Chapter 183: Guess What I'm Waiting For?
"Boss!"
In that instant, both Metheus's underlings and Li Xing and Li Yue alike cried out, charging forward without a second thought!
But, to nearly everyone's surprise, just as they charged, Zhou Fan and Metheus—who had been slammed into the ground—both slowly raised a hand. Then, in a comically absurd fashion, they both gave a little wave, signaling for everyone to stay back.
COUGH, COUGH!
A series of ragged coughs echoed out as Zhou Fan and Metheus struggled to climb slowly to their feet.
A gash stretched across Zhou Fan's chest, revealing the stark white bone beneath. It was a gruesome sight. Had the wound been just a fraction deeper, it would have sliced him in two—but it fell short by the barest of margins.
Although Metheus's injuries were also severe, he had far fewer wounds than Zhou Fan. But looking down from his trembling right arm, one could see a clean wound at the wrist, still steadily dripping blood. His right hand lay on the ground between them.
Both men were deathly pale, looking as if they might keel over at any moment. They swayed so unsteadily, it seemed a strong gust of wind might be enough to knock them both down.
Watching the two men, stubborn and refusing to yield to one another, everyone present could feel just how dangerous and brutal this fight had been.
In the aftermath of their clash, Zhou Fan had nearly been split in two by Metheus's massive blade, leaving him on the verge of death; Metheus had his right hand severed by Zhou Fan, his fighting ability crippled as he teetered on his feet.
Who had come out on top?
For a moment, no one could really say. In terms of who was more grievously wounded, the answer was definitely Zhou Fan, but Metheus had lost a hand.
Zhou Fan paid no mind to what the others were thinking. He took out his seven remaining Recovery Pills, swallowed two in one go, and took a deep breath. Holding his sword single-handedly, he braced its tip against the ground for support and offered a grim smile. "Metheus, do you still think I don't have what it takes to fight my way out of here with them? You know it's true. As long as you're dead, even if I'm down to my last breath, these men of yours won't be able to stop me!"
Metheus cracked a grin. Though Zhou Fan's words were arrogant, he had to admit they were the truth. The moment he died, even if Zhou Fan was down to his last breath, his men—experts among experts when facing anyone else—would still be unable to stop him for even a single step.
"Nether King, you still won't be leaving here alive. And I'll offer the same words back to you: the moment you die, the four people behind you will die right alongside you. The reason I haven't killed them yet… you don't think it's because they're skilled, do you? Wrong. It's because I'm waiting for someone. Waiting for the traitor who tipped you off, the one who betrayed Dark Night!"
Metheus also grabbed a handful of unidentifiable pills and swallowed them; just because he chose to clash head-on with Zhou Fan didn't mean he was ignorant of how to treat his wounds. When his words reached their ears, everyone but the unsurprised Zhou Fan—including Fan and He Yi—was utterly shocked.
"Then what do you suppose I'm waiting for?" Zhou Fan smiled faintly. He'd already guessed something was amiss when he arrived and didn't see Bai Zhi. Now, looking at Metheus, a faint smile touched his lips.
The single, eight-word sentence left everyone stunned.
What was Zhou Fan waiting for?
Reinforcements?
But there was no one here to rescue them.
"Whatever you're waiting for, you won't get the chance. Kill them!" Metheus's heart sank a little. He didn't know what kind of power Zhou Fan commanded here, nor how strong his subordinates were, but his instincts screamed that he couldn't wait any longer. If he did, he would live to regret it.
As Metheus gave the order, his men unleashed their killing intent and surged toward Zhou Fan's group of five. This included the few experts whose abilities far surpassed Fan's and He Yi's, but who had yet to join the fight directly.
"Then let's see which happens first: your men killing them, or me killing you!" Zhou Fan made no move to reinforce Fan and the others. The moment the words were out, he took a step forward, his Li Hen Sword enveloped in an inky light as he swung it at Metheus with the force to sweep away an army.
But this time, Metheus refused to meet the blow head-on. He retreated, allowing the others at his side to swarm Zhou Fan.
With a single swing of the sword, three enemies were cleaved in two, dying on the spot.
And at that moment, Metheus, gripping his massive blade, led his remaining men to charge Zhou Fan as well.
"I have to say, you are truly strong to have been able to sever my hand. If I were to continue fighting you one-on-one, even if I managed to kill you in the end, I would surely suffer devastating injuries. My strength would be permanently diminished, even if I recovered. But today, you must die here!"