novelraw Chapter 987: Laughed Too Soon
Chapter 987: Laughed Too Soon
"Is it you who kidnapped my fiancée?" Han Yan was already simmering with anger when Zirong stepped forward, asking with murderous intent."You mean that woman? Yes, we took her." The middle-aged man looked at Zirong with disdain, not bothering to deny it, and replied arrogantly.
"Die!" Getting the answer, Zirong didn’t waste any more words and suddenly darted forward, stabbing towards the opponent with his sword.
This sword strike was as swift as a shooting star, as fast as lightning, and unstoppable, filled with all of Zirong’s anger and hatred.
The sword force was also extremely cunning, and the sword hummed, transforming into a thousand sword shadows, each aimed directly at the opponent’s heart meridian.
Even Han Yan couldn’t help but secretly admire it. If she hadn’t already advanced to the third stage Sword Master, she wouldn’t have been entirely confident in parrying this strike from Zirong with just the strength of a first-level Sword Master.
It seems the situation with the fiancée not only incited his wrath and hatred to the extreme but also pushed his potential to its limits. Han Yan wasn’t interested in saying another word of nonsense to the opponent. She was ready to make a move, but seeing Zirong take the lead, she stopped.
During this period, although Zirong appeared calm and composed on the surface and never mentioned Yu Qingwan, Han Yan knew his mind was never truly at peace. Occasionally, she could see the deep worry and anxiety in his eyes.
It’s just that he’s not the kind of person who gets swept up in romance, nor someone who would lament over minor setbacks or drown his sorrows in alcohol. He knew that no matter how much he worried, it wouldn’t help; hence, he kept all his concerns to himself.
At this moment, the long-suppressed anxiety and fury finally found an outlet. If he didn’t vent them, Han Yan was really worried it might affect his temperament and lead to drastic changes in his personality.
She definitely didn’t want Zirong to become the heartless killing star of the past who could silence crying children just by showing up. Although the current Zirong was somewhat shameless, he was still much more lovable than that killing star who stopped at nothing.
Moreover, with Zirong’s current formidable combat power, he shouldn’t be in any real danger. It was a chance to see just how terrifying Zirong’s potential could be when fully unleashed.
Facing Zirong’s limit-breaking fierce sword strike, the middle-aged man also showed a look of surprise, clearly not expecting that just a Great Swordsman could display combat power comparable to a normal first-level Sword Master.
The middle-aged man flicked his wrist, and a longsword appeared in his hand. This sword was a dusky grey, without a trace of brilliance, yet it gave off an eerie and sinister feeling. The longsword trembled rapidly, and the emitted Sword Light was also filled with a sinister aura.
"Clang clang clang..." A dense sound like raindrops clattered as Zirong’s thousand-point sword stars were blocked one by one.
In the muffled sound, the middle-aged man struck Zirong’s shoulder with a palm.
Zirong was shaken by this palm strike, retreating seven or eight steps before barely stabilizing himself. His body was continuously trembling, clearly having suffered some internal injury.
"Such a subtle sword technique, such strong power!" Han Yan was immensely surprised.
Zirong’s earlier beyond-limit sword strike was like a rain of daggers, already exquisite and unparalleled, yet unexpectedly, the man’s swordsmanship was even more exquisite, managing to block every single droplet of the sword rain in the nick of time, and finally landing a heavy palm on Zirong.
This man’s previous strike was likely hiding his strength. Others might not accurately gauge his strength from this strike, but Han Yan could see that his strength should be Fourth Rank Sword Master. If not for Zirong’s exceptional performance catching him off guard, Zirong might have been seriously injured under his hand.
"Not worth a hit!" Injuring Zirong with a palm, the middle-aged man again displayed his arrogance.
"I’ll kill you!" Zirong shouted in anger and charged again.
"Zirong, stop!" Han Yan called out to Zirong. He was lucky to avoid danger earlier because that unexpected strike even surprised Han Yan, catching the opponent off guard. If he acted again, there wouldn’t be such good luck, especially with his internal injuries.
Zirong, although unwilling, didn’t dare disobey Han Yan’s order. He stopped immediately upon hearing it, slowly sheathing his longsword, though his gaze towards the man remained burning with anger and hatred.
"Smart choice. I’ll say this one last time, hand over those two people, and I’ll spare your lives, otherwise, this village won’t be left even with a chicken or dog." The man pointed his sword at Han Yan, boasting arrogantly.
"You won’t have another chance to say that." Han Yan slowly drew her Longsword, looking at him as if looking at a dead man.
"I didn’t intend to kill today, but since you’re courting death, don’t blame me." Understanding the implications in Han Yan’s words, the middle-aged man revealed a thick killing intent, sneering as he spoke.
"Master, perhaps we should act together. No matter how strong he is, he might not be our match." Seeing the sneer on the middle-aged man’s lips, the anxious Family Head Fang suggested.
Han Yan, having been a benefactor and harbor to the Fang Family, and now their Sect Master, Fang naturally didn’t wish to see Han Yan take risk.
"No need." As Han Yan’s words fell, she already slashed out with a sword.
Against an opponent like this, more people weren’t necessarily better. Fang Family Head and the others weren’t nearly as strong, and joining the fight might not help much; it might hinder instead.
Sword Light was like snow, Frost Snow Dance, making the surrounding air turn icy cold.
When Han Yan was still in the Swordsman Realm, she had realized this Sword Transformation Technique called Frost Snow Dance through the Cold Sky Sword. Though she wasn’t using the Cold Sky Sword now, with the strength of a third-tier Sword Master, the power of this Sword Transformation Technique was even greater. The Sword energy converged into substantial ice and snowflakes, unlike the illusory shadows of the past.
"A third-tier Sword Master indeed has some confidence, but unfortunately, I am a Fourth Rank Sword Master!" The middle-aged man laughed wildly and slashed out with his sword.
The higher the level on the Holy Court Continent, the harder it was for cultivators to advance. Although the gap between a third-tier and Fourth Rank Sword Master seemed small, for most people, it might be a world of difference, a common secret of the Holy Court Continent.
Thus, he didn’t think much of Han Yan’s third-tier Sword Master strength.
Unfortunately, he didn’t notice that, when he revealed his strength, not only Huayue and the others but even the previously worried Family Head Fang showed a dismissive expression.
At first, seeing through his strength was difficult. His arrogance was intimidating, especially when he threatened the village’s annihilation, Fang Family Head was indeed somewhat frightened. It turned out that when he gleefully declared his strength, it was merely a Fourth Rank Sword Master.