He felt no internal energy from Culinan, which for a master of internal energy was like facing a gunman in a duel when he knew the opponent's gun was unloaded – it posed no threat.
But after a second, he realized he was wrong.
Culinan’s right hand, which had been by his waist, shot out again. There was no internal energy at all, yet its speed was so great that even the masked man couldn't track it.
Initially, the masked man thought it was just a special technique and posed no danger. But when Culinan’s hand touched his body, a force unlike anything he had ever experienced instantly pierced him.
“Damn!”
The masked man couldn’t help but spit out a mouthful of blood, staggering back.
“What kind of martial art is this? You clearly have no internal energy!”
This time, his mood was not just astonishment, but a deep sense of dread.
This was far beyond his comprehension! A normal person, even with secret techniques, could at most deal with half-baked masters. Any beginner, as long as they weren't overconfident, could achieve a stable victory.
Let alone masters who had already reached their level! By all logic, a normal person shouldn't be able to harm him at all!
Culinan still paid no attention. In fact, he was also surprised by the result. He hadn’t used any internal energy at all; that move relied entirely on the effect of the ‘counter-force’ technique. But the effect…
“How strong is Boss Li?”
Culinan suddenly thought of Li Zhonglou. He had only learned the superficial aspects of the counter-force technique and using it step-by-step had already yielded such results. What if it were used by the founder of this technique?
“Still daring to be distracted?”
The masked man’s voice suddenly exploded in his ear. Culinan jolted awake, finally realizing he had made the most basic mistake.
The masked man seemed enraged by having to spit blood. This time, without giving Culinan any chance to react, he landed a heavy punch on his chest.
Culinan’s face changed drastically. He could only hastily employ the method of deflecting force that Li Zhonglou had taught him.
“Puff!”
This time, it was his turn to spit blood uncontrollably in mid-air.
“It’s over, I’m really going to die here today.”
Still in the air, Culinan’s heart turned to ash. Although Hu Han had said Li Zhonglou was rushing over, at this moment, the distinction between life and death was a matter of an instant.
However, the masked man did not pursue his advantage.
“I’ll give you a chance to live! Hand over that martial art you just used!”
Culinan, who had landed precariously, stared blankly for a long time. He had thought there was still a sliver of hope, but out of the corner of his eye, he saw that Hu Han had also been subdued, and a man in grey clothes had placed a short knife at his throat.
This time it was truly hopeless. Even if he could hold on until Boss Li arrived, his mission would be considered a failure. How could he explain this to Li Zhonglou?
For a martial arts enthusiast, having the path to breakthrough cut off was more agonizing than death.
“Don’t get distracted. Even without internal energy, the counter-force technique can protect you. Pay attention to your breathing.”
Just as Culinan despaired, a familiar voice suddenly sounded in his ear.
Culinan froze, instinctively turning his head in the direction of the voice. He saw Li Zhonglou standing calmly on a wall. When he looked at Hu Han again, he found him behind Chen Pao, trembling.
“Fortunately, he still made it in time.”
Culinan finally let out a deep sigh of relief, but his reaction disappointed Li Zhonglou.
Just like Yue Hai, when facing despair, there was always some degree of helplessness. But for a fight to the death, this was the greatest pitfall.
“Remember next time, whenever you feel there’s no hope, don’t think about anything else. Go all out.”
“The more you think, the faster you die.”
As soon as he finished speaking, a black shadow flashed before his eyes. The next second, the masked man fell straight down without the slightest resistance, not even knowing how he died.
Culinan’s pupils contracted sharply. The masked man was stronger than he was at his peak, yet he couldn’t even last a second against Li Zhonglou?
As Culinan stood there, stunned, Chen Pao muttered, “Is he trying to teach us a lesson?”
At the same time, the remaining men in grey scattered like birds.
These guys seemed to have learned their lesson; they no longer blindly engaged enemies they couldn't defeat. Perhaps it was because too many had died, and their organization wanted to preserve its lineage.
Li Zhonglou thought to himself as he walked towards Chen Pao, “You clean up the mess. Brother Ku’s situation isn’t good.”
Chen Pao nodded, handed Hu Han over to Li Zhonglou, and then began to move. Although he was not skilled in martial arts, this was only relative to enemies of the same level. Against ordinary people, it was as easy as slaughtering dogs.
In just a few breaths, three men in grey lay on the ground.
“Fire!”
The remaining few finally made the most sensible choice. But when they picked up those strange guns again, they found that Chen Pao had no intention of dodging.
Bang, bang, bang, several shots rang out simultaneously, but Chen Pao ignored them, letting the green liquid hit his body. Even as his internal energy rapidly dissipated, his expression remained unchanged.
Two men in grey, momentarily stunned, met their demise. The last few were caught up by Chen Pao with his remaining internal energy in a few swift steps, and were dealt with one by one.
From start to finish, it had taken less than thirty seconds, and only then did Culinan react.
“This…”
Looking at the scene of devastation before him, he understood what had happened and lowered his head slightly.
Li Zhonglou walked over with Hu Han, saying calmly, “Learn more from Chen Pao. Although in terms of raw strength you far surpass him, your actions…”
Culinan said with a subdued expression, “I understand. I’m still lacking in actual combat.”
Li Zhonglou patted his shoulder, “Take it slow, there will be plenty of opportunities. But your mindset can be honed first.”
Just as he finished speaking, footsteps were heard from a distance.
“Quick, they’re ahead, we can’t let him escape!”
Li Zhonglou quickly said, “Let’s go.”
The approaching people were all ordinary. It would be difficult for them to act, and if they were entangled, it would be troublesome. Both of them naturally understood this. Although their internal energy was gone, their skills far surpassed ordinary people. The wall, less than three meters high, was nothing to them.
After all four of them had left, Hu Tian, who had been guarding the area, arrived with a group of security guards. Seeing the more than ten corpses on the ground, everyone instinctively felt a hint of fear.
They had already witnessed the strength of these men in grey. Any one of them could have wiped them all out! Yet, these masters now lay dead here!