Chapter 4451 — Wheel Tactics
The Blossom Guardian · Page 2 of 2
"No need." There was no point in even asking the attitude of Zhao Bufan and the others; their earlier acquiescence had already made it plain. Even an open vote could not change the outcome—it would only lend the rule more authority. Still, Qi Mingyuan could not bring himself to give up so easily, and said instead, "I wish only to add one last point. Surely the agency seniors who take the field deserve a chance to catch their breath during the contest?"
The situation was now entirely in his opponent's grasp. To overturn this challenge rule outright was out of the question—Qi Mingyuan knew even a simple amendment was wholly unrealistic now. Matters having come to this, he could only chip away at the edges and fight for one last concession.
"A chance to catch their breath?" Hai Wuliang's brows rose, and he retorted offhandedly, "Are the pirates and bandits your agency meets so understanding? Will they give you a chance to catch your breath?"
"And why not?" Qi Mingyuan shot back. "In real circumstances, pirates and bandits indeed will not reason with us. But in real circumstances, several escorts go out to meet the foe together. If one man is spent, he can naturally fall back and rest. Is that so strange?"
The crowd below nodded one after another. After all, this contest of agency helmsmen had a single Golden Core senior fighting alone. If he were challenged in succession and given no chance to catch his breath, that would be unreasonable by any measure.
"That does have some slight sense to it." Hai Wuliang took in the crowd's reaction and knew he must not push too far; conceding a small step was of no great consequence anyway. So he said, "A chance to catch their breath is permitted, but the rest cannot be endless. After all, should one truly meet pirates and bandits, a man can rest only a short while before he must go back up, or his companions will all be dead."
"Then how much time does Chief Escort Hai consider fitting?" Qi Mingyuan said, staring at Hai Wuliang.
"One stick of incense. No longer than that," Hai Wuliang declared flatly, looking down his nose at Qi Mingyuan. "Does Chief Escort Qi have any further questions?"
Qi Mingyuan had wanted to press for more, but sensing Hai Wuliang's ill intent, he gave a sudden start. He feared the fellow would not bandy words with him further but would straightaway call for the judges to vote by a show of hands—or even pin some grave charge on him—and then it would truly be over. He had no choice but to settle for what he had.
"Very good. Since there are no more questions, everyone make ready. The fifth round of the Escort Agency Championship begins at once." Hai Wuliang smiled smugly and cast Qi Mingyuan a glance that made no secret of his contempt. A fighting man is a fighting man—to think he would try to cross words with me in public. He ought to look at himself in a mirror: has he the brains for it?
The crowd below fell into animated discussion—not of the coming Escort Agency Championship, but of the exchange just now between Hai Wuliang and Qi Mingyuan, thrust and parry, point against point. The implications behind it were all too thought-provoking. (To be continued..) R527