Fierce Battle Under the Moon

Seeing him pounce, Lin Qing immediately stepped quickly into the reed marsh nearby.

A light breeze blew, and the moonlight was shredded by the reed leaves, casting fragmented spots of light onto the muddy ground.

Two figures moved abruptly amidst the reed thicket.

Zhou Heng's figure was like the wind; his five fingers formed claws, tearing through the air with a whistle, every strike aiming for Lin Qing's throat, heart, and other vital points.

His movement technique was treacherous, and his experience was seasoned.

It was clear that his hands were stained with countless amounts of blood.

Although Lin Qing had just entered the Tendon Opening Realm and his strength was not inferior, there was indeed a subtle gap between him and this veteran bandit regarding the precise application of power and the experience of life-and-death combat.

Relying on his masterful Wave-Breaking Blade Technique, he fought while retreating, weaving the blade light into a protective net, yet he was still forced into precarious situations by those tricky, sharp claws.

His sleeves were torn open in several places, and a stinging, burning pain radiated from his arms.

"Heh heh, you rat hiding your head and showing your tail, is that all the skill you have?"

"Wait until I tear off your mask to see what kind of sacred being you are!"

Zhou Heng sneered hoarsely, his offensive growing even more rapid.

He intended to use his words to disturb Lin Qing's focus.

Lin Qing's eyes flashed.

He knew that long-term defense would inevitably lead to failure; he had to create an opportunity for a killing blow.

As his thoughts raced, he feigned a flaw, deliberately letting his blade momentum falter slightly.

Zhou Heng fell for the trap, a flash of ferocity appearing in his eyes.

His sharp claws struck like lightning, aiming straight for Lin Qing's heart!

Just a split second before the claws reached his body, Lin Qing's footwork shifted, and his figure slid away like a swimming fish.

At the same time, a powder pouch flew from his sleeve, thrown violently toward Zhou Heng's face!

This throw was not a killing move, but merely intended to obstruct him for a moment.

Zhou Heng instinctively tilted his head to dodge, avoiding the powder pouch.

In that flash of lightning and flint.

Lin Qing did not hesitate; he turned and sprinted toward the depths of the reed marsh.

"Thinking of escaping from my hands? Too late!"

Zhou Heng roared in anger, his figure chasing after him like lightning.

The two of them, one in front and one behind, sped through the dark reed marsh, the branches and leaves whipping against their bodies with a rustling sound.

After running for about the time it takes to burn an incense stick, Lin Qing arrived at the riverside.

Seeing that there was no one around, he stopped abruptly, turned, and looked at the pursuing Zhou Heng with cold eyes.

"Are you unable to run anymore, or have you chosen your burial ground?"

Zhou Heng approached slowly, his tone as playful as a cat toying with a mouse.

Lin Qing did not answer; he simply discarded his blade onto the ground.

He took a deep breath, and the blood within his body began to surge at an accelerated pace.

Then, he raised both hands and untied the ropes wrapped around his arms one by one!

"Clang!"

The iron rings collided, emitting a crisp and heavy metallic chime.

It was exceptionally piercing in the silent riverside.

Lin Qing revealed the iron rings on his arms, as if he had undone an invisible shackle.

He clearly felt the muscles in his arms suddenly coil and tighten at this moment.

The long-accumulated power surged and churned through his tendons like volcanic magma, yearning to erupt.

"Then, let's go all out and test my strength."

Lin Qing whispered.

Since his breakthrough, he had not yet felt his power at full capacity.

Now, he would take this Zhou Heng.

As his whetstone!

Zhou Heng's footsteps faltered, his pupils constricting.

He felt the opponent's aura change abruptly.

From the previous calm and restrained state, it had become dangerous and wild!

"Truly playing the ghost, watch me kill you!"

Zhou Heng let out a sharp shout, suppressing the inexplicable unease rising in his heart, and lunged forward once more, his sharp claws aiming straight for Lin Qing's face.

However, this time, Lin Qing did not retreat.

"Boom!"

The ground beneath his feet sank slightly as he twisted his waist and hips, drawing power from the earth and channeling it through his back into his arms!

He unleashed a fundamental Hard Bridge strike!

His arms, adorned with iron rings, moved with heavy, thunderous momentum!

The force of his punch stirred the air, producing a low, rumbling roar.

It no longer felt like a fist of flesh and blood, but a siege hammer carrying the inertia of eighteen iron rings!

Zhou Heng's sharp claws had not yet touched Lin Qing.

The condensed, peerless, and ferociously violent force of the punch had already reached him, accompanied by a whistling sonic boom.

It felt as if a thousand-pound hammer were smashing straight toward him.

"Bang!"

The collision of fist and claw sounded like metal striking metal.

Zhou Heng felt an irresistible, massive force slam into his arm, and his five fingers felt as if they were splitting from the pain.

The iron claws he wore were actually bent and warped by the impact!

His entire arm went numb instantly, his blood surged wildly, and he was forced to retreat seven or eight steps, only stopping when he slammed into a tree.

His heart trembled, and his face was filled with horror.

Although the opponent's technique was slightly unrefined, the power that permeated his palms and arms was peerless and fierce, reminding him of a rather famous martial arts school in the city.

"Iron Wire Fist—what are you to that old man Hong?"

Zhou Heng grew panicked, having no idea when he had offended a powerful enemy from that school.

Although Zhou Heng was ruthless in his dealings, he always picked his targets carefully; he would never easily provoke a child with even the slightest background.

Lin Qing said nothing, stepping forward to pursue him.

He curled his fingers into a fist and lunged forward with a fierce strike!

A gust of wind surged outward, and the surrounding air seemed to react, emitting explosive cracks.

Iron Wire Fist: Mountain-Breaking Stance!

His fist was like a venomous dragon emerging from its den, rotating as it thrust forward, aiming straight for the heart!

Zhou Heng struggled to raise his arms to block.

"Crack!"

A clear sound of bone fracturing rang out.

Zhou Heng felt excruciating pain in his right arm and immediately shrieked as his arm hung limp at his side.

"Ah, my hand!"

Yet, he still instinctively launched a flying kick, aiming directly for Lin Qing's crotch.

Lin Qing's arm moved like an iron gate.

With a single Outer-Arm Block, he parried Zhou Heng's kick.

He immediately transitioned from a block to a chop, with the momentum of splitting a mountain.

His right arm swung down, landing heavily on Zhou Heng's shoulder blade.

Fierce Tiger Hard-Climbing Mountain!

"Pfft!"

Zhou Heng felt as if Mount Tai had crushed down upon him.

The overwhelming force pressed down, causing agonizing pain in his shoulder and forcing him to spit out a mouthful of blood.

His knees buckled, and he collapsed to the ground, his face pale as gold paper, his eyes filled with terror.

At this moment, Zhou Heng finally realized that he had kicked an iron plate.

"Spare me, hero, spare my life!"

"I have money, lots of money, I'll give it all to you!"

He slumped on the ground, snot and tears streaming down his face.

The arrogant air from moments ago was entirely gone.

Lin Qing looked down at him, his eyes cold and devoid of any ripple.

He thought of this Thousand-Faced Human Trafficker and how many families he had torn apart.

"Some debts cannot be repaid with money."

Before the words had even faded, Lin Qing exhaled sharply.

The final straight punch roared out like a thunderclap!

"Crack."

The skull collapsed in response.

Lin Qing fumbled through the corpse for a moment, suddenly touching something thin.

Flipping it open under the faint moonlight, he saw three archaic characters on the title page: Thousand Aspect Technique.

After a brief glance, Lin Qing's heart gave a jolt.

This was no ordinary art of disguise, but a highly sophisticated secret manual!

Its core lay in manipulating the minute muscles and tendons of the face and even the body, capable of even slightly shifting the bones.

This allowed one to alter their bone structure and height, effectively transforming into an entirely different person.

It even included methods for concealing one's own aura.

No wonder Zhou Heng had been able to evade the government's pursuit time and again.

"Thousand Aspect Technique... so that's how it is."

Lin Qing carefully tucked it away.

This was undoubtedly one of the greatest gains of the night.

He stood up and drew the horizontal blade from his back.

To avoid exposing the characteristics of his fist technique, he had to clean up the scene.