The forest was very quiet, with only leaves rustling and smoke wafting through the air. Bai Cheng sat squatting on a tree branch, unable to see past the thick fog. He could taste every breath: metallic, reminding him that his fight with Jiao wasn't done. His hand reached around to his side, rubbing the pain of old scratches and bruises.
"Stay calm," Bai Cheng whispered to himself, his voice very soft. He closed his eyes and tried to breathe slowly. "You've trained for this. Move like a shadow. Strike like lightning."
The quiet sound of a branch breaking brought his attention back. Somewhere in the fog, Jiao was looking for him, walking carefully and with confidence.
Jiao laughed at him. "You are hiding like a scared rat, huh? Is this your big plan, kid? You should give up now.
Bai Cheng clenched his fists, holding back the reply that wanted to come out. He couldn't let anger mess up his thinking. Taking a deep breath, he used Silent Step, the skill Gerald had taught him until his legs felt heavy. He moved ahead, each step quiet, his body moving through the smoke like a ghost.
Jiao turned quickly, feeling something wrong in the air. It was too late. Bai Cheng jumped out of the mist, kicking Jiao hard in the chest.
"Got you!" Bai Cheng smiled, disappearing back into the smoke before Jiao could respond.
The rogue cultivator staggered back, holding his chest, a snarl on his face. "You think you're smart, boy? Let's see how long you can keep this going."
Jiao bent down, his sharp eyes looking through the thick smoke. He smiled slyly as he turned on Silent Step. "Two can play this game," he said quietly, moving without making a sound like Bai Cheng.
Bai Cheng felt a strong warning just as Jiao appeared behind him, daggers cutting through the air. Bai Cheng turned his body, just missing the deadly strike. He almost lost his balance and fell forward, but before Jiao could take advantage, Bai Cheng disappeared into the mist again.
"Fast," Bai Cheng whispered to himself, sweat dripping down his face. "But not unbeatable."
Jiao laughed loudly in the smoke. "You're good, I'll admit that. But how long can you do this before you mess up?"
Bai Cheng didn't reply. Instead, he quietly signaled Fang with a small movement of his foot.
The loyal dog understood right away, running through the mist, moving as quietly as a whisper.
Jiao heard a slight noise ahead and his ears moved. He jumped forward, his daggers shining, but he only hit air. He squinted, looking around carefully.
"What the—?" Bai Cheng took this chance to attack Jiao from behind, hitting him hard in the side with his elbow before disappearing again. Jiao growled and held his ribs, breathing quickly and angrily.
"Is that all you've got, kid? Hitting and running? Fight me properly!"
Bai Cheng smirked from the shadows, his voice drifting through the smoke. "Why would I fight fair when you're already struggling with my unfair tactics?"
Jiao's frustration was palpable, his grip tightening on his daggers. His eyes darted around, his confidence slipping. He muttered under his breath, "Stay calm, Jiao. He's just a kid."
Bai Cheng was next to attack Jiao from above, swiftly kicking his left shoulder. Jiao, however, anticipated this attack. Moving forward, he struck up in a slicing motion with one of his daggers.
Bai Cheng barely escaped receiving the impact of the blade touching his left arm.
"Argh!" Bai Cheng hissed, retreating into the mist. His fingers brushed against the wound. It was shallow, but the stinging sensation spread quickly, leaving his arm feeling heavier with each passing second.
Jiao stepped forward, a smug grin spreading across his face. "You feel that, don't you? My daggers are coated with paralytic venom. It's just a matter of time before your body gives out."
Bai Cheng's mind was moving fast. He felt slow and was breathing heavily. The poison wasn't deadly, but it was working well. "Stay calm," he said to himself while leaning against a tree.
"Think, Bai Cheng. There is always a way out."
Jiao moved closer, his voice full of mockery. "You did well for a human, I'll admit that. But this is the end. No one escapes the Shadow Fang."
Bai Cheng stared at him, his teeth tight. "You say too much."
Bai Cheng moved fast, attempting to grab Jiao's arm. But Jiao was faster, and his dagger sliced through the air. The blade grazed Bai Cheng's side and sent him to his knees.
Jiao looked down at him, laughing cruelly. "You're finished, kid. It was fun for a while, but now you can die knowing you fought well.
Bai Cheng's vision became unclear as the poison spread, and his arms and legs wouldn't move. He felt a strong need to find a way out, but his body felt heavy like it was sinking into quicksand.
In the distance, Fang barked; the sound was weak but kept going.
As he struggled to stay awake, Bai Cheng tightened his fists, determined not to lose hope. "Not. yet," he quietly said to himself.
Jiao's laughter filled his ears as darkness came closer. "Rest easy, mortal. This is the nearest you'll ever be to winning."
The chapter ended with Jiao lifting his daggers for the last attack, making Bai Cheng's fate uncertain.