Underwater Battle

The river's surface shimmered with rippling light.

Reflected on the bank stood a silent, murderous figure.

The figure was clad in black, a Black Cat Hood pulled over his head, leaving only a pair of sharp eyes exposed.

Like a butterfly in flight, in just a few exchanges, the team of Red-robed Guards beside Zeng Anmin fell beneath the cold gleam of steel.

"Plop~"

As the last Red-robed Guard collapsed, Zeng Anmin watched helplessly as the assassin in the Black Cat Hood drew closer and closer.

"Someone from Prince Jiang's Estate?"

Zeng Anmin tested the waters.

The assassin said nothing, his Cold Blade pressing forward step by step.

"Tap, tap, tap."

The assassin's footsteps grew nearer.

Nearly everyone near the dock turned their eyes to the scene.

They hid in the shadows, or crouched behind cover, peeking out with eyes full of excitement, curiosity, or pity.

To them, Zeng Anmin's Official Robes were a symbol of evil.

And the assassin wielding the Cold Blade was the Black Cat Martial Artist—the one who punished the wicked and stood up for the common folk!

Now, how to break this deadlock?

Zeng Anmin's heart remained calm.

He wasn't afraid, only cautious.

If he were to fight this assassin in public, his identity as the Black Cat Martial Artist would be exposed on the spot.

So there was only one way...

"Shing!!!"

The assassin's hand was steady, his short blade swift.

As that silver line flashed, it seemed to cut through time itself.

Seeing that strike, everyone held their breath.

That young man in the Official Robes was about to die!

No one grieved for him, no one even pitied him—they just stared wide-eyed at the raised blade.

In the next moment, it would slash the youth's throat.

"Plop~!!!"

A splash sounded, sending spray across the river!

At the critical moment, Zeng Anmin had chosen to leap into the river to escape!!

"Shing~"

The assassin's blade cut through the air with a whistling sound, striking nothing.

As the strike missed, the assassin stared blankly at the water.

After Zeng Anmin entered the river, only ripples spreading in circles answered the assassin.

"Plop!!"

Without a moment's hesitation, the assassin too dove into the river, chasing after Zeng Anmin.

The water's surface gradually calmed.

A few bold Boat Trackers in plain clothes crept toward the riverbank.

They peered down at the water, but aside from the ripples left by the dive, they could see nothing.

"Gurgle~"

Once Zeng Anmin entered the water, his Martial Arts Aura began to churn wildly.

(Highlight) High-End Power: Your Martial Arts Combat Power is one level higher than your Martial Arts Realm.

Although he was only at the Ninth Grade, thanks to the boost from his Golden Finger Martial Arts Entry, the Martial Arts Aura spinning within him was exceptionally active.

His true combat power was at the Eighth Grade.

"I can hold my breath for a quarter of an hour."

Floating in the deep water, Zeng Anmin's Phoenix Eyes were razor-sharp.

Just then, a Hand Axe silently appeared in his hand.

Streaks of prismatic light flickered, ancient and mysterious patterns gleaming across the axe.

The moment that hand-axe appeared, even the surrounding water began to boil.

Zeng Anmin looked up toward the water's surface.

At this moment, he was like a hunter, patiently waiting for his prey.

"Thump~"

The assassin plunged into the deep water, searching for Zeng Anmin's figure.

At last, he spotted a blurry silhouette.

"Gurgle~"

The assassin breathed a sigh of relief, gripped his blade, and swam swiftly.

At the same time, a thought surfaced in his mind.

Why wasn't he fleeing?

But that thought vanished in an instant.

The early winter water was bitingly cold.

An ordinary person would be utterly disoriented upon plunging in.

The assassin parted the water around him, drawing closer to that indistinct figure.

Three zhang, two zhang...

Finally, the distance between them was less than one zhang.

Zeng Anmin still waited with utmost patience, the hand-axe hidden behind his back steadily gathering power.

The Martial Arts Aura within him churned wildly.

He knew that what he lacked compared to those lifelong Martial Artists was not only combat experience but also techniques.

Or rather, martial skills.

At this moment, the axe in his hand was no different from an ordinary woodcutter's axe.

Even if it were a blade, a sword, or a staff—it made no difference.

He only had one chance to strike.

At last, the assassin was less than one zhang from Zeng Anmin!

The assassin's eyes above his mask twisted into a cruel grin; he felt victory was within reach.

Yet—

"HUM!!!"

An axe-light streaked through the water.

It was a radiance of breathtaking beauty.

Like a rainbow after a torrential storm.

Or the vast, azure sky on a perfectly clear day.

The river water, as if startled, fled in panic to either side.

Having gathered his strength for so long, Zeng Anmin had been waiting for this moment.

But—

"Clang!"

The assassin hastily raised his short blade to block. The axe cleaved through his Cold Blade like slicing through tofu, its momentum undiminished.

"What a sharp axe!!!"

The assassin stared at the axe, a ludicrous thought flashing through his mind.

Could this axe in his hand be... a divine weapon?!!

And this Governor's son—was he a martial artist too?

Wasn't he supposed to be an Unrivaled Confucian Genius?

In the nick of time!

The assassin's battle instincts, honed through countless drills, drove him to kick fiercely and twist his body.

"Gurgle~"

Blood instantly bloomed and diffused through the river water.

Half the assassin's shoulder was gone; his left arm, still gripping the blade, was severed from his body.

The piercing pain reminded the assassin that this Young Master of the Zeng family was definitely not a Confucian Dao cultivator!!

Zeng Anmin's heart sank.

This strike had failed to kill the assassin.

Just as he raised his axe for another strike, the assassin twisted away like a loach, swimming desperately toward the surface.

He was trying to escape!!

He wanted to get out and tell his master that Zeng Anmin was a martial artist!

Seeing this, Zeng Anmin's Phoenix Eyes snapped wide open!

That assassin must not leave the water alive!!!!

Without a moment's hesitation, the last shred of Martial Arts Aura in his body violently surged through his meridians.

Zeng Anmin accelerated with blazing speed—with both arms intact, he was far faster than the assassin, who had already lost one.

At last, just as the assassin was about to break the river's surface, a powerful hand seized his ankle.

"Get down!!!"

Zeng Anmin dared not slack. He glared fiercely at the assassin, steeled his heart, and yanked him back under.

"You want to expose this young master's identity? Dream on!!!"

An axe flash cut through the mist.

And sliced open the assassin's throat.

Zeng Anmin's usually half-lidded Phoenix Eyes were now fully open, bulging wide!

"Chirp!!"

"Shhh—"

"Gurgle~"

The assassin clutched desperately at the windpipe in his throat in disbelief.

But no matter how he pressed, he could not stop the blood from draining away.

At last, his struggles gradually ceased. His eyes stared open in unwillingness, but all life had fled.

More and more blood rose, slowly drifting to the surface.

Above the river, a wisp of red first appeared in the green water, then more and more red spread, until it dyed the entire patch.

The commoners who had been peering into the water began to cheer!!

"He's dead!! The Black Cat Martial Artist got him!!"

"Another corrupt official who preyed on the people is gone from this world!!"

"The heavens have shown their will!!"

Beneath the water, Zeng Anmin's head began to spin.

His lungs felt as if they were exploding, venting their fury at him.

He fought the desperate urge to swim upward, forcing his arms to paddle forward.

If he surfaced now, he would be exposed without a doubt!!