Drawing the Saber

"Old man, can you tell me why you agreed to this duel?"

On the stage, Zhang Yunhao looked at Raging Fire Mad Saber Lei Jue and asked, "Don't get me wrong, I don't want to sway you. Originally, I planned to kill you directly without any nonsense. However, you're stronger than I imagined, which is why I'm curious."

"That's quite a domineering thing to say."

Lei Jue didn't care. He shook his head and said, "What else could it be? For money, of course. A junior I knew before brought a lot of silver and asked me to fight. I happened to be short on cash, so I agreed."

"I see."

Zhang Yunhao wasn't surprised. Experts needed to eat too; they weren't as detached as in novels. He smiled and said, "Since it's for money, it's simple. After I defeat you, I'll pay you to do something for me."

"Little fellow, I find you even crazier than I was back then! Normally, shouldn't I be the one threatening you now? How did it turn into you threatening me?"

Lei Jue couldn't help but laugh. He quite fancied this guy, but taking money meant doing a job – that was his code!

The Bearded Strong Man below loudly sneered, "Tian Ming, what can you do besides brag? Senior Raging Fire Mad Saber, don't waste your words with him, kill him quickly."

Zhang Yunhao still ignored the guy. He said to Lei Jue, "Enough talk. After I defeat you, we'll discuss our cooperation."

"If you had talked to me like that back in the day, I would have already chopped you to death."

Lei Jue found it amusing. He said, "Never mind anything else. If you can defeat this old man, you can do whatever you want. Come on!"

"Then I won't hold back. Leopard Fist!"

Zhang Yunhao didn't waste any more words. He took a step forward, shaking the stage. Then, he unleashed a punch, accompanied by a violent explosive sound and a surging gale that swept towards Lei Jue. Before the fist even landed, the wind was already blowing Lei Jue's white hair.

"What incredible strength! What terrifying explosive power!"

Lei Jue couldn't help but feel a bit alarmed. He had heard people say Zhang Yunhao was strong, but he hadn't taken it seriously. How much stronger could he be? But at this moment, he realized he was wrong. This person's strength was terrifying; even he, a seasoned expert, might not withstand a single punch.

"No wonder his tone is so arrogant. However, if brute strength were enough to win, there would be no need for martial arts."

Lei Jue smiled slightly. His body seemed weightless as he drifted backward in the gale, dodging Zhang Yunhao's ferocious punch. It was his Floating Paper Movement Technique.

"What a superb lightness skill! But old man, you're on the defensive now!"

Zhang Yunhao praised him and, seizing the slight initiative, unleashed his punches like a storm upon Lei Jue. The speed was so fast it seemed like his fist shadows filled the sky, and the sound of air explosions echoed everywhere.

Even Lei Jue, under such a ferocious and terrifying assault, seemed to have only the strength to dodge, completely unable to retaliate.

"Divine Fist Blood Hand is even more formidable than I imagined. No wonder he's achieved such impressive results in such a short time."

Everyone present was astonished. If they had gone up, they would likely already be on the ground. Those dozen or so bandit leaders were even more thankful they had invited Raging Fire Mad Saber to intervene; otherwise, they would have been doomed.

In fact, let alone these people, even the Eighteen Heroes were greatly surprised, as they had never seen Zhang Yunhao attack so ferociously!

"So the leader wasn't using his full strength before. This is the leader's true power."

Zhang Dazhuang and the others exclaimed repeatedly, their admiration for Zhang Yunhao growing. In fact, the might of Zhang Yunhao was felt even by those watching from a hundred meters away, who marveled continuously.

"Divine Fist Blood Hand is truly Divine Fist Blood Hand. Even Raging Fire Mad Saber might not be able to take him down."

Many who had thought Tian Ming was doomed now wavered. Tian Ming's junior sister, Huang Lei, was also dumbfounded. Was this still her senior brother? When had he gained such terrifying power?

"Senior brother seems to have had a fortunate encounter, no wonder his ambitions have grown!"

Huang Lei's eyes flickered. Behind her, the Righteousness Twin Swords rejoiced. If Tian Ming was this strong, perhaps he could truly win. Then, they could use his strength to accomplish that great task together and save the Jin State!

On the stage, Zhang Yunhao's offensive intensified, capable of collapsing a wall. However, he wasn't using his full strength and could still speak, "Old man, don't tell me this is all you've got. I'll be very disappointed!"

"Indeed, Tian Ming, everyone has underestimated you. Even in my youth, I was only at your level. Unfortunately, I am not the same as I was then."

Lei Jue naturally had more than just this. Although he kept dodging, he was actually quite composed, not looking flustered at all, and said with ease, "Moreover, you have too many openings."

Zhang Yunhao continued his fierce assault and asked, "Oh? Tell me."

Lei Jue dodged and pointed out, "Your strength is immense, but precisely because it's too great, you've become invincible, so you haven't learned to control it. At least thirty percent of your power is wasted with every punch now. Furthermore, because you can't control your strength, you have too many openings."

He paused and added, "Of course, for ordinary experts, even if they know your weakness, it's useless because sheer force overcomes all. They can simply crush you. But when facing top experts, this will become your fatal flaw."

Zhang Yunhao's pupils contracted. In fact, he had already realized what Lei Jue said. However, the reason wasn't his unwillingness to control it, but his rapid increase in cultivation made it impossible to control, which was why he wanted to complete the mission quickly to obtain the Mind Space.

But even so, it didn't mean Zhang Yunhao would lose. He said, "Old man, talking is cheap. If you have the ability, try it!"

"Then let's try! I hope you can withstand my blade without dying!"

Lei Jue smiled, his right hand silently gripping the hilt of the tattered long saber at his waist. With a clang, the saber was drawn.

In an instant, Lei Jue transformed.

The previous Lei Jue was just an ordinary old man. But now, with the saber in hand, he was like a peerless treasure blade, exuding a sharp edge that made everyone present feel as if a knife was hanging over their heads, filled with danger.

This was the true Raging Fire Mad Saber; before, it was merely a long saber hidden in its sheath!

"Mad Demon Death Blade!"

Then, Lei Jue drew his saber. There were no complex movements, no dazzling effects. It was just a simple horizontal slash. However, this horizontal slash landed precisely on the opening in Zhang Yunhao's boxing technique, aiming for his vital chest and abdomen.

More importantly, this slash was unimaginably fast, like lightning flashing across the sky. By the time you saw it, the blade was already about to strike you, and you felt an insurmountable sense of inability to dodge!

Zhang Yunhao's expression changed. Although he tried his best to evade, he still couldn't avoid this slash. A spray of blood bloomed in the air!