Chapter One Hundred and Four: A Night of Fierce Battle

My other hand never ceased wielding the Shadow Wing Blade Technique, and the sword I had just drawn was merely for easier parrying. The remaining three cooperated seamlessly, intent on ending my life.

As I swept Snowblade through the air, the Shadow Wing Blade reached its eighth form. Gradually, the man before me could no longer withstand my fierce assault, and while struggling to defend himself, he shouted desperately to his two companions, "Hurry and kill him! I can't hold on!"

How could I let such an opportunity slip? With a light leap, I stepped onto the railing of the wooden bridge, then charged down with all my might. Just as my blade was about to sever his head, a sudden, searing pain pierced my back.

My strength abandoned me, and I could only manage to strike his shoulder weakly. Though I hadn’t put much force into it, the sharpness of Snowblade was enough to cleave into his flesh. He howled in agony, and I kicked him aside.

By now, I was drenched in sweat, for a small knife was lodged in my back. Reaching behind, I gritted my teeth and pulled it out. It had been ages since I’d felt such excruciating pain—it was a cruel lesson in human nature.

Raising my hand, I finished off the man whose arm I’d just severed. The two remaining opponents watched in stunned silence.

"You… you brat, how could you be so ruthless?" one of them stammered, trembling with rage.

I shot back, "Which four bastards came looking for trouble with me?"

With that, I tossed the bloodstained dagger to the ground and pointed at it. "Here’s your proof that you struck first."

Unable to argue, they nodded grimly, then snarled, "In that case, you won’t leave here alive tonight!"

Weapons drawn, they advanced together.

I fixed a careful gaze on their every move. Though my combat strength had waned, I still had more than enough to handle the two of them. Before they could reach me, I had already formed a Bagua Array.

A Bagua formation floated in the air before me. With one hand supporting it, I could both attack and defend simultaneously. I thrust the array forward, blocking their assault, then performed an agile flip over their heads.

As soon as I landed, I swung my blade at them. They were no amateurs and reacted instantly. Half of my spiritual energy remained; I no longer held back, infusing Snowblade with more power to sharpen its edge.

After channeling my energy, I recalled Snowblade, only to summon it again in an instant. Only by doing this did my spiritual energy take effect—perhaps as my mastery grew, I would no longer need such convoluted methods.

Back to the fight: seeing me sheathe my weapon, they thought I was surrendering. Smirking, they moved in for the kill.

I raised the Bagua Array with one hand and swiftly summoned Snowblade with the other. The array had already absorbed much damage and finally shattered.

The timing was perfect—my other hand had just summoned Snowblade. Seizing the opportunity, I struck down one opponent’s weapon.

It was a precious chance; I pressed the attack but sensed something was wrong. With a wicked grin, the man pulled a small vial from his ring.

Instinctively, I covered my mouth and nose, but the substance was meant for the eyes. In an instant, black powder blinded me, robbing me of combat ability.

I tried to flee, but a blade stabbed into my thigh and I collapsed, helpless, to my knees. Rubbing my eyes desperately, I finally managed to see a little.

The two men, thinking I was still blind, prepared to behead me. But I sprang upright, kicked backward, and narrowly dodged their fatal strike.

Quickly, I tore a strip from my clothing and bound my thigh, then grabbed a bottle of water, pouring it over my eyes.

The water stung fiercely, but it worked; the pain was trivial. Soon, my vision returned, though the outer edges remained blurred.

"You have a tough life and strong skills, but it’s over now…" they sneered, launching their final assault.

My speed and strength were greatly diminished, yet I still had a trick up my sleeve. Pretending to support myself with my blade, my other hand quietly formed a seal in the shadows.

As they drew close, I unleashed a Thunderclap Technique. Blue lightning arced brilliantly through the darkness, like a dragon in the night sky.

I had intended to strike the man on the left, but a tremor in my hand sent the bolt into the one on the right instead. It wasn’t fatal, but the impact slammed him several meters away.

Now it was one-on-one.

He knew well the depth of my blade techniques and deliberately avoided direct combat. Every time I attempted a Shadow Wing maneuver, he slipped away deftly.

Unable to break through, I grew frustrated. Yet I noticed his flaw—he habitually defended high, neglecting his lower body, leaving an opening.

Feigning weakness, I lured him in; he took the bait. I sidestepped his attack and stabbed into his thigh.

He staggered back in pain, and I unleashed another Thunderclap Technique. This time, I struck his chest, and he collapsed unconscious.

Limping, I approached the man I’d hit in the shoulder, pointing my blade at him. "Who sent you? Who’s backing you?"

Clutching his bleeding shoulder, his lips had turned pale—he was losing blood fast and wouldn’t last without help.

Realizing I wouldn’t spare him, he spilled the truth. "Shi Lei—he’s an elder of Tianyang Mountain. He’s been trying to get promoted to Grand Elder for years but keeps being rejected. He sent us tonight to cause trouble."

I nodded, signaling him to continue.

"One of the men you killed was Shi Lei’s confidant. Shi Lei is the only one who knows you’ve been searching for the Giant Wolf Mountain treasure. He sent us to follow you tonight, planning to capture you and use you to threaten the Elder to give up his position…"

So, not only was it jealousy, but a web of tangled schemes.

I considered for a moment and asked, "What is Shi Lei’s cultivation? Why does he want the Elder to abdicate?"

"Shi Lei is currently at Spirit Flower Sixth Grade. The three Grand Elders manage the sect’s affairs, and the Elder oversees this area. Some say Shi Lei’s character is lacking, so the Elder refused his promotion."

Having learned all I needed, there was no reason to let him live. I gave him one last look, then slit his throat.

By now, it was nearly dawn. Unwittingly, I’d battled them through the night.

Surveying the corpses strewn about, I gathered them together and set them ablaze.

As for the bloodstains, I left them be. The night was dark and the wind high—no one had seen me. There was nothing to worry about.