Chapter 136: Does Huāngmù handle ten thousand tasks daily

After all, your Captain-Commander is the strongest Soul Reaper in Soul Society.

Anyone with a bit of hot blood and lofty ambition surely feels the same as I do, longing to seriously fight a man like Huāngmù; if I could cross blades with him, even if it meant dying instantly, my life would be worth it.

Kūwūfū looked at the First Squad soldier before him and spoke, his blood boiling.

You said the same thing just now, and then you wiped out all ten of our First Squad's seated officers!

From what you're saying, do you really want to defeat Captain-Commander Huāngmù?!

Although I can't even imagine it, that's what Captain-Commander Huāngmù's defeated look would be like……

Upon hearing Kūwūfū's words, that First Squad soldier's eyelid twitched slightly, his blood pressure steadily rising.

Please!

Seeing this, Kūwūfū once again politely pleaded with the First Squad soldier before him.

……

Hearing that, the First Squad soldier's expression grew somewhat silent; in fact he wanted to refuse Kūwūfū, but considering Kūwūfū's strength, even without him entering to relay a message, he could easily defeat the First Squad's soldiers and storm the Captain's Chamber, so he hesitated.

Otherwise, everything else is fine……

However, if Kūwūfū were to break into the First Squad's Captain's Chamber at the exact moment Captain Huāngmù and Captain Mǎozhīhuāliè were practicing their swordsmanship, then today this First Squad would likely see some blood……

Well, this Kūwūfū will probably be cut down in one strike by Captain-Commander Huāngmù; however, given his understanding of his own Captain-Commander, after slaying Kūwūfū, Huāngmù likely won't just stop there, and the ones who'll end up bleeding next will probably be those First Squad soldiers who let Kūwūfū intrude.

Gulp~

Thinking of this, that First Squad soldier hastily swallowed his saliva; the scene was practically the end of the world.

Are you alright?!

Kūwūfū raised an eyebrow at the pale-faced First Squad soldier before him, tapped his shoulder, and asked softly.

I'm fine!" the First Squad soldier replied, forcing a grim smile; he first nodded at Kūwūfū, then continued: "I can first try to help you get in touch with Captain-Commander Huāngmù, but I can't guarantee he'll find time to fight you. If Captain-Commander Huāngmù has no time today, you must absolutely not storm the First Squad's Captain's Chamber, or else neither of us will get out of this okay. Understand?

I understand……

Huāngmù is the Captain-Commander of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, you know~

Being busy is to be expected……

After hearing the First Squad soldier's words, Kūwūfū immediately nodded in response.

In Kūwūfū's view, Huāngmù's daily work must be grueling—he likely spends all day with documents, burning the midnight oil until three or four in the morning……

Therefore, Kūwūfū said he understood Huāngmù's hardship……

If Huāngmù has no time today, Kūwūfū will certainly not barge into the First Squad's Captain's Chamber; instead he'll keep waiting for Huāngmù's free moment to challenge him again.

Just knowing that is enough.

Then wait here for me, remember not to wander off, I'll be right back……

Upon hearing Kūwūfū's words, that First Squad soldier's previously knitted brows eased a little.

Rest easy! I understand, I really do.

Upon hearing that, Kūwūfū put on an 'I understand everything' expression and patted the First Squad soldier's shoulder.

I truly hope you really do understand……

That First Squad soldier looked helplessly at the big oaf before him, truly unable to fathom how such strength could come from that head—could it be he swapped his brains for it?!

Sigh……

As that First Squad soldier pondered left and right, unable to figure out what that man ate to grow such terrifying power……

That First Squad soldier could only sigh helplessly, then stride toward the Squad Barracks behind him, needing to immediately report the Kūwūfū matter to Captain-Commander Huāngmù.

Inside the First Squad's Captain's Chamber.

After Huāngmù took over the First Squad, he divided the Captain's Chamber into front and rear sections……

The front Captain's Chamber is what Huāngmù uses as a meeting room, where he regularly holds conferences for the captains of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads—that's the front part!

At the same time, this is also the office of his beloved Vice Captain, Zhāiténg bùlǎo bùsǐ.

Indeed, Zhāiténg usually works inside the First Squad's Captain's Chamber, and the documents Huāngmù imagines having to review daily are all handled by Zhāiténg bùlǎo bùsǐ……

As for the rear Captain's Chamber, that is where Huāngmù works day to day; right now he is sweating profusely from his forehead while engaging in a profound and inscrutable sword exchange with Mǎozhīhuāliè.

It mainly consists of forward thrusts, forward thrusts, or still a horse-stance forward thrust!!

Pap, pap, pap……

However, the fight between Huāngmù and Mǎozhīhuāliè only intensifies……

What's most infuriating is that someone deliberately left a gap in that door!

This lets Zhāiténg, who is diligently reviewing documents in the First Squad's Captain's Chamber antechamber, constantly hear the fierce clamor and deep roars coming from the rear Captain's Chamber, where Huāngmù and Mǎozhīhuāliè are fighting.

Truly a wicked woman—isn't she just bullying an honest person?!

In response, Zhāiténg, while reviewing documents, gripped his brush tightly and waved it across the paper, silently cursing Mǎozhīhuāliè for being immodest and shedding tears of regret……

So, does that woman Mǎozhīhuāliè's use of the 'Watermelon Push' technique make her superior?!

Although kiwi isn't nearly as big as watermelon……

But the advantage is that you can eat half of it in one bite!

Moreover, it's richer in vitamins, worthy of being called the king of fruits!

Can something like that really be done by a mere watermelon?!

Damn……

Thinking this, Zhāiténg couldn't help but set down his documents, tiptoed toward the rear, and saw her lying prone before the door that separates the entire First Squad's Captain's Chamber, peering through the crack toward the rear hall.

Come on, Huāngmù—use your sword to stab that damned woman to death!

Zhāiténg, while watching Huāngmù and Mǎozhīhuā's battle, cheered for Huāngmù, since she couldn't join the fight, he begged Huāngmù to punish that wicked woman Mǎozhīhuā!

Damn! That damned woman Mǎozhīhuā used her watermelon again to attack Huāngmù—truly both vile and shameless!

At the same time, Zhāiténg also condemned Mǎozhīhuāliè's 'extremely shameless' fighting style and conduct!

Dong dong dong……

Just as Zhai Teng was secretly spying on Huang Mu and Mao Zhi Hua Lie fighting, a sudden dense knocking sounded from the door behind her.

Tsk, scared the hell out of me!

This made Zhai Teng, who was in the middle of doing something shady, jump in fright; the knocking behind her scared her half to death! She was right in the middle of studying her technique—who the heck, with no eyes, disturbed her business?!

Thinking this, Zhai Teng turned her head to look at the door of the captain's quarters behind her, and her brows furrowed instantly.

Deputy Captain Zhai Teng! Are you there?

Outside the captain's quarters, the soldier of the First Division was anxiously waiting, his heart pounding with nervousness; he had no idea how he would soon talk to Zhai Teng and Huang Mu about the man outside waiting to fight Huang Mu, who had passed the expeditionary army's examination, Ku Wu Shu.

Click!

Just as the First Division soldier's anxiety grew, about to knock again on the division's captain's quarters door, the door suddenly made a noise, and then, under the soldier's eager gaze, slowly opened.

Captain Zhai Teng, a man named Ku Wu Shu has come outside, saying he wants to challenge…

The First Division soldier, seeing the door open and Zhai Teng Bu Lao Bu Si standing behind it with arms crossed in front of her, became extremely excited; he loudly shouted her surname and intended to first tell her about Ku Wu Shu.

Damn it! Don't bother me at a time like this!

I'm currently learning some useful techniques from that damn woman Mao Zhi Hua Lie, you damned baldy!!

However, before the First Division soldier could finish speaking, Zhai Teng lifted her right foot and kicked him in the face.

Thud!

Accompanied by a roar, the moment the First Division soldier's face collided with Zhai Teng's right foot, he exploded midair with a series of sonic booms, simultaneously smashing the hallway railing directly opposite the division's captain's quarters door into pieces.

Hah…

After Zhai Teng kicked the First Division soldier away, she then slowly exhaled a mouthful of foul air.

What did you just say?!

After Zhai Teng gradually calmed down, she coldly questioned the soldier she had kicked away.

Cough cough…

Following Zhai Teng's words, the soldier she had kicked up suddenly sprang up from the ground, he wiped his neck that was continuously bleeding, bearing a face cheek bruised like the sashimi of Mongchi D. Dolag, looking at Zhai Teng with a swollen, bruised nose, he said: 'Outside came a man named Ku Wu Shu, incredibly strong! He not only passed our First Division's Hollow Expeditionary Army's examination, but with overwhelming power instantly killed the ten officers in charge of the examination, and now he's shouting, wanting to fight Captain Huang Mu!'

The First Division soldier then embellished his words artistically…

In fact, Ku Wu Shu never shouted at Huang Mu…

However, the First Division soldier who helped Ku Wu Shu report to Huang Mu believed that the reason he got kicked by Zhai Teng was entirely Ku Wu Shu's fault; if Ku Wu Shu hadn't idly challenged Captain Huang Mu, he wouldn't have come to this damned captain's quarters to report, and thus wouldn't have encountered the obviously angry Zhai Teng Bu Lao Bu Si…

But now it's too late to say anything! Since he's been beaten into such a miserable state, Ku Wu Shu surely has no reason to remain unharmed! Everyone must die! All must die! Die together!!

Huh?!

You said he wants to challenge Huang Mu?

Honestly, any random cat or dog these days dares to directly challenge Huang Mu!

I'll personally go outside to check; I want to see where this guy named Ku Wu Shu gets the guts to directly challenge Huang Mu! Is he dissatisfied that the souls of Hell aren't enough, so he must go burn incense for the predecessors of Seireitei?!

Zhai Teng Bu Lao Bu Si, upon hearing the First Division soldier's words, furrowed her brows, her eyes flashing with blazing anger.

In Zhai Teng Bu Lao Bu Si's view, challenging Huang Mu is tantamount to challenging her!

'Captain Zhai Teng has gone out; looks like this is a sure win!'

The First Division soldier, seeing Zhai Teng Bu Lao Bu Si stride off to confront Ku Wu Shu, instantly broke into a beaming smile; in his view, no matter how strong Ku Wu Shu is, he could never defeat their Deputy Captain Zhai Teng!

After all, their Deputy Captain Zhai Teng is a member of the legendary First Generation of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads!

It can be said that, among the current lieutenant ranks of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, Zhai Teng Bu Lao Bu Si's strength is the greatest…

So strong that she could immediately take over the vacant position of Captain of the Fifth Division.

'Wait…'

However, just as Zhai Teng was about to rush out to duel Ku Wu Shu, she suddenly realized something and halted her steps.

'Why is it that all the hard work in the First Division falls on me, while that wicked woman Mao Zhi Hua Lie can leisurely enjoy her life in the captain's quarters?!'

'Obviously, I can do whatever that wicked woman Mao Zhi Hua Lie can do! No way, the more I think about it, the angrier I get! I'm going to bother them…'

At the very moment Zhai Teng Bu Lao Bu Si decided to go duel Ku Wu Shu, she suddenly had an awakening!

From today onward, she will also learn Mao Zhi Hua Lie's techniques, using her immense power to completely subjugate Huang Mu, from now on securing her position as the main wife!

As for Mao Zhi Hua Lie, that guy who rose to power relying on the 'big watermelon,' it's time for him to step down!

Ke ke ke…

Thinking this, Zhai Teng Bu Lao Bu Si suddenly revealed a smug smile and then headed toward the rear hall of the captain's quarters.

Of course, after Zhai Teng Bu Lao Bu Si entered the captain's quarters, she hadn't forgotten to close the door, and before shutting it, she told the soldier who delivered the message, smiling at the corners of her mouth: 'Wait here for me a moment; Captain Huang Mu will soon go deal with the challenger!'

Zhai Teng said that, then forcefully shut the captain's quarters door.

Hah…

The First Division soldier who had come to report to Zhai Teng and Huang Mu, upon hearing Zhai Teng's words, froze in place.

'Did Captain Zhai Teng just smile at me? She did smile at me, right?!'

Only seeing the First Division soldier reveal an incredulous gaze, he then shuddered.

'Could it be that I've contracted some fatal disease and am about to die? Otherwise, the Deputy Captain Zhai Teng, who usually either yells at us or is on her way to yell at us, how could she possibly smile at me?!'

The First Division soldier muttered to himself, his mouth full of disbelief at Zhai Teng's smiling expression just now.

Meanwhile.

'Huang Mu, and that wicked Mao Zhi Hua Lie! I have urgent news to report!'

Just as Zhai Teng learned of Ku Wu Shu's intel coming to challenge Huang Mu, she tiptoed to the rear hall door of the First Division's captain's quarters, then flung it open, laughing heartily as she spoke.

Zhai Teng herself certainly walked silently to the rear hall door on purpose, just to give Huang Mu and Mao Zhi Hua Lie a nasty surprise; she wanted to see, after Mao Zhi Hua Lie's wicked deeds are exposed, whether that wicked woman Mao Zhi Hua Lie would still have the face to come to the First Division's quarters to seek Huang Mu under the pretense of sword practice, i. e., a "watermelon push"?!

Urgent matter?!

However, when Zhai Teng pushed open the rear hall door, she saw Huang Mu holding his usual wooden sword, wearing the captain's haori, and Mao Zhi Hua Lie gently wiping sweat from her forehead with a handkerchief.

Clearly, Araki and Maozhihua just now endured an incredibly captivating, fierce battle!

"How could that be?!"

Zaitou looked at the two people who had already restored everything to normal, and a trace of disbelief showed in his eyes.

"Zaitou, what urgent matter are you talking about?!"

Just as Zaitou was puzzled, Araki's question suddenly sounded softly beside Zaitou's ear.

"Umm…"

"Captain Araki, a guy named Ku Wuxi arrived outside. Not only did he pass the physical assessment we set for all soldiers who signed up for the Virtual Circle expedition, he also bluntly declared he wants to challenge your position as captain!"

Zaitou, startled by Araki's question, froze for a moment before explaining.

However, even Zaitou hadn't realized that the meaning of what she conveyed to Araki seemed off; Ku Wuxi, clearly with a death‑wish, dared to challenge the so‑called 'Strongest' Araki…

When the words left Zaitou's mouth, their tone changed completely! Ku Wuxi turned into an outrageously arrogant scoundrel; his original challenge became a plan to snatch Araki's captaincy.

For a moment, after Ku Wuxi sent the messenger from the First Squad into the First Squad's barracks, the meaning of the news had already shifted twice.

One change was intentional by the First Squad soldier who had just taken a kick from Zaitou; the other was an accidental misinterpretation due to Zaitou's lack of wit.

"I understand."

Araki, who was in a phase of finding everything in the world bland, after hearing Zaitou's words, gently placed his training wooden sword back on the nearby rack, drew his Zanpakuto, and walked outside.

"Ku Wuxi, that's interesting…"

Faintly, Zaitou could still hear Araki's mutter; he seemed somewhat curious about the man named Ku Wuxi.

"Maozhihua…"

After Araki left, Zaitou, still in the rear hall of the squad's headquarters, openly unleashed boundless hostility in front of Maozhihua! Zaitou was telling Maozhihua that she simply disliked the other party and would hide nothing from anyone, including Maozhihua herself.

"Hehe~"

"You're late~"

"Not a single drop left for you~"

Maozhihua, after hearing Zaitou's words, gently wiped the corner of her mouth in front of her.

"…"

Zaitou watched Maozhihua's gesture, recalling the words Maozhihua had just whispered into her ear; her mind stalled as if crashed, and she froze on the spot.

"Maozhihua!!"

After a while, Zaitou was moved to tears by Maozhihua's anger.

"Opportunities are earned; you're still too inexperienced, Zaitou."

Maozhihua gave a faint smile after hearing Zaitou's words, then left gracefully.

Meanwhile…

Araki also arrived outside the First Squad's barracks.

As Araki stepped out of the First Squad's barracks, he saw Ku Wuxi Jianba standing there.

"You must be Captain Araki of the Guting Thirteen Squad, right?!"

"According to legend, you defeated the former strongest Shinigami of the Jingling Court, the heroic Yamamoto Yuanliuzai Chongguo, and thus earned the captaincy of the Guting. You are now the undisputed strongest in the Soul Society…"

"Seeing you today lives up to the reputation! Even my waist's Hungry Joy Corridor keeps telling me of your unrivaled power! My reason says that against a monster like you, my best tactic is to run away, the farther the better…"

"But I won't back down! Your so‑called invincible strength is exactly what I desire! I've always wanted to duel the strongest Shinigami in the world; even if I die here, I'll have no regrets! Just thinking that today I can fulfill this lifelong wish makes me tremble with excitement~"

After seeing Araki, Ku Wuxi, like a star‑struck fan meeting his idol, talked endlessly to Araki about his inner thoughts…

After all, Araki defeated that heroic figure as powerful as the 'Ghost of the Sword'—Yamamoto Yuanliuzai!

Over the years, countless heroes and warriors have challenged Yuanliuzai, only to be utterly defeated by his blade; even those who survived by luck lost their former zeal, some even discarded their swords and willingly faded into the masses!

Ku Wuxi witnessed all this, and while he still believed Yuanliuzai unbeatable, Araki appeared, defeated Yuanliuzai with his lone sword, and forged a path toward greater strength! Indeed, this world never had a 'strongest', only 'stronger'…

Today, Ku Wuxi will challenge Araki with this sword that surpasses the 'Strongest' and is the 'Stronger' sword!

After Ku Wuxi, in front of Araki, ranted endlessly about his thoughts…

"So it's you, kid, trying to snatch my captaincy?!"

Araki, hearing Ku Wuxi's words, remained expressionless, cold, and asked in a chilly voice.

"Ah?!"

Ku Wuxi, hearing that, froze on the spot.

"What did you say? What am I supposed to snatch? You must have misunderstood! I didn't!"

Immediately, Ku Wuxi asked Araki three consecutive questions, explaining excitedly.

"Divine Evade!"

However, before Ku Wuxi could explain, Araki had already drawn his sword.

Araki never needs Ku Wuxi's explanations; even if Ku Wuxi explained, Araki wouldn't bother listening.

In an instant, a black crescent sliced the sky and swung straight at the bewildered Ku Wuxi who had just heard Araki's question…

"Boom!"

Accompanied by a deafening boom, Ku Wuxi's challenge to Araki seemed to have reached its conclusion.

A reader mentioned the lack of interaction between Araki and Maozhihua, so here's a make‑up interaction. If you like it, I'll write more; if not, feel free to skip.