SWORD OF THE DEMON WOLF

Theory of Emotion

Song Im welcomed Xiao Chen’s attack with movements as swift as an eagle. His body twisted and leaped nimbly, dodging while unleashing equally fast counterattacks.

The close-range battle was truly intense, and it was still unclear who had the upper hand. Countless blows had already been exchanged. In terms of speed, Song Im was still inferior, but his vast experience managed to cover that weakness.

Xiao Chen thought he might die if he continued to rely on his inner energy to resist his opponent’s strange technique, which made it difficult for him to move. But on the other hand, he could also sense that the pressure from his opponent was gradually weakening. From that, he figured it was time to use a different technique once Song Im’s strange art was no longer active.

While waiting for his assumption to become reality, Xiao Chen prepared a technique that he believed would trouble the old man.

There was one peculiar move Xiao Chen had learned from the Demon Wolf Manual—the Blind Wolf’s Fury. Judging from its name, the technique relied more on instinct than on structured patterns.

A few moments later, Xiao Chen’s suspicion proved true. Song Im could no longer sustain the Deviant Mask Art, which drained his inner energy.

With the air no longer solidified, Xiao Chen’s movements became freer. The young man moved chaotically, launching attacks that bore no resemblance to any established style.

A look of confusion immediately appeared on Song Im’s face. His eyes struggled to follow and comprehend his opponent’s erratic movements. Yet he was still fortunate to possess his black eyes, which allowed him to react instinctively whenever an attack came near.

But luck could not stay with Song Im forever. The black eyes, which also consumed inner energy to activate, eventually returned to normal. As a result, Xiao Chen’s claw-like fingers managed to slash across his chest and ribs.

Song Im continued to fight while grimacing from the pain of his wound. Blood began to seep out, staining parts of his clothing.

Both of their breathing had grown ragged. They leapt backward simultaneously, trying to catch their breath, even if just for a moment. Despite having pressured his opponent and inflicted wounds, Xiao Chen still had not managed to defeat the old man.

“What strange technique are you using, young man?” Song Im finally asked, his curiosity toward the youth’s style outweighing his pride.

“No need for questions. I don’t have enough time to waste answering your foolish curiosity!” Xiao Chen retorted, steadying his heavy breathing. He knew his inner energy was also draining fast, just like his opponent’s.

“Damn brat! So you refuse to speak civilly!” Song Im barked, full of emotion.

“You old fool! Did you forget we are enemies? What’s the point of speaking civilly?” Xiao Chen sneered.

Unable to finish his opponent with bare hands, Song Im finally drew his sword once more. A pang of regret struck him. Why had he felt ashamed when the young man earlier sheathed his sword, prompting him to do the same? That had been the perfect chance to kill him.

Seeing that his foe had unsheathed his blade, Song Im launched the first strike. His sword spun swiftly before thrusting toward Xiao Chen’s throat. Quick as lightning, Xiao Chen sidestepped while swiping his claw toward Song Im’s uninjured left ribs.

Sensing the threat to his side, Song Im parried with the hilt of his sword, forcing Xiao Chen back three steps.

Xiao Chen winced as pain shot through his fingers from striking against the metal hilt.

“It’s unfair for you to use a weapon while I’m unarmed!” Xiao Chen said, drawing his own sword.

The twenty-year-old realized that if he wanted to end this battle, he too had to use his blade.

“No one told you not to draw yours!” Song Im scoffed mockingly.

“I actually dislike crossing blades with this treasured weapon against a mere pig-iron sword. Honestly, it’s not even on the same level.” Xiao Chen chuckled lightly, watching Song Im’s face flush red.

“You bastard! How dare you insult my sword! I’ll tear your mouth apart with it!” Song Im roared, once again losing his temper at Xiao Chen’s deliberate provocation.

Unbeknownst to him, this was precisely what Xiao Chen intended. As Zhang Wei had taught him, the perfection of any martial move depended heavily on the user’s emotions. The stronger the emotion, the more unstable the technique became. Zhang Wei called this principle the Theory of Emotion—in short, manipulating the opponent’s feelings to ruin their form.

“You’ve been threatening me all this time, but look at you—your skinny body is already bleeding all over,” Xiao Chen taunted.

“Cursed lizard, take this attack…!”

Song Im lunged forward. The clash of metal echoed sharply in their ears every time their weapons collided.

At first, Xiao Chen had doubted the Theory of Emotion, but seeing Song Im’s increasingly disordered movements, he grew more confident. Now he could freely whirl his sword about, striking at every opening.

In just about ten minutes, dozens more exchanges rang out between them. Several times, Xiao Chen’s sword managed to carve into Song Im’s body, decorating him with fresh wounds—though none fatal yet.

Song Im was not foolish enough to leave himself without protection. With the remnants of his inner energy, he formed a shield around his body. Even so, Xiao Chen’s strikes occasionally pierced through. Had he not erected the barrier, he would have already bled to death.

At one point, Song Im thrust his sword at Xiao Chen’s unguarded stomach. But Xiao Chen intercepted it with his blade held vertically before his abdomen.

He exhaled in relief. Had he been a fraction late, the sword would have pierced him straight through.

“My turn now!” Xiao Chen charged forward in a zig-zag, aiming to disrupt the old man’s focus and deliver a finishing strike.

From afar, Mei Sin and Martha were still observing the battle. Without realizing it, their master and comrade had approached and now stood behind them.

“Mei Sin, Martha, how goes the battle? Why is the young man fighting only one opponent?”

The two beautiful maidens flinched, then quickly turned around.

“Our apologies, Master. We didn’t notice your arrival. We were too focused on watching the fight,” Mei Sin said respectfully, lowering her head.

The elderly woman nodded, her gaze returning to the fierce clash between Xiao Chen and Song Im.