143: Only when half truth and half falsehood can the fake be mistaken for the real thing

Once inside Xiong Mao's residence, and with the door closed, the Valley Master of Hundred Flowers Valley finally breathed a sigh of relief and whispered, "Damn it, that was close. I was really afraid Bao Hui would see through our act."

Xiong Mao went over and closed the windows tightly, then drew the curtains. He quickly untied the Valley Master of Hundred Flowers Valley's Binding Martial Rope and said, "Thank goodness we pulled it off. I'm sorry you had to go through that."

"There's nothing to be sorry about. It's fine, it's all for the sake of our cooperation."

The Valley Master of Hundred Flowers Valley felt her hands and feet ache; enduring it just now was indeed quite difficult, but at least the wedding was arranged. From now on, she would be someone of status in the Axe Gang.

"Actually, I was scared to death just now, mainly because I've never acted before..." Xiong Mao's palms were sweating. He was terrified, afraid that his acting wouldn't be good enough and they'd see through him.

The Valley Master of Hundred Flowers Valley analyzed, "Actually, I think your Old Gang Leader isn't as amiable as he appears on the surface. He must be plotting something in his heart, which is why he deliberately pushed me towards you."

"Ah? No way?"

Xiong Mao had always been at odds with Bao Hui, but he had never suspected that the Old Gang Leader had any issues.

But the Valley Master of Hundred Flowers Valley was different; she was an outsider, so she easily saw the Old Gang Leader's abnormality.

"Think carefully, what was the reason for the initial animosity between you and Bao Hui?" the Valley Master of Hundred Flowers Valley asked, looking up.

"This... let me think."

Xiong Mao couldn't remember for a moment because it was too long ago; their initial conflict dated back at least ten years.

"It's alright, take your time. Tonight, we're getting married, so let's go over our lines now. Make sure you don't mess up then," the Valley Master of Hundred Flowers Valley said.

"Okay." Xiong Mao nodded, very seriously.

To perform this act well, he specifically took a small notebook to jot down his required emotions and lines, keeping it close in his storage bag... It was nearing noon.

Outside the Wall, at the Axe Gang recruitment area.

"I know you all want to join the Axe Gang and become one of its members, but!"

"The Axe Gang's internal selection process for members is very strict!"

"First, you must have a certain level of physical fitness, which means you must be able to carry heavy loads and farm! The Axe Gang definitely won't accept those who are weak and lack strength."

"Of course, if you are a Warrior, it will be even easier to join the Axe Gang. The Axe Gang has many cultivation methods available internally. As long as you can pass our selection, you will have the opportunity to cultivate!"

A person stood on the high platform, responsible for the Axe Gang's external member selection. This person was related to Old He, who was beside the Axe Gang's Old Gang Leader; he was Old He's nephew.

To ensure that all those selected from the recruitment area were from the neutral faction, Old He had his nephew manage it.

Zhuang Sanming stood among the crowd below, listening carefully. He had previously heard Xiong Mao mention the identity of the person speaking on the high platform, so he had to respond cautiously.

His goal was not to join the neutral faction led by the Old Gang Leader, but rather the faction led by Bao Hui.

Only by infiltrating the enemy's ranks could he better carry out his undercover operation.

However, trying to directly infiltrate Bao Hui's subordinates was difficult and would take too long; they didn't have that much time.

So Zhuang Sanming chose the selection method, aiming to make a name for himself here, and then, according to the plan, show his face to Bao Hui, making Bao Hui remember him.

If Bao Hui worried he was an undercover agent and wanted to investigate him, it didn't matter. With Ximen Chuifeng, the veteran intelligence dealer, they had a whole set of anti-reconnaissance methods, ensuring Bao Hui wouldn't find anything.

To help Xiong Mao ascend to the position of the next Gang Leader, Zhuang Sanming went to great lengths.

He knew that if he truly went undercover beside Bao Hui, his life would be in danger if he were exposed.

But what could he do? They were friends.

Moreover, for Zhuang Sanming, this plan was too thrilling and exciting!

Would he truly be content to remain an ordinary guild employee his entire life?

No!

Having a stable job was one thing; having the courage to take risks was another.

"Now, according to my command, those who have awakened Warrior talent, step forward!" Steward Xiao He on the high platform spoke a lot before finally getting to the point.

Zhuang Sanming then stepped forward.

Four other people also stepped forward with Zhuang Sanming.

"Oh, quite a few people." Steward Xiao He didn't expect there to be five Warriors in this batch, so he walked down and asked each of them, "What level are you all? Speak one by one."

"I am a Level 1 Warrior."

"I am also Level 1."

"I just awakened as a Warrior, so I'm also only Level 1..."

"I am Level 2."

"I am also Level 2." This was said by Zhuang Sanming.

Originally, he thought that if there were no Level 2 Warriors among these people, he would report as Level 1, so as not to be too conspicuous.

However, since there was already a Level 2 Warrior, he would also report as Level 2.

He shouldn't be too conspicuous, but he certainly shouldn't be inconspicuous either.

Otherwise, how would he get noticed?

"Not bad, not bad. There are actually two Level 2 Warriors."

Steward Xiao He seemed to not have seen Level 2 Warriors participate in the Axe Gang's member selection for a long time. After all, Warriors who generally had Level 2 cultivation could find a relatively stable job and didn't need to join the Axe Gang.

"You two, step forward," Steward Xiao He said.

"Yes." Zhuang Sanming and the other person both took two steps forward, standing opposite Steward Xiao He.

"Hmm, your physiques aren't weak either, which meets our Axe Gang's selection criteria."

Steward Xiao He seemed very satisfied with the two of them: "What are your names?"

"Hello, Steward! My name is Tao Erbao. I'm the second child in my family, and I'm twenty-eight this year." Tao Erbao spoke with full vigor, though his accent was a bit... well, it was alright.

At least Steward Xiao He could understand what he meant.

"And you?" Steward Xiao He asked Zhuang Sanming, who stood beside Tao Erbao.

Since coming to the recruitment area, Zhuang Sanming had always been very well-behaved, appearing like an honest man. This was the persona he had established for himself after finalizing the plan.

"Hello, Steward, my name is Zhuang Sanming, and I am seventeen this year."

His name was real, his age was real, but his experience and personality were fake.

Ximen Chuifeng had said that only by being half-true and half-false could one deceive effectively.

"What? Seventeen??"

Steward Xiao He's eyes widened. Being a Level 2 Warrior at seventeen could be considered a genius even within their Axe Gang!

Zhuang Sanming nodded slightly, saying nothing more.

Steward Xiao He seemed to think his reaction was a bit over-the-top, so he coughed twice, waved his hand, and said, "Hmm, you all can go back for now. Even if you're Warriors, you'll still have to participate in training later."

After Steward Xiao He noted down their names, he had the people who had stepped forward return to the line.