Chapter 133: Fighting for One's Life

Just what I wanted!

He snorted coldly, his muscles tensed throughout his body, preparing for battle.

The man said no more, shook his wrist, drew his sword, a flash of cold light, and thrust straight at Jiang Xiaomu's throat!

This sword was as fast as lightning, vicious beyond compare, clearly a killing strike.

Jiang Xiaomu had been prepared, he sidestepped and simultaneously lifted his scabbard to block this deadly blow.

With a clang, the sharp metallic clash rang especially harsh in the silent courtyard.

Using that rebound force, Jiang Xiaomu drew his blade, a cold light flashed, and he unleashed a Forceful Splitting of Mount Hua, fiercely chopping down at the man's head.

The man's face showed surprise; he clearly hadn't expected Jiang Xiaomu's reaction to be so swift.

He dared not meet it head-on, his body darted back, barely evading that fierce slash.

Interesting.

The man gave a low chuckle, the fighting spirit in his eyes grew stronger.

Jiang Xiaomu said nothing; the real battle had just begun.

Blades clashed, sparks flew.

The two moved back and forth in the courtyard, their figures crossing, blades and swords flashing.

The man's swordplay was light and agile, ever-changing, hard to grasp.

While Jiang Xiaomu's blade style was broad and powerful, like splitting bamboo, each strike contained immense power, vowing to cleave the man in two.

After dozens of exchanges, neither could gain the upper hand.

Jiang Xiaomu's tiger mouth shook, a numb sensation spread up his arm through his whole body.

This man's swordplay was indeed strange and unfathomable.

He dared not be careless, focusing his spirit and calming his breath, fully concentrating on the upcoming attacks.

Light burst in the man's eyes; he too was surprised by Jiang Xiaomu's strength.

He had thought that, relying on his own martial skill, capturing Jiang Xiaomu would be as easy as taking something from a bag.

But he hadn't expected this brat to be so troublesome!

It had been a long time since he'd met such an opponent; his blood boiled, his fighting spirit soared.

Exhilarating!

The man let out a long whistle, his sword momentum suddenly shifted, becoming even more fierce and rapid.

Jiang Xiaomu responded calmly, his blade technique shifting accordingly, becoming steadier and heavier.

The two tangled in combat in the courtyard, blade and sword flashes dazzling the eyes.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The sharp metallic clangs rang incessantly in their ears, sparks flew, illuminating the two's grim faces.

The more they fought, the more excited the man became, madness flickering in his eyes.

He no longer sought a killing blow, but traded wound for wound, each move aiming for Jiang Xiaomu's vital points.

Jiang Xiaomu silently cursed the madman, yet he had to muster all his focus to respond.

This man had been completely roused to battle; at this moment he was a reckless desperado who feared nothing!

Jiang Xiaomu's left arm was slit open, blood instantly welling out.

He gritted his teeth, bore the pain, and swung his blade to block the man's next strike.

Again!

The man laughed wildly, his sword fury surging like a storm.

Jiang Xiaomu dared not meet it head-on, he could only keep dodging, looking for a chance to counter.

If this continued, he would eventually exhaust his strength and be defeated.

We must settle this quickly!

Jiang Xiaomu could no longer worry about such things; he decided to take a risky all‑or‑nothing gamble.

He spotted an opening, stepped forward with force, and swung his blade straight at the man's chest.

With this strike he exerted all his strength, the blow massive and heavy.

The man's face showed surprise; he clearly hadn't expected Jiang Xiaomu to suddenly erupt.

In haste he raised his sword to block, yet the tremendous force still drove him back step by step.

Now!

Jiang Xiaomu seized the moment, lunged forward, a flash of blade, and slashed at the man's neck.

The man's complexion changed drastically; if this blow landed, he would surely die.

He hastily turned aside, but the blade still gashed his shoulder.

Ah!

The man let out a miserable cry, staggered back, and his long sword fell to the ground.

Jiang Xiaomu did not press his advantage, but coldly regarded him and said:

You lost.

The man covered his wound, his face pallid. He never imagined he would be defeated by a nobody.

Who exactly are you?

The man asked through gritted teeth.

Jiang Xiaomu gave no reply, merely saying calmly:

You don't need to know.

The man staggered backward, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, yet his eyes flashed with a madness that made the heart pound.

His hand trembling, he pulled out a black pill from his bosom and swallowed it without a second thought.

Jiang Xiaomu's heart jolted, and an ominous premonition welled up.

After the pill entered his belly, the man's body began to shake violently, veins bulging, as if something inside wanted to burst out.

His aura also underwent a drastic change; originally it was merely a sharp sword qi, but now it was entwined

wrapped in endless killing intent.

"Kid, you forced me to use this forbidden drug; it's your own doing!"

Jiang Xiaomu cursed silently; sure enough, as expected, that madman actually had another trick up his sleeve!

He had thought victory was in his grasp, but he hadn't expected the opponent to still have such a trump card.

The man's speed suddenly surged, becoming so fast it was almost impossible to catch with the naked eye.

The sword light turned into countless afterimages, sweeping across the sky and earth toward Jiang Xiaomu.

Jiang Xiaomu only felt his vision blur, then a sharp pain struck his chest.

His whole body flew backward and crashed heavily to the ground.

"Pfft!" A mouthful of blood spurted out; Jiang Xiaomu felt his five viscera shift, his whole body's bones seeming to fall apart.

The man stepped closer, his eyes flashing with a cruel light.

"How is it? How does it feel? The power of this forbidden drug is not something you can withstand!"

Jiang Xiaomu struggled to rise, but found himself utterly powerless, only able to watch helplessly as the man approached step by step.

"Now, do you have any last words?"

The man looked down on Jiang Xiaomu from above, his words full of mockery.

Jiang Xiaomu gritted his teeth, endured the pain, and coldly said:

"Last words? I haven't lived enough yet!"

"Is that so? Then let me send you on your way!"

The man raised his long sword, the tip pointing directly at Jiang Xiaomu's throat.

The shadow of death enveloped Jiang Xiaomu, making even breathing difficult.

At the critical moment, a petite figure stepped in front of Jiang Xiaomu.

It was Jiang Xiaoyu! She directly blocked the man's deadly strike.

The sword tip pierced her shoulder, blood instantly staining her clothes red.

"Xiao Yu!"

Jiang Xiaomu's eyes nearly burst; he struggled to crawl up, but found his whole body wracked with pain, unable to move at all.

Jiang Xiaoyu let out a muffled groan, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth, yet she showed no fear.

"Brother, hurry and run! I… I can still hold on!"

Jiang Xiaoyu gritted her teeth, enduring the pain as she spoke.

"Run? If we run, we run together!"

Jiang Xiaomu roared, given Jiang Xiaoyu's strength, she was no match for this man at all.

To stay behind is only a dead end!

The man looked at the scene before him, a cruel smile curling his lips.