The Reticent Blade-Chapter 99 - Unbound Might

Under the moonlight, a clearing of four zhang around Xue Chiming and Wang Yuepi was formed. Thousands of armed soldiers surrounded the two, yet none dared to strike.

The atmosphere was eerily quiet. Coupled with the dim lighting, Wang Yuepi's towering figure exuded an intimidating pressure.

One end of an iron chain was wrapped around Xue Chiming's wrist, tightly held by him, while the gourd on the other end was firmly grasped in Wang Yuepi's palm. The taut chain creaked as it was tugged from both sides and produced a sound that made the surrounding soldier's hair stand on end.

"Man of the Ruen Dynasty, are you done playing yet?" Wang Yuepi's deep voice boomed.

Xue Chiming did not reply, his expression had already grown serious. The strength coming from the other end of the chain reminded him that the person opposite was not to be underestimated.

Seeing that Xue Chiming neither answered nor intended to release his grip on the chain, Wang Yuepi didn’t wish to waste more words, he coldly snorted. "Such futile resistance. Soldiers attack!"

As soon as the words fell, the soldiers surged forward, countless swords, spears, and clubs aiming at Xue Qiming from every direction.

Naturally, Xue Qiming was not one to let go of the initiative. Without even turning around, he kicked backward blasting off a soldier’s chest, then horizontally vaulted into the air while clutching the chain and using the surrounding soldiers as leverage.

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This series of movements flowed seamlessly as he ran horizontally through the air, using the soldiers he kicked flying backward as stepping stones. They spat blood and knocked down many others in the process.

Still tightly gripping the chain the entire time, he had already circled behind Wang Yuepi in just a few breaths, and in mid-air, Xue Qiming yanked the chain with all his strength, shooting towards Wang Yuepi’s back like lightning!

While Xue Qiming was running over the soldiers, the iron chain had wrapped around Wang Yuepi. The moment Xue Qiming pulled, the chain tightened sharply, directly wrapping around Wang Yuepi’s neck.

Xue Qiming arrived at the same time with a powerful whip kick that was poised to strike Wang Yuepi's back of the head.

Wang Yuepi was indeed tall and powerful, stronger than a giant bear, but his shortcomings were also very evident. He was strong yet lacked agility.

Xue Qiming’s tactic of striking swiftly against the slow giant was certainly the right approach, but if Xue Qiming could see it... how could Wang Yuepi not be aware of his own weaknesses? He was clearly even more aware of his shortcomings.

Faced with the incoming whip kick, Wang Yuepi knew his bulk prevented him from dodging it, yet he didn’t seem anxious. Instead, he grinned and extended his free left hand to grab the chain that was tightening around his neck, yanking it in the opposite direction!

In mid-air, Xue Qiming was just about to launch a powerful whip kick when something unexpected occurred.

An irresistible force came from the other end of the chain! Suspended in the air with nowhere to kick off of, he was pulled so forcefully that he immediately lost his balance and was yanked out of the air.

As Xue Qiming was pulled by the chain and brushed past Wang Yuepi, he clearly saw the ugly smile on Wang Yuepi’s face, filled with disdain and contempt. Xue Qiming reached out to grab Wang Yuepi’s clothes but was punched in the face instead and sent flying away.

His face burned with pain, unsure if it was due to the punch or because of his undignified flight.

How embarrassing, Xue Qiming thought to himself as he spun through the air, pulled by the chain.

In a dizzying spin, Xue Qiming saw stars, and he felt as if he were about to ascend to the sky.

In fleeting glances, he could still see the soldiers on the ground watching intently, Wang Yuepi's face of enjoyment as he whirled the chain around and around, and a little girl sitting calmly on the doorstep nearby, observing everything.

Dong!

Dust surged from the ground.

It turned out that Wang Yuepi had grown tired of playing with the meteor hammer. He grabbed the iron chain and brought it down heavily, violently throwing Xue Qiming into the ground.

This blow truly hurt Xue Qiming to the bones. Wang Yuepi was very strong, and had built up an incredible amount of momentum twirling him through the air. Xue Qiming let out a muffled groan, blood seeping from his mouth and nose. He lay unmoving on the ground for a long time.

"Hmph, I thought you were someone formidable, since you dared come to the Arhat Army's camp." Wang Yuepi grinned, his sharp teeth glinting in the darkness. He stepped over to the prostrate Xue Qiming and kicked his skull, saying, "It turns out you're just a sneaky little thing."

Xue Qiming pushed himself up with his hands, standing unsteadily. The chain on his wrist had also been shaken off and was being toyed with by Wang Yuepi.

His vision was a bit blurry, and warm blood flowed slowly down his forehead, dripping into the dust.

What a monster, Xue Qiming looked at the blurry figure before him and shook his head.

"Hey!" A childish voice came through the crowd of soldiers.

Xue Qiming was taken aback and turned to look in that direction.

Wang Yuepi frowned slightly but remained silent.

Over there, Xue Niang had unknowingly stood up, her gaze crossing the crowd to look at Xue Qiming, her small face filled with seriousness.

"Do you remember that time you asked me why I wanted to learn martial arts?" Xue Niang slowly called out, her voice small yet filled with childishness, but Xue Qiming heard her clearly.

Wang Yuepi narrowed his eyes, glancing at Xue Niang not far away, then looking back at the defenseless Xue Qiming, tightening the gourd in his hand and slowly raising a fist.

Xue Niang's voice became somewhat choked. "I didn't answer you at the time, but I will tell you now..."

"You personally killed my parents... Unbound Bodhisattva... Even if you are my master now, you are still my sworn enemy..."

In the darkness, Xue Qiming's lips curled slightly, seeming to smile bitterly.

Xue Niang continued, "It happened right in front of me... I won't ever forget it!"

Wang Yuepi's arm was raised up high.

"I will learn martial arts from you... in order to one day use what you've taught me to personally kill you... and avenge my parents." Xue Niang paused, taking a deep breath. "So, you cannot die here today..."

"You can only die by my hand."

The girl was small in stature, her voice somewhat childish, but her words were delivered with a shocking conviction. Her determination created a sudden silence in the village. Even the countless soldiers could not help but fall silent.

Xue Qiming quietly watched as the girl finished speaking.

After a long while, a sigh escaped him, and he smiled.

"Okay."

Boom!!!

An even greater sound erupted, as Wang Yuepi's punch finally came crashing down with the force of thunder!

However Xue Qiming didn't try to dodge at all. The blow fiercely struck the top of his head, and smashed his entire body into the ground!

It was as if an earthquake had occurred! The ground shook violently, and the soldiers wobbled unsteadily on their feet. A deafening roar filled their ears, and it took them a long time to calm down.

Dust and dirt rose dozens of feet high, lingering without dissipating.

Wang Yuepi looked coldly at the ground beneath him, where there was a deep pit in the shape of a person.

"Little girl"—Wang Yuepi confirmed there was no movement in the pit and turned to look in Xue Niang's direction—"It seems he won't be able to fulfill that promise."

At that moment, a chilling voice came from the pit, like a devil crawling out of the underworld.

"Before I kill you, I will announce my name..."

A figure slowly rose up from the dust.

"I am Xue Qiming, the Unbound Bodhisattva."

Wang Yuepi furrowed his brow deeply, staring at the figure before him, remaining silent.

The dusty figure said, "You seem very confident in your strength..."

Wang Yuepi's expression grew serious, he could feel the pressure of the person's aura gathering at an alarming speed and constricting his breathing.

"I have a punch too."

"I call it... Unscrupulous Might."

In the dust, the figure entered a steady stance, pulling his right fist to his waist.

"Wh-what's that?!" Wang Yuepi looked up to the sky with a pale face. Behind the figure, an ancient giant suddenly materialized!

The giant glared with bulging eyes, and rippling muscles. It howled at the sky as if cursing the injustice of the heavens, then raised a leg and charged forward with unstoppable momentum!

The entire world seemed to change color! Mountains crumbled! The heavens themselves tilted!

As suddenly as it came... everything returned to silence.

It seemed to have only been an instant, Wang Yuepi felt a tremor in his abdomen, and all the illusions vanished.

The giant was gone, the mountains and heavens seemed unchanged. The world was just as it was, except for the punch imprinted on his abdomen, which felt more real than anything.

Time seemed to slow down at that moment, allowing Wang Yuepi to distinctly feel an unprecedented force in his abdomen tearing through his body!

Agonizing pain erupted, and his body uncontrollably flew backward. The soldiers looked at him in astonishment as the scenery rushed past him, the dusty figure shrinking farther away until everything vanished as darkness encroached upon his world.

Boom!!!

A thunderous sound echoed as a cloud of dust erupted from a distance.

After the dust settled, Unbound Bodhisattva stood with his fist withdrawn. He picked up the gourd from the ground and slowly turned to look at the small girl, who was smiling with tears on her face.

"Do you want to learn?"

"Mm!" The girl sniffed and nodded heavily.