Different Year, Same Thing (Part 15)

Murong Song's seamless combo seemingly covered up every inch of space, much to the delight of his allies, who were envious of the speed none of them could match. Howbeit, one person radiated as if he was enjoying himself, while another youth with red hair, Ling Xuezhao, had the corner of his lips hiked up, finding Murong Song's idiocy to be amusing.

Clang!

The clang was the distinct sound of a hammer slamming on a blade during the forging process, not the sort that would be audible when blades clashed. A heavy weapon dropped. A body crashed into the ground dozens of metres away and Mount Lu Sword Sanctuary's group rushing to Murong Song's aid or cursing, Ling Hanzhong stood still in place, replaying the "clang" sound in an infinite loop in his mind.

Years after the encounter, Ling Hanzhong would wake up in cold sweat whenever he heard the same "clang" again in his nightmares for he knew that only might beyond human imagination could produce that sound.

Clang!

Once the dust settled, there was Ming Feizhen, still looking indifferent. He turned his shoulder slightly to cast his gaze on Ling Hanzhong and called, "Next."

Ling Hanzhong's men couldn't believe their leader took a step back. Little did they know he had forgotten all about fighting back. Ming Feizhen put one foot in front of the other consecutively as though he was walking through a path his subjects cleared for him.

"I'll see what he's got." Ling Xuezhao, a man of immeasurable talent, aimed straight for Ming Feizhen's eye, thinking, "I want him to spill blood!"

Ling Xuezhao abstained from killing after the battle at Lawless Cliff, leaving him in a famished state. He did get into fights, but he'd call it quits part way through the duels and disarm, lying down to take a nap, instead. Owing to there being nobody who could pique his interest or motivate him, he eventually stopped training all together.

Ling Hanzhong took issue with Ling Xuezhao slacking off. Nonetheless, Ling Xuezhao didn't like anyone telling him what to do. When he went on out jobs thereafter, he'd go on murder sprees, giving Ling Hanzhong a headache again, only through different means. For the first time ever, Ling Hanzhong wanted Ling Xuezhao to kill with every fibre of his being.

Ling Hanzhong didn't realise his hands were shaking as he shouted, "Xuezhao, kill that… that…" He couldn't find the word to describe Ming Feizhen.

Seeing the tip of his blade sinking into Ming Feizhen's throat, Ling Xuezhao inwardly cried, "Yes! Blood! Blood! Deeper! Deep-"

Clang!

They heard the clang, yet nobody saw when Ming Feizhen moved or the blood Ling Xuezhao projectile vomited. When their brains computed Ming Feizhen had extended his arm clutching his armament, they finally realised Ling Xuezhao was missing from their sights.

When Ling Xuezhao, who saw the world in slow motion as he went reeling through the air, flew past Ling Hanzhong, the latter reactively blurted, "Monster…"

Ming Feizhen lowered his weapon and resumed marching forward: "Next."

Feeling his plans ebbing away, Ling Hanzhong lost his composure in his men's presence.

That kid can't defeat all my men at once, but if he defeats all of the cream of the crop, our morale will hit rock bottom! I can't let historians write he defeated our sect all alone! If we don't finish him now, I'll be next!

"Cong'er! Cong'er!"