Chapter 78: Unprovoked Provocation (3)

But Le Kai was not among these people. Once battle began, his "Chess Tactics" would automatically activate, and the "One Step Back Method" would perfectly construct a virtual battlefield. The territory beneath the nine point circles became his domain of control; every movement of the bodyguard was under his surveillance. Though Rambo's actions were somewhat reckless, he still remained within Le Kai's grasp.

"The reason I didn't kill you right away is simply because I'm not yet clear on the school's rules. After all, murdering someone on my first day would tarnish my pure and kind image."

Just as the bodyguard's hand was less than half an inch from Rambo's throat, a crisp, cold voice rang sharply in his ear, like spring thunder, leaving him dizzy and dazed. A chill pierced his back like an icicle, stabbing straight into the depths of his soul, making his very blood feel frozen.

Impossible. How could he move so quickly?

The bodyguard was utterly shocked. If he didn't give up on Rambo now, he would surely not survive himself. Mutual destruction was not the outcome he desired. Deciding instantly, he twisted his body and rolled aside.

Yet he found that the opponent had not seized the opportunity to attack, but stood five steps away, calm and composed, gazing at him with an indifference that shattered one's spirit. In those eyes, he was nothing more than livestock, an ant—unworthy of even a glance, ready to be crushed at any moment.

Such a demeanor and bearing might be expected from a peerless master, but appearing in a teenager of barely fifteen? That was utterly unnatural.

"You... are you also at the Martial Artist level?"

The bodyguard's eyelids narrowed, his voice deep and doubtful, even he could not believe it—a martial artist so young, and a native besides, was simply absurd.

"Does the school allow wanton killing? Do the authorities not care?"

Le Kai truly ignored the bodyguard, paying no heed to his questions, and instead directed his inquiry to Rambo.

"Nobles are forbidden from killing each other, but there's no rule against bodyguards fighting, nor does it restrict imperial citizens from clashing with local natives," Rambo answered thoughtfully. It seemed the school rules only protected the safety of nobles, without prohibiting private duels between their bodyguards, nor did they mention local natives, for before Le Kai, there had never been a native citizen in this school.

Le Kai frowned slightly. "So I can understand that, aside from nobles, the academy cares little for anyone else's life or death?"

"You arrogant brat, you're not wrong. The school won't interfere in anyone's death except for the young lords, so if you die, it's for nothing. Even if your master is the mayor's son, there's nothing that can be done. The Empire is a place of law." The bodyguard's eyes flashed with resentment and murderous intent as he spoke.

"What a place of... law indeed! Are you a noble or a commoner? If you die, will I be punished?" Le Kai looked at the bodyguard with a half-smile, his tone indifferent, as if discussing whether killing a chicken was illegal.

Being so scorned by a youth, even a disciplined bodyguard could not endure it, especially since he was inherently violent. Enraged, he shouted, "Ignorant child, I originally wanted to give you a chance to repent, but seeing you so stubborn, it's better to send you to reincarnate and start anew. Prepare to die, I won't hold back this time!"

A fierce glint flashed in the bodyguard's eyes. Suddenly, he launched an attack with astonishing speed, both palms whirling like wind, aiming to crush Le Kai's head as one might smash a watermelon.

Witnessing such shameless conduct, Rambo and the Wu siblings were furious. Rambo snorted coldly, turned to the terrified noble, and tackled him to the ground, unleashing a torrent of blows. The pitiable young noble, frail to begin with and reliant on his powerful bodyguard, stood no chance against Rambo's onslaught. His screams echoed, reminiscent of a pig being slaughtered on a farm.

Le Kai, however, did not find the bodyguard's actions shameful. True combat was a struggle for survival; as long as one could defeat the opponent and stay alive, any means was in accordance with nature.

The brilliance of "Chess Tactics" was beyond imagination. Le Kai shifted his footing subtly—his body seemed unmoved, but in truth, he had already changed positions several times. The bodyguard's "Double Wind Pierces the Ear" missed, his palms slamming together with a resounding clang, like battered gongs, stirring up a gust of force.

"Quick to anger, reckless, lacking all discipline—truly unworthy of the title martial artist." Le Kai's voice sounded like that of a seasoned veteran, old and authoritative, as if instructing a junior. To the bodyguard, it was a slap in the face, filling him with humiliation and fury.

Willing to expend his inner energy, the bodyguard roared, his speed surging. His palms seemed coated in yellow brass, radiating a faint golden glow and exuding the aura of a wild beast. He spun his body, sweeping his palms horizontally, unleashing a blast of energy that whistled fearsomely.

Such power seemed not yet berserk, but if it struck, its destructive force would be more than doubled. This was the might of true energy: nothing could withstand it.

Yet regrettably, Le Kai's figure was like a phantom. He stood there, not moving quickly, but every time the bodyguard thought he'd struck, his attack met only air. He was forced to withdraw his energy again and again, the frustration only fueling his rage and burning away his reason. Now he had only one thought: to kill Le Kai at any cost. For this, he ignored his young master's screams, knowing that all noble sons were protected by law—no matter how powerful, none dared openly defy imperial edicts.

But he underestimated Le Kai's strength. Though Le Kai seemed to be at a lower level, every attack returned empty-handed. True energy was sharp but burned out quickly, making sustained attacks impossible. This fierce assault seemed dominant, but only the bodyguard knew how rapidly his energy was draining—almost depleted now—while his opponent kept dodging, barely using his own.

Damn, I've been tricked. This kid is cunning—he targeted my impulsiveness from the start, provoking me to waste my energy. Now mine is nearly gone, but his seems untouched. What a ruthless, calculating mind!

When the bodyguard realized this, his expression changed dramatically, and his heart sank—not from shock at his opponent's strength, but from fear of his intelligence. Everything seemed to be within Le Kai's calculation and control. For one so young to achieve this—it was terrifying beyond words.