Chapter 903: Hot-tempered Third Master

This very accidental discovery made Kong Jianshi deeply doubt his own strength.

Since following Chen Wuji, he and Chen Li have spent so much time together each day that describing them as constantly together is no exaggeration.

Yet despite such contact, he never noticed Chen Li's true strength.

The mountain across wasn't close; though he always thought his keen perception would notice something, Chen Li not only detected it but precisely confirmed the enemy's clothing and weapons.

With such insight, if Chen Li weren't a grand master, he could go eat shit upside down.

The longer the contact, the more Kong Jianshi felt terrified by the Chen clan, this once‑greatest military family now fallen; he also gradually understood why Zhang Lao so readily handed over the entire Listening Wind Tower to become the Chen clan's vassal—many things he once couldn't comprehend were simply because he didn't know.

The Chen clan's foundation is terrifyingly deep!

After his thoughts raced in confusion, Kong Jianshi quickly steadied his mind and said in a low voice: "Among grand masters there are indeed those who play with bows; I happen to know one—Fang Wenda, the Number One Divine Archer of the Northern Border, rumored to be able to take a head from a hundred li away."

"Can you really do that?" Chen Li asked.

Kong Jianshi shook his head. "Impossible. The intelligence gathered by Listening Wind Tower says twenty li, but who knows if it's true. Hitting a target twenty li out is beyond human eyes, and I've never heard of a grand master with such terrifying spiritual perception; two li might be about right."

"Let's go back first." Chen Li said.

Kong Jianshi stared for a moment. "Go back? Everyone saw it—should we just kill him first? This sort of archery trick is too sneaky; impossible to guard against."

"Master Lu is back, he's stalking that person—let's not startle the snake." Chen Li said.

Kong Jianshi:???

He had always thought he was the strongest expert in Chen Wuji's army.

Although he disliked showing off, he really enjoyed that feeling.

At this moment, he suddenly felt like crying.

He hated these guys who hid their strength—too much!

"Well… indeed, let's go back." Kong Jianshi said, pinching his nose.

He wouldn't admit it, but he still hasn't figured out where Master Lu is.

Chen Li nodded, and the two pretended nothing had happened, walking slowly toward the camp.

"This stone looks like jade, right?" Chen Li asked, playing with the stone in his hand.

"No! Impossible! It doesn't look like it at all!" Kong Jianshi replied without hesitation, denying three times.

Chen Li didn't notice anything amiss, then lifted the stone to the light again: "This stone is quite moist—look at this luster, it's practically identical to jade, isn't it?"

"Some stones just grow like this!"

As Kong Jianshi's words fell, a deafening roar suddenly came from the mountain behind, followed by a scolding that echoed through the valley: "You damn thing, where are you running? With an elder right in front of you, what's this attitude? Stand there and take a knife strike from me."

Kong Jianshi and Chen Li abruptly stopped, turned back, and saw knife light flashing on the mountainside; the dense trees were cut down in a flurry of crackling sounds under the violent blade.

"Let me borrow that stone—I'll go help!" Kong Jianshi snatched the stone from Chen Li's hand and lunged toward the opposite hill.

Hiding his strength, still picking up jade—infuriating!

Chen Li glanced at his empty right hand: "You, a sword player, what do you need my stone for?"

"General, are the enemies attacking?" Chen Wushuang came running, asking in a low voice.

Chen Li calmly waved his hand: "No need to panic—have the whole army take formation, each guard the camp. Keep things quiet; don't disturb the Family Head's sleep. He hasn't slept well these days, and last night he was almost up at dawn."

Chen Wushuang gave a knowing smile: "Understood, the Family Head definitely didn't sleep well last night."

"Hurry up and get it done—you know too much!" Chen Li shouted.

"Here!" Chen Wushuang gave a hehe laugh and hurried off.

Because Chen Wuji, the Family Head, has recently been eager to talk about marriage, but he simply hasn't had the time to go back and ask a matchmaker, nor the chance to meet a young, beautiful girl.

Without war drums or bugle calls, the central troops stationed at the camp assembled in just a few breaths, formed ranks, and stood ready.

Kong Jianshi tucked the jade snatched from Chen Li's hand into his bosom, stepping on the wind's trace in midair, and darted very lightly toward the mountains.

Master Lu's shouting still echoed clearly.

This very kind‑looking old master, always with a benevolent face, spews a lot of trash talk when fighting.

Moreover, he's a bit lewd.

"You bastard, was your mother constipated when she gave birth to you? She mistakenly raised that filthy thing as a son!"

"You little thief, come out and see your grandfather—you're always hiding, what kind of man are you? I'm ashamed for your mother!"

"Come out—I've already seen you! If you don't come out, I'll ask your mother!"

"Hey, you little turtle egg, keep hiding—I'll let you keep hiding, have I found you yet?"

Brilliant knife light suddenly burst again, scattering branches, leaves, and gravel in the thick forest.

Immediately, two figures rushed out, one after the other.

The gray‑robed man ahead was covered in blood, one arm dangling, fleeing wildly in a sorry state; behind, a slightly stooped old man shouldered a knife and pursued at a leisurely pace.

The usually kind old master now seemed like a world‑shaking demon; as he walked, his steps were all arrogance and his smile hid cruelty.

Seeing this, Kong Jianshi suddenly sped up, placed himself in front of the gray‑robed man, and thrust with his sword!

A snowy‑white sword light flashed, and a spray of blood suddenly shot up.

The gray‑robed man's figure froze for a moment, then suddenly lurched forward and fell straight into the undergrowth below.

Kong Jianshi slowly sheathed his sword, his gaunt cheeks lifting slightly.

At last he felt relieved!

The fact proves it's not that this grand master is weak—it's that the Chen clan's people are freakish.

"What are you doing?" Master Lu rushed over, furious.

Kong Jianshi stared blankly: "I was just trying to hold you back—what… what's going on?"

"I was having fun—why did you kill him? Look at me, do I seem nervous? I finally met a true master; I wanted to exchange a couple of moves."

"You know about hawking? If you wear him down till he breaks, interrogation would be easier, maybe even a chance to persuade him to surrender. You, you, you—hey, you're completely clueless."

Kong Jianshi: …

He suddenly wanted to go back and be quiet.

Today, many things are inauspicious; perhaps he offended something.

"I really didn't see that coming." Kong Jianshi said earnestly, "But it's fine, isn't there still that woman? They're in cahoots; having that woman also lets us interrogate them for their identities."

Third Master Lu's expression stiffened, and he gave a light cough, "That woman's movement technique is somewhat unusual… I couldn't catch up."