Under the Moon, the Straight Saber

The sharp broken rod pierced the monster's brain, extinguishing all its life. But even so, the momentum of its leap remained.

Its massive body plummeted like a cannonball, slamming the Lin Qiye, who was holding the broken rod, to the ground.

After all, Lin Qiye could only kill this monster through his abnormal dynamic vision and the Seraphim's divine might. His own strength hadn't increased. This monster weighed at least two hundred kilograms, and with his strength, he couldn't break free in a short time.

What's more, after Lin Qiye had forcefully used the Seraphim's divine might, he felt as if he had been drained of all energy, completely weak and even a little dizzy.

But just then, the second monster, which had been hiding nearby, moved.

This hunter, which had been lurking in the distance, finally revealed its ferocious fangs!

Its limbs ran at high speed, weaving through the flickering, dim streetlights. The shadows cast were as enchanting as swaying specters, and a long, scarlet tongue writhed eerily.

Lin Qiye could see its movements, but he was unable to dodge in his current state. He could only watch helplessly as the dense fangs rapidly enlarged before his eyes!

The moment the monster was only two meters away from Lin Qiye, Lin Qiye's pupils suddenly contracted!

Within his range of perception, an object faster than the monster was rapidly approaching!

That seemed to be... a person?

It was a real person.

Swish—!

Lin Qiye's vision blurred for a moment, and a figure descended from the night sky, landing steadily on the ground. The wind generated by his movement billowed his dark red cloak, revealing the profile of a middle-aged man's face.

Not handsome, nor ugly, just like an uncle you might see anywhere by the roadside, someone you'd subconsciously ignore.

But the killing intent radiating from his eyes was as piercing as a gleaming sword!

He half-crouched, his eyes fixed on the monster less than a meter away, his right hand steadily gripping the hilt of the sword behind his back.

"Clang—!"

A crisp sound echoed as the sword was drawn from its sheath. The pale blue blade reflected the dim moonlight, slicing through the heavy air and silently striking forward!

It was a straight saber with no fancy flourishes!

The saber's edge carved a crescent arc, colliding with the monster's claws and sparking a series of fire.

Zhao Kongcheng let out a low growl, his muscles tensing as he took a half-step forward!

The monster, whose build was not inferior to a brown bear, was actually forced back several steps by him!

Lin Qiye's eyes were filled with disbelief. He had fought this monster and knew firsthand how terrifying its strength was. Yet, this man before him could force it back?

Who exactly was he?

After forcing the monster back several steps, Zhao Kongcheng moved with a unique footwork, sticking to the monster like a shadow and slashing with his straight saber, leaving deep gashes on its body!

The monster cried out in pain, glaring venomously at Zhao Kongcheng. It raised its long, spear-like forelimbs, attempting to kill the detestable human before it.

However, with two flashes of saber light, its forelimbs were directly severed!

Before the monster could scream, a cold glint flashed in Zhao Kongcheng's eyes, and the straight saber in his hand swung lightning-fast towards the monster's neck!

The pale blue blade easily sliced through the monster's flesh, and the next moment, the monster's head was tossed high into the air...

And rolled to the ground with a thump.

"Click—!"

The straight saber was sheathed. The dark red cloak was stained with the monster's blood, but it was so close in color to the cloak that it was barely noticeable unless one looked closely.

Zhao Kongcheng didn't even glance at the monster's corpse on the ground. He calmly took a cigarette from his pocket, lit it, took a deep drag, and pulled out his walkie-talkie.

"The two escaped Ghost-faced Men have been dealt with. Have the logistics team clean up the battlefield."

After speaking, he put away the walkie-talkie and walked directly to Lin Qiye, who had just freed himself.

Lin Qiye watched him silently, and Zhao Kongcheng watched him silently.

Under the night sky, beside the pool of blood, the two men simply stared at each other in silence...

After a long while, Zhao Kongcheng finally couldn't help but speak first:

"Was I cool just now?"

Lin Qiye: ...

Lin Qiye stared into his eyes for a moment, realizing he was serious, and could only say weakly, "Yes, very cool."

"That's right, cool," Zhao Kongcheng chuckled. "Want to be as cool as me?"

"No."

"..." Zhao Kongcheng's mouth twitched slightly. "Why?"

"I'll die easily."

Lin Qiye's expression was very serious.

Zhao Kongcheng was momentarily speechless. "But you just saw it, you have supernatural powers that ordinary people dream of. Don't you want to be a superhero like in the movies?"

"Don't want to?"

"...Because I'll die easily?"

"Yes."

Zhao Kongcheng rubbed the corners of his eyes. This young man in front of him seemed difficult to deal with, yet he was dragged into this mess, and he possessed such immense power...

"How about this? This isn't a good place to talk. Let's find another spot and have a good chat," Zhao Kongcheng said after thinking for a moment. "Oh, right, my name is Zhao Kongcheng, and I'm not a bad guy."

"Lin Qiye." Lin Qiye blinked and nodded obediently, "I believe you. Wait for me here. I'm going to get my schoolbag; my study materials are still inside."

"...Go on, then." Zhao Kongcheng waved his hand helplessly and sat down on the curb of the nearby road, feeling a bit dejected.

If an ordinary person went through all this, they would have been scared out of their wits. This kid was still thinking about getting his study materials...

The most crucial thing was... he actually rejected me directly?

Damn it, I used every trick up my sleeve! Those few swift slashes earlier were just too cool!

I never even tried that hard when sparring with the captain!

Speaking of which, I still don't know how the captain is doing. That Ghost-faced King is no easy opponent...

Zhao Kongcheng sat by the roadside without any regard for his image, smoking a cigarette and lost in thought.

Lost in thought...

Huh?

Something feels off?

Zhao Kongcheng suddenly snapped back to reality, took half a second to process, then shot up and quickly scanned his surroundings...

Where did that kid go?!

Zhao Kongcheng stood frozen in place for over ten seconds, his mouth agape, still unable to believe what had happened.

"Damn it, that kid ran off?!"

"Brother, why are you back so late today?"

Yang Jin looked at the exhausted Lin Qiye and asked, confused, "Where's your white cane?"

Lin Qiye changed into his slippers, forcing a smile onto his face, "I ran into some trouble on the way and accidentally lost it."

To prevent Yang Jin from seeing the scar near his temple, Lin Qiye rewrapped the black ribbon around it. However, the white cane was indeed broken. Rather than bringing it back and worrying his family, he chose to discard it.

"It's okay, we can just get another one... Was the matter resolved?"

"Yes, it's resolved."

Xiao Hei Lai trotted over from the balcony, nuzzling Lin Qiye's leg with its head before flopping onto the ground and exposing its belly.

Lin Qiye crouched down helplessly, petting its belly as he asked, "Has Auntie not returned yet?"

"Mom is on the night shift tonight and won't be back until morning."

"Alright. Have you finished your homework?"

"Just a little bit left."

"Middle school assigns this much homework... it's insane," Lin Qiye stood up, muttering. He then said to Yang Jin, "It's fine, if you're tired, don't do it. If the teacher scolds you, tell me, and I'll go argue with them."

Yang Jin's lips curved upwards, and he hummed in affirmation, "I'll be finished soon."

Lin Qiye nodded, "I'm a bit tired. I'm going to sleep. You should go to bed early after you finish too."

"Okay."

Lin Qiye dragged his tired body into his room. Just as he was about to close the door, Yang Jin's voice called out again.

"Brother... is everything really okay?"

"It's fine, get to sleep early. Oh, and the milk is in the fridge. Heat it up yourself tomorrow if you wake up early."

"Got it, Brother."

"Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

The room door closed softly. Yang Jin stood outside, holding Xiao Hei Lai, and quietly gazed at Lin Qiye's room.

Yang Jin gently stroked Xiao Hei Lai's head, "You felt it too?"

"Woof!"

He looked up at the dim moonlight outside the window and murmured to himself:

"He smells... of blood."