Zombie Bodyguard

Chapter 1688 - 1685: Perseverance

"Kid, you’re quite resilient, aren’t you?" Cui Yingzhe eyed Qiao Xiaoyi up and down, suddenly revealing a cruel smile, "But that makes it more fun."

Qiao Xiaoyi said nothing, his gaze locked intently on Cui Yingzhe. He lacked offensive power, and his defensive capability was lacking too. He could only rely on his reflexes, searching for the opportunity to "defeat the enemy in one move."

Cui Yingzhe, on the other hand, did not rush to attack but walked towards Qiao Xiaoyi step by step. Without experience in combat, Qiao Xiaoyi had no idea of Cui Yingzhe’s intention and could only retreat.

This back-and-forth confrontation continued, but the arena was only so big. Unknowingly, Qiao Xiaoyi had backed to the edge; seeing he was just half a meter from the railing, Cui Yingzhe suddenly moved.

With a sudden burst of strength from his legs, Cui Yingzhe charged forward at incredible speed. Before he even reached Qiao Xiaoyi, he had already swept out a kick. The range of his kick was larger than that of his arm, so before he arrived, his foot was already nearing Qiao Xiaoyi.

Qiao Xiaoyi hurriedly retreated, dodging the kick, but his back slammed hard against the railing with a bang, bouncing back violently from the impact.

"Dodge this, kid, take my punch!" Cui Yingzhe punched towards the rebounding Qiao Xiaoyi, aiming for his nose bridge.

Qiao Xiaoyi’s reaction time was quicker, but he was neither a combat expert nor experienced in blocking. He couldn’t cope, only managing to tilt his head and dodge the critical point of his nose.

"Bang"—a punch landed on his face, causing him to stagger sideways, his face swelling instantly. A trickle of blood escaped from the corner of his mouth, strikingly vivid.

This was the first time since the start of the contest that blood was drawn, shocking many in the audience, especially the girls, some of whom covered their eyes. The martial arts hall fell into the quietest scene since the match began. Many realized the contest wasn’t just thrilling; it also carried blood and cruelty!

Mu Binglan frowned, shouting at Qiao Xiaoyi, "Xiaoyi, concede. No one will blame you; you are no match for him."

"Xiaoyi, come down, don’t continue." Someone from Class A of the Biology Department shouted, everyone seeing clearly the vast gap in strength between Qiao Xiaoyi and Cui Yingzhe. Continuing wouldn’t end well.

Cui Yingzhe glanced at the audience below, laughing as if savouring the situation thoroughly. He looked down at Qiao Xiaoyi with a face full of disdain, "Kid, so many people are telling you to give up; just concede quickly. I’ll grant you another chance: concede now, then walk away with your tail between your legs. Remember, when you see me in the future, keep your head down."

He used the word "grant," as if looking down like an emperor, his tone laced with sarcasm.

Watching Qiao Xiaoyi, Lin Tian said nothing. He had only taught him Acupoint Kung Fu, but whether he could persist or use it was up to him. Lin Tian wouldn’t force him to persevere, nor would he make him give up; it was a decision Qiao Xiaoyi had to make on his own.

Qiao Xiaoyi wiped the blood from his mouth, raised his head—no anger on his face, no heroic determination, not even many words—but in his usual calm tone, he said two words, "Again."

"Are you stupid, Qiao Xiaoyi!" Mu Binglan couldn’t help but shout, wishing she could rush up and drag him down.

Lin Tian stood not far behind her, saying softly, "It’s his choice, let him be. Every man has something he holds on to, even if it comes with a price."

In this situation, no one would blame him for giving up because everyone could see the disparity in strength, but he might never get past it himself.

One can be defeated, but never bow one’s head.

Seeing Qiao Xiaoyi’s determined eyes, the muscles on Cui Yingzhe’s face twitched, his heart too halted for a moment, but he was immediately ashamed of such a reaction. A dignified black belt, afraid of the eyes of an ordinary student?

To quell the uncomfortable feeling in his heart, he had to knock Qiao Xiaoyi down completely, so he wouldn’t hold back.

With a whoosh, he charged at Qiao Xiaoyi again, faster this time. He couldn’t believe he couldn’t defeat an ordinary student!

"Bang"—another punch landed on the other side of Qiao Xiaoyi’s face, swelling it. Blood seeped from the corner of his mouth again. "Pop"—his shoulder was struck with a hand chop, and even through his practice suit, the audience could clearly see his shoulder swelling.

"Bang..."

"Boom..."

"Crash..."

The sounds of fists and kicks connecting with Qiao Xiaoyi’s body echoed continuously. Even with his quick reflexes, his opponent was a black belt expert. Even if he could dodge half of the attacks, the other half that landed was enough to cause significant pain.

Although this competition forbade hitting vital areas, any strike on the body was painful.

It was a one-sided beating. Yes, this was not a fair fight. The audience only saw Qiao Xiaoyi getting hit. The hall was silent; even the boisterous members of the Karate Club couldn’t utter a word.

Every person’s heart was shaken by Qiao Xiaoyi’s persistence, including Lin Tian, including the far end where Gai Huatian and Wu Xiuluo stood. His strength wasn’t impressive, but his spiritual power was so formidable it was trembling, even causing some girls to shed silent tears.

His persistence did not move the heavens, did not move the earth, and did not even make Cui Yingzhe show mercy, but it touched the hearts of the audience.

Whenever Cui Yingzhe saw the determination in Qiao Xiaoyi’s eyes, he felt a tremor inside, but the greater the feeling, the more ashamed and angry he was. He wanted to make that unsettling gaze disappear.

He didn’t stop his attack, with a whoosh, he swung again, but this punch missed. Qiao Xiaoyi didn’t dodge, but he somehow didn’t hit him!

The crowd was stunned; they noticed drops of sweat appearing on Cui Yingzhe’s forehead, his breathing beginning to grow rapid. The relentless pursuit had exhausted this black belt expert of a large amount of physical and mental energy, even causing him to misjudge, to miss his mark!

"It’s over." Lin Tian suddenly said.

This statement confused Xiao Manxuan, Mu Binglan, and the others. Over? What was over? But Lin Tian didn’t explain their doubts.

On stage, Cui Yingzhe, realizing he missed his mark, looked embarrassed, then furious. A black belt expert missing?

He glared fiercely at Qiao Xiaoyi, ready to channel all his anger into him.

"It’s utterly over!" Cui Yingzhe shouted, summoning every bit of strength, throwing a punch at Qiao Xiaoyi.

With a punch fuelled by anger, he reached his maximum speed. He didn’t want to prolong the fight anymore; he wanted to end this unsettling match now.

The crowd also seemed to sense that the end was near, but strangely, Qiao Xiaoyi didn’t retreat this time. Instead, he advanced.

He charged towards Cui Yingzhe, something unseen since the start of the game, a complete change in behavior!

Members of the Karate Club, Martial Arts Club, the audience, and Mu Binglan’s group all held their breath.

Seeing the fist about to smash into Qiao Xiaoyi’s nose, suddenly, he slightly tilted his head, the punch gliding past his hair, while his right fist suddenly struck out!