Chapter 197: I Only Ask — Can I Kill?

“Furious, aren’t you?”

At the research institute’s base, Tang Ruoxi crossed her legs, sipping tea, and smiled faintly.

Jiang Changkong said angrily, “These shameless people.”

“If you had feigned weakness from the start, they wouldn’t have united, and you could have defeated them one by one.”

Professor Yun swirled her wine glass, took a sip, and said, “Now, in one-on-one combat, no one is your match, so they can only band together.”

“Professor, is there really no way?” Tang Ruoxi asked.

“With your strength, even with Jiang Changyue, you might not be able to handle over a dozen Star Spirit Peaks at once.”

Professor Yun shook her head gently. “Moreover, if Jiang Changyue reappears, they’ll all unite, making it twenty-four Star Spirit Peaks.”

Jiang Changkong truly had no confidence against twenty-four Star Spirit Peaks.

If it were four or five, he could handle them without even using his alternate identity, but twenty or thirty? Forget it.

If there really were a Jiang Changyue, it would be fine—the two of them could join forces. Unfortunately, there wasn’t.

“What about waiting for them to fight among themselves and reaping the benefits?” Jiang Changkong asked.

“They’re not fools, of course they’ll eliminate the biggest threat first.”

Professor Yun said calmly, “You can only dismantle them from within, or possess the strength to suppress them all.”

Jiang Changkong felt that if he could fully master his minor achievements, he might be able to suppress the entire scene.

If he could advance to major achievements and reach the late Star Spirit stage, he could sweep through everything without such worries.

But as for dismantling them from within, he wondered if Xu Xinghe could help?

Among those thirteen Star Spirit Peaks, one of them was Xu Xinghe’s uncle.

Just as Jiang Changkong was about to say something, his phone rang. It was a message from Heng Xueyue, asking to meet him.

“I’m heading out.”

Jiang Changkong stood up and left to keep the appointment.

He didn’t change his identity but proceeded cautiously, making sure no one was around before speeding away.

After circling around several times, he finally headed to the swamp area, reaching its depths.

Heng Xueyue had been waiting for a while.

“Little girl, you weren’t fair today.”

Jiang Changkong wore an unpleasant expression. “You asked to cooperate with me, yet you still excluded me?”

“Cooperation is one thing, competition is another.” Heng Xueyue said coldly, “Besides, for our cooperation to work, we must appear at odds. If you and I joined forces, would that person dare to show up?”

“Fine, you have a point. What do you want from me?” Jiang Changkong’s expression softened slightly.

“During the previous fight, it should have been you narrowly losing to me…”

“Before we cooperated, you never mentioned that. Besides, if your skills aren’t up to par, can you blame me for being too strong?”

Jiang Changkong sneered. Did she think he would follow her plan? She was overthinking it.

“Next, I’ll bring people to confront you. This time, you should lose.”

Heng Xueyue said seriously, “Don’t worry, I’ll hold back.”

“With you and five Star Spirit Peaks, I might not lose.” Jiang Changkong scoffed.

“You must lose. Only if you lose will that person try to use you to fight me and attempt to kill me.”

“If you lose and I hold back, that person will still find a way to provoke a conflict between us.”

“This will tarnish the reputation of my Heng family. After cultivating in seclusion for so many years, I should have swept through everyone as soon as I emerged.”

Heng Xueyue said angrily. Besides retrieving treasures from the cold pond, she had come here to make a name for herself.

But now, having been defeated by Jiang Changkong, she had to redeem herself.

“You want fame, but I, as the guild leader, don’t?”

Jiang Changkong laughed in anger. “You want to step on me to rise higher, using me as your foil? Don’t even think about it!”

“Hmph, we’ll see who’s better tomorrow. I won’t hold back,” Heng Xueyue said coldly.

Jiang Changkong sneered, “I look forward to seeing you cry.”

“Just wait. With me and five Star Spirit Peak experts, I don’t believe we can’t handle you.”

Heng Xueyue snorted coldly and turned to leave.

Jiang Changkong departed directly, ending the meeting on a sour note.

This Heng Xueyue—offering so few Star Stones for a deal and still having the nerve to make so many demands?

Moreover, she doesn’t hold back in business, fighting for every advantage and drawing clear lines.

Returning to the research institute, Jiang Changkong felt irritated again.

Professor Yun had already gone to sleep, but Tang Ruoxi was still there. The two of them entered the secret chamber together to study Star Script.

They studied until morning when Jiang Changkong was called out by Anding Bang.

Tang Ruoxi went to catch up on sleep since there was nothing else to do.

“President Jiang, hurry up. Everyone is waiting for you,” Anding Bang urged.

“Just think—a president like you reduced to running errands. How pitiful.”

Jiang Changkong patted his shoulder and sighed softly.

Anding Bang showed no shame, speaking gravely:

“I’m already satisfied. This time, they’ve united against you, and I, Anding Bang, am actually quite angry.

Our bond is as strong as iron. The way they’re treating you—if I weren’t so insignificant, I’d definitely speak up for you.”

“Your heart is in the right place,” Jiang Changkong said, praising him against his conscience.

“Ah, President Jiang, I’ve offered you quite a few Star Stones before, so if you seek revenge, please don’t target my Martial Arts Association.”

Anding Bang pleaded pitifully, afraid Jiang Changkong would take his anger out on him.

Last night, Jiang Changkong had said that if provoked, he was capable of assassination, ambushes—anything.

Would he hesitate to take down a Martial Arts Association then?

Definitely not!

So, Anding Bang had come early in the morning to say these things to Jiang Changkong.

Jiang Changkong admired Anding Bang—he knew exactly what to say to whom, and he took it to the extreme.

As for things like pride or shame, he seemed to have no concept of them.

“What are their plans?” Jiang Changkong asked.

“This group has set up some kind of competition venue. It seems they’re collectively targeting you this time.”

Anding Bang whispered, “Heng Xueyue wants to eliminate you first. The Major Province Alliance will deal with you, and the other two alliances have agreed.”

The five major forces of the Major Province formed an alliance.

The thirteen forces of Anding Province united, calling themselves the Anding Alliance.

The five Martial Arts Associations joined together, led by Sheng Jin’s Martial Arts Association, forming the Gold Alliance.

And then there was Jiang Changkong, the lone wolf.

The mineral vein struggle involved these four factions—whoever won would control the vein.

Of course, it might not be divided entirely; these people likely wanted to secure the vein first and decide how to split it later.

As they talked, the two arrived at the location. Upon reaching it, Anding Bang immediately fell silent.

Twenty-four Star Spirit Peak experts, divided into three groups.

“Jiang Changkong, today, we settle our grievances!”

Heng Xueyue’s expression was cold and clear, like a bright moon hanging high. Behind her stood Heng De and four others.

The Anding Alliance and the Gold Alliance watched coldly, stepping back to give them space.

Although he knew they wouldn’t go for the kill, Jiang Changkong didn’t dare relax in the slightest—these people wouldn’t hold back.

“Settling grievances is fine. It’ll also teach you Major Province folks that there’s always someone better,” Jiang Changkong stepped forward, his expression indifferent. “How will we compete?”

“The rule is to face each alliance in turn.”

An elderly man stepped forward, his aged face covered in wrinkles. “If you can defeat all three of our factions, the mineral vein will naturally be yours.”

“Does the Peace Alliance have the confidence to defeat all three sides?” Jiang Changkong asked indifferently.

In truth, the Peace Alliance was actually the strongest in terms of strength—they had thirteen Star Spirit Peak experts.

“We naturally have confidence. You have two days to bring in reinforcements, with a limit of two additional people,” the old man replied coldly.

“Might I ask how I should address you, Elder?” Jiang Changkong clasped his hands in respect.

“I am the head of the Xu family, Xu Xingheng,” the old man said.

“Two days to bring in reinforcements? Are you trying to push me, Jiang Changkong, into a corner?”

Jiang Changkong’s expression turned completely icy. Everyone present had ways to call for backup.

Only he had no one to call upon, and now they were giving him two days to bring in people—all the rules were set by them.

Who knows, next time they might even give three days to call for reinforcements.

“President Jiang, you may also call for people,” Xu Xingheng said calmly, his aged face showing no change.

“I have only one question: is killing allowed?” Jiang Changkong could no longer contain his anger.

“Blades and swords have no eyes; life and death are unpredictable,” Xu Xinghe said, his gaze flickering with a hint of ferocity.