Chapter 127: Kill! Battle Through 2000 Li (4)
Beneath a modest hill, a village stood, guarded round the clock by a burly man even during the harshest winter days. Ever watchful, his gaze scanned the horizon for any sign of land bandits.
Suddenly, two terrifying figures swooped down from a distance, catching the burly man off guard.
“Danger is approaching!” he shouted urgently.
Soon, the few martial virtuosos in the village raced out, their faces a picture of disbelief as they watched the two terrifying figures collide. The battle was like a cataclysmic clash of devils and gods, a level beyond their wildest imagination! They couldn't observe the fight clearly at all.
The two figures drew closer, careening through the neighboring forest and leaving a trail of uprooted trees and whirling stones in their wake. Following that, the two figures continued their high-speed chase into the distance, quickly disappearing from view.
“Chieftain!”
“What just happened?” Everyone in the manor couldn't hide their shock as they turned to their elderly chieftain, the most powerful and knowledgeable person among them.
“They're Grandmasters. It’s a Grandmaster duel!” The old man took a deep breath. “Quick, immediately inform the municipality officials, there's a duel between Grandmaster experts.”
Soon, someone quickly swiftly set off on horseback for the municipality.
This wasn't the only village that witnessed the battle. As Wu Yuan made his escape, he purposefully steered clear of any villages and towns, unwilling to cause unnecessary casualties. Yet, under the pressure of pursuit, he could only avert them slightly, battling while fleeing.
Numerous commoners and martial artists witnessed their terrifying fight. The aftermath of their chase alone was enough to send chills down the spines of many second-rate Adepts and first-rate Adepts. Countless messages were sent and reports were made.
...
As the night descended, the rolling hills echoed with the explosive clash of weapons. The darkness had no impact on them. Grandmasters had excellent vision, and dim lighting was enough for them to engage in a battle to the death.
Bear in mind, with their physical constitution, Grandmasters did not feel tired even after sprinting continuously for three days and nights. Of course, this did not include all-out combat.
After the initial exchange, the two were entangled in a deadly chase, not pausing to eat, drink, or sleep. It was a tremendous test of physical strength, endurance, and willpower!
Dawn broke on the horizon, and heavy snow began to fall. The hilly region turned into a world of ice and snow for miles on end.
Although it was still winter season at the Cloud River, the entire landscape had transformed.
Amidst the swirling blizzard, the clash of weapons echoed, punctuated by the thunderous booms that resonated through the frosty air.
The weapons in their grip were cold, and the icy chill seeped through their clothing. Yet, the fighting spirit and killing intent of these two martial powerhouses remained undiminished, their speed still close to their peak.
This region belonged to the Yuanhu Province. In one night, Wu Yuan and Chen Luo, two Grandmaster-level experts, had fought their way from the Cloud River at the border of Hillstride and Baihu all the way here, crossing a distance of 2000 li.
When Wu Yuan once again managed to put a distance of 300 li between them, reaching the base of a snow-draped mountain, Chen Luo finally stopped. Gripping his Greenflame Staff, his eyes locked onto the figure darting away into the forest.
He had given up! Whether it was physical strength or stamina, he was nearly at his limit. But what made him despair was Wu Yuan's seemingly endless stamina. There was no hope of victory in sight.
Sensing that Chen Luo was no longer pursuing him, Wu Yuan also began to slow his pace.
"Shadow Blade, after this battle, your name will spread throughout the world." Chen Luo's voice echoed powerfully through the air, filled with endless killing intent. "However, since you dare kill the ninth prince, the Great Jin Empire will never let you off. No matter how vast the world may be, there will be no safe haven for you."
"Chen Luo, I will hunt you down. This grudge is etched in my heart." Wu Yuan's icy voice resonated through the air, "As for Great Jin? So what if Emperor Jin tops the Land Rankings?"
"Let me teach you something. When a commoner gets angry, blood is spilled in five steps. In ten steps, the enemy nation is wiped out [1]. One day, I shall march upon the peak of the Holy Capital, and face Jin Cang in an ultimate showdown!"
Wu Yuan's indifferent voice gradually faded, and his figure disappeared over the mountain, completely out of Chen Luo's sight.
The peak of the Holy Capital? Chen Luo's gaze was icy. Though he didn't fully understand, one thing was clear to him: Shadow Blade was declaring war on Emperor Jin!
This Shadow Blade is a major threat. Jin Rensu is dead, I'm in big trouble. Chen Luo sighed inwardly.
Jin Rensu represented an entire faction within the empire, someone whom many within the Great Jin Empire placed their hopes on. His death was bound to cause a great upheaval.
It would have been better if Chen Luo hadn't come to assist. But he had shown up, yet Wu Yuan still killed Jin Rensu. How would the various internal factions of the Great Jin Empire view him? What would Emperor Jin think?
I'll head back first. Let's see if the east king has any ideas. Chen Luo furrowed his brow slightly, his gaze sweeping over the heavy snow. Staying in Yuanhu Province is unwise.
Old Yuanhu was not someone to be trifled with. Moreover, his strength had waned drastically, and he needed to recuperate.
...
Rows of mountains stretched endlessly. Amid the fierce snowstorm, a lone figure trudged forward, a saber strapped to his back.
At last, I’ve escaped from Chen Luo. Wu Yuan shook his head slightly. That mad dog was relentless. Luckily, I made the right gamble.
Of course, Wu Yuan understood the reason behind his pursuer's rabid determination. Jin Rensu was dead.
If I hadn’t killed Jin Rensu, I probably wouldn’t have been chased over 2000 li into the Yuanhu Province. And this is just the beginning. Next, I’m afraid Great Jin will muster a great deal of resources to hunt me down.
But Wu Yuan had no regrets. They had already come for his head, was he to hold back out of fear?
Even if the emperor of Great Jin came after Wu Yuan, the solution was simple: kill him!
Regardless, at least Great Jin won't consider me a member of the Cloudstride Sect. Even if they send armies, they won't be in a hurry.
When the soldiers come, resist them with generals. When the water comes, dam it with earth. [2]
This battle was more rewarding than a long period of arduous cultivation. Wu Yuan recalled his battle with Chen Luo. In a day and a night, how many thousands of blows did they exchange? He had long lost count.
Whether in his past life or this one, Wu Yuan had never engaged in such an extended life-or-death battle. It was truly an eye-opening experience.
In truth, even after Chen Luo finally ceased his pursuit, Wu Yuan's body had not yet reached its breaking point. He could have risked going back into the battle and potentially killing Chen Luo. But, Wu Yuan chose to let it be.
Life and death hang by a thread. What I was meant to go through with, I've gone through. If I risk everything to kill Chen Luo, I may end up losing my own life. I'll wait until I'm stronger. Wu Yuan’s mind was clear.
A life-or-death gamble was not about risking one's life over and over again. Knowing when to retreat was crucial.
With Jin Rensu's death, Great Jin will be thrown into turmoil. This battle will rock the Jiang Continent.
Wu Yuan cracked a grin. But, it was Shadow Blade's doing. What does it have to do with me, Wu Yuan?"
For now, let's find a place to eat. Flexing his legs slightly, Wu Yuan disappeared into the blustering snowy forest.
...
The battle between Wu Yuan and Chen Luo came to an end, but the aftermath of the storm was just beginning. Their earth-shattering confrontation lasted an entire day and night, spanning a distance of 2000 li!
Countless commoners and martial artists bore witness to the fight, and news of the Grandmaster-level battle in Baihu Province quickly spread like wildfire.
"It’s definitely a battle between Grandmasters."
"Two Grandmaster experts clashed from south to north, finally stopping when they reached Yuanhu Province. The outcome remains unknown."
"Who were the combatants?"
"Unclear, we couldn't see it clearly at all."
Numerous speculations circulated, with initial reports failing to provide a definitive consensus on the identities of the fighters.
Just one day later.
Shadow Blade, an expert listed on the Human Rankings, resurfaces in the martial world, first assassinating Ninth Prince Jin Rensu of Great Jin, then engaging in a battle spanning across 2000 li with Grandmaster Chen Luo.
Shadow Blade, the newest addition to the Land Rankings.
These two pieces of news were disseminated from the Hillstride Province, rippling out into the world like a stone dropped into a still pond. In no time, the various factions across the entire Jiang Continent received the news.
The impact was not limited to the continent, spreading quickly to the Holy Continent and swiftly reaching the top echelons of the seven continents of the Central Plains through channels such as the Starcom Consortium.
The name Shadow Blade resounded throughout the world.
1. Literally speaking, "when the distance is so close, the strength of any one person is enough to match the entire country." Meaning: I am so close to you now, if I really want to hurt you, it doesn't matter how powerful you are, you won't be able to go unharmed. This is a threat to the other party not to be too conceited ?
2. metaphor for deciding the countermeasures based on the specific situation. ?
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