Beheading

Qin Ran's left hand was pierced.

As the sword tip was about to pierce his throat, Qin Ran put his left hand in its path.

Flesh and blood could not stop a metal blade.

But it could slow the thrust for a moment.

That moment was enough for Qin Ran.

Enough to dodge a fatal blow.

And enough to give him a chance to deal one in return!

Clang!

Qin Ran wrenched his body and hand aside with all his might.

The blade passed through his palm, grazed his neck, and struck the wall behind him, sinking several inches deep.

The Mask Man froze.

He had never expected Qin Ran to dodge his sure-kill strike this way.

Instinctively, the Mask Man tried to twist the sword.

Qin Ran might have dodged the thrust, but his neck was still right beside the blade. One slight sweep would finish the job.

As for Qin Ran's left hand?

Just look at that palm, split halfway open between the ring and middle fingers.

Even if it healed, the hand would be useless.

The Mask Man was certain of it.

Of course, he wanted Qin Ran dead.

A crippled hand alone would not satisfy him.

A bloodthirsty smile spread across the face hidden beneath his mask.

But that smile soon stiffened.

An instant before the Mask Man could twist the sword, Qin Ran's poised left leg lashed out. His toes slammed into the wrist holding the sword. The sudden burst of speed caught the Mask Man completely off guard, and the kick struck dead on.

Crack!

The tremendous force of Qin Ran's kick broke the Mask Man's wrist with a sharp snap.

His fractured wrist forced him to release the sword, and he staggered backward.

But Qin Ran's legs followed him like a shadow.

The