Chapter 167: Chapter 0167: Two Swords Determine Life and Death_1
Seeing Han Rui was about to fight Zhang Bin, the disciples of the Iron Sword Sect looked at Zhang Bin as if he were already a dead man.
After all, Han Rui was Han Tie’s son. At forty years old, he was intimidatingly powerful and a legend within the Iron Sword Sect. His talent was exceptional and his ambition immense; he aimed to reach the Golden Core Realm. Thus, he hardly ever trained within the Iron Sword Sect, instead choosing to constantly hone his skills in the outside world by challenging masters and prodigies.
He had spent twenty years abroad, participating in numerous wars. On bullet-ridden battlefields, he roamed freely, unthreatened by anyone. He was also a core member of an international assassin organization and had never failed in his multiple assassinations, causing major headaches for Interpol. His nickname—the Life-Seizing Swordsman—was infamous, striking fear into countless hearts.
He had been summoned back this time because Han Tie had obtained the Jade Scroll Simple. Finding its cultivation technique to be excellent, he wanted to impart it to his son.
"That person is Han Rui? Han Rui is a disciple of the Iron Sword Sect?" A look of apprehension and vigilance appeared on Zhao Dawei’s face.
Even Luo Chengliang’s brow furrowed slightly.
They instinctively felt that Zhang Kai was no match for Han Rui. After all, his opponent had been tempered by decades of life-or-death struggles, had faced countless dangers, killed numerous masters, and committed many terrifying deeds. In contrast, Zhang Kai was a Taoist from the remote mountains. Although he was a talented cultivator who had reached the Mid Stage of the Qi Sea Realm, he lacked tempering. His combat strength naturally couldn’t surpass Han Rui’s.
"Since you’re courting death, I’ll oblige you," Zhang Bin said with a cold smile as he slowly walked forward.
"He’s very powerful!" Zhao Dawei grabbed Zhang Bin’s arm, his voice low.
"It’s nothing. In my eyes, he’s just a little chick," Zhang Bin said indifferently.
Such big talk! Does he truly possess some miraculous ability?
Zhao Dawei was taken aback, and his grip involuntarily loosened. He immediately turned to Luo Chengliang. "Protector Luo, you must ensure Zhang Kai’s life is preserved. Otherwise, I won’t be able to face my brother, Zhang Bin.""I’ll do my best." Three peanut-sized steel balls appeared in Luo Chengliang’s hand, a look of helplessness on his face.
He wasn’t certain he could save the life of this boastful youth, either. Han Rui was one of the best cultivators at the Mid Stage of the Qi Sea Realm, and his sword speed was unbelievably fast. Intercepting him was no sure bet, especially since Han Tie would certainly not sit idly by.
Zhang Bin drew his bamboo sword and stopped about ten meters from Han Rui. "Who are you, really?" he asked coldly.
Even now, Tutu had not been able to uncover the man’s background. His current appearance had no criminal record whatsoever; he was a complete unknown. Clearly, he was in disguise and not showing his true face.
"My name is Han Rui; Sect Master Han is my father. When you report to the Underworld, make sure you tell Yama clearly. Perhaps for my sake, he’ll let you reincarnate immediately." Han Rui leaned forward, his hawk-like gaze fixed on Zhang Bin. His stare was gloomy, icy, and utterly overpowering. A nauseating, bloody aura emanated from his body.
"So you’re Han Tie’s son! You didn’t cultivate in the Iron Sword Sect before. You must have come back this time hoping to learn my Supreme Pure Gate’s Cultivation Method, right?" A sneer touched Zhang Bin’s lips, and a frosty light glinted in his eyes.
"You’re courting death." Fury flashed across Han Rui’s face. He lunged forward in an instant, taking three rapid steps that left a long afterimage, and appeared directly in front of Zhang Bin. The sword in his hand became a dazzling cold light as it stabbed toward Zhang Bin’s heart.
He was even more cunning than his father, Han Tie. He knew the situation today was dire. The only solution was to catch this Taiqing Sect disciple off guard and kill him, then destroy the evidence to avoid any serious repercussions.
Therefore, in his eyes, Zhang Bin was already a dead man. After all, he had previously killed a cultivator at the Late Stage of the Qi Sea Realm and, with a partner, had even killed a cultivator at the Initial Liquid Realm. How could he possibly take this young man before him seriously?
WHINE...
As the sword was drawn, the world seemed to hold its breath. The sound was piercing, like the wail of a ghost. An icy, killing aura sent a sharp shiver down everyone’s spines.
Just as it seemed Zhang Bin was about to meet a tragic end, the sword in his hand moved.
SWISH! SWISH!
He executed two thrusts in an instant.
He lacked his opponent’s rich experience. He had never killed anyone, nor was he as vicious. But he had one advantage—his sword was fast, as fast as lightning. It was a speed his opponent couldn’t match.
When he reached the Mid Stage of the Qi Sea Realm, his sword speed had already hit 30 strikes per second, allowing him to successfully master the second move of the Lightning Three Swords—Sword Out, Enemy Dies. Moreover, anticipating a confrontation with strong enemies at the Iron Sword Sect, he had diligently used his Longevity Qi to stimulate the nervous systems in both his hands. This pushed his sword speed to a terrifying 40 strikes per second.
After that point, no amount of stimulation could increase his speed further. Still, 40 strikes per second was frighteningly fast—at the very least, it wasn’t something a cultivator at the Mid Stage of the Qi Sea Realm could achieve.
CLANG!
SQUELCH!
The first strike hit Han Rui’s sword, knocking it aside. The second pierced through Han Rui’s heart, exiting his back trailed by a spray of crimson blood.
"Ah...!" Han Rui let out an incredibly mournful scream. His face was a mask of horror and disbelief as his gaze slowly fell to his own chest. He watched as his opponent’s sword was abruptly withdrawn, and a torrent of blood gushed out. It was so vividly red, seeming even redder than the blood of the innocent people he had killed in the past.
He felt his vision go dark and his body grow weak. But with his remaining strength, he summoned all his True Qi and furiously hurled his own sword toward Zhang Bin’s heart. This was a desperate, life-risking strike honed by decades as an assassin—and it was his most terrifying one.
WHOOSH!
The sword shot out like a sharp arrow, moving with incredible speed. It was also at point-blank range.
Therefore, even though Zhang Bin retreated rapidly while dodging, he only managed to protect his heart. The sword pierced his chest, but not all the way through. It hung there, quivering.
"Ah!" Zhang Bin cried out in pain. A wave of belated fear washed over him. This opponent was terrifying, powerful, and possessed an incredibly tenacious will to live. He had nearly been killed by that final, dying strike. It seemed he truly lacked tempering.
THUD...
Almost at the same instant, Han Rui fell flat on his back. His eyes were wide open; he could not die in peace, filled with indignation. He had roamed the world for decades, unscathed and invincible, killing countless masters. Yet today, against a young man of only twenty, he had been easily dispatched. Even his final strike had failed to kill his foe, only wounding him.
Thus, he departed from this world filled with intense bitterness and resentment.
"Rui’er!" Han Tie let out a grief-stricken, crazed roar.