Chapter 57: A Tyrant Can Also Be a Hero (2)

Swish!

Hong Weimin's hair was cut in a large clump.

Squeak!

Xu Liang's sleeve was torn in a long strip.

'Impressive.'

Hong Weimin's martial arts, with the Four Kings' Demon Art fully unleashed, were truly formidable. At first glance, it seemed as if he had almost been consumed by the demon art, but that was not the case.

Although his movements were closer to those of a beast than a martial artist, his mind was exceptionally clear. It was just that his clear mind was being devoured by intense anger and killing intent.

He swung his hand.

Crack!

One side of a building's roof was torn off and flew away.

It was truly a formidable power. The level of destruction that a single claw strike could cause was such that even Wei Honglian or Song Jing would be considered inferior to him. If his opponent were Wei Honglian or Song Jing, he could kill them within ten moves. Although Hong Weimin was a step above them, he was not a difficult opponent for Xu Liang, who walked at an even higher level.

The problem was that Hong Weimin had mastered a higher-dimensional demon art, which was making the environment quite challenging.

'What a nuisance.'

Crack!

Xu Liang, who had suddenly appeared in front of Hong Weimin, grabbed his collar.

Despite his wide-open eyes, it was unclear how he had moved. Hong Weimin's hands reflexively grabbed Xu Liang's wrists.

'This won't do.'

Crack!

Xu Liang's feet dug three inches into the ground.

Bang!

Xu Liang, still holding Hong Weimin's collar, moved again.

Crack! Crack!

The veins on Xu Liang's arms bulged. Hong Weimin, with his collar grabbed, was going berserk.

'You little bastard!'

Swish!

A long gash appeared on Hong Weimin's cheek. He had dodged the sword that was trying to pierce him with his near-beastly instincts.

Boom!

Hong Weimin's punch hit Xu Liang's chest as if seeking revenge, causing his body to shake.

The sharp pain made his anger boil. He couldn't understand why he had to suffer so much just to capture this sinister man.

'Shit! They're just a bunch of dogs, so what if they get swept away!'

But thoughts were just thoughts.

Since he had realized that the demons were also human, he couldn't involve the innocent. Besides, he had been the one to strike first.

At that moment, Hong Weimin's right hand struck Xu Liang's side.

Thud!

'Ugh.'

Impressive. If not for the barrier of the Dark Shadow Demon Art's true energy, he would have suffered a serious internal injury.

But Hong Weimin had another target in mind.

Pierce!

Xu Liang's eyes wavered. Hong Weimin's finger had pierced his side.

Rip!

The two figures violently shook and then plunged into the ground.

Thud! Crack!

They were thrown in opposite directions.

Hong Weimin was the first to stand up. The overflowing demon energy prevented him from feeling any pain or shock.

Xu Liang was different.

Huff!

A purple aura flowed from his side. Hong Weimin had directly injected poison into his abdomen with his finger.

"Does it hurt?"

Hong Weimin spoke for the first time during the battle, indicating that he had regained his composure.

"It's a poison injected directly into your body. If you try to burn it with demon energy, your internal organs will be cooked."

Huff.

A thick, purple demon energy concentrated in his hands.

He emphasized the poison over power, intending to gradually and painfully overwhelm his opponent.

"You made a mistake by messing with me."

Crack!

Hong Weimin swung both hands. He judged that there was no need to get close.

Thud!

Xu Liang's body flinched. He had been hit directly by the Snake Shadow Poison Palm.

Hong Weimin was not satisfied with just one hit.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Xu Liang's body kept shaking, and a purple poison mist rose around him.

The poison from the Snake Shadow Poison Palm was accumulating in Xu Liang's body, forming a mist.

As if determined, Hong Weimin launched the lethal Snake Shadow Poison Palm dozens of times.

Thud! Thud!

Before long, Xu Liang's figure could no longer be seen. A purple poison mist, about ten feet in radius, completely obscured him.

Sizzle!

Hong Weimin, having retracted the Snake Shadow Poison Palm, smiled. It was a genuine smile, something he hadn't shown in a long time.

"I won't kill you immediately. Live as a cripple."

"Kwek!"

Just then, the sound of blood being vomited came from the mist.

Snap!

Hong Weimin rushed forward.

He did not let his guard down, even though his opponent seemed weak. He had regained his composure but did not become complacent, thus not missing the opportunity.

Poisoning and consuming his opponent. His actions were no different from those of a venomous snake.

Huff!

Entering the mist, Hong Weimin could accurately pinpoint Xu Liang's position.

In the hazy vision, Xu Liang was seen lying forward, spitting out blood.

'Go to hell, you annoying bastard.'

Hong Weimin aimed the Black Bone Snake Shadow Hand at Xu Liang's shin.

At that moment.

Crack!

'Huh?'

What? Where did Xu Liang go?

'Again?!'

Does he still have energy left?

As Hong Weimin hurriedly looked around, he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his arm.

His eyes widened as he looked at his right arm.

"Huh?"

His joint was bent backward.

'Why is it broken?'

Whirr!

Suddenly, the poison mist that had covered the area began to swirl with a whirlwind rising from the ground.

The wind speed was incredible. The sudden gust compressed the poison mist and sent it flying high into the sky.

The vision cleared, and the stuffy air became fresh and cool.

And it didn't take long for the fresh air to disappear completely.

Whoosh!

Burning demon energy sucked in the air, emitting even stronger flames.

Crack! Boom!

Red lightning surrounded the flames, creating a magnificent display of demon energy, which was none other than Xu Liang.

"Spit!"

Spitting out a mixture of blood and the last of the poison, he pointed his sword at the sky.

Whirr!

A red sphere glowed at the tip of the sword.

Xu Liang let out a battle cry.

"Go!"

Whoosh!

The red sphere shot high into the sky and, upon touching the poison, spread out like a spark on oily paper.

Whoosh!

The purple poison mist completely evaporated. The poison mist that Hong Weimin had painstakingly accumulated disappeared so easily.

"You, sneaking around from behind, using a martial art that matches your character."

Hong Weimin was confused.

"How...?"

"What? This?"

Xu Liang touched his side.

"It's not even a serious wound."

It was a serious wound.

The abdomen is dangerous because it houses vital organs. The human body's abdominal pressure is very strong, so if a hole is made, the organs will try to protrude.

To this, Hong Weimin had injected a lethal dose of highly toxic poison, dozens of times.

Even a great immortal would find it hard to treat such a critical injury.

"I had the professional spirit to remove my target while smiling, even with broken limbs and holes in my abdomen."

"What, what are you saying?!"

"For me, this is just a scratch!"

Whoosh!

Xu Liang closed the distance in an instant and swung his sword.

His footwork and sword strikes were too fast. Hong Weimin quickly used the Dragon Coiling Steps.

Snap!

"Ugh!"

Blood spurted from Hong Weimin's mouth. Xu Liang had kicked his face.

Just like when his arm broke, it was unclear how he had been hit this time.

"You're not using the Dragon Coiling Steps correctly."

Sparks flew from Hong Weimin's eyes.

Crack!

A left-handed upward strike from a short distance. Despite the suddenness, the technique of the Black Bone Snake Shadow Hand was perfectly executed.

Xu Liang swung his sword mercilessly.

Swish!

"Argh!"

His middle and ring fingers were each cut off at one joint, and half of his index and little fingers' nails were gone. The pain was unbearable.

His quick response was astonishing, but his precise sword skills were beyond impressive, almost dazzling. Swinging a four-foot-long sword at such a close distance was a remarkable feat.

Xu Liang's face turned cold.

"You're finished."

Thud!

Hong Weimin's body flew backward.

It was the perfect distance. The poison had mostly dissipated, so the secondary damage from the toxic blood would be minimal.

Xu Liang aimed his sword at the staggering Hong Weimin.

Crack!

A red lightning bolt flashed from the blade, and an invisible wind swirled around it.

Smoothly and naturally, he finally unleashed his secret technique.

"Wind Blade."

Whirr!

A gust of wind, unrelated to the weather, blew, and the terrifying sword wind cut into Hong Weimin's body from all directions.

Swoosh! Whoosh!

No one could block the wind. Wounds appeared all over Hong Weimin's body. Thanks to the Four Kings' Demon Art, he didn't get torn apart, but the injuries were significant.

But Xu Liang's attack was just beginning.

"North Wind."

Squeak!

Hong Weimin's back muscles were torn.

"Ugh!"

The pain of having muscles ripped raw was indescribable. The wound was as rough as if he had been hit by an ax.

Squeak! Squeak!

Deep wounds appeared on his thigh, chest, and shoulder. Even the barrier of the Four Kings' Demon Art's true energy couldn't stop them.

"Nine-Fold Wind."

Crack! Crack! Crack!

Hong Weimin's body shook violently.

One move, nine styles; one style, nine strikes. The Nine-Fold Wind was a continuous attack. The next strike could hit any part of the body, even the user couldn't predict it.

Hong Weimin's body was covered in blood. The intense demon energy immediately stopped the bleeding, but the amount of blood lost in a short time was significant, and the internal injuries were severe.

Xu Liang's sword danced.

"Wind Death, Wild Wind."

Whirr! Whoosh!

"Argh!"

It was the loudest and most agonizing scream he had ever let out. The pain and fear were beyond endurance.

Xu Liang's eyes, which were now staring at him, seemed to be slowly tearing apart like a demon's.

Click!

Holding the sword with both hands, he unleashed the final move of the continuous technique.

"Heaven Wind Slaying Style."

Whoosh!

If the wind had weight, this wind, pouring down from the sky, would have been like a steel block the size of a house.

The large, heavy wind targeted the staggering Hong Weimin.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

In the clear, cool wind, invisible blades were embedded.

What happened to Hong Weimin's body as the wind passed?

Whoosh!

A large amount of blood spurted out, and Hong Weimin's figure staggered.

Thud!

Finally, he knelt down.

Blood gushed from his mouth, and his eyes were blank.

'What is this?'

What exactly is this martial art?

It's just a pure wind blade, with no visible sword energy or overwhelming demon energy. Why couldn't the Four Kings' Demon Art block it? Or is this even a martial art at all?

Swoosh.

His vision darkened. Unfamiliar feet appeared on the ground, which had been red.

'Xu Liang...'

A chill ran down his spine. Xu Liang had placed his sword on his shoulder.

"Any last words?"

Last words.

Words left by a person just before death. Cleaner and more chilling than any threats or curses, Hong Weimin's eyes trembled.

'Am I... dying?'

He had never once thought he would die like this. Even if he failed to achieve his ultimate goal, he had always imagined his end would be grand and dramatic, witnessed by all.

To lose in a one-on-one battle and kneel in defeat? The absurdity and futility of this ending left him speechless.

"Of course not. What could you possibly say?"

Whoosh!

The powerful pulse of demon energy flowed over the surface of the blade.

Xu Liang's eyes turned cold.

"Death is like this. A person's life scatters like the smoke from the cigarettes you smoked, meaningless."

"..."

"Go to hell."

Xu Liang brought down his sword.