Chapter 44 (1/2)

“I choose the waterway,” Master Long said decisively.

Chen Hao gazed at the three paths, his gaze flickering.

Among the three paths, clearly the one in the middle was the easiest to walk, for it was a straight path into the depths of the palace. This fellow is choosing to walk on the narrowest bridge on the pond? Why did he choose that one? Could it be that Master Long actually knows that that path is the safest but isn’t planning on telling me?

That can’t be it. Master Long can’t be that retarded to entrap his teammate before even confirming the existence of evil spirits in there.

That means Master Long knows some information and deduced that the waterway has the highest probability of being the safest path. That’s why he took the initiative to claim that path first and make me test the other two paths.

Damn. It’s a trap! No way. I must… Wait a minute, there’s a problem.

Could this fellow have deliberately chosen first to tempt me into exchanging with him? That means that the waterway is the least safe, and he’s deliberately choosing it to confuse me so that I’ll get suspicious and initiate an exchange.

Damn. This fellow doesn’t look so devious! Could I be overthinking this?

“Master Chen, are you done considering? If you feel that the waterway is the safest, I can let you have it,” Master Long said with a broad beam, assuming an easygoing manner.

Chen Hao raised a brow and snorted inwardly. He said, “I choose the square.”

Regardless of how he looked at it, the waterway was the least safe. Once the mechanism was triggered, he would have no place to hide.

On the other hand, the square was different. It at least had a large surface area. Now that he had a preliminary understanding of the Dipper Steps, such an environment was most suited for him. Even if there was a trap, he would have space to dodge.

Hence, regardless of Master Long’s intention, Chen Hao decided to choose according to his own circumstances and ignore everything else.

“The square? You’ve made your choice, Master Chen?” Master Long pressed, seemingly eager to exchange.

Chen Hao calmly said, “Master Long, you’d better prepare. We’re pressed for time.”

He then walked over to the square.

Bai Ru subconsciously wanted to follow him, but Chen Hao said, “Don’t come over first. Wait for me to call for you before coming over.”

Bai Ru hesitated a moment, then nodded.

All she could think of now was what Chen Hao said about the chance to turn things around. Hence, Chen Hao’s words were like an imperial edict to her, and no one else mattered.

When he got to the square, Chen Hao carefully sized it up.

The square wasn’t considered small—it was ten-odd meters wide and thirty-plus meters long. The ground was laid with neat rows of slab stones, and on each of the two sides, there was a row of warriors wearing armor and holding swords and guns. Also, there were two rows of army weapons racks, on which there were swords, guns, rods, and all kinds of army weaponry that one could think of. However, as they were left underground for several centuries, under the influence of the dark energy and the moisture, they were awfully rusted.

From the surface, there didn’t seem to be any problem with this square.

But the ancient people’s wisdom wasn’t to be belittled. The safer a place seemed, the more likely there was a problem with it.

Chen Hao calmed his anxious heart down and quietly glanced at Master Long. He realized that Master Long was standing next to the bridge looking at him.

As both of them were wearing gas masks, neither could see the other’s expression, but both knew in their hearts.

They were risking their lives by barging in by force this time.

Master Long had received an expensive gift and accepted this task, so even if he were to risk his life, he had to accomplish this mission.

Chen Hao, on the other hand, was provoked into doing this by Master Long. After all, this was a business deal he agreed to take on, and since the other master wasn’t afraid, if he showed cowardice and backed off, it would be a smudge on his path to becoming a great master. This was something Chen Hao refused to let happen.

Nearly at the same time, both of them started moving at their fastest speed possible, barging forward directly.

On Master Long’s side, the bridge was curved, so he had to keep turning his body as he walked, observing his surroundings and controlling the direction as he went along.

It was more straightforward for Chen Hao. He simply had to go in a straight line, until he dashed to the front.

Shortly after, the two of them entered the mid-section of the path they had respectively chosen.

Just then, Chen Hao suddenly heard a clicking sound, and the next moment his entire body involuntarily lurched forward.