Counterkill, Doubts

"Get down on your knees, kowtow, beg for mercy..."

Lu Chuan immediately laughed. This fool really did not know who had given him such confidence. Did he really think Lu Chuan had only just reached Martial Arts Reaching Rank?

Besides, even when he had just reached Martial Arts Reaching Rank, his Combat Power had already rivaled that of an ordinary Ninth Rank Mid Stage martial artist.

Though Tian Qiang's fierce reputation spread far and wide, his strength actually ranked at the bottom among Ninth Rank Mid Stage martial artists.

"Come on. I'll stand right here and see what gives you the right to make me kneel and beg for mercy."

Lu Chuan beckoned at Tian Qiang, signaling for him to bring it on.

That gesture completely enraged Tian Qiang. A vicious, murderous grin spread across his already savage face.

With a single stride, Tian Qiang abruptly accelerated and instantly rushed before Lu Chuan.

Clang...

The War Blade in his hand trembled, then came crashing down at Lu Chuan with the force of Mountain Splitting Force.

The Blade Edge was so sharp and fierce that it Erupted with a dull sonic boom, as though the air itself had exploded at that instant.

That was because Tian Qiang's blade speed had reached an extreme, producing wave after wave of explosive bursts through the air.

A flash of Blade Light appeared, and Lu Chuan was about to be hacked into pieces.

At that moment, Lu Chuan, who had remained standing still all this time, finally made his move. His gaze sharpened, and a trace of Cold Killing Intent emerged.

The next instant, he abruptly drew his blade and flicked it upward, striking after yet arriving first.

The War Blade on his back left its sheath and viciously struck Tian Qiang's descending slash.

Then, with a resounding bang, sparks scattered in all directions as the two blades collided. Tian Qiang's expression changed at once. An unimaginably powerful impact sent his entire body flying.

"Wah... pfft..."

For a moment, Tian Qiang felt as though he had been savagely struck by a speeding truck. His organs seemed about to burst apart, and searing pain coursed through him.

Sweetness filled his mouth, and he spat out a mouthful of blood.

His body crashed more than twenty meters away.

"How is this possible!"

Tian Qiang growled in disbelief. Ignoring his own injuries, he stared at Lu Chuan in utter shock.

He had never imagined that Lu Chuan would be this powerful.

A single strike had severely wounded him.

Hadn't they said this brat had only just reached Martial Arts Reaching Rank? Since when had rookies who had just reached rank become this strong?

How could Tian Qiang still not realize that the intelligence Hall Master Liu Bao had given him was seriously wrong?

Lu Chuan had definitely not just reached Martial Arts Reaching Rank. He had likely already Stepped into the Ninth Rank Late Stage, with a realm even higher than Tian Qiang's.

Otherwise, how could he possess such explosive power?

But Lu Chuan paid no attention to any of this. After sending Tian Qiang flying with one slash, he did not stop. Instead, he took another stride and fiercely chased after the airborne Tian Qiang.

At the same time, as he took that step, he instinctively unleashed the Forest Penetrating Deer Movement Technique from the Five Elements Stance Training.

Yet what greatly surprised Lu Chuan was—

He could clearly feel that his speed was far more than just a little faster than before.

A thought stirred in Lu Chuan's mind, and he immediately understood.

This was related to the Rapid Speed state he had gained after Basic Archery achieved Limit Breaking.

This state did not merely increase the speed of the arrows he fired. It enhanced his overall speed.

That made him realize he had still underestimated the effects of the state bonuses gained after martial arts achieved Limit Breaking.

Such a method was practically a Divine Ability.

Countless thoughts flashed through Lu Chuan's mind, but in an instant, he had already rushed before Tian Qiang. He held his War Blade horizontally, pressing it against Tian Qiang's throat.

The blade tip pierced his throat, and blood immediately flowed freely.

The intense pain made Tian Qiang's entire body tremble. Death Intent enveloped him, and for the first time, he was truly afraid.

"Spare me!"

Almost instinctively, Tian Qiang immediately begged for mercy.

"Kneel!"

Lu Chuan's icy voice rang out, like a grim reaper crawling out of hell, sending chills down one's spine.

Bang...

Without the slightest hesitation, Tian Qiang dropped to his knees with a bang.

The more arrogant he had been moments ago, the more cowardly he was now.

"I ask, you answer... If I'm satisfied, you may still have a chance to live. Otherwise, your head may be moving house. Do you understand?"

Lu Chuan continued.

"I understand, Brother Lu Chuan... No, Boss Lu... Ask whatever you want. I'll tell you everything I know without holding anything back."

Tian Qiang nodded like a pecking chicken, even forgetting that his throat was still bleeding.

Compared to his life, what did a little blood loss matter?

"Did Liu Bao send you to ambush and kill me? Why did he do this? I don't recall offending him..." Lu Chuan asked in a deep voice.

"Boss Lu is wise. It was the Hall Master... no, that old fellow Liu Bao who sent me to deal with you."

Tian Qiang hurriedly said, "He has his eye on Boss Lu's Sister, but he was worried about causing a disturbance and being noticed by the Patrol Envoy. So he did not dare use force in the city. He could only rack his brains to make your Sister come to him of her own accord.

"But you were the greatest obstacle, so..."

"So he sent you to intercept and kill me outside the city. Once I was dead, only my mother and Sister would remain—two helpless women alone. Naturally, he would have plenty of ways to control them, and everything would be legal and proper, without the slightest flaw to be found..."

Lu Chuan picked up where Tian Qiang left off, but his voice grew increasingly cold.

A savage glint flickered in his eyes, like a bloodthirsty Fierce Beast. Tian Qiang could not help shuddering. He immediately lowered his head, not daring to meet Lu Chuan's gaze at all.

Suppressing the fury in his heart, Lu Chuan coldly asked, "Why is Liu Bao so determined to target my Younger Sister? By rights, he should already know that I've reached Martial Arts Reaching Rank.

"If it were merely because of some peculiar fetish, he would not possibly offend a martial artist over it.

"After all, there are plenty of young girls in the Outer City. What is the reason behind this?"

Lu Chuan voiced the greatest doubt in his heart.

Liu Bao would rather take the risk of sending someone to intercept and kill him, a martial artist, while also going to such lengths to scheme against his entire family.

Lu Chuan did not believe Liu Bao was doing all this merely to satisfy some peculiar fetish.

There had to be something here that he did not know.

"I don't know the exact reason either. I only heard Liu Bao say that Master Lu's Sister seemed rather special..."

Tian Qiang hurriedly said, "Master Lu, I've already told you everything I know. I truly don't know anything else. Liu Bao ordered all of this. I had no choice either. Please spare this dog life of mine!"

Tian Qiang kept begging for mercy, upgrading his form of address for Lu Chuan once again.

He had already gone from Boss Lu to Master Lu.

Unfortunately, Lu Chuan was not buying it. Tian Qiang's answer had also left him deeply dissatisfied.

Killing Intent immediately boiled in his eyes, and his voice became ever more icy and bone-piercing. "You don't know this, you don't know that—then what use is there in keeping you around? To waste food?"

As soon as the words fell, Lu Chuan's hand moved.

The War Blade trembled. Accompanied by a resonant Blade Hum, Blade Light flashed. Blood Gushed out like a fountain as a fine head soared into the sky.