Martial Artist

"This lad was quite good—valiant in battle, daring to fight and kill. He could serve as a Captain," the general said with an approving nod.

Among the ordinary soldiers, very few fought as fiercely as Sheng Huai'an, hacking and slaughtering with such ferocity.

The deputy general nodded and made a note of Sheng Huai'an.

As Sheng Huai'an continued cutting down Xiongnu enemies, he had no idea that the higher-ups of the garrison had taken notice of him.

The exhilarating slaughter left Sheng Huai'an feeling utterly invigorated, as if he had been born with a fighting instinct that was now awakening.

Though he had slain quite a few Xiongnu enemies, it had also drawn the attention of a Xiongnu expert.

After cutting down three garrison soldiers with a single stroke, a Xiongnu expert charged toward Sheng Huai'an.

There were experts among the garrison troops and naturally weaklings as well; the Xiongnu army was no different.

Feeling a biting Killing Intent bearing down on him, Sheng Huai'an turned and saw a broad-shouldered, thick-waisted Xiongnu brute charging at him.

Sheng Huai'an raised his saber in a sweeping upward slash to block. The enemy's strike was tremendously heavy, and the immense force sent him flying backward.

He sensed true essence surging through the enemy's blade. The shock made his arms ache sharply, and the web between his thumb and forefinger split open.

"A Martial Artist?!"

Sheng Huai'an stared at the man, his expression turning grave. He had not expected to draw the attention of a Martial Artist from the Xiongnu army.

Jiboxiao knocked Sheng Huai'an back with one slash, somewhat surprised. "You could take one of my blows. No wonder you killed so many of my tribe's warriors. But today, your life ends here."

He was a centurion in the Xiongnu vanguard, an early-stage Martial Artist. Yet Sheng Huai'an, with only late-stage Martial Apprentice cultivation, had taken his blow head-on without injury. That was enough to make him regard Sheng Huai'an a little more highly.

But only a little.

"A Martial Artist... I wonder what killing one feels like." Sheng Huai'an shook out his aching arm.

With strength infinitely close to that of a Martial Artist, combined with the minor-achievement Blood Fiend Saber Technique, he wanted to test the gap between himself and a Martial Artist.

"Arrogant. Let me show you the difference between a Martial Artist and a Martial Apprentice." Jiboxiao stomped off the ground and launched himself into the air, raising his curved saber overhead before cleaving straight down at Sheng Huai'an.

Sheng Huai'an slid low, shifting positions to evade the strike.

Blood Fiend Saber Technique, Night Battle in Eight Directions!

A faint crimson layer of Baleful Intent clung to Sheng Huai'an's blade.

Clang!

Clang...

The two clashed, saber light and sparks flying in every direction.

Sheng Huai'an's saber was incredibly fast. What he lacked in strength, he made up for with speed.

Before long, Sheng Huai'an was panting heavily. At the same time, saber marks had appeared on the armor over his shoulder and back, blood seeping out.

He was injured. A true Martial Artist truly could not be underestimated.

Jiboxiao was no better off. Sheng Huai'an's saber was too fast and carried Blood Fiend Intent. He had failed to block many strikes, suffering several cuts as his battle robe was dyed red with blood.

"Kid, not bad. You actually managed to injure me. You have every right to be proud. Even if you die, it won't be in vain." Jiboxiao looked at the wounds on his body, then at Sheng Huai'an.

"So many murals. Does your family sell murals or something? If you want to kill me, then come on." Sheng Huai'an raised his middle finger and pointed it downward.

Though Jiboxiao did not know what the gesture meant, he could tell it was mocking him.

A mere late-stage Martial Apprentice dared mock him. Jiboxiao's fury blazed sky-high.

"Die!"

Jiboxiao swore to cut off Sheng Huai'an's head and bring it back to use as a chamber pot.

Blood Fiend Saber Technique, Saber Strike Sparrow!

Sheng Huai'an rolled like a donkey, then slashed upward, his blade shooting straight for Jiboxiao's brother, Ji Zhen Da.

Jiboxiao was startled and hurriedly dodged. He had never imagined Sheng Huai'an's saber technique could be so filthy, coming straight for the lower road.

"Blood Fiend Saber Technique, Sever Your Feet!" Sheng Huai'an followed with a ground-sweeping slash.

Old Soldier: Did the Blood Fiend Saber Technique even have that move? Why didn't he remember it?

"Blood Fiend Saber Technique, Sever Your Dog Head!"

After cutting low, Sheng Huai'an cut high, slashing toward the man's neck.

Old Soldier: ...

Among all martial arts under heaven, nothing was indestructible; only speed could not be broken.

Sheng Huai'an's saber was fast. Even though Jiboxiao was a Martial Artist, he found it difficult to gain any advantage against Sheng Huai'an.

At this moment, he put away his contempt. Sheng Huai'an was an enemy worthy of serious treatment.

Jiboxiao had now fallen into Sheng Huai'an's combat rhythm. As he fended off the attacks, he searched for Sheng Huai'an's opening.

His strength surpassed Sheng Huai'an's, but Sheng Huai'an's saber was fast. Having been pulled into Sheng Huai'an's rhythm, he could only keep blocking the relentless offensive.

The instant he found a sliver of an opening, Jiboxiao struck decisively and kicked Sheng Huai'an flying.

Sheng Huai'an clutched his chest after being kicked away and could not help coughing up a mouthful of blood.

"What use is speed? Unfortunately, your strength is still far too weak." Jiboxiao grinned hideously.

"Just accept your death. Before absolute strength, all struggle is futile."

"I'll screw your granny! You damn near kicked your grandpa to death!"

Sheng Huai'an climbed to his feet, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and rubbed his chest. Fighting above one's level truly was not easy.

His strength was still far too far behind that of a Martial Artist.

"Die, you little bastard." Jiboxiao stepped forward with his saber raised, about to sever Sheng Huai'an's head.

"Lao Wang, why aren't you making your move? I've held him off!" Sheng Huai'an shouted while looking behind Jiboxiao.

Jiboxiao glanced back. Behind him, the Xiongnu army and the Anning Garrison were locked in a chaotic melee. There was no one there.

Sshk!!

Jiboxiao turned back and saw an arrow embedded in his kidney.

"My kidney!"

"You bastard, you tricked me!" Jiboxiao clutched his waist, the pain in his kidney making him bare his teeth in agony.

"War is never averse to deceit. You don't even understand that? You might as well go home and dig potatoes." Sheng Huai'an laughed.

There had been too little time. He had only managed to nock, draw, and fire the arrow, and his aim had been far too poor. He had actually hit Jiboxiao in the waist.

He had clearly aimed for the man's chest.

It seemed his archery still needed improvement.

"Damn brat, you dared shoot my kidney! I'll tear you into ten thousand pieces!"

Jiboxiao was enraged. Without one kidney, Cuihua back home would surely leave him to find a stronger man.

Then what meaning was there in fighting abroad to earn Military Merit, titles, and rank?

It was all because of this damned brat before him. Jiboxiao's rage reached its peak.

Crack!

Jiboxiao snapped the arrowshaft without pulling it out, tossed the half with the fletching to the ground, and charged at Sheng Huai'an with saber in hand. He would chop Sheng Huai'an into eighteen pieces, or his hatred would never be appeased.

Sheng Huai'an slung his bow over his back, picked up his saber, and prepared to fight Jiboxiao to the death.

He refused to believe he could not beat Jiboxiao after shooting him in the kidney.

Even if he had to drag it out, he would drag the man down until blood loss weakened him.

With half an arrow lodged in his kidney, every step Jiboxiao took felt like his kidney was being carved by a thousand blades. The pain made him bare his teeth.

Seeing Jiboxiao grimacing in agony, Sheng Huai'an could not help bursting into laughter.

"Ha ha ha! How's that? Come hit me, then! Idiot!"

That expression was begging for a beating, enough to rival Fang Tangjing's.

Perhaps a Xiongnu soldier nearby heard those words.

"Centurion, I'll cut him down for you."

The Xiongnu soldier raised his steel saber and charged at Sheng Huai'an.

Sshk!!

Blood sprayed out. The Xiongnu soldier had already had his throat cut by Sheng Huai'an's saber and crumpled limply to the ground.

Sheng Huai'an looked at the corpse on the ground and said, "Idiot. Even your fool of a centurion can't do anything to me. Have you always been this brave?"

Seeing Sheng Huai'an swaggering so smugly, Jiboxiao let out a roar.

"Ah... I'll kill you, you Wei dog!"

Enduring the pain in his kidney, Jiboxiao charged at Sheng Huai'an.