Chapter 72: Small Grove

Whoosh!

A short sword flew through the air, and Xu Xiaoshou reached out to catch it. The experiment was a success! Even with someone else's spiritual sword, he could now perform "Reverse Sword Style" using his innate sword intent.

"In that case, things will be much easier..." Without hesitation, Xu Xiaoshou chopped down with his palm, and the short sword in his hand instantly broke into two. A spiritual sword without spiritual energy augmentation couldn't withstand his "Sharpness Aura" at all. He collected the other short sword and the head from the ground, then thought for a moment before walking out of the courtyard gate.

"If I were the one who escaped, what would I do?" Xu Xiaoshou mused, putting himself in the other person's shoes. Flee! Run away, get as far as possible, never look back! Cough, cough... That's a bit presumptive.

"If I were the one who escaped, and I absolutely *had* to come back, what would I do?" Xu Xiaoshou rubbed his chin. First, I'd observe from a distance, using perception-type spiritual skills to check the situation. If it seemed wrong, I'd turn around and leave; if there was a chance, I'd proceed cautiously, step by step. No matter how strong that guy's perception-type spiritual skills were, they definitely couldn't compare to his own; the hidden confrontation in the courtyard had already made that clear. So, if he were to observe...

Xu Xiaoshou looked out from the open space in front of the courtyard. Ahead was a winding path flanked by a small grove of trees. The path through the woods was long, and it was the only way to his small courtyard. "Even if his perception range is wide, he'd have to enter at least half the depth of these woods. And if he's planning an ambush, this place is definitely the best choice!" Xu Xiaoshou felt confident.

Clang! The broken sword, severed into two pieces, was struck onto the ground. If that guy sensed this scene, he'd surely panic! Xu Xiaoshou checked the number of Spirit Refining Pills in his ring. He had received a champion's reward last time, and there were still dozens of bottles left. "Enough!" He stepped towards the small grove. If that guy didn't come back tonight, then so be it. He wouldn't mind standing in the rain all night; it was no big deal. But if he dared to come back... Hmph, he wouldn't be going back ever again!

"Hmm... wait!" "What if I thought what he thought, and he also thought that I was thinking what he thought?" Xu Xiaoshou felt a sudden, inexplicable chill. He thought it was very possible! He quickly rushed back, picked up the two broken sword pieces from the ground, and then dashed towards the small grove. Every second counted!

***

Whoosh! The sound of rushing wind hissed in the rain, as a crimson silhouette shot out from the inner courtyard. Feng Kong's face was contorted with uncontrollable rage and humiliation. Xu Xiaoshou! It was actually Xu Xiaoshou! If it hadn't been for Shao Yi's telepathic message just before he died, Feng Kong might still be waiting at the inner courtyard entrance. And because of his hesitation and the time he spent waiting, Shao Yi... was killed by that guy!

"He shouldn't have died..." Feng Kong bit his gums until they bled, his anger uncontrollable. The thought of how he and Shao Yi had been startled and humiliated by Xu Xiaoshou in the courtyard just moments ago made his eyes widen in fury. A mere ninth-level practitioner had actually scared him away in such a manner, then slowly worn down and killed Shao Yi, a peak Yuan Court realm expert. What a disgrace!

"Pray you can seize the chance to escape..." "But even so, the rest of your life will be lived under the shadow of fear!" Feng Kong was like a madman, his face completely twisted. He moved incredibly fast, flying from the inner courtyard to the vicinity of Swan Lake in moments. Dragonflies still skimmed the water, but no one was by his side anymore. How ironic?! Raindrops splattered onto the lake, sending ripples spreading outwards. Fat geese and swimming fish, startled by the astonishing killing intent, scattered and fled. Pop pop~ Several lake bubbles burst as Feng Kong crossed Swan Lake, standing on the white jade railing.

"Calm down!" The rain cleared his head, and he pushed his anger to the back of his mind. Even though his misjudgment had led to his comrade's death, he wouldn't truly lose his rationality. Several years of experience as a professional assassin had cultivated a calm mind in him. He steadied himself and began to ponder.

Xu Xiaoshou... What was strong about him wasn't his power, but his strategic mind, which was no less keen than his own. Their mutual guessing game in the courtyard earlier had proven this, but Feng Kong didn't feel he had truly lost that round. He had merely been caught off guard by the scene in Xu Xiaoshou's courtyard, which had then allowed Xu Xiaoshou to manipulate his mindset. Now, stepping outside the situation as a chess player, Xu Xiaoshou's little tricks were really nothing. He had some cleverness, but without matching strength, he was still as insignificant as an ant.

Even thinking this, Feng Kong still had to take this "ant" seriously. "If I were Xu Xiaoshou, how would I break this deadlock?" Flee! Run away, get as far as possible, even abandon the courtyard! Feng Kong shook his head. That was impossible. Even if he fled further, he couldn't escape the Spirit Palace. And even if he left the Spirit Palace, many more people would want his life. That kid was smart; he surely knew he could run for a while, but not forever. "So... an ambush?" Feng Kong was unsure. Could this kid really have the power to set an ambush? But then he thought of Shao Yi... A peak Yuan Court realm expert, who alone should have been enough to complete the mission. But after he fled... er, left, Shao Yi was actually killed! How did he die? In his heart, Feng Kong refused to believe that Xu Xiaoshou, with his mere ninth-level strength, could kill Shao Yi, even if the kid had many innate-level trump cards. But now, he had to believe it!

Without dwelling on minor details, he continued his deduction: "Assuming he has the power to kill me and has set an ambush, what would he do?" The rainy night fell silent once more. As he pondered, the killing intent around him receded. The fat geese on the lake started cackling again, and the water popped, as if fish were blowing bubbles.

"If I were Xu Xiaoshou..." Feng Kong tilted his head, frowning, then his eyes suddenly lit up. "I'd deduce what I'd deduce, and think what I'd think! That's it, that's exactly it! That guy is best at figuring out what others are thinking. It was like that in the courtyard; he continuously saw through my many schemes. If he intends to set an ambush, he'll definitely think from my perspective..." Feng Kong nodded solemnly, feeling he had found the right direction. "He doesn't know my strength, so he can only guess. And he definitely doesn't know that I've already figured out his identity! Therefore, if he deduces that I'll come back to kill him, he probably wouldn't expect me to charge straight through. Instead, he'd think I'd advance slowly, constantly probing, depending on the situation at the courtyard... But now that Shao Yi is dead, if he's smart, he definitely won't just sit in the courtyard waiting for death! And there's only one path to the courtyard: that long forest path..."

Feng Kong jolted. "The small grove?" Very likely! If it were according to his previous thinking, whether charging straight through or proceeding cautiously, if Xu Xiaoshou had ambushed him at the front of the small grove, he definitely wouldn't have expected it. And the outcome... Thinking of this, he couldn't help but shiver. It was terrifying! Fortunately, he had seen through all of this, so there was nothing to worry about.

A look of hatred flashed in Feng Kong's eyes. Originally, he had only taken the mission to kill someone. Now, he had to add another objective... Vengeance!

"So, the small grove, is it..." "Xu Xiaoshou, wait there obediently for your death!"