Corpse Recovery Diver

At the end of the day, the other side views you from a place of strength, looking down with superiority.

In her eyes, there is no fundamental difference between her team and the squad she exterminated last night.

When you're thinking from a disadvantaged position, your schemes and plans are equally limited.

Li Zhiyuan quickly finished the can of drink.

The boy held the empty can, slowly rotating it, while his gaze swept across each of his companions present.

Smart people have a common flaw, which Li Zhiyuan also has. It's holding chips in hand, incessantly calculating, always trying to avoid risks and find a surefire winning scenario for himself.

Just like when he encountered Zhao Yi in Guizhou last time.

The biggest difference between Li Zhiyuan and him might be due to his illness, at critical moments, Li Zhiyuan can be more ready to go all out, forcing himself to suppress his so-called "rationality".

If retreating not only fails to bring a better situation but makes things more awkward, why retreat at all?

"Crack…"

The empty can was crushed and deformed continuously in the boy's hand.

When the predetermined plans cannot deduce an acceptable outcome, then one must consider reshuffling the deck.

Although I've known this for a long time, it's only when the moment arrives that I truly realize fighting with the Evil and fighting with people are really different.

Someone I only met for the first time yesterday has become a cloud hanging over our heads today.

Lin Shuyou and Yin Meng saw this and sensed that Brother Xiao Yuan had something to say, so they silently put down their chopsticks.

Tan Wenbin served some food into Lin Shuyou's bowl, urging them, "Eat quickly, eat a bit more."

The companions sped up their eating, and Tan Wenbin ordered two more servings of cured pork ribs from the owner.

Li Zhiyuan's gaze was once again cast towards the mountain opposite. Although the Feng Shui pattern there had calmed down and others could hardly notice anything amiss, Li Zhiyuan, with his Feng Shui skills, noticed that trace of intentionality.

From such a distance, initiating an attack wasn't suitable.

But judging from this morning's performance, she seemed aware of Brother Pang Jin's importance and would continue staying at the guest house.

Therefore, the battleground could only be at Brother Pang Jin's guest house, where both sides would be closest.

Li Zhiyuan: "I want to change the plan I mentioned earlier... from having a fight to killing her!"

As everyone listened, they continued eating, just chewing with more force.

"Once we make our move, don't hesitate in the first instance:

Yin Meng, scatter your most violent poison!

Tan Wenbin, use the Ghost Control Skill immediately!

Lin Shuyou, use the Evil-breaking Talisman Needle to trigger the White Crane Child's strongest descent state!

Run Sheng, open all your gates right away!"

Even as they conscientiously tried to eat diligently, each lowered their heads to look at their bowls, thinking... is life going to be like this?

In the past, these methods were always reserved for the crucial final moments, used only when necessary at earlier stages.

Because, after using them, except for Yin Meng, the other three would be paralyzed for a long time, not only losing combat power but also being unable to care for themselves.

Yet this wave had just begun, and the slaughter for the broken jade was just initially unfolding; there was still a major act to play.

Just to lay all their cards on the table?

However, everyone, while shocked, raised no objections; the trust built over time instinctively made them trust Xiao Yuan's judgment unconditionally.

Everyone, while fiercely chewing their food, swallowing it in a rush, squeezed out determined responses between their teeth:

"Understood!"

"Understood!"

"Since we can't win with the current hand, we have to change up the playstyle. This time, I'm going all in.

Since she has made it clear she wants to use us as scapegoats, we're now mortal enemies. Instead of waiting for her Corpse energy to attract more unknown opponents, it's better to take the initiative.

Step one: Go all-in, kill her.

Step two: Seize the piece of broken jade in her hand.

In this way, we'll have two pieces of broken jade, one I can continue to seal, and the other, even if I take over midway, can only be sealed temporarily before eventually releasing Corpse energy.

Step three: With two pieces of broken jade in hand, hide as best as possible, and delay for time.

I don't know how long we can sustain step three, but I will do my best to fight for it.

Step four: When the Corpse energy of the broken jade erupts, attracting attention and contention, I'll then publicly admit defeat, making a big show of handing over that piece of broken jade to 'withdraw from the contest'.

This plan hands the initiative entirely into our hands, without having to see the faces of others.

It just carries a big gamble, with two main betting points.

First, taking the chance that in her initial confrontation, trying to use us as scapegoats, she will hold back; we go all out, leaving her no room to regret.

The second…"

Tan Wenbin took a sip of soup, too salty, made him stick his tongue out, yet he didn't forget to chime in:

"Bet that the competition for the broken jade will last long enough, with the banquet starting later so that even if we're drained and paralyzed initially, we'll have enough time to recuperate and recover."

Li Zhiyuan: "That's right."

Under normal circumstances, the bottom card must be used at the last critical moment, but if used early enough, with ample time in between... stay and rest, recover, and use it again at the last critical moment, gaining an advantage.

Lin Shuyou put down his chopsticks; he was full, rubbed his stomach with his left hand, reached into his bag with his right hand, and took out an Evil-breaking Talisman Needle to use as a toothpick.

Tan Wenbin pointed at him and laughed scoldingly: "How come you can play it so well?"

Lin Shuyou: "Hehe, it's all thanks to Brother Bin's great teaching."

Yin Meng spread her hand, and the Gu Worms began to play a climbing game on her palm cooperatively.

Run Sheng saw that they were done eating, so he took the pot near himself, dumped rice in, added ingredients, took a big ladle, and continued to eat.

Xiao Yuan had never officially seen him with all gates open. This time, he could finally showcase it before Xiao Yuan, and it was the all-gates-open state after consuming the Gu Child, making him very much look forward.

Hmm, these cured pork ribs were truly delicious, but compared to the taste of the Gu Child, still fell short.

In the afternoon, the group wandered a nearby ancient town.

Primarily, since it was too close to return, it was inconvenient for discussions, so while wandering through the old town, going in and out of ancient buildings, they arranged and set up the night's battle plan.

Close to dusk, Li Zhiyuan and others returned to the guest house under straw hats. Except for Li Zhiyuan, the other four companions paid special attention to those four inconspicuous small mounds in the field near the entrance.

Brother Pang Jin brought out fresh flower pastries, sharing them for everyone to taste while asking if they enjoyed themselves today.

Tan Wenbin took the lead in replying, chatting happily with Brother Pang Jin at the counter.

Incidentally, they learned from Brother Pang Jin that the woman sat outside drinking tea the whole day.

Li Zhiyuan heard it, but he didn't believe it, thinking she must have used some puppet's trick to deceive the eyes.

Walking into the courtyard, seeing the woman.

Li Zhiyuan knew that the one trailing them in the day was now back here; she had traces of travel on her, and the tea in her cup had lost its warmth.

The woman raised her teacup, saying to Li Zhiyuan just like in the morning:

"Little brother, good evening."

"Auntie, good evening."

——

This chapter fills in yesterday's word count, more to come in the evening.