Chapter 4453 — How to Challenge
The Blossom Guardian · Page 1 of 2
He had prepared for the worst. Even knowing full well it would do no good, he was determined to be the first into the ring; even if it meant trading life for life, this young master of the escort agency would make certain everyone knew that the men of the Qingtian Escort Agency were not to be provoked or bullied by anyone!
"No buts!" Wei Zhao cut him off without hesitation, then went on: "Rather than fretting over troubles that may never come, Brother Qi, you would do better to settle your heart and start thinking hard about the upcoming Escort Agency Championship. That is what you ought to be doing."
"Uh—well, all right. This business can wait until the championship is over." Qi Wenmo's attention was promptly diverted. However perilous the challenge from the agency's helmsman might be, it was a matter for later; how to handle the championship here and now was what mattered most.
Setting aside this final, highly contentious extra challenge, the fifth round of the Escort Agency Championship was the true centerpiece of the entire Southern Continent Escort Grand Gathering. It would not only decide the point standings, but would also lay bare before everyone the true strength of each agency.
"Five against five—the rules are essentially the same as the first round's escort-ambush response, except there's one less escorted item, and the scoring works differently." Qi Wenmo quickly fell into an analytical frame of mind.
"Correct. Though the time limit is likewise one stick of incense, this round doesn't count individual kills. It's decided by which agency has more people left standing on the field at the end; the victor takes a hundred points directly from the loser. At first glance the difference seems minor, but in terms of concrete strategy it's actually worlds apart—we'll have to adjust accordingly," Wei Zhao nodded.
"Right, right. Brother Ling, you're an old hand at this sort of thing. Whatever you think we should do, I'll follow your lead!" Qi Wenmo hastened to ask for guidance with an open mind.
"An old hand? I'm nothing of the sort—just luck." Wei Zhao burst out laughing. He had only been acting as an impromptu on-the-spot coach on a whim, and now people were treating him as some kind of expert...
"Brother Ling, don't be so modest. Your record speaks for itself—irrefutable proof, solid as iron. Modesty won't do you any good now; everyone's seen it with their own eyes. Isn't that right?" Qi Wenmo called out loudly to the assembled escorts nearby.
"Right!" the crowd chorused in agreement. They had no choice but to concede: Wei Zhao's on-the-spot guidance in the first round's ambush battle had been remarkably effective, and his record spoke volumes—especially when set against the defensive battle overseen by the young master Qi Wenmo. Placed side by side, the difference in skill was plain at a glance.
For these men, this was no mere flattery—it bore directly on their own vital interests. Judging by the performance in the first round's ambush response, if Wei Zhao were in command, at least the greater half of them would survive; but if the young master Qi Wenmo were in command, at least the greater half of them would die.
The gap between the two was enormous—for these escorts who would actually take the field, it might well be the difference between life and death!
"Ha... all right, all right!" Faced with the eager, excited gazes of the crowd, Wei Zhao could only surrender. "I will do all within my power to plan and devise for everyone. Will that satisfy you?"
The escorts erupted in cheers, drawing sidelong glances from bystanders. The onlookers exchanged bewildered looks—had these Qingtian Escort Agency fellows taken the wrong medicine? The fight hadn't even begun, and they were already celebrating in advance?
"Brother Ling, quick, tell us—how should we handle this round of the Escort Agency Championship?" Qi Wenmo asked impatiently.