Chapter 228: At My Mercy
In the blink of an eye, Fan and Zhou Huang had already exchanged more than a dozen blows. Fan retreated after every single strike, successful or not, refusing to get tied down by Zhou Huang.
Although Zhou Huang was superior in both strength and speed, she couldn't do anything against the extremely battle-hardened Fan. For the time being, she could only let him continue his harassment and wait for an opportunity—a chance to grab him and force him into a corner!
"Fan's attack style is a lot like those twins of yours!" Bai Zhi said in a low voice, standing beside Zhou Fan and observing the fight on stage.
"Mm, they were his teammates before, after all. Even if it was just in a training camp, it's natural they'd imitate him to some extent. But there are still differences," Zhou Fan said with a nod, then turned to Bai Zhi. "Can you see what's different?"
"Those sisters also like the hit-and-run approach, but it seems every one of their attacks is aimed at an enemy's vital points, or at least a spot that would gravely injure them or take them out of the fight. Fan, on the other hand... it's more like he's just striking wherever he can, wherever is convenient. There's no specific target at all!"
After hearing what Zhou Fan said, Bai Zhi watched intently for another moment before giving an answer that she herself wasn't very certain about.
She noticed that there were two attacks where, even if Zhou Huang hadn't dodged and Fan had landed the hit, the position, angle, and force of the strike wouldn't have caused any significant damage. It was as if he was just taking an opening because it was there, completely unconcerned about whether he could actually injure or kill his opponent!
It was like a thief who refuses to leave empty-handed!
As absurd as it sounded, that was precisely the feeling Fan's fighting style gave her at that moment.
"Exactly. Although many of his moves seem pointless, and wouldn't do much damage even if they landed, look closer. Fan's attack speed is fast. Extremely fast. So fast, in fact, that just by defending and dodging, Zhou Huang is starting to lose the rhythm of her own offense," Zhou Fan said with an approving smile, his words carrying a deeper meaning.
"So you see, sometimes, having more strength, speed, or explosive power doesn't guarantee victory. It's about finding an offensive style that suits you. Many fighters will even gradually figure out two different styles for themselves during combat, which they can use to deal with different enemies!"
"Take Metheus of Dark Night, for instance. The last time we fought, if he hadn't tried to slug it out with me blow for blow, I would have been no match for him. But he let me drag him into a rhythm and fighting style that was completely alien to him, and in the end, we both suffered heavy losses!"
Zhou Fan didn't say anything further, leaving Bai Zhi enough time to think.
"Zhou Fan, what you're saying sounds so profound. Is it like that old saying, that the best thing is whatever suits you best?" Chen Yao, who had also overheard Zhou Fan's words to Bai Zhi, tilted her small face up and asked in a quiet voice.
"Well now, my Little Yaoyao is so smart! Come on, give me a kiss!" Zhou Fan grinned mischievously and leaned in, only to be pushed away by Chen Yao.
"Get away from me!" Chen Yao shot Zhou Fan a coquettish glare, then turned her head to look at the ring, her mind already pondering something.
'Whatever suits you really is the best!'
CLANG!
Just then, the two fighters separated once more.
Fan toyed with the dagger in his hand, giving the furious Zhou Huang—whose eyes were practically spitting flames—a wild, defiant look. "Little girl, I'll admit, you're pretty tough. But you're no match for me. If you keep this up, don't blame me for getting rough!"
"Hmph, you shameless coward! You've been doing nothing but dodging, and you still dare to say I'm no match for you? Prove it by defeating me head-on!" Zhou Huang snorted coldly. She gripped the hilt of her long sword with both hands and took a large step to her right, staring at Fan, whom she had now forced into a corner. She planned to trap him there for good.
"You just don't know what's good for you, do you, little girl? Fine, since you insist, I'll be happy to oblige!" A cunning, triumphant glint flashed in the depths of Fan's eyes. With a great shout, he shot toward Zhou Huang.
The distance between them was already short, and with Fan's incredible speed, he closed the gap in the blink of an eye. The dagger in his right hand became a blur, relentlessly striking at Zhou Huang's left side and forcing her to use her long sword to block again and again.
"I told you, you're no match for me! That big sword of yours might be long, but once I get in close, you're at my mercy!" Fan had used all that time dodging to discover Zhou Huang's weakness. 'She's talented and powerful, but she lacks real combat experience. She only knows how to leverage her long sword's reach for ranged attacks. Once I'm up close, she can't use it to attack at all!'
"And who told you I can't use other weapons?" Zhou Huang was hot-tempered, and being forced back again and again by Fan had infuriated her. She had already been pushed to the center of the stage; a few more steps and she would have nowhere else to go. So, after parrying another of Fan's attacks, she decisively abandoned her long sword. Her right hand flashed to her waist, and a dagger, glinting with a cold light, appeared in her grip!