Splitting the Mountain

He Chong's heart was filled with shock—he was a genuine Skin Refining Realm martial artist, his skin and flesh tough, his strength far beyond ordinary men, and among the low-ranking gang members of Hepu County, he counted as someone of note.

Yet this Pearl Diver before him, this terrifying power, this fierce and swift saber technique... how could it be!

He Chong had no time to dwell on it, because Chen Yue's attacks came in an unbroken stream, each slash faster than the last, each heavier than the last!

That ordinary steel saber, in Chen Yue's hands, seemed to transform into a mountain-splitting great axe, carrying a relentless momentum that vowed to cut through everything.

Finally, in another clash where both sides gave their all, a faint hesitation appeared in He Chong's defense.

A cold gleam flashed in Chen Yue's eyes. Seizing this fleeting opening, his footwork suddenly halted and surged forward, his waist and hips twisting, his entire body's power like a drawn bowstring abruptly released, channeled into his right arm.

Iron Mountain Saber, Mountain Splitting Style!

"Open!"

With a low, fierce shout from Chen Yue, the steel saber turned into a blinding arc of light, barely visible to the eye, and with the force of splitting Mount Hua, it struck down savagely!

"Clang!!!"

A metallic clash far more piercing than any before rang out, nearly splitting eardrums!

He Chong felt an irresistible torrent of power, like a mountain flood, crashing into his body along the blade. He could no longer hold his weapon—the thick-backed chopping saber clattered out of his hand, flying off to strike his own body.

As for him, it was as if he had been rammed head-on by a galloping stallion, his feet leaving the ground as he staggered backward, flying off.

"Stomp, stomp, stomp!"

After seven or eight steps back, he only stopped when his back slammed hard into the courtyard wall. A sweetness rose in his throat, a surge of rebellious blood, which he forced back down.

He Chong looked down at his chest.

Even though he had barely blocked with the blade at the last moment, that fierce, unmatched edge still tore through the clothes on his chest, leaving a gruesome wound slashing from his right shoulder diagonally to his left abdomen.

Flesh curled outward, bone visible in the depths, blood instantly soaking a large patch of his garment, dripping to the ground. Half an inch deeper, and his breastbone and organs would have been laid open!

Intense pain and physical exhaustion struck him at once. He Chong's face was as pale as paper, his back against the door panel, gasping heavily, his gaze at Chen Yue filled with disbelief, fear, and lingering dread.

The courtyard fell into a dead silence, broken only by pained groans.

The two gang members who had been knocked down earlier with lighter injuries and had just barely scrambled up were now frozen in place as if spellbound, their faces drained of color, leaving only boundless terror.

They looked at their fallen comrade, Zhou Qi unconscious with a shattered right shoulder, then at He Chong leaning against the wall, his chest a bloody mess...

Six armed Sea Shark Gang members, including a Skin Refining Realm expert like He Chong, had been routed by this unremarkable-looking youth in less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea!

This was no ambush—it was walking right into a slaughter!

Just as the air seemed to freeze, hurried footsteps sounded from outside the courtyard, followed by a somewhat low male voice:

"He Chong! Tell your men to stop! This is a misunderstanding..."

Before the words ended, the courtyard door was pushed fully open, and two figures strode in one after the other.

The first was Yu Kan, who had been sent by his master to mediate with the Sea Shark Gang. Following behind him was a clean-faced man of about thirty-five or thirty-six.

This man was a Sea Shark Gang incense master stationed in Hepu County, responsible for coordinating relations with various factions in the city. His name was He Linxi.

A faint smile had originally hung on his face, ready to do Yu Kan a favor and smooth over this misunderstanding lightly.

But seeing the scene of injured men lying scattered everywhere, especially He Chong's bloody chest, He Linxi's smile receded like a tide, and his face darkened visibly.

He Linxi's sharp gaze swept the scene like a blade, finally landing on Chen Yue, who stood with saber in hand, then coldly glanced at the stunned Yu Kan beside him.

Yu Kan's shock was beyond words. He knew He Chong, knew he was a Sea Shark Gang leader in the Pearl Village area—fierce by nature, skilled in combat, with Skin Refining Realm strength.

Though not a match for Yu Kan himself, taking him down steadily would still require some effort. Yet now, judging by the courtyard's state, He Chong had been severely wounded in an extremely short time, and the five men he brought were either dead or injured!

Yu Kan calculated that if he were in Chen Yue's position, facing He Chong and five armed gang members, merely defending himself would be difficult, let alone turning the tables to this extent!

But how long had Chen Yue been training?

This progress, this combat ability... it was appalling!

After a brief silence, He Linxi's cold voice rang out. He looked at Yu Kan, his tone stripped of all courtesy, carrying clear displeasure and accusation:

"Brother Yu, is this the scene you rushed to find me about, asking me to give Hall Master Zhou face and mediate? Six of my Sea Shark Gang brothers, wounded and crippled, and He Chong nearly gutted! Where does the 'peace' come from?"

"Incense Master He, calm down—there must be some misunderstanding..." Yu Kan began to explain instinctively.

"Misunderstanding?"

He Linxi cut him off without ceremony, his face dark enough to drip water. He glanced at the badly injured He Chong, then at the alert Chen Yue holding his saber, and sneered, "Whether it's a misunderstanding or not, it's no longer up to your Iron Mountain Hall to decide! My Sea Shark Gang brothers won't be hurt for nothing. This debt will be settled sooner or later!"

He stopped looking at Yu Kan, turned to the two uninjured gang members, and barked, "What are you standing there for? Help the wounded brothers—we're leaving!"

"Yes, yes, Incense Master!" The two men, relieved, hurriedly scrambled to lift the unconscious Zhou Qi and the mobile wounded, then carefully supported He Chong, whose chest was still bleeding profusely.

He Linxi cast one last cold glance at Chen Yue, his gaze as icy as a viper's, as if etching his face into memory. Then, without another word, he flicked his sleeve, turned, and strode out of the messy little courtyard.

The Sea Shark Gang members, supporting each other, staggered after him, soon disappearing at the end of the alley, leaving only pools of dark, undried blood on the ground and the scent of blood hanging in the air.

Only when the footsteps of the Sea Shark Gang had faded completely did Chen Yue's taut nerves relax slightly, the surging blood energy in his body slowly calming.

He took a deep breath, dropped the bloodstained steel saber to the ground, walked up to Yu Kan, cupped his hands, and said solemnly, "Master Yu, thank you for arriving in time."

Yu Kan looked at Chen Yue, his gaze immensely complex. He shook his head and smiled bitterly, "Chen Yue, I don't deserve your thanks. If I had come any later... the ones who should be thanking me might be those Sea Shark Gang men instead."