Chapter 121: Strong Enemy

Jiang Xiaomu ignored Aqizi's mockery and continued to calmly look for an opportunity.

In a test of strength against Aqizi, he was absolutely no match.

Although Aqizi had the upper hand, he grew increasingly alarmed as the fight went on.

He never expected that this seemingly young guy would be so troublesome.

His movements were uncanny; whenever Aqizi thought victory was within grasp, he narrowly evaded the attack.

"Damn it!"

Aqizi cursed silently in his heart; he had to end the fight quickly, otherwise delays would bring complications.

He swung his saber wildly, aiming straight for Jiang Xiaomu's chest.

Jiang Xiaomu's heart jolted; he hastily turned sideways to dodge, the saber's aura grazing his shoulder and leaving a deep gash in his clothing.

"Too close!"

Jiang Xiaomu thought to himself.

He focused even more on observing Aqizi's movements, looking for an opening.

At that moment, Aqizi suddenly revealed a flaw.

In his pursuit of speed, his stance became slightly unsteady.

A flash of light appeared in Jiang Xiaomu's eyes; seizing the opportunity, he moved like lightning and instantly closed in on Aqizi.

His long sword thrust straight toward Aqizi's chest.

Aqizi startled, quickly raised his saber to block.

"Clang!"

A deafening crash rang out as the two blades collided, sending sparks flying.

Although Jiang Xiaomu's long sword pierced Aqizi's chest, it was stopped by his armor and failed to inflict a fatal wound.

Nevertheless, the tremendous impact still shoved Aqizi back several steps.

Jiang Xiaomu pressed the attack, swinging his long sword again at Aqizi.

Aqizi was caught off guard, staggering backward repeatedly, finding himself in dire straits.

Sweat mixed with dust smeared Jiang Xiaomu's eyes.

Aqizi was no better off; his armor was covered in sword marks, and his heavy breathing sounded like that of a dying beast.

Both had reached their limits, relying solely on willpower to keep going.

Aqizi's saber came down with a howling wind; Jiang Xiaomu barely managed to raise his sword to block.

"Clang!" A loud bang shook his palm numb.

A tremendous force surged through; Jiang Xiaomu could no longer grip his long sword—it flew from his hand with a clatter and lodged in the ground several meters away.

"Hahahaha!"

Aqizi burst into wild laughter, his voice full of triumphant glee.

"Out of strength, brat? I told you before, you're nothing but…"

Before he could finish, Jiang Xiaomu suddenly ducked, dodging Aqizi's certain-kill strike.

The saber skimmed his scalp, slicing off a lock of hair. The threat of death made Jiang Xiaomu's scalp tingle and a cold sweat break out on his back.

"Damn it!"

Aqizi cursed angrily and brought his saber down again.

Jiang Xiaomu rolled clumsily on the ground, evading Aqizi's attacks.

"Is that all you've got to challenge me?" Aqizi's tone dripped with contempt.

"Just obediently accept death!"

The saber was raised high, its edge flashing with cold light, the aura of death enveloping Jiang Xiaomu.

At that critical moment, an arrow shot through the air with a "pfft," striking Aqizi squarely in the shoulder.

Aqizi cried out in pain, his saber going limp in his hand.

Jiang Xiaomu looked up and saw Ye Ying standing not far away, her longbow still trembling slightly.

"Ye Ying!"

Jiang Xiaomu felt a surge of joy.

Jiang Xiaomu seized the chance, sprinted to the tree trunk, and pulled out the long sword lodged there.

"Damn it!"

Aqizi roared angrily, yanking the feathered arrow from his shoulder as blood spurted out.

He struggled to rise, but found the searing pain in his shoulder rendered him completely immobile.

Jiang Xiaomu held his sword and stepped forward toward Aqizi.

"Now it's my turn!"

Fear flickered in Aqizi's eyes; he gritted his teeth against the pain and tried to lift his saber again, only to discover his arm had gone numb.

"Go die!"

Jiang Xiaomu raised his long sword high and brought it down hard on Aqizi's head.

At that critical instant, a figure suddenly appeared, stepping in front of Aqizi.

"Clang!" A loud bang rang out, sparks flying.

Jiang Xiaomu's long sword was blocked by a massive saber; the tremendous recoil made his palm go numb again, nearly causing him to lose his grip.

"Kasim!"

Aqizi exclaimed in surprise.

Kasim said nothing, merely standing silently before Aqizi, his saber emitting a cold gleam as he firmly locked onto Jiang Xiaomu.

Jiang Xiaomu's heart sank; he had encountered another strong enemy.

Kasim's strength was clearly above Aqizi's, and the killing aura he exuded made Jiang Xiaomu feel a sudden pang of palpitation.

"Looks like today is destined to be a fierce battle."

Jiang Xiaomu took a deep breath, gripped his long blade tightly, and prepared to meet Kasim's challenge.

Ye Ying leapt down from the treetops, landed beside Jiang Xiaomu, and said in a low voice:

"Be careful, Kasim is the strongest warrior under Aqizi, his strength unfathomable."

Jiang Xiaomu nodded, said nothing, just stared intently at Kasim, mulling over how to deal with this formidable opponent.

Kasim slowly raised his curved blade, the tip pointing at Jiang Xiaomu.

"You're strong, but today you must die here!"

Jiang Xiaomu snorted coldly.

"Who will win the deer is still unknown!"

Before his words finished, Kasim suddenly moved.

The curved blade came down with a howling wind, fiercely chopping at Jiang Xiaomu's head.

Jiang Xiaomu hastily raised his blade to block.

"Clang!" Another loud bang, Jiang Xiaomu was shaken back several steps, his arms going numb.

Kasim's strength was greater than he imagined; a single blow made him feel hard to withstand.

The huge curved blade was like the grim reaper's scythe, continually reaping Jiang Xiaomu's life.

Jiang Xiaomu could only rely on his agile footwork, constantly dodging Kasim's attacks, looking for a chance to counterattack.

Ye Ying beside him could not intervene either; Kasim's attacks were too fierce, she found no opening to strike.

Amid the flashing blades, Jiang Xiaomu felt his arms about to shatter from the shock.

Just then, a noisy clatter of hooves came from afar, breaking the tense atmosphere.

Amid rising dust, several figures rode in, the leader being Donghai.

"Chief!"

Donghai dismounted in one motion, instantly spotting Aqizi lying in a pool of blood, and Jiang Xiaomu locked in fierce combat with Kasim.

"That dog Aqizi, he's still not dead!"

Bai Tou, Sha Zhi and the others followed behind Donghai, cursing and swearing.

Donghai ignored them, instead giving Wen Zheng and the few behind him a glance.

They understood silently, and quietly moved closer to Aqizi.

At that moment, Aqizi was clutching his shoulder, groaning in pain, utterly unaware of the approaching danger.

Wen Zheng suddenly drew his warrior's blade, a flash of cold light, and a bloody head flew high, rolling several times on the ground, the wide-open eyes still holding an expression of disbelief.