“Come face your death!”
Xiao Jiu’s words roared with boundless valor, as if the three Brahman grandmasters were mere small-time players in his eyes.
“Hmph! Still arrogant on death’s door? Xiao Jiu, you’re begging for it!” Gumu, hefting his massive sword, stepped forward, ready to clash.
“Wait!” Gunur halted him. “Xiao Jiu will die soon enough. No need to rush.”
“Father, he’s gravely wounded—now’s the perfect time to kill him. Let me end him,” Gumu urged.
“Fool!” Gunur snapped. “Can’t you see he’s baiting you? Even at his limit, the Dragon List’s top warrior isn’t to be underestimated. You could die by his hand.”
“Let the dead men handle him first. We’ll strike later.”
Gunur turned to the remaining dozens of assassins. “What are you waiting for? You trained twenty years for this day. Kill Xiao Jiu, and the sect leader will reward you richly.”
The assassins closed in on Xiao Jiu.
Xiao Jiu scoffed, “Gunur, you know they’re no match for me. Come fight me yourself.”
Gunur, aware Xiao Jiu wanted him as a sacrificial kill, wouldn’t bite. “These are my hand-trained dead men. Don’t underestimate them, or you’ll be carved apart,” he sneered.
“Hmph, a bunch of trash thinking they can kill me? Delusional.” Xiao Jiu showed no fear.
Gunur shouted to the assassins, “Hear that? The Champion Marquis calls you trash! Tell me, are you trash?”
“No!” they roared in unison.
“If not, show the Champion Marquis your strength. Kill him!”
At Gunur’s command, the dozens of assassins swarmed Xiao Jiu.
“Courting death!” Xiao Jiu gripped his warblade and charged.
Despite his wounds, he was ferocious. Each slash drew blood.
Ye Qiu noticed Xiao Jiu’s speed—within a blink, over ten assassins lay dead.
“Xiao Jiu’s injuries are severe. He’s striking decisively to save time,” Ye Wudi said. “He wants to clear the assassins quickly, then face Gunur’s trio in a final stand.”
“When do we move, Third Uncle?” Ye Qiu asked.
“Hold on,” Ye Wudi replied, calm and patient.
Five minutes later, all the assassins were dead.
Gunur’s gaze darkened.
He’d hoped the assassins would worsen Xiao Jiu’s injuries, allowing an easy kill once he was spent. Instead, they fell swiftly, doing little harm.
“As expected of the Champion Marquis. Even wounded, he’s this fierce,” Gunur marveled inwardly.
Xiao Jiu pointed his blade at the trio. “All three of you, come at once!”
Gumu, barely containing his rage at Xiao Jiu’s audacity, gripped his sword, ready to charge.
Gunur yanked him back, commanding, “Singh, you go!”
The ascetic monk Singh rushed forward, throwing a punch at Xiao Jiu.
Xiao Jiu didn’t dodge, slashing his blade at Singh’s fist.
*Boom!*
Fist met blade in an explosive clash.
Xiao Jiu staggered back six steps, spitting blood, collapsing to one knee.
Singh stood unmoved, unscathed.
What power!
Ye Qiu’s eyes widened. From his hidden vantage, he saw Singh’s punch carried thousands of jin of force. Practicing hard qigong, Singh’s fist showed no mark from Xiao Jiu’s blade.
“Champion Marquis, if you weren’t injured, I’d be no match. But now, you can’t withstand my fists. You know my strength. Stop resisting and accept death,” Singh said, advancing.
Xiao Jiu, using his blade for support, rose again.
“Third Uncle, we can’t wait anymore,” Ye Qiu urged.
Ye Wudi nodded. “Be careful, Ye Qiu. If Dragon Maiden or Asaman appear, don’t hesitate—run.”
“Got it.” Ye Qiu stood.
Ye Wudi rose from the snow too.
No longer hiding, they let their auras flare.
Singh paused, sneering as they approached. “What, two more looking to die?”
Xiao Jiu looked up, surprised.
He hadn’t expected Ye Wudi and Ye Qiu. Even more shocking was Ye Qiu’s aura—clearly that of a top-tier expert.
“How did he improve so fast?” Xiao Jiu wondered, stunned. Last time in Yangcheng, Ye Qiu’s skills were below Chen Daoling, the lowest-ranked Dragon List master. In such a short time, he’d reached this level?
Within seconds, they reached Xiao Jiu.
Ye Qiu helped him up, seeing his wounds: seven or eight bullet holes, a 20-centimeter gash across his abdomen, and three or four bullet wounds in his legs. Xiao Jiu had sealed the bleeding points, but the injuries were grave. Most would’ve collapsed, yet he fought on, his willpower astounding.
Ye Qiu’s respect deepened.
“Why are you here?” Xiao Jiu asked.
Ye Wudi replied, “Ye Qiu and I were sent by Tang Lao and the War God to save you.”
Ye Qiu added, “Champion Marquis, you’re badly hurt. Rest. Leave these three to us.”
“Be careful. They’re Brahman experts, very strong,” Xiao Jiu warned.
“No matter how strong, they die today,” Ye Qiu declared, locking eyes with Singh.
“Bald donkey, come meet your death!”
Ye Qiu beckoned, his provocation clear.
