Chapter 300: Carnival Goes Wrong

Chapter 300: Revelry Turns to Trouble

After exchanging insights on martial will with Yang Shan for a while, Qi Yuan returned to his home.

As soon as he entered, he saw the cat sprawled limp on the sofa, looking utterly drained and thoroughly worn out.

When it noticed Qi Yuan’s return, the cat cast a faint glance in his direction, offering no reaction.

Zero-One, the robot, thoughtfully served a cup of hot tea, standing beside Qi Yuan like a devoted butler.

“Followers increased by 4,572; yesterday’s earnings were 2,321 yuan.”

“The goods from the revelry shipment have arrived and are stored in the warehouse.”

“Seven videos were filmed today, yet to be edited; editing is expected to be completed tomorrow.”

“Regarding the limits of martial arts, Zero-One has scoured various online sources and even infiltrated the Qinyuan Nation’s national database, obtaining 145 pieces of useful information.

After analyzing and organizing these 145 pieces, a conclusion has been reached.

To break through the limits of martial arts, one must visit martial arts ruins.

Currently, across the globe, there are 231 martial arts ruins.”

Zero-One reported various pieces of information.

Now, it evolved every single day.

In fact, it was even stronger than those ordinary puppets from the Canglan Realm.

It possessed formidable hacking skills, capable of infiltrating even the Qinyuan Nation’s secret databases to acquire hidden information.

Xie Xinsu, overhearing Zero-One’s voice, felt indignant.

This robot was utterly inhuman, more heartless than any capitalist—it had dragged her into filming seven videos today.

Seven videos were bad enough, but relying on her to earn two thousand yuan a day, and what did she get? Cat food costing dozens of yuan per catty.

No cat toys, no cat trees—nothing.

Wasn’t this outright animal abuse?

Xie Xinsu hadn’t yet realized that she was gradually accepting her fate as a cat.

But hearing the last part, a slight smirk curled on her small lips.

What era was this, still thinking about practicing martial arts?

The Star of Arch was on the verge of a spiritual resurgence; only someone like her, who cultivated immortality, had a future.

Only through immortality could one hope to attain the great path of eternal life.

Of course, now that she was a cat, even if she had these thoughts, she couldn’t express them.

Even if she could, why would she introduce the immortal path to this cold, heartless, uncultured, and clueless man?

Most importantly, if she showed any other talents, there was no doubt that this dog of a robot would drag her into filming videos.

When would such days ever end?

“Martial arts ruins?” Qi Yuan was slightly taken aback.

From Yang Shan, he hadn’t obtained any related information.

But upon hearing that this news came from the Qinyuan Nation’s secret database, Qi Yuan understood.

Though Yang Shan had reached the limits of martial arts, his understanding of it might not be as deep as some professor’s.

In a society like Qinyuan Nation, all the powerful and wealthy were surely obsessed with longevity.

Experiments on longevity were absolutely terrifying in number.

It was only natural for the elite to set their sights on martial arts.

If the martial arts ruins truly held the hope of breaking through the limits of martial arts, he would go there after the martial arts tournament ended.

Now, only three days remained until the tournament began.

He had no time to visit the ruins.

“It seems your hacking skills are quite formidable, able to steal such hidden information.” Qi Yuan couldn’t help but praise.

Zero-One was his own creation; the stronger it became, the more gratified Qi Yuan felt.

“Not only that, but any information online, if I wish, I can almost obtain it.

While searching the web, I also came across many interesting things. I’ve compiled them. If you’d like to see them, Master, I can send them to you.” Zero-One said proudly.

Now, it was becoming more and more human-like.

“What interesting things?” Qi Yuan asked.

“It’s…” Zero-One lowered its voice and said.

Hearing this, Qi Yuan’s expression turned odd: “Distributing pornographic and obscene material is illegal.

And… you’re not my friend.

Only sharing among friends isn’t against the law.”

Qi Yuan didn’t accept the file package.

After all, it was just some electronic data.

Even ordinary humans were nothing but various elements like carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, weren’t they?

The next day.

Qi Yuan went to the martial arts hall again.

This time, he hadn’t been practicing martial arts for long when Xu Tiehua came running over to find him.

“Junior Brother Qi Yuan, the martial arts tournament is in three days. About the team competition, want to practice a bit?”

Xu Tiehua was eagerly anticipating the team competition.

Now that he had money and power, he wanted fame.

Sometimes, fame was very useful; certain titles and gimmicks could play a huge role.

“No rush. Let’s gather the night before the competition.” Qi Yuan said casually.

These words left Xu Tiehua at a loss, but he had good composure and said slowly, “Wouldn’t that be too late?

The rules of the team competition are somewhat complicated.

If we devise a strategy first, we might achieve better results.”

“Aren’t the rules of martial arts just about who has the harder fist?” Qi Yuan asked doubtfully. “When the time comes, I’ll just knock all the opponents down. That should solve the problem, right?”

These words left Xu Tiehua speechless again.

What Qi Yuan said was correct.

But that was based on having overwhelming strength.

The four participating members of the Mingwu Martial Arts Hall weren’t very strong.

Especially Qi Yuan, who probably hadn’t even obtained his martial artist certification. How could he have the nerve to say such a thing?

But the thought that Qi Yuan did indeed have a certificate left Xu Tiehua with no choice but to say helplessly, "You have a point, but... our strength isn't enough; we need tactics."

"No wonder you're not strong enough—you're always chatting idly. If you trained as hard as I do, would you still worry about lacking strength?" Qi Yuan said casually.

His body was still moving through the forms of his boxing.

Though his progress had slowed since reaching the martial limit,

he persisted in his training without pause.

Qi Yuan's words brought a flush to Xu Tiehua's face.

He hadn't expected Qi Yuan to be such a true martial arts fanatic.

And he himself had always treated martial arts as a mere calling card; hearing Qi Yuan's words, he felt a pang of shame.

"You're right—if you practice martial arts, you should do it properly." Xu Tiehua decided not to disturb Qi Yuan any longer.

"Martial arts... are fascinating." Qi Yuan looked at Xu Tiehua and said softly.

Over these past three months, as he trained daily, his understanding of the martial path had deepened.

He knew that he had not yet even set foot on the true path of martial arts.

In his view, the martial arts of this world held no less potential than the immortal arts of other realms.

"Martial arts are fascinating?" Xu Tiehua was taken aback by Qi Yuan's words, seeming somewhat puzzled.

But he didn't press further and simply walked away.

Not far off, Wang Shiqiao witnessed this scene and couldn't help giving Qi Yuan a thumbs-up: "You're really something, daring to talk to Brother Xu like that."

Though Xu Tiehua was approachable in the dojo,

the other trainees still regarded him with respect and awe.

They knew they could never speak to Xu Tiehua the way Qi Yuan did.

"I was just stating the facts." Qi Yuan glanced at Wang Shiqiao. "But I am indeed braver than you."

Hearing this, the smile froze on Wang Shiqiao's face.

"Your mouth should have been sewn shut with a needle and thread," she said indignantly.

"Why don't you say that to that Guiran fellow?" Qi Yuan shrugged.

Wang Shiqiao's courage was as small as ever.

At Qi Yuan's words, many of the trainees present laughed.

Ever since three months ago, when Wang Shiqiao had traded insults with an officer from the Wugui Kingdom,

that officer had been sending her private messages every day, cursing her out.

Wang Shiqiao couldn't hold back either, and they'd been hurling abuse at each other daily,

a full three months of mutual insults.

Of course, it was limited to online sparring.

This incident had spread through the dojo and become a running joke. That's why Qi Yuan said Wang Shiqiao was timid.

If it were him, not only would he not have traded insults online for three months, he'd have tracked the guy down and killed him the very same day.

"If he dares to come to Tianyue, I'll make sure he gets what's coming to him!" Wang Shiqiao said bitterly, glaring at Qi Yuan. "This didn't happen to you—if it had, what would you do?

Would you rush off to the battlefield and beat up that Guiran officer?"

Xing Yu laughed at that point: "Forget Qi Yuan—if it were me, I'd have blocked and muted him long ago, not traded insults for three months.

Actually, I wouldn't have started arguing with him online in the first place."

Qi Yuan looked at Wang Shiqiao: "If he dared to curse me like that, I'd definitely go over and kill him."

"Anyone can brag," Wang Shiqiao said loudly.

"Back then, on the Divine Flower Society forum, someone kept cursing me, framing and slandering me.

Luckily, there's still kindness in this world—a good person helped me record all those people.

Then I traveled thousands of miles and judged each one of them.

At that time, I didn't even have a mental illness certificate, yet I dared to do that.

Now that I have the certificate, do you think my courage would shrink?"

Qi Yuan said truthfully.

"Stop bragging. What's the Divine Flower Society?"

"An immortal cultivation forum!" Qi Yuan replied.

"Immortal cultivation? That's ridiculous!"

"If I were making it up, I wouldn't make up something so absurd.

Something this absurd, I'm more inclined to believe it's true," Xing Yu said with a smile.

"If it's true, can I join the Divine Flower Society?" Wang Shiqiao joked.

"No, because... your talent is too low."

Qi Yuan refused outright.

Back then, he had expended a lot of effort and, with the help of his junior sister Jiang Lingsu, managed to join the Divine Flower Society.

Not just anyone could enter.

Wang Shiqiao's aptitude for immortal cultivation was quite ordinary, far from being a genius.

"Tch, afraid I'll expose your secrets, huh?

Traveling thousands of miles to kill people—have you ever even been abroad?" Wang Shiqiao laughed, mocking him wildly.

Just then, Qi Yuan's phone rang.

He was slightly startled.

His phone number was known to a few, but not many.

Generally, no one would call him, especially at this hour.

Now, the screen showed an unfamiliar number.

"Hello?" Qi Yuan answered.

On the other end came a voice, anxious and hesitant.

"Is this Mr. Qi?"

"Who is this?"

"I'm Kuanghuan's wife. Kuanghuan... something happened.

I... I don't know what to do. I've begged so many people, but no one can help. Finally... sob..."

The woman's voice choked with tears.

It was clear that she was in a terrible state, her spirit nearly broken.

His speech was also unclear.

Qi Yuan narrowed his eyes: "Where are you?"

"I'm at... Xinyang..."

"Mm... I'll come over later."

Qi Yuan thought it over and decided to go anyway.

After all, Carnival counted as his collaborator.

Moreover, over these three months, he had done his utmost for Qi Yuan, sparing him any worry.

All sorts of mutated sea monsters and the like—he caught them on demand.

It could be said that he was Qi Yuan's representative in the outside world.

If something happened to him, Qi Yuan would still lend a hand.

The call ended, and Wang Shiqiao leaned in: "What's the matter? Need our help?"

On the phone, Wang Shiqiao had heard a woman crying.

Clearly, Qi Yuan had run into some trouble.

As members of the same martial arts school, part of the same social circle, they counted as friends.

When trouble arose, everyone was willing to help each other.

Xing Yu also asked: "If it's tricky, you can tell us. We may not be much, but many hands make light work."

The martial arts school was also a social circle, forming a community of shared interests.

People like them, with modest wealth, could band together for warmth and exert no small strength.

"No need, just a small matter. A... friend of mine is in trouble. I'll go check on him," Qi Yuan said casually.

As he spoke, he sent a command to Ling Yi on his phone, asking him to arrange a ticket.

"Good, as long as it's minor," Wang Shiqiao sighed in relief. "Make sure to handle it quickly. Don't miss the martial arts tournament in three days."

"Mm." Qi Yuan nodded, bid farewell to the group, and left the martial arts school.

...

In Xinyang City, inside a lavishly decorated villa.

A young woman's face still bore traces of tears; her mind was lost, utterly at a loss.

Beside her stood a burly woman, whose eyes blazed with fury ready to erupt.

"Damn it, to hell with the bigger picture, to hell with not being able to show face.

My brother worked for them, and now that he's been captured by Wugui, they won't rescue him, won't apply diplomatic pressure—they even disown him outright?"

At this, the burly woman was furious.

She was Carnival's sister, Rapture, but at this moment she felt no joy at all.

The young woman looked haggard: "I went to see that general. He said there's nothing he can do about this."

"What do you mean nothing he can do? Isn't he just afraid of being held accountable?" Rapture gritted her teeth. "He won't put in the effort!"

Carnival had long worked for the military of Qinyuan Kingdom, helping to clear out arms stockpiles and supporting Yuelang Kingdom against Wugui Kingdom.

This time, a traitor emerged within Qinyuan Kingdom; Carnival was exposed and captured by Wugui's military.

"But that general said... Carnival's life isn't in danger. He said if we just wait patiently, in three years at most, Wugui will send him back.

I begged others, and they mostly said the same." The young woman felt helpless as she spoke.

She came from a modest background; without Carnival, she couldn't handle such major affairs.

The generals above Carnival were unwilling to help her, and she had no recourse.

She went to many of Carnival's friends, only to receive similar answers.

None of them wanted to get involved; most just comforted her to relax and wait—Carnival would surely be released.

But without seeing Carnival, she couldn't find peace.

"A bunch of trash. When my brother was around, they fawned over him. The moment he's in trouble, they treat us like plague victims?" Rapture grew angrier with each word.

"At least there's that Mr. Qi. He's willing to come here.

I wonder if he has any way to rescue Carnival." The young woman had already taken Qi Yuan as her only lifeline.

"Mr. Qi... who is he?" Rapture looked puzzled.

She didn't know much about Qi Yuan.

"He is..." the young woman hesitated, "someone my husband greatly admires."

"Someone my brother admires? Could he be from some big family?" Rapture wondered, then grew disappointed.

In this situation, even a big family stepping in would be useless.

After all, this was a game between two great nations.

Even people like them, minor nobles, could be sacrificed at any moment.

Still, the thought that Mr. Qi would come brought a shred of comfort to Rapture.

Even if it was futile, at least his attitude was there.

(End of chapter)