Chapter 81: Clash of Might

One month ago, the kings of the two nations Yin Yao, Yin Tian'ao and Fu Jing, were assassinated by Bu Sha during peace talks to unite against Qi, dying on the spot. The Yin Kingdom then fell into endless internal strife, the eldest prince and the third prince each formed factions, leaving the realm leaderless and weakening daily. Meanwhile the Crown Prince of Yao had not ascended the throne, because he swore an oath never to avenge his father and never to claim the throne.

In an instant, the entire Tianhe Continent was thrown into panic. Aside from Bing Ling, the bounty on Bu Sha totaled a staggering ten million taels.

"Hmph!" a cold laugh. "Revenge? How boring." The one who most wanted Fu Jing dead was none other than himself, right?

I gripped the gun with one hand and pressed it to Fu Junmo's forehead, slipped around lightly, moved to his back, and with the other hand lifted from my throbbing chest, grabbed his masked black cloth and gave a gentle tug.

"How did you discover me?" Fu Junmo glanced at me, unmoving; his expression lacked the fear and tension a threatened person should have, but was rather dark and heavy.

I released my grip, the black cloth fell slowly to the ground, the pain in my chest surged in waves, turning into a sweet, fishy taste in my throat, which I forced myself to swallow.

"It's the 'San Qian Si Kun' formation," I said, lightly moving the finger that held the trigger, forcing a breath as I answered, "I wasn't entirely sure at first, but Qin Ye's substitution reminder gave me a clue."

Fu Junmo's mouth twitched upward, revealing a wry smile, "Staying constantly in the 'Sheng Men' may seem inconspicuous, yet it's the most conspicuous; I was careless."

He turned his head, ignoring the barrel pressed to his temple, and from his cold, cruel eyes a gentle divine light slowly seeped, "Ruo Er, it seems every time I encounter you, I become completely unsettled."

I furrowed my brow, raised the hand gripping the gun, and hammered it hard onto his cervical vertebra.

"Pfft—" he let out a muffled groan, then a dry cough, spitting out a mouthful of fresh blood.

I again pressed the barrel to his forehead and said coldly, "I really do want to kill you like this!"

Fu Junmo lowered his head for a while, then suddenly lifted it, glaring at me fiercely. The ruthlessness and gloom in his eyes made even me, who clearly held the advantage, tremble involuntarily.

"I thought that the person rooted deep in your heart would be so remarkable," Fu Junmo said, raising his hand to wipe the blood from his mouth, then suddenly laughed coldly, "Now it seems he's nothing but a waste."

"Cough…" Fu Junmo coughed out a second mouthful of blood under my heavy blow.

"Crown Prince—"

"General!!"

The crowd, still reeling from shock and not yet recovered, finally shouted out. The surrounding masses, along with the pervasive killing intent, gradually left Bu Sha and converged toward me.

"Fall back!" Fu Junmo roared sharply, his eyes flashing with electric brilliance, reflecting the vivid blood‑red at his mouth corner, "Anyone who dares disobey my command will be slain without mercy!"

My hand gripping the gun twitched sharply, yet Fu Junmo gazed at me and gave a faint, maddening, ruthless smile. He wiped the blood from his mouth again and said coldly, "The suffering she inflicted upon this Crown Prince, you shall repay to that assassin tenfold, a hundredfold!"

I admit, I don't dare gamble.

If I were to gamble, betting Fu Junmo's and my own lives, then at least there would be a fifty percent chance of winning.

But I didn't, because I knew Qi Ran was nearby, because I knew he would return soon. So from the start, I only intended to stall, with no intention of a desperate all‑or‑nothing move.

"Bing Yi! Watch out—" Though surrounded by most of the crowd, Bu Sha remained composed in battle; his black eyes suddenly widened, he shouted, and in an instant, his spirit split.

Before the sound faded, cold air surged through the air. At that moment, I finally realized my mistake.

Bu Sha had said from the start that at least three people were hidden in the shadows, and I, who was holding Fu Junmo hostage, was careless and hadn't paid any heed at all.

I holstered the gun, flipped, and rolled onto the ground! Every motion flowed in one breath, without a single excess; my true qi surged to its peak in an instant.

In the crossfire, a black silhouette lunged at me, covering me head to toe, a gleaming blade, killing intent filling the sky, and a fierce gaze.

I lay on my back, raising the gun over my head; all my spirit, energy, and will focused on those tiny holes. A line formed—

"Bang—" The deafening blast echoed across the open grassland, startling everyone engaged in the fight.

Clutching the pistol that kept spitting smoke, I slowly rose. Fu Junmo stared at the object in my hand, visibly shocked, his two thick black eyebrows knit tightly, his complexion pale from injury.

Now, what a scene it is.

Lying before me was a corpse whose eyes could not close, a twisted handsome face, familiar inverted eyes, blood gushing from his chest like a spring. Qin Ye was dead.

Several swords were crisscrossed across Bu Sha's neck, pressed against the skin, bleeding red. He was forcefully knelt on the ground. Fu Junmo glanced at me, then stepped, step by step, toward the trapped Bu Sha.

—Bing Yi, never underestimate Fu Junmo…

Never before have I regretted not heeding Wei Lingfeng's warning as much as at this moment. Deep down, I truly underestimated Fu Junmo.

However, regret is meaningless, because Qi Ran hasn't returned yet; we may still have a chance of rescue.

I withdrew the gun, calmly facing Fu Junmo, "What do you want?" Only four bullets remained, while there were over thirty enemies. I had to stall for time.

A dagger as thin as a cicada's wing suddenly appeared in Fu Junmo's hand; I was startled—it was the dagger I had dropped while evading and rolling earlier.

The malicious gleam in his eyes surged, then subsided into a cruel cold laugh. Suddenly he raised his hand, the blade descended, and thrust forcefully into Bu Sha's shoulder.

"Bu Sha!!" I watched him raise the knife, flinging blood and flesh that blurred my vision, then slamming down hard, "Stop—stop! Stop!"

I clenched my fist, my nails digging deep into my palm, yet I felt no pain.

He toyed with the dagger in his hand, which hadn't been stained with a single drop of blood; his expression was part astonishment at the blade's material, part amusement like a cat playing with a mouse, and he said indifferently, "Then beg me!"

"Please, stop!" I shouted without hesitation, lifting my tear‑stifled face, though everything was a blur, "I apologize to you, I admit defeat, so please, stop!"

Bu Sha's complexion was pallid, yet he never uttered a hum from start to finish; his expression was unusually cold, showing no sign of movement. His eyelids drooped low, hiding the black‑curtain‑like eyes, and concealing the inhuman agony imposed upon him.

But my voice, my pleas, still made him shudder all over. He slowly lifted his head; his black eyes were as deep and tranquil as before, reflecting his pallid, ash‑gray face, yet they could not conceal the drowning pain and resentment deep within his cold heart.

His pale, cracked lips parted slightly, then in a hoarse, weak voice he said coldly, "Stop begging, it's ugly! Cough…"

Fu Junmo's complexion grew even darker, and he drove a fierce knife into Bu Sha's back. Speaking again, his voice carried an extreme mix of self‑control and jealousy that seeped through his teeth, "Ruo Er, just how far do you care for him?"

His gaze fell on my pale lips, tinged with blood, the fury in his eyes nearly ablaze, and he sneered, "Do you consider this pleading?"

I stared into his eyes for a moment, without any hesitation, bent my knees, knelt smoothly on the ground, lifted my head, and said softly and slowly, "I beg you… stop."

Fu Junmo released his grip, leaving the dagger lodged in Bu Sha's body, his gaze slowly descending, then lingering on me again. The bone‑deep hatred, jealousy, possessiveness, and the ruthless "those who defy me shall die" were laid bare, unmasked.

He stepped toward me, half‑crouched and knelt, showing no fear of me drawing my gun again to threaten him.

"Ruo Er, upon hearing that you left Wei Lingfeng, do you know how delighted I am?" His hand rose, looping around the strands of hair scattered on the side of my neck, speaking in a gentle tone, "I didn't need to take part in this operation personally, but…"

His tone suddenly shifted; I let out a low moan, my eyes catching a tuft of hair violently ripped away, and his malicious, domineering gaze, "I promised you back then, because… you are the woman I set my sights on, so I must seize you back myself!"

"Come with me!" He suddenly grabbed my chin with his other hand, saying coldly, "Come with me, and I'll release him."

I turned my head away, shook off his hand, mimicking his stance by standing on one leg while half‑kneeling. Gasping for breath, the pain in my chest burned hotter; I looked up at his serious expression, then let out a faint, wordless laugh, whispering, "You're dreaming!"

Whether pleading or kneeling, these humiliations, compared to Bu Sha's life, which matters more? I know it well!

I will never be that complete fool again!

Fu Junmo's face twisted from extreme anger, his right hand raised, and he suddenly lunged straight at me.

"Bang—" I vaulted, kicking his abdomen with my right foot, retreating a meter, and fell to the ground.

I forced the pain surging in my chest down, got to my feet, stared at him coldly, clutching my abdomen, my face paling from the pain.

"You stinky brat!!" With a roar, the old man who had appeared after the gunshot and had been vigilantly following Fu Junmo rushed straight at me.

This time the pain in my chest was a crushing attack; I hurriedly stepped back, released all my strength, and barely avoided a serious wound from the blow.

"Ruoer, don't test my patience!" Fu Junmo stepped back toward Bu Sha, then suddenly drew the dagger lodged in him. As he watched my calm face gradually show fear, a cold yet cruel smile spread to his eyes, and he said, "I heard your maid's tendons and ligaments are all broken…"

Speaking and laughing, the dagger slowly slid toward Bu Sha's right hand, which was propped on the ground.

"Fu Junmo!!" I shouted in horror, gun in hand, aiming at him without a hint of deviation, but my voice trembled, trembled… "I swear, if… if your blade strikes, for a lifetime I will exhaust all my power to make your life worse than death!"

The black‑clad men suddenly moved, densely surrounding him with no gaps. The old man who had just injured me also watched me warily, yet dared not move, clearly fearing the power of my gun.

"Ha ha…" Fu Junmo suddenly burst into laughter; his face unreadable, the laugh less cheerful than it sounded, turning instead into angry pain, "Just you? Unless you kill me right now, on what grounds do you think you can?"

A silvery blade flash slipped through the gaps between the bodies surrounding me, flashing before my eyes; I seemed to see Fu Junmo's demonic grin… Deep‑seated pain and hatred coiled around me like maggots on bone, my index finger slowly pulling the trigger…

If I cannot be kind, cannot compromise, then let me slaughter completely!

"Stop!" A clear, pleasant voice suddenly pierced the air.

A flash of dazzling light, and an orange figure darted like a phantom through the dense crowd of black‑clad men; wherever it went, the previously disciplined fighters fell to the ground.

"Ma Yingyan?" I whispered in surprise; a sweet, cloying floral scent filled my mouth and nose, my body suddenly went limp, collapsing onto the ground.

A sudden thought struck me; I knew these people had taken her trance drug. I bit my lower lip hard, using the pain to offset the anesthesia, pulled the silver needle from my bosom, and forced it into the acupoints.

At this moment Ma Yingyan—better called Cheng Er—had kicked aside the people crowding Bu Sha, grabbed him in one hand, frowned, and said, "Tsk tsk—didn't expect sister would actually like a useless waste like you!"

Bu Sha didn't even glance at her, flicked his hand, picked up the blood‑sucking device from the ground, and staggered step by step toward me.

"Are you okay?" He knelt, slumped down beside me, and asked coldly. He… seemed to have been stabbed many times just now? Yet now he acted as if nothing happened—truly not a normal person.

I withdrew the silver needle, gave Cheng Er, whose face was full of resentment, a cold smile, then turned, "It's fine! It's a trance drug that works on those with internal force; it acts quickly but its effect is weak."

That girl had clearly been watching the play nearby for a long time, yet only now appeared to rescue… The good impression I left on her while singing earlier is now completely ruined!

Cheng Er didn't glance at me, hurried to Bu Sha, whose head was bowed as he examined his wound, and kicked him hard, shouting angrily, "Hey! What kind of attitude is that! I just saved you!"

Bu Sha's whole body shivered; he spat out a mouthful of blood, and the will that had barely been holding on began to crumble.

I watched Bu Sha's wound bleed even more, drops falling onto the emerald grass, while Cheng Er still wore an unrelenting expression, cold anger gathering slowly from his heart.

Bu Sha's hand grasped the blood‑sucking device, his internal breath gone, his black eyes nearly unfocused; yet I could clearly feel the murderous aura churning in his heart. If he still had any strength now, he would strike without hesitation.

"I'm talking to you!" Cheng Er's cute face flushed bright red, her pride never having been completely ignored. She lifted her foot, almost using full strength, and kicked hard at the near‑conscious Bu Sha…

"Swoosh!!" A silent whooshing sound rang out in an instant.

I withdrew my hand, pushed the completely unconscious beauty who had collapsed onto me aside, then delivered a hard kick (though I eased the force as it landed), muttering coldly, "If you have the skill, try kicking me again! Don't waste my anesthetic needle…"

Bu Sha had completely lost consciousness; I hurriedly pressed a few acupoints to stop his bleeding, but unfortunately all the healing medicine was with Qi Ran. I saw his breathing even and steady, his complexion only slightly pale, showing no sign of life danger. Indeed, he's a creature whose vitality is stronger than a cockroach's.

I pressed firmly on my aching chest and walked toward the Fu Junmo lying on the ground.

Xin Hui's, my own, and Bu Sha's—new grudges and old resentments, I can't wait to settle them with you properly! Key Nation Crown Prince!

I picked up the dagger that had fallen to the ground and walked step by step toward the still barely conscious Fu Junmo.

I raised my hand, the blade fell, stabbing hard into his shoulder, "When you hurt others, have you ever thought you might end up like this yourself?"

The first strike. His hazy consciousness suddenly cleared, yet because of my fierce finger he still couldn't move or speak, only glaring at me fiercely; that look, that fury, seemed ready to devour me.

I didn't care; I drew the blade, raising a veil of blood, and smiled faintly, "I told you from the start never to presume to control others' destinies! Otherwise, one day your fate will no longer be your own!"

His complexion gradually faded; the eyes that had been filled with extreme hatred and rage suddenly stalled when they saw my smile and heard my words, as if recalling something, and even he could not suppress a softening… I drove the second thrust hard.

The third thrust… the dagger missed his neck and struck the grass; I slowly pulled it out, cleaned it, and sheathed it.

He suddenly looked at me, weak yet oddly smiling, his gaze as if saying, "Can't make the move?"

I gave him a cold glance, stood up, and felt no lingering attachment.

The tripartite stalemate is not yet the time to break; otherwise it would bring huge uncertainties and trouble to Qi Ran and Wei Lingfeng.

My chest throbed with pressure, and I was about to turn and leave…

"Bing Yi—" A warm, pleasant voice, mixed with boundless fear and worry, reached my ears from afar, and the next second I was pulled into a warm yet stiff, trembling embrace.

"Qi Ran, I'm fine!" I grasped his cold, trembling hand, smiled lightly and soothed, "Bu Sha is badly wounded; you should go check on him quickly."

Qi Ran's complexion changed; he glanced at the blood‑soaked Fu Junmo lying on the ground, his blue eyes instantly gathering icy killing intent. He raised his hand, and I saw a flash of silver light as something plunged fiercely into Fu Junmo's chest, who was about to lose consciousness.

The next second, Qi Ran gave me a look, clenched his fist hard, and instantly teleported to Bu Sha's side a short distance away.

"Miss Shui…" A deep, magnetic voice sounded beside my ear without warning; startled, I came to my senses and realized Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng had somehow arrived beside me, still with that leisurely smiling demeanor.

He glanced at the motionless Fu Junmo, who lay on the ground, slowly sinking into unconsciousness from pain and shock, and politely bowed his fist to me, "May I ask a small favor, to spare him a…"

"Cough…" The pain in my chest finally built up, turning into a fishy‑sweet taste in my throat that spilled over my mouth corner.

"You!" Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng stared at my pale face, the deep red blood.

Qi Ran seemed to sense something and looked this way. My heart panicked; I moved to Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng's side, blocking Qi Ran's view, and whispered earnestly, "Please don't speak, I'm fine."

No one knows better than I why this chest pain exists. The Cold Blood Sword, one of the four divine weapons of Tianhe Continent, if Qi Ran hadn't dispelled most of the cold from my body with medicine that day, I probably would never be able to use internal force again in this life.

But, during those days of healing, I inexplicably again…

I raised my sleeve, intending to wipe the blood from my mouth corner, but saw an arm stretched across before me.

I looked up in astonishment and saw Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng's sincere smile, "Use my sleeve to wipe it, otherwise, with Qi Ran's keen perception, he'll definitely notice."

I smiled, pulled his sleeve, wiped the blood from my mouth corner, and, weakly, sat down on the grass, whispering, "Thank you."

He smiled indifferently, bent down and lifted the blood‑soaked Fu Junmo, and in a low, deep voice said, "I'll settle him first, then come back for you all."

"What about these people?" I exclaimed, pointing at the crumpled, unconscious bodies lying beside me.

Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng's lips curled, revealing two rows of white teeth, "I don't care whether they live or die!"

(End of Chapter)