Xiao Jianming's feet were already surrounded by over a dozen bodies, his expression cold, splatters of blood on his face, holding a long blade dripping with fresh blood.
The group of men in black were not weak, even Xiao Jianming had sustained a shallow wound on his left shoulder.
By now, Xiao Jianming had confirmed that these men in black were from the land of Wa, their katanas and their blade techniques all but proved it.
At that moment, from the crowd emerged a tall, bald man, who, by the fierce snake tattoo on his head, was recognized by Xiao Jianming.
"Queen Huo, long time no see!"
The bald man looked at Huo Qiuran maliciously, the snake on his head baring its fangs under the light.
Huo Qiuran watched the bald man with a cold gaze, but did not recognize who he was.
Xiao Jianming shouted out the other's name.
The bald man, or rather Li Kui, seeing Xiao Jianming call out his name, then grinned, "Hahaha, Queen Huo, it seems you still have someone who remembers me!"
Huo Qiuran might have forgotten Li Kui, but Xiao Jianming certainly remembered the fellow.
Li Kui was a secular disciple of Shaolin, and half a year ago he had wanted to join Huo Qiuran's forces but was rejected by Huo Qiuran, after which he disappeared.
"You serve the people of Wa?" Xiao Jianming glared at Li Kui, his eyes full of disdain.
Given Li Kui's abilities, it was not wrong for him to join other powers after being rejected by Huo Qiuran, but what Xiao Jianming despised was that this guy had actually colluded with the people of Wa!
Li Kui, seemingly oblivious to the scorn in Xiao Jianming's eyes, laughed, "Xiao, to use your skills for a woman like that, I truly don't think it's worth it,
how about you switch to my side? Just let Huo Qiuran die, and I can guarantee all her assets will be yours, how about that?"
Li Kui appreciated Xiao Jianming, but when he looked at Huo Qiuran, his eyes were filled with intense hatred.
"In your dreams!" Xiao Jianming felt insulted. He then pointed his Tang Blade directly at Li Kui.
Following Huo Qiuran, Xiao Jianming was not in it for any fame or wealth; he was there to protect Huo Qiuran willingly. How could a few words from Li Kui make him betray Huo Qiuran?
"Xiao, are you out of your mind?" Li Kui looked at Xiao Jianming puzzled, unable to understand what Xiao Jianming really was after.
But when he saw the untouchable Queen of Zhonghai standing next to Xiao Jianming, Li Kui laughed. He finally understood what Xiao Jianming was after.
"Hahaha, Xiao Jianming, I didn't realize you were such a romantic!" Li Kui laughed heartily, almost to the point of tears, "How about this, join me, and before Huo Qiuran dies, I'll let you have a good time!"
Li Kui looked at Xiao Jianming playfully, knowing it was impossible to win him over, so he tried to provoke Xiao Jianming instead.
Huo Qiuran frowned, watching Li Kui coldly, while reaching out to hold back the enraged Xiao Jianming.
Xiao Jianming looked at Huo Qiuran, his emotions gradually stabilizing. He affirmed his loyalty with a glance towards her, then pointed his blade again at Li Kui, "Li Kui, do you dare to fight?"
"Oh!" Li Kui looked at Xiao Jianming with interest, gesturing to the men in black beside him, and a steel blade was handed to him.
"Xiao Jianming, don't say I didn't give you a chance, tonight both of you will die here!"
Li Kui sneered, and Xiao Jianming, unmoved, advanced towards Li Kui's laughter.
A great battle was on the verge of erupting, and Xiao Jianming's Tang Blade whirled like a fierce wind from all directions.
Li Kui's expression turned serious, not daring to underestimate his opponent. He had long heard of Xiao Jianming's strength, but Li Kui was still somewhat conceited and did not believe his own skills were that inferior.
The two faced off, and in an instant, dazzling sparks flew in the night.
At the same time, the group of black-clad assassins who had been poised to strike also rushed forward with their swords, their primary target still being Huo Qiuran.
"Despicable and shameless!"
Upon seeing Huo Qiuran entangled with the assassins, Xiao Jianming shouted angrily, his hands bursting with immense power, pushing Li Kui away.
Li Kui stumbled backward several steps, fine sweat appearing on his forehead. His eyes shifty, he shamelessly replied, "Our duel is our duel, but whether Huo Qiuran lives or dies is another matter!"
Seeing Huo Qiuran struggling at the other side, Xiao Jianming's face changed, and he swung his long sword again to face Li Kui.
Li Kui pulled at the corner of his mouth, Xiao Jianming's strength surpassing his expectations. Moreover, his own blade technique was not as skilled as his opponent's, and in the previous exchanges, Li Kui had been suppressed by Xiao Jianming.
At this moment, Xiao Jianming spared no effort, each movement filled with lethal intent, making Li Kui increasingly unable to parry.
On the other side, despite Huo Qiuran's strength not being on par with Xiao Jianming or Li Kui, she managed to hold her own against the black-clad assassins at first, with three of them already dead by her hand.
But strength was ultimately a weakness, especially since she was now fighting alone without Xiao Jianming's help, and she was visibly becoming overwhelmed.
"Mmm!" Huo Qiuran grunted, her face turning pale. A long slash appeared on her white arm, blood flowing out, staining her entire hand red.
Seeing Huo Qiuran injured, although Xiao Jianming was gaining the upper hand in his duel with Li Kui, he lacked the heart to continue fighting, as Huo Qiuran was about to collapse.
"Get lost!" Xiao Jianming roared, kicking Li Kui in the abdomen.
Li Kui grunted as he took the blow. Seeing Xiao Jianming about to turn and rush towards Huo Qiuran, he didn't retreat but advanced instead, thrusting his sword towards the unsuspecting Xiao Jianming.
With a thud, the long sword penetrated an inch into Xiao Jianming's lower ribs.
A spray of blood burst from the wound. Xiao Jianming pushed Li Kui's long sword aside, his expression unchanging as he rushed towards Huo Qiuran.
Li Kui, seeing this, felt a gleam of happiness in his sinister eyes as he followed closely behind Xiao Jianming.
"Huo sister, move aside!"
The sharp long sword with a swishing wind cleared the black-clad men around Huo Qiuran like autumn leaves swept by a breeze.
Li Kui, quick and deft, seized the moment between Xiao Jianming's attacks. With Xiao Jianming off-guard, he flicked his blade at Xiao Jianming's wrist.
Bright blood flowed from Xiao Jianming's fingers down to the hilt of the sword, his wrist trembling but still gripping the Tang Blade tightly.
"Pity, this stroke didn't sever your tendons, but continue , and your hand will soon be useless, Mr. Xiao. I'll give you one last chance, join me. What I said before still stands!"
Li Kui rested his blade on his shoulder, looking at Xiao Jianming with amusement, not truly intending to recruit him but merely to humiliate him.
"If you want to touch Huo sister, step over my corpse first!"
Xiao Jianming's whole body trembled, his gaze icy as he stood atop corpses, bellowing loudly!!!
In the darkness, the blood-soaked Tang Blade presented an even more eerie visual.
[First four chapters to whet your appetite, continue tomorrow morning!]