Volume 11.5 Chapter 64

Book 11.5: Chapter 64

Nothing. Lord Miguo was the first to recover from the freaky bloodl.u.s.t, and he sounded as calm as ever. You wouldve escaped already if it was within your means. Why bother bluffing? Seemingly ignoring Ming Feizhens grin, he continued, No doubt, you possess immense power. Perhaps you are one of the strongest people alive. Ive never underestimated its threat. Even without it, your martial prowess is admirable. Im sure you have means of making up for lack of power, but thats not something I can accurately predict. Im not good at drawn-out fights. Even against you, my advantage wont last for long.

Ming Feizhens expression read, Glad you dont lack self-awareness.

Regardless, youre helpless. Continuing in a very deep voice, Lord Miguo a.s.serted, Youre afraid of your power because you cant control it. As a result, youre in the middle of nowhere. If you would allow your power to run free, perhaps you could stop me. Otherwise, you dont have a chance. Maybe you have some past trauma that makes you think you cant drown in your power, just like you think resisting it will make a difference. Allow me to enlighten you: your fear will eventually release that power, and itll devour you before you know it. It is inevitable. Lord Miguos eyes conveyed hostility for the first time. Just as you cant do anything but watch as I kill your friends one by one right before your eyes.

Miguo suddenly launched a punch in a direction where n.o.body was in sight, snapping a tree in the path. Someone rolled out from behind the tree to escape the blast radius. Zhuo Fengru made no effort to hide again, saluting the three factions properly.

Zhuo Fengru, your appearance here indicates you have made a decision. I thought youd eventually betray me.

Thats rich, coming from the person who sent men to kidnap my wife and son, Zhuo Fengru scoffed. I was never your ally, not to mention the vengeance of killing my brothers family. What betrayal do you speak of?

Vengeance? Lord Miguo tugged up a corner of his lips. You want to avenge Xu Clan? Dont say I never gave you a chance. My disciples shall stand down so that you can have a fair chance. If you dont take the offer today, you wont have the same offer a second time.

Simple trick a kid can learn on their first try, Ming Feizhen opined.

Miguo glanced over to Ming Feizhen. You have something to say?

Youre afraid of his qinggong. You know your slow tail cant catch up, so youre trying to deter him from running.

Why run if you want revenge? Whats wrong with a fair fight?

Fair? On your home ground is fair? If you want fair, go fight at Liu Shan Mens office, where there are officers to officiate. Bet youre scared of prison.

Miguo couldnt dispute Ming Feizhens points.

Zhuo Fengru had yet to recover from his match against Ming Feizhen, was forced to deal with his domestic issues and then rush to Shennong. He couldnt beat Miguo when in tip-top form, so what were his chances against an improved Miguo while he wasnt in his best form? If he wanted to flee, however, not many people present at least not Ming Feizhen and Miguo could stop him. Therefore, Zhuo Fengru was stuck between a rock and a hard place. Should he run away, hed never have another chance to avenge Xu Clan because, even if he had time, the vexation of running would become a mental barrier that hed never be able to overcome.

Understanding Zhuo Fengrus conundrum, Zhuxing Wuchang voiced, How come Im not invited to the fight? Since Brother Zhuo isnt feeling 100%, how about sparring me, Lord Miguo? He rubbed his hands together as he smiled from cheek to cheek. Since Miguo didnt spare him a glance, he rolled up his sleeves.

You will not need to bother. Zhuo Fengru patted his belly while laughing. Once a member of the pugilistic world, always a member of the pugilistic world. I may be old, but Im still a member of the pugilistic world. You want some? Come get some. That said, I do have a request for you, Great Guardian.

Zhuxing Wuchang knew as well as Zhuo Fengru did that Zhuo Fengru was driving himself into a corner. As a man entrusted with another mans last will, Zhuxing Wuchang couldnt refuse a final request. Whatever it is, I swear to see that its done.

Its nothing difficult. Zhuo Fengru pulled his signature cunning face, then chuckled. I would just like to borrow a sword.

Zhuxing Wuchang: Oh, I get it.

Hahaha, easy.

Zhuo Fengru swung the sword in the air to test it out. Unlike other swordsmen, he didnt generate loud booms or any sounds. n.o.body could identify the discipline, but they sure could appreciate the incredible control he exhibited.

It feels much more comfortable to have a sword in hand, Zhuo Fengru mumbled, blocking out the praise abound.

According to what Miguo knew about Zhuo Fengru as a person, the latter wouldve accepted the challenge one way or another, but the laid-back att.i.tude was odd. You know the gap between us. You werent my match last time. Dont mistake the mercy I showed to b-

Shut your potty mouth. Im here for a fight, not a debate. Even a teenager isnt as wishy washy as you are.

Clang! Before anyone realised it, Zhuo Fengru already left a mark on the top of Miguos head.

You asked for it. Miguo prepared a punch, but Zhuo Fengru struck both of Miguos shoulders faster than he could attack.

Being impervious to blades and having higher resistance to damage was just that; it didnt make up for lack of speed. To make matters worse, Zhuo Fengrus speed was beyond just fast. As a result, Miguo could only count on Vajra Realm to stay afloat. Miguo made one potentially fatal a.s.sumption: he wasnt the only one who had improved. Zhuo Fengru, too, had elevated his skills.

While Ming Feizhen didnt know enough swordplay to evaluate Zhuo Fengrus swordplay, he gained some degree of insight into more than just swordplay from watching the swords movements. That was how he figured out some qi moulding ideas the last time they went at it. Watching it again, he started to pick up fragmented ideas, but he couldnt form a skeleton of it.

Zhuo Fengru said, This old ones swordplay was forged in the pugilistic world and refined through competing across the lands, not something he comprehended by sitting at home and ruminating. This attack uses one breath as its foundation. The attack pushes the boundaries of nature, amplifying until an overwhelming state is achieved.

Zhuo Fengru had no reason to speak so loudly or even speak at all, for that matter but he didnt let it detract from his offence.

Lame! Miguo emanated a circle of energy from his position, forcing Zhuo Fengrus sword off target. You claim to embody advanced swordplay. Let me show you something interesting.

As he cracked a smirk, Miguo glued two fingers together, then swung his arm as if it was a sword, intercepting the tip of Zhuo Fengrus sword. Zhuo Fengrus speed still proved too superior to defuse. Consequently, Miguo swung several times, intercepting each strike with absolute precision. Though he didnt mount a counterattack, the fact that Miguo could keep up with Zhuo Fengrus speed now would deal a blow to Zhuo Fengrus confidence.

Miguo wasnt reading ahead nor did he gain so much insight that he could read Zhuo Fengru like a book. What he did was mirror Zhuo Fengrus techniques and output.

Bai Tianbin commented, d.a.m.n, I didnt think Karma could be used like that. Hes no combat expert, but he sure is a deep thinker. If only he could think of something light for a change.

Not only did Miguo absorb Zhuo Fengrus energy from close to a hundred strikes but even his swordplays principles. Therefore, when he released them, they came back to Zhuo Fengru just as what he dished out. Once he exhausted that store, he had the ones he was absorbing in this match. For all anyone knew, the next move Zhuo Fengru had to deal with mightve been his previous move. Regardless of how skilled one was, they would eventually burn through their fuel tank.

Ming Feizhen was the only one a.n.a.lytically monitoring Zhuo Fengru as well as Miguo. The two followed the same thought in execution, but mayhap the end of their thoughts wasnt in swordplay. Given they were human, no matter what sort of pace they could push, there would eventually come a time when one side would gain the upper hand.

Soon enough, Miguo couldnt follow Zhuo Fengrus pace, and Zhuo Fengrus sword could be heard clanging against Miguos body once again. Zhuo Fengru had pushed the pace even higher than before to overwhelm Miguo.

Miguos blunder was not comprehending the nature of Zhuo Fengrus swordplay. Each successive strike, Zhuo Fengru sped up a little. Even if Miguo could see the techniques to mirror, at a certain point, he couldnt physically keep up with the pace. Beyond that, there was also the difference in work capacity; Zhuo Fengru had yet to take a second breath since they commenced.

Miguo a.s.sumed they had reset, with Zhuo Fengru unable to inflict significant damage and himself unable to keep up. Once again, his a.s.sumption was erroneous. Only Zhuo Fengru truly knew what the limit of his swordplay was, and he wasnt a one-trick pony with only speed.

From the moment he gripped the sword and resolved to avenge his sworn brother, Zhuo Fengru recalled his match against Ming Feizhen. As soon as he saw the opening, Zhuo Fengru thrust straight for Miguos left pectoral. At long last, he managed to send his blade through Miguos body.

Vajra Realm pract.i.tioners needed to condense qi before they could send it elsewhere. Hence, the moment their defence was broken, the qi would go into frenzy. Miguo gasped blood at the heavens, then crashed back onto the ground.

Bai Tianbin grabbed his beard. I didnt see that coming.

Zhuxing Wuchang: Hahaha, so what? The strong rule.

Upon returning to his starting spot and losing the support of adrenaline, Zhuo Fengru wobbled, and his grip shook. Ive demonstrated my swordplays variations for you three times. How much do you remember?

Ming Feizhen: Zero.

Thought so. Zhuo Fengru smiled bitterly instead of brightly. Itd take me a month to recite the complete swordplay. Demanding you to remember it in one go is being unreasonable. That said, Ive given y-

You think you won?

By the time he heard the voice, Zhuo Fengru had already felt the heavy punch and found himself immobile on the ground, blood uncontrollably coming out of his mouth.

Youre careless. If nothing else, youve forgotten what sort of person I am.

Whether by instinct or not, Zhuo Fengru leapt up and dashed into the forest, erasing all traces almost immediately upon entering.

Miguo stopped his subordinate from giving chase. Its just terminal lucidity. His internal injuries are fatal. The faster he runs, the faster he burns out his candle. No need to chase him.

Though Miguo only had one subordinate still conscious, it didnt bother him. Whilst bandaging his wound, he said to the three leaders, The festivities end here. Did you enjoy the show? If theres nothing else, I hope this is the last unprepared event.

Once the three leaders left, Miguo went back to Ming Feizhen with arrogance on his lips. Feel like killing me even more?

I cant complain when you two fought fair and square? Cant blame someone for hitting you if you square up with them. Ming Feizhen gazed in the direction Zhuo Fengru fled. Having said that, its only a matter of time before I end you.

Following the fiasco, Miguo rearranged their patrols, focusing almost all of his forces to the formation around Ming Feizhen. As a consequence, Er Laizi was the only sentry over at the moonlight boulder.

***

Hua Qing tip-toed back to the cave he hid in previously. His primary concern wasnt Zhuo Fengru but Su Li and Kongkonger, who were hiding in said cave. Neither Su Li nor Kongkonger dared to leave the cave in search of food, so they had to be conservative with the rations they brought along.

Although people may a.s.sume Su Li spent the last day and night conversing with Kongcang about irrelevant topics for the sake of making conversation with him, it was actually a questioning method she learnt from and honed in her business ventures. Be it people or goods, one couldnt just take anothers word for it in business. Based on the places Kongcang went and the items he purchased, she worked out when he joined Miguo Branch in addition to their development log. Unfortunately, it wasnt enough to understand why Miguo wanted to capture her.

Miss Su, s.h.i.+fu.

Su Li jolted due to Hua Qings sudden appearance. Y-you scared me.

Sorry about that.

Why do you seem different?

Though Hua Qings appearance appeared more toned than yesterday, his appearance hadnt changed considerably. He used to give off the vibe of someone who could think on their feet, but his aura now demanded attention.

Hua Qing scratched his head. I think Ive grown a little stronger. I was taught some martial arts. I came back to check on you because Im worried about you. Im glad youre safe and sound. Has Hero Zhuo come back at all?

No, not since leaving with you.

We dont need to worry about him. Hes experienced enough to handle whatever is thrown his way.

It hadnt even been a second after Hua Qing finished his a.s.sertion when Zhuo Fengru stumbled in, blood and sweat trickling down. Had Hua Qing not reacted fast, Su Lis scream wouldve alerted the enemy.

Hero Zhuo?! What happened?!

C-cover the entrance. Invisible powder Zhuo Fengru uttered.

Su Li: Erase the smell of blood, or theyll find us!

Hua Qing thereupon restored the cave to its original state, then sprinkled a powder called invisible powder onto Zhuo Fengru. While it didnt actually make anyone invisible, the strong stench of manure that it was made from would disguise their smell in forest areas.

Hero Zhuo, how are your injuries? Hua Qing couldnt replace a doctor. Nevertheless, he could sit Zhuo Fengru up and use his internal energy to slowly share some with the latter.

It went without saying that Zhuo Fengru could sense the uncharacteristically potent energy. Thus, Hua Qing shared his fortuitous encounter.

I see Mayhap his plan is correct. Sadly I wont be any help now.

Su Li: Hero Zhuo how did you get hurt so bad?

Zhuo Fengru smiled bitterly. I definitely cant escape death this time.

Be it Hua Qing or Su Li, neither of them had a solution. On the other hand, Kongkonger asked, Will the sarira work?

Hua Qing remembered Wugous experience.

Zhuo Fengru instructed, Give it to me. He stared at the object Hua Qing presented for a while, then voiced, Hes right. You can become a hidden ace in the right scenario. Your progress, however, is too slow. Allow me to give you a hand. Subsequently, Zhuo Fengru transferred his energy to the relic, which then flowed through to Hua Qing. I shall entrust my lifetime of work to you.