Chapter 1200

First Volume, Chapter 1200: The Three Ma Brothers

Ting-qiang!

With a sharp crack, the spear pierced the armor plates—but not deeply.

Chen Yanzong seized the spear and slashed backward at Ma Hong.

Fortunately, Ma Hong reacted quickly, releasing the spear at once, narrowly avoiding Chen Yanzong's strike; had he been any slower, his wrist would have been severed.

This was the drawback of a spear shaft too short.

With the spear now out of his hand, Ma Hong dared not approach Chen Yanzong any closer, while on the other side, Ma Hu had already thrust his spear toward Chen Yanzong's back.

Ding!

Another sharp crack—Ma Hu's full-force strike barely pierced the armor plates, causing only a light wound, unable to disable Chen Yanzong's combat effectiveness.

Chen Yanzong sheathed his hand knife and used Ma Hong's own spear to counterattack.

Ma Hu withdrew, pulling out the spear and dodging Chen Yanzong's lethal thrust, then swept his spear sideways, hoping to force Chen Yanzong back—but Chen Yanzong ignored the attack entirely, advancing instead, closing the distance.

Bam!

Ma Hu's powerful strike slammed hard into Chen Yanzong's shoulder, while at the same time, Chen Yanzong's spear pierced cleanly through Ma Hu's chest.

"Second Brother!"

Ma Hong cried out, staring at Ma Hu lying in a pool of blood, clenching his iron fist, eyes bloodshot.

The spear had pierced Ma Hu's vital point; he clutched his gushing chest, trying to speak, but blood kept spewing from his mouth, leaving him unable to utter a single coherent word.

Chen Yanzong, protected by his armor, absorbed Ma Hu's blow—only staggering two steps, otherwise unharmed.

The three brothers had attacked Chen Yanzong together—result: one dead, one wounded, leaving only Ma Hong.

Chen Yanzong deliberately threw a spear down before Ma Hong.

"Were those two men trained by you?"

"Heh, barely qualified as second-rate soldiers."

"How long can you, a first-rate soldier, hold out? How about this: every time you block one of my strikes, I'll spare one more life?"

Chen Yanzong had never regarded the Ma brothers as a threat.

To Chen Yanzong, Ma Hong was merely slightly calmer than the other two—that was all.

Chen Yanzong intended to provoke Ma Hong into losing his composure, charging recklessly at him, so he could kill him with a single strike.

Ma Hong knew full well—he was no match for Chen Yanzong, armor or no armor!

Yet he still picked up the spear without hesitation, gripping the shaft tightly with both hands, stepping forward one slow step at a time toward Chen Yanzong—he had no choice. Today, either he died, or this soldier of bandits did.

"You killed my father and brothers—this blood-deep grudge, I will avenge at all costs."

"What's your name? Even if I die today, I'll remember your name—to seek revenge in my next life!"

Chen Yanzong sneered endlessly: "Fine. I'll wait for you until your next life."

"Remember well—I'm Chen Yanzong, destined to rise above all others!"

As he spoke, Chen Yanzong advanced toward Ma Hong.

When Chen Yanzong entered the spear's striking range, Ma Hong no longer hesitated—he lunged forward with all his strength, aiming straight for Chen Yanzong's chest and abdomen.

That spot, though densely armored, was connected by chains; with good fortune, the spear tip could slip through the gaps between plates.

Chen Yanzong knew this well—he would never expose his armor's weakest point to a spear thrust.

Facing Ma Hong's full-force strike, Chen Yanzong raised his shield once more, blocking the blow, then slashed downward, severing the spear shaft.

He stepped forward immediately and struck again—this time, cutting into Ma Hong's right shoulder.

The blow tore open flesh and bone, deep enough to expose the bone.

Ma Hong collapsed heavily, blood spraying—he clutched his shoulder tightly, but blood still oozed relentlessly through his fingers.

Chen Yanzong snorted in disdain: "Courage is commendable, but to engage an armored warrior in close combat—no matter how brave, you're a fool."

"Die!"

Chen Yanzong raised his hand knife again, preparing to bring it down on Ma Hong—

When suddenly, he lost his balance, knocked to the ground by Ma Dahai.

Ma Dahai pinned Chen Yanzong down, roaring at Ma Hong: "Big Brother, kill him!"

Ignoring his wounded shoulder, Ma Hong grabbed the severed spear with his left hand and charged forward; since Ma Dahai was atop Chen Yanzong, Ma Hong could only stab at his head.

At that moment, Chen Yanzong twisted his head sharply, using his helmet to block the spear—then, he drew a dagger from his waist and began stabbing wildly at Ma Dahai.

"Ugh… Big Brother… kill him… avenge Father and Second Brother…"

Ma Hong, bleeding heavily, grew dizzy; he raised the spear again and thrust it toward Chen Yanzong.

This time, it struck Chen Yanzong's face—but was blocked by the eyebrow guard.

Chen Yanzong was fully encased in armor; to kill him, you had to strip the armor off—but Ma Hong had no strength left.

Meanwhile, Ma Dahai had fallen silent.

Chen Yanzong shoved Ma Dahai aside, rose, seized Ma Hong's hair with one hand, and with the other, plunged the dagger into Ma Hong's chest three times.

As he released his grip, Ma Hong toppled backward, eyes wide open.

Chen Yanzong removed the eyebrow guard, rubbing his aching face, and spat fiercely.

"Damn it. A mere Maguan Village wasted me this much time."

The Ma brothers, the most stubborn of them all, were now all dead. Chen Yanzong sheathed his dagger, picked up his hand knife, and walked toward the Ancestral Hall.

He had no mercy like Wu Heli—no women, children, or elders would be spared!

Just then, Chen Yanzong felt his ankle seized—he looked down and saw Ma Hong was still barely alive.

Chen Yanzong, enraged and humiliated, cursed: These damned Nubi had delayed him so long—if word got out, how could he ever earn the trust of the Powerful Clans of Nan Jing?

"Fool!"

Even if a Great Luo Golden Immortal came, he couldn't save you.

Get out of my way!

Chen Yanzong kicked Ma Hong in the face, but the hand on his ankle gripped tighter; Chen Yanzong gritted his teeth, crouched down, pressed Ma Hong's face to the ground, and stabbed him several more times.

Confirming Ma Hong was dead, he pried open Ma Hong's fingers, his eyes fierce, and charged toward the Ancestral Hall.

At that critical moment, an arrow suddenly struck Chen Yanzong's helmet.

Ding!

With the crisp sound, the arrow bounced off.

Chen Yanzong frowned, turned around, and saw a little brat holding a short bow, tears streaming down his face as he stared at him.

Xiao Mazi watched his family die one by one; as the last surviving heir of the Ma Family, he unhesitatingly took his father's and uncles' place.