Chapter 139: On the Brink

The moment Lu En's voice fell,

suddenly,

Bokarto froze.

Huh?

What's going on?

He wants to fight me?

Why?

He simply couldn't understand!

Bokarto's reaction was a bit slow.

He racked his brains but still couldn't figure it out…

He clearly hadn't expected that Lu En had come looking for him on purpose, just to have a fight with him.

After a long while,

he finally turned his confused gaze toward Lu En before him, and couldn't help asking: "Why?"

Hearing this,

Lu En said frankly: "This period of cultivation has made me very curious — with the strength I now possess, exactly what level I stand at across this entire sea."

"These past few days, I've been fighting Sea Kings non-stop, but I've never had an accurate sense of my own strength."

"So…"

"I want to spar with you, Lieutenant Colonel Bokarto."

"To test my own strength, to see what level I've reached."

"You won't refuse, will you, Lieutenant Colonel Bokarto?"

The words fell.

Bokarto understood at once.

Then,

the corner of his mouth twitched involuntarily, his face full of bitterness and helplessness.

So…

he'd become Lu En's measuring stick?

Having no choice, Bokarto couldn't refuse, and could only nod in agreement: "Alright."

Thus,

on this day,

at dawn, a piece of news swept across the entire Navy warship like wildfire!

Several hundred Navy men shook off their morning drowsiness in one go, their faces lighting up with strong anticipation and excitement, and all hurried toward the warship's deck.

"Big news!!"

"Lieutenant Colonel Bokarto has been challenged face-to-face by Mr. Lu En!"

"Mr. Lu En is about to face off against Lieutenant Colonel Bokarto."

"A battle of this caliber is absolutely rare."

"Tell me, who's stronger between the two? Lieutenant Colonel Bokarto may only be a Lieutenant Colonel, but his strength has long since reached the level of a Headquarters Colonel."

"Personally, I think Lieutenant Colonel Bokarto's strength should be a bit greater."

"Mr. Lu En is, after all, still too young."

"Not necessarily!"

"…"

Opinions flew from every mouth.

A group of Navy men, hearts brimming with anticipation, flocked to the deck.

And there,

in less than half a quarter-hour,

the entire area around the deck had been completely surrounded by a crowd of Navy men.

Several hundred Navy men, stirred into action by the news, arrived at the scene together, watching with full curiosity the duel about to erupt.

All sorts of opinions poured out endlessly from the crowd.

Some expressed their favor toward Bokarto.

After all,

a proper Headquarters Lieutenant Colonel who had followed Vice Admiral Captain Kapu for many years had long since possessed the combat power of a Headquarters Colonel.

Of course.

Some favored Lu En as well.

Just days ago, the scene of Lu En killing a Sea King barehanded was still fresh in their minds — those heart-shaking moments were unforgettable to every Navy man present.

In short.

Both sides had their supporters.

But relatively speaking, those who favored Bokarto were clearly more numerous.

Even though Lu En had blown up a Sea King barehanded…

in the minds of most Navy men,

Bokarto, who possessed Headquarters Colonel-level combat power, was clearly more convincing to them.

At the same time.

Along with the lively atmosphere of the entire warship, even Captain Kapu had been alarmed and came to the deck, serving as the referee for Lu En's duel with Bokato.

Should any sudden situation arise, Kapu would be responsible for stopping the fight between the two sides, preventing any excessive injuries.

"You two, remember to stop at just the right point, got it~?"

Kapu stood in the middle area of the deck, his gaze sweeping over Lu En and Bokato, reminding them with a truly solemn expression.

"Understood."

The two nodded in unison in acknowledgment.

Lu En's eyes flashed, his gaze full of fighting intent as he looked at Bokato.

This battle…

Was just right to test his own strength!

A Marine colonel's level of combat power—surely, it shouldn't be too weak, right?

Before the battle erupted,

Bokato took a deep breath, his face full of gravity as he looked at Lu En, and said: "Mr. Lu En, you'll have to be careful. Later, I won't hold back."

"Although I'm nothing more than a Marine Headquarters lieutenant colonel, I can tell you very responsibly. Even some Marine colonels at Marine Headquarters, when it comes to strength, they're still far inferior to me."

"If you only treat me as an ordinary Marine lieutenant colonel, then I have to tell you with great regret, you may suffer a crushing defeat at my hands!"

"I hope, Mr. Lu En, you can also go all out!"

How strong was Lu En?

Bokato knew perfectly well.

A monster who could fight a Sea King barehanded, and ultimately even forcefully blow one apart, was naturally no ordinary person.

This point, Bokato was very clear about in his heart.

Precisely because of this,

He didn't dare to be careless or slack off at all.

From the very start,

He directly stated his inner thoughts.

In this battle, he would not hold back!

Because…

Even he didn't have a hundred percent certainty that he could steadily win against the Lu En before his eyes.

Once he held back, he might face a crushing defeat!

And this, was naturally not what Bokato wanted to see.

As a Marine Headquarters lieutenant colonel, he likewise had his own pride.

He absolutely would not allow…

Himself to suffer a crushing defeat at the enemy's hands!

Moreover…

The Lu En before his eyes was still a child only four years old!

Losing to a four-year-old brat?

Just imagining it alone made Bokato find it hard to accept.

A dignified Headquarters lieutenant colonel—how could he lose to a four-year-old brat?

Even if the other party was a once-in-a-century absolute genius!

Bokato still would not allow himself to lose.

"Lieutenant Colonel Bokato, you're sure you want me to go all out?"

Lu En narrowed his eyes slightly, a playful smile on his face as he looked at Bokato.

Go all out?

Even if he himself went all out…

He didn't know how strong he could be!

"Naturally."

Bokato nodded solemnly.

"¨‖Since that's the case…"

"Then as you wish."

Lu En smiled.

Next,

In front of the several hundred Marines of the entire venue.

Lu En's right hand grabbed his collar,

And then,

With a forceful tug,

Rip—

Accompanied by a crisp, pleasant sound.

His upper garment was torn apart on the spot,

Turning into countless shreds and remnants, drifting down gracefully through the air.

Shreds of clothing everywhere…

Scattered at Lu En's feet.