Chapter 139: Chapter 49 Stratagem Chapter 139: Chapter 49 Stratagem Editor: Noodletown Translations “`
His opponent was a lieutenant officer, which wasn’t unexpected.
But!
How could he have a weapon in his hand!
This was entirely beyond Mu Fan’s expectations, because the competition had been about unarmed combat since it started yesterday, with no weapons involved.
At the critical moment of the second day’s competition, Mu Fan found himself at a disadvantage.
With a puzzled look, Mu Fan walked forward and stopped at the edge of the 60th fighting platform, no longer moving.
“Candidate No.
1578?
Are you joining the fight?”
“Yes.”
“Please enter the fighting platform.”
“Please tell me first why he has a weapon.”
Mu Fan pointed with his right hand, drawing everyone’s attention to the long fighting staff in the officer’s hand.
People noticed that although it was just a regular training staff, it clearly didn’t comply with the competition rules.
Oh?
The referee sized up Mu Fan and casually explained: “The sparring bouts adhere to military rules, which allow weapon combat.
You can apply for one too, but only a training staff is provided.”
Seeing the referee’s dismissive attitude and hearing these words, Mu Fan suddenly recalled what he had read on the electronic plaque before the competition started.
“All rules in the final selection stage are as per military arrangements.”
Now he finally understood what this statement implied.
It was plainly telling him.
Everything was according to military arrangements.
So, was the person in front of him at level 17?
When Mu Fan finally stepped onto the fighting platform, he noticed the inexplicably meaningful gaze in the officer’s eyes across from him, feeling that something was off.
“Federation Lieutenant, Tian Qingyun, pleased to make your acquaintance!”
“Mu Fan, pleased to make your acquaintance!”
Mu Fan casually caught the training staff tossed from the sidelines, weighed it in his hand, finding it wooden with insufficient weight and limited lethality.
It seemed like a perk from the military; a sparring match couldn’t be tougher than a formal one, right?
With a right-handed swing, he effortlessly slung the long staff behind him with one hand.
The battle began!
…
On the mid-air platform, the Academy Observation Team and the Nobility Observation Group remained on opposite sides.
However, today the noble side lacked the presence of Wang Nuonuo.
After witnessing a few bloody fights yesterday, she flatly refused to return today, saying that seeing too much would ruin her appetite, and without an appetite, she wouldn’t stay beautiful, as per Miss Wang’s words.
Meanwhile, the Academy Observation Team’s side was still bustling.
Today was the final battle for a thousand candidates; from now on, every contestant had to possess a certain strength.
Observers, with their keen eyes, couldn’t afford to miss any potential talents today.
The battle for student recruitment resources had already begun.
“Instructor Ruan, why are you still paying attention to contestant No.
1578?
He’s in a sparring round this time.
What’s there to observe?
You’d be better off scouting other talents unless he’s the only one you want.”
“Hahaha, with our Dawn Academy in the mix, I’m afraid you can’t be so confident about winning him over, Instructor Ruan.”
Ignoring the chatter beside him, Ruan Xiongfei quietly observed the stage below.
This kid got injured?
What a keen eye!
One glance and he could already see Mu Fan’s current condition.
This kid was not in good shape today; could something have happened yesterday?
Also, that officer opposite him, why didn’t the military inform the academy about such arrangements!
Despite his rough exterior, Bald Ruan was acute and sensitive, sensing something amiss—a superb sense of intuition befitting a 25th-level Martial Path Master!
…
Mu Fan twirled the long staff with his right arm, naturally assuming a defensive stance.
Now he could only rely on strength from one arm, making his movements cumbersome, but he couldn’t reveal too much; otherwise, some observant individuals might notice something.
Suddenly, Mu Fan sensed the officer across subtly glancing at his left arm.
Although slight, it didn’t escape Mu Fan’s keen eyes.
Did he notice!?
How could he be targeting my left arm before the fight even started, or was it just an inadvertent glance?
Mu Fan frowned deeply, instinctively feeling that something was wrong.
Ha!
The opponent suddenly moved, his explosive speed shrinking Mu Fan’s pupils!
This speed?
How could he be merely level 17, perhaps he was a speed-type fighter?
Lieutenant Tian thrust his staff, the fierce wind sound raising the hairs on Mu Fan’s shoulder.
The opponent made a direct jab at his left arm!
He was absolutely prepared!
Mu Fan twisted his left arm to evade and used his right hand to push the staff vertically to block the attack.
This power?
It was also beyond what a level 17 could possess.
Lieutenant Tian maintained a focused expression, but his gaze started dancing around Mu Fan’s body.
He was searching for a weakness.
This match was a sparring round, plus being the “Great Demon King” from the last bout who was fortunate to get a sparring round again, not many people paid attention here.
But who would have thought Mu Fan’s left arm was nearly crippled, and his opponent nowhere near the purported 17th level from the military!
A sideways glance at the referee, who appeared listless as if he had no concern for what was happening.
Whoosh!
Mu Fan used the staff to support a spinning side kick, deflecting the incoming long staff.
Was the opponent gradually adjusting to his pace?
…
Right now, on stage, Mu Fan wasn’t attacking; instead, he dodged back and forth, constantly testing his opponent’s strength.
Below the stage and in midair, some people’s eyes showed unusual expressions.
“This can’t be level 17!” Ruan Xiongfei, after seeing Mu Fan push away the opponent’s long staff and step back, immediately concluded.
His sharp eyes couldn’t miss whether it was a real retreat or a fake one.
Mu Fan’s step back had no support that could sustain any force, making it clear—
Mu Fan’s opponent’s strength was utterly inconsistent with the claims!
When the self-proclaimed Lieutenant Tian Qingyun used his elbow with the long staff for several special joint techniques, Ruan Xiongfei’s hand suddenly applied force.
Creak.
The alloy armrest bore a handprint from his grip.
Because he recognized those special moves!
They were secretive killing skills of the Federation Army Special Guard Team!
Those preparatory movements were entirely for storing power for a later lethal attack, and these were weaponized killing skills.
What exactly was the Federation military trying to do?
The Army Special Guard Team was an elite force directly under the Military Department, and the minimum physical level of soldiers there was—
Level 20!
If Ruan Xiongfei couldn’t see through the game here, then he could cut himself.
“I didn’t expect the conspiracy to extend to this examination venue; just what is this corroding military trying to do!
Snuff out geniuses?”
After his thoughts, Ruan Xiongfei intended to leave but found that the hundred-meter long circular balcony room was actually sealed.
Noticing the tightly closed door and the crane that had been withdrawn, Bald Uncle Ruan’s face turned terrifyingly grim.
“Bald Ruan, what are you doing?” A teacher asked upon seeing the grizzled veteran over there.
“Nothing.” Ruan Xiongfei coldly replied, returning to where he had previously stood, quietly watching below.
Meanwhile, he pulled out his Sky Communication and dialed a number.
“Hello?
Ruan Xiongfei, check if any members of the Army Special Guard have gone to the Purple Jade Star in the fourth Administrative District recently.”
The officer’s preparatory movements had reached the eighth move; one more, and he’d unleash the killer move!
As the involved party, Mu Fan felt his opponent’s speed increasing, and strength growing, making single-arm defense increasingly strenuous?
Suddenly, he saw the opposing officer brandish the staff and leap backward, assuming a vigilant posture.
Hand in hand, the staff made a peculiar spin, with the other end aimed at Mu Fan.
That’s when it hit Mu Fan, as if recalling that the officer had been attacking with only one side all along!
What was he planning?
“`