Chapter 200: Chapter 190: Competition
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Xu Xingke suddenly vanished into thin air.
Only Shen Ye stood alone at the entrance of the Public Security Bureau.
—Surrounded by the debris on the ground.
Suddenly.
An electronic voice rang out from the phone:
"Shen Ye, when you have time, try to persuade your teacher."
This was Kunlun.
Persuade... my teacher?
Shen Ye looked up at the sky and was silent for a long while.
—Why don't you dare to persuade him yourself?
And hey.
I'm the victim here, okay? My teacher stood up for me, and I'm supposed to persuade him to drop it?
That just doesn't make sense.
"As long as you can persuade your teacher not to lose his temper, I'll grant you higher authority, Shen Ye," said Kunlun.
"Okay, Kunlun," Shen Ye responded.
—Who cares about your authority.
He looked towards the Public Security Bureau.
The ashen, statue-like building of the Public Security Bureau had returned to normal.
The chaotic crowd surged out of the building and gathered in the square.
People discussed cluelessly about everything that had just happened.
—It seems the teacher doesn't just kill anyone.
These staff were unrelated to the incident, so they were all spared.
So much for persuasion!
A soft broadcast suddenly emanated from inside the Public Security Bureau building:
"Attention!"
"Everyone, please do not panic. The incident is unrelated to you. Please return and continue with your duties."
Outside the main entrance.
Message after message kept popping up on Shen Ye's phone:
"Your teacher Xu Xingke has arrived at the Archaeological Association building;"
"Ding!"
"Vice President Liu Baijiao of the Archaeological Association, has unexpectedly passed away today."
"Ding!"
"Vice President Zhao Niuguang of the Archaeological Association, has unexpectedly passed away today."
"Ding!"
"Secretary Sun Dazhi of the Archaeological Association, has unexpectedly passed away today."
"..."
The list scrolled, grew longer, and expanded.
...All sudden accidents.
"Why are they all sudden accidents?" Shen Ye couldn't help but ask.
A new message popped up on the phone:
"Due to structural safety hazards, the Archaeological Association building has experienced a minor collapse—don't ask anymore, I'm cleaning up your teacher's mess."
Shen Ye didn't ask further.
A number suddenly appeared on his phone screen.
Nangong Sirui.
"Hello?" Shen Ye answered.
"My family asked me to call you," said Nangong Sirui.
"Are you calling to persuade me?" Shen Ye asked.
"No, I'm just here to show support—our family will also help with the aftermath." Nangong Sirui sounded a bit excited.
"Eh? Why are you so agreeable?" Shen Ye chuckled.
"Honestly, when the Song sisters are kicking up a fuss themselves, no one with sense dares to intervene, especially with Chaos Spirit Light watching," Nangong Sirui explained.
"—But if others dare to mess with the Song sisters, they're asking for everyone to go down together."
"Everyone wants these people dead."
"Otherwise, no one feels secure."
"Is Chaos Spirit Light really that terrifying in your eyes?" Shen Ye was curious.
"Nonsense, it's what stitched the world together."
Nangong Sirui's voice became serious: "If it goes on strike, you'll see the planet 'pop' and burst open, turning to ash and smoke in the cosmos."
"Got it, thanks for the call—see you next week," said Shen Ye.
"See you next week, hey, consider becoming my roommate, we can exchange tips face to face regularly."
"Sure."
The call ended.
The phone rang again.
A news video showing "Recording in Progress" was pushed directly to Shen Ye.
In front of the half-collapsed Archaeological Association building.
The reporter held a microphone:
"A part of the Archaeological Association building has unexpectedly collapsed."
"The police are currently investigating the scene."
"It's preliminarily confirmed that the incident was an accident."
Just as he said that, someone dashed past behind the reporter.
The camera immediately captured that person.
You could see them frantically running down city streets.
As they ran, they looked back in panic, face distorted with fear, eyes bulging as if they'd seen a ghost.
Shaking uncontrollably, they were so unaware that they even lost their shoes, screaming hysterically as they went.
Behind them.
Another man was slowly jogging after them.
The pursuer wore a cap—
Its brim pulled down so low that it obscured his face.
But Shen Ye recognized him at first glance—it was Xu Xingke!
Then—
The man in front collided with a large tree, and somehow, his brains splattered out on impact.
Instant death.
The corpse clung to the tree and slowly knelt down, motionless.
The police immediately rushed forward.
The reporter also ran over.
The shaking camera followed.
You could see the police chief waving his hands, motioning for his subordinates to step aside.
He stepped forward and respectfully asked Xu Xingke:
"Do you know the person ahead? Are you acquainted?"
"Don't know him," replied Xu Xingke.
People glanced back and forth between the corpse and Xu Xingke.
Clearly, the man was in utmost fear, seemingly fleeing from him—
But no one dared to speak.
The ground...
The ground had begun to tremble slightly.
There stood the man in the cap, motionless, an indifferent expression on his face.
Yet the whole world seemed on the verge of a seismic eruption.
The police chief's voice softened, he asked kindly:
"Citizen, were you just exercising by running?"
"Yeah, I was just jogging, I had no idea why I ran into that lunatic," Xu Xingke replied.
"It seems like another accident."
Ding!
A new message emerged on the phone:
"Chairman Fu Changming of the Archaeological Association's Standing Committee, has unexpectedly passed away today."
In the video.
The police chief sighed in relief, pointed at the camera, and said, "Don't broadcast this—don't drag an innocent citizen's privacy into this."
"Yes," someone off-camera responded.
Xu Xingke just stood beside the fallen corpse, impassive, saying nothing, not moving an inch.
He just stared at the camera.
—Like the Grim Reaper revealed to the living.
Shen Ye was speechless.
Teacher, why did you have to make an appearance?
Is this 'do not broadcast' segment actually—
Wait a second!
Maybe those with authority could see this edited-out footage.
Kunlun showed it to me.
Kunlun would probably show it to all the families, organizations, powers, government agencies.
So...
Was the teacher giving a warning to everyone on purpose?
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Hiss.
Beautiful!
At this moment.
Shen Ye suddenly remembered the words spoken by the woman's voice on the flying sword—
"...You must find a way to make that person your mentor."
"That way, no one would dare to provoke you."
Indeed, no one dared to provoke.
—It was all "cleaned up."
Shen Ye felt somewhat emotional.
As expected of a "serious man" recognized by the Dharma Realm.
This would allow him to eliminate various distractions and focus on increasing his strength and exploring the mysteries of the Nightmare World.
Pretty good.
Now, go home!
—No, that's not right, he should go to the Renjian Wudao Group Building!
No, still, go home!
He hadn't slept yet since staying up late; it was important to ensure ample rest.
His Attribute Points were not at full value just because he stayed up late in Hell.
Go back to sleep!
Shen Ye took a taxi home, drank half a bottle of Coke, and fell asleep.
Noon.
His mother came back early and prepared a big table of dishes.
Then she went to wake up Shen Ye.
"It's time to eat; how are you still sleeping?"
"...I'm getting up, just let me sleep a few more minutes."
Shen Ye had slept so comfortably that he finally climbed out of bed and went to have a meal.
The food was truly delicious!
As Shen Ye ate, he praised the flavor of each dish, delighting Zhao Xiaochang no end.
So when he went back to sleep after eating, Zhao Xiaochang didn't say anything and went to the kitchen to wash the dishes by herself.
He slept until two in the afternoon.
He opened his eyes.
A faint light quietly emerged, gathering into words:
"After sufficient rest, all your Attributes have been restored to full value."
Shen Ye stretched lazily—
Ah, that's blissful!
What's for dinner tonight?
Should he find Guo Yunye and Zhang Xiaoyi and go online to play games after dinner?
Or should he go to the Group to pick up his motorcycle?
Suddenly, he saw the crimson vertical stripe on his wrist.
...He wanted to take down Yun Ni.
So, it's better to practice!
Hold on!
Shen Ye jumped up from the bed.
This afternoon, he had to report to General Tazweil!
—He nearly forgot about that.
"Dad, Mom?"
He called out.
No response.
There was a note on the living room table:
"We've gone to work. Once you've rested well, go out for a walk by yourself. Don't stay cooped up at home."
Alright.
Shen Ye collected the note.
I'm going out for a walk right now.
He exited his room, climbed to the top of the apartment building in one breath, and opened a door on the wall.
Stepping through,
he arrived at an inconspicuous corner outside the Chaotic Bone Land Fortress.
Shen Ye fastened his bow, took his sword, grabbed a set of Battle Armor and donned it neatly, then strode into the fortress.
Continue your adventure at мѵʟ
He continued all the way to the deepest part of the fortress.
"Report! I've arrived!"
Shen Ye bowed to the closed carriage.
——It was indeed strange why General Tazweil would not enjoy the comforts of the castle but instead stay inside a carriage?
When he had arrived earlier, he was only busy talking to Werewolf Green, looking down, keeping modest and respectful, and he hadn't taken a good look at this carriage.
"How is your comprehension of archery?"
General Tazweil's voice came from inside the carriage.
——So, he was testing my comprehension.
There was no need for free attribute points for this, as my profession itself involved bow-wielding; a look was all it took.
"Reporting to the General, I have learned the 'Arc of Light'," Shen Ye said.
"Very good, I'm looking to choose a strong Scout Team Leader, which is why I've gathered a number of archers, and a test will start soon."
"Baxter, although you are a newcomer, you are qualified to compete."
"Are you going to participate?"
asked General Tazweil.
"Thank you for this opportunity, General. I will definitely strive for victory,"
Shen Ye said in the manner of an overworked employee.
"You vampires are quite agreeable, and you have a good presence, suitable to be under my command. Perform well!" General Tazweil said.
Presence...
The General cares about this too?
Shen Ye was somewhat surprised, but at this moment he could only put aside his doubts.
Dong! Dong! Dong!
The sound of the bell chimed.
Werewolf Green, along with several fully-armed archers, arrived in front of the carriage.
Shen Ye glanced over the group.
Dark Elves, Snow Demons, Night Charm Ghosts, Living Corpses, and Fear Demons, plus another vampire.
...Everyone appeared eager to try.
Werewolf Green announced loudly:
"Following the General's instructions, we will now begin the selection of the Scout Team Leader!"
"First."
"You have all learned the archery technique taught by the General."
"Three hundred steps away, the target for this test is hanging. You are to shoot at it using the technique taught by the General."
"Those who hit will advance to the next round, those who miss will be eliminated!"
Having finished, Werewolf Green gestured towards a Skull Head hanging from the distant bell tower.
A few undead souls then raised their long bows.
Swoosh——
The Dark Elf was the first to draw the bow and shoot.
The arrow traversed the sky, drawing a beautiful trajectory, aiming straight for the Skull Head, seemingly about to hit it.
"Hit!"
The Dark Elf declared proudly.
Yet, the Skull Head suddenly hopped, dodging the arrow mid-air!
It was actually not an inanimate object!
That's wrong!
It was indeed an inanimate object, but this was Hell, and its spirit was still present, still capable of movement!
"What!"
The Dark Elf exclaimed in astonishment.
From inside the carriage, General Tazweil's voice rang out:
"That head belonged to a fellow disrespectful to me. I made a deal with it that if it could dodge all of your attacks, I would find it a body to move freely."
"——Next."
The Dark Elf stepped back in disappointment.
The Snow Demon, covered in long hair, stepped forward and aimed its bow.
Swoosh!
The arrow flew out, drawing a beautiful curve.
This arrow was even faster than the Dark Elf's, creating a whistling sound midway and reaching the bell tower in an instant.
The Skull Head evidently couldn't dodge in time.
Bang!
There was a muffled sound.
But the Skull Head blew out a crystal of ice, colliding with the arrow and exploding into a shower of ice shards.
Such a perfect shot also failed!
"Next!"
came the lazy sound of General Tazweil from within the carriage.