Duel

Ryuseki and Lin Yingbin were ambushed by Zhi's assassination squad on their way home. During the confrontation, the bounty hunter known as Black Hunter Slumber intervened, defeating the Golden Scorpion assassins dispatched by Zhi with overwhelming strength. This act drew Ryuseki's dissatisfaction.

Although Slumber helped Ryuseki defeat the enemy, Ryuseki viewed it as a provocation. This insult to his pride led Ryuseki and Slumber to agree to settle the matter with their fists the following afternoon. Slumber readily accepted this pointless duel.

The next afternoon, at an abandoned airport in the eastern suburbs of the city.

Ryuseki, Lin Yingbin, Ryuu Mufei, and Meisha arrived together. Ryuu Mufei and Meisha were primarily there to stop Ryuseki.

The East District Airport was originally the city's first airport. However, as the city expanded, this small airport became difficult to operate. After the West District Airport was built, this one was abandoned, ceasing all air transport operations. It was a vast area with sparse population. The original tarmac was covered in withered yellow grass, leaving only a roughly three-hundred-meter asphalt runway in the center as the sole scenery. In spring, it was a good place for kite flying. After all, the city had well-developed waterway and highway routes, and while the West District Airport wasn't comparable to an international airport, it was still quite large. Thus, this abandoned airport rarely saw use, making it the perfect location for a duel.

Oh, I forgot to mention something. Bounty hunters are a very diverse profession in this world. They survive by completing tasks assigned by their 'employers.' Within this profession, every bounty hunter adheres to their own principles and strictly follows the rules. Of course, there are exceptions, and their existence is disdained by other bounty hunters.

There are many bounty hunters in this world, with tens of thousands registered under the HUNT Organization, many of whom are exceptionally skilled. Speaking of the HUNT Organization, they act as a bridge between bounty hunters and employers, and are an organization that specifically provides intelligence and assigns missions to bounty hunters. They also serve as a transit hub and rest center for these bounty hunters. This organization is spread across the globe, and its ranks are filled with talented individuals and top experts.

Incidentally, the 'duel' proposed by Ryuseki is known as a 'DUEL' in the bounty hunter world. When two or more people have a common goal, they resolve who will complete the task through a duel. This is one of the basic rules of the bounty hunter world, and anyone who breaks it will be ridiculed by all bounty hunters. For hunters who rely on their reputation and fame to navigate the bounty hunter world, such a situation means unemployment.

Even outwardly, Meisha was not optimistic about this duel. Her face showed resentment towards Ryuseki for doing such a thing, though she didn't voice it.

Due to the cold weather, Meisha had also changed into warmer clothes, as November weather was still quite chilly no matter what. Meisha wore a dark green long shirt, a white long-sleeved tight-fitting sweater over it, and a dragonfly knot at the collar. She wore a gray-blue short skirt with white leggings and gray snow boots. Coupled with her twin-tail hairstyle, she looked exceptionally cute.

She had originally planned to go out with Ryuseki on the weekend dressed like this, but she was brought here instead, making Meisha feel disheartened. What's more, Ryuseki was ignoring them and walking ahead alone. She was getting a little angry, pouting as she looked around, thinking she wouldn't talk to Ryuseki for a whole day after this fight.

On the way, Lin Yingbin explained to the confused Ryuu Mufei and Meisha.

"Slumber, the bounty hunter, seems to have created an inexplicable sense of pressure for Ryuseki. You probably haven't known him for long, so you might not understand. I've known him for a long time and I understand him quite well. He's the type of person who doesn't like others doing things for him, especially without asking first. He once told me that when others do things for him, he feels a sense of being replaced."

Ryuu Mufei frowned as he listened and asked, "A sense of being replaced?"

"Yes! He told me that it makes him feel incompetent, like he can't accomplish anything." Lin Yingbin continued to explain.

At this, Meisha seemed to realize something and replied, "Oh, no wonder he asked me last time if he was very incompetent."

"Besides that, his competitiveness is exceptionally strong, terrifyingly so. It's especially evident in things he focuses on. I still remember that time. When we were kids, I was playing a video game with him, and someone told him that his brother had already achieved a perfect clear. At that moment, he refused to lose and pursued a perfect clear, to the point of neglecting sleep and food for nearly three months for that game, until he finally achieved a perfect clear, and even finished it faster than his brother."

Lin Yingbin thought for a moment and then said, "I don't know if this personality trait is good or bad for him, but as a friend, I don't want him to get hurt because of it."

As they talked, the three of them looked at Ryuseki's back in unison. Ryuseki walked at the very front without a word. Although he looked so sunny, he seemed to be carrying a weight that could crush him. Yet, despite this, his steps showed no hesitation. His brown eyes conveyed an unyielding will. He walked silently, and no one knew what was going through his mind. However, it was clear that he would not give up on this fight, absolutely not.

"I've also heard him say more than once that he wants to protect us. He seems to be under a lot of pressure due to Kikka You's death. He feels like it was his fault, and that friends are supposed to be protected by him, not the other way around," Meisha said, looking at his heavy back.

Lin Yingbin looked up at the orange-red sky and took a deep breath, then ran a hand through his hair. "His older brother was called a genius by everyone before, and people always mentioned his brother in front of him, intentionally or unintentionally. This might also be the reason for his current competitive nature! Whenever his brother was mentioned, he would always be ignored. When we were kids, a big reason why I got along so well with him was because I rarely mentioned his brother. He also told me that everyone always mentioned his brother in front of him, which made him feel unbalanced. He always felt like he was living in his brother's shadow. So, although he seemed to have a good relationship with his brother, in reality, he harbored resentment towards him deep down."

"Kouhi, you mean? But Kouhi seems to take good care of Ryuseki!" Meisha said with some disbelief.

"It's not about Kouhi. Kouhi also noticed his younger brother's feelings, so..." Lin Yingbin lowered his head as he walked, recalling past events. "So he gave up all his great prospects. He could have had a bright future, but out of fear of hurting his younger brother's pride and to better take care of him, he gave up the opportunity to study abroad."

"To think that there can be such deep brotherly affection!" This conversation couldn't help but remind Ryuu Mufei of some unpleasant memories. "Unlike me, who has such a scummy brother!" he muttered softly, but his displeased expression was evident. It seemed Ryuu Mufei's brother had brought him a lot of unhappy memories.

"You have a brother too?" Meisha asked when she heard his muttering.

"Yes, but he's called a degenerate by our people. He was driven out of the clan and we don't know where he went. I heard he died out there, but he deserved it, for all the evil things he did."

As he said this, Ryuu Mufei's eyes were filled with anger.

"How much do you hate your brother? He's your own brother, isn't he? Is it that serious?" Lin Yingbin was still somewhat incredulous, but before Ryuu Mufei could explain, Ryuseki interrupted him.

"What are you guys still talking about!" He turned around and looked at the three of them. "We're here."

"Hehe! He gets like this when he's being stubborn, his words and actions become extreme. Please bear with him, he's just like that. He's very loyal, doesn't like owing anyone, and hopes to protect the people he loves. Don't you think he's cute like this?"

Lin Yingbin said with a chuckle to the two of them. Since Ryuseki's tone was rather cold just now, he was afraid of causing any negative impression on them, so he explained.

As they spoke, the group arrived at the agreed-upon location. Standing in the middle of the withered grass was a person wearing a blood-red wide-brimmed hat. Through the shadow of the hat, a pair of red pupils filled with killing intent could be seen. Black Hunter Slumber, with a sinister smile on his face, awaited their arrival.