SWORD OF THE DEMON WOLF

Assistance for Martha

Even though she was puzzled that the young man chose to help her, she finally understood why she once felt no desire to attack the handsome youth, even when Yung Yin ordered her to do so.

Pure instinct never lies. What was in her heart was confirmed by Xiao Chen’s noble character. The beautiful girl then moved away from Xiao Chen to help Martha.

“Why did you help that girl? Aren’t she, her friends, and their master trying to seize your sacred weapon and even planning to kill you?” Liu Yang looked at Xiao Chen in surprise for what he had just done for Sekar.

Xiao Chen scratched his head lightly while watching the beautiful girl walking toward her companion. “Why should I help them? Because they never intended to kill me or take my sword. The one who will kill your wife is that snake staff woman!”

Liu Yang followed Xiao Chen’s gaze toward the battle between his wife and Yung Yin.

“If you want to help your wife, you’d better do it now, or it will be too late,” Xiao Chen added.

An unexpected answer came from Liu Yang’s mouth. “Let her die. I’m tired of living with her. After killing you, I’ll leave this place and take your sword with me!”

“So you choose to fight me? Very well then, prepare yourself!” Xiao Chen shook his head in disbelief that the man before him would simply let his own wife perish.

The young man couldn’t help but compare him with his own father, who had remained loyal to his mother until death parted them.

Unlike his fight against Yung Yin’s three disciples, this time Liu Yang fought with all his heart. He was aware that the youth before him was far stronger than those three girls, so there was no reason to take things lightly.

The middle-aged man launched the first strike. His opening move was not half-hearted; he delivered a powerful blow to test how much the youth could withstand.

Xiao Chen, however, refused to clash with raw inner force. He preferred to dodge or simply parry.

This only angered Liu Yang further. He had already unleashed more than twenty attacks, yet all had been evaded or blocked. He decided to increase his speed, hoping to pressure the young man into making a mistake and exposing an opening.

In his analysis, a fighter under pressure often made mistakes. That would be his chance to land a decisive strike.

But his expectations were crushed. Xiao Chen kept matching his speed—and even began to surpass it.

“Damn it! How can his speed keep increasing?” Liu Yang was shocked at the youth’s improvement.

Xiao Chen’s pressure did not relent. He pushed harder, forcing his opponent into a desperate state.

From afar, Sekar and Martha watched the battle. Smiles spread across their faces, relieved that their rescuer was gaining the upper hand. Unknowingly, they found themselves silently cheering for Xiao Chen.

Their joy contrasted with Liu Yang’s frustration. The rapid growth of his opponent shocked him. His greatest mistake had been underestimating the young man because of his age.

As a seasoned fighter, he should have been able to measure an opponent’s strength. But Xiao Chen defied measurement. He had only assumed the youth’s ability based on the corpses he left behind and believed him stronger than Yung Yin’s three disciples.

“You’re no better than those people I killed earlier,” Xiao Chen mocked while continuing his assault.

Liu Yang refused to let his skills be belittled. He relied on his experience, determined to turn it into victory.

“You may be faster, brat! But I have far more experience. See? Not once have your attacks landed on me!” Liu Yang retorted.

“Then your experience won’t save you!” Xiao Chen suddenly flipped into the air, using one leg as a pivot, before shooting forward at full speed with his claw-shaped right hand extended.

“Blind Wolf’s Wrath!”

Liu Yang stepped back, raising both arms to defend, still searching for the tiniest chance of a counterattack.

But just before the claw strike landed, Xiao Chen pulled it back and shifted into a sudden kick aimed at Liu Yang’s head.

“You think I can’t read your change in attack, boy? This is the value of experience!” Liu Yang roared, lowering his body to evade the strike.

Yet Xiao Chen was far more cunning. He let the kick miss deliberately, landing smoothly behind Liu Yang.

Slash!

“Aaagh!”

Liu Yang staggered forward, a sharp pain tearing across his back where Xiao Chen’s claws had raked him. The wound stung fiercely as his sweat seeped into the open gash.

Sekar and Martha clapped without realizing it, their mouths agape at the clever feint. Their master, Yung Yin, had never taught them such deceptive techniques.

Liu Yang spun around angrily, his breath ragged.

“You may have experience, but you don’t have this!” Xiao Chen tapped his forehead with a sly grin.

“You insolent brat!” Liu Yang cursed. For a martial artist, there was no greater insult than being told he lacked reason. And yet, that insult had come from a mere youth.

“Don’t get arrogant, boy! I haven’t lost, and I will never surrender!” Liu Yang bellowed, the pain in his back lessening as he circulated his inner energy.

He glanced briefly at the duel between Yung Yin and his wife. A pang of regret struck him—Xiao Chen had offered to help her, but he had refused. Had he accepted, his chances of survival would have been much greater fighting alongside his wife against Yung Yin.

But it was too late. What was done could not be undone. Now, all he could do was fight with everything he had left.