Chapter 165: How About a Spar?
"So... is this your so-called 'hidden reason'?" Zhou Fan stood still, looking at Xiaobu with a mocking expression. "Do you have any idea how many good brothers from my Netherworld King's Hall died because of you, Ye Fei, and the others?"
A deep killing intent slowly surfaced in Zhou Fan's eyes. He beckoned to the two sisters by the door behind him. "However, I'm a man who honors old ties. I won't kill you with my own hands today. Cripple one of your arms. If you can survive against those two... then I'll let you go."
Zhou Fan's voice was cold, devoid of emotion, but anyone who heard it would feel an intense killing intent. It was the kind of aura that permeated your entire body, threatening to seep in through your pores and inspiring a subconscious, primal fear.
"And what if they don't agree?" Xiaobu knew this was his only chance. He looked up, staring at Zhou Fan, but pointed his hand toward Fan and He Yi.
"You know me. I do what I say," Zhou Fan declared authoritatively, not even bothering to ask Fan and He Yi for their thoughts. The two of them desperately wanted to suggest they talk it over, but then they remembered the purpose of this trip. Capturing Xiaobu was one objective, but luring out Elder Witch was the most important. With that in mind, they said nothing more.
"Fine!"
Seeing this, Xiaobu wasted no more words. With a flick of his right wrist, a dagger flashed with cold light as he sliced through his own left wrist. Blood gushed instantly as his severed hand dropped to the floor.
Yet, Xiaobu didn't make a sound. Instead, he looked toward the sisters, Li Xing and Li Yue. "Go ahead. Let's see if the Instructor's teaching ability has declined at all."
The twins didn't waste words either. Splitting left and right, they charged directly at Xiaobu.
Zhou Fan slowly backed up two steps, ceding the space near the window to the three of them. He had no intention of helping in any of the fights.
As time passed, He Yi was the first to finish his fight. It hadn't been as easy for him as it had been for Zhou Fan, however; his opponent had managed to slice his left arm. Though the wound wasn't serious, he hadn't escaped unscathed.
Just like Zhou Fan, He Yi didn't move to help with the other fights. He quickly bandaged his own wound and walked over to Zhou Fan's side. "That man is one of yours?"
"Yes. He was," Zhou Fan nodded lightly in response to He Yi's abrupt question. "I used to think very highly of him. He was truly exceptional in every way. Among all my squads, his combat ability ranked in the top five."
"So, you made him cripple one of his arms because you were afraid the twins couldn't beat him?" He Yi didn't know what being 'top five' among Zhou Fan's subordinates truly signified, but he did know that even Viper, the captain of the Assassination Squad, only barely ranked fourth.
"I'm not killing him today because he was once my brother. Crippling his arm is the price he has to pay for that. As for your question... that's not it. Because even with one arm gone, those two sisters still might not be his match."
Zhou Fan's voice was quiet, so quiet that only He Yi could hear. Yet his words carried so much weight that He Yi nearly stumbled, his eyes filled with utter disbelief.
'This man... is he really that strong?'
He had asked Fan before if he was still confident he could guarantee a win against the twins now.
At first, Fan had been dismissive and said it was a guaranteed win. But after a moment of deeper thought, he amended that while he could definitely win, he would probably get injured in the process.
Combined with what Zhou Fan had just said, this meant that even with one arm crippled, Xiaobu wasn't necessarily any weaker than Fan!
'If it had just been him and Fan against a healthy Xiaobu and those other five men, their chances of survival would have been slim!'
"Then why did you say all that? Are you trying to let Xiaobu go on purpose?" He Yi suddenly recalled Zhou Fan's earlier words to Xiaobu and looked at him in confusion.
"'Might not be his match' means exactly that—I'm not sure either. It all depends on whether those sisters are willing to risk their lives to win." Zhou Fan shot He Yi a look. 'As the captain of Tiger Teeth, how can he not figure that out?'
BANG!
Just then, Fan finished off the remaining two men and walked over, panting. He shot a disdainful glance at He Yi's injured arm, then patted himself down as if to show off. "Took me a little longer, but at least I didn't get hurt!"
In response, Zhou Fan and He Yi just gave him a cool glance, then slowly raised their fists. Just as Fan thought the two of them were about to attack him out of shame and anger, he saw their clenched fists change, each extending a single middle finger.
'Damn it!'
Fan cursed under his breath, his eyes fixed on the battle between Xiaobu and the twins. He mused aloud, "They're still seriously lacking in real combat experience. If that had been me just now, I wouldn't have stabbed for the chest. I'd have gone for the abdomen. Everyone instinctively protects their vital spots, which makes the stomach a comparatively easier target."
Zhou Fan slowly turned his head to look at Fan, a mocking smirk playing on his lips. "You're so good, why don't we have a little sparring session?"