Chapter 865: Stellar Heaven Martial Arts Rites (28)

Strange, if Bo Ti Ou drove away the people from the company who came to the Immortal Vessel to do business, would Luofu really be willing? Qi Er Cha Ke was utterly confused; the company also counted as a guest of the Luofu Immortal Vessel, and Bo Ti Ou stirring up trouble like this—would the Immortal Vessel not bother to control him?

Although they both revere the Hunt Patrol, the Immortal Vessel and the Sea Patrol Wanderers have completely different conduct; truly speaking, they may not even be allies.

"Probably, in the Immortal Vessel's view, Bo Ti Ou's action can only be considered a personal grudge against the company, after all, revenge is also a kind of Hunt Patrol; as long as it doesn't affect other guests, the Immortal Vessel has no reason to stop Bo Ti Ou from seeking revenge." Ma Lu Xi Er interjected from the side, "Similarly, the Immortal Vessel won't stop the company from putting out a bounty on Bo Ti Ou—they probably already have people ready to come capture him."

——

"Mr. Bo Ti Ou, I don't know what grudge you have with the company, but I think we're not so different—aren't we both just wanting the attention of the whole galaxy?"

Bo Ti Ou pulled out a pistol, aiming the jet-black barrel at Lu Ka's brow: "Alright, alright, alright, old man, I won't argue with you. Since you're so eager for my bullets, I won't refuse, right? Heh, before coming here, I drew six lucky lots at the Jianyao Xuan before the Imperial Bow Commander."

"How about this… if my next six bullets all jam, then you win. But if they don't jam… tsk tsk, the floor of this arena will be a pain to clean up~"

Lu Ka looked at his serious expression and for a moment was also somewhat frightened: "Um, Mr. Bo Ti Ou, we're just sparring; we only need to exchange blows, no need to fight to the death……"

"Heh heh, someone's messing with you for fun, I'm not playing around with you! I insist on fighting you to the death—you don't have the guts, what are you doing up here?" Bo Ti Ou wiped the smile from his face, stared unblinking at Lu Ka, "Come, look at my barrel. Come over and punch me once. Do you dare?"

"What are you doing?" Xing also began to feel that the atmosphere on the stage was somewhat off.

"I'm talking to Lu Ka, my little brother! Let him answer me himself! Lu Ka! Come over and punch me once. Do you dare?!"

Bo Ti Ou's repeated questioning was like a barrage of cannonballs, stirring up huge waves in Lu Ka's heart; although he still strove to keep his posture for a forward charge, his shifting gaze already betrayed him.

"Speak!"

Lu Ka took a deep breath, struggled to suppress his inner fear, and gritted his teeth: "... Come on, Bo Ti Ou. I will defeat you."

"Hahaha! Heh heh, you've got a bit of guts! Bullets have no eyes—don't blame me for being ruthless!"

——

Qin Dynasty Bright Moon

Not good, fearful before the battle—this Lu Ka…… this battle will probably be lost.

In the bamboo pavilion of the Mirror Lake Medical Manor, Gai Nie held his sword, his gaze calm as he watched the changes in Lu Ka's expression. Bo Ti Ou's line of questioning was indeed oppressive, like a heavy hammer continually striking Lu Ka's weak point, already carving out a hidden gap.

"Fearful before the battle?" Tian Ming turned his head, his face full of confusion, "Uncle, you couldn't have misjudged, could you? Elder Lu Ka doesn't look afraid at all—isn't that just the sentence Bo Ti Ou asked? Although it's pretty scary…… but if you don't give him two heavy punches, he'll surely still think Lu Ka is just bluffing!"

"No, Tian Ming, Bo Ti Ou is the most unlike opponent Lu Ka has ever faced." Hearing Tian Ming's rebuttal, Gai Nie merely shook his head slowly, "I thought the opponents Lu Ka encountered were all arena competitors—they usually just exchange blows, not fight to the death; although Lu Ka is highly skilled, he has never engaged in a life‑and‑death struggle with anyone."

Gao Yue listened, entranced, and suddenly realized: "Master Gai, are you saying that Bo Ti Ou is now creating a 'Heart‑Attacking Momentum'? He wants to use words to intimidate Lu Ka, making him retreat knowing it's hard……"

"Exactly." Gai Nie approvingly glanced at Gao Yue, then turned his gaze back to the sky canopy, "Although Lu Ka is still putting on a calm front, his aura has already collapsed. He's afraid…… he's afraid Bo Ti Ou will really kill him. In the ensuing fight he'll probably be hesitant and restrained; even if Bo Ti Ou never intended to kill him from the start, the opponent will still find an opening and crush him."

Then, following Uncle's meaning, if we fiercely intimidate the opponent before a fight, wouldn't that be very useful?

Not bad, it's indeed useful. Do you know why, before two armies go to war, they first beat the drums? One drum, one surge of energy—the first drumbeat not only stimulates soldiers' courage, but the drum sound also greatly weakens the enemy's morale. When two armies clash, 'momentum' is something both commanders must contend for.

But this doesn't mean Lu Ka's defeat is already certain; at the moment of life and death, fear is normal. Or rather, those who aren't afraid are abnormal. True courage is moving forward even if one's legs tremble…… if Lu Ka can take that step in this battle, it will surely be greatly beneficial to his future mindset.

——

The hallucination is back.

In Lu Ka's eyes, Bo Ti Ou had completely transformed into another form, his limbs twisted, morphing into a hideous and dangerous monster. Countless eyes, impossible to number, were irregularly scattered over every inch of that twisted body, each gaze seeming to speak.

Run away, Lu Ka, don't go over there, you'll die.

I don't want to die……

He will kill me……

Lu Ka's face turned pale, his lips trembling: "I… I… I can't……"

Oh? You don't even have the courage to step forward? Bo Ti Ou sneered, in his view Lu Ka remained rooted to the spot, not daring to take a step forward.

The inner fear kept urging him: "You shouldn't be facing him, Lu Ka! He will kill you!"

Lu Ka! Bullets don't have eyes—do you really want to die?

Lu Ka shook his head: "I can't die here, I still don't want to die… I still don't want to die!"

The fear of death: "If you just turn around and leave now, nothing will happen—hurry and flee!"

No, I cannot retreat……

Lu Ka opened his eyes, exhaled a long breath, and walked straight toward Bo Ti Ou. The latter curled the corner of his mouth into a faint smile, as if he finally found it somewhat interesting.

Good kid!