Chapter Sixty: Lively and Bustling

Zhao Guang’s grip tightened, and the boy’s face immediately flushed red. He kicked his legs wildly, teetering on the brink of suffocation. Zhao Yu’s expression darkened as he strode forward and slapped the boy several times, blood spurting from his mouth and nose, leaving him in a miserable state.

“I have already punished him for his careless words. Please forgive him this once,” Zhao Yu said coldly to Zhao Guang.

Zhao Guang released his hold, letting the boy fall limply to the ground. The boy gasped desperately for air, having just brushed so closely with death that terror now lingered in his eyes whenever he looked at Zhao Guang.

“Zhao Yu, I’ll say it once more—stop coveting the Vajra Ape’s demon core,” Zhao Guang said indifferently.

“You’re getting far too arrogant, Zhao Guang. Isn’t it a bit much to bully others with your strength?” A voice called out as three men entered in single file from the edge of the woods.

The speaker was a tall, stern-looking young man, followed by a chubby youth and a thin one. When Liu Feng saw them, his face grew tense.

Zeng Lu, puzzled, asked, “What is it? Do you know them?”

Liu Feng nodded, his tone heavy. “He’s Zhang Ming, a true disciple of the Watercloud Sect. His cultivation has reached the Yin-Yang Realm. We had a conflict with him in the Black Demon Forest.”

Hearing this, Zeng Lu’s expression soured. He knew he was no match for a Yin-Yang Realm expert.

Zhao Guang also recognized the newcomer. He said coldly, “What is it, Zhang Ming? Are you here to interfere as well?”

Zhang Ming’s demeanor was arrogant, his words tinged with disdain. “I do intend to get involved. What, do you want to make an enemy of me?”

“My bond with Brother Liu Feng runs deep. Anyone who tries to trouble him will find me standing in the way, including you, Zhang Ming,” Zhao Guang replied resolutely, making it clear he would not let anyone harm the man who had saved his life.

Zhang Ming snorted. “Today I want that Vajra Ape’s demon core—let’s see who dares stop me.”

Turning to Zhao Yu, he said, “Brother Zhao Yu, why don’t we join forces, subdue these people, and then split their treasures? What do you say?”

Zhao Yu considered briefly. “Very well. I’ll join hands with Brother Zhang to capture them. They won’t be able to pull any tricks. Besides, my senior brother Huang Cheng will arrive soon.”

At the mention of Huang Cheng, a glint flashed in Zhang Ming’s eyes. He thought, “Zhao Yu, I’m only joining with you because of your senior brother’s strength. Otherwise, with just your cultivation, I wouldn’t give you a second glance.”

Liu Feng and the others were infuriated by this exchange, feeling as though they’d already become lambs to the slaughter.

Zhao Guang turned back, his face grave. “It seems a fierce battle is inevitable. When it starts, I’ll take on Zhang Ming. The rest are yours to handle.”

Liu Feng’s face betrayed his worry. “But Zhang Ming is at the Yin-Yang Realm. It’s too dangerous for you to face him alone, Brother Zhao.”

Zeng Lu and Zhao Yang both nodded in agreement, clearly unwilling to let Zhao Guang take such a risk.

“Don’t worry. I’ve already broken through to the Yin-Yang Realm myself. Zhang Ming won’t be able to do much to me. That’s settled,” Zhao Guang said firmly.

After considering their options, the group could only accept this arrangement for now.

“Have you decided, Liu Feng? Will you hand over the Vajra Ape’s demon core or not? If not, the consequences will be dire,” Zhang Ming asked, stepping forward with a menacing tone.

Liu Feng remained calm. “Zhang Ming, you want to reap where you haven’t sown, to snatch the prize at the last moment? Things aren’t that simple.”

“So you’re forcing me to act, then?” Zhang Ming’s hand shot out towards Liu Feng, a mountain-like pressure bearing down from above.

Liu Feng felt as if he’d been trapped in quicksand, his movements slowed to a crawl.

But Zhao Guang, standing nearby, lashed out with a punch. A surge of violent strength shattered Zhang Ming’s attack. “Zhang Ming, your opponent is me!” he declared.

He drew a jet-black longsword, its blade shimmering with a cold, chilling light, razor-sharp and menacing.

“The Black Extinction Blade, forged from a special alloy, sharp enough to slice through gold and jade with ease,” Zhang Ming observed, his expression becoming serious.

“Good eye. Let’s see how many strikes you can withstand,” Zhao Guang replied, gripping the sword in his right hand and swinging it with force. A razor-sharp arc of blade energy whistled through the air, slashing down at Zhang Ming.

Zhang Ming’s face remained unmoved. He punched forward, his fist rocketing out like a cannonball, an overwhelming tide of power crashing against the oncoming sword.

Clang!

Fist and blade collided with the ring of clashing metal, the shockwave blasting outward, shattering the surrounding trees. The sword was knocked upward, leaping more than three feet into the air.

With his first attack thwarted, Zhao Guang twisted his wrist, sending the blade sweeping in a slanting arc—a streak of cold light like a bolt of lightning enveloping Zhang Ming from all directions.

Zhang Ming exhaled forcefully, the thunderous sound momentarily stalling the sword’s momentum. His right palm struck out, landing heavily on the blade and making it tremble in Zhao Guang’s grip.

Using the recoil, Zhao Guang leapt back, fixing his gaze on Zhang Ming, who stood as immovable as a mountain.

Meanwhile, Zhao Yu and his four companions, as well as Zhang Ming’s two followers—the chubby and the thin youths—launched themselves at Liu Feng and the rest.

The two Zhang Ming brought with him immediately targeted Liu Feng, attacking him with a flurry of fists and kicks.

Liu Feng countered with both palms, his strength wild and unrestrained, like two grinding millstones neutralizing their attacks one by one. Then he struck back, his power so great that both youths staggered backward.

“How is this possible? When we fought in the Black Demon Forest, you were only at the fifth level of Qi Condensation. How have you become so strong?” the thin youth exclaimed in disbelief.

The chubby youth wiped blood from his mouth, his face equally shocked. Both had reached the eighth level of Qi Condensation, yet had been injured in an instant by Liu Feng.

Zhao Yu, locked in a standoff with Zeng Lu, saw this and signaled to the two other youths. They nodded and closed in on Liu Feng, so that four surrounded him.

Zhao Yang, watching from the side, was about to step in to help, but Liu Feng shook his head slightly. Even surrounded, his expression remained calm and untroubled.

The four looked at his composure and their faces darkened with anger. “Arrogant fool, you really don’t take us seriously!” they snarled.

All four drew their swords and blades, slashing at Liu Feng from all sides. The bright, cold blades gleamed menacingly as they closed in on him in the blink of an eye.