Chapter 197: A World Without Surrendering

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    When Liu Jin found Yi Jiao in front of his door, he resigned himself to having an awkward conversation where he inevitably involved himself further in her tumultuous relationship with Huang Shing. Sure enough, that is more or less what happened.

    What Liu Jin did not expect was to gain some insight into Feng Zhis mind, insight that seems rather obvious in hindsight but insight all the same. Insight that leaves him feeling very awkward and unsure of how to proceed. Fortunately, he is spared from having to say anything on the subject.

    Unfortunately, that is because a strong tremor rocks the entirety of Ox Storm Fortress.

    Brother Qing! Yi Jiao shouts as she grabs the wall to steady herself.

    I sense it, Liu Jin replies, narrowing his eyes.

    There are five hundred men right outside Ox Storm Fortress. The tremor is not a natural phenomenon but an attack by Murong Bangs raiders.

    And that just doesnt make any sense.

    Liu Jin is good at sensing Qi. He is so good that he can sense Ni Cai has just woken up, that the people of Black Stone Village are scared because of the tremor, and that the commander of Ox Storm Fortress is livid. Liu Jin is so skilled that, even while talking with Yi Jiao, he was perfectly aware of everyone inside and around the fortress.

    And yet, despite being so good at sensing Qi, Liu Jin had flown many miles on Soaring Feathers back and sensed not a single enemy. Only now that they are at the gates can Liu Jin sense the five hundred men. Only after their first attack struck did Liu Jin even notice their existence.

    Go to Ni Cai, Liu Jin orders Yi Jiao before the tremor has fully stopped. Hes in the barracks. Tell him to take command of the men and aid the defense of the fortress. Youll find Old Qing on your way there. Tell him to advise Ni Cai, and tell Ni Cai that he is to listen to his advice.

    From what he has seen so far, Old Qing would probably make a better leader, but there is no guarantee he will be listened to. The more inexperienced Ni Cai is the stronger cultivator between the two, and he commands far more respect from the disciples of the Eternal Flame Clan.

    What about you, Brother Qing? What will you do? Yi Jiao asks.

    I will reduce risk factors, Liu Jin says before he disappears in a blur of speed. Five consecutive uses of Ground Contraction take him out of the building.

    The sight that greets him is not exactly a hopeful one. The suddenness of the attack has left the soldiers rattled. They are running around, trying to gain some semblance of order while the enemy keeps attacking. Thankfully, there is a shimmering blue dome around Ox Storm Fortress, a protective barrier of some sort that activated when they were attacked.

    None of the attacks hitting the barrier are as strong as the first one, but Liu Jin doubts this is because the enemy lacks the ability to replicate an attack of that magnitude. He can sense the Qi of the person responsible, a cultivator in the Eighth Level of the True Realm. The man, most likely the enemy commander, is not even winded, yet he is allowing his men to attack in his stead for some reason. He must be waiting for something.NewW novels updates at novelhall.com

    Fools! What are you doing? The Commander of Ox Storm Fortress roars as he steps outside. You are men of the Storm Dragon Empire! Why do you cower like rabbits? You are the claws and fangs of the dragon! Any enemy before us is already dead!

    His fury, the passion behind his words, and the certainty in his Qi are enough to rouse his men. They raise their arms and weapons and roar as they prepare to fight.

    That is exactly what the enemy has been waiting for.

    The moment uncertainty and hesitation fade from the soldiers Qi, the commander of the raiders launches a blade of Qi at the fortress. It is dozens of yards tall yet thin as a sheet of paper and moves at an unimaginable speed. If the attack hits, it could seriously damage the barrier. Two or three more might even shatter it and greatly damage the soldiers morale.

    Liu Jin cannot allow that.

    He jumps and leaves the safety of the barrier to face the incoming attack. Various startled cries rise from those who see his actions, but Liu Jin pays them no mind. All his attention is focused on the incoming attack.

    [White Venom Fist - Nine Branches]

    Liu Jins aura flares brightly as nine giant snakes made of white, poisonous Qi rise around his body. They unhinge their jaws and advance on the incoming attack. The two techniques clash meters away from the barrier and create a huge shockwave.

    Three of the snakes heads are lopped off.

    The blade of Qi shatters.

    Shut up!

    Another Severing Palm flies towards him. Liu Jin leaps over it and tries to strike back with one of his snake constructs, but it is almost immediately sliced in half. Before Liu Jin has even landed, Yun Han boosts himself with a movement technique and meets him in the middle of the air.

    Do not speak of the past to me! Yun Han roars as he unleashes countless attacks at Liu Jin. The earth within hundreds of yards around them breaks apart and is sliced to pieces.

    That life! That name! I severed myself from them a long time ago!

    Yun Hans attacks are so fierce there is not a single opening for Liu Jin to exploit. He can only keep dodging. Compared to Yun Hans simple and direct movements, Liu Jin looks downright graceful, which further incenses Yun Han.

    Insolence! Yun Han stomps the ground. The impact creates multiple small Qi blades which fly in all directions, forcing Liu Jin to leap back. Do you think this is a dance? Do you think you can win just by dodging? That you can afford to fight without taking risks or getting any blood on your robes? This is a real battlefield! Beauty! Grace! Those things do not exist here! Surrendering does not exist here! If you mean to keep dancing, then die!

    Liu Jin finds he does not care for Yun Hans views.

    However, his anger is something he can use.

    "Is that so, Yun Han? How gracious of you to tell me, Yun Han. For someone who claims to have left behind the past, you seem keen on bringing it up, Yun Han.

    Yun Han explodes. His aura blazes around him, cutting everything in his path to Liu Jin. The young cultivators are soon locked in a fierce struggle once more. Their Qi lights up the night and makes the earth rumble. Anyone watching would say they are evenly matched.

    And yet, something is wrong.

    Liu Jin tries to strike one of Yun Hans acupoints, but the latter manages to move just in time, causing Liu Jin to miss his mark. He only manages to bruise Yun Hans arm, while Yun Han leaves a cut on his face.

    That shouldnt have happened.

    Liu Jin frowns. As the battle continues, his attacks keep missing by millimeters. He leaves wounds on Yun Han, but they are never as damaging as he wants them to be. Meanwhile, the number of cuts Yun Han makes on him keeps growing. His regeneration ensures they heal seconds after they are made, but that is not the issue.

    Yun Han might have been his superior in Eastern Port City, but the current Yun Han is not beyond him. Something else is at play. Something is hampering Liu Jin by millimeters, slicing away at his odds. He feels it chipping away at him the longer the fight goes on.

    Something needs to change.

    [White Venom Fist]

    Yun Han leaps back as Liu Jins poisonous Qi surges with renewed potency. Liu Jin punches the ground and lets his Qi flow into it. The terrain, which had already been damaged by Yun Hans attacks, melts and crumbles. A deep hole with a diameter of over a hundred yards opens up and swallows everything.

    Yun Han gets out of the area in time.

    Liu Jin lets himself fall.

    I do not know how or why you are here, Liu Jin says once he reaches the bottom of the pit. He looks up at Yun Han, who is looking down at him from the edge. I am sure you must have gone through many things. I have gone through many things as well.

    I have no interest in the past.

    And yet, your anger is born from it, Liu Jin counters as blue lightning starts crackling around him. However, I am glad you are the one I am facing right now since you seem to have taken a step I have not.

    Liu Jin grunts. Blue lightning crackles and changes to white.

    Guide me well, Brother Yun.

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