The Man Holding the Umbrella!

"He will definitely become a peak master in the future, a true peak master."

Watching Huo Yuanhong's retreating back, Fang Shiyu suddenly said.

"Why? He seems no different from anyone else to me?"

Fang Shixin asked with some confusion.

"You don't understand."

Fang Shiyu, the first in line to inherit the Fang family, seemed lost in thought. "Without the determination to charge forward, without the spirit to challenge the heavens even with a life as fragile as a three-inch thread, how can one become a true peak master... The first generation of peak masters back then were all like this, forging their path through hardship with immense spirit. It's just that not many people remember it now..."

"He did something I wouldn't dare to do. I admire him! I admire him from the bottom of my heart!"

Fang Shiyu said with genuine emotion, raised his cup towards Huo Yuanhong's receding figure, drank it all, and turned to leave.

Only Fang Shixin, somewhat bewildered, remained standing there, not understanding.

Could it be that in her brother's eyes, this young man, who came from humble beginnings, relied on a bit of martial arts talent and the backing of a peak master to even be qualified to converse with them...

Was actually more outstanding than those peak masters standing at the pinnacle of the Heavenly Dynasty, and those stabilizing forces behind the aristocratic families...

"Cough..."

After picking up his spear and running for a short while, Huo Yuanhong spotted Old Xu's figure.

"Old Xu."

Huo Yuanhong paused and bowed respectfully.

"Have you thought it through? As long as you don't interfere in today's events, once all the remaining members of the Chauffeur's Association are dead, you can completely escape your past, shed your origins, and gain a new life within the aristocratic families..."

"You have the potential to be a peak master. If in the future, your descendants produce another peak master, you might even establish a new aristocratic family. Is it really worth it to fight for these hopeless commoners?"

Old Xu stood in the downpour, hands behind his back, his shoulders hunched, speaking slowly.

"Becoming a peak master is too far off, but the enemy is right before me."

Huo Yuanhong said calmly. "When I reach the summit, I don't want to look back and find myself alone. Even if I'm invincible in the world, there will be nothing left to grasp..."

"Becoming a peak master is too far off, but the enemy is right before me..." Old Xu murmured a few times, and a smile, a very fond smile, gradually appeared on his wrinkled face.

"Go."

Just like that night, Old Xu smiled. "Go ahead, do what you want to do. Youth is meant to be bold, don't leave any regrets..."

"I'm old, but I'm still useful. I can protect you for a while longer, so you don't have to worry about anything."

After saying that, seeing Huo Yuanhong looking at him in silence, Old Xu couldn't help but chuckle.

"Don't worry, I'm still waiting to see you become a peak master and be invincible in the world. I'll hang on, and maybe you'll have to save my life then..."

Huo Yuanhong was silent for a moment, then said nothing, merely bowing deeply to the old man.

Then, dragging his spear, he stepped through the splashing water and strode away once more.

He didn't know if his choice was right or wrong.

But he knew that if he missed today, even if he became a peak master or a Martial Immortal in the future, he would have regrets.

He was actually... a very greedy person.

So greedy that he tried his best to reach out and grasp every sliver of regret.

"Old Yu, you're finally here. Did you bring the medicine?"

In the pouring rain, the leader of the Red Robe Society said with a smile. Old Ghost Luo held an umbrella, sheltering the two of them and another person.

"The medicine is here."

The Carriage Shop Owner, not holding an umbrella, stood in the downpour and expressionlessly took out a cloth bag, revealing half a fake medicine that had been prepared long ago.

"Good, you kept your promise."

The leader of the Red Robe Society said with a smile, also taking out half of the great medicine in his hand.

They each placed the great medicine in their hands under the eaves of a nearby house, then moved apart and stood their ground.

This was the rule for the duel. To prevent either side from losing their temper and destroying the medicine on the spot, they needed to place their respective medicines at a certain distance and then retrieve them based on their own abilities!

Rumble!

The rain poured down, blurring the vision. From a distance, only the silhouettes of people could be vaguely seen.

In an instant, the Carriage Shop Owner exploded forward. His strength was like a drawn bow, his body like an arrow shot from a string. He sprinted and rushed directly towards the half of the great medicine belonging to the leader of the Red Robe Society!

"What's the hurry?"

The leader of the Red Robe Society moved unhurriedly. Only when the Carriage Shop Owner rushed close did he shift his body, his feet erupting with power! With his waist and stance unified, the blade tore through the rain curtain, slashing towards the Carriage Shop Owner!

He was confident that he had stepped into Qi Unity with the secret support of a certain faction, while the Carriage Shop Owner was merely at Intent Unity. He was absolutely sure he could force the opponent back with one strike.

For people in gangs like them, many were still accustomed to using Intent Unity, Qi Unity, and Strength Unity to refer to Heart-Mind Unity, Intent-Qi Unity, and Strength-Unity!

"Get lost!"

The Carriage Shop Owner roared, his once plump body now much thinner. He shot out like a cannonball, completely disregarding the Red Robe Society leader's blade. Fueled by the surging blood from the Boiling Blood Powder, his eyes were red as he charged with an Iron Mountain Lean, his long saber held backward, tearing through the rain and stabbing towards the Red Robe Society leader!

"Clang!"

Seeing this suicidal fighting style, the Red Robe Society leader's expression changed, and he was forced to pull his saber back to defend.

"Chhh—!"

Sparks flew from the two blades as they scraped together with a piercing sound. The Red Robe Society leader was pushed back a step by the impact.

Seizing the opportunity, the Carriage Shop Owner pushed off the ground, his plump body bouncing up nimbly. He bypassed the Red Robe Society leader and rushed straight for the half-stalk of great medicine!

Old Ghost Luo and the Red Robe Society's deputy leader, witnessing this frenzied scene, dared not block him head-on. Their strength was far inferior to the Carriage Shop Owner under normal circumstances, and they were merely auxiliary attackers to the Red Robe Society leader.

If they dared to intercept the Carriage Shop Owner, who was now driven mad by the Boiling Blood Powder, they would likely be killed with a single strike!

"Got it, got it, the medicine is mine!"

As he rushed closer and looked at the half-stalk of great medicine in his hand, confirming it was real with a few touches, the Carriage Shop Owner rejoiced inwardly. He quickly stuffed it into the medicine box he had prepared.

In truth, with his deep accumulation, he could have long ago entered the second stage of Hidden Strength, Heart-Mind Unity, but his previously practiced martial arts were too crude, and without medicinal nourishment, he had injured himself, leaving him only at the peak of Intent-Unity.

However, after receiving the medicine from the Fang family, he had healed the internal injuries from his previous practice-without-nourishment and successfully advanced to Strength-Unity!

Under the effect of the Boiling Blood Powder and his desperate fighting style, he had instantly broken through the blockade of the Red Robe Society leader and the other two, snatching the half-stalk of great medicine.

"Go! Hurry and go!"

The Carriage Shop Owner knew very well that his real opponents were not the Red Robe Society leader and his subordinates; he never considered them his opponents.

With the ferocity of his fighting style, if he hadn't been trying to seize the medicine, after entering Strength-Unity, he could have killed all three of them, including the Red Robe Society leader, in a one-on-three fight!

But he couldn't. He couldn't linger, nor could he waste energy. He had to constantly guard against other hidden guild experts who might be lurking in the shadows!

He couldn't stay for even half a moment. He had to fight his way out immediately! Even if he died, he had to deliver the medicine first!

With the strength of Strength-Unity, combined with the Boiling Blood Powder, he still had a decent chance. Otherwise, if he knew there was no hope at all, he wouldn't have foolishly come to die.

"As long as I can get the medicine to the martial arts school, it'll be worth it!"

The Carriage Shop Owner fled desperately, his blood boiling and surging within him, hot and scalding!

Faster! Faster! Faster!

Just as he was about to break out of this area...

"Clang!"

The sound of a blade being drawn echoed. A person turned from under the eaves, their long saber whistling through the rain, propelled by a mighty internal force.

With just one strike, the Carriage Shop Owner's saber was sent flying!

Then, a kick followed, and with a dull thud, the Carriage Shop Owner's plump body was sent flying, several ribs cracking!

So... strong...

The person who emerged from under the eaves was too powerful!

In just one exchange, they had effortlessly defeated the Carriage Shop Owner, who had already reached Strength-Unity and taken the Boiling Blood Powder!

"Ah!!!"

The Carriage Shop Owner roared, his face contorted in agony from his broken ribs. But he didn't dare to stop for a moment. The instant he hit the ground, he unleashed his internal force again, flipping up and changing direction, practically sprinting away!

"Break out! I must break out! I have to deliver the medicine to the martial arts school!"

The Carriage Shop Owner was almost possessed, running desperately.

Unfortunately...

Just as he rounded a corner, another person emerged. A long staff whistled through the downpour, sending him flying backward again.

With a bang, the Carriage Shop Owner's plump body slammed heavily into a puddle, rolling several times before he could barely absorb the impact and create some distance from the staff-wielding expert.

However, by now, the staff had scattered his internal force, leaving him unable to gather his strength. Even his medicine box had fallen to the ground.

The two people who had appeared were terrifying, both in their strength and their fighting style!

They were incredibly strong, far beyond anything he could contend with!

He couldn't break through even with all his might!

"Stomp, stomp, stomp, stomp, stomp..."

The sound of footsteps splashing through puddles came from several directions simultaneously. Vague figures flickered in and out of sight in the torrential rain, wearing various masks, like demons.

Looking at the specters and phantoms in the downpour, the Carriage Shop Owner propped himself up with his elbows, trying to get to his feet.

But after several attempts, he couldn't muster the strength. The blow from the staff had left him unable to recover.

He couldn't even get up.

It was over!

The Carriage Shop Owner lowered his head in despair, watching the rain fall, creating one puddle after another.

He didn't regret that he was about to die.

It was just regrettable.

The final gamble had ultimately failed, and he hadn't managed to get the medicine for Ah Hong.

"Splash..."

Just then, the Carriage Shop Owner suddenly froze, realizing that the torrential rain was no longer falling on him.

The rain had stopped.

The Carriage Shop Owner looked up and saw the young man who had leaped from the eaves, opening a large umbrella and holding it out, blocking the pouring rain.

"Take this. From now on, leave it to me."

The man holding the umbrella, a great spear on his back, strode forward, charging towards the approaching specters and demons!