Chapter 799: Everyone wants to be that golden sparrow, but who will play the mantis?

Hmm?

This fresh excuse is the first time Su Yang has heard it.

He currently only knows that the Golden Road is hard to travel.

The road ahead is rugged, with countless perils.

To go faster, Su Yang can only walk the sword on a skewed edge.

The so‑called Shortcut is nothing more than this.

And the rule that killing one person lets you advance a step is also the first time he has heard of it.

Ji Huai seemed to see Su Yang's doubt and explained, "I am virtually a few hundred years older than you, and I understand this world more deeply than you."

"But I can't guarantee 100% that I'm familiar with the operating logic."

"The Golden Road is even less certain; the last time it manifested was over five thousand years ago."

"Back then, I wasn't even a tadpole."

Su Yang pondered for a moment, then said, "Since you don't understand the Golden Road, how can you be so sure that its purpose is impure?"

"Also, in your words— the Golden Road has countless ways to advance; from three thousand weak waters, it takes only a ladle, so how does it know I'm a New Era Top Player?"

"How should this so‑called 'Top' be evaluated?"

Ji Huai did not hesitate and blurted out, "Round Table Conference Member!"

A strange hue flashed in Su Yang's eyes, "How do you know?"

"To be precise, it's not that I knew in advance; she chose you, so you must be," Ji Huai explained in a sentence.

Su Yang heard this and sneered coldly in his heart.

Really treating me like a dumb fool?

Teleport Jiang Chengyu away and extract information from his mouth.

Bind him with Desire.

Aren't these things what you did?

"Then why doesn't she kill me?" Su Yang said expressionlessly.

"I told you, you still have value."

"Then Ji Da Ge, can you explain— why does Liu Pangzi want to kill me?" A sharp glint flashed in Su Yang's eyes.

"It's all a misunderstanding," Ji Huai said lightly.

"Pointing a gun Finger my Brain is a misunderstanding? Brother Ji Da Ge seems to have some misunderstanding of the word 'misunderstanding,'" Su Yang said calmly.

"My original intention was to have Liu Pangzi teleport Su Qi over, but an accident occurred midway," Ji Huai elaborated.

"So your real goal is to kill Su Qi?"

"Of course, if our target were you, Lin Jin and I would not act against Su Qi, but would turn back directly."

This line of reasoning does match what Su Yang had previously guessed.

It can barely make its own case.

But…

He still doesn't believe.

In his view, Ji Huai's current actions seem more like a counter‑intelligence scheme to deal with the overly powerful Su Qi.

Sowing discord to make Su Yang doubt her.

Or perhaps doing the opposite, deliberately highlighting the stakes to draw Su Yang toward Su Qi.

Because he knows Su Yang won't easily trust him.

Then…

Based on these two conjectures, whether it's the former or the latter.

Ji Huai remains steadfast in wanting to kill Su Yang.

But the outcomes they point to are vastly different.

One is a collusion between the two to toy with.

The other is that both sides' purposes are impure.

Now Su Yang is caught in the middle; he cannot easily trust anyone.

Seeing him remain silent, Ji Huai thought the other was moved, and seized the moment to say, "To be frank, Jiang Chengyu is indeed our handiwork."

Oh?

Su Yang raised an Eyebrow, slightly lifting his eyelids.

He didn't expect Ji Huai to Self‑Destruct directly at this moment.

The hand he intended to use for the general was snatched by him first.

"So it's you!" Su Yang sneered repeatedly.

"Don't misunderstand, we're not doing this to harm you; on the contrary, this is the first step of a strong‑strong alliance," Ji Huai explained.

"Do I look like a fool?" Su Yang retorted.

Ji Huai paused, then said, "I know it's absurd, but behind the seemingly lawless act is an intentional move to help you avoid risk."

Su Yang opened, "What risk? Tell me."

"The most concerning in the team is the Opportunist; he may betray you today and betray others tomorrow," Ji Huai elaborated.

"What if it's a life‑threatening blackmail?" Su Yang asked again.

"A player unwilling to sacrifice even their own life is not worth focused cultivation, nor trustworthy," Ji Huai said.

Heh…

Really treating a brother like a three‑year‑old child?

Ji Huai's seemingly reckless, throw‑the‑pot‑away approach let Su Yang spot a clue.

He indeed is very wary of Su Qi.

At the same time, he greatly needs Su Yang's power.

But this is not a long‑term partnership.

It is more like a spur‑of‑the‑moment exploitation.

As the saying goes, the enemy of my enemy is my friend.

If Su Qi truly advances along the Golden Road by hunting.

And also intends to swallow multiple eras.

Then Yue Zhao is bound to be on the hunting list as well.

Likewise—

Both the New Era and the Old Era fall within the looting range, so for self‑preservation, Ji Huai's choice to win them over is indeed the best method.

"What do I gain?" Su Yang asked.

"If Su Qi dies, you and I can compete for the Hidden Achievement honorably!"

"So Liu Pangzi's killing of me is just written off like that?"

"I will compensate you elsewhere, but not now."

"What if I refuse?" a flash of wit flickered in Su Yang's eyes.

Ji Huai stared at him for a moment, lifted his glasses, and a different expression suddenly appeared on his face, "You have no choice but to agree."

"Are you threatening me?"

"I dare not. I merely offered you the only way out."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

Ji Huai glanced at the time; it pointed exactly to Midnight Twelve.

He immediately patted his rear, stood up, and looked back: "I'll await your good news."

"Hold on!" Su Yang suddenly interjected.

Ji Huai's steps halted, and he cast a puzzled look.

"You know Su Qi's Innate Talent is 'Mind Reading,' yet you're not afraid our recent conversation will be eavesdropped?" Su Yang asked.

Ji Huai's smile was inexplicable, "I already said my Innate Talent is 'Weakness.'"

"This weakness is not that weakness."

"My true ability is Grant Weakness!"

"Rest assured, within six hours she won't see through you!"

"Ask whatever you wish; this is my sincerity."

Having said that, Ji Huai walked straight toward Lin Jin.

The two whispered to each other and fell asleep shortly after.

Su Yang's brow furrowed tightly as he pondered which of his words were true and which were false.

"Everyone wants to be the yellow sparrow, but who will play the Mantis?"

Undoubtedly, Su Yang, Su Qi, and Ji Huai were all running the Abacus in their minds.

This Clash will hinge on who can keep their temper.

Recalling this, Su Yang walked toward Su Qi.

He slowly sat down.

This small movement startled the eyes‑closed Su Qi awake.

"Anything?"

Su Yang gave a slight nod, "I have a question to ask, not sure whether I should say it."

"You speak."

Su Yang hesitated for a moment, then said: "…Qi Jie you know Yao Ri; strictly speaking, you should be in her group."

"Since that's the case, I'm curious: where exactly are my parents?"

"Or put it another way—"

"Who exactly are they?"