In the moment Crow faltered, Ye Chen caught up. He was clearly faster.
Ye Chen seized one of Crow's legs. Startled, Crow broke out in a cold sweat. He struggled desperately, then kicked at Ye Chen's head with his other leg.
Bang!
Ye Chen clenched his fist and slammed it into the sole of Crow's foot. Crow howled in pain, his whole body convulsing as if struck by lightning.
But Ye Chen did not stop. His fists hammered Crow's sole like a torrential storm, blow after blow, seemingly without end. Before long, Crow could take no more. His cries grew more wretched until he sounded like a dying dog. "Ow, ow... Aah..."
Ye Chen kept attacking. At last, he smashed Crow's leg bone clean through. With a crack, blood scattered through the air. Crow let out a heart-rending scream, his face turning deathly pale as fear and despair flooded his eyes.
Ye Chen gave a cold laugh, swiftly drew his sword, and cut off Crow's right leg without hesitation.
Crow's eyes rolled back as he fell to the ground in agony. Moments later, he passed out.
"Crow!" The others were stunned. Ye Chen did not linger. He turned and left.
Word of Crow's death soon reached Hope. Hope rushed to the rear courtyard again, but Ye Chen had vanished, leaving him empty-handed once more.
Hope had learned his lesson this time and hurried back to the front courtyard. He was still too late. Ye Chen had killed Iron Mountain as well.
This time, Ye Chen did more than play hide-and-seek with Hope. He used feints to draw him away, striking where the defenses were weakest.
Hope had numbers on his side, but Ye Chen was not afraid of them. He had a plan: take out several of Hope's officers as