Zuo Jiqian let out a low roar and chased directly after him.
Zheng Fan no longer hid in the bushes. One had to be cautious when necessary, but when it was time to snatch credit, there could be no hesitation! Only a few months after awakening, my ability to reach this position is due to nothing else but my knack for snatching credit!
As Zuo Jiqian ran, his peripheral vision caught Zheng Fan following closely. Gritting his teeth, he increased his speed further.
However, just as he passed the pavilion, the Taoist’s figure suddenly rushed out from the flowerbeds to his side, swinging a blade directly at Zuo Jiqian’s head.
Zuo Jiqian reacted with extreme speed. He raised his blade, his body advancing instead of retreating, using the block to forcibly create an opening. He aimed to push his opponent’s weapon aside and simultaneously gain space for his own counterattack.
The scion of a noble family, with deep-rooted martial traditions, his application of these combat techniques truly outclassed a commoner like Zheng Fan by leaps and bounds.
Their blades collided.
A familiar scene. A familiar head to be claimed. Zheng Fan, once again arriving just half a step too late, immediately circled to the rear with his saber raised, intending to seize the chance to steal this ’big fish’s’ head. This update is available on NoveI[F]ire.net
Seeing this, Zuo Jiqian’s fury knew no bounds. During the crucial moment of vying for merit, no one could maintain their so-called composure. Whoever kills this leading Taoist will be recorded in the merit book as the one who led the group to counterattack and take down the assassin. The other person, no matter how great their contribution, will merely be listed as one of the ’group’!
However, just then, a whistling sound was heard as a Startling Swallow suddenly flew out from the Taoist’s chest.
"Qi cultivator!" Zuo Jiqian let out a startled cry.
But the distance was far too close.
Zuo Jiqian barely managed to retreat half a step, avoiding a fatal blow to his vitals, but his left arm was pierced straight through by the Startling Swallow. Simultaneously, because of his retreat, his defensive posture was broken, and the Taoist’s blade swept unceremoniously across his chest.
Zuo Jiqian was slashed and knocked to the ground. Fortunately, he wore soft armor over his chest. Although the armor was damaged, it absorbed most of the force from the blow.
"Brother Zheng, be careful!" the fallen Zuo Jiqian could only manage to shout.
Previously, he had detested Zheng Fan’s shameless methods of kill-stealing.
But now, he was genuinely terrified that Zheng Fan would also be dispatched by the Taoist. If that happened, before reinforcements could arrive, the Taoist would have ample time to leisurely deliver a finishing blow to him before departing.
How could Zheng Fan not be anxious? He had been so gleefully snatching kills, and suddenly, the guy who had been tanking and drawing aggro for him was knocked down! For a moment, Zheng Fan truly didn’t know how to proceed.
But the arrow had already left the bow; there was no turning back. Zheng Fan could only let out another low roar, "Ahhhhhhhh!"
With a swing of his blade, he attacked the Taoist.
The Taoist had just expended considerable energy felling Zuo Jiqian. Zheng Fan attacked ferociously, giving the Taoist no time to catch his breath. In their initial exchange, Zheng Fan actually managed to force the Taoist into a desperate defensive posture.
However, after several clashes, although the Taoist was only passively blocking, he quickly realized that his opponent, despite possessing the vitality and strength of a Ninth Rank Martial Cultivator, was rather green when it came to actual combat experience.
Indeed, other Ninth Rank Martial Cultivators, no matter how talented, were honed through step-by-step tempering.
Zheng Fan, however, was a product of a crash course. To accelerate his progress, Liang Cheng and Siniang had resorted to every conceivable method, practically stopping at nothing.
This was perhaps the drawback of such rapid advancement; without years of accumulated experience and honing, even if presented with a profound Sword Manual, Zheng Fan would struggle to grasp its true essence.
The Taoist twisted his blade, forcibly deflecting Zheng Fan’s next strike and, in doing so, created an opening in Zheng Fan’s defense.
The Startling Swallow appeared once again, headed straight for Zheng Fan’s neck.
This Taoist was clearly a dual practitioner—both a Martial Cultivator and a Qi cultivator!
Zheng Fan saw the approaching Startling Swallow, but it was too late to evade. The distance was just too close, far too close.
The shadow of death loomed over Zheng Fan’s heart.
Lying on the ground nearby, Zuo Jiqian saw the Startling Swallow fly out, and despair washed over his face. It’s over. It’s all over. We’re finished.
At this moment, Zuo Jiqian couldn’t help but feel a pang of regret. He regretted his greed for merit and his rash advance. If he had waited for the Royal Mansion guards to accompany them, or for the city defense garrison from outside to enter, the situation would absolutely not have become . Granted, they might not have caught this ’big fish’, but at least he wouldn’t have ended up risking his life here.
However, just at this critical juncture,
A black stone suddenly tore through Zheng Fan’s clothing and burst out from his pocket.
The unadorned, ancient-looking stone collided with the Startling Swallow—which turned out to be a dagger inscribed with runes. The instant they made contact, the dagger shattered, utterly no match for the stone, not even for a single clash!
The Taoist was inwardly astounded: No wonder this Martial Cultivator’s combat skills seemed somewhat amateurish! This person, like me, is also a dual practitioner—a Martial Cultivator and a Qi cultivator!
However, that wasn’t all.
After shattering the Startling Swallow in one fell swoop, the stone seemed unsatisfied. It rushed directly towards the Taoist himself.
The way the Taoist had dealt with Zuo Jiqian earlier was now essentially replaying, scene for scene.
The only difference was that Zuo Jiqian had reacted a step ahead and also wore soft armor.
But this Taoist’s luck was quite bad, because the stone was aimed directly at his forehead.
The Taoist’s head was smashed open by the stone.
Zheng Fan, who had narrowly escaped death, let out a long sigh of relief, smiled, and said, "My lad."
Zuo Jiqian’s mouth fell open, his eyes filled with utter astonishment.
As expected of someone from the Li family... Though the household of the Earl of North Border is small, it doesn’t mean there’s no talent within it!
"Brother Zheng, impressive skills..."
However, before Zuo Jiqian could finish his words, an even more stunning scene unfolded.
After smashing the Taoist’s head, the stone traced a circle in mid-air and, the next moment, came hurtling straight for Zheng Fan’s head!
Within the stone, an extremely strong sense of resentment and pent-up frustration surged. In the unseen realm, one could almost make out the face of a resentful infant spirit.
Such a useless father... What’s the point of him still being alive? Perhaps... it’s better to just kill him!