NOVEL WEB AZI Vol 2 Chapter 21 to 25
Chapter 21
Sitting down together on the cold floor with five bamboo steamers in front of them, Long Hua and the others munched on steamed buns and gyozas.
“You know, this isn’t quite what I had in mind when I gave you this sword.”
With a steamed bun in hand, Nian Yao Yao glares to her left.
“Not quite what I had in mind either.”
Receiving her glare, Long Hua shrugs his left shoulder.
“…So?”
“So what?
Unsure if the other side is being serious or not, Nian Yao Yao sighs, and asks—
“So, as in, are you seriously going to maintain this posture until the end?”
“I have to make it convincing, don’t I?”
“Just drop it. You’re making it difficult for me to eat.”
Seeing Nian Yao Yao—who must actively void the edge of his blade while eating her steamed bun, Long Hua lowers his sword with a sigh.
“Zhui Yun, I could always position the sword back in place.”
“Tch.”
Clicking her tongue, Zhui Yun lowers the knife in her hand, and resumes her meal.
“…”
Silently, Tian Cheng lowers her sword as well—allowing Jing Yao to heave a sigh of relief.
“In any case, what do you think they’re even talking about?”
Replying to Long Hua’s question, Nian Yao Yao says—
“What else could they be talking about—other than how to deal with this ridiculous situation that you’ve created?”
“You know as well as I do that they aren’t.”
Chewing her food, Nian Yao Yao begins to sort through her thoughts, and eventually, she replies—
“I’m pretty sure they aren’t buying your cringeworthy hostage act.”
“Even though I put so much effort into it?”
“They’re at a clear disadvantage when it comes to dealing with us. So long as I’m nearby—it’s impossible for them to use any sort of heavy firearms. Those MAUs are nothing more than them putting on a strong front to intimidate us with.”
Ignoring Long Hua’s remark, Nian Yao Yao begins to lay everything out in a clear manner.
“Their goal is the map in my hand. Until they get this thing, they won’t stop harassing us. It should already be clear, but their ideal condition for victory is to isolate me from the rest of you. That way, I’d be left with no choice but to give them the map.”
“Meaning I’d have to guard you at all times.”
Saying this, Long Hua can’t help but feel the situation to be unfair.
No harm could possibly come to Nian Yao Yao—since the enemy commander is her own mother; but because Long Hua is the former’s guard, he has no choice but to expose himself to life-threatening danger.
“Pretty much. If we want out of this crappy situation, we’d have to find New Moon Village tonight—and seal the business deal. After that, we destroy the map.”
Towards Nian Yao Yao’s idea of ending everything tonight, silence fills the air.
Momentarily, Long Hua says—
“Wait, this still doesn’t answer the original question.”
“Hard to answer really. They might be discussing how they could do a temporary retreat—only to redo their attack at a later date when they’re more prepared.”
“Aren’t they already well-prepped?”
Taking a bite out of a steamed bun, Nian Yao Yao replies—
“They might appear to be organized on the surface, but they clearly didn’t come into this city with a detailed plan in mind.”
“How can you tell?”
Turning to Long Hua, Tian Cheng says—
“Master, their firearms are loaded with lead-based bullets.”
Nodding her head, Nian Yao Yao adds—
“Just as your doll here says, the fact that they didn’t load their guns with tranquilizer rounds is proof of them not having enough time to make thorough preparations. Lead-based bullets are always in high demand by the general populace because Sinners occasionally run rampant. Your first thought on how to deal with a Sinner—who is charging at you with killing intent surely wouldn’t be to put them to sleep now, would it?”
Shrugging his shoulders, Long Hua answers—
“Killing them before they can kill me is always my first thought.”
“Exactly, so tranquilizer rounds are almost never in stock.”
If it was in the distant past, where wildlife was “tamer” in nature, hunting for games through the use of tranquilizer rounds was a common practice among the wealthy—for those who were interested in keeping them as exotic pets.
“You’d have to get them ordered ahead of time—if you were planning to perform an operation with them in mind. Them being ill-prepped also means that I did a decent job at concealing my tracks.”
As if pointing out something that couldn’t be more obvious, Nian Yao Yao shrugs her shoulders, prior to eating a gyoza.
Looking at Nian Yao Yao with narrowed eyes, Long Hua asks—
“Should you really be tacking self-praise onto yourself when you screwed up at the last moment that is the most crucial?”
“A person should try to maintain a bit of self-esteem at all times, even if they fail.”
Judging by Nian Yao Yao’s air when she says this, she seems to be speaking from plenty of experience.
“I’m impressed. The skin on your face is way thicker than mine.”
“You demanded for them to bring you food and drinks after creating this farce, your skin isn’t any thinner than mine.”
Left without a comeback, Long Hua presses a steamed bun to his mouth.
Momentarily, Jing Yao asks—
“This will probably sound rather random—but, Yao Yao, how much do you really know about your family?”
“Hm? That is quite random, what do you really mean to ask, Jing?”
“Aside from the Bloodline Project, did your mother keep anything else from you?”
Being asked this, Nian Yao Yao frowns at first—with the intent to just brush it aside, but momentarily, her expression turns solemn.
(That old hag would occasionally vanish for more than two months. I’ve no idea what she does during those absences, and since she won’t ever answer me honestly, I’ve long given up on asking. I wonder, if she still does this to this day?)
Looking to Jing Yao, Nian Yao Yao answers—
“She’s always doing something behind my back, so it’s hard to say for certain. When I was still in the estate, she would occasionally vanish for more than two months. This happens once a year. You think whatever it is that she does—during those absences is related to why they had to take this outside?”
“I’m only guessing. But once a year, and for more than two months… Hmm.”
“Something the matter?”
Constricting her eyes, Jing Yao answers—
“When I was still working in the Long Yue family’s estate with my older sister, she would also vanish with Madame Nian for that amount of time once a year.”
“So, she still does it to this day, I’d assume?”
Listening in on the conversation, Long Hua and Zhui Yun thought—
(It’s as if the two’s family members are having a tryst with one another while these two, the children have only just caught on to it.)
(Hm? This reminds me of a sappy drama about a woman cheating on her husband—who is always away from home due to work. The main character—who is the woman’s child, is introduced to a stranger, who will be living with them two episodes in.)
Coming to the same conclusion as one another, Long Hua and Zhui Yun shook their heads to dismiss the image from their minds.
Clearing his throat, Long Hua redirects their focus—
“Never mind it all for now. Whatever they had to talk about outside shouldn’t be our concern. You mentioned how you wanted to find New Moon Village tonight. How are you going to do that—when we’re stuck in this place?”
Looking at the ground, Nian Yao Yao turns to Long Hua, and asks—
“Sword Saint Long, you got any confidence in being able to cut us a way down to the sewers from where we currently are?”
Chapter 22
“Sword Saint Long, you got any confidence in being able to cut us a way down to the sewers from where we currently are?”
“………”
Considering the question seriously, Long Hua frowns.
(The front entrance of the hotel has three staircases leading down to the streets… That alone is already a lot to cut through, and that’s not even including the entirety of the building’s foundation…)
Doing a few calculations in his mind, Long Hua shakes his head. He can’t even begin to imagine how much depth the foundation of this building could have.
“Lady Nian, your amateur sword saint here will have to disappoint you.”
In actuality, the feat is probably doable, but that’s on the condition that Long Hua unleashes his full cultivation base—while expending his entire reserve of spirit Qi.
“Guess I was hoping for too much.”
As Nian Yao Yao heaves a sigh—
“They’re coming back.”
Seeing the figures of Nian Tao Tao and Jing Yin coming up from behind the Long Yue family’s forces, Tian Cheng prompts the group to prepare themselves.
“Quick, get into formation.”
Dropping their food in union, the group stands up from the ground with Nian Yao Yao and Jing Yao assuming their roles as hostages, to which, Long Hua remarks—
“…I was only kidding—since you said they wouldn’t buy this cringeworthy act; didn’t expect you all to really go through with it.”
Towards this remark, Nian Yao Yao and Jing Yao replies—
“Well, it’s worth a shot, at least?”
“I just followed everyone else…”
(This idiotic daughter of mine, just where did I go wrong in raising her?)
Seeing Nian Yao Yao working together with a person—who could potentially kill her without hesitation, Nian Tao Tao inwardly shakes her head at the idiocy that her daughter is demonstrating.
(Ai, the fact that she doesn’t suspect him at all… If he’s really someone from the Ling Yuan family, then he’s quite an actor. Maybe I should call this idiotic daughter of mine back to the family estate to divulge a few more household secrets to her? Hmm.)
Thinking for a bit, Nian Tao Tao proceeds to clear her throat, and say—
“Hope you enjoyed your meal break, Sword Saint Long.”
“Was quite decent. So, have you decided to comply with my demands?”
“You’re all free to go. Stand aside.”
In an orderly fashion, the Long Yue family’s forces move to the sidelines—leaving only Nian Tao Tao and Jing Yin in the center.
(Hm? With how much distance there is separating them from their guards—they are basically leaving themselves open to an attack when we pass them by.)
Despite this situation taking what seems to be a positive turn for them, Long Hua can’t help but feel skeptical, as he looks to Nian Tao Tao with suspicion, and asks—
“And the car?”
“Outside—and warmed up for you.”
(For real, she’s buying this?)
(What’s going on here?)
(This can’t be the end of it all, can it?)
(She has plans to reorganize an attack later, right?)
Directing a look of distaste at the group, Nian Tao Tao folds her arms, and goes on to say—
“Drop the hostage act already. Even if you people don’t have any sense of shame left—give some thought to the people who are forced to look at your foolery.”
Towards Nian Tao Tao’s biting remark, a begrudging expression appears on Nian Yao Yao’s face, but ultimately, the latter asks—
“Well, she does have a point… What do you think?”
“Hmm.”
Recalling what Nian Yao Yao had said before—about the Long Yue family being unprepared to engage them, Long Hua had to agree with her line of thought; so this could just be the other side taking a breather to better prepare themselves. However, as an extra means of precaution, he still turns to Zhui Yun, and—
“…Zhui Yun, take up the front.”
Replying with a nod, Zhui Yun positions herself at the forefront of the group.
“…Tian Cheng, by my side.”
“Understood.”
Simultaneously, Long Hua and Tian Cheng lowered their swords, and moved themselves to the rear of the group.
Moving in union, the group arrives in front of Nian Tao Tao and Jing Yin with less than a dozen meters of distance separating their party.
“Old hag, I’m assuming you plan to redo your attack later?”
“But of course. What else would you expect?”
Directing a glance at Nian Yao Yao, Nian Tao Tao answers as such without a hint of shame.
“…”
“…?”
Realizing that Nian Tao Tao has been keeping her eyes on him for the most part, Long Hua presses his brows together with a look of wariness, and asks—
“Is there something on my face, Madame Nian?”
“No.”
Towards Nian Tao Tao’s business smile, Long Hua’s frown deepens.
(A person who will exploit another to their fullest—should she manage to grab onto your weakness… Dealing with people of her kind is really unpleasant.)
Is the impression that Long Hua has of Nian Tao Tao, which isn’t very different from Nian Yao Yao.
“Sword Saint Long, how old are you this year?”
“Hm? 18, why?”
“Only 18 years of age?”
Reducing the distance between her and the other party, Nian Tao Tao walks over to Long Hua, and looks at him—in a way that is akin to a researcher examining an interesting piece of specimen.
With the flavor of her smile turning playful, Nian Tao Tao asks—
“Do you have any interest in finding a life companion?”
Towards the randomness of this question—
“…?”
Long Hua’s immediate reaction was to take two steps back. A question of this nature is something that he is rather familiar with.
(Between shizun and I, I can’t recall which of us had this question directed at us more often…)
“Lady Nian, is this what they call a honey trap?”
“Uh?”
Ignoring Zhui Yun and Nian Yao Yao, Long Hua asks—
“What kind of question is that?”
Towards the other party reacting with an expression of bewilderment, a light chuckle comes from Nian Tao Tao.
“A question asked out of curiosity, I suppose? If you like, I can introduce you to someone. My network is quite wide, so if you gave me your preferences, I’m certain—I’d be able to find someone to your liking.”
Despite the playful nature of her smile, Nian Tao Tao doesn’t seem to be joking around, to which, Long Hua replies—
“No need.”
“Does that mean you already have someone in mind? Perhaps…?”
“Whether or not, two individuals—who have walked separate paths are able to come together is dependent on fate.”
Seeing the subtle expression of bitterness on Long Hua’s face, Tian Cheng tilted her head, and thought—
(That bitter look… Is it intentional, or…?)
“Hmm, a shame then. Well, the offer is always open if you ever change your mind.”
Shaking her head in disappointment, Nian Tao Tao also takes a step back.
“Old hag, have you finally gone senile due to old age? Or are you just that bored?”
“My soon-to-be 200-year-old idiotic daughter, I’m perfectly stable in the head, so no need to be concerned.”
“Quit bringing my age up…”
Towards Nian Yao Yao’s rebellious attitude, Nian Tao Tao looks to the former with a motherly smile, and says—
“Should you feel like coming back to the estate to celebrate that occasion, I’m more than happy to call for a ceasefire.”
“…?”
Meeting her mother’s eyes, Nian Yao Yao freezes for a brief instance. Eventually, she replies—
“…I’ll think about it. But I’d still be bringing a few guards with me.”
“The more, the merrier—as they say. But do include a few actual friends among the people you’re bringing with you. Otherwise, this old mother of yours is going to be concerned about you not having a social life outside of your business ambitions.”
Hearing this, Nian Yao Yao’s right eye twitches. What her mother has just said isn’t very far from the truth.
“…Right, we’re leaving.”
Accompanying the group, Nian Tao Tao and Jing Yin walk with them out of the hotel.
Three staircases down—is a black SUV, and lining the sides of these staircases are linear bushes.
Dividing these staircases into three separate portions are two spacious landings.
“Even went as far as to clear the road for us. How nice.”
Towards Nian Yao Yao’s remark, Nian Tao Tao says—
“Feel free to ditch the car somewhere—if you think I put a tracker on it.”
“Aren’t you basically admitting that you did, by bringing it up? Well, whatever, goodnight.”
Without looking back at Nian Tao Tao, Nian Yao Yao heads for the car—with her mind set on attempting to find New Moon Village as soon as they get far enough away from the former.
“Xiao Yao.”
“Hm?”
Towards Jing Yin’s call, Jing Yao turns her head around.
“…Take care of yourself.”
“…You as well.”
As the group descends the staircase, Nian Tao Tao keeps her eyes on her daughter’s back, while Jing Yin raises a sigh.
Chapter 23
“…”
As soon as Jing Yao—who is the closest to Long Hua and Tian Cheng, places her feet onto the final staircase’s steps, Nian Tao Tao narrows her eyes, and—
“Open.”
At her command, four pillars of light erupts from within the linear bushes, and expands to merge together into a cubic prison.
(A magic array? How?)
Finding himself suddenly imprisoned within a magic array that surrounds the entirety of the second landing, Long Hua widens his eyes, as he turns his head around to look towards Nian Tao Tao—who gazes back at him with a gleam of extreme hostility in her eyes.
“You…?”
Before Long Hua can even ask about the magic array—
*Bang!!!* the sound of a sniper rifle goes off, and with it, Qing Yue’s invisibility cloak disengages, revealing her figure crouched on top of a semi-truck.
“Tch!”
By the time Long Hua had turned his attention towards the incoming bullet, the projectile had less than ten meters of traveling distance to go before it could hit him in the chest.
“…”
As the bullet closes in on him, the flow of time slows for Long Hua.
In that instance—
(Only 18 years of age? Do you have any interest in finding a life companion?)
The random question that Nian Tao Tao had asked him previously appears in his mind.
(That wasn’t a random question at all. It was completely calculated, a stupid question to dissipate the tension—causing me to drop my guard…)
Realizing that he had been schemed against, Long Hua feels a rising heat of anger welling up in his chest, but momentarily that heat dissipates with a sigh.
With how little distance there was between him and the incoming bullet, he couldn’t possibly hope to evade it at this point.
(Didn’t expect this to be how I’d die.)
Tranquil like the surface of a lake, that is Long Hua’s current state of mind—despite death’s approach, much to his own astonishment.
*Klang…* towards his left, Long Hua detects the sound of an object being dropped onto the ground, following it—
(The longer you live for, the worse your temper becomes. Eventually, you live for so long that you just cease to care about everything.)
The voice of his shizun appears in his mind.
(I don’t recall what happened in the far past, but… Have I simply just lived for far too long? Long enough to the point, where I’ve just stopped to ca-?)
Just as Long Hua thought to shut his eyes—
“…”
“…!”
Pain is abruptly felt on his left shoulder, and the force behind whatever it is that had hit him—pushes him to the side.
Following this, numerous strands of snow-white hair filled Long Hua’s field of vision.
“Tia-”
And just as the name of this object that had pushed him comes to mind—
*…!!!!!* a discomforting sound, akin to the noise made when two fast-moving cars crash into one another—enters his ears.
“…Ah.”
Liquid of scalding temperature splashes forth, and soaks itself into the fabrics of his clothes.
………
*Klang…* amidst the bullet’s approach, Tian Cheng—who already has her eyes wide open, drops her sword.
(Anti-Immortal round, a bullet created by-)
Putting a halt to her analysis of the incoming bullet’s structural makeup, the temperature of Tian Cheng’s body rises sharply, and with this—
*Wrrrrrrr!* a sound that is akin to a beast’s low howl emanates from within her, as her components are forced to run at a speed that is far higher than what their factory settings would recommend.
“…”
“…!”
Pushing Long Hua aside by his left shoulder, Tian Cheng’s snow-white hair fills the former’s field of vision.
“Tia-”
Before Long Hua can call out her name—
*…!!!!!* a sound that is reminiscent of a devastating car crash goes off.
(Warning, warning, warning, critical damage sustained, to avoid loss of data initiating emergency shutdown in ten seconds-)
In the instance following this disturbing sound, Tian Cheng abruptly loses feel from much of her body.
“…Ah.”
*Thud!* with a heavy thud, a piece of distorted metal that was originally Tian Cheng’s left arm falls onto the ground, along with numerous other fragments of her body.
However, this isn’t what caused her to utter out a sound of surprise.
(Finally connected… Then…)
Processing her situation with unusual speed, “Tian Cheng” manipulates her body to raise the corner of her lips in front of Long Hua, and—
………
“…”
With his clothes drenched in a scalding mix of coolant and oil, Long Hua looks at Tian Cheng with wide eyes.
“…Apologies for spil-”
Before Tian Cheng can even finish her sentence, her magenta-colored eyes dim, as her battered body begins to fall backwards.
Having been hit in the chest by an AI round, a vast majority of Tian Cheng’s upper body had been blown apart, leaving only a damaged upper body frame that could collapse with the slightest press.
Witnessing Tian Cheng’s body fall in slow motion, a scene from ages past flashes in Long Hua’s head.
(Shizun, my results?)
(Your results… Beware of women, especially those with good looks and talent. One misstep in how you interact with them could lead to your death. In other words, do not ever trust them, and know to maintain a proper amount of distance from them.)
…
(…Apologies shizun… This disciple had failed to keep… Your words in mind…)
As an image of a bloodied body flashes in his mind, Long Hua puts on a smile of self-ridicule.
“………Heh. Surnamed Long, you’ve already died once because of a woman, isn’t it about time you learned?”
Reaching his left hand out, Long Hua grasps Tian Cheng by her remaining arm—preventing her from hitting the ground.
(A machine is a machine. Life for me may end at the press of a switch. But…)
“Right, a machine…”
Recalling those words, Long Hua frowns, as he tightens his grip over Bai Zhe.
Unlike a person of flesh and blood, machines can be repaired or replaced, and—
“…At least a machine won’t betray me as easily.”
Chapter 24
(Ai, I’ll use Tai Xuan to repair her later. For now…)
*Bang!!!* hearing the sound of the sniper rifle going off again, Long Hua positions Bai Zhe before the bullet’s trajectory of travel.
*Ding!*
“…!”
Much to Qing Yue’s shock, the moment her bullet hits the sword Qi shrouded weapon, it is effortlessly divided in half.
“…”
As a feeling of lightheadedness wraps around Long Hua’s head, he takes two unsteady steps backwards.
(I really hate this feeling.)
To Long Hua, being saved or protected is the same as—
(Being reminded of how worthless I am… This feeling sucks the most. I need to find something to vent this irritation on…)
Despite feeling thoroughly enraged by what had just happened, Long Hua maintains a mostly composed state of mind, as he crouches down, and gently rests Tian Cheng’s body onto the ground.
(This magic array needs to be destroyed first. After that comes the sniper.)
Picking Kun off the ground, Long Hua rises to a stand, while narrowing his eyes that are giving off a dangerous gleam.
(The enemy possesses weapons related to Immortals on hand; I should have expected them to have something like this as well. Carelessness really is a sin, but since the Long Yue family possesses techniques related to Immortal, I guess the need for me to hide my identity as a practitioner is no longer as warranted?)
“Lon-”
“Long-mou’s swords have no eyes, give way.”
Before Nian Yao Yao can say anything, Long Hua cuts her off in an archaic dialect.
(…He’s completely pissed.)
Thinking of this, a bead of cold sweat rolls down Zhui Yun’s face.
Facing Long Hua, who is in a state of rage, a vague piece of memory flashes in Zhui Yun’s mind. Within this memory, she sees the figure of an individual shrouded in white fog, and—
“…!”
The moment this individual within her memory—turns their passionless gaze towards her direction, it coincides with Long Hua, who is doing the same at this very instance.
(The monster shrouded in white fog…?)
Facing Long Hua’s glare, Zhui Yun feels her back drenched in cold sweat—while her heart beats at a rate, where it can seemingly burst.
Why is it that she had forgotten about the events of that day? Even now, Zhui Yun finds it difficult to recall the entirety of that event—where a fog-shrouded monster had caused everyone to faint upon encounter.
“…Lady Nian, Lady Jing, Hu…- He can’t be reasoned with right now.”
Muttering these words, and pulling both Nian Yao Yao and Jing Yao to the side—had seemingly taken every ounce of courage that she possessed, so the moment Zhui Yun had finished her task, she immediately collapsed onto her knees.
(Sharpness, precision, and flexibility; these are what my sword intent focuses on. Sharpness and precision should be straightforward. But what of flexibility? I’ve told you before that—even if I was holding but a blunt stick in my hand, I’d still be able to cleave a boulder in half using it. But what if I’m in a situation where my weapon is knocked out of my hand? What do I do then?)
(Wouldn’t you just use your bare fists to beat down the enemies instead?)
(Hahaha, that is one method, but you can also choose to become the sword yourself. I call this technique Sword Armor.)
With the others having distanced themselves from him, Long Hua mutters—
“Impervious… To a thousand blades.”
Following his mutter, the invisible currents of sword Qi that shroud Long Hua’s blades begin to expand in volume.
Gradually, the twin currents run up to his shoulders, and momentarily, they converge to engulf the entirety of his body in a veil.
*…! …! …! …! …!* scars that can only be formed by blades—are carved onto the ground beneath his feet, as a sign of Long Hua’s inability to control this technique properly.
(…It feels as if I’d be cut down, the moment I try to take a single step forward.)
Upon Long Hua’s activation of his Sword Armor, Nian Tao Tao feels as if there are numerous blades being directed at her from every possible angle.
(This is an Immortal’s sword Qi…?)
Compared to Nian Tao Tao, Jing Yin’s reaction to the pressure of Long Hua’s Sword Armor is much more severe, as blood drains from her face.
“…”
Raising both Bai Zhe and Kun, with the latter tilted back a bit more, Long Hua directs a sharp glare at Qing Yue.
“Uh…!”
As the wind howls in an ominous manner, a chill like no other creeps down Qing Yue’s spine—causing her hair to stand on ends.
Despite having Long Hua within her aim in the present instance, the first thought that appears in Qing Yue’s mind under the former’s glare wasn’t to fire another shot at them.
“Run, flee, escape,” words of this nature are all that occupies Qing Yue’s head, as she releases her hold over the rifle, and begins to roll to the side.
“Cut.”
In a way that couldn’t be plainer, Long Hua lowers both weapons, with Bai Zhe falling faster than Kun, and amidst its descent—
*Kakaka…!* cracks appear, and spread rampantly to cover up the magic array’s conjured walls.
“…”
Sensing a bit of resistance fighting back against Bai Zhe’s fall, Long Hua narrows his eyes, as he applies more strength into his right hand.
Following this—
*Pah!!!!!* a sound that is akin to the noise made—when glass is shattered goes off, and with it, the magic array that surrounds him collapses.
In the same instance, the sword Qi that shrouds Bai Zhe dissipates, as a sign of it having fulfilled its task.
With the magic array destroyed, Long Hua applies more strength into his left hand, as he brings Kun down with full force.
Upon the weapon stopping just a centimeter above the ground—
*…!!!!!* the sound of the air being divided follows, and with it, the semi-truck that Qing Yue had been crouching on top of—is split cleanly in half!
Chapter 25
“………”
Tracing the linear scar that runs from Long Hua to the semi-truck with her eyes, Nian Yao Yao’s focus ends at the black SUV that was supposed to serve as their transport.
Having been caught in Long Hua’s slash, the vehicle had been split in half, and is currently wrapped up in flames.
(And he calls himself an amateur sword saint?)
As much as Nian Yao Yao wishes to raise a voice of complaint to Long Hua for destroying the vehicle, she didn’t dare to do so—seeing the latter in their current state, that is hellbent on making the Long Yue family pay for their attempt on his life.
“…”
Shifting his gaze away from the semi-truck, Long Hua turns around, and looks up towards Nian Tao Tao.
(This sword Qi seems even stronger than what the records had indicated…)
Having witnessed everything that had just transpired within the blink of an eye, any remaining uncertainties—regarding Long Hua’s identity as an Immortal, vanish from Nian Tao Tao’s mind.
“…”
The moment Long Hua directs Bai Zhe towards Nian Tao Tao, the forces of the Long Yue family rushed out of the hotel, and positioned themselves in front of the latter and Jing Yin.
(This is expending a lot more spirit Qi than what I had originally anticipated. Clearly, shizun didn’t teach me this technique when I was still in the Qi Condensation realm.)
Looking at the number of enemies that he must deal with, Long Hua performs a series of rough calculations in his head, as he tightens his grip over his swords.
(Killing Nian Tao Tao is probably not possible since I still need to give face to my associate, but choosing to run after what had just happened doesn’t sit well with me. Even if I can’t claim a head, I’ll at least rip a chunk of flesh off.)
Other than being made to feel worthless, another thing that Long Hua hates with a passion is to not strike back when hit.
“Madame Nian, please withdraw into the hotel.”
“Those in the front, crouch, and take aim!”
With Nian Yao Yao being at a far enough distance away, the Long Yue family forces need not hold anything back, as they aimed their firearms at Long Hua with the intent to use them.
“Fire!”
*Tatatatatata!!!* as bullets rain down from above, Long Hua wields both Bai Zhe and Kun in union.
*Ding! Ding! Ding!* most of the approaching bullets are blocked off by his swords, while the few that do manage to slip through the gaps in his swings—are shredded into metallic dust by his Sword Armor.
However, with each hit taken by the Sword Armor, a good chunk of his already depleting spirit Qi would vanish.
(Should be soon.)
Despite how dire the situation might seem for him; Long Hua wasn’t too concerned, as he constricts his eyes, and looks to the hands of his enemies.
(Now!)
At the first sight of a Moon Guard initiating the process to replace their magazine, Long Hua breaks into a dash, as he begins to climb the stairs.
“Send the dolls out! Do not let him get close!”
Knowing how disastrous it would be to engage Long Hua in close combat, one of the Moon Guards takes a step forward, and issues this order.
“MAUs take aim!”
(They seem to have a very competent commander.)
Clicking his tongue, Long Hua raises his movement speed.
Should the MAUs’ ranged attacks land, he has no doubt in his mind that the first and second hit will shatter his Sword Armor.
Once that happens, death will be the only thing that awaits him.
“…”
Simultaneously, Long Hua and the war machines arrive at the first landing, and just as the closest RS800’s right hand comes into contact with his Sword Armor—
*Siiiiiii…!!!!!* a discomforting sound that irritates the ears goes off.
“Wha…!?”
“…!?”
Widening their eyes in dread, the Moon Guards look on as the RS800’s right arm is maimed out of shape, and as Long Hua continues to press himself against the war machine, the rest of its metal body follows.
“Piss off.”
Pushing the two-meter piece of scrap metal aside, Long Hua rams himself against three more war machines.
“H-How?”
“Is this his Relic?”
Staring at the state of the first RS800 that came into contact with Long Hua, the Moon Guards all sucked in a breath of cold air.
The mangled state of the military doll—made it seem as if it had just emerged out of a crusher machine.
*Klang! Klang! Klang!* slashing and ramming the war machines aside, Long Hua is just about to arrive at the center of the staircase, however—
“Found you.”
“…Uh?”
Widening his eyes in alarm, Long Hua abruptly halts his footsteps.
(…!)
Sensing an unusual amount of spirit Qi approaching him from above, Long Hua instinctively leaps backwards, and falls towards the landing beneath the stairs.
In the same instance—
*Boom!* right on the position that Long Hua was previously standing on, a shadow descends from above, and the impact of its landing readily throws five RS800s into the air!
“…”
“…?”
Looking at the white-haired man—who has most of his face covered by a mask and cloth that hid their right eye from view, Long Hua frowns.
With how this person is dressed in an expensive looking white suit, he doesn’t seem to be a part of the Long Yue family’s Moon Guards.
At the same time, the immense amount of spirit Qi that emanates from his body—indicates him to be a practitioner without a shadow of a doubt.