Chapter 794: Midnight Martial Contest Tests the Edge (49)

"This probably isn't up to me—pick up your chopsticks. I brought you here to watch you eat them all."

Feixiao pointed at the mountain‑high pile of food on the dining table.

"Me? This is hardly a leisurely time to eat… and there's way too much!"

Feixiao couldn't help but smile: "What? It's fine for me to eat, but not for you? Ever since you encountered a Bu Li spy, you've been restless, unable to swallow a bite. Hu Lei isn't an opponent you can defeat on an empty stomach."

"Don't be too impatient. Take the time to finish a meal and calm down."

Yan Qing still couldn't settle: "Hu Lei's whereabouts are still unknown, and Mr. Jiao Qiu is also in his hands. The longer we wait, the more uncontrollable the situation becomes."

"Jiao Qiu always says I'm the most impatient person in Yunqi Village; his admonitions have always been right, so you have no reason to be more anxious than I am. I've been battling Bu Li spawn for years, know their ferocity and the cunning behind it. In this prison‑break incident, the Bu Li clearly came prepared. The enemy hides in the shadows; there's no reason to rush onto the stage."

"Prey are cunning and ferocious; hunters must be patient and steadfast. It's like drawing a bow to shoot an enemy—only when the string is fully drawn can you strike a killing blow. Once Hu Lei loses patience and shows his claws, that will be the optimal moment to eliminate them."

Yan Qing asked impatiently, "When will that optimal moment appear?"

"I told you… it only takes the time of a meal."

——

Full‑time hunter.

"This general really is composed and at ease."

In the lounge of the Hunter Association headquarters, Nittro, who had just finished the morning training, was watching the sky intently. Rather than how Hu Lei might escape the Celestial Ship, he was more curious about how Feixiao could pull a shapeshifted Bu Li out of the densely populated Celestial Ship.

"What's up, old man, you're also seeking advice from hunters on another planet?" Mo Lao Wu adjusted the tie on his chest and walked toward the chairman. "Ever since the campaign against the hybrid ants, you've seemed restless—are you worried?"

"I'll admit a little, but your opening line was spot on… I do want to learn from the Celestial Ship's generals. 'Patrol Hunt' aligns perfectly with our association's destiny, so it's natural for me to pay extra attention."

Nittro chuckled, walked to the wine cabinet, and took out a treasured sake and a few cups: "Bu Li have enslaved countless worlds; the calamities they bring far outweigh those of the hybrid ants. Yet this Heavenly Strike General can lead troops to keep them suppressed… that isn't solely due to her personal martial skill and strategy. Don't you want to know other tricks?"

"Chairman, compared with what you've said, I'm more curious whether General Feixiao possesses a 'Divine Lord' like Jing Yuan." Mo Lao Wu poured him a full cup, raised it, "…I'm more interested in that."

"The Divine Lord should be standard equipment for a general. Even without one, the Patrol Hunt Star God would likely grant similar power," Nittro stroked the short tuft of beard on his chin. "But judging by her fierce record, she'd probably be stronger than a Divine Lord, not weaker."

——

"Lord Huai Yan, the Celestial Vessel Department has completed the relevant preparations. Do you have any further instructions?"

In the Divine Strategy Office, Yu Kong was reporting the work to Huai Yan via a long‑range hologram.

"I will, on behalf of the two generals of Heavenly Strike and Divine Strategy, temporarily assume command of the Divine Strategy Office and the affairs of Luofu's Six Departments," Huai Yan said.

"What's the situation over at the Prison of the Hidden Captives?"

"Hu Lei has indeed fled swiftly, sealing the gate tightly. The Yunqi Army has now re‑established contact with its interior. The silver lining is that the two nameless guests trapped in the Prison of the Hidden Captives are safe."

San Yueqi exhaled slowly: "Uh, given the current state I'm not sure I should say 'Great!'… but Xing He and Dan Heng are fine, so I'm relieved."

Huai Yan continued: "Among the envoys of the Yaoqing Celestial Ship, one's fate is unknown; they were likely seized by the Bu Li. Yu Kong, don't worry—Feixiao single‑handedly took on the wolf‑hunting operation. You should be well aware of her capabilities."

Yu Kong worried: "Sir, I don't doubt General Feixiao's ability; I'm more concerned about the combat ceremony. According to the schedule, the ceremony will commence in three 'shi‑chen' (six hours), and the flagship will launch immediately, allowing spectators to board and watch. But with Hu Lei's whereabouts unknown, everything is full of variables."

"San Yueqi is right. Grandfather, I heard the criminal who escaped the Prison of the Hidden Captives is unusually terrifying. If any mishap occurs…"

Huai Yan chuckled: "Yun Li, how should we handle the current situation?"

——

Jujutsu Kaisen.

"Three shi‑chen… that's six hours!! How can we catch him? We'd need at least three or four days, right?"

Huǐzhàng thought the joke was a bit too big; six

"With Hu Lei in disguise, it's impossible to catch him within six hours." Shōko was very

She didn't dare to continue speaking; the scene was simply too bloody.

Even if the three generals are on the ship, the "first move" must be hidden among the

"I have to say, these Bu Li people really picked a good time." Hinosubu Atsuya stubbed out his cigarette on the ground, "It just so happens that at this moment the Yunqi Army's logistics are most strained, and this jailbreak plan really let them pull it off. Now General Huaiyan has blocked these people's retreat; I fear Hulei, knowing escape is hopeless, will choose to fight to the death on the warship..."

"If they succeed, the reputation of the Luofu Celestial Ship will explode."

——

"Of course… um… we should definitely declare martial law and pour manpower into the hunt. As for the combat ceremony, we should first announce an indefinite postponement." Yun Li said after a moment's thought.

"What you propose is a foolproof method. Unfortunately, the more ideal the plan, the harder it is to implement. In my view, at least two factions won't accept your approach."

San Yueqi asked puzzled, "Which two factions?"

"The first are the countless merchants and tourists who came for the combat ceremony. Declaring martial law is tantamount to publicly stating that Luofu is unsafe; what would outsiders do? Naturally, panic and chaos would ensue."