Dark clouds blotted out the moon.
The Ashura Guards pursued them into the bamboo grove. Suddenly, firelight from the campfire flashed along a blade in the darkness. One guard's expression tightened; the next instant, pain tore through his throat and blood gushed out.
Another Ashura Guard saw his comrade fall and charged Ni Hongye without a sound. She merely stepped back half a pace and slipped around a bamboo stalk. His blade struck the bamboo, and hers thrust out from the other side, slitting his throat.
Boom!
The Great Ashura slammed the blood-drained corpse of an Ashura Guard onto the ground.
He glared around with blood-red eyes. His skin had turned crimson, and every vein bulged black beneath it, as though countless worms were writhing inside. The sight was sickening and terrifying.
Everyone who saw the Great Ashura's condition looked wary.
The Great Ashura turned toward the people in the grove, but just as he was about to move, a throwing knife struck the True Qi protecting his body. His attention snapped toward it. Nameless grinned and shouted, "Big guy, come on over! Let's play!"
Ni Hongye and the others immediately understood his plan. They stopped watching the Great Ashura and focused all their attacks on the remaining Ashura Guards.
Bamboo was no match for blades and axes, but it was extremely difficult to break by charging into it with brute force.
That was mainly because its roots spread far and wide. An entire grove might actually grow from a single root system, giving it an exceptionally firm foundation.
He staggered back a few steps. The smell of blood drifted from another part of the grove, and he turned toward it without thinking. Another dart struck the True Qi protecting him. He looked up to see Nameless beckoning, roared again,