SWORD OF FLAME

Fighting with Qiang Mo

Fang Yun was puzzled by his master's changing expression. “Grandpa, you didn’t know I fought a flame serpent?”

“How would I know? All I saw was your body swaying like you were about to fall.”

“Oh, right—I haven't told you what happened in there yet.” Fang Yun chuckled lightly before recounting the process of how he managed to master the Fire God's inner power.

Fei Hung then reached for Fang Yun’s right hand and inspected his wrist. Both of their eyes widened in shock—the red snake tattoo had completely disappeared.

“Where did it go, Grandpa?”

“Why are you asking me? It’s your hand!”

Fang Yun chuckled again. “Good point! Why am I even asking you?”

Fei Hung was silent for a moment before finally speaking, “It’s possible that since you've mastered the Fire God's power, the red snake image has now fused with your body.”

Fang Yun nodded, understanding. “So, the red snake symbol is actually the Fire God’s inner power itself. Is that what you mean?”

“How would I know? I said ‘it’s possible.’ It could be right, or it could be wrong, hahahaha.”

Fang Yun shook his head, then stood up and walked away, leaving Fei Hung looking baffled.

“What spirit possessed that kid? Just walks off without saying a word,” Fei Hung muttered, scratching his head.

---

The next day, Fei Hung kept his promise and took Fang Yun to the location where the Sea of Fire Sword was kept.

With their combined speed, it didn’t take long for them to arrive at the site where the Sea of Fire Sword was embedded in a stone.

“That’s the sacred weapon I was talking about, Fang Yun. It’s called the Sea of Fire Sword. It shares its name with the technique I already taught you,” said Fei Hung.

Fang Yun nodded in understanding.

Fei Hung leapt onto the rock and pulled the Sea of Fire Sword, which had been lodged there for decades.

He then jumped back down and held the sword out for Fang Yun to see.

The 18-year-old observed the weapon closely. “Why is this sword so short, Grandpa?”

“Short, my bald head! You dare insult me already, boy?!”

A thunderous voice boomed out just as a creature appeared—the guardian spirit of the Sea of Fire Sword. The being had a humanoid shape with horns and a massive body made entirely of fire.

Fang Yun jumped in shock, hiding behind Fei Hung, who only stood as tall as his shoulder.

“Help me, Grandpa! There’s a ghost!”

“Ghost? Ghost your twisted intestines!” the fiery creature snapped.

“Tell me, Master Fei, is that foolish boy really the one you want as my new master?!”

Fei Hung chuckled. “Easy, Qiang Mo. The boy’s name is Fang Yun. He’s only crazy at certain times.”

“Did you just call him Qiang Mo, Grandpa? That name’s awful. Can I rename him to something cool like Arnold, Alex, or Dimitri?”

Fei Hung only shook his head and facepalmed. Never before had he met a human as absurd as this one.

The creature, whom Fei Hung had called Qiang Mo, let out a massive burst of flame, scorching nearby trees and causing them to wither instantly.

“If you can defeat me, you may call me whatever you wish. But if you lose… I’ll burn you to ashes!”

Having fought the flame serpent before, Fang Yun stepped forward with confidence.

“Fine. I accept your challenge. But don’t get mad if I start calling you funny names after I win!” Fang Yun stared at the fire-horned creature with bold determination.

Fei Hung slapped his forehead once again. He couldn’t imagine what would become of Qiang Mo’s reputation—one of the guardians of the four greatest weapons after the Fire Sword—if this ridiculous boy became his master.

“I swear, foolish boy! But before you get the chance to mock me again, I’ll burn you alive!”

“Grandpa, step back. I’m going to smack this guy’s flaming rear so he’ll learn to control his temper!”

Fei Hung chuckled and stepped aside.

“Get ready, foolish boy! You can apologize now before I burn you!”

“Pfffft… more like I’m going to smack your head until you chill out!”

Enraged, Qiang Mo lunged at Fang Yun with a fiery swing, but Fang Yun easily dodged the first strike.

“Come on! Try again!”

Qiang Mo grew even more furious and charged at him, breathing fire as he moved.

Knowing that flame could seriously burn him, Fang Yun leapt high into the air and counterattacked. His punch landed squarely on Qiang Mo’s head.

Qiang Mo laughed. “Hahaha! Your punch feels like an ant bite, foolish boy. Hit me all you want!” he mocked before launching a kick.

Fang Yun dodged sideways, barely avoiding the blow aimed at his gut—but unexpectedly, a punch from Qiang Mo struck his back.

The shoulder-length-haired youth was hurled forward, crashing into a tree. Fortunately, he managed to brace himself with his hands just in time. Otherwise, his face and chest would have slammed into the trunk.

“Whew… lucky me. My handsome face survived,” he muttered, clutching his aching back.

He turned around, but Qiang Mo was already swinging again. Fang Yun quickly leapt aside, and the creature’s punch obliterated the tree in a burst of fire.

Fei Hung, who had originally believed Fang Yun could defeat Qiang Mo, began to lose hope. Fang Yun’s attacks seemed to have no effect at all on the fire creature.

He even closed his eyes when he saw Fang Yun take a direct kick to the chest.

Fang Yun flew through the air again, his chest seared with pain from Qiang Mo’s fiery energy. Blood poured from his mouth.

“Have you given up yet, foolish boy?” Qiang Mo sneered.

“Surrendering to an ugly creature like you would be the greatest disgrace of my life!”

“Fuck...! Don’t blame me for burning you alive!”

Qiang Mo's speed increased. In a blink, he was in front of Fang Yun, grabbing his neck and lifting him high into the air.

“What did you just call me?! Ugly creature!?”

Gasping for air, Fang Yun kicked repeatedly at Qiang Mo’s body, but his legs couldn’t reach.

“Apologize now, and I’ll let you go!”

Fang Yun clenched his eyes shut. Then suddenly, he screamed with all his might, “Never!”

At the exact moment of his shout, a violent explosion burst from Fang Yun’s body, launching Qiang Mo backward through the air.

“Impossible…! How can a boy that young possess the Fire God’s inner power?” Qiang Mo muttered in disbelief.

Fang Yun rubbed his scorched neck with both hands. His eyes locked onto Qiang Mo, who had been thrown far away by the blast of energy.

A smile spread across his lips before he dashed forward at lightning speed to deliver a follow-up strike.