BXBX NOVEL Chapter 119 First Fight
"Shall we end the Battle of Rights today?"
The figure of Sect Master Yan emerging from the interior of the courtyard asked the City Lord. Ikasa recognized the other two Sense Trainers with him; Second Seat Yao Mao and Second Elder Huo Zhu.
Shing!
His attention was drawn to the sword being drawn from the scabbard hanging on the City Lord's waist. Keeping his gaze focused on his opponents, Zhen Wu ordered Ikasa, "Leave. Now."
Hearing his command, Qing Mo drew his saber and stood on the stairs, blocking Ikasa's path.
"How can he leave unscathed after entering a Tiger's lair?"
The old man smiled a wide grin, showing off his yellowing teeth. The Second Seat of the Hu Clan joined him to block the path.
Sitting in his chair, Ikasa watched the events unfold with relish. He had a feeling of watching a live drama. And then Clan Master Qing drew his Saber and pointed it at him.
Ikasa sighed loudly and slowly got up from his chair.
"Just because a lion does not show his claws, how can you mistake him for a housecat?"
His rhetorical question confused every Sense Trainer in the room. With sedate steps, he approached City Lord and stood beside him.
His eyes stared at the four Sense Trainers standing below the platform. He uttered a single sentence that infuriated them completely.
"Surrender or you won't see the sun tomorrow!"
The City Lord looked at Ikasa with disbelief and cursed in his heart, 'What kind of pig teammate did I bring?'
His sword trembled as he got ready to meet the attacks of the four Sense Trainers, blocking Ikasa from their view.
"Yao Mao…"
"Huo Zhu…"
"Catch that bastard!"
The two leaders of the forces ordered their subordinates. They themselves jumped on the City Lord.
Saber clashed with the sword, sending sparks flying. Clan Master Qing took a step back from the impact while City Lord was standing in place like an immovable mountain.
Sect Master Yan followed after the attack by smashing his staff down on Zhen Wu's shoulder, not giving him time to recover. With a twirl of his longsword, City Lord deflected the attack and butted his left elbow on Sect Master Yan's face.
Sect Master Yan jumped back, reducing the impact of the hit. After suffering a small loss in the first exchange, the two leaders silently circled him, looking for openings.
It all happened before Ikasa could blink his eyes. He admired the City Lord after witnessing the first exchange.
'No wonder he is feared by the two powers,' he realized.
While he was looking at his ally, his adversaries arrived with a tempo.
As soon as the Second elder stopped before Ikasa, he threw a punch at his guts. Ikasa stepped back and grabbed his wrist. He then dragged the red-robed man into the path of Yao Mao's incoming attack.
The diagonally swung staff landed on the buttocks of the red-robed elder with a thwack! His face contorted with the pain while his ears became red from embarrassment.
The situation on Ikasa's side distracted the City Lord who was paying attention to the fight to jump in at the right moment. His momentary lapse allowed Sect Master Yan to land a solid hit on his back.
The thumping sound attracted Ikasa's attention. The Second Elder found this chance to slip from his grip.
Realizing that the presence of each other was actually distracting them, Ikasa decided to change the battlefield.
"City Lord, fight to your heart's content. I will bring these two out for a walk."
Ikasa yelled as he jumped down from the platform. Infuriated by the blatant disregard, Huo Zhu and Yao Mao chased after him.
If he wanted to, Ikasa could easily shake away his pursuers and escape. But he played with them. Every time Yao Mao swung his pole, Ikasa accurately evaded it.
Huo Zhu was also led around by the nose. His punches and kicks did not even touch the hem of Ikasa's robe. As he dodged their attacks, his blood boiled with excitement.
Being constantly on the move meant neither side had a chance to execute their battle techniques. Ikasa led them outside, far enough from City Lord to not cause a distraction.
He turned around and faced the two Sense Trainers. A wicked smile appeared on his face as he cracked his knuckles. He looked at the two heavily breathing men and asked,
"Now, tell me. Which one of you two bastards was involved in attacking my store?"
They both looked at each other and smirked.
"I was the one who threw the torch. He lit it up. What can you do about it? Run to the City Lord and complain?"
Huo Zhu mocked Ikasa. Until then, Ikasa had not shown them any special skill. Even his evasive maneuvers felt like lucky misses. Hence, Huo Zhu found the courage to taunt Ikasa.
"I don't need to."
As soon as he spoke, Ikasa moved closer to Huo Zhu and chopped at his neck. The speed displayed now and his speed while luring them over was nowhere comparable.
Huo Zhu could not fathom how he was being attacked, but he instinctively held his head and crouched. Ikasa's Chop hit the air.
Yao Mao recovered quickly and swung his staff vertically, trying to smash Ikasa's head. Ikasa dodged and executed a Sweeping Kick. His kick landed on Yao Mao's ankle, and he collapsed.
But he was a Sense Trainer. He immediately sat up.
Before he could stand up, Ikasa followed his attack with an Ax Kick aimed at his chest. Sensing danger, he quickly tried to defend himself with his staff.
Two cracks were heard in succession. First, the staff broke. The second crack came from his chest. His rib cage had broken! There was no air left in his lungs to vocalize his scream of agony.
Yao Mao spurted out a mouthful of blood and whizzed for breath. He was in no condition to fight anymore. The fight ended so fast that he did not even get a chance to use his Battle Techniques!
Ikasa turned his attention to Huo Zhu. He was looking at Ikasa with horror. In a single move, Ikasa had nearly killed a Sense Trainer as powerful as him!
The light gathering at his palm dimmed. He did not have the confidence to execute his martial skill before Ikasa.
Every step Ikasa took towards him, he instinctively took a step back. He could see the ferocious predator that Ikasa talked about inside the hall.
Knowing he could not win, he turned around and fled to the hall. He hoped his Sect Master in the Advanced Sense Realm would hold this beast back!
How could Ikasa let his prey escape? He immediately caught up with the fleeing elder and stood in his way.
"Going somewhere?"
Ikasa asked with a smile. In his smile, Huo Zhu saw the smile of Yamraj. He opened his mouth to beg for mercy. Unfortunately for him, Ikasa was not in a forgiving mood.
With a swift Chop to his throat, Ikasa ended the battle. He dragged the body into the Clan Master's Hall. The situation was getting worse for the City Lord with each progressing minute.
In a one-on-one fight, City Lord could take down either of the two leaders. Had they not advanced, the City Lord still stood a chance. But when two Sense Trainers, one Intermediate and one Advanced, ganged up on him, holding out for so long was commendable.
When Ikasa entered the hall, City Lord's thrust narrowly missed the armpit of Sect Master Yan. Clan Master Qing took this opportunity to slash at City Lord's back.
The slash tore City Lord's robe and drew blood, failing to do more damage.
"City Lord Zhen, concede the Battle of Rights! It is the only way you will leave this place alive."
Sect Master Yan threatened as he swung his battle pole deceptively, trying to trip his foe. Qing Mo added another slash with his Dragon Blood Saber and another part of City Lord's robe was torn.
"Tsk Tsk! To think I would see the Lord of the City in Beggar's clothing. I will buy you a new robe from your tailor, Lord Zhen."
Ikasa joked as he approached the fighting trio. Zhen Wu was annoyed by his arrival.
'I am fighting with my life on the line to buy time for this guy and he has time to joke!'
Without looking in his direction, he furiously thundered, "Ikasa, you idiot, run!"
With his shout, he swung his sword at stunned Clan Master Qing. The sword left a bleeding gash on his left arm.
"Argh!"
Qing Mo stepped away, his eyes looking at the City Lord and Ikasa with hatred. Sect Master Yan also retreated with fire in his eyes.
When the City Lord took a look at Ikasa, he realized the reason for their intense reaction. Even his eyes widened, seeing the bodies of the Sense Realm Experts in his hands.
Then he broke into hysterical laughter, as a burden was lifted from his shoulders. Looking at Yan Hao, he threw his words back at him.
"Sect Master Yan, concede the Battle of Rights. It is the only way you will leave this place alive."
Yan Hao's face paled. His fists clenched, and his lips thinned. When they hatched this plan, he had not expected to be humiliated.
Clan Master Qing had also not foreseen this outcome. He regretted sending Hu Bei to keep a watch on Feng Yan. Still, this was the Hu Clan, his home ground. He may be outmatched in the Sense Realm, but his militia was still present. He intervened in the conversation.
"City Lord, don't forget where you are. This is my Hu Clan! If you go overboard, I will make sure you are buried here with my men!"
Outside the hall, Ikasa and City Lord could hear people gathering. They exchanged glances and decided it was not worth fighting over.
"Sect Master Yan, I will give Hu Clan face and spare you. But rest assured, we will meet again. Soon."
Zhen Wu grabbed Ikasa and turned to leave. Clan Master Qing loudly stopped them. Glowering at Ikasa, he spat out.
"Hold on, City Lord. Who said he can leave?"