Chapter 203: Are You Really Not Willing to Go Together?

"Rong, it's not that I am ungrateful, but..."

"The Temporary Workers are too hard to deal with." Zhuge Qing gazed at the moonlight outside the window, his tone carrying a hint of worry. He knew the strength of those Temporary Workers very well, especially that man wearing glasses; just standing there gave one a feeling of chilling dread.

Fu Rong, however, remained completely unmoved. She clenched her fists tightly, a determined light flashing in her eyes: "I don't care how strong they are! I'll say it again: this village took me in when I was most helpless and gave me a home. Now that the village is in danger, I absolutely cannot be a coward!"

Watching Fu Rong's stubborn appearance, Zhuge Qing felt a complex mix of emotions. How could he not understand Fu Rong's feelings? But reason told him that the outcome of this battle would likely not be so simple. He did not want to see Fu Rong dragged into such a dangerous situation.

"Are you really so insistent on going?" Zhuge Qing reached out to gently stroke Fu Rong's cheek; his fingertips could feel her slight trembling. This girl, usually so strong, was also afraid at this moment, yet she still chose the most difficult path.

"Mm!" Fu Rong nodded heavily, then her expression softened, carrying a hint of expectation and pleading, "Are you really not willing to go with me?"

Zhuge Qing looked at her pitiful appearance, and the defenses in his heart finally collapsed. He understood Fu Rong too well; once she made up her mind, she would definitely do it. Rather than letting her face the danger alone, it was better to stay by her side and protect her.

"Fine, fine," Zhuge Qing sighed deeply, "I'll go with you. But you have to promise me one thing."

"What thing?"

"You must stay by my side and not act rashly. If the situation isn't right, we must retreat immediately." Zhuge Qing's tone was serious as never before.

Upon hearing this, Fu Rong threw herself into Zhuge Qing's arms: "I knew you weren't that kind of heartless person!" She tilted her head up, her eyes filled with a smile, "Don't worry, I will definitely listen to you."

At the same time, in a dim alley on the west side of Biyou Village, Lao Meng was preparing to pass through quietly. The moonlight was blocked by the buildings on both sides, leaving only mottled shadows on the ground. Just then, a figure suddenly blocked his path.

"I didn't expect to run into you here." Zhang Kun sneered, his expression appearing exceptionally sinister under the moonlight, "Perfect. I heard you are a Beast Master, so let me see exactly what a Beast Master is capable of."

Lao Meng subconsciously took a step back. He was not a combative person, especially in the current complex situation where any battle could trigger a chain reaction.

"I don't want to fight." He tried to persuade, "The situation is already complicated enough; why should we add to the chaos?"

"Don't want to fight?" Zhang Kun let out a scoff, a trace of contempt flashing in his eyes, "Just because you look like a cowardly piece of trash, you think you have the right to say such things?" Before his voice had even faded, he had already struck, a sharp surge of Qi rushing directly at Lao Meng.

Lao Meng was forced to raise his arms to block, his entire body shaken back several steps by this force, his back slamming heavily against the wall. He shook his head with a bitter smile; it seemed tonight's battle was unavoidable.

"Since you insist on fighting," Lao Meng stood up straight, his gaze still lazy, though within this laziness, a different kind of emotion seemed to appear.

"Then don't blame me for being impolite."

His Qi slowly spread out, seeping into the ground. The surrounding air seemed to solidify, and immediately after, the ground began to vibrate slightly. Countless ants emerged from all directions, forming a flowing black tide under the moonlight, surrounding Zhang Kun.

Seeing this scene, Zhang Kun's expression finally changed. He knew very well that although this old guy wasn't strong in a one-on-one fight, this ability to control insect swarms was extremely tricky to deal with. Once those seemingly weak creatures got close, they would use their sharp mandibles to gnaw at their opponent, and wherever they went, flesh and blood would fly.

"Interesting." Zhang Kun took a deep breath, the Qi in his body circulating rapidly, and the vibrations of the ground became even more intense, "Let me see whether your bugs are stronger, or if my Earth Walking Immortal is better!"

In the night, two different forces collided in this alley; a contest without the sight of blood was about to unfold.

The moonlight poured down like water. Zhang Chulan and Feng Baobao stood on a thick tree branch, the shadows of the leaves casting mottled light and shadow on their faces. Intermittent sounds of fighting came from afar; clearly, battles had already begun in other places.

"Zhang Chulan, are we not going to fight?" Feng Baobao asked, tilting her head, her eyes filled with innocent confusion. She looked at the intertwined lights of Qi in the distance, seemingly full of curiosity about the battle.

Zhang Chulan shook his head, his gaze scanning every corner of the battlefield sharply. As a "college student" of the new era, he was well-versed in the art of war: "No need to rush. Every battle will consume Ma Xianhong's combat power; let them fight first. By the time we reach the Cultivation Furnace, their defensive forces will be spread thin enough."

In reality, Zhang Chulan had already calculated things in his heart. He clearly remembered the location of the Cultivation Furnace, but he also understood that Ma Xianhong would definitely station heavy troops there to guard it. Rather than rashly launching a frontal assault, it was better to wait for the other Temporary Workers to tie up more of the defensive forces.

"Oh." Feng Baobao nodded; although she didn't quite understand the tactical implications, she maintained absolute trust in Zhang Chulan, "Then where are we going now?"

"To find the Cultivation Furnace." As Zhang Chulan turned, a confident smile hooked the corner of his mouth.

The two used the cover of the night to quickly pass through several narrow alleys. Every step Zhang Chulan took was carefully calculated, both avoiding potential patrol routes and choosing the shortest path. However, just as they were about to arrive at their destination, a tall figure suddenly appeared in front of the attic door.

"Kid, I knew you would come." Jin Yong sneered, his entire body's Qi already beginning to surge, glowing faintly under the moonlight, "But do you think that just the two of you can break through my defense?"

Zhang Chulan narrowed his eyes, carefully sizing up his opponent. He had long since learned of Jin Yong's strength through data; this fierce general among the Root Vessels had strength not much different from Harichagai. Now that the opponent also held the advantage of the terrain, this battle would likely not be easy.

"Sister Bao'er," Zhang Chulan said softly, a trace of seriousness flashing in his eyes, "Do you remember the tactical coordination I taught you?"

Feng Baobao nodded, her body already instinctively adjusting her posture.

"Well come!" Jin Yong roared, his whole body rushing toward the two like a cannonball fired from a chamber. Every step he took made the ground tremble, and one could almost feel that violent force in the air. Amidst the flying dust, his figure appeared exceptionally burly.

Zhang Chulan flashed, nimbly avoiding Jin Yong's frontal attack. This was his habitual tactic: using his speed advantage to avoid the brunt of the attack and wait for an opportunity to act. At the same time, a ball of Qi had already condensed in his hand, blasting toward Jin Yong's flank.