"Xia Hong, thank you!"
A gentle voice suddenly emerged from beneath the blade.
Following the voice was a black sword edge moving at incredible speed.
Although a flash of surprise appeared on Xia Hong’s face, his actions were not slow at all. He drew out the Yi Blade, quickly retreated, and then leaped toward the direction where the two mirrors were falling.
The moment he drew the Yi Blade, Xia Hong had already realized that it hadn’t been driven into He Yuanhun’s eye.
Even though Xia Hong’s speed was already at its peak, the black sword edge still grazed the back of his neck.
In fact, if it weren’t for his quick reaction, that sword would have slashed his throat.
A sharp pain came from the back of his neck. Sensing the power of that sword, at least above the Eight-maned level, and with the two mirrors just one step away, a heavy expression immediately arose in Xia Hong’s eyes.
Xia Hong caught the white mirror on the left. Just as he was about to reach out with his right hand to touch the black mirror on the right, a black longsword flew from behind, striking the mirror from his grasp.
If I can’t get it, then I’ll destroy it!
Xia Hong’s eyes focused, and he hurled the Yi Blade straight ahead.
The one meter seventy Yi Blade was often used by Xia Hong as a spear.
His skill in throwing had long been perfected.
Combined with terrifying force, it drew a swift blade-like cold light in the air, heading straight for the black mirror.
Unfortunately, just at the moment the Yi Blade was about to shatter the mirror, the very same jet-black longsword that had just struck it away appeared again.
He Yuanhun, clad in white, tilted the longsword to block, neutralizing most of the terrifying force of the Yi Blade. With a flick, he sent the Yi Blade back the way it came.
Retrieving the Yi Blade, He Yuanhun took the black mirror in his hand.
Xia Hong caught the Yi Blade with his right hand, and held a white mirror with his left hand.
Inside the bamboo house, the two faced each other in silence, each holding a sword or blade in one hand and a mirror in the other, staring at each other without a word.
After a full ten breaths, He Yuanhun sheathed his longsword, a gentle smile appeared on his face, and he clasped his hands slightly to greet Xia Hong:
"Xia Hong, I hope you’ve been well!"
Just as he had during his previous visit to Great Xia, He Yuanhun at this moment showed none of the malevolent and erratic demeanor from when he was controlled by the Mirror Immortal. Not only was his posture humble and elegant, but his voice was also extremely gentle, and his temperament had become poised and noble.
Without prior knowledge, anyone interacting with this person would likely find him quite likable.
Such a person is precisely one to be wary of!
If earlier Xia Hong had harbored any expectations that all this was the doing of the Mirror Immortal, that notion was utterly dispelled after the recent sword attack from He Yuanhun.
Even though he precluded it with a word of thanks.
But that recent sword strike from He Yuanhun was clearly an attempt to kill him.
In other words, the first time he came to Great Xia, intentionally revealing Combat Body information to lure him into overdosing on Beast Blood, was indeed He Yuanhun himself.
This also explained why that time, standing by the furnace, he was completely unharmed, for the Mirror Immortal should have been hiding then.
With the Mirror Immortal dead, not only was He Yuanhun unharmed, but he could even unleash greater power than before, his concealment was profoundly terrifying.
From start to finish, even if he didn’t directly participate in the Mirror Immortal’s actions, he deliberately indulged them, intending to lure Xia Hong to kill the Mirror Immortal, then swoop in to seize the two mirrors.
Attempting to kill him and seize the mirrors.
Meaning, everything at present was very likely all part of He Yuanhun’s plan, with the sole miscalculation being Xia Hong’s forewarned defenses.
Understanding all this, a chill gradually rose in Xia Hong’s heart. He did not respond to He Yuanhun but continued to grip the longsword and ancient mirror, staring at him with undisguised murderous intent in his eyes.
"Xia Hong, it seems there’s a misunderstanding about me!"
He Yuanhun clearly noticed the murderous intent in Xia Hong’s eyes, a trace of apology appearing on his face, and he slightly clasped his hands as if prepared to explain.
However, Xia Hong did not give him the opportunity.
The Yi Blade cast a cold light as it slashed through the air, Xia Hong’s body suddenly surged forward, reaching He Yuanhun in an instant.
With the power of the Nine-maned combat body, actions were as fierce as thunder. Without even relying on the cold glint from the Yi Blade, the sheer speed of Xia Hong’s charging body alone caused the air inside the bamboo house to whistle and roar.
He Yuanhun’s expression changed slightly, clearly not expecting Xia Hong to approach so directly and decisively, positioning the ink-black longsword defensively in front of him.
Blades and swords clashed violently, unleashing an invisible shockwave, causing the wobbling bamboo house to collapse entirely.
The walls of the bamboo house crumbled down with a loud crash.
He Yuanhun’s body flew backward from the western wall.
Xia Hong followed closely behind.
The retreat and pursuit unfolded with incredible speed.
Facing Xia Hong’s long blade, He Yuanhun wielded the longsword to create nearly a black curtain of defense. Although his block was successful, Xia Hong’s strength forced him to retreat continuously, his expression growing more serious by the moment.
"Xia Hong, please allow me to explain. There are hidden circumstances regarding the Mirror Immortal; I never meant to harm you. Indeed, I indulged the Mirror Immortal intentionally, but it was for the sake of the ten thousand people in the Mirror Immortal Camp, for the benefit of more humans. As long as you’re willing to hand over the other half of the mirror to me, I promise to give you a reasonable explanation!"