Chapter 28: A Stunning Battle, Part 2

At this moment, his narrow, slit-like eyes were fixed on Le Kai, as if gazing at his prey, brimming with undisguised murderous intent.

“What do you want? We are—”

The three bodyguards, startled and tense, shouted as though preparing to declare their identities, but one glance from Lambo silenced them immediately. They could only stand anxiously, shielding Lambo in the center. As for Le Kai, it was clear the young master had little affection for him, and they had received no instructions to protect him.

“I don’t care who you are. Today you dared spout arrogance, so you must pay the price. If you can’t manage your own servants and let them run wild, biting others, you’ve crossed me, Xi Run Si—don’t expect to walk away unscathed.”

“Xi Run Si—so it’s Xi Run Si! He’s the son of the Finance Director. That little wretch is doomed now.”

“My God! Young Master Xi Run Si dominates the Martial Soul world; no one dares provoke him. This little wretch truly has some nerve.”

“That wretch seems to have some background too, carrying a blade. I’ve never seen such an audacious wretch before—he must have someone behind him. The outcome isn’t clear yet.”

The surrounding crowd erupted in a frenzy.

Xi Run Si cast a triumphant glance at Le Kai, sneering, “Little wretch, aren’t you going to kneel before me? Perhaps I’ll be merciful and spare your miserable life.”

Lambo put on an agitated act, struggling to push forward, shouting, “Xi Run Si, you’re nothing! I’ve never liked you. If you dare bully my brother, watch out—I’ll kill you myself!”

Xi Run Si was furious, cursing inwardly. Though I was hired by Huake to help you, you can’t talk to me like that! Sure, your father’s the mayor now, but who knows who’ll be in power in a few days! Hmph, since you only asked that the brat be taught a lesson and not crippled, it proves he has some background. You want to act tough and teach him lightly—I won’t let you have your way. I’ll destroy him outright and see how you explain it to your father!

Having made up his mind, Xi Run Si grinned maliciously. “My friend, this is none of your business. Step aside. From your appearance, you’re a noble too, and I’d rather not damage our mutual respect. This wretch dares to carry a blade in the Martial Soul Hall; he must have some skills. Now, I formally challenge him.”

Xi Run Si suddenly snatched a longsword from a nearby guard, pointing it at Le Kai, his lips curling in disdain. “Little wretch, I, Young Master Xi Run Si, formally challenge you. This is your honor—aren’t you going to thank me? If you kneel right now, kowtow three times, call me ‘grandfather’ thrice, and hand me that worthless blade at your waist, perhaps I’ll let you live.”

At these words, the crowd gasped in astonishment. Here was an adult, wielding an imperial high-tech forged sword, challenging a local child barely ten years old, claiming it was the boy’s honor. Such shamelessness—only Young Master Xi Run Si could declare it with such grandeur.

Le Kai turned to Lambo, surprised. “You can challenge people here?”

Lambo replied awkwardly, “Sorry, Le Kai, I forgot to tell you. If you carry a cold weapon in public, you can’t refuse a challenge. If you refuse, according to imperial law, all your possessions go to your opponent, and you yourself become their slave.”

Le Kai’s expression finally shifted slightly. “So I have no choice but to accept?”

Lambo felt guilty. “According to imperial law, I’m afraid so.”

Li Yan stared at Lambo in shock and anger. “You’ve been an imperial citizen since childhood and know this law—why didn’t you tell him?”

Lambo panicked at the angry little girl, hastily defending himself. “He wanted to carry the blade—I didn’t know it would come to this. Besides, Le Kai is amazing; this big brute isn’t his match, right, Le Kai?”

Le Kai offered no response, turning to face Xi Run Si, quietly, his brows furrowing.

Li Yan gripped his hand tightly, stepped forward, and raised her voice. “Since this is the Martial Soul Game Hall, why not settle the matter in the game?”

Faced with Li Yan’s suggestion, Xi Run Si burst out laughing. “The ancients said, ‘Don’t pretend to be tough, or you’ll get struck by lightning.’ This wretch dares to carry a blade, he must accept the challenge. If he doesn’t dare, I won’t force him. Wretches like him are everywhere, useless as they are, but I wouldn’t mind keeping him as a little servant.”

“How dare you—”

“Hmph, one more word and I’ll have you seized as well!” Xi Run Si’s narrow eyes flashed with cruelty.

Le Kai pulled Li Yan aside, stepped forward, and looked at Xi Run Si, his brows gradually tightening. After a moment, he squeezed out a few words: “Your strength isn’t even on par with a wild wolf, yet you dare act so arrogant? Has a life of comfort really dulled your will? At least a wild wolf knows to avoid stronger foes, but you...” He closed his eyes and shook his head slightly, his disdain and arrogance evident to all.

The crowd fell silent; whether imperial citizens or second-class locals, everyone stared at him in disbelief. They couldn’t fathom where the child’s confidence came from—it overturned everything they knew.

“Little wretch, you court death!”

Xi Run Si dropped all pretense, a fierce glint in his eyes. His sword thrust forward like lightning—a killing blow, held in reserve for just this moment!

“Pathetic!”

Le Kai’s lips curled. Clearly, he had anticipated Xi Run Si’s sneak attack. Hunters never lower their guard, no matter how weak the prey; such carelessness leads only to failure. Even a lion hunts a rabbit with full strength. Le Kai, forged in cruel competition, understood this well.

The flash of the sword shocked everyone. Even the imperial citizens inwardly cursed Xi Run Si’s baseness, while the locals, witnessing such a brazen act from their peer, felt their admiration for Le Kai surge. Many clenched their fists in silent support.

Li Yan had no time to cry out before she felt herself gently pushed aside, stepping back several paces, completely removed from the reach of the cold steel. Le Kai, instead of retreating, advanced—seemingly moving straight into the sword’s path. The crowd erupted in astonished cries, even Lambo appeared dumbfounded.

The two drew near in an instant, locked in place, unmoving, like statues.

It was eerie, tense, and suffused with suppressed energy.

In a flash, countless expressions mingled in the crowd—most were confusion and regret.

Only a burly figure in the distance narrowed his eyes in shock. He was the same man Lambo had bumped into at the entrance, now standing quietly in a corner, watching.

“Le Kai, are you... are you alright?”

As silence reigned, Li Yan’s voice rang out, clear and furious. She stepped forward, shouting, “You bastard! If you dare hurt my friend, I won’t forgive you!”

With a push from her small hand, the tall Xi Run Si toppled over like a sand sculpture, crashing to the floor. The ripple of his garments as he struck the ground seemed unreal, like a dream.

For a moment, Li Yan stared at her own hand, stunned. The crowd, after a single beat of silence, exploded in thunderous uproar.

Lambo trembled, shoved aside the guards, and approached Xi Run Si, his lips quivering, unable to utter a word.

Xi Run Si, who had apparently struck Le Kai, now bore a thin red line across his throat, like a crimson thread tightening around his neck, growing thicker by the moment.