Bachelor [EN]: Chapter 18

While Master Wen was flustered, Han Li recovered quickly. His recovery ability was already far beyond Master Wen’s expectations.

It was not in vain that he had reached the 6th level of the Eternal Spring Arts. The moment Master Wen regained his senses and decided to subdue Han Li, Han Li’s wrist, which should have been in his grasp, was too flexible to hold firmly.

He tried to grab it again with more force, but Han Li’s hand slipped away like an eel. Han Li nimbly rolled away from him, retreating to one side of the room. He calmly stood up only after creating some distance from Master Wen.

He no longer wanted to talk. Judging by how things were turning out, everything Master Wen had said was a lie. The betrayal of his close aide and the claim that his life was in danger were unbelievable. For himself and his family, Han Li drew his dagger. Although the blade was short, it shone sharper than anything else.

“Today, let’s settle this. Either you die, or I die. Only one of us will leave this room alive.”

A frosty voice echoed through the room.

* * *

Master Wen looked at his hand and then turned to Han Li.

“Interesting. So you’ve been learning such bizarre martial arts all this time?”

He said, looking down on Han Li.

“Come to think of it, it’s been a long time since I’ve properly used my body. It wouldn’t be bad to loosen up a bit. So, why don’t you try attacking me!”

Han Li ignored Master Wen’s provocation. He had already decided to make the first move anyway. He needed to gain the upper hand first.

He held the dagger in his left hand and slashed horizontally. As the dagger’s movement drew the opponent’s attention, he unfolded a paper packet from his sleeve, causing a white powder to puff out. His body became blurry and difficult to see, and even his presence became uncertain.

Moreover, this fog billowed like the sea. Even when he stretched out his hand, he couldn’t see his own fingers. Han Li disappeared into the thick fog.

Master Wen frowned at Han Li. It was a bit unexpected, but he wasn’t particularly surprised. As someone who had been through many battles in the martial world, there was no reason to be flustered by such third-rate tricks. He only stopped breathing to prepare for the possibility that the powder might scatter his inner force [internal energy] or be poisonous. However, with his inner strength, holding his breath for a moment was not difficult.

“Hmph, do you think you can face me with such petty tricks?”

With Master Wen’s cold voice, his right hand suddenly pierced through the air. He unleashed a Piercing Palm towards the fog with his bare hand. The white fog in front of him scattered in all directions as if hit by a giant club, creating a clear space.

Master Wen didn’t stop until Han Li’s figure was visible. After dozens of futile strikes, the fog was completely dispersed through the open door. Everything was back in its place, but Han Li was nowhere to be seen.

“Strange. This kid has really learned a trick or two. To disappear right before my eyes.”

Master Wen was not at all flustered. He believed that Han Li could not have escaped his notice since he had been guarding the door the whole time. He carefully examined the room. There were many bookshelves all around, and a small table and a chair, but everything was as it had been. Nothing was different from before, so how could he have suddenly disappeared in this confined space?

Master Wen’s mind became a little anxious. But a master had to have composure beyond his skills.

After coughing a few times, he narrowed his eyes and sensed the faint killing intent. It was clear that a killing intent was being emitted from somewhere nearby, aimed at him.

The killing intent was clearly waiting for an opportunity to strike. Even when Master Wen refocused his mind and looked around, there was still nothing unusual.

‘Did he go up to the sky or down to the earth!’

Before he could think any deeper, a ‘ting’ sound echoed from above his head.

‘This is!’

Master Wen seemed to understand everything. The opponent was hiding on the eaves. He immediately reached out and unleashed a Piercing Palm with fierce momentum. He intended to knock out the guy hiding above his head with a palm strike.

Crack. Bang!

Ting ting ting ting… Clang.

Along with the sound of breaking, a clear ringing sound was heard. Master Wen, with a doubtful thought, quickly looked up to check and was bewildered.

It was empty, not even a shadow of a person. Only a black iron bell was tightly tied to the eaves, shaking from his palm strike. The ‘ting’ sound he had heard earlier was also from that bell.

The moment Master Wen looked up, a chilling light rose like lightning from below his feet, quickly and silently. The fast and fierce attack was aimed at Master Wen’s lower abdomen, and he only realized it the moment the chilling light touched his clothes.

Even in that critical moment, Master Wen immediately used the Iron Bridge technique [a martial arts stance]. His whole body folded in half as if he had no bones, and he retreated backward. The chilling blade passed by as if grazing his abdomen, leaving a long afterimage on his clothes. If he had been a little slower, his abdomen would have been split open by Han Li’s hand.

Even after the sword tip passed him, Master Wen did not lower his guard and retreated backward, sliding away. Only then did he finally straighten his bent body, feeling both surprised and furious.

The place where he had been standing and the floor began to bulge slowly. The size grew larger and larger, eventually taking on a human shape with a yellowish hue. It was Han Li, who had simultaneously used the ‘Soft Bone Technique,’ ‘Breath Concealment Technique,’ and ‘Camouflage Technique.’

Han Li was wearing earth-toned clothes that matched the color of the floor, and he held a dagger in his left hand. He was very disappointed that his attack had failed. Seeing this, Master Wen’s face turned pale, and he couldn’t control his rapidly beating heart. It was a truly terrifying technique. He had fought against the rising stars of the martial world, but he had rarely been on the verge of death in one move. The fact that he had almost been killed by Han Li, whom he had underestimated, made him even angrier.

He took a deep breath and regained his composure.

“I’ve been underestimating you too much! Your hand movements are quite impressive. This time, I’ll face you with all my strength.”

Master Wen began to look at his hands with a gentle gaze. He seemed to have completely forgotten about Han Li’s existence. Seeing this, Han Li gripped his dagger even tighter and approached Master Wen again.

“Demonic Silver Hand!”

Only three words slowly flowed out. This low voice mysteriously exuded a demonic aura, causing Han Li to stop in his tracks.

The moment Master Wen opened his mouth, a fierce energy suddenly surged from his body. Like a gale in a storm, it grew stronger over time and spread in all directions.

Han Li, who was approaching him, was also pushed back by this force. However, he soon regained his balance and stood still, watching Master Wen’s actions.

It seemed that Master Wen was about to use his hidden ultimate technique to face him, and Han Li’s expression hardened greatly. It was clear that his surprise attack, taking advantage of his opponent’s carelessness, had provoked Master Wen.

“Hehehe, you should be honored to witness my signature technique, the Demonic Silver Hand!”

Master Wen’s voice buzzed in Han Li’s ears. Fortunately, this time it did not contain any inner force, so it did not have a significant impact.

The opponent did not seem to have any intention of trying the same failed method again. After hearing the words ‘Demonic Silver Hand’ from the opponent’s mouth twice, Han Li unconsciously began to examine Master Wen’s hands.

The moment his gaze reached Master Wen’s hands, Han Li couldn’t help but be shocked. Master Wen’s thin and unimpressive arms had instantly swelled up and become huge.

Even more strangely, his yellowish skin had immediately turned silver-white, emitting a cold metallic sheen. It looked as hard as if it were made of silver.

“No way! How can this be? This, this is… your true strength?”

Han Li’s heart was pounding. He unconsciously felt sweat forming on the hand holding the dagger. He had very little experience in fighting against others.

However, as the opponent’s aura suddenly changed and he felt an evil energy from his hands, he couldn’t help but breathe heavily.

Still, Han Li maintained a calm expression on the outside, as if nothing was wrong. There was no sign of any weakness in his demeanor. He was not at all intimidated by Master Wen’s strange aura.

Although Han Li’s skills were excellent, he was still just a young boy of only about ten years old. Master Wen was somewhat offended that Han Li was trying to face him so confidently without showing any fear.

“Your expression is really irritating. You act like an old man who knows everything, even though you’re just a snot-nosed brat.”

Master Wen scolded him harshly, as if disgusted.

“Oh, is that so? I’m honored that I can irritate you, elder. Then, I will try to further develop the strengths you have pointed out.”

Han Li retorted, mocking Master Wen. He was trying to provoke him to get information about his technique.

However, Han Li’s intention did not seem likely to be realized. Master Wen unleashed a palm strike with a ‘thump’ sound, without even answering.

The metallic sound of his palm brushing past made Han Li’s heart uneasy. Master Wen leaped into the air like the wind, swinging his huge silver palm.

His whole body was bearing down on Han Li with the force of a mountain. It seemed that he intended to subdue him at once without any further delay.

Han Li carefully watched Master Wen approaching. When he reached above his head, Han Li raised his dagger and stabbed at the opponent’s vital point. He intended to pierce a hole in Master Wen’s neck. Master Wen, seeing that Han Li was boldly facing his powerful attack without dodging, shouted.

“Die!”

With his silver hand, he grabbed Han Li’s dagger, and with his other hand, he attacked Han Li’s shoulder. Only half of Master Wen’s power was used.

Contrary to what he had said, he was worried that Han Li might be seriously injured. There must have been a hidden reason for this inconsistency.

Han Li had no way of knowing this. And even if he did, he had no intention of finding out how fierce Master Wen’s attacks were by offering his own flesh and blood.

Seeing that Master Wen was trying to snatch his dagger, he twisted his wrist and slashed the dagger again. Using the dagger, he drew a circle like a wheel, protecting his upper body.

Master Wen smirked. He did not reduce the momentum of both hands at all and thrust them into the sword light created by Han Li. It seemed that he had no intention of avoiding the dagger.

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