Chapter 76: The Duel with Shaoyu

“Stop!”
“Drop your weapons!”

Just as Sikong Xu had taken down five or six men, another large group appeared. Most were dressed in blue-green robes—clearly reinforcements from the Xiang clan.

At the head of this group stood three figures, each dressed differently from the rest: a fifteen- or sixteen-year-old youth, a man in his thirties or forties, and an elder in his fifties or sixties. The three carried themselves with an air apart from the others, composed and commanding—especially the youth in purple, whose brows and gaze exuded the aura of a conqueror.

“These three…” Sikong Xu sized up the trio. If he wasn’t mistaken, these must be Xiang Shaoyu, Xiang Liang, and Fan Zeng.

“Who dares make trouble in the territory of the Xiang clan?” Xiang Shaoyu, clad in purple, stepped forward, his every movement filled with kingly authority.

“The Xiang clan? Heh, so the descendants of the Chu royal house have fallen to this degree. Aren’t you afraid I’ll report your whereabouts to Qin?” Sikong Xu sneered wickedly. This Xiang Shaoyu was about his own age, yet his bearing and poise were remarkably mature.

“Hmph, you’ll have to survive and escape from here first.” Xiang Shaoyu laughed domineeringly, then addressed the gathered disciples, “All of you, stand back. This one is mine to handle.”

There was a glint of excitement in Shaoyu’s eyes. Born with prodigious strength, he had never met a match among his peers. Now, having watched Sikong Xu effortlessly dispatch several Xiang clan youths, his fists itched for a challenge.

Xiang Liang and Fan Zeng merely nodded assent. The youth before them was only about fifteen or sixteen, and though his skill was impressive, they had full confidence in their young master.

“I am Xiang Shaoyu of the Xiang clan. And who are you? State your name,” Shaoyu said, flexing his fists as he eyed Sikong Xu.

“My surname is Sikong, my given name is Xu.”

“Haha, Sikong Xu—a fine name. Come, spar with me!”

With a bold laugh, Shaoyu suddenly drove forward, legs powering him toward Sikong Xu.

“Hmph.” Facing Shaoyu’s swift advance, Sikong Xu gave a cold snort. If Shaoyu’s ability was only what he’d seen in the animations, then victory was assured.

Bang—

As Shaoyu charged, Sikong Xu chose not to dodge but threw a straight punch, meeting Shaoyu’s fist head-on—one wielding innate strength, the other a body honed to the utmost. Neither seemed inclined to yield, and their fists collided with a force that sent ripples through the air.

“Again!” After their fists met, Shaoyu’s eyes lit up. This boy was truly strong—he hadn’t encountered such a formidable peer in a long while.

“As if I’d back down?” Sikong Xu’s gaze sharpened. Shaoyu’s natural strength was indeed remarkable—even with his body refined to two or three times that of an ordinary man by Source Power, Sikong Xu found himself slightly outmatched in raw force.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The two locked together, fists flying in a blur. Shaoyu’s punches rained down, while Sikong Xu coolly blocked each one, their blows landing with fiery intensity.

Bang—

After another fierce exchange, Shaoyu quickly leapt back. Shock now showed on his face. After no less than twenty moves, he was sure this peer was just a touch weaker in strength, but when Shaoyu glanced at his own hands, he saw his thick, broad palms had turned red as if roasted.

He knew—this was from the force of Sikong Xu’s fists.

Then Shaoyu looked up. His opponent stood at ease, smiling calmly.

This guy… is strange! That was Shaoyu’s conclusion after this brief clash.

After the flurry of blows, Shaoyu was breathing heavily, his hands numb and nearly insensate—whereas Sikong Xu’s hands were unscathed, and he stood as if nothing had happened, steady and unruffled. A wave of frustration swept over Shaoyu.

He’s powerful! That was Shaoyu’s second assessment. And given that Sikong Xu carried a sword that had never left its sheath, Shaoyu realized the youth hadn’t even shown his true abilities.

In that instant, Shaoyu’s gaze toward Sikong Xu changed, growing tinged with respect.

Sikong Xu’s strength left a deep impression on Shaoyu, and Shaoyu himself had given Sikong Xu a small surprise.

Originally, Sikong Xu had naively believed that with his body’s capabilities—twice that of an ordinary person—he would easily match Shaoyu. Who could have guessed the other was a true monster, his terrifying strength far exceeding his own.

Were it not for the “Infinite Martial Refinement” granting him exquisite combat skill, and the “Giant’s Recovery (Pseudo)” providing rapid healing, and had he not chosen to use the Interpreter, Sikong Xu’s condition now might not have been any better than Shaoyu’s.

All those present had witnessed the bout between the two— even Ge Nie, standing aside, silently nodded at Sikong Xu’s remarkable technique. Naturally, everyone noticed Shaoyu’s discomfort.

“Yu’er, come back for now.” At that moment, Fan Zeng—his hair white as snow—finally spoke. Stroking his snowy beard, he asked Sikong Xu, “Who are you, sir? For what purpose do you come to our Xiang clan’s lands? And what is his identity?”

By “he,” Fan Zeng meant the man resting against a tree—Ge Nie. Fan Zeng had heard the name Ge Nie, though he’d never met him in person. He mentioned him now only because he’d noticed the sword Yuanhong.

Sikong Xu regarded the elderly man and replied, “We are merely passing through and have no ill intentions. As for Uncle Ge’s identity, that I cannot reveal.”

At this, Ge Nie managed to stand and cupped his fists to Fan Zeng and the others. “I am Ge Nie. Pursued by Qin soldiers, I was wounded and sought to rest here a while. I had no idea this was the Xiang clan’s territory. Please forgive any unintentional offense.”

Ge Nie’s attitude was exceedingly humble. Though it was the others who had struck first, now was not the time for trouble—this much he knew well.

But while Ge Nie understood this, Tianming did not.

Pointing at the Xiang clan, Tianming began to curse, “Xiang clan? Never heard of you! You’re the ones who attacked first and now you’re being unreasonable! So annoying!”

“Hmph, you brat—no one asked for your opinion,” Shaoyu shot back with a scornful look.

“You—you—!”

Just as Tianming was about to retort, a sudden change occurred!