Effortlessly

Chapter 36: Effortlessly

The spear in Chen Jingchun's hand was clearly no ordinary weapon. It had three prongs and two blades, its entire body a fiery red. Getting close, one could feel waves of heat washing over them.

Lu Zhaojin drew Cold Edge. With a clang, the sword sang, its light like moonlight falling to the earth, as swift as a gale. Chen Jingchun barely had time to react. The sword light grazed past his eyes, severing a lock of hair, and leaving a narrow, long scar on the stone steps behind him.

From this single strike, Chen Jingchun knew Lu Zhaojin was no simple opponent. His initial underestimation vanished, and he began to fight with all his might.

He tightened his grip on the spear, channeling his True Qi into it, making the spear seem like a ball of flame, burning fiercely. As he swung it, streaks of crimson light flashed and disappeared.

Facing Chen Jingchun's onslaught, Lu Zhaojin countered with calm composure, like an impenetrable wall, leaving Chen Jingchun with no way to break through.

Chen Jingchun grew more frantic as they fought, his movements becoming erratic, resorting to wild slashes and thrusts.

Lu Zhaojin didn't want to get entangled with him for too long. He needed to find Zhao Jinzhi's whereabouts and then rush to Luxu Commandery. So, after once again parrying Chen Jingchun's spear, arcs of electricity appeared on Cold Edge. With a single sword strike, he carved a line of electric light through the air.

Chen Jingchun's expression shifted slightly. He felt a threat from this sword strike. "Meteor Spear Technique's Falling Star."

The spear seemed to streak across the sky like a meteor, piercing the darkness that enveloped the heavens, breaking open a ray of light, a sliver of hope.

However, this was merely one of the Nine Heavens Thunder Sword Art's techniques. There were eight more to follow, each faster than the last. It was like lightning and thunder, a sudden explosion that shattered the faint meteor light. Lightning condensed into a roaring dragon's head, completely engulfing Chen Jingchun.

"Ah!"

The lightning raged around Chen Jingchun's body, transforming into sharp electric blades that sliced through his clothes and the skin not protected by his soft armor.

In a moment, Chen Jingchun became a bloody mess, his hair disheveled, utterly pathetic.

Chen Jingchun was not the only one here; many others were hidden in the shadows.

Elder Liang, along with the Chen Family's retainers, hid behind the rooftop, only peeking out to watch the two fight.

Not far from this street, in a tavern that had closed early, Centurion Zhao and Probationary Centurion Chai found good seats on the second floor. They sat opposite each other, their table laden with fine wine and dishes. They drank and ate while watching the two duel on the street through the propped-open window, fervently hoping Lu Zhaojin would fall by Chen Jingchun's hand.

Furthermore, people from the City Lord's mansion were lurking in dark corners, observing the duel.

In truth, they all hoped Chen Jingchun would win and kill Lu Zhaojin, saving them the trouble of doing it themselves.

But the reality unfolding before them was that Chen Jingchun was no match for Lu Zhaojin. And judging by Lu Zhaojin's demeanor, he didn't seem inclined to let Chen Jingchun live.

Elder Liang could not let Chen Jingchun be harmed. He no longer hid, leaping out from behind the rooftop. A Tang dao flew from his hand. "Stop!"

Lu Zhaojin's sword strike was blocked by the Tang dao, preventing him from decapitating Chen Jingchun. Chen Jingchun seized the moment, unleashing a spear thrust faster than a meteor, like a beam of light, striking Lu Zhaojin's chest.

Chen Jingchun's face contorted in shock. He hadn't managed to pierce Lu Zhaojin's chest. He had also cultivated a Hardening Technique.

This was not recorded on the Dragon Ranking at all.

Sensing the shift in the situation, Lu Zhaojin activated the Golden Body Technique. His skin took on a bronze sheen. Furthermore, with his Brute Ox Stance reaching the Extreme Realm, his physical strength had long surpassed what it was at Mount Qi.

Therefore, Chen Jingchun's spear thrust had no effect.

Lu Zhaojin grabbed the Crimson Flame Spear with his left hand, preventing Chen Jingchun from pulling it back. He raised Cold Edge, but instead of attacking Chen Jingchun, he repelled Elder Liang's blade. Then, a flicker of electricity flashed across Chen Jingchun's neck. The expression on his face froze as his head fell from his shoulders.

[Killed Seventh-Rank Martial Artist, EXP +5000]

[EXP: 25468]

Lu Zhaojin grabbed the Crimson Flame Spear, forcefully flung Chen Jingchun's corpse aside, and then hurled the spear at Elder Liang.

Seeing Chen Jingchun dead, Elder Liang was enraged. As the flying Crimson Flame Spear approached, his figure became elusive, like a phantom drifting across the ground. He swiftly closed in on Lu Zhaojin, his blade flashing as he slashed towards Lu Zhaojin's neck.

Elder Liang also wanted to sever Lu Zhaojin's neck, to avenge Chen Jingchun and to have an explanation when he returned to the Chen Family.

However, his intentions were good, but his execution fell short.

Lu Zhaojin easily dismantled Elder Liang's technique and counter-attacked, forcing Elder Liang to call out, "Zhao Rong, I know you're nearby! Quickly help me kill this brat, and my Chen Family will reward you handsomely in the future."

Lu Zhaojin glanced at the silent tavern. He had sensed two presences there long ago, but he didn't know who they were.

However, they were likely enemies. After all, Niu Hang had already left Luoxia City, and he had no friends left in the city.

Therefore, he intended to let no one leave tonight.

The men Chen Jingchun brought were merely low-level guards; they couldn't stop his sword. Each had a red line across their throat.

[Killed Eighth-Rank Martial Artist, EXP +500]

[Killed Eighth-Rank Martial Artist, EXP +500]

[Killed Ninth-Rank Martial Artist, EXP +50]

[...]

[EXP: 27768]

Lu Zhaojin advanced towards Elder Liang, forcing him into a corner. Elder Liang had nowhere left to retreat. The cowardice in his eyes seemed to rebound, igniting a fierce rage that burned away his reason. He slashed wildly at Lu Zhaojin without regard for his own safety.

However, this was merely the last gasp of a spent force. Lu Zhaojin casually flicked away the sword in Elder Liang's hand. Sword light flashed across the elder's neck, drawing a streak of blood that bloomed like a vibrant flower.

[Killed Seventh-Rank Martial Artist, EXP +5000]

[EXP: 30768]

After dealing with Elder Liang, Lu Zhaojin sheathed his sword, looked up at the tavern, and strode towards it.

Zhao Rong's face darkened, he hadn't expected things to turn out this way.

At the same time, he cursed Elder Liang in his heart for exposing them. Given Lu Zhaojin's temperament as the God of Slaughter, they were in for trouble this time.

Probationary Centurion Chai was already restless and planned to escape through the window, but a sword light flashed before his eyes, severing the bracket supporting the eaves before falling to the ground.

Probationary Centurion Chai's soul nearly leaped out of his body. He trembled as he retracted the right leg he had already extended.

Soft footsteps sounded outside the tavern.

Zhao Rong's expression grew even more somber. Tonight, to witness this grand spectacle, he hadn't called for anyone from the True Martial Division, only bringing Probationary Centurion Chai along. If he had True Martial Guards with him, he would have fought Lu Zhaojin with all his might.

Lu Zhaojin entered through the window.

He didn't know if the tavern door was open or closed, nor did he care. The window was simply more convenient.

Lu Zhaojin looked at the two men inside, and at their ornate True Martial brocade robes, a smile touched his lips. "How do you plan to die?"

Because of General Banner An's style of doing things, he had no good feelings towards the True Martial Division. The events of tonight further cemented his lack of any goodwill towards them.

Moreover, these two were both Seventh-Rank Martial Artists, and together they amounted to ten thousand EXP. Why should he let them go?

Zhao Rong stared coldly at Lu Zhaojin. "We are the True Martial Guards specially established by the Great Ding Dynasty. If you kill us, you will truly be going against the Great Ding Dynasty."