Though everything changed swiftly, life and death, victory and defeat, were decided in a single instant.
The two figures met head-on, passed each other, turned, then retreated, almost in one unbroken sequence. They flashed and dodged in the blink of an eye, blades rising and hammers falling in a dazzling blur.
Then everything came to an abrupt halt.
Red Hair steadied her feet and stared straight at Lian Youming four or five paces away, her eyes bloodshot, desperate to know the outcome.
There was no telling how many martial experts had met bitter defeat and death beneath that sword technique of hers. It was a killing move from Japan's Niten Ichi-ryū swordsmanship, three attacks in succession: first a slash across the throat, then a thrust beneath the armpit. Even if both failed, there was still a turning strike that could reverse life and death.
Unfortunately, Lian Youming had supported a hammer in his left hand and held it before him, blocking the final blow.
Both hurled swords had fallen to the ground. In their exchange of techniques, she had lost utterly.
"You..."
Red Hair opened her mouth, blood pouring from her nose and lips.
Lian Youming walked over, carrying his twin hammers.
Watching that imposing figure stride toward her, Red Hair stood rigidly upright. Though her sinews and bones had ruptured under the heavy blow, she could still force slurred words from her mouth, seemingly smiling. "Mm... just wait. A man of peerless talent has emerged in Japan too. When he sets foot in China one day, you will be among those beaten to death beneath his fists... the flesh and blood of warriors like you will pave the road ahead for the Martial Way..."
Her words meant that someone from that tiny island nation also intended to undertake Fist