Chapter Twenty-Five: Pleasure Amidst Pain

Lawrence glanced at Han Shuo with some surprise, then smiled and said, "Very good." His figure moved once more with sudden force, appearing before Han Shuo in an instant. Like lightning, he launched another fierce kick, aiming once again at Han Shuo’s lower abdomen.

At this moment, Han Shuo’s abdomen had already suffered a violent blow, his body racked with pain. Deep down, he understood that the speed and strength of Lawrence, a mid-level knight, were far beyond what he could withstand, especially since he had yet to fully cross the “Solid” threshold of his magical cultivation.

Yet, for reasons unknown, Han Shuo felt no trace of fear. Instead, a faint anticipation and excitement stirred within him. The magical energy inside him instantly swirled around his abdomen, circulating several times, and Han Shuo felt the pain there ease somewhat. His focus sharpened as never before, remaining calm in the face of Lawrence’s next attack.

As Lawrence’s foot swept toward him, Han Shuo planted his feet and suddenly retreated, dodging the kick in a flash. Lawrence showed no surprise, nor did his movements pause. After missing his kick, he immediately pursued Han Shuo’s retreating figure, launching a relentless barrage of punches and kicks that descended upon Han Shuo like a storm.

Lawrence, with his mid-level knight’s mastery, had channeled his battle energy to enhance both his physical power and attack force, elevating every aspect of his ability far beyond that of an ordinary strong man. Even with Han Shuo’s current agility, he could not avoid being struck repeatedly; sounds of blows landing echoed constantly. Apart from his face, his chest, waist, abdomen, legs, and arms were all unable to fully fend off Lawrence’s attacks, suffering injury after injury.

With his body repeatedly battered, the pain grew more intense, and Han Shuo’s evasive speed began to slow, hindered by his injuries. As a result, he took even more blows, until his legs felt as heavy as lead, every movement weighed down as though he carried a burden of ten thousand pounds.

If not for his recent efforts in forging his body with magic, Han Shuo, with the frail body of Bryan, would not have survived even a minute under Lawrence’s storm-like assault; he would have been beaten to death outright.

Previously, facing Claude and Eric, both had used battle energy to directly penetrate Han Shuo’s body. The fierce battle energy was immediately enveloped by his magical energy, preventing Han Shuo from suffering too much damage.

Having twice had battle energy forced into his body without sustaining major injuries, Han Shuo had developed a subtle disregard for these warriors and knights. But after being so brutally beaten by Lawrence, Han Shuo finally understood how mistaken his previous assumptions had been.

The only reason he had not been harmed before was the wondrous effect of his magical energy. Were it not for its presence, battle energy entering his body would have destroyed his organs entirely. No wonder when Claude’s battle energy entered his body, others were shocked he didn’t die on the spot; and no wonder Eric, after channeling his battle energy into Han Shuo, confidently assumed Han Shuo was doomed, not even bothering to check him further.

Now Lawrence had changed his method of employing battle energy. He did not directly inject it into Han Shuo’s body to destroy his organs, but instead used it to augment his strength and speed. In this way, the magical energy’s miraculous effects were rendered useless, and Han Shuo could only endure passively with his flesh.

“Smack!”

Again, Lawrence’s foot struck Han Shuo’s abdomen, sending him staggering back once more. Unable to withstand it any longer, Han Shuo finally collapsed to the ground.

At this moment, Han Shuo had two broken ribs, and countless other injuries. Except for the unscathed skin of his face, his body had suffered unprecedented trauma. Han Shuo’s body trembled as he tried to stand, but each time he rose, he would sway and fall again.

Every movement of his battered body brought searing pain, yet Han Shuo’s heart was filled with wild joy. He could clearly feel the magical energy coursing much faster than usual, flowing to every aching wound, giving his broken bones a fiery, peculiar sensation.

Han Shuo understood that his earlier judgment had been correct: the breakthrough of the “Solid” realm required destruction before rebirth, and this was indeed the quickest method. The abnormal flow of magical energy was continuously repairing his damaged flesh, tempering his muscles and bones time and again, making him ever more resilient.

Though his body was wracked with pain, Han Shuo was deeply satisfied. Gritting his teeth and crying out in agony, he still managed to grin through his suffering, finally forcing himself to stand. He looked straight at Lawrence and said, “I think our transaction can become a long-term affair.”

Lawrence ceased his assault, standing before Han Shuo, brow furrowed as he watched Han Shuo repeatedly struggle to stand. As the attacker, Lawrence knew well the force behind his blows; even a low-level warrior, with battle energy for defense, could not have endured so tenaciously.

What astonished Lawrence most was that, after enduring such a fierce beating, Han Shuo could still laugh amid his cries of pain. From Han Shuo’s laughter, Lawrence sensed genuine joy, which struck him as utterly incredible.

When Han Shuo suggested a long-term transaction, Lawrence was taken aback at first, then smiled and said, “Bryan, you are truly interesting. But for a long-term deal, we’ll have to see if your body can withstand it. To be honest, I haven’t used my full strength today, nor have I drawn my sword. I have plenty of gold coins. If you want to earn more, you can come find me anytime. We’ll keep the same rate—five coins each time. How does that sound?”

Nodding, Han Shuo replied, “No problem. I’ll be back soon!”

“Excellent. Bryan, you’re a fascinating person. I hope you recover quickly, because next time my attacks will be even fiercer. You’d best prepare yourself!” With these words, Lawrence changed his clothes, took up his sword, and left the trial grounds.

After Lawrence departed, Han Shuo did not leave at once. Instead, he sat cross-legged and, following the method of magical cultivation, began channeling magical energy to forge and repair his battered body.

After a while, Han Shuo felt his strength returning bit by bit, as magical energy flowed and healed him. The heaviness in his legs eased somewhat. Though his body was still in pain, it was better than the utter weakness and agony he had felt moments ago.

Grinning through the pain, Han Shuo moved his body, feeling the torment, yet laughed aloud, enduring the suffering as he slowly rose and staggered toward the exit of the trial grounds.

“Hey, Bryan! Are you all right?”

As soon as Han Shuo stepped out, he heard someone exclaim nearby. Turning, he saw that it was the kindly young warrior, Gale, who had earlier advised him in the hall. Gale’s clothes were dusty, his forehead and garments damp with sweat, but he seemed not to have suffered much injury.

“It’s nothing,” Han Shuo smiled and nodded to Gale in response.

As a warrior with combat experience, Gale could see at a glance that Han Shuo was not as unscathed as he claimed. With his own experience as a human shield, Gale knew that outward appearances could be deceiving, and Han Shuo’s gait and expression told of serious injury.

Quickly moving closer, Gale reached out to support Han Shuo, frowning as he said, “You say it’s nothing, but you’re clearly in bad shape. Let me take you home. It’s good you made it out alive; I honestly thought you might be beaten to death!”

Gale’s kindness was evident, but Han Shuo, now a menial servant of the Necromancy branch—crazy and foolish in reputation—knew that returning with Gale would only invite unnecessary trouble.

Moreover, Han Shuo did not wish to owe favors. Though his body was in poor condition, he could manage if he walked slowly and endured the pain. So he pulled Gale’s supporting hand away and smiled, “Thank you, Gale. I really am fine; I can go back on my own.”

After saying this, Han Shuo prepared to leave. But as he turned, he suddenly saw a familiar figure approaching in the distance—Claude.

Behind Claude was another human shield, both heading toward the knights’ trial grounds, evidently intending to train themselves with a meat shield.

When Han Shuo first came to the Knights Academy, he had prepared himself for a possible encounter with Claude. Last time in the Light Magic Academy, Han Shuo’s little skeleton had nearly been destroyed by Claude, and Han Shuo himself had suffered battle energy forced into his body. If not for his magical energy enveloping the battle energy, he would likely have lost his life.

Claude, unaware that Han Shuo was the master of the little skeleton, had not given the matter much thought. But Han Shuo had secretly remembered the debt, intending to repay it someday. Although he had anticipated meeting Claude, Han Shuo was in no condition now to confront him. If his guess was wrong and Claude sought revenge for his previous dissatisfaction, Han Shuo’s current state would mean certain death.

Watching Claude approach, his face bright with a sunny smile, chatting loudly with several knight trainees, Han Shuo quickly pondered how best to avoid him.