Chapter 120: with translation of chapter title

The heart must be vicious, the hand must be cruel, sparing no means—only then can one manage to eat.

A harsh blow of reality thoroughly woke the Jade Maiden Peak disciples; wanting to eat, they could no longer harbor any naive fantasies.

Deep in their hearts, the Jade Maiden Peak disciples had already begun to transform; as for this, the Divine Sword Peak disciples knew nothing.

At this moment, many Divine Sword Peak disciples were setting traps outside the camp.

As for these methods, I won't elaborate; suffice to say each is dirtier than the last.

Zhao Zhengping and the other Inner Disciples were about to bring in another batch of provisions, and the other disciples naturally dared not be lax.

Inside the camp, Zhao Zhengping, Liu Shuang, Xu Jie, Lu Youyou, Wang Yao and the others gathered together, everyone's gaze turning to Wang Yao.

"Junior Sister, let's begin."

"Mm."

She again employed the Mìfǎ to transmit sound to the Old Dragon King, only to hear Wang Yao calmly say.

"Er Jiaomin, congratulations, Father King, congratulations, Father King, after days of fierce battle, the Shénjiàn Fēng Dìzǐ have suffered heavy casualties; the Jinhai Yingdi is now within reach, victory is in sight."

"However, although the Divine Sword Peak disciples have suffered casualties over half, they still stubbornly resist; in order to seize the Jinhai Yingdi as soon as possible, Er Jiaomin earnestly asks the Father Emperor to dispatch another fifty thousand aquatic troops to support him; he will surely secure the Jinhai Yingdi for Father King."

"Er Jiaomin pays his respects."

Increasingly proficient, her wording, tone, every aspect—there was not the slightest problem.

As the essence blood turned into red light and flew away, Xu Jie smiled, gave Wang Yao a thumbs-up, and laughed.

"Junior Sister, you're amazing."

In response, Wang Yao gave a sweet smile, still as pure and clean as ever.

All that remained was to wait for the provisions to arrive.

The disciples continued their routine—practicing Xiūliàn when it was time to cultivate, eating when it was time to eat.

Soon it was lunchtime again, as before, countless disciples poured out from every corner of the camp and rushed toward the dining hall.

But this time, the Jade Maiden Peak disciples' behavior was somewhat strange.

No longer scattered and disorderly as before, this time the Jade Maiden Peak disciples formed teams of three, evidently having some plan.

As many disciples encountered one another, the Jade Maiden Peak disciples' plan was revealed.

In groups of three, two were tasked with blocking the Shénjiàn Fēng Dìzǐ, while the third seized the chance to rush to the kitchen and grab a spot.

This was the result of the Jade Maiden Peak disciples' deliberation.

In the short term, it's hard to erase the gap in strength, so they could only make up for it through other means.

One person would seize a spot, after getting food the three would share it—that was the Jade Maiden Peak disciples' plan.

The effect was indeed good, because two people went all out to obstruct, indeed delaying the Shénjiàn Fēng Dìzǐ's speed and creating an opportunity for their companion.

But regarding this, the Shénjiàn Fēng Dìzǐ merely scoffed, still too naïve.

Showing not the slightest panic, faced with this little trick of the Jade Maiden Peak, the Shénjiàn Fēng Dìzǐ could be seen smiling as they spoke.

"Two people holding us back while the remaining one goes to seize a spot?"

"Shī xiōng, we have no choice."

Hearing this, the Jade Maiden Peak disciples said somewhat apologetically, "It's all for the sake of getting food."

The method is indeed somewhat unsavory.

Seeing the Jade Maiden Peak disciples' expression, the Shénjiàn Fēng Dìzǐ's smile grew brighter; what's there to be embarrassed about? They've used even dirtier tactics themselves.

Their smile undiminished, the Shénjiàn Fēng Dìzǐ slowly spoke.

"Such a simple scheme—do you think no one in our Divine Sword Peak has ever thought of it?"

This...............

"If someone has thought of it, then Junior Sister, do you know why we've never used it?"

This.............

"As the saying goes, one monk has water to drink, three monks have none; if Shī xiōng's guess is correct, you've agreed beforehand that whoever gets the spot will share the food among the three, right?"

Completely guessed, the Jade Maiden Peak disciples' expressions shifted slightly; seeing this, the Shénjiàn Fēng Dìzǐ shook their heads, naïve, truly too naïve.

"Do you think that's possible? The food right at your lips—could it still be shared with others?"

This..................

They were completely left bewildered by the Shénjiàn Fēng Dìzǐ's words.

"So, with your plan, the two tasked with obstructing are merely doing the work for someone else to reap the benefits—such foolishness, you'll never get a hot meal in this lifetime."

For a moment, many Jade Maiden Peak disciples felt uneasy, secretly calculating whether they would ultimately get to eat, and whether the person sent to seize a spot would be willing to hand over the food for three-way sharing.

Not thinking about it was fine, but once they did, most of the Jade Maiden Peak disciples thought it impossible, just as the Shénjiàn Fēng Dìzǐ had said.

A plan devised over a morning was dispelled by the Shénjiàn Fēng Dìzǐ in just a few words.

Seeing the complexion of more than half the disciples off, the senior sister who had also heard these words became anxious.

"They're trying to sow discord among us—don't fall for it, fellow sisters of the same sect; we agreed to share the food three ways, how could we go back on our word?"

This is about as simple a scheme to sow discord as one can get, yet it nevertheless works.

Faced with that senior sister's loud shout, the Shénjiàn Fēng Dìzǐ laughed confidently.

"Whether it's sowing discord, you junior sisters can judge for yourselves; we of the Divine Sword Peak, from top to bottom, are all fellow sect brothers and sisters—have you ever seen anyone share their own food?"

Indeed, no one in the Divine Sword Peak shares either; here, the plan devised by all the Jade Maiden Peak disciples was completely dismantled.

Once such suspicion arises, it's not so easily dispelled.

"So, junior sisters, people who don't act for themselves invite heavenly condemnation and earthly annihilation."

As the final words fell, the Jade Maiden Peak disciples exchanged glances and then all began to speak.

"Senior Sister, I think what they say makes sense."

"Don't blame my senior sister."

I also just want to eat a mouthful of rice.

Hearing this, the leading senior sister flew into a rage; after great difficulty we had worked out a plan, and you damn lot were persuaded in just a few words?

This is a scheme to sow discord, you idiots.

No matter what, I just want to eat.

I think Senior Brother is right; if one does not act for oneself, heaven will destroy and earth will annihilate.

Having said that, the Jade Maiden Peak disciples no longer blocked the Divine Sword Peak disciples, turning and rushing straight toward the dining hall.

In response, that senior sister was furious and flustered, while the Divine Sword Peak disciples each revealed a smile of their scheme succeeding.

Hehe, don't attack yet; wait until they both lose in a mutual struggle, then we'll strike.

Senior Brother, your words coincide exactly with what Junior Brother thought.

This is called 'great minds think alike.'

What the Divine Sword Peak disciples just said was naturally nonsense, but the Jade Maiden Peak disciples are so simple-minded they believed it outright.

Now it's fine; the Divine Sword Peak disciples haven't even made a move, yet they've already started fighting among themselves.

All around were Divine Sword Peak disciples; without any communication, not a single one made a move, and they all stopped in unison, as if by tacit agreement.

This is what they call 'the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.'

And that Jade Maiden Peak senior sister, seeing this, was so anxious she jumped up and down, 'What a bunch of idiots! Why would you believe just a few words from others?'

Damn, a bunch of despicable bastards, you actually use a scheme to sow discord among fellow disciples?

Unable to be dissuaded, that senior sister could only shout angrily at the Divine Sword Peak disciples; in response, they didn't care at all—just for a meal, what's a little scheme to sow discord?

Besides, who made them believe it themselves?