Rebirth: I Became a Maggot 2

Chapter 24 The Swordsman Mantis

I thought everything would be fine once I got out, but I never expected to be stopped by those big green caterpillars. To explain what was going on, I had to explain some of my experiences after separating from Dafu.

As I slowly told the story, I cleverly switched places with the giant green caterpillar. After I finished telling the story, I took Dafu and desperately fled towards the big banyan tree.

I refuse to believe that we can't escape when they're all web crawlers, even when they're deliberately trying to outmaneuver us.

But despite all my calculations, I overlooked one unexpected factor: the fireflies dancing above us, the so-called "Fire Dancers."

The firefly was like a beacon in the sky, constantly guiding the large green caterpillar in its pursuit. They were already quite close, and with the addition of a firefly, how could they possibly escape?

I'm practically devastated. Why is it so hard for me to turn back into a human? I'm already struggling to become a fly. I wonder what I'll have to go through to become a human again.

"You damned bastards, don't think you can escape!" The large green worm kept chasing after them, roaring angrily from time to time.

What I hate most are the fireflies above us. Every now and then they'll call out to those behind us, "They're here! They hid inside a straw, one of those milk tea straws. They've crawled out, then went into another hole, and now they're out again."

I almost cried when I heard the live broadcast. This is so unfair!

No, you're wrong. You can't treat maggots like that!

How am I supposed to escape now? I have no other option but to run away, let alone hide. I can only run away like an idiot.

"What do we do about the 12 cents?" Da Da behind me called out anxiously.

"What else can we do? Climb like crazy! Do you expect another hero to save the damsel in distress?" I exclaimed, quite frustrated.

There's really no other good way to go except to climb like crazy. I just hope we don't encounter anything else on the way.

As I mentioned before, it's like fate is playing tricks on me; there are still several giant green caterpillars chasing after me.

Two praying mantises appeared ahead! Oh my god, praying mantises!

How can I run away now? The praying mantis is standing on two clumps of dry grass not far in front of me, right in front of us. It's impossible to get past it without disturbing those two praying mantises.

This is like being caught between a rock and a hard place! This is ridiculous!

There was no way to escape from the road ahead, so I instinctively looked behind me to see if the big green caterpillars were chasing after me.

But to my surprise, besides the darkness of the night behind me, there was no sign of the Qing Dynasty green caterpillars.

It's likely that the firefly above our heads had already spotted the mantis ahead, so it warned the big green caterpillar not to chase it. Now it's probably hiding somewhere behind us, waiting for the mantis to eat me.

But to my surprise, the two praying mantises just stood motionless on two blades of grass, staring at each other as if they were two masters about to spar.

In that instant, it felt like I had traveled through time, into the world of martial arts.

He didn't look at him, not even once, not even at the knife in his hand, nor at his eyes.

Suddenly, a dragon's roar resounded, and the aura of the sword soared into the sky.

The mantis-shaped blade on the left was drawn. In the moonlight, the blade itself appeared pale.

A pale moon, a pale knife, a pale face.

The praying mantis on the left stared at its forelimbs, which resembled blades, and said, "Please."

He didn't even glance at the mantis on the right, not even once. He didn't look at the knife in the mantis's hand, nor did he look into the mantis's eyes.

This is a major taboo in swordsmanship. When masters clash, it's like a decisive battle between armies; one must know oneself and one's enemy to win every battle.

Therefore, you should observe every slight movement, every glance, every expression, and even the twitch of every muscle in the other person's body very carefully, without missing a single detail.

Because every single point could be a factor in determining the outcome of this battle.

The mantis on the right has eyes as sharp as a sword, seeing not only his hands and his face, but also seemingly his heart.

The praying mantis on the left repeated, "Please."

The praying mantis on the right suddenly said, "Not now."

The praying mantis on the left said, "No?"

The mantis on the right said, "We can't make a move."

The praying mantis on the left asked, "Why?"

The praying mantis on the right said, "Because your heart is not yet at peace."

The praying mantis on the left remained silent.

The mantis on the right said, "If a mantis's mind is in disarray, its swordsmanship will be chaotic; if a mantis's swordsmanship is chaotic, it will surely die."

The praying mantis on the left sneered, "Do you think I've already lost without a fight?"

The mantis on the right said, "If you lose now, it's not your fault in battle."

The mantis on the left said, "So you're unwilling to make a move now?"

The praying mantis on the right did not deny it.

The praying mantis on the left said, "Because you don't want to take advantage of someone in distress?"

The praying mantis on the right did not deny it.

The mantis on the left said, "But this battle is inevitable."

The praying mantis on the right said, "I can wait."

The praying mantis on the left said, "Wait until my mind is at peace?"

The mantis on the right nodded and said, "I believe I won't have to wait long."

The mantis on the left suddenly raised its head and stared at him, a hint of gratitude appearing in its eyes, but it was quickly dispelled by the light of the sword in his hand.

Being grateful to your adversary is also a fatal mistake.

The praying mantis on the left said, "I won't keep you waiting long. While you're waiting, could I talk to someone?"

The praying mantis on the right asked, "Can talking calm your mind?"

The praying mantis on the left said, "Only talking to him can calm my mind."

The praying mantis on the right asked, "Who is this person?"

He didn't need to ask that question.

The mantis on the left is obviously referring to me, because there doesn't seem to be any other creature here besides me, right?

I just wonder what the praying mantis on the left wants to ask me?

"Hey chubby, what's your name, Yi Mao Er?" the praying mantis on the left asked.

"Yes, that's me," I answered nervously. I had no idea that one of the two praying mantises fighting actually recognized me.

"Do you remember that mantis that tried to stop a chariot with its bare hands?" the mantis on the left continued to ask.

"I remember," I answered truthfully.

I thought the praying mantis that tried to stop a chariot with its bare arms was just a joke, but I didn't expect to find news about it here. I wonder what the relationship is between the praying mantis on the left and the one I met before.

The mantis on the left pondered for a moment and said softly, "That's my brother. If, and I mean if, you happen to meet him again, please tell him to live well and not to do anything foolish again. Many legends are just legends."

I was completely baffled. What did that mean? Did the legend about the mantis stopping a chariot come true, and was it really just a legend? Is the clan leader still worried about his younger brother?

"How do you know me? And how did you know I would meet your brother again?" I asked, rarely with doubt.

“Even if you don’t meet him, he will come looking for you. You will meet sooner or later. Just remember my words.” The mantis on the left said calmly.

"Alright, you can go now. Go do what you need to do. The enemies behind you shouldn't be chasing you anymore," the mantis on the left continued before I could speak.

I watched as the praying mantis on the left gradually calmed down and prepared for battle. I wanted to ask it something, but I was afraid that asking it might have some negative impact on the mantis.

So I obediently carried the large object slowly through the space between the two mantises.

We hadn't climbed over there long when we heard the sounds of fighting behind us...