Dragging Knife

This slash was as swift as lightning, its force as heavy as a thousand jun, wrapped in a dense killing intent as it came slicing in.

Jiang Shuo's pupils contracted, and a grave expression spread across his face.

Shen Biao's swordsmanship was not necessarily more polished than Chen Xian's, but his killing intent was chilling, making the danger all the greater. It was clear that only countless life-and-death duels could have honed him to this point.

At first, Jiang Shuo had thought his enemies were nothing special. Only when Shen Biao unleashed his full strength did he realize the gap between them. If he hadn't used a scheme to defeat the strong while appearing weak and killed the other five, he would likely have died beneath the enemy's blade at the first clash.

But Jiang Shuo's situation was hardly good now. After only a few exchanges, he had fallen completely onto the defensive, danger closing in from every side.

Shen Biao grew bolder as the fight went on, pressing forward with one wave of attacks after another. As he forced Jiang Shuo farther and farther from the ancient well, he also threatened his life with every step.

Just then, Shen Biao leaped into the air and brought his blade straight down. Jiang Shuo turned sideways, and the blade slid along his shoulder. Had he been even a moment slower, or shifted less than half an inch, his entire shoulder might have been sliced off. Before he could land, Shen Biao, still airborne, abruptly changed his move, turning the downward chop into a horizontal sweep at Jiang Shuo. Jiang Shuo was still in the air and, in his panic, could only risk injury by kicking out. His foot struck the hilt, barely forcing the blade to change direction. He shifted to the other side and dodged the blow, but the blade sliced the sole off his shoe.

When he landed, Jiang Shuo's back was almost against the wall. Knowing he couldn't dodge properly in that position, he immediately tried to move around it. But as soon as he stepped forward, his foot came down on a sharp rock. The pain made him pull his foot back, and his body swayed, his movements faltering for an instant. Shen Biao would never let such an opportunity slip by. He closed in at once, True Qi surging into his blade until it hummed in the wind. Jiang Shuo steadied himself and looked up, only to see the long blade flashing left and right, its gleaming edge sealing off every direction and cutting off all escape routes. Jiang Shuo froze for a moment, unable to find any way to counter or block it. He instinctively stepped back, only for his heel to hit the wall. In that brief moment of hesitation, the blade was already rushing toward him. In another second, Jiang Shuo would be cut into pieces.

Seeing that Jiang Shuo had nowhere left to retreat, Shen Biao shouted triumphantly, "Die!"

At the critical moment, a long blade suddenly appeared in Jiang Shuo's muddled mind. It swung through the air, its movements exactly like Shen Biao's swordsmanship. Jiang Shuo's gaze pierced through the surface, seeing straight through the killing move and flaw in this technique.

It was as if a stream of enlightenment had poured into him. Jiang Shuo's mind cleared, and he quickly calmed down.

As the blade was about to reach him, Jiang Shuo remained composed. He stepped to the left, shifting his body half a foot to the side.

That half-foot made all the difference. The first wave of attacks arrived the next instant, the powerful blade striking the empty space to his right.

"Hm?" A trace of surprise showed in Shen Biao's eyes. He assumed Jiang Shuo had simply gotten lucky, like a blind cat stumbling across a dead mouse, but didn't stop moving. His second slash followed right behind, aimed at Jiang Shuo's head.

Jiang Shuo calmly stepped back. The blade skimmed right past his throat. It was a close call, but it didn't hurt him at all.

Shen Biao was secretly shocked. Anger welled up inside him, and his attacks grew even more fierce.

Jiang Shuo silently turned his body to the side. This time, he stepped entirely outside Shen Biao's web of blades and escaped the danger completely.

The several furious slashes Shen Biao threw all struck empty air, leaving him utterly frustrated. His expression turned especially grim, and he roared before charging in once more.

Though he had been angry just now, he had still held back a little. After all, going all out against someone like Jiang Shuo would have been far too humiliating. But now, after so many attacks without success, he stopped caring about appearances. From the moment he struck, he gave it everything he had.

His attacks rose to a whole new level, growing even more violent. Yet Jiang Shuo seemed like a different person. No matter how Shen Biao battered him with raging winds and towering waves, Jiang Shuo remained as immovable as a reef on the shore.

"Give up. I've already seen through your moves!" Jiang Shuo shouted.

Shen Biao narrowed his eyes and pretended not to hear. He swung again, but Jiang Shuo dispelled the attack with ease, leaving Shen Biao deeply shocked.

Jiang Shuo looked every bit the master, defending without attacking, yet Shen Biao could do nothing to him. By this point, it hardly seemed like a fight to the death. It was more like a master teaching his disciple a lesson.

Though Shen Biao didn't want to believe Jiang Shuo, he couldn't deny it. Otherwise, how could Jiang Shuo handle him so effortlessly, so calmly?

At the thought, Shen Biao's killing intent ebbed, and a trace of doubt crept into his heart.

Seeing Shen Biao's expression, Jiang Shuo shifted his gaze from side to side. He already had a plan, and immediately called out, "I've repeatedly held back because I don't want to take a life. Don't force my hand!"

Shen Biao's heart jolted, and his movements faltered. He thought back over Jiang Shuo's actions and wondered if it could really be true. Jianghu was full of talented people, and there were plenty of young men with impressive Martial Art skills. Perhaps Jiang Shuo was one of them. Otherwise, how could he have seen through every one of Shen Biao's moves?