Twin Dimension Yin-Yang Mirror: Attaining immortality through the martial path-Chapter 75 - 74 Delaying Tactics Taking the Initiative

75: Chapter 74: Delaying Tactics, Taking the Initiative

75 -74: Delaying Tactics, Taking the Initiative

“The Country Warden hopes that both sides will value peace and stop once they make their point, distinguishing a winner without causing any harm.

Wouldn’t that be best?”

Chief Gu Dashi said methodically.

He seemed sincere.

Yet, it gave more the impression that he was reciting from memory.

His memory might have been good, but his delivery was faltering, his honest, square face faintly flushed as he spoke.

“What Chief Gu has proposed, we agree to,”

Zhou Ping’an smiled and nodded, his expression unchanging.

“If we are not skilled enough, and we have to leave Qingyang City, we won’t say a word against it.”

Gu Dashi turned to look at Lin Huaiyu.

He hadn’t expected that Zhou Ping’an would agree so readily, almost as if he had simply agreed on where to dine, without feeling that it was improper for a servant to make such decisions directly.

Lin Huaiyu’s expression remained cold.

She simply gently lifted her tea cup, eyes downcast, not saying a word, clearly having no objections.

Normally, it wouldn’t be appropriate for a lady of her status to meet with a man from outside the household.

Unfortunately, since relocating to Qingyang to start anew, there was nobody else at home of sufficient standing to manage such affairs.

So, the responsibility fell to her, as the person in charge, to meet the visitors from the Yamen personally.

It was a matter of giving them due respect.

“That’s very good,”

Said as Lin Huaiyu offered the tea to see off the guest.

Gu Dashi, aware of decorum, merely chuckled awkwardly a couple of times and bowed before taking his leave.

…

“Did you notice anything unusual?”

After a long while, once Gu Dashi had left the Lin Residence, Lin Huaiyu finally withdrew her gaze and slightly furrowed her brows, seemingly puzzled.

“A stalling tactic,”

Zhou Ping’an confidently replied.

He wasn’t sure about other things, but when it came to reading people, he had never been intimidated by anyone.

Especially after his senses had been enhanced to the extreme, he could see even the subtler aspects of a person.

He could almost sense whether someone was lying.

Gu Dashi might have seemed emotionally flat, his smile somewhat rigid, presenting himself as honest through and through.

But even the most honest person harbors various inner fluctuations.

The key issue wasn’t how much the other party had concealed.

It was that the County Magistrate Tian Shouyi had sent this trustworthy-seeming Infantry Commander to intervene, suggesting deep, underlying intentions.

“If I’m not wrong, clearly, the Country Warden has already struck some deal with Baicao Hall.

Right now the timing just isn’t right, they’ve sent someone to reassure us verbally, the day of action isn’t far off.”

“How can we break this situation?”

Lin Huaiyu’s hand holding the teacup trembled slightly.

Her furrowed brows slowly relaxed.

If not for knowing her personality well, Zhou Ping’an would have thought she didn’t believe him.

But now, he understood that this Third Miss was likely harboring a fierce determination to act.

When there’s no trouble, she naturally wouldn’t hurt anyone.

But once cornered, she would never lack the resolve to perish together with her adversary.

“I want to know, if Third Miss were to confront the City Guards head-on, what are the chances of victory?”

“Forty percent, perhaps thirty percent,”

Lin Huaiyu estimated silently, her answer uncertain.

Fearing Zhou Ping’an might not understand, she explained, “The main issue is their complicated military formations and the powerful crossbow volleys.

If divided by dealing with these, it would lead to a waste of energy…

Of course, if there’s a chance to strike first and eliminate Tian Shouyi and his two Commanders within a few moves, there’s a ninety percent chance to break their formation.”

“So, a direct confrontation wouldn’t work.”

Zhou Ping’an, with his own strength, had slightly imagined himself being targeted and shot at by many spears at once, also entangled by opponents who were only slightly weaker…

He then understood that, in terms of Blood Renewal and Refinement of Organs, he was far from capable of fighting against a thousand troops, let alone ten thousand enemies.

Since the Imperial Court held legitimacy, naturally they had their reasons.

If chivalrous warriors from the Jianghu could easily deal with a large army, then the rich lands of this world, billions of people, and countless resources would all fall into the hands of the sects and factions.

What would be left for the Imperial Court to do then?

In fact, when he was embroiled in the midst of the Red Lotus Rebels on that day, Zhou Ping’an had also witnessed the scene of powerful crossbows firing in volleys; although these weapons could not shoot far and were not numerous.

However, the overbearing and arrogant Fiery Flame Messenger could only deflect them with the double halberds in his hands and dared not take them on with his body.

If a large formation were deployed and arrows fell like rain, coupled with the restraint of a master, it would indeed be difficult to escape without being much stronger.

The best outcome was to deplete most of the army’s living forces and die in battle.

That day, Tian Shouyi on the main street had not turned hostile and did not command everyone to attack.

After receiving Lin Huaiyu’s Wave Subduing Blade move, he probably wanted to assess her strength accurately.

The result proved that Lin Huaiyu’s strength was indeed far superior to his, but killing him was not something that could be achieved in three or two moves.

Now?

It was not easy to say…

Zhou Ping’an, although not understanding why County Captain Tian was particularly targeting the Lin Family, decided it was better to overcalculate than to undercalculate.

Better to assume the worst scenario.

“Someone came from the front courtyard to bring good news, claiming that several Yin Spirit Herbs were found in a cave around Ghost Cry Cliff.

Unfortunately, there were corpse demons injuring people nearby, and a few of the herbalists, getting careless, were wounded by them and are now coming for help.”

Zhou Ping’an no longer discussed Baicao Hall and the City Guards, instead speaking of the events occurring in the front courtyard.

His ears were sharp, and he could hear everything clearly despite being separated by two sets of rooms.

“Brother Zhou, are you thinking of personally leading the team there?”

Lin Huaiyu immediately realized what Zhou Ping’an was getting at.

“Yes, the matter of obtaining the Yin Yang Harmonization Pill could be hidden from Tian Shouyi but not from Deng Yuanhua.

The Yin Yang Elder is not a recluse and wouldn’t hold on to the pill recipe without seeking Baicao Hall’s pharmacists to perform alchemy, so Deng Yuanhua must know that we have obtained the recipe.”

After organizing her thoughts, Lin Huaiyu’s eyes brightened.

“Moreover, that man has always feared that I would regulate the Qi-blood and step into the Five Viscera Realm…

As an opponent, he certainly understands that recently, the Lin Family and Baicao Hall were competing over the Sunflame Flower, and I do not lack this primary material in my possession…”

Given that, if we were to go openly to pick the Yin Spirit Herb, he would definitely try to stop us.”

“Exactly, as everyone knows, as a pharmacist anxious for a breakthrough, the Third Miss, being cautious, would naturally hurry to personally prepare the adjuvant medicine to balance the Qi-blood.

Now is one of the best times she cannot afford to act rashly.”

Zhou Ping’an chuckled, “In that case, having me, the head servant who has just made great contributions and is formidable, to take action is naturally perfect.”

“Based on Deng Yuanhua’s deep hatred for you, the rare chance to see you isolated outside, he would definitely not resist striking first to remove the threat.

But he doesn’t know that I have already secretly mastered the Harmonization Pill and advanced to the Five Viscera Realm a step ahead.

Of course, he would also never expect that I would quietly change my appearance and set up an ambush ahead of time.”

“I find Xiao Xue’s thoughtfulness and her profound familiarity with the Third Miss’s habits and mannerisms commendable, though she is just a bit shorter.

That doesn’t matter; just raising the soles of her feet would do.

Let her impersonate and take charge without taking action, and it will not be easy to distinguish,”

“Exactly so.”

They exchanged knowing smiles.

Tacit understanding and intent.

In just a few words, they decided on their next course of action.

Men do not harm tigers out of intent, but a tiger’s nature is always to harm people.

Zhou Ping’an has always endorsed the principles of striking first to gain control and countering others on subsequent moves.

Since they were already opposed with swords drawn.

He could not expect the enemy’s mercy and generosity.

A fortuitous mindset was unwise to have.

…