Chapter 42

Niu Dacheng was bare from the waist up, swinging a great iron hammer as he fought the invading enemies with wild delight. Fields's home was already a complete shambles, the walls collapsed and trees snapped, yet Niu Dacheng was killing with such gusto that he kept shouting how satisfying it was.

Four Radiant Knights had surrounded Niu Dacheng, yet they could not gain even the slightest upper hand. When that great iron hammer of his whirled, it kicked up a tigerish gale; even getting close to him was difficult. After fighting for ages, they had only left a few wounds on the minotaur's body, and not one of them was serious.

"Commander, this bull is way too strong. If this goes on, we'll be the first ones who can't hold out," one of them roared. His armor was already shattered in several places, and even his weapon had been smashed apart. He could only rely on martial techniques to keep circling Niu Dacheng.

"Damn that Mamol. We never should have trusted him in the first place," Commander Alex cursed. "Find a chance to leave. Break out with the brothers outside. Leave this savage bull to me."

"Commander, take care. The world doesn't understand the reason the Radiant Knights exist at all. Only you can keep leading us." The black-haired middle-aged man swept his hair back and put his helmet on again.

"Retreat!" As soon as the crisp order was given, the four men sprinted outward without looking back.

"Trying to run?" Niu Dacheng's eyes bulged. He sucked in a few heavy breaths. Movement speed was not his strong suit, so all he could do was shout from where he stood.

"No, Niu Dacheng. Your opponent is me." Alex stood with sword in hand, his fighting intent like a sharp spear thrusting straight at Niu Dacheng.

"Good. Come on, then." Niu Dacheng had never intended to kill the humans in the first place. He only wanted to capture a few alive and ask clearly who had instigated them to attack the dead city. Now that he saw the old man who had not made a move earlier taking the initiative to challenge him, he realized this was the strongest opponent. Niu Dacheng held his breath and watched the old man's every move.

"Rest for a few minutes," Alex said in a deep voice. "I never take advantage of others. Let that tiger mage help you recover, if he knows recovery magic."

"Haha, you're right. All he knows is how to bluff people, that's all. He doesn't know recovery magic. Heh." Niu Dacheng teased his old comrade-in-arms.

"Tiger Man" Ishir stood in the open space that should originally have been the front courtyard of the city lord's manor and cursed, "Stinking old bull, trashing me like that? Don't call for my help later."

"Come on, old man. Don't keep Lord Bull waiting too long." Niu Dacheng struck the ground with the iron hammer in his hand, cracking the stone slabs.

Alex ignored Niu Dacheng's provocation. His right hand gripped his longsword, while his left palm moved at flying speed from his forehead to his neck, then his chest, and down to his abdomen in a straight line, slapping all the way down.

"Ha, interesting. You're actually a warrior who cultivates ancient martial techniques." Niu Dacheng saw that Alex was releasing the battle-qi points on his body. Some orcs were born with inherited bloodline skills. Specific groups such as the Lion Tribe, Tiger Tribe, Leopard Tribe, and Wolf Tribe—fiercer orc races like these—had even more powerful inherited bloodline skills. Humans lacked the heaven-given talents of orcs and had to train their combat techniques with bitter effort to catch up to an orc's strength. The combat technique Alex was using now relied on soaring battle intent to open the battle-qi points on his body. The more points he could open, the stronger the battle qi he stimulated would become, and his body could also be strengthened. This was a martial technique that only the commanders and deputy commanders of the Radiant Knights through the generations could be taught.

"Old Bull, attack now! There's something evil about that move," Ishir warned aloud. He had originally been staying inside the city lord's manor, but worried that something might happen to Niu Dacheng, he had already walked over.

"Mm." Niu Dacheng did not follow Ishir's words and take the chance to attack Alex. He also wanted to see to what extent a human old man could strengthen himself after opening his battle-qi points.

After Alex released his battle qi, his left hand swept along with the motion and pointed toward Niu Dacheng, golden light radiating from his palm.

A ray of golden light stabbed into Niu Dacheng's eyes, shining so brightly that tears streamed down his face.

"Ugh, despicable!" Niu Dacheng roared angrily, the great hammer whipping nonstop as it enveloped his upper body.

"My apologies. I have a mission I must complete." Alex's voice came from in front of Niu Dacheng.

"Roar!" The minotaur let out another furious roar, and his iron hammer smashed forward.

With a clang, sparks flew everywhere. Alex forcibly blocked Niu Dacheng's fierce strike, and both his feet actually sank into the floor, showing just how powerful Niu Dacheng's blow was.

Taking advantage of the moment before Niu Dacheng could pull back his strength, Alex's left palm flashed with light and struck toward Niu Dacheng's abdomen, intending to knock the minotaur over with a single blow.

"Magic-Breaking Battle Qi," Alex shouted.

"Heh!" Niu Dacheng's abdomen contracted, his muscles knotting, and he let go of the great iron hammer.

"Old Bull!" Ishir saw Niu Dacheng take Alex's palm solidly and shut his eyes, not daring to look.

"Haha, that palm really wasn't bad. Hurt a little." Sweat poured from Niu Dacheng's head as he crouched on the ground, enduring the battle qi rampaging through his body.

Alex had great confidence in his Magic-Breaking Battle Qi. Seeing that Niu Dacheng was already injured, he charged toward Ishir without looking back.

Ishir immediately cast invisibility on himself and shouted, "Old Bull, hurry up and save me!"

"I know, damn, you're noisy." Niu Dacheng instantly looked as if nothing had happened, grabbed his iron hammer, and ran over. Alex worried he would be attacked from both front and rear.

Thinking he still had to complete the mission, he sprang hard, bounded twice, and flew into the city lord's manor.

"Ishir, quick, the old man ran inside," Niu Dacheng shouted as he gave chase.

"Go! Who told you not to use your full strength just now? If anything happens to Teacher, I'll have your life," Ishir said angrily. "Stampede of Ten Thousand Beasts." She immediately cast a speed-boosting spell on Niu Dacheng.