Gradually finding himself unable to keep up the fight, Kenjaku knew that dragging things out would only let Qingxiao wear him down to death. Fully intent on retreating, he began secretly scanning his surroundings as he fought, looking for an opening to escape.
No longer willing to prolong the fight, Kenjaku raised his hand and activated the metal Cursed Technique he had just copied at full power.
The heavy remnants of manhole covers on the road and every metal fragment along the street rose into the air. Bolstered by gravity, they hurtled madly toward Qingxiao like a sky full of hidden weapons.
Qingxiao responded calmly, his elusive footwork carrying him past the storm of metal. Whatever he could not dodge, he took with his body. He pressed forward under the pressure, seized a gap between Kenjaku's moves, and unleashed a heavy punch.
His fist struck Kenjaku squarely in the chest, and a muffled boom resounded through the street.
Kenjaku flew backward like a kite with its string cut and slammed heavily into the ground. Using the impact to roll, he landed right beside an uncovered sewer opening.
He gave Qingxiao no chance to pursue. Forcing his agonized body to move, he flipped over and leaped straight into the dark, deep sewer.
From within the dim opening came Kenjaku's unrestrained laughter, tinged with smug satisfaction:
"This is my escape route, Guyue Qingxiao!"
His laughter receded into the distance, gradually fading through the maze of underground passages until no trace remained.
Qingxiao rushed to the edge of the opening and looked down into the pitch-black depths of the underground pipes branching in every direction, his expression utterly grim.
He clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white, filled with frustration but powerless to do anything.
"He still got away..."
Drained of strength,