Chapter 71

It was inevitable, a desperate choice.

Ultimately, it was the person themselves who influenced the outcome.

Xialan was a very timid person; he feared death. Throughout his numerous battles, his opponents rarely surpassed his strength. It was somewhat laughable, as it seemed he only bullied the weak.

However, everyone had their own way of surviving.

It was normal for people to fear death, but fearing death did not mean losing courage or wisdom.

Since he ascended to the rank of High Swordsman, he clearly felt the changes in the system's mandatory tasks.

What changes?

The system's tasks became increasingly cruel.

While past tasks could be life-threatening, they could be completed through careful planning.

But now, his enemies grew stronger, and unexpected events constantly disrupted his plans, making things go awry more frequently.

A moment of carelessness could lead to an endless abyss.

He had his reasons for agreeing to Nini Luo's request to assassinate a peak High Swordsman.

If he continued to avoid strong enemies, his future would stagnate here.

With his feet positioned parallel, one in front and one behind, he lowered his knees, bent his waist, and leaned his upper body slightly forward. His sword was ready for the impending storm.

Geiger appeared relaxed, his steps slow and steady. The two short blades in his hands skillfully spun between his wrists. He liked to relax during battles because only by relaxing could he fully unleash his strength.

He did not underestimate his opponent, even though his enemy was weaker. The identity of a High Swordsman was enough to earn his respect.

No High Swordsman was a mediocre talent.

"Although the boss didn't tell me anything else, I still want to know, who are you working for?"

Geiger's words were casual, but the rising aura in his body exuded a strong presence.

"I also want to know, who are you working for?"

Xialan's eyes were fixed on the other, always on guard for any sudden attack.

Battles were very subtle; a single movement or a glance could influence the outcome.

Some people liked to talk before a battle, as they enjoyed gradually wearing down their opponent's vigilance.

"You're not from the capital."

Geiger was smart; from the other's words, he could guess that the person did not belong to any of the capital's factions.

The various factions in the capital had been entangled for years, knowing each other's strengths and weaknesses. If they could cause such a commotion, those people would certainly be aware.

Awareness was one thing, but the development of events was another.

He suddenly wanted to know who had quietly stepped into this murky water.

The other's appearance looked like that of an ordinary student, but when had the Royal Central Academy produced such a young High Swordsman? If he couldn't see through the obvious disguise, he would be blind.

"I'm just an outsider who got dragged into this."

Xialan's words were serious and honest, for it was indeed the truth. Without them, he might have already returned to the inn.

But since he was disturbed, he felt it would be a regret if he didn't do something.

"I don't believe an outsider would secretly kidnap the leader of the academy students," Geiger said with a laugh.

If there was no connection, he could have left long ago. Why go through the trouble of causing trouble for himself?

With the skills of a High Swordsman, leaving the Royal Central Academy would not be difficult.

"The opportunity for regret has passed, so I stand here."

His steps, his person.

The distance between them grew closer, the danger more intense.

Geiger stopped, for he had reached a safe distance. Both of them knew that crossing this distance would mark the beginning of a fierce battle.

The two short blades in his hands had stopped spinning, one held in reverse, the other horizontally.

His attack stance looked more like that of an assassin than a swordsman.

But as long as it could kill, there was no difference between an assassin and a swordsman.

"You're smart. Instead of exhausting your energy and being chased, you might as well conserve your strength and fight, but the result will be the same."

Arrogant people had their reasons for being arrogant. Carefully analyzing the other's actions, it was easy to form a hypothesis close to the truth.

Geiger didn't know if his words were correct, nor did he need the other's agreement, for his focus was on the last sentence.

No matter the outcome, he would die.

"Perhaps I had that thought, but now I hope for a battle more."

Xialan narrowed his eyes, his hands gripping the sword tightly and loosely, adjusting to the best state.

"An interesting thought."

Geiger extended his tongue, lightly licking his lower lip.

This world was not short of brave warriors, but few of them survived.

Foolish bravery, reckless bravery.

With a step, Geiger's body swiftly rushed towards Xialan, no unnecessary flashy moves, the short blades meeting head-on.

Geiger's speed was very fast, as if he could reach Xialan in a single breath.

Xialan's sword did not move, for he was looking for a weakness.

A weakness in battle was an abstract concept, different from a flaw. Flaws could be seen, but weaknesses could be real or fake.

Sometimes it was hard to discern what a weakness was or where it was; sometimes a weakness appeared, and it was hard to describe with words, but the sword in your hand would not hesitate.

The two short blades in front of Geiger seemed defensive, as if attacking any part would be blocked. A wrong move would only give the other an opportunity to counterattack fiercely.

But a swordsman's intuition could clearly sense the other's offensive intent. With two short blades, you wouldn't know how he would attack or how to face it.

The more intense the prelude, the more calmness was needed to resolve the crisis.

Within the effective attack range, the person was unknown, but the sword arrived. At the moment Geiger's reverse-held short blade approached, it flashed a silver light, slicing towards Xialan's neck.

Xialan's sword did not stop the attack, for before the slash, his tightly gripped long sword made a simple thrust.

An inch longer, an inch stronger.

After perceiving the other's attack trajectory, Xialan aimed his sword at Geiger's body. He believed his sword would pierce the other's heart before the short blade could slice.

Unexpectedly, the other did not dodge, for his other short blade blocked the sword's tip in an instant.

Suddenly, a numbness in his brain made Xialan's body quickly bend. Right before his eyes, a white light flashed.

Without extra thought, his feet moved swiftly, retreating several steps.

A mistake in judgment was a fatal poison.

He needed to retreat, for the danger of short blades in close combat was far more acute than that of a long sword, especially when the other's strength was far superior. If he engaged in a prolonged struggle, the danger was obvious.

Utilizing the advantages of one's weapon was also a way of fighting.

Geiger's next attack was even faster and more timely than Xialan imagined.

Before his body could adjust to the best balance, the other's short blade stabbed towards him. A hasty block only resulted in a fierce and rapid assault.

The mad smile on his face was accompanied by mad actions.

Xialan could only defend and retreat step by step, unable to do anything else.

He couldn't hold out for long.

The other's speed and reaction exceeded his limits, and maintaining his defense was his greatest effort.

Is this the strength of an ordinary High Swordsman? If it were a peak High Swordsman... Xialan didn't dare to think further.

The corrosion of the suppressed energy flow in his body began to lose control, the pain slowly spreading.

Sparks flew, metal clashed, and in the quiet night sky, two figures continuously changed positions.

The pain that Xialan could no longer suppress slowed his sword, and a short blade slipped through his hasty block.

In the next moment, a chill spread through his abdomen.