Chapter 26: Dark Alley Terror

These nights, Li Ping'an hasn't been idle in the space; he keeps taking apart and reassembling the Eight Extremes Fist forms, and the Carefree Step leg technique is almost grinding out sparks. That momentum is more desperate than a senior‑year sprint.

The sweat wasn't in vain; it truly opened a new door for him.

When his mind shifted, his body flickered, residual shadows flew wildly, stubbornly forming nine illusory shadows that drifted like ghosts in the gloom, indistinguishable. The Carefree Step has truly entered the hall—Nine‑Shadow Maze.

The fists go out, no longer bound by rigid patterns, striking wherever they think, smooth as breathing. With eyes closed, within forty meters he can "see" even ants fighting. Half‑strength fist intent supports him, and within Eight Extremes Fist's fierce power a hint of light, weight‑lifting‑as‑if‑lightness slips through.

Breakthrough!

Li Ping'an gasps heavily, his chest warm, his joints cracking, his whole body exuding an indescribable comfort. He wipes his sweat, looks at his hands that could crush bricks, and can't help laughing out loud.

"Hey! This exhilarating rush is even more invigorating than gulping ice‑cold soda in the scorching heat!"

When you get cocky, you become light‑headed. This fresh, scorching heat, mixed with his unrelenting murderous intent toward the Japanese Soldiers, makes his bottom restless. He snaps the Evil Ghost mask onto his face and decides, tonight he must go for a "stroll" to test this new gear!

Xuanwu Street in the night was eerily empty, only cold wind swirling with dead leaves.

Li Ping'an had just drifted to the middle of the street when his steps suddenly froze.

About ten steps ahead, a black silhouette emerged as if from the ground, silently blocking the road. Dressed in a plain kimono and wooden clogs, he stood casually, and the street's vitality seemed drained, leaving only a death‑cold silence.

It was Kong Ben Musashi. He had been waiting for this moment.

Li Ping'an's hair stood on end! His heart felt clenched by icy hands, his breath uneven. This opponent was more chilling than any he had faced before—a bottomless, abyss‑gazing sensation.

But he can't wet his pants! Even if he can't win, he can't flee!

He forced his racing heart down, forced a few dry, strange laughs from his throat, which sounded even gloomier through the mask.

Kong Ben Musashi's dead‑fish eyes were flat, only a slight droop at the corner of his mouth, as if he saw a buzzing old fly.

Kong Ben Musashi: So you, Evil Ghost, killed my beloved disciple?

Li Ping'an: I have slain many Japanese Soldiers; I don't know which one you refer to!

Kong Ben Musashi: Stubborn as a dead duck, shedding no tears at a coffin; tonight I'll send you to be a burial offering for my disciple.

He slowly assumes an ancient opening stance, the surrounding air seeming to freeze. "According to your underworld code, I'll make your death clear. Japan, Karate, Kong Ben Musashi."

Li Ping'an mutters a curse under his breath, realizing there's no escape. He takes a deep breath, suppresses his fear, plants his feet firmly, extends his arm, brandishing his Eight Extremes Fist supporting fist, his aura suddenly as heavy as a mountain.

"China, Eight Extremes Fist." He pauses, then, as if possessed, adds, "Nickname—Evil Ghost!" (He mentally pats himself on the back: Real name? No way!)

The words barely leave his mouth when Kong Ben Musashi moves!

No shout, no wind‑up, the clack of his wooden clogs sounds like a funeral bell! A punch drives straight into the solar plexus—simple, brutal, yet fast enough to tear the air, carrying a crushing, all‑destroying force!

Li Ping'an's pupils contract; the Carefree Step instinctively activates, his body twists, narrowly skimming the fist's wind. The fierce force makes his mask sting.

"Really fast!"

He doesn't dare be careless; Eight Extremes Fist meets it, mountain‑press, heart‑elbow, tiger‑climbing‑mountain… the moves flow effortlessly, targeting vital points. The nine lingering shadows dart left and right, aiming to dazzle the opponent.

Kong Ben Musashi's eyes finally flicker—in surprise. This "Evil Ghost" moves with eel‑like cunning, his fist intent pure enough to frighten, brushing the edge of the Transformation Realm! What unsettles him more is how young the kid is!

"Genius…" a bubble rose in his stagnant heart, instantly crushed by a surge of murderous intent. "Must die!"

After the opening probe, the duel ramps up to full intensity!

The muffled clash of fists and feet explodes through the dead street like a drum broken. Li Ping'an unleashes all his newly honed skill; Nine‑Shadow Maze lets him dodge each killing blow, half‑strength fist intent gives him solid confidence, and he truly exchanges blows with this master‑level figure!

The gap in realms is as wide as a sky chasm. Each of Kong Ben Musashi's strikes lands with terrifying weight, shaking his qi and blood, numbing his arms. The opponent, seasoned to a supernatural degree, constantly anticipates his footwork, forcing him into peril each time.

Kong Ben Musashi grows more shocked and more enraged as the fight continues. He realizes this "Evil Ghost" is practically a monster! From a shaky start to now steady, even mimicking and assimilating his power techniques! The kid treats him as a sparring partner, rapidly leveling up in a life‑or‑death grind!

"Using me to grind experience?" A wicked fire of being toyed with surges to his heavenly spirit!

Kong Ben Musashi lets loose completely, letting out a low roar; his surrounding aura surges again! His fist speed and power spike dramatically, a single move—"Soul‑Shatter"—condensed from a lifetime of cultivation, strikes straight into Li Ping'an's core!

Li Ping'an's scalp tingles; the Carefree Step runs at full power, the nine lingering shadows merge into a solid block!

"Boom!"

A deafening blast sends Li Ping'an flying like a runaway truck, slamming into the blue brick wall beside the street! His face beneath the mask turns ghastly pale, his throat a sour taste, he spits out a mouthful of blood, his organs feel displaced.

The internal injuries are so severe he's on the brink of collapse!

Kong Ben Musashi's gaze turns icy; he steps forward, ready to follow up with a slash.

Li Ping'an's will to survive erupts; he summons his last breath, pushes the Carefree Step to its limit, enduring excruciating wounds, whirls and darts into the black alley! He's even faster than before.

"Trying to run?" Kong Ben Musashi shadows him, clamping his jaws.

Li Ping'an's mind races; he must not return to Nanluoguxiang! Biting his molars, using his intimate knowledge of the terrain and the oddity of Carefree Step, he dashes through the black Alley, fleeing from Xuanwu Street toward Chongwen Street.

Blood streams down his mouth, his vision blurs. The footsteps behind him sound like a death talisman, drawing ever nearer.

Seeing himself about to be caught, a sharp turn appears ahead! Li Ping'an throws his remaining strength, jerking around the corner, just as the blind spot of his sight opens!

"Enter!"

He roars inside; his body instantly vaporizes on the spot, leaving only a faint scent of blood in the air.

Kong Ben Musashi sweeps around the corner like a gale, only to face an empty dead‑end alley! The walls tower absurdly, leaving no hiding place.

He slams his foot to a halt, his dead‑silent eyes erupting with incredulous fury! Where is the person? So big a living being, so badly wounded, could just vanish into thin air?!

He feels like a maddened tiger being toyed with, wildly sensing his surroundings yet touching nothing! That person truly turned into a ghost, melting into the night!

"Baka!!!"

A low roar, pressed to the limit, ricochets through the dead‑end.

Not long after, a swarm of Japanese Soldiers and agents pour in, torches and flashlights lighting Chongwen Street as bright as day, smashing doors, overturning boxes, chaos everywhere.

Meanwhile, Li Ping'an is already lying in the space. He collapses on the ground, drinks a few gulps of Spirit Spring Water, chews up several pre‑prepared healing herbs, feeling a warm medicinal force begin to mend his torn meridians and organs, finally he lets out a long breath.

After regaining some strength, he listens carefully to the outside noises, finds a gap, and again employs Carefree Step, using the night and chaotic momentum, moving like a ghost, silently slipping back to Nanluoguxiang, slipping into his shabby house and slamming the door latch shut.

Leaning against the cold door panel, he slides to the floor, removes the cracked Evil Ghost mask, revealing a pale face tinged with fear and excitement.

"Damn… master‑level… really fucking ruthless…" he grits his teeth, sucking in cool air, feeling his wounds slowly heal under the Spirit Spring and medicinal power, "I almost actually GGed… but this experience pack… is really hefty…"

In the space, only his heavy breathing and the painful, wheezing hisses remain.

The world outside has completely pierced his heavens.