Lightman was a formidable fighter, but he had suffered a grievous wound. Blackbeard's punch had nearly gone through his back, and fighting Shiryu of the Rain was anything but easy. Fists and blade clashed in a fierce Tiger-versus-Dragon struggle.
Lightman moved with an ape's agility, leaping and weaving around Shiryu. Whenever he found an opening, he struck with his dagger again and again. Cold light flashed along its edge as he attacked without mercy.
Shiryu's swordsmanship was superb, and his strength was extraordinary. A cold, arrogant smile never left his face. He did not take Lightman seriously at all.
Whoosh!
Lightman slipped behind Shiryu and sprang into the air. Like a diving hawk, he drove his dagger toward Shiryu's back.
A chilling gleam ran along the dagger's edge. It swept in with a deathly gust and a sharp whistle, but just as it reached him, Shiryu dodged sideways and swung his sword back to block it.
Clang! Sparks flew. Shiryu stood firm, tall as a pillar beneath the sky. Lightman, by contrast, shuddered, and blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. The violent impact tore open the wound on his back even further. He gritted his teeth and held on, veins bulging along his thin arms, but he could not push his dagger forward another inch.
Shiryu gave a cold, disdainful smile. He put his strength into both arms and flicked Nidai Kitetsu upward, forcing Lightman to stumble back three steps.
Shiryu gave him no chance to catch his breath. He slashed with all his might, sending a savage wave of sword energy roaring forward like a Tiger released from its cage. Wind whipped up around it. The ground split, rocks flew, and a huge fissure opened in its wake. The power of Shiryu's strike was terrifying.
Lightman gritted