Chapter 39: You Will Always Be the Prey
Chapter 39: You Will Always Be the Prey
Lan Mu said gravely, “Where was this competition held? Didn’t the government intervene when people died?”
Fang Moqi said with unflinching eyes, “Each competition was held in a different location. The organizers were immensely wealthy and powerful. All archers voluntarily signed life-and-death agreements before dueling, so the tournament has always been held without interference.”
Lan Mu asked seriously, “You participated in that kind of competition and came in second?”
Fang Moqi said, “Yes. I defeated powerful opponents from various countries, not killing a single person, and won all my matches until I reached the final against one individual.”
Lan Mu looked at Fang Moqi in surprise. He hadn’t expected him to win all his matches without killing anyone in a life-and-death tournament. This meant every opponent he faced was significantly weaker than him.
Fang Moqi continued, “That person was very strong, the true world’s strongest archer, the top explorer from the United States, and a genius from the adventurer Gates Family.”
“His name was Benlatu Gates. He participated in three tournaments, won first place all three times consecutively, and didn’t kill anyone, winning with ease.”
“He was never hit by a single arrow!”
Lan Mu blinked, noticing the reminiscence and nostalgia in Fang Moqi’s eyes, along with the mutual respect between two strong individuals.
“You fought him in the final to decide the world’s best? You lost? So you became second?”
Fang Moqi said in a low voice, “Yes, I signed a life-and-death agreement with him for the final duel. Many said at the time that I was the most likely person to defeat him and become the new champion, because I had also dominated my way to the final.”
“The duel’s arena was in the primeval forests of Costa Rica. The organizers demarcated an area where we could only fight within a zone filled with hidden cameras.”
“The rules allowed hiding anywhere, with no time limit. We were both hunters and prey to each other.”
“It would only end when one died or surrendered. If an arrow hit the steel plate over the heart, it was considered a ‘kill’ and a loss.”
Lan Mu listened intently, not interrupting.
Fang Moqi continued recalling, “We hid, searched, probed, and fought to the death within a three-kilometer radius…”
“His reflexes and archery skills surpassed mine, and his abilities in jungle reconnaissance and counter-reconnaissance were also exceptional.”
“I was suppressed the entire time. The duel lasted a full three days. In those three days of challenging the limits of life and death, I grew rapidly and survived several crises.”
“After three days without food, water, or sleep, both of us were nearing our limits. The final clash happened in the rainforest.”
“Gates was ultimately stronger. He shot an arrow first. My reaction was slightly slower by a fraction of a second. Instead of dodging, I immediately shot an arrow back.”
Lan Mu widened his eyes and asked, “You were slower! So you lost?”
Fang Moqi said gloomily, “His arrow hit my chest plate, piercing through the steel and almost embedding itself in my flesh.”
“My arrow was originally going to hit his chest too, but he… was too proud. Even though he had a steel plate protecting his heart, he insisted on dodging that arrow.”
“In that split second, he performed a move I couldn’t possibly have managed at the time, dodging his heart’s position. The arrow hit his lung.”
“The organizers later ruled that I lost. He became the world’s number one archer for the fourth time. And because I was the only person who ever hit Gates, I became the undisputed second place, with no one contesting it.”
Lan Mu patted Fang Moqi’s shoulder and said, “Don’t be disheartened. Next time, you’ll definitely win. The gap between you two wasn’t that big.”
Fang Moqi said, “That’s exactly what I thought. Afterward, I trained hard in archery and constantly went to various dangerous places to temper myself, growing in extreme environments.”
“A year passed, and I improved quickly. By thirty, I had honed my reflexes to the human limit. I could say I was definitely not inferior to Gates in raw ability.”
“But when I wanted to challenge him again, I was told he had died from a bacterial infection shortly after that tournament ended, all because of my arrow.”
At this point, Fang Moqi frowned tightly, filled with frustration and regret.
“Members of the Gates Family told me that after three days in the rainforest, my arrow was teeming with viruses and bacteria. After hitting him, it caused a lung infection that killed him.”
“That guy, if he hadn’t dodged my arrow at the time, he wouldn’t have died at all!”
“But he was too proud. For honor, for maintaining that no one had ever hit him, he desperately evaded.”
“To win, he would rather be truly shot in the lung than have the arrow hit the steel plate over his heart. Even if I had hit his heart at that moment, I would have lost because I was ‘killed’ first.”
“So, the outcome of that time was… I lost, and he died.”
“That guy… I never got another chance to defeat him.”
After saying this, Fang Moqi looked dejected, saddened by the death of his greatest rival in life.
Lan Mu remembered seeing, back at the club, among the pile of weapons in Fang Moqi’s backpack, a steel plate with a hole punched through it.
After a moment’s thought, Lan Mu realized Fang Moqi had kept that steel plate pierced by Gates all along. That plate symbolized his only defeat.
Probably, his heart had never found peace, always mourning the person who died by his hand but had defeated him.
Perhaps this was the mutual respect between rivals.
“But… why do you want a life-and-death duel with me? Do you want me to go with you to participate in that tournament?” Lan Mu suddenly recalled Fang Moqi’s initial statement and asked with a perplexed expression.
Fang Moqi calmed his emotions slightly and said to Lan Mu, “It’s been three years. Apart from Gates, I have never been defeated again, yet you beat me with a bow and arrow, and crushed me at that.”
“To be honest, in archery alone, you far surpass both me and Gates.”
“But a true combat archer can only be judged through life-and-death duels.”
Fang Moqi said with a serious expression, “Gates defeated me, and I have nothing to say about that! He also paid the price with his life.”
“But I absolutely cannot allow myself to lose to anyone else! So… have a life-and-death duel with me!”
“Only by defeating me in this kind of real duel will I acknowledge you.”
Seeing Fang Moqi so solemn, as if he meant it for real, Lan Mu hesitated slightly.
It wasn’t that he was afraid. So far, Lan Mu’s two transformation forms’ home turf was in the jungle.
If the duel was held here, he didn’t believe he could die.
“But… I consider you a friend. Is a life-and-death duel really okay?”
Hearing this, Fang Moqi was taken aback, then laughed heartily and said, “I consider you a friend too!”
“Put this on. I’ve already prepared everything.”
After saying this, Fang Moqi took out two sets of chest plates connected by buckled straps, protecting both front and back.
Lan Mu took the protective gear, sighed, and said, “But you just fought a crocodile and expended energy. Do we have to compete right now?”
“It’s fine. I didn’t use much energy, and I’ve been to this jungle many times. I’m much more familiar with it than you are, so you’re at a disadvantage.”
Lan Mu was somewhat speechless and could only say, “Alright! If you insist…”
“I accept your challenge!”
“But I hope this is the last time. I sincerely don’t want to duel you again.”
Fang Moqi laughed and retreated, disappearing into the jungle while saying,
“Okay… the range is from here all the way to the previous campsite…”
“Be careful to hide yourself. I won’t go easy on you.”
After saying this, he completely vanished into the jungle.
Lan Mu also took out his bow and arrow, grew serious, turned and moved his position, running through the jungle. After about five minutes, he hid behind a large tree.
“If there’s no time limit, the longer it drags on, the more energy we’ll expend.”
“In the jungle, unless you eat raw food to replenish calories, lighting a fire would likely reveal your location.”
“In a situation where the enemy is hidden and I’m exposed, I’d be at an absolute disadvantage.”
Lan Mu initially pretended to analyze the situation, but finally realized he had no experience at all. Why was he trying to act like an expert?
“Tsk, should I just transform and get it over with? A quick battle is best. Du Yu and the others are still waiting for us to return for lunch.”
Thinking this, Lan Mu first transformed into an Elf, then put on his hat and nimbly climbed a tree over forty meters tall.
His sharp eyes scanned the surroundings. Although his ears were covered by the hat, they twitched restlessly, listening for any movement.
Suddenly, a bowstring twanged.
An arrow flew out from among the branches, heading straight for him.
Lan Mu was startled. He channeled Natural Force into his legs and swiftly shifted position, dodging the arrow.
“That was close! Found so quickly?”
Lan Mu didn’t dare stay. He agilely leaped through the canopy, jumping up and down as he ran into the distance.
This time, his speed far exceeded his human form. In about five minutes, he was lost in the jungle.
Looking around, Lan Mu hid well under the leaves, considering his options.
“Fang Moqi really has some skill. He found my human hiding spot so quickly and easily.”
“Luckily, I transformed into an Elf beforehand, allowing me to dodge that arrow.”
“Any later, and I might not even have had time to transform before being shot dead.”
Lan Mu felt a bit of lingering fear. If he had been in human form just now, he might have only reacted after the arrow hit him. Dying at Fang Moqi’s hands like that would have been a wrongful death.
Thus, Lan Mu became even more cautious, deciding to remain transformed at all times.
His human form was too weak. In a life-and-death duel against an extreme expert like Fang Moqi, his human self stood no chance of fighting back.
“Hmm, I tried my best to observe his position earlier, but even in my Elf state, I still couldn’t discover the hidden Fang Moqi. This shows his stealth skills are profound. Without reconnaissance experience, even with senses far surpassing a human’s, it’s not enough.”
“Looks like I really have to rely on the White-maned Lion then?”
“A duel where we are both hunter and prey…”
“The Predator is undoubtedly the most suitable form to transform into.”
Taking off his shirt and hat, Lan Mu instantly transformed into the White-maned Lion. His crimson gaze pierced through the dense foliage, and countless living beings fell within his perception.
“In front of the Predator, you will always only be the prey!”