Gazing up at the enormous phoenix plummeting towards him, Li Yi's expression grew solemn. Although it wasn't his first time confronting a Warrior of this caliber head-on with his own strength, this time was different because his opponent possessed a technique of such caliber, giving Han Zhu a justified confidence... Light azure hues flickered on his hands, with streaks of purple lightning slowly wrapping around, and then, with a loud shout from Li Yi, he struck towards the incoming phoenix, "Zhuque mid-level, Azure Cloud Hand!"
"Shh—" A sound of tearing wind echoed, and in that moment, it seemed the air couldn't even disperse fast enough, being ripped apart by Li Yi's thrust, which, like a blade of light, struck fiercely at the phoenix's head! At this moment, Azure Cloud Hand met Phoenix Sky Break head-on!
"Boom—" A massive explosion erupted, nearly flipping the nearby houses, and the guards lying on the ground were blown away. At the point of impact between the two's fighting spirits, the ground burst open, and cracks spread across it like a spiderweb all the way to the end of the alley. The horses pulling the carriages, sensing danger, neighed loudly.
A flash of azure, and a sharp aura shot into the sky, the gigantic phoenix seemingly trying to retreat in fear, but in the next instant, its form, condensed from fighting spirit, was cleaved in two! The area fell momentarily silent, then a figure shot out, crashing into a wall with a spurt of blood, turning it into rubble...
In the alley, numerous gasps could be heard, as Li Yi and Han Zhu's intense fight had already attracted much attention. Seeing Han Zhu defeated, everyone couldn't help but make noise. As the dust settled, revealing a faint silhouette, Li Yi's fighting spirit veil slightly contracted before dissipating into the air, making those hidden watchers dare not underestimate him any longer.
With a smile that wasn't quite a smile, Li Yi stepped forward to look at Han Zhu, who was embedded in the rubble, and chuckled, "Young Master Han Zhu, you talked a good game... But when it came down to it, you weren't much after all."
Han Zhu's face flashed with venomous resentment as he gritted his teeth, "Brat! Don't think your high-level techniques make you invincible! I can have you killed in minutes!"
"Dead duck's mouth is hard..." Li Yi laughed lightly, a hint of chill flashing in his eyes.
"Boy! Unless you kill me now, I'll make sure you live a life worse than death!" Sensing the chill in Li Yi's eyes, Han Zhu bit out his threat.
"Kill you? Young Master Han Zhu, to be honest... I'm a good person. I've never even killed chickens or dogs, so why would I kill someone so casually? Look, we could have simply said our goodbyes today, and you could have seen us off. But you had to make a spectacle... Now, neither of us can walk away with dignity, can we?"
"Originally, I had no intention of killing you, especially since we've received your hospitality... But I know too well, Young Master Han Zhu, you're the type to hold grudges over today's events. Even if I let you go, you'll never forget it... So, Young Master Han Zhu, I have no choice but to reluctantly send you on your way!"
"So... go to hell!" With his final shout, Li Yi's fist, charged with fighting spirit, descended fiercely towards Han Zhu's chest! Han Zhu's face twisted in a grimace, seemingly wanting to beg for mercy, but pride prevented him from speaking.
"Young friend! Please, show mercy!" Just as Li Yi's punch was about to land on Han Zhu's chest, an old voice suddenly rang out.
"Boom—" Li Yi's punch veered slightly, smashing the surrounding stones into dust. Coldly looking at Han Zhu's face, now pale with fear, Li Yi grinned slightly, retracting his hand and turning towards the depths of the alley, "Elder, may I know your command?"
Han Dang rushed out from the depths of the alley, his face wearing an awkward smile, clearly aware of the entire situation. He bowed slightly before saying, "Young friend Du Fei... considering you joined us on the Black Rock Plains yesterday, could you spare my young master?"
Li Yi shook his head slightly, then said softly, "Normally, I'm the type to kill as many of such people as I encounter... But for Elder Han's sake this time, I'll let it go... However, you should know, your Young Master Han Zhu is vengeful. Even if I let him go today, he'll never forget it... So, Elder Han, I can only reluctantly do this if he continues to act recklessly next time."
Han Dang nodded quickly, "Of course, our Han merchant group isn't unreasonable. Rest assured, I'll keep him in check..."
Li Yi nodded slightly, no longer wasting words, but glanced at the guards who had emerged around them. Han Dang sighed and then clapped his hands, "You all can leave... Young friend, miss, I had hoped to invite you to stay for a few days, but it seems you wouldn't agree now... I can't force you, so I won't see you off..."
Li Yi glanced indifferently at Han Zhu lying amid the rubble, then slowly shook his head. After exchanging a look with Gong Wu Shuang, both turned and walked towards the alley's exit. In that moment of turning, a vicious and resentful glint flashed through Han Zhu's eyes. Suddenly, his expression turned sinister, and with a fierce clap of his hands on the ground, two daggers concealed in his sleeves shot out like lightning towards Li Yi's back.
This sudden betrayal stunned Han Dang, who hesitated, forgetting to act. "Shh—" The daggers, swift as lightning, reached Li Yi's back in an instant, Han Zhu's resentful strike was indeed formidable. However, just as the daggers were about to hit, a "ding—ding—" sound was heard. The originally azure daggers were instantly frozen into ice crystals, then fell to the ground with a crisp sound. Ice attribute fighting spirit!?
This scene made Han Zhu pause, about to command the guards to attack, but before he could shout, "Puh—" another mouthful of blood was sprayed out. Unbeknownst to him, Gong Wu Shuang had already appeared in front of him, stepping on his chest.
"Mercy, miss... you!" Han Dang uttered in shock. Gong Wu Shuang simply shook her head, her gaze mixed with an inexplicable smile at Han Dang, "Elder Han, patience has its limits. Even if we owed you a favor, it has been thoroughly repaid just now... This life, was delivered by your young master himself; no one else is to blame!"
"Stop!" Han Dang burst forward, knowing well how much the elder Han cherished this young master, unwilling to let any harm come to him in his presence. "Shh—" Before Han Dang could reach them, a whip of fighting spirit was flung out, slamming his charging figure to the ground. However, Gong Wu Shuang, still considering his favor, did not deliver a killing blow. With her Emperor-level strength, a single move could have been lethal.
"No! Don't!" Despite spitting out blood, Han Dang screamed. Yet, Gong Wu Shuang, seemingly deaf to his pleas, applied a slight force under her foot, and a burst of icy energy instantly penetrated Han Zhu's torso. "Puh—" Another gush of blood, and Han Zhu lacked even the strength to harbor resentment, his body limp on the ground like a drained rag.
This spectacle left the surrounding guards momentarily stunned, then nearly all of them rushed forward. "Stop! All of you, stop!" Han Dang struggled to his feet, his eyes reddening, "This is the young master's own doing! Blame no one else! Everyone, stand down, no one is to act!"
The guards hesitated for a moment before reluctantly stepping back. Gong Wu Shuang, with a cold smile, turned to leave without another word. Li Yi, somewhat helplessly, glanced at her, then turned back to bow to Han Dang, "Elder, rest assured. Although my sister acted in rage, she showed restraint... Your young master won't die, but he'll likely live as a commoner for the rest of his life. Please take care of him..."
After speaking, Li Yi quickly followed Gong Wu Shuang out of the alley. In the alley, Han Dang's hand trembled slightly. After a moment, he looked at the unconscious Han Zhu, a bitter smile on his face, "Misjudged, indeed! Should've known, given their age and unscathed journey across the Black Rock Plains, they were no ordinary beings... To command fighting spirit like that, could it be... beyond a King?"
With this realization, Han Dang shuddered. If not for their mercy, given the young master's actions today, the Han merchant group might well have ceased to exist. He was acutely aware of the power a King-level fighter possessed... to think his young master wanted such a being to become a mere servant... truly courting death!
"Someone! Quickly carry the young master inside!" After a pause, Han Dang instructed. Then, several leader-like figures rushed to Han Dang, whispering, "Manager, given the young master's temperament, he won't let this go easily... And when the elder returns or the young master wakes, it'll be hard to explain..."
"Follow them? Are you foolish?" Han Dang slapped one, nearly swelling his face, "Are you blind? Didn't you see I didn't stand a chance against that woman? If she hadn't held back, I'd be dead meat now, unable to talk to you! Follow? Against such experts, how do you plan to do that? If I'm not mistaken, that woman is an Emperor-level fighter! Do you think you can track her?"
"An... Emperor..." The guards exchanged glances, cold sweat breaking out. They knew Han Dang wouldn't lie about such matters, but the concept of an Emperor-level fighter was almost beyond their comprehension, and their young master had intended to make such a person serve in their household... Truly, he had never faced real danger.