Chapter 121 – Shui vs Xiao Ah Tian, Again
Leo found Chiaki in the infirmary. She was sitting behind a desk, compiling data. As he approached her, she looked up and nodded slightly.
"Leader. Have you come to see the Barbarian?"
"Yes, I have met her. And now, I want to give you a helper to create a method for us to use Qi." He explained, "Let me introduce you. This is Sherly."
"Hello~. My name is Sherly. Nice to meet you."
Chiaki nodded and examined her from head to toe. Her expression didn’t change.
"She’s someone from... where I came from. And something within her allowed her to create any kind of martial arts method, including the ones that we could use. Let her see the method obtained from helping the Hao Sect and let her find out how to integrate it in your body."
Hearing his explanation, Chiaki looked at Sherly in surprise.
"You can create martial art methods?"
"Yeah. It’s a long story, but I will help you, Miss. Just give me the method and the data, and I will do my best." Sherly pumped her fists, looking excited.
Just like what Leo expected, she was willing to help. Not just that, excited even. People like her were many in the modern world, those who would do anything just to follow their ambitions or hobby. They were willing to spend or sacrifice everything for their passion.
’That’s a relief.’
Leo had not known whether she would agree or not.
To be honest, he didn’t know whether they would need Qi or not. Having Qi would take one of their biggest advantages of being undetected. Martial Artists relied on Qi to detect their enemies.
Having no Qi, Leo and his subordinates were harder to track. He had used that advantage for a while, and it was a good thing.
But, if they could use Qi, then it would make their battle easier. They would have an extra ace up their sleeves.
’Me, Shui, and Jessica will need Qi as we fight head-on against the enemy. Jack and Anya, on the other hand, would have to use a method that can conceal their Qi if they wanted to learn it, which would be difficult. As for Chiaki... Well, it would be good if she can learn it and make her defense even stronger.’
It would depend on their future battle.
"Alright, let’s not waste time. I will also upgrade the base and the infirmary when Jessica finishes gathering the materials. We will upgrade them all to Level 5 immediately as we’re in need of better technology. Sherly, please work hard."
"No problem, Boss. Leave it to me."
Sherly nodded, and she started her job with Chiaki. The latter taught the new girl about the smart lenses, how to use them, and everything she needed to know to start.
After watching them for a while, Leo nodded and left. He had to meet another person now before meeting his two collaborators that created the Mercenary Union with him.
This person would be a good helper, just like Sherly.
And he was sure that the man would not disappoint.
Finding the person in question was easy. Leo just had to follow the signal sent by Shui. They were located just right outside Chengdu, hidden in a small forest.
When Leo approached the place, he heard metal clanging against each other. Sparks could be seen in the dark forest, creating beautiful spectacle.
A white dragon rose sometimes, and a black dragon followed suit. They flew in the air, above the tree canopy, and clashed with each other.
One of them was a black-haired man, wearing a white robe. The other was an old man with untidy gray hair and beard. Their swords moved quickly and accurately, and the sparks showered on the ground, burning the leaves and trees.
’So, this is how he spends his time, huh?’
Leo watched the two of them clash, huffing and grunting.
He didn’t know how long the fight would last. They were too focused to the point they didn’t even notice him.
But because this was a rare sight, he decided to watch. As someone from a normal modern world, watching a fantasy fight happening was something that every person loved. Leo was no exception.
It was exciting.
"Hahaha! As expected, only you can give me this much fun!" Xiao Ah Tian laughed heartily and jumped back. "Come, Shui, let’s fight until one of us can’t move again."
"Hmm, that’s what I want. Come!"
Two swords maniac, as expected. The dragons from earlier disappeared and they began to exchange blows with just swords and bodies. No one used a flashy technique.
Shui’s sword left behind a blue trail as he aimed at Wandering Sword Saint’s neck. There was no hesitation in his attack. The blade was swift and accurate, and Xiao Ah Tian barely managed to block it with his sword.
Following that, the Sword Saint began his counterattack. He kicked Shui’s abdomen, forcing him back. The younger swordsman stumbled, but his recovery was quick. He managed to parry the incoming blow, but the force of the Sword Saint’s strike was too strong.
His long, black hair fluttered in the air as he attacked Xiao Ah Tian continuously. His speed was impressive, and his strength was beyond normal. However, his opponent was not someone who would back down easily.
Xiao Ah Tian grinned and matched him, blow for blow. A fury exchange made wind unrest, and the ground underneath them shook. Shockwaves were created, and the two of them didn’t care about the destruction they were causing.
Their blades were the only thing that mattered.
However, their fight didn’t last long.
A strange sound came from Shui’s sword, and he immediately jumped back, gasping. Xiao Ah Tian wasn’t in the best condition either. His breathing was rough, and he was covered in sweat.
"You’ve gotten stronger." Shui complimented, grinning.
"Of course! I can’t stay the same after the encounter with you and your leader. But, this is not the end, right? I have seen you holding back."
"Naturally. Let’s end this in our next exchange. No Qi or special skills allowed."
"HAHAHA! That’s good. No holding back!"
Xiao Ah Tian grinned and prepared himself. His muscles bulged and his energy gathered in his sword. A fierce look appeared in his eyes, and the air around him began to distort.
Shui, on the other hand, stood calmly, his blade pointing downward. His hair fluttered and his eyes glowed with confidence. He inhaled deeply, and his mind became clear.
As a top martial artist, he knew that there were still things he needed to learn. And, facing a master like Xiao Ah Tian, he was eager to show his progress. That was why he imagined how this last exchange would end.
A simulation played inside his mind. Tens... Hundreds... Thousands of different scenario changed within a second.
Xiao Ah Tian’s movement.
His own movement.
The outcome of their fight.
Everything was calculated, and he had a plan.
But, that was not the only thing he planned. He also thought about how to counterattack when the Wandering Sword Saint decided to use his special skill, the White Dragon Strike. A strike that was said to be able to cut the sea and level the mountain.
Still, that meant nothing for Shui. He might not be able to cut a mountain like these martial artists, but he was still a swordsman, a peak master with a body enhanced by Nanites to fit his fighting skill. And his skills were more than enough.
On the other hand, Xiao Ah Tian’s body was the result of his own training.
In terms of experience, the Wandering Sword Saint might have the upper hand. But, it was not like Shui would lose without a fight.
As the two of them prepared their last attack, their swords raised high, and the air around them was tense. They moved at the same time
"White Dragon Strike!"
"Blade Dance!"
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With their shout, their blades struck each other. Sparks flew and the impact was so powerful that the ground beneath them cracked. Dust rose and the sound of metal clashing against each other echoed in the forest.
In the end, the winner was clear.
Shui’s sword snapped into two, and he was pushed back. But, the Wandering Sword Saint’s body was full of wounds. A large gash was carved on his chest, and blood poured out from the open wound.
The sword in his hand cracked, scattering into pieces.
Both of them were on their knees, unable to move. They were exhausted and breathing heavily.
Xiao Ah Tian laughed as he fell back, his head hit the ground.
"Good. This is good!"
He coughed, and a mouthful of blood escaped his lips. His body was weak, and he could feel his consciousness fading.
"This is the limit of a mortal body. To think that I am still alive, this is truly amazing. Once again, I am getting closer to the peak! I can die happily now."
"Don’t speak nonsense, old man. You can’t die before paying all your debt."
Leo approached him, shaking his head. He had waited patiently for their fight to end, not wanting to interrupt their final exchange.
"I will have you work for me for a while to pay for that. Now, get up. The infirmary is ready, and we will start treating your wounds."