Blood War

The giant grinned hideously, dragging his battle-axe as he approached step by step. His heavy footsteps landed on the gravel, producing a sound that made one's heart tremble. He looked down at Li Jinshui, who was struggling painfully amidst the pile of stones, his eyes filled with the cruelty of a cat playing with a mouse.

Li Jinshui's vision blurred as he watched the massive figure draw near; the shadow of death loomed over him.

No! I cannot die here! My deep hatred remains unavenged—Li Houde and Li Jinbao are still living in comfort, how can I die?!

A desire to survive and a hatred so intense it reached its peak, mixed with excruciating pain, erupted in his chest like a volcano!

"ROAR--!!!"

Li Jinshui let out a howl that sounded nothing like a human. From somewhere unknown, a surge of strength welled up; he snatched the broken blade at his side and sprang up from the ground like a coiled spring!

Instead of retreating, he lunged forward, slamming his entire body into the giant's chest!

The giant clearly had not expected Li Jinshui, who was so heavily wounded, to be capable of such a violent counterattack, and he was momentarily stunned.

It was in that split second of hesitation!

Li Jinshui poured every ounce of his remaining strength, along with that frenzied will, into the broken blade and stabbed it fiercely into the giant's lower abdomen, where it was unprotected by leather armor!

"Puchi!"

The broken blade sank in to the hilt!

The giant let out a roar of extreme pain, the agony in his abdomen causing his movements to stall.

But his ferocity flared; he dropped the axe with his left hand and punched toward Li Jinshui's face, while his right hand clawed at Li Jinshui's throat.

Li Jinshui did not dodge or evade at all, letting the sand-bowl-sized fist graze his cheek, leaving a trail of burning pain.

He raised his left arm, using his shoulder blade to take the brunt of the giant's right hand, whose fingers hooked into his flesh like iron claws.

At the same time, his left fist, which had been coiled for a long time and condensed with the final power of his Iron Shirt, struck like a cannonball from below, slamming with full force into the giant's unprotected Adam's apple!

"CRACK!!!"

The crisp sound of bone shattering was enough to set one's teeth on edge.

The giant's eyes bulged, his hand gripping Li Jinshui suddenly went limp, and he clutched his crushed throat, making wheezing sounds, unable to utter a coherent noise ever again.

How could Li Jinshui let this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity slip by!

Fierce light radiated from his eyes as he yanked the broken blade from the giant's abdomen, pulling out a mass of steaming blood and intestines, then stabbed it fiercely into the giant's heart!

Second strike, the heart!

The giant's body convulsed violently.

Third strike, a lightning-fast swipe across the giant's throat, completely severing his life force!

"Ugh..." A final, garbled whimper escaped the giant's throat. His massive body swayed, then collapsed with a boom, kicking up a cloud of dust.

[Killed Northern Di Centurion (Body Forging, Peak Level 6), Points +8]

[Current Points: 8]

The cold, mechanical prompt echoed in his mind like the music of the heavens.

Li Jinshui roared in his heart: "Put all points into the Army-Breaking Saber Technique!!"

[Consumed 8 points, Army-Breaking Saber Technique proficiency +8]

[Army-Breaking Saber Technique: Great Success → Perfected]

"BOOM--!!!"

It was as if a barrier in his mind had been shattered instantly! A profound and mysterious realization flooded into him like a torrent.

The Upward Slash, the Horizontal Slash, the Cleave—these three forms he had tempered thousands upon thousands of times were, at this moment, completely mastered, with no more obstacles!

The saber was the man, the man was the saber; the saber followed the heart, and the intent followed the killing!

The Perfected Army-Breaking Saber Technique returned to the basics; every strike was the most direct, most effective, and most lethal killing move!

Furthermore, a warm current rose from his dantian, circulating through his limbs and bones, rapidly repairing his heavily wounded body. Although he was not fully healed, it restored a sliver of his mobility.

His previous patrols had already brought the Army-Breaking Saber Technique to Great Success.

Li Jinshui lowered his head, looking at the massive battle-axe on the ground, stained with blood and brain matter.

"Roar!" He let out a low growl, bent down, and grabbed the axe handle.

It was heavy in his hand, likely weighing over fifty catties. Had it been before, swinging it would have been a struggle, but now, under the influence of the Perfected Saber Technique's intent and that new current of energy, it felt surprisingly handy!

He turned around, his bloodshot eyes sweeping toward the Barbarian Soldiers who had fallen into brief chaos due to the sudden death of their commander.

Killing intent permeated the air like a physical substance.

"KILL--!"

Li Jinshui dragged the battle-axe and charged toward the enemy group! His steps were somewhat unsteady, and the sharp pain in his chest and abdomen persisted, but his momentum was that of a mad demon!

A Barbarian Soldier roared and lunged at him with a blade. Li Jinshui did not dodge or evade; the battle-axe swept upward at a bizarre angle, striking first despite starting later!

"Puchi!"

The axe blade easily sliced through the leather armor, cleaving the Barbarian Soldier in two from shoulder to hip! Viscera and blood splattered across the ground.

[Killed Northern Di Soldier, Points +1]

The battle-axe swung back, following the momentum into a horizontal slash! Another Barbarian Soldier was cut in half at the waist!

[Killed Northern Di soldier, points +1]

There was no method, no fixed technique, only the purest, most violent slaughter!

He had perfectly integrated the mastery-level blade intent into his use of the battle-axe; although the weapons differed, the essence of force application, angle control, and timing remained the same.

In his hands, this heavy battle-axe was as nimble as an extension of his own arm, transforming into a reaper's scythe harvesting lives.

Hack, chop, sweep, lift... every strike claimed one or even two lives. The terrified screams of the Barbarian Soldiers, the crisp snapping of breaking blades, and the dull thud of tearing flesh all blended together.

Li Jinshui was drenched in blood—some his own, but mostly the enemy's.

He was like an Asura crawling out of a blood-soaked hell, charging left and right through the enemy ranks, invincible! The searing pain in his chest seemed suppressed by the frenzy of slaughter, while the point-increase notifications on his panel kept flickering.

[Killed Northern Di soldier, points +2]

[Killed Northern Di soldier, points +1]

[Points +1...]

While slaughtering madly, he continuously added points in his mind: "All points, add to Iron Shirt!!"

[Consumed 3 points, Iron Shirt proficiency +3]

[Consumed 2 points, Iron Shirt proficiency +2]

[Consumed 1 point...]

The proficiency of Iron Shirt skyrocketed at an unprecedented speed!

[Iron Shirt: Fifth Layer (15/25)]

[Fifth Layer (17/25)]

[Fifth Layer (20/25)...]

Kill! Kill! Kill!

When the tenth Barbarian Soldier fell under his battle-axe, the proficiency of Iron Shirt finally reached the critical point!

[Iron Shirt proficiency maxed]

[Breakthrough: Fifth Layer → Sixth Layer]

"BOOM--!!!"

It felt as if thunder had exploded within his body! The Iron Shirt qi, which had been on the verge of collapse, was like a withered tree meeting spring; it not only recovered instantly but surged with unprecedented intensity! Layer after layer of invisible shackles were smashed and ground to dust by the violent power!

A dark golden luster suddenly ignited on his skin, richer and more enduring than ever before, only slowly receding after a full five seconds.

The broken ribs in his chest automatically reset and reconnected under the shroud of surging qi; although not yet fully healed, the pain had greatly diminished. The deep, bone-reaching wound under his ribs saw the muscles rapidly twitch and contract, stopping the bleeding and beginning to scab over.

A sense of power, nearly twice as strong as before, flooded his entire body! His five senses became exceptionally sharp, and every detail of the battlefield was etched into his mind: the terrified expressions of the Barbarian Soldiers, the trajectory of splashing blood droplets, and even the heavy, labored breathing of Er Gou in the distance.

[Current Realm: Body Forging Sixth Layer]

He had broken through! In the midst of a life-and-death struggle, he had cleared two levels in succession!

"ROAR--!!!"

Li Jinshui couldn't help but look up and let out a long howl, the sound shaking the mountain ravine! The roar was filled with catharsis and exhilaration!

The battle-axe in his hand swung even more violently, even more smoothly!

With the Body Forging Sixth Layer Iron Shirt protecting his body, he could withstand the blades of ordinary Barbarian Soldiers with almost no injury! His mastery-level blade intent made every attack precise to the limit, doubling his efficiency!

He cut down five more Barbarian Soldiers in succession, including a minor leader who had attempted a sneak attack.

His points increased once more.

"Add to Iron Shirt again!"

[Consumed 5 points, Iron Shirt proficiency +5]

[Current: Sixth Layer (5/30)]

The remaining dozen or so Barbarian Soldiers completely collapsed.

They looked at the blood-drenched Zhou Army officer, who stood invincible like a demon god, and looked at the centurion and their comrades hacked into pieces on the ground; their last shred of courage vanished.

"A devil! He is a devil!"

"Run--!"

Terrified screams erupted, and the remaining Barbarian Soldiers no longer cared about surrounding him, fleeing madly toward the depths of the ravine, wishing only that their parents had given them an extra pair of legs.

Li Jinshui did not pursue, leaning on his battle-axe as he gasped for air.

Every breath carried a heavy scent of blood, his chest heaving violently. Although he had broken through to the Body Forging Sixth Layer and his injuries had mostly recovered, the continuous fierce fighting, especially the final frenzy of slaughter, had taken a massive toll on his spirit and stamina.

"S-Squad Leader!" Er Gou ran over with the three survivors of Squad Jia, stumbling as they approached. Their eyes were filled with shock and awe as they looked at Li Jinshui, their voices trembling.

They had been holding their own formation to survive and had killed three or four Barbarian Soldiers themselves, but they had witnessed firsthand how Li Jinshui had turned the tables in a desperate situation and shattered the enemy group.

"Count the casualties." Li Jinshui wiped the blood from his face, his voice hoarse.

Soon, the results were in. Of the five men in Squad Jia, one was dead, one was lightly injured, and three were unharmed. The main force led by Squad Leader Sun had suffered heavy losses: seven dead, three seriously injured, and nine lightly injured.

The results were equally staggering: thirty-four enemies beheaded, including three squad leaders. This was an absolute landslide victory, enough to alarm the Camp Commander and even the General.

The atmosphere on the road back to the city was heavy and solemn.

Stretchers carried the severely wounded, while the remains of the fallen were simply wrapped. Squad Leader Sun walked to Li Jinshui's side; the middle-aged man was also wounded. He looked at Li Jinshui with a complex gaze, filled with gratitude and, even more so, profound shock.

"Squad Leader Li," Squad Leader Sun's voice was dry, "if not for you today... I fear our entire unit would have been left behind at Eagle Beak Ravine. I, Sun, owe you my life. From this day forward, no one in the Third Battalion will dare to defy you."

Li Jinshui nodded without speaking. He kept his eyes closed, appearing to regulate his breath, but in reality, he was savoring the battle that had just passed, especially the wonderful sensation of power surging and total control he felt when he added points to achieve his breakthrough.

By the time they returned to the Third Battalion's encampment, the news had already spread.

When Li Jinshui dragged that conspicuous, massive battle-axe through the camp gates, covered in blood, every soldier along the way cast sidelong glances, whispering to one another, their eyes filled with awe and even fear.

After washing up alone in his quarters and changing into clean clothes, Li Jinshui sat cross-legged on his bed and pulled up his panel:

[Technique: Iron Shirt (6th Layer 5/30), Army-Breaking Saber Technique (Perfected)]

[Realm: Body Forging 6th Layer]

[Points: 0]

Iron Shirt had stepped into the sixth layer, and the Army-Breaking Saber Technique had reached perfection.

Body Forging 6th Layer—it had been barely a month since he was at the fifth layer when he left the Death Squad Camp. If he told anyone about this speed of improvement, they likely wouldn't believe it.

But it still wasn't enough. There were stronger individuals within the Di Army, and this North-Rejecting City was not absolutely safe. He had to face not only the enemies on the battlefield but also the wolves within the city walls.

Bright Force—he had to break through to the Bright Force as soon as possible!

When that time came, his strength would undergo a qualitative leap.

He thought of Li Jinbao, that cousin who had snatched away all his hopes and laughed as he pushed him into a death trap. Now that he was a squad leader at the Body Forging 6th Layer, what about Li Jinbao? He was probably still throwing his weight around in that petty constable position, wasn't he?

No rush.

A cold, cruel arc slowly curled at the corners of Li Jinshui's mouth.

Wait until I break through to the Bright Force, wait until I possess the power to crush everything.

When that time comes, I will return.

Li Houde, Li Jinbao, and those so-called clansmen who watched with cold eyes...

I hope you can still laugh then.

He took out his daily Blood-Qi Pill and swallowed it.

The pill melted the moment it touched his tongue, turning into a surging torrent of heat. He focused his mind, channeling the sixth layer of the Iron Shirt technique with all his might, guiding the medicinal power to nourish his tendons, bones, and skin, pushing toward a higher realm.

His proficiency grew slowly but steadily.

Soon.

Li Jinshui could feel it; the threshold representing the Bright Force was already faintly visible.

When that time comes—

Where my battle-axe points, who can stop me?

Blood debts must be paid in blood!

Outside the window, the cold northern wind howled, whipping the camp flags until they snapped, as if the war drums had never ceased.