Just from watching before, Tang San had known that Jiang Chen was immensely strong. Even so, feeling that strength firsthand still left him utterly shocked.
Tang San shook out his numb hand and regarded Jiang Chen gravely. "I admit you're strong, but strength alone doesn't mean much. To someone without technique, even the greatest strength is nothing but brute force."
The moment Tang San said that, Jiang Chen's expression darkened. He thought of Tang San's many tricks: Purple Demon Eye, Mysterious Jade Hand, Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, and Hidden Weapons—none of them were simple.
Aside from brute strength, Jiang Chen really couldn't match Tang San in any other regard. Besides, he'd never been in a fight before.
While he was thinking, Tang San was already closing in. He stepped into Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, conjuring countless shifting afterimages that left Jiang Chen staring in bewilderment.
In Tang San's eyes, Jiang Chen was full of openings. He kicked him squarely.
Jiang Chen reacted quickly enough to raise an arm and block the attack. But when he tried to counter, Tang San had already vanished.
After a few exchanges, Jiang Chen had taken plenty of punches and kicks, though he could tell Tang San wasn't using his full strength.
Jiang Chen wasn't slow, either. He simply lacked Tang San's strange footwork, and moved in straight lines. No wonder he couldn't catch Tang San.
He roared again and again, but couldn't even touch the hem of Tang San's clothes.
Ten minutes later, Jiang Chen was covered in footprints. He didn't want to fight anymore. Faced with Tang San's countless strange techniques, he was utterly powerless to resist.
The helpless frustration gnawed at him. He had strength but couldn't use it, and though he was fast, he couldn't catch Tang San. It felt awful.
He even started blaming his system. Other people's golden fingers were all powerful and incredible, while his made him get struck by lightning just to claim a gift.
Tang San stopped. He hadn't truly meant to kill Jiang Chen; that thought had only flashed through his mind for a moment.
He thought back over Jiang Chen's behavior through the years. It seemed that he really had never attacked anyone unprovoked.
"Was that boy really trying to kill you?"
Jiang Chen nodded helplessly. "Absolutely true. If I'm lying, may I be struck by lightning. After I bit him, that boy came under my control. If you don't believe me, I'll have him come over in a few days so you can see for yourself."
Suddenly remembering something, Tang San's expression changed. He didn't know whether Jiang Chen's Zombie Martial Soul shared all the same traits as the zombies from his previous life, so he couldn't help asking,
"Will that boy turn into a zombie after you bite him?"
"He will, but he's already under my control. Without my orders, he wouldn't dare bite anyone."
"We'll leave it at that for now. If I find out you've hurt Grandpa Jack, I won't let you off." After saying that, Tang San ignored Jiang Chen and headed down the mountain alone.
Jiang Chen slapped his own head and cursed, "Stingy system! Couldn't you give me some footwork? Or a set of punches? You had to make me get struck by lightning!"
He'd thought that with Innate Full Soul Power and a powerful Zombie Martial Soul, he could already match Tang San. He hadn't expected to get beaten so badly the moment they fought.
All at once, he felt a powerful urge to absorb that God-Bestowed Soul Ring. With another skill, perhaps he could turn the tables and beat Tang San instead.
But after thinking it over, he suppressed the urge. He couldn't act on impulse; his life mattered more.
He brushed the dust off himself. He hadn't really been hurt.
After all, Tang San had held back and hadn't used all his strength. And even if he had, he might not have been able to hurt Jiang Chen.
After all, Jing Wuming's sword had pierced Jiang Chen's heart, yet here he was, still full of life.
Jiang Chen kicked a boulder to pieces and gritted his teeth. Once he absorbed the Soul Ring, he'd give Tang San a thorough beating and get his revenge.
At that moment, through his connection with Jing Wuming, he learned that Jing Wuming had already returned to Notting City.
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