"Such treachery!"
As sharp as the sword tip was, even before it approached, the Sand Bandit King felt a bone-chilling cold.
The Sand Bandit King didn't want a quick draw turn Xiao Lang into a mere passerby, so he kept retreating, cursing inwardly:
"This Xiahou Jiang, though he looks upright, his moves are too dark and venomous!"
In fact, this was really a wrongful blame on Xiahou Jiang!
The martial arts of the battlefield are very different from those of the rivers and lakes.
Fighting for one's life in battle, every move, every style, simplifies complexity, aiming for the throat and below the belt, each capable of killing. That's why they seem particularly ruthless and venomous.
Ultimately, the goal of battlefield martial arts is to defeat the opponent and preserve one's life.
As for aesthetics, as for face, those truly are not within consideration.
While the Sand Bandit King was dodging, Li Jing heavily stamped on the ground, using the rebounding force to instantly elevate.
His arm swinging in a circle, his longsword humming as it fiercely slashed down towards the Sand Bandit King's head.
The Sand Bandit King was unafraid, twisting his body like a spring, took a deep breath with his chest and abdomen tightly, narrowly missing the blade in a dangerous escape. Then, his palm emitting a fishy odor shot out swiftly.
Bang!
The palm of the Sand Bandit King collided with Li Jing's, the huge force causing Li Jing to retreat, the hard ground instantly scored with two deep marks.
Li Jing hadn't snapped out of it when the Sand Bandit King's foot stamped on the ground, bouncing up like springs, his withered cheeks twisting into a scornful smile.
Facing the relentless pursuit of the Sand Bandit King, Li Jing twisted his body in momentum, lifting his leg for a back kick, spinning around to kick back!
This move originated from the battlefield's returning lance, timing is extremely crucial.
Too early, the distance is too long.
Too late, the power insufficient.
But, these were just small cases for Li Jing!
His single leg, like a straight spear, forcefully kicked onto the chest of the Sand Bandit King.
Bang!
Everything happened in the blink of an eye, there was simply no time to think, all motions entirely by instinct.
Li Jing, with profound power, inflicted not a light injury on the opponent.
However...
The chest of the Sand Bandit King was unusually hard, as if he had kicked not flesh but stone, or steel.
Before he could understand what was happening, the hands of the Sand Bandit King had already reached out, like eagle claws, seizing his single leg.
Looking at the captured leg!
The corners of the Sand Bandit King's mouth turned upwards, showing a chilling expression, both arms exerting force simultaneously.
Twisting!
Li Jing's body involuntarily spun around.
However, he was not one to just sit and wait for death, the captured leg forcefully kicking on the chest of the Sand Bandit King, using the rebound to lift upwards.
Using the twisting force wisely!
The other leg, spinning like a gyroscope, heavily smashed onto the Sand Bandit King's head.
Bang!
The body of the Sand Bandit King slammed into the ground, dust splattering all around.
However, for this potentially fatal blow,
The Sand Bandit King just slightly shook his head, brushing off the dirt on his body.
An expression full of disdain.
Even more so, his arms reached out, charging like a wild bull.
Li Jing, unable to dodge, was seized, thrown high.
Before his body even fell, the Sand Bandit King's form suddenly blurred, approaching like a phantom.
Not good!
Seeing the suddenly nearing, fierce-faced Sand Bandit King, Li Jing instinctively raised his arms in a defensive posture. However, before he was ready, a tremendous force abruptly arrived.
He felt as though he had been struck by a heavy truck, his body involuntarily rolling backwards, finally slamming heavily against the wall.
Boom!
Smoke ascended.
The already not-so-sturdy mud wall immediately crumbled, countless cracks extending like a spiderweb.
Pfft!
Li Jing could no longer endure it, vomited a mouthful of fresh blood heavily.
"Ha ha!"
"The world's number one swordsman, that's all he is!"
Seeing Li Jing spitting blood, the corners of the Sand Bandit King's mouth curled up, his gaze becoming even more ferocious.
"Stand up!"
"Keep fighting me!"
"Come at me!"
"Come at me!"
"Hahaha!"
"Damn it!"
Watching the increasingly arrogant and noisy Sand Robber King, Li Jing's gaze grew colder, and the Treasure Sword in his hand trembled incessantly.
"Blood Battle All Directions!"
"Conquer the World!"
The Sand Robber King was unafraid.
His body swayed continuously around one leg as the center.
Because of the speed, he even left behind a series of afterimages.
Both of their movements were incredibly fast!
In just a moment, the two had exchanged blows dozens of times.
Just when Li Jing's momentum started to decline.
The Sand Robber King's body stretched backwards with force, and at the peak of his stretch, he snapped back like a rubber band, his arms opening over twice as wide, slamming heavily onto Li Jing like a branding iron.
Peng!
The Heart Protector on his chest could not withstand it, and it dented and cracked.
The cracks continuously extended.
The tough chest armor, made of top-quality cowhide and inlaid with iron sheets, seemed as if it had been scorched by Fierce Fire, instantly turning pitch black.
It also made a sizzling sound like a branding iron on pork.
The most terrifying thing was a black aura, like a gnawing festering disease, entwining around his meridians and circulating within his blood and energy.
His already unhealed body endured further injuries.
Every bone and muscle in his body felt as if it was being sliced with a knife.
His combat power was reduced to barely one-tenth of its usual capacity.
"Damn it!"
Li Jing spurted blood from his mouth and nose, kneeling on one knee, pressing down on the sword handle with all his strength to keep from falling.
But at this moment, Li Jing was at the end of his strength; any random person could take his life.
Seeing the mocking eyes of the Sand Robber King, Li Jing couldn't help but forcefully press with both hands, trying to struggle to stand.
But he failed several times.
His mouth agape, he breathed with difficulty.
Standing not far away, the Sand Robber King, appearing ghost-like, couldn't help but curl his lips upwards, his gaze revealing a cat-playing-with-a-mouse cruelty.
"Xiahou Jiang!"
"Are you especially angry?"
"Do you really want to kill me?"
"Haha!"
Seeing Li Jing struggle, the unwilling look on his face made the Sand Robber King even more proud, full of scorn.
"It's useless!"
"You're not my match right now!"
Seeing the Sand Robber King's triumphant and complacent face, Li Jing couldn't help but retort sarcastically, "You villain, only know how to kick someone when they're down, to take advantage of others in peril!"
Hearing Li Jing's curse, the Sand Robber King's eyes momentarily stalled.
However, contrary to Li Jing's expectation, he didn't fly into a rage or try to defend himself, but instead he nodded heavily, saying earnestly:
"You're right, if you weren't injured!"
"I would definitely not be your match."
"But, what use is there in saying these things now?"
"As long as you're dead, both the Blood Killing Ten Forms and the Demon-slaying Sword will be in my possession. By that time, not just Black Mountain, but who in the entire desert could be my opponent?!"
Looking at the triumphant Sand Robber King, eager to doom him, Li Jing's vision blurred momentarily.
He hadn't expected to die before achieving success, to capsize here in this small ditch.
It's just, such a pity for my Zhua'er.
He's so young, yet he has to bear so much and face the Heavenly Tribulation three years later.
Thinking of this, Li Jing sighed heavily.
Suddenly, as if struck by a thought, his eyes lit up, his face gaining an inexplicable radiance.
"Sand Robber King!"
"Do you really think you have me completely under your control?!"