The Reticent Blade

Bam!

Xue Qiming’s fist slammed into Old Eight’s chest, sending him flying with a wretched scream.

Zhang Dongyun panted heavily, one knee on the ground, supporting himself with his sword. He glanced at Old Eight lying motionless, uncertain whether his brother was dead or alive, yet powerless to help. He was unable to save even himself at this point. Now, that blood-soaked youth had fixed his gaze upon him.

Zhang Dongyun now felt the bitter taste of defeat but had no way to voice it. From their first skirmish in the front courtyard, he had repeatedly confirmed that the bloody boy looming over him had no real combat training. That brat was only standing due to his body's strength.

Nevertheless, this brute strength was something they couldn't overcome. After a grueling battle, the boy had endured blade after blade, trading wound for wound until every one of Zhang’s men had been crippled. Any normal person would have long since died under such injuries, already sent off to face the King of Hell, but this boy’s body was like solid stone. Their blades left inch-deep gashes at most before going no further.

Now, the only one still conscious was Zhang Dongyun himself. His martial skills were the best among them, and his battle experience far superior, which was the only reason he had lasted this long.

Watching Xue Qiming approach step by step, Zhang Dongyun gritted his teeth and forced himself to stand, glaring at him. "So you’re the true heir of the Sky-Supporting Arhat. I suppose that explains a few things..."

Xue Qiming carried the gourd, the iron chain clinking sinisterly as it dragged along the ground like a ghostly reaper stepping forth from the Underworld.

Zhang Dongyun swallowed hard, secretly trying to regulate his breathing as tried to buy some time. "Look at yourself, you might survive today, but you’re finished, aren’t you? Hah! Trading a few of our lives to cut off the Sky-supporting Arhat’s legacy? Not a bad deal."

"At least I’m still alive," Xue Qiming’s voice was hauntingly calm. "I’ll have my disciples. I’ll still be able to teach them... But you? You’ll have to wait for your next life."

"Disciples? You think you’ll live long enough for that?" Zhang Dongyun grinned, blood dripping from the corners of his mouth. "My Seven Dragons Stronghold still has dozens of men, and my third and fourth brothers are just as strong as I am. They’ll avenge me! You’re just a cripple now—you won’t last long either. I’ll be waiting for you in the Underworld!"

"Pah!" Zhang Dongyun spat on the ground. "I’d say dying today is a worthy death. Xue Yinlong killed my brother, and blood must be repaid in blood—that’s the law of the jianghu. We avenged our kin—that’s righteousness. When word spreads, this will be a tale of honor."