It's Not Too Late

Niu Jian's words made the seated young man in white narrow his eyes. With a flick of his hand, he snatched the long sword from a guard's waist. A flash of icy light, a wet squelch—and the blade pierced Niu Jian's shoulder, blood spurting everywhere.

A sharp weapon suddenly ran through his body. Niu Jian trembled all over, but gritted his teeth and held back without saying a word. The man wanted to see him suffer and beg for mercy, to satisfy his twisted mind. Niu Jian refused to give him what he wanted.

"Since I'm still interested in your sister, I'll spare your life. Take this little punishment as a lesson. If I hear you say anything like that again, I won't just pierce your body—I'll cut off your limbs or your head!"

The young man in white stood a meter from Niu Jian and spoke coldly. He slowly drew the sword out inch by inch. The sound of steel scraping against flesh and bone rang clear, sending a chill through everyone.

Though pain made him tremble all over, Niu Jian still said nothing. He simply fixed the young man at arm's length with the glare of a wild wolf.

"I don't like that look in your eyes. Are you trying to provoke me into killing you? I won't give you the satisfaction." The young man sneered and shoved the half-withdrawn sword forward.

With a wet squelch, the blade pierced Niu Jian's shoulder again, tearing the wound wider. Pain and blood loss sapped his strength, and the tall, burly Niu Jian promptly blacked out.

The young man curled his lip and muttered that it was no fun. He pulled the sword free, tossed it to a guard, and turned to leave. But as he walked away, he spoke over