Chapter 118: The Strategy of Psychological Warfare
Chapter 118: Kui Hu’s Mind Game
In Du Jinlong’s eyes, Kui Hu was nothing more than a pompous clown. In his mind, Du Jinlong thought to first let Kui Hu prattle on, and then make him suffer every torment imaginable. With malicious intent, Du Jinlong planned to kill that little bastard Kui Hu here, in this secluded place where no one would notice. That way, he would be doing a favor for the Du family—eliminating Kui Hu would mean one less rival between the Du and Kui families.
Kui Hu, with his usual careless arrogance, toyed and provoked Du Jinlong. Their confrontation was not just personal—it was an indirect battle between their two clans.
“Little Poison Dragon, come over and kneel. I’m giving you a chance to beg for mercy on your knees. If not, I’ll make you pay dearly for the words you just said.”
Ha ha ha.
Du Jinlong burst into laughter, utterly unrestrained.
“I’ve seen plenty of braggarts, but never someone who dares to spout such nonsense in front of me. Occasionally, there are fools like you who don’t know their place and try to show off before me, but do you know how those people end up? I, Du Jinlong, always make them suffer terribly. You’re no exception.”
Hearing Du Jinlong’s words, Kui Hu seemed to soften suddenly and said, “Brother Long, can’t we clear up this misunderstanding? If we can settle this without bloodshed, why not? That’s better for everyone and keeps the peace. Don’t you agree? Be magnanimous and forgive your little brother’s ignorance last time. Besides, all I did was give that woman’s ample behind a few slaps. She didn’t complain, did she? I was just about to ask her how my touch felt, but—well, you know what happened.”
He sighed, “In the end, you made things so miserable for me. Honestly, I want to tear you apart limb by limb to ease this grudge. But seeing you, Brother Long—so mighty and domineering, elegant and handsome, charming and dashing—pigs wish they were you, dogs adore you. Only the birds above fly away when they see your head, and the people below hide when they see you. Who can resist your charm, right?”
“You know, Brother Long, I just came up with this classic line thanks to you. I truly appreciate it. After the selection contest, I’ll find you ten women—eight of them uglier than pigs—to serve you. I guarantee they’ll pamper you until you’re comfortable. Please, little brother begs you, spare me, won’t you?”
Heh heh.
Du Jinlong listened to Kui Hu’s nonsensical babble, his words illogical and mismatched. He chuckled coldly, but his eyes flashed icy and sharp, hiding whatever thoughts churned within.
After Kui Hu rambled on at length, Du Jinlong finally replied, “No.”
Before Du Jinlong finished, Kui Hu cut in, feigning regret: “Ah, what a pity!”
He paused deliberately, inviting Du Jinlong to respond—a tactic Kui Hu often used to bully others. But recently, under Li Hao’s guidance, he had become more restrained.
Seven figures stood atop the cliff—Li Hao and his companions—gathering the laws of heaven and earth to their ears, listening to Kui Hu’s words with mixed amusement and disbelief.
Lin Xueyou and Lu Yao, hearing Kui Hu’s nonsense, mentally cursed him countless times—calling him scoundrel, rake, pervert—though too embarrassed to say it aloud.
Especially Ling Guanghan, who was dumbfounded by Kui Hu’s absurd speech, never having encountered anyone quite like him. That was because he didn’t truly know Kui Hu’s past.
Li Zhan and Qin Zhen exchanged glances and smiled knowingly, silently agreeing, “Our Brother Hu is back to his old self.”
Du Jinlong fell into Kui Hu’s trap and retorted, “You bastard, what’s so pitiful about that?”
Kui Hu feigned confusion. “Bastard? Who are you calling a bastard?”
Du Jinlong didn’t sense the hidden meaning and answered, “Hmph! Obviously, I’m calling you a bastard.”
Kui Hu’s face lit up as if suddenly enlightened. “Oh! So the bastard is me? Not only is it a pity that you, bastard, are already no good at such a young age, but it’s even more pitiful that pigs are smarter than you.”
Du Jinlong was tangled in Kui Hu’s twisted words, pondering their meaning for a long time before finally realizing what Kui Hu meant by “bastard,” “no good,” and “pigs are smarter.”
His fury erupted like a volcanic blast, yet he restrained himself from attacking.
Kui Hu was puzzled by Du Jinlong’s restraint, feeling he had failed to provoke him, a hint of disappointment stirring within. Just as Kui Hu pondered how to torment Du Jinlong further, Du Jinlong spoke:
“To destroy a man, you must drive him mad. Boy, if you want to die even worse, then keep on acting wild. Let me see just how reckless you are today.”
Feigning fear, Kui Hu replied, “But I only want to be wild, not destroyed.”
Du Jinlong suspected Kui Hu had accomplices and perceived his increasing recklessness as a threat. Just as he was about to strike, he noticed Kui Hu’s calm expression and doubted his earlier suspicions. He silently extended his divine awareness to scan again—still nothing. It seemed Kui Hu was playing some sort of game.
Far away, eight hundred miles above in the clouds, Li Hao and his group remained hidden within Lin Xueyou’s enchanting painting array. Even a fully realized Douyou or a Soul Tempering master would not detect their presence.
Meanwhile, four black-clad youths who knew Kui Hu’s background quietly slipped away, fearing that if they lingered, they'd lose their chance. Kui Hu’s direct approach to Du Jinlong meant ignoring them completely.
Originally, the four had intended to extort Du Jinlong, but with Kui Hu’s arrival, they had to give up. They hid at a distance, observing the unfolding scene.
After several probes, Du Jinlong found no sign of Kui Hu’s allies, assuming Kui Hu was bluffing. He said to him:
“Young Master Kui Hu, do you regret it now? It’s too late—I won’t give you that chance. Once I find your companions, I’ll send them one by one to keep you company. You won’t be alone in the dark for long.”
Kui Hu remained nonchalant and replied, “Brother Long, want to see someone even crazier?”
Du Jinlong, unsure what scheme Kui Hu planned next, asked, “What exactly are you up to today?”
Kui Hu looked as if eavesdropping and said, “I’ll come closer and tell you.”
Du Jinlong, wary of an ambush, remained on guard.
Watching this, Li Hao mused on life’s complexities. Kui Hu’s tormenting tactics were terrifying—Du Jinlong might well break mentally and be haunted by inner demons.
Li Hao began to mutter a spontaneous verse:
“Reveling and dancing, wasting days away,
When did arrogance become the norm?
Countless tales remain unwritten,
How many drunken cups pass the day?
Have you ever truly looked at a lord?
Ask! Where has youthful bloom gone?
Glancing sideways at the setting sun,
I wish to live freely and boldly,
Yet fear the song of the wind is too mundane.
The wind sweeps the lingering clouds to the heavens,
Why bother with sorrowful empty talks?”
Li Hao mumbled to himself, leaving the six around him dumbfounded and filled only with admiration.
Lin Xueyou sighed, “Little brother Li Hao, my brother finally has a worthy opponent.”
Li Hao puzzled, “?”
Lin Xueyou explained, “My brother is just like you—fond of words and poetry. Always speaking a few lines, with or without reason.”
Li Hao understood and replied, “Sister Xueyou, you flatter me. My knowledge is shallow compared to Brother Hua’s quick wit. I only occasionally ramble. It’s just that seeing Brother Kui’s wild antics makes me want to share my thoughts.”
Lu Yao added, “Brother Li Hao, since your first visit to Lishui City, you seem different.”
Li Hao asked, “What do you mean different, Sister Yao? Aside from being older and taller, I haven’t changed much.”
Lu Yao answered seriously, “I don’t know exactly, but you seem more charming now.”
The group smiled, finding Lu Yao’s observation endearing.
Lin Xueyou asked, “Sister Yao, do you mean Brother Li Hao’s heart has matured?”
Lu Yao’s eyes sparkled as she nodded vigorously, “Yes, that’s exactly it.”
Lin Xueyou said, “That’s because Li Hao has grown up.”
Lu Yao responded softly, thinking, “Brother Li Hao is only two years older than me, and I don’t feel grown up at all. Maybe in two years I’ll be an adult too. Yes, that must be it.”
What Lu Yao pondered remained known only to herself.
As Li Hao reflected, Kui Hu did something shameless.
He stepped within three paces of Du Jinlong and said, “Look, who are they?”
The moment Du Jinlong turned his head, Kui Hu struck with a thunderous fist to Du Jinlong’s head.
Although Kui Hu hadn’t summoned the laws of heaven and earth, his raw physical strength was enough that, caught unguarded, Du Jinlong saw stars.
Fuming with rage, Du Jinlong’s anger blazed like smoke from every orifice. If his fury alone could kill Kui Hu, Kui Hu would have died countless times by now. But alas, his wrath was useless against Kui Hu—only infuriating himself.
After a moment’s restraint, Du Jinlong spat, “You’re despicable and shameless!”
Kui Hu laughed, “That’s called all’s fair in war! Too bad I didn’t knock you out cold.”
Du Jinlong, enraged, coughed up blood and summoned his warblade, swinging wildly at Kui Hu in a furious onslaught.