Chapter 522

Chapter 522 Weak

“Oh…?” Qi Xia quickly perceived that Wei Yang’s mastery over {Heart Insight} surpassed that of {Celestial Snake}.

He hadn’t even looked into Qi Xia’s eyes, yet he had immediately discerned his thoughts.

Had Wei Yang really unraveled, in just a few seconds, information that even {Celestial Snake} could not decode instantaneously?

“Let me,” Qiao Jiajin declared, stepping forward with measured, deliberate pace. He made no effort to hide his approach, walking straight toward the entrance of the farm.

“Right, Ole Qiao’s {Reverberation} is still active…” Chen Junnan had barely opened his mouth when a clear, lingering bell sounded from afar. Given how far they were from the city center, its reach spoke only of the bell’s sheer magnitude.

“You’re kidding right?” Chen Junnan forced a wry smile. “I was just about to praise you, and now… that’s it?”

“Haha!” Qiao Jiajin replied without concern. “Junnan lad, it’s already good enough, at least better than last time.”

“Then don’t go provoking him…” Chen Junnan frowned, grabbing Qiao Jiajin’s arm. “That old lunatic isn’t going to buy any of your reasoning.”

“Relax, relax…” Qiao Jiajin continued to smile, gently freeing himself from Chen Junnan’s grasp. “Even without my {Reverberation}, I can go up and have a chat with him. You probably don’t know this but… talking is my specialty.”

“Huh?” The words left Chen Junnan dumbfounded. “Ole Qiao, this young master knows your tricks inside out. Your idea of {chatting} doesn’t fly with normal people, it only works on lunatics!”

“Isn’t he exactly a lunatic?”

Qi Xia watched Qiao Jiajin advance with a calm expression, while in the distance Wei Yang continued tending to the severed limbs in his field. For a brief moment, the scene felt almost surreal.

Before he could voice a warning, Qiao Jiajin had already crossed into the field. With a soft {plop}, something gave way beneath his foot.

The trap was completely buried in the soil, invisible from the surface. The instant Qiao Jiajin stepped on it, the ground before him erupted in movement, rolling and heaving violently.

From beneath the soil, a nail-studded door panel surged upward, clamping toward Qiao Jiajin like a clam closing its shell.

{Whoosh}!

Qi Xia and Chen Junnan, watching from afar, barely managed to react. Qiao Jiajin had already seized the panels and held them apart, keeping them from snapping closed as dust showered down.

Qi Xia and Chen Junnan, still shaken, took a few steps forward, only to notice that Qiao Jiajin had pressed three fingers against the door panel, dodging the nails while halting its forward surge.

“Ptooey ptooey…” Qiao Jiajin spat out the dust in his mouth. “Good thing my reflexes are faster than my brain… You puk-gaai lan-joeng, planning to kill me without a word?”

Wei Yang continued singing to the severed limbs scattered across the farm, completely ignoring Qiao Jiajin’s words.

“Damn, ignoring me, huh?” Qiao Jiajin brushed the dust off his clothes and strode forward. “Not even a chat, huh?”

“Ole Qiao!” Chen Junnan called out with some concern. “Be careful, there might still be traps…”

“It’s fine…he’s already ticked me off,” Qiao Jiajin said. “If he wants to speak with fists, then fists it is.”

He glanced back at Qi Xia, eyes serious. “Swindler lad, can I fight him?”

“Of course,” Qi Xia nodded. “Do what you need to do.”

Hearing that, Qiao Jiajin immediately tore off his dust-covered shirt and tossed it aside without hesitation. As he readied himself to make a scene, he noticed how lean he looked. 

“Damn…” Qiao Jiajin covered his upper body, a touch embarrassed. “I’d forgotten I was this scrawny…”

“Uh…” Chen Junnan blinked. “Ole Qiao, should I do the stripping for ya this time?”

“N-No need…” Qiao Jiajin shook his head. “I’ll handle it myself. This body’s still enough for him.”

Step by step, Qiao Jiajin advanced toward Wei Yang, his tone cooling. “Hey you… Farmer lou, look at me.”

“Qiao Jiajin, oh, Qiao Jiajin…” Wei Yang shook his head incessantly. He set the watering can in his hand down beside him, then lifted his face, revealing a thoroughly deranged expression. “Have you not died enough? Do you want to obtain another chance at death from me?”

“Enough?” Qiao Jiajin let out a faint smile. “Farmer lou, I grew up poor. So whatever others are willing to give me, I take it all.”

“Fascinating…” Wei Yang raised a hand and scratched at his forehead, leaving a smear of blood behind. He swayed as he stood, forcing a thin smile onto his face. “You really don’t lie, do you…”

“This is our first meeting,” Qiao Jiajin replied. “What reason would I have to lie to you?”

“Oh, nono… punk…” Wei Yang waved his pitch-black palm dismissively. “It’s precisely because you think this is our first meeting that there’s no need for you to tell the truth.”

“Lying’s too tiring,” Qiao Jiajin said, shaking his head. “Farmer lou, stand properly. I’m about to punch you.”

“Hm…?” An expression that was equal parts laughter and disbelief flickered across Wei Yang’s face. “Punch me? Hahahaha!”

“That’s right. Which side are you planning to take it on, your left cheek or your right?” Qiao Jiajin stepped forward, the air around him subtly shifting.

“Neither.” Wei Yang also stepped forward. “Qiao Jiajin, why lay hands on me…? Might it be that your failure to save your brother back then has led you to take it out on me?”

“You!!” Qiao Jiajin was clearly provoked by the words. He took another step forward, swinging a hook aimed straight at Wei Yang’s cheek.

Yet, the moment his fist moved, Wei Yang had already begun pulling back, as if he had anticipated Qiao Jiajin’s action. The punch narrowly skimmed past Wei Yang’s face, grazing nothing, leaving him completely unharmed.

“Hahaha!” Wei Yang laughed, the sound echoing across the farm. “Why are you panicking? Why does your punch feel nothing like what you imagined?”

Qiao Jiajin didn’t reply. He stepped back and struck again. The result was identical: Wei Yang, anticipating the move, shifted his foot and once again narrowly evaded the blow.

It seemed Wei Yang possessed not only {Heart Insight}, but also some foundational martial skill. Yet he carried himself with a refined air, giving no impression of formal training. These combat instincts were clearly honed through survival in {End Point}.

“Ole Qiao seems off,” Chen Junnan frowned. “Why do his movements look so strange?”

Qi Xia glanced at Qiao Jiajin and naturally understood. A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. “Rest assured..”

Once more, Wei Yang dodged Qiao Jiajin’s attack, laughing uproariously, rocking back and forth. “Punk! Your mouth doesn’t lie, but your actions do! Well-conceived in thought, but the execution is pathetic!”

Once again, Qiao Jiajin retracted his fist, furrowing his brow. “Damn… so floppy, so weak. What kind of body is this?”

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TL Note: Rant goes here ( •̯́ ₃ •̯̀)