Chapter 309: Crow's Mouth

"Brother, still going out to sea for a duel? Doesn't it resemble the common plot in manga where, halfway through a duel competition, a third party suddenly jumps in to cause trouble?"

The Dragon King's Dragon King Ship, An'an stood on the deck, blowing in the sea breeze as she gazed at the sea surface; although the weather wasn't great, her tone remained somewhat excited.

After not seeing each other for a while, she had also experienced several missions.

The originally lingering sense of immaturity had vanished, and her cold, beautiful face now carried a bit more heroic spirit.

Most importantly, she hadn't grown a beard, nor had her body expanded sideways, allowing An'an to fully accept the Black Whirlwind's fate.

The battle was truly exhilarating and satisfying.

Regarding this life-and-death battle, An'an's tone held no trace of panic; her growth could be described as quite complete.

Since it was confirmed that both sides held the idea of "distinguishing superiority and inferiority, as well as life and death."

The efficiency of the Martial Arts Myth was still very high.

A few days later, on the weekend, Tang Luo brought An'an aboard the Dragon King Ship, setting out to sea for a battle against another Black Whirlwind.

Speaking of which, the holder of the Heavenly Killer Star Black Whirlwind fate fragment was actually already on the ship, keeping to themselves, likely cultivating energy and spirit in preparation for the fate-changing battle.

Despite many influential figures guaranteeing this would be a fair battle.

Master Xuanzang would not interfere, and would even save people after the match; but no matter what, since the other person was brought by Master Xuanzang, it was inevitable to feel somewhat uneasy.

If encountering Master Xuanzang, one might even overthink due to a casual remark from him; fortunately, keeping to oneself and adjusting one's mindset was quite normal.

"Third party causing trouble?" Tang Luo said, "Would that happen?"

The competition island was randomly chosen by the Dragon King at sea, and no one else knew where it would be.

Because there were only two matches in total.

Aside from the battle for the fate fragment between the two holders of the same fate.

Additionally, there was another match: members of the Martial Arts Myth, who had a dispute in the mission world, returned to the real world, and conducted a one-on-one battle to calm things down.

It wasn't a life-and-death battle; each side offered corresponding stakes.

In total, there were only two matches, and they were in the arena battle format; if fast enough, the outcome could be decided quickly.

Departing in the morning, one could return by evening.

There was no need to pick a special place; just find a small island with empty space, or even a large reef would do.

"Just saying, if it really happened, what would happen?" An'an said.

"Probably die." Tang Luo thought for a moment and said.

Kongming had already helped him promote the new business project.

The Dragon King Ship gathered all members interested in the "Fate Exchange Technique."

Those who didn't appear were truly in a state of "hermitude and seclusion from the world."

For example, Chijing Daoist, and his companion; if a third party truly entered the Dragon King Ship intending to make a big fuss, it would basically amount to announcing a death sentence.

Aside from Tang Luo, even Chijing Daoist, currently at the peak of the Gods and Demons Walking pyramid, wouldn't dare face so many fate holders in such a setting.

Unless it were the legendary hostile force, the Gods Alliance, which had also dispatched its fighting strength, leading to a great decisive battle between the two sides.

"Oh, oh." An'an responded twice, lowering her voice: "Brother, who is that old man, always looking this way?"

Tang Luo turned his head and glanced: "Isn't that A Bian? He's boarded the ship."

On the other side, slightly farther away, the Bian Que seen earlier was now looking toward Tang Luo.

While chatting idly with Kongming, Tang Luo learned a bit about this Bian Que's situation; after the previous incident, his status in the Martial Arts Myth had plummeted.

Originally, Bian Que wasn't a person of good character, but only because skilled physicians were hard to find, which led to his high status.

Later, Master Xuanzang's enlightened treatment was better and faster, and also cheaper, requiring only various healing items.

Suppose one had a healing item with effect 1, and suffered 5 points of injury; going to Master Xuanzang would allow easy recovery, with the cost being just that 1.

Many people found that after the first time, the price would increase.

Whereas going to Bian Que, the cost would be at least 10, and only with comparison could there be harm.

Bian Que belonged to the side that Tang Luo had "harmed."

Tang Luo hadn't expected him to also board the ship this time; could he be planning to exchange his fate fragment?

Now that his "business" had plummeted, seeking another path was not impossible; Bian Que holding another fate fragment was not impossible.

"Villain!"

Seeing Tang Luo's gaze sweep over, Bian Que spat rudely and said.

This remark immediately drew the attention of other Martial Arts Myth members on the deck, and everyone turned to look at him.

"Isn't that so?" Bian Que said stiffly, "Do you really believe someone can exchange fate fragments?"

Regardless, Bian Que was also an old physician, and his words carried some authority.

Regarding this matter, the arriving fate holders all had some doubts in their hearts: could it actually be done?

"He's clearly just trying to embezzle others' fate fragments, and due to the organization's rules, he can't do it openly, so he uses the 'Fate Exchange Technique' as an excuse." Bian Que shouted loudly.

He didn't miss the chance to attack Tang Luo's reputation.

Some people's gazes toward Tang Luo also turned a bit strange, as exchanging fate fragments truly wasn't very convincing.

If Tang Luo weren't also somewhat famous, everyone hearing this would surely sneer.

In Gods and Demons Walking, there haven't been a lack of those spreading shocking, worldly news; in the end, it was confirmed to be attention-seeking for profit.

"If Master Bian doesn't believe it." Tang Luo smiled slightly, looking at Bian Que and said, "Then why not offer yourself, and together with this poor monk, demonstrate the Fate Exchange Technique publicly?"

"Pfft!"

"Hahaha!"

A burst of laughter came from the deck.

Bian Que was instantly choked by Tang Luo's words, feeling quite uncomfortable.

"Shameless villain!" Bian Que cursed again, walking toward the cabin.

He naturally could not offer himself up, becoming the "swapped one" in the life-exchanging formation technique.

"Whether what this poor monk says is true, we will be able to see before long." Tang Luo spoke again to everyone on the deck.

"We believe Master."

"Right, monastics do not speak falsehoods, let alone an attained high monk like Master."

Regardless of whether they were half-believing half-doubting in their hearts, what they showed at this moment was naturally "since it's like this, I believe."

Even if Tang Luo's life-exchanging formation technique failed in the end, they would not suffer any loss.

Even if Master Xuanzang could not accomplish the life-exchanging formation, his level of consecrating and healing injuries was still very high; only a fool would offend him over a basically past-his-prime Bian Que.

"Brother, does that old man have a grudge against you?" After the little interlude subsided, An An couldn't help but ask.

"Colleagues are rivals; I suppose you could say we have professional competition." Tang Luo said.

"So that's how it is." An An nodded; among gods and demons walking, "healers" themselves were extremely few.

Everyone's injuries mainly still relied on the Gods and Demons Game, the small amount of healing at mission end, some medicine plus real-world medical means to recover.

The existence of healers was a typical seller's market.

In the Wulin Mythology, Bian Que could even be said to have a monopoly; for truly severe injuries, everyone would go find him.

But now, everyone went to find "Master Xuanzang" instead; it would be strange if Bian Que didn't hate Tang Luo.

This time coming over, others might be holding expectant hearts. As for Bian Que, he was probably drawing circles cursing for it to definitely fail behind the scenes.

"It's going to rain soon." An An looked up at the sky, where a thick layer of dark clouds had already gathered.

The sea wind also became fierce; there would probably be a downpour incoming.

The members on the deck also became sparse, only a few left.

Tang Luo and An An didn't stay much longer, and soon also walked into the cabin.

Soon, the window outside was struck by bean-sized raindrops making crackling sounds; clearly it was noon, yet the sky had completely darkened.

The wind and waves outside were not small, but the Dragon King vessel was steady as Mount Tai, without the slightest shake.

This feeling of wind blowing and rain beating outside while staying in a warm small space was very good; the quite energetic An An sat on the small sofa in Tang Luo's room, watching the wind and rain outside the window, feeling the tranquil moment.

In the bright public lounge, the gathered people were not few; a portion wore masks, quietly sitting in corners, observing.

Most members were in twos and threes, three or five in a group chatting.

The Dragon King walked in, explained the situation to everyone; this storm was expected to stop in one or two hours.

The distance to his chosen destination was already very close.

After the rain stops, two battles can be carried out.

After battles end, will dock nearby, stay three to five hours; those wanting to stay a few more days on the Dragon King vessel say so at docking, the Dragon King vessel can prepare in advance.

After finishing arrangements, the Dragon King had not yet left when a crew member came over, whispering something in the Dragon King's ear.

"Hmm, no response when speaking to him?" The Dragon King frowned.

The four people who were to battle were naturally more important; for the upcoming arrangements, the Dragon King had instructed crew members before coming to specially go remind them.

Including Tang Luo's side, communication was already fully in place.

But the other Black Whirlwind Li Kui fate-holder, the member named Li Gui, had no response.

"I'll go take a look." The Dragon King said, walking toward the room where Li Gui rested.

The rooms provided for Wulin Mythology members to reside in all had very good soundproofing; inside and outside the room communicated via "intercoms" installed on the walls.

Just now the crew member went through the arrangements once, but Li Gui's side had not the slightest response; the crew member called several times in succession, also getting no reply.

"Li Gui!"

The Dragon King simply didn't use the intercom device, banging on the door with bang-bang sounds.

Only the room interior still had not the slightest response.

"You go invite Mr. Kong over." The Dragon King said to the crew member, "Also turn on the public lounge's projection device, put the footage here out."

"Oh, okay." The crew member blanked for a moment, hurriedly left; something was about to happen?

The Dragon King frowned, took out a communication device and said: "All crew members return to your respective posts and stand by."

The sound spread throughout the Dragon King vessel via broadcast.

"All members, please gather at the public lounge; something may happen."

Amid wind and rain, the Dragon King vessel entered a rather solemn atmosphere.

Soon, the members on the ship all gathered at the public lounge, including Tang Luo and An An.

Everyone looked at the projection on the screen; the lounge's broadcast carried the Dragon King's steady voice.

In the footage, besides the Dragon King, there was also Kong Ming, as well as several Wulin Mythology members who couldn't suppress their curiosity and ran over.

"I smell a trace of blood; perhaps Li Gui has already met with misfortune." The Dragon King opened the door locked from inside.

The corridor surveillance could not capture the room interior; therefore the picture paused slightly, switching to the Dragon King's handheld footage.

In the cramped room on screen, a person knelt by the bed.

Li Gui, hands hanging at his sides, head drooping low.

On his clothes, on his legs, and on the ground there were some bloodstains.

The Dragon King walked over, lifted Li Gui's head.

Li Gui's eyes were wide open, eyes, ears, nose, and mouth all had fresh blood, even still trickling out bit by bit.

Bleeding from the seven orifices and dead!

Dragon King vessel locked-room murder case!

An An looked a bit dazedly at Tang Luo and asked: "Brother, am I a prophet or a jinx?"