Calamity Messenger

Chapter 351 - 286: Beaten to Tears

Pharmacist’s Wish was stunned, Shang Xinlei gulped down shrimp balls.

"I can figure out a way to resolve the Secret Realm, even if there’s no third turn, there’s a second turn. Anyway, there’s definitely no shortage of places for training." Yan Qing sat down and said, "Better than you being in the Zhou Kingdom, living in constant fear every day."

For both emotional and rational reasons, Yan Qing couldn’t just stand by. Pharmacist’s Wish’s predicament was entirely due to rescuing the Rabbit Heroine; if it weren’t for the Rabbit Heroine being rescued, True Man of Locking Dragon would absolutely not suspect her. After all, Rabbit Heroine only had two associates, one was Yellow Dog, the other was Pharmacist’s Wish. Unable to capture Yellow Dog, they would certainly target Pharmacist’s Wish.

Down in the magma, destroying the Golden Lock, under suspicion, all for the Rabbit Heroine, Pharmacist’s Wish had risked her life at least three times. Sometimes, Yan Qing felt that their efforts for the Rabbit Heroine had already far exceeded the value of the Rabbit Heroine as a character.

"...The Duke of Jin defected to the Zhou Kingdom, surely my warrant is plastered all over the Three Central Plains Kingdoms, the risk of exposure is very high." Pharmacist’s Wish asked, "Do you dare to let your subordinates take risks with me?"

"I dare."

"Why? Actually, I’m not in too much danger in the Zhou Kingdom; even Locking Dragon Bodhisattva no longer suspects me, as long as I’m careful—"

"Because I need you."

Pharmacist’s Wish looked up at Yan Qing, misty and unclear in her gaze.

"Your role in Thief’s House is irreplaceable, and with Dragon and Snake Seven Kills, even more so. To keep you as a comrade, there’s nothing I won’t dare to risk." Yan Qing said slowly, "If you want to thank me, then don’t make me act in future missions."

"No time to delay, you’d better not go back, just stay at Thief’s House, wait for me to settle things for you there, then just—"

"No, I can’t." Pharmacist’s Wish shook her head, "If I leave, Wuqiu and Shidong are really doomed. I can’t abandon them."

Thief’s House fell silent, Shang Xinlei spoke softly, "The food is getting cold."

The plate in her hand held no shrimp balls.

"Let’s eat." Pharmacist’s Wish braced herself, "We still have training afterwards, it’s been six days, I just hope you haven’t regressed."

...

...

Today’s training is ground combat.

Ground combat means when knocked down and the enemy comes to suppress you, how to resist or even counter them, similar to judo’s ground techniques.

This is a combat technique that won’t appear in games, but is very important in reality, because unless entering a system-recognized ’knockdown’ state, game characters can stand up simply using their toes, but living people certainly can’t do this. Moreover, game characters aren’t disoriented by attacks, but real people can feel lost after a hit in the heat of battle, making knockdowns very probable.

During training, defensive barriers cannot be activated. Both sides fight hand-to-hand on the ground, aiming to completely suppress the opponent. At first glance, the training scene is somewhat captivating, given Shang Xinlei and Pharmacist’s Wish are both beauties, their legs entwining like pythons, either pinning or being pinned. It’s an exhilarating spectacle that in a game, would prompt Yan Qing to say ’I’ll pay fifty to act in this episode’ as a bonus.

Unfortunately, reality requires actual fights.

In real combat, there’s no distraction; Pharmacist’s Wish, not to mention, every move is powerful and heavy-handed. If Yan Qing isn’t careful, he might get his eyes poked, just guarding against her sneak moves makes Yan Qing break into a sweat; Shang Xinlei, somehow unusually fierce today, accidentally scratched him numerous times, even biting him; not human, but clearly a venomous snake.

However, Pharmacist’s Wish kept praising Shang Xinlei, for once drawn into ground combat, it’s already unseemly, indicating a major mistake, losing the standing human privilege, thus transforming into an anything goes beast, with shame meaningless; only those surviving have the right to stand up again.

But the benefits aren’t non-existent. As Yan Qing retreated to rest, watching Shang Xinlei and Pharmacist’s Wish fight, their long legs intertwining, their beautiful figures stacking... quite interesting indeed!

Then Yan Qing suffered heavy damage—when his turn came, Shang Xinlei ripped his clothes, leaving three bloody scratches on his chest.

Yan Qing glanced at his clothes torn to shreds, then at Shang Xinlei. What’s up with you? Accidentally tearing my clothes, I could accept, but why did you completely rip them off? I’m bewildered, between us, who’s the beauty?

Shang Xinlei blushed, turning away, pressing her lips, saying, "I’ll buy you a set of clothes."

"No need to..."

"I’ll go get it now!"

Watching Shang Xinlei run off, Yan Qing scratched his head; aren’t you in a military town? Talking like you’re at a tailor’s shop, ready to immediately buy clothes.

"Want to continue?" Pharmacist’s Wish asked.

"Sure." Yan Qing swallowed a Blood Replenishing Pill, touched his chest, the bleeding had stopped, "Actually..."

"What?"

"If you want to take Wuqiu and Shidong, that’s fine," Yan Qing said, looking at her, "all of you temporarily join [Natural Disaster], split into three days, one per day, maybe many are watching you, but no one would pay attention to maids disappearing for two days."

Pharmacist’s Wish extended her right hand, expression flat, "Talk after training."

Yan Qing also extended his right hand, the two hands crossed, then simultaneously charged, attempting to pin each other to the ground!

Pharmacist’s Wish’s strength prevailed, Yan Qing’s back hit the hard ground of the Thief Hall, then they rolled and tussled like a cylinder, every rise, turn, and fall was an attack and defense. Yan Qing’s eyes caught the stone chair, fiercely flinging her towards the stone chair’s footing!

But Pharmacist’s Wish instantly grabbed his right hand, trying to lock him in a cross-fixed position! Yan Qing immediately moved to counter her cross-lock, everything until now was normal training but in the next second, Yan Qing’s expression changed drastically: Pharmacist’s Wish used the palm blade!

In ground combat, weapons aren’t allowed; everyone is barehanded, yet even bare-handed, differences exist. Yan Qing and Pharmacist’s Wish both primarily train with guns and blades; compared to fists, palm blades undoubtedly showcase their skills more and with greater lethality, using Qi Blood of the Third-Turn Messenger, treating palm blades as weapons is perfectly fine!

Pharmacist’s Wish was getting serious!

Yan Qing took several hits; the wounded areas burned unbearably, even bleeding from Pharmacist’s Wish’s strikes; her hands were practically two short spears! Yan Qing also fought with rising fury, shifting from fists to palms, in the close-range struggle, a dazzling blade-like sheen emerged.

His shoulder throbbed, Pharmacist’s Wish’s right hand pierced through his tight defense, striking his shoulder bone. Secret Technique: Flow, Yan Qing had seen Pharmacist’s Wish utilize it before; only as an opponent does one feel the magic of this technique—attack trajectories suddenly halt and even change direction, no matter the focus, it’s impossible to react, perfect for a Messenger like Pharmacist’s Wish who relies on decisive strikes.

But when it comes to Secret Techniques, I won’t lose!

Yan Qing’s hands became a blur, slashing at Pharmacist’s Wish’s tiger mouth, elbow, and waist. Secret Technique: Naraku Curse specifically targets joint areas, using offensive tactics as defense, highly advantageous in ground combat, though Yan Qing felt too reliant would diminish training effectiveness, hence refrained from using it.

If Pharmacist’s Wish is a raging wild wolf, then he is a muscle-peeling butcher!

Pharmacist’s Wish retreated incessantly, knowing Yan Qing possessed true damage, plus Naraku Curse’s weak-spot damage; her hands soon lost strength. Just as Yan Qing believed he had success in his grasp, Pharmacist’s Wish suddenly hugged his neck, ramming with her forehead!

Risking it all!?

Yan Qing endured the dizziness, instinctively pinning Pharmacist’s Wish’s neck with his arm. In ground combat, suppressing the neck signifies absolute victory, akin to Ying Rushi suppressing Yan Shiyi with a single sword.

"I win!" Yan Qing exhaled heavily. Were it not for Pharmacist’s Wish suddenly pulling out all stops, an ordinary sparring match might not secure a win against Pharmacist’s Wish, "You—"

He lowered his head, seeing Pharmacist’s Wish’s face streaked with tears, mingling with forehead blood. She tightly bit her lower lip, staring blankly at the ceiling.