Chapter 61: Fierce Battle
Su Hao finally understood why the killer, despite having his chest slashed open, could still be lively and active. It turned out to be Jin Datong's blood Qi rune, which seemed to be a "healing" rune.
He never expected this "healing" rune to be so twisted.
At this moment, Su Hao was pondering a question.
Should he continue the fight?
Based on their previous clash, he had confidence in killing his opponent, but it would require some time to create a decisive opportunity.
After all, simply injuring the opponent would be useless, considering their abnormal healing ability.
Moreover, they were currently in the enemy's stronghold, and it was difficult to determine if Jin Datong had any support.
Compared to Jin Datong, his masked figure seemed more suspicious. Even if the guards arrived, they would certainly prioritize attacking him.
"Let's retreat! But not now." Su Hao glanced at the unconscious girl, Xiaomei, beside him and made a decision. Since his objective had been achieved, there was no need to stubbornly fight with the opponent.
However, by leaving like this, Xiaomei would most likely be silenced.
Su Hao raised the broad and sturdy long knife in his hand, casually waving it twice in the air, producing a "whooshing" sound.
The more he looked at it, the more he liked it. This knife was now his.
The weight and length were just right, very handy. Moreover, the blade was quite sturdy, allowing him to swing it freely without worrying about it breaking.
Su Hao took a deep breath and suddenly burst forth, charging towards Jin Datong with both hands swinging the knife from the upper left to the lower right.
"Leap and Cleaving Strike!"
Blood Qi surged, carrying immense power.
Jin Datong raised his fist to block.
"Clang!"
Jin Datong felt a tremendous force coming at him, causing him to uncontrollably retreat several steps, leaving deep footprints on the floor.
"Thump, thump, thump!"
Su Hao didn't take the opportunity to continue his attack. Instead, he suddenly turned around and ran to the side of the little girl, Xiaomei, lifting her up and effortlessly swinging his knife to break open a window. He then jumped out directly, escaping.
Jin Datong reacted and immediately roared, "Little thief, don't even think about running!"
With that, he accelerated and chased after Su Hao, each step creating a deep pit on the floor.
Though Xiaomei was light on Su Hao's shoulder, it didn't slow him down. However, Jin Datong increased his pace and was not far behind. For a while, he couldn't shake him off.
Su Hao's eyes gradually turned cold. Since the opponent relentlessly pursued him, he decided to find a way to directly eliminate him and eliminate future troubles.
After all, he had already decapitated the killer, Jin Datong's brother, forming an unresolvable vendetta. The remaining battle would most likely end in life or death.
Su Hao made up his mind, changed direction, and headed straight for the city wall.
For Su Hao's current state, the forty-meter-high city wall posed no obstacle. He chose an unguarded spot, made a sudden leap, and easily climbed up to a height of over twenty meters using the wall as leverage. He smoothly crossed over the wall.
Jin Datong closely followed, firmly latching onto Su Hao.
His anger had gradually cooled down, but it didn't mean he would let go of the grudge of his younger brother's death. He had an unwavering belief that among martial masters, there was no one he feared. In his mind, he wouldn't be defeated among martial masters.
However, anger alone wouldn't help him win; only calm thinking could.
He knew that the short statured person in front of him was not easy to deal with. The intensity of their blood Qi even surpassed his own. He needed to handle it carefully.
Moreover, although the wound from the knife strike had healed, the internal injuries couldn't recover quickly.
It seemed like the advantage was in the opponent's hands, but...
Jin Datong tightly clenched his fist, saying, "I can still counter-kill!"
...
Su Hao arrived at an open space and stopped, waiting for Jin Datong's arrival.
An open space was advantageous for Su Hao, who excelled in body movement and speed. He could unleash his skills freely without worrying about stumbling over anything.
In the night, insects chirped, and the cool breeze fluctuated.
The massive silver moon was mostly concealed behind thin clouds, and its silvery light was scarce.
The two of them stood facing each other. Under the moonlight, their silhouettes could only be vaguely seen—a burly figure and a small one.
Suddenly, both of them moved simultaneously, pouncing toward each other, brandishing their knives and throwing punches.
"Clang, clang, clang~"
The sound of fists and long knives clashing spread across the wilderness, drowning out the surrounding insect chirps.
Su Hao and Jin Datong exchanged blows for over a dozen rounds in a short amount of time, yet neither of them gained the upper hand.
Although Su Hao's speed was fast, allowing him to unleash his full potential, Jin Datong also utilized the advantage of his large build.
"Clang!" Su Hao's long knife collided with Jin Datong's fist, producing a shower of sparks. Both parties exerted force, then retreated and faced each other again.
Su Hao observed his opponent, searching for weaknesses and openings.
His short-range mobility was faster, and his blood Qi intensity was stronger, granting him a certain advantage in direct confrontations. However, Jin Datong had the advantage in size and weight, and his fists were also quite nimble. Su Hao found it difficult to find an opportunity for a decisive strike. Furthermore, Jin Datong wasn't afraid of being injured and preferred trading blows for lives.
Therefore, Su Hao's key to victory was to be clever and create opportunities for a fatal strike.
Jin Datong was also searching for Su Hao's weaknesses, contemplating how to trick him into revealing a vulnerability.
Jin Datong said, "Shorty, you're the most troublesome opponent I've encountered. Unfortunately, you'll die here tonight. I'll smash your body to pieces with one punch."
Verbal attacks had no effect on Su Hao; he had no intention of responding to the opponent.
He was afraid that as soon as he opened his mouth, the other party would recognize him.
While Su Hao was contemplating, he prepared runes—'Strong Light' and 'Barrier.' 'Strong Light' could catch the opponent off guard, but Jin Datong most likely already had countermeasures, making it less effective. 'Barrier' could save his life at critical moments or even exchange blood with the opponent.
He simultaneously took cautious steps, moving left and right, seemingly searching for an attacking angle.
At the moment the runes were ready, Su Hao made a move.
Almost at the same time, Jin Datong also launched an attack against Su Hao.
Su Hao swung his knife with a powerful strike. The tremendous force forced Jin Datong to retreat two steps, and Su Hao immediately jumped away from his original position.
Changing angles, taking a few steps, and launching another attack.
After going back and forth for over a dozen rounds, Su Hao's mouth curved into a smirk,
and the battlefield was set.
Su Hao suddenly stopped, scanning the surroundings with his peripheral vision and taking in the environment. He held the knife with both hands and took a deep breath.
"Boom!"
Pebbles scattered as Su Hao shot forward like a cannonball.
"Leap and Split!"
With a mighty strike carrying immense power, he fiercely cleaved down.
Jin Datong slanted his left hand and, in the instant their fist and blade clashed, he shouted and struck outward with his left fist.
Su Hao's long knife was slightly deflected, sliding along the back of Jin Datong's hand and slicing down the forearm, igniting numerous sparks. Immediately after, Jin Datong's other fist swung toward Su Hao.
Su Hao's pupils constricted, his hair stood on end in the face of this punch. The deflection of the strike caught him by surprise. He immediately released his left hand from the knife handle, switching to holding the knife with his right hand.
"Barrier!" "Flash!"
The runes 'Barrier' and 'Flash' were activated simultaneously. At the same time, the hilt of the long knife shifted outward, the tip of the blade adjusted its angle, and it smoothly descended.
"Boom!"
"Whoosh!"
Su Hao was struck directly in the chest by a punch, and his entire body was thrown backward. Although most of the force was blocked by the 'Hardness' rune, the powerful shock still left his chest feeling stuffy, and a trace of blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.
Jin Datong's left arm broke off at the root and fell to the ground.
One arm for one punch.
Both of them received heavy injuries yet remained silent.
Su Hao somersaulted and leaped up, clutching his chest, staggering as if on the verge of death. At the same time, he started drawing another 'Barrier' rune.
Jin Datong's punch had struck the 'Barrier,' but Su Hao wasn't sure if his opponent was aware of it. So he put on a show just in case. If the opponent believed he was severely injured, it would be advantageous for him.
Using both 'Barrier' and 'Flash' together, Su Hao's intention was to use 'Flash' to shield the opponent's vision, concealing the faint red flash when 'Barrier' was activated.
"Barrier?" Jin Datong glanced at his severed arm, blood gushing forth. Then he frowned and watched Su Hao's performance, showing a moment of hesitation.
He had experienced countless attacks on the 'Barrier' and was unaware of any errors. However, the opponent seemed genuinely injured.
Jin Datong kicked his severed arm, causing it to fly up, and caught it with his right hand, aligning the severed part.
"Healing!"
In a short while, it actually healed. Although the flesh reconnected, the tendons and bones remained severed. His left hand would be useless for a while, hanging limply at his side.
Su Hao saw that the opponent still hesitated to attack and knew that he wouldn't be easily deceived.
However, it didn't matter. From the beginning, Jin Datong had chased after him without relenting. As long as he ran, Jin Datong would definitely follow.
So Su Hao clutched his chest, stumbled, and fled, deliberately reducing his speed.
Jin Datong immediately roared, "Trying to run, you bastard!"
He immediately gave chase, catching up to Su Hao quickly. His massive figure pressed down on him, and his right fist swung with an incredible might.
This shorty's 'Hardness' has already been used once; it's impossible for him to have it again! This time, I'll destroy him with one punch filled with anger!
Su Hao turned his head, revealing calm and icy eyes.
At that moment, the gazes of Su Hao and Jin Datong collided.
The way both of them looked at each other was as if they were looking at a dead person.
(translated by begs)