ’Expressionless’ character was, nor how many hardships she had to go through in the Penglai Immortal Sect to elevate her stepping technique to such a level in such short time.

There are some things, even between friends, that should be kept within bounds without touching upon others’ ’sensitive points’. He simply changed the subject.

"I have led three thousand soldiers here to rehearse formation maneuvers, capable of deploying three types of formations. Each soldier’s essence and energy is formidable, truly an elite force. How about you?"

Fang Sheng likewise sighed, "It’s the same here, also an elite force. But their morale is low and spirits depressed, most certainly affected by the defeat and demise of Shen Tongming’s forces ten days ago."

Shen Tongming was the governor of Qingyuan City, utterly loyal to King Ying. He had led fifty thousand soldiers to meet up with them but was caught by a surprise night attack from King Liang’s commander, Wu Qi. Suffering a massive defeat, he fled, and as a general, he even lost his life. Wu Qi executed him in front of the command tent, under the Azure Dragon Halberd, leaving no trace of his body.

As a result, the remaining Qingyuan Soldiers scattered in disarray, every commander leading his own remnants to escape.

Those who truly made it back to Changshan Fort were fewer than half. Many of the others died, a few captured, a defeat most tragic.

And the identities of Zhou Ping’an and his four comrades were automatically recognized as those of five leading generals, each commanding three thousand soldiers.

It was unclear how the Nine Sons Subdue Demon Order had so smoothly inserted several strangers into their ranks without arousing suspicions from people like the Little Princess and the lower-ranking soldiers.

One could only say that some mysteries should not be delved into too deeply, or else one might find the tactics concealed within to be quite terrifying.

"Do you trust me?" Zhou Ping’an suddenly asked.

Fang Sheng was taken aback and soon laughed lightly, "Who the heck are we to each other? Even during that dangerous fight with Lady Feng Si, you didn’t run off alone. Instead, you pulled me aside at the last moment – that’s when I knew you’re more trustworthy than anyone else. Speak up if you have a plan, and don’t hold anything back."

"Leave your soldiers under my command and temporarily submit to my leadership. Those who have failed to pass the trials two or three times can’t be trusted; they lack the courage for a head-on battle and have strayed from the spirit of the trials. I don’t trust them," Zhou Ping’an stated directly.

People must rely on themselves.

Following the rhythm of the defeated will only lead to repeating their failures.

"The spirit of the trials?" Fang Sheng mulled over the term, finding it quite reasonable.

Indeed, the Nine Sons Subdue Demon Order, which went to great lengths to select talented individuals from all corners, and which generously drew people through time travel to relive moments of history and impart incredible secret techniques, surely wasn’t aiming to find those who would flee.

Anyone harboring the thought of shortcuts to success was already set to fail even before the trial began.

Therefore, the action of the few of them sneaking away with the Little Princess and her brother to flee toward Dingyang City was bound to be fraught with unknown dangers.

But for now, they didn’t know from where those dangers would come.

Without fighting one more battle, the chance to return might not even present itself.

This principle was perhaps not unknown to the other three, but understanding a principle and taking action on it are two different things.

They had settled on a plan of escape at the first opportunity, probably harboring a vain hope.

With these thoughts, the two of them simultaneously shook their heads in disappointment.

Their words carried little weight without authority, so naturally, no one was inclined to listen.

An annoyed look crossed Fang Sheng’s face, feeling at her wit’s end, "Those fellows, so stubborn and self-willed; unless we overpower them by force, there’s no chance they’ll listen."

"That is even less possible. Presumably, the Subduing Demon Order specially arranged for various incompatible personalities, precisely to engender conflict. I even suspect that the original calamity of the Prison Subduing Demon Sect was due to internal strife and infighting," Zhou Ping’an reflected.

Learning from the past is the teacher of the future.

The Subduing Demon Order’s approach most likely sought to select inheritors capable of collaboration, rather than picking those who turned against each other before even facing an enemy.

If such a situation were to arise, even the largest of factions would crumble and disintegrate.

Moreover, although Zhou Ping’an was confident in his bravery, he wasn’t so sure he could handle the Tiger Demon and the other two.