Chapter 32 - From the Heart
There were no pedestrians left on the road, and only the dim yellow lights from the buildings on the opposite street could be seen in the distance. Pale moonlight filtered through the clouds, barely illuminating the hazy shadows in the corners.
The black-canopied carriage soon stopped at the elevated platform, and Cassius took a seat.
He leaned against the brown leather seat and noted that the sides were quite minimalistic in its varnishings and carvings since this was for normal passengers. It was nothing like the luxurious Baroque style. Those carriages were extremely lavish with spacious and comfortable canopies, dazzling golden statues at the rear, and even gilded and embossed wheels. They were symbols of wealth and status of the past.
With the rapid advancement of technology, small cars gradually replaced the old carriages, and stretch limousines took the place of luxurious carriages.
"Where are you heading, customer?" An old man with a head full of white hair asked, reins raised.
"25 Flag Street, Jessica Apartments."
"Alright, sit tight."
The horses started moving, and the vehicle lurched forward.
Sitting in the carriage, Cassius surveyed the somewhat desolate street scenery on both sides. There were rows of light yellow houses lined like building blocks. Combined with the black European-style candelabra streetlights and the occasional tall grayish-white spire buildings that looked like they were either apartments or churches, it looked simultaneously familiar and unfamiliar, making Cassius feel a bit sentimental.
He took the stacks of bills from the envelope and tucked them all into the large, buttoned inner pocket of his coat. Finally, he tossed the envelope out and remarked to the coachman, "What are you planning to do by taking me to a secluded place?"
Whoosh!
A straight fist suddenly came from the front!
Cassius was about to punch back when a cold glint between the knuckles of the attacking fist caught his eye. He quickly dodged to the left and threw himself out of the window and into a roll.
"You must be with those guys from this evening." Cassius used his hand to push lightly off the rough bricks of the gray and white road and sprang upright.
Thud!
The coachman jumped down from the carriage, his sturdy black leather boots slapping the ground. His originally hunched body straightened up and his initial medium build expanded inch by inch. In the blink of an eye, he became a powerfully built man. Height-wise, he was half a head taller than Cassius.
"Don't lump me in with those trash." His voice was hoarse. He sounded completely different from the old man's tone from before.
Under the moonlight, the coachman tore off his disguise, revealing a fierce and chiseled face. He looked about thirty and his light green eyes emitted a venomous, snake-like savageness. His temples bulged, and the veins on his neck prominent. He had short hair that stuck up like steel needles and he wore a silver ring on his right index finger. A silver needle gleamed faintly from between his index and middle fingers.
"You're pretty skilled. Did you train in boxing? Sanda? Or street fighting?" The man chucked the needle to the ground. The tip of the needle seemed to be coated in poison.
"I was going to make it look like an assassin had killed you, but I've changed my mind," he said, cracking his neck with a series of pops. He spread his arms, his bulging muscles clearly visible.
"Kill me? Don't make me laugh." Cassius hated arrogant enemies the most, especially those who had no fighting ethics.
"Hope you're this mouthy when you're begging for mercy."
No sooner had he uttered those words than the man charged wildly. Cassius quickly took his stance, readying himself to use the Wind Elephant Sect’s Combat Arts to face his foe.
Whoosh!
A quick hook cut through the air with a faint whooshing sound. Cassius immediately retaliated with a punch, his shoulder muscles swelling. He stepped forward, switching from defense to full offense.
With a smack, the man's arm was knocked aside. He swung with his right fist, aiming at his shoulder. The man quickly dodged to one side, but as soon as his foot hit the ground, he countered with a knee strike.
A calloused palm and knee collided fiercely in midair. Both parties jumped back. Cassius shook his slightly numb hand while the man rotated his right foot. After one clash, neither had the edge over the other.
A third-stage professional at least, or maybe fourth-stage. Not bad, but I've killed fifth-stage experts before… The man narrowed his eyes, and a murderous aura exuded out of him.
Bang, bang, bang!
The sound of punches slamming into flesh echoed in the secluded alley. Two figures fought fiercely, using various body parts as weapons—fists, feet, knees, arms, and even elbows. Every strike targeted a vital point and if they reacted even just a little slower, it would be lethal.
This was no regulated match; this was a true fight to the death.
At first, Cassius struggled to keep up with the man's vicious rhythm. After all, the man seemed to be a professional killer with rich abundance of combat experience. But thanks to Instructor Lisa relentless real-life combat training, he quickly adapted.
He, too, had fought hundreds of battles and therefore had a rich foundation. Guided by his memories, he was able to quickly find countermeasures against the killer's cunning attacks. He was able to skillfully connect his attacks and his movements became more polished.
Smack!
Cassius's fist struck the man's arm. The immense force caused his muscles to tremble, forcing the man to stagger backward.
That was a powerful Swinging Fist! The man couldn't help feeling slightly impressed as he wondered where this young man's combat style came from. The boxing framework was perfect, practically flawless. The arm swing was also exceptionally fast and powerful, and came at tricky angles.
I might've misjudged his skill level; maybe he's actually at the fifth stage. I'll have to use other moves… The man shook his hand and narrowed his eyes.
He suddenly stepped back, dodging Cassius's swinging arm. His steps shifted slightly as he moved to the right.
Under the hazy moonlight, a dark shadow suddenly darted close.
"Mandala Explosive Technique…" The man inhaled and exhaled quickly. A series of pops came from his right arm as his muscles swelled, his arm growing at least 40 to 50% stronger than usual. He advanced with heavy steps, and threw a punch at Cassius.
Thud!
Two fists, larger than usual, collided ferociously, both of their thick arm muscles rippling from the impact. The force was so great, their sleeves exploded with a ripping sound.
"Explosive Technique?" Cassius murmured.
He knows how to do that too?! The man's eyes widened instantly. His eyes blazed with a murderous light as his left hand shot out like lightning, a cold gleam flashing between his knuckles.
Smack!
Like a steel whip, an arm shot out and instantly struck the man's wrist, forcing him to drop the steel needle with a ding.
Another Explosive Technique?!
The man's pupils contracted as he kicked at Cassius's groin. While forcing Cassius back, he twisted around and fled.
"Don't run!"
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