Chapter 364: The Agreement

Ji Wei was sent flying without the slightest ability to resist. Her weapon was easily taken from her, and she even suffered internal injuries. The cold, composed expression on her face finally crumbled, replaced by a storm of shock in her heart.

“How can this person’s strength be this terrifying?”

It wasn’t unreasonable for Ji Wei to find it unbelievable. Lin Xiao looked even younger than her by a few years, yet she couldn’t withstand a single move from him.

This outcome dealt her a heavy blow, shaking her confidence completely. If not for her strong mentality, she might have broken down like Tang Heng.

To her, striking Lin Xiao’s hand with her sword felt like hacking at solid steel—no, even harder than steel.

A longsword infused with Dark Force should have been able to leave a notch even in metal. Yet, Lin Xiao caught her blade barehanded without a scratch.

Ji Wei simply couldn’t comprehend how Lin Xiao’s body could be so tough.

She was not some delicate, powerless woman. As one of the top disciples of Thousand Blades Martial Hall, she had already stepped into the Dark Force stage, though just recently. Even so, she was considered a prodigy among the younger generation in the capital’s martial world.

After being thrown four or five meters away, Ji Wei barely managed to land. She still couldn’t fully control her balance, staggering back three to four steps before stabilizing herself. Her fair cheeks flushed red as her blood surged chaotically.

But her sharp eyes remained fixed on Lin Xiao and Tang Heng.

The fight wasn’t over yet.

At the same moment Ji Wei was sent flying, Tang Heng’s full-force punch had finally arrived.

The fierce wind howling ahead of his strike lifted Lin Xiao’s hair.

But facing this devastating attack, Lin Xiao simply reached out his hand.

Tang Heng’s fist collided with Lin Xiao’s palm.

The force of the impact tore through the bandages wrapped around Lin Xiao’s hand, shredding them into pieces that scattered like snowflakes.

Beneath them, his exposed hand was dark with a metallic sheen, like cast iron.

Lin Xiao effortlessly absorbed Tang Heng’s all-out strike. His fingers closed around Tang Heng’s fist, tightening like a vice, before suddenly swinging him sideways.

Tang Heng’s tall frame was flung like a ragdoll, hurling toward the wall.

With Lin Xiao’s strength, if Tang Heng crashed into the wall, he would either die or be gravely injured.

Just as he was about to collide, a figure flashed forward at an astonishing speed.

Lei Qianting had finally moved.

With a swift step, he appeared behind Tang Heng, pressing a hand against his back and effortlessly catching him.

Even after being saved, Tang Heng remained in shock, his lips pale—whether from fear or exhaustion, even he didn’t know.

It took several seconds before he finally processed what had happened. His face turned beet red, burning with humiliation. “Master, I… I’ve disgraced you.”

“Now do you understand the meaning of the phrase ‘there’s always someone stronger’?”

Lei Qianting patted Tang Heng’s shoulder, his voice steady but firm. “This experience will be good for you. It will keep you from thinking the world revolves around you.”

Tang Heng clenched his jaw, face darkening.

Being effortlessly crushed by someone even younger than him was a humiliation beyond words. His chest burned with anger and resentment. Yet alongside his fury, a sense of powerlessness gripped him—one so profound it extinguished any lingering thoughts of continuing the fight.

On the other hand, Ji Wei’s expression was complex.

She processed blows far better than Tang Heng. Though she still harbored hostility toward Lin Xiao, curiosity now mingled with it.

She simply couldn’t comprehend how Lin Xiao had trained his body to such an inhuman level.

Had even her master reached such heights?

After offering a few words to his disciples, Lei Qianting strode past Tang Heng and stopped three meters away from Lin Xiao.

“Oh? Finally ready to fight in person?” Lin Xiao asked indifferently.

Although he had exchanged moves with Tang Heng and Ji Wei, he hadn’t even warmed up.

He wasn’t sweating. He hadn’t moved from his spot.

He hadn’t even budged an inch.

“You truly live up to your reputation. Prodigies do exist.”

Lei Qianting’s gaze locked onto Lin Xiao’s youthful face, his expression tightening slightly.

He had underestimated Lin Xiao. His two disciples were far from weak. They were elite even in the capital’s martial world. Yet, Lin Xiao had easily crushed them both.

“However, you are not at your peak condition today. I refuse to take advantage of this. Let us schedule another match, one where we can fight fairly.”

“That’s unnecessary,” Lin Xiao said evenly. “No need to delay. Let’s do it today.”

Lei Qianting’s expression darkened slightly. Lin Xiao’s nonchalant attitude displeased him.

Had it not been for the message he had just received, he would have been more than happy to teach Lin Xiao a lesson right then and there.

However, the information he had received moments ago forced him to reconsider.

Even with his level of martial prowess, there were certain individuals he could not afford to provoke.

“Perhaps you don’t care, but as the head of a martial hall, my reputation is not something I take lightly,” Lei Qianting stated firmly. His voice was like iron.

“Very well.” Lin Xiao’s eyes flickered with intrigue. “Since Master Lei refuses to fight today, let’s settle it in two days.”

He wasn’t sure why Lei Qianting suddenly backed down.

But he could tell Lei Qianting had no intention of fighting today.

“Same location. Does that work for you?” Lin Xiao asked.

“Agreed.” Lei Qianting nodded decisively. “I will be waiting here for you in two days.”

“Then it’s settled. Farewell.”

Without any hesitation, Lin Xiao turned and walked away.

His movements were crisp, efficient, without an ounce of hesitation.

Standing at the entrance of the hall, Hao Lifeng and Ma Qingye instinctively stepped aside, not daring to obstruct Lin Xiao’s path. They could only watch as Lin Xiao led Lao Jin and the others away from the villa.

“Master Lei, you’re just letting him leave like this?” Hao Lifeng approached cautiously, his expression flickering.

Had Lei Qianting not been so intimidating, and had they not relied on him so heavily, Hao Lifeng would have already been cursing at him for cowardice.

But before he could continue, Lei Qianting’s voice cut him off.

“Oh? You have a problem with that?”

His voice was low, but it sent a tremor through the air.

Hao Lifeng and Ma Qingye felt their eardrums buzz painfully, their minds briefly turning blank.

The two men exchanged glances, seeing the same shock reflected in each other’s eyes.

“N-No, Master Lei, you misunderstand,” Hao Lifeng quickly forced a smile. “If you don’t wish to explain, then pretend I never asked.”

Lei Qianting’s face remained expressionless.

What would a mere gangster know about the pride of the strong?

“Tang Heng, Ji Wei, we’re leaving.”

Without a second glance at Hao Lifeng or Ma Qingye, Lei Qianting strode away.

As he passed by them, he left behind a final parting remark, “Worry not. I keep my word. In two days, I will defeat Lin Xiao.”

Watching Lei Qianting leave, Hao Lifeng’s expression turned incredibly dark. His eyes were full of hatred.

“Hmph! Some capital’s martial master. What a joke. The coward didn’t even dare fight today.”