Chapter 38 - Twilight of the Tiger
Wu Changfeng scanned his surroundings, redoubling his vigilance as dust filled the air.
Although the phoenix-eyed man was struck to the ground, he disappeared into the surrounding dust cloud as soon as he hit the ground.
"Cough cough… Not half bad."
The phoenix-eyed man's voice rang from within the cloud of dust.
"The Iron Spear Suppressor of Shu… doesn't even have a spear now—"
A figure suddenly darted out from the dust cloud and attacked Master Wu from behind.
"How can you possibly fight me!?"
After a flurry of exchanges, the phoenix-eyed man suddenly managed to seize Wu Changfeng's wrist.
Master Wu twisted his shoulder instantly, yanking his wrist free. Like a snake, he wrapped his arm around the phoenix-eyed man’s right arm, with his fingers digging in the phoenix-eyed man's right shoulder like fangs.
Despite his right shoulder being suddenly restrained, the phoenix-eyed man was calm as he smoothly counterattacked. He lowered his center of gravity, and rammed his left shoulder fiercely toward Master Wu's chest. If this attack hit a stone wall, it would be smashed apart immediately!
Wu Changfeng had no choice but to release his hold on the phoenix-eyed man's right shoulder to sidestep the shoulder charge.
However, before Wu Changfeng could escape harm's way, the phoenix-eyed man's freed right hand swiftly seized his left wrist!
The phoenix-eyed man's arm then coiled up Wu Changfeng's arm, fingers digging into his left shoulder, using the same technique he had just used!
With his left shoulder seized and the phoenix-eyed man's shoulder charge approaching, it appeared that there was barely a window for Wu Changfeng to dodge!
At this critical moment, Wu Changfeng grabbed and pried off the phoenix-eyed man's right hand with his free hand.
Simultaneously, Wu Changfeng pushed off the phoenix-eyed man’s charging shoulder and used the momentum to backflip over the phoenix-eyed man’s head. Wu Changfeng landed behind him while maintaining his grip on the man's right arm!
With his shoulder charge not only being evaded by Wu Changfeng and his right arm firmly locked down and twisted behind his back, the phoenix-eyed man appeared to be out of options.
Wu Changfeng had completely upended the flow of the battle with a single move!
Master Wu locked him down tightly and snarled, "You little brat, when I was wandering the jianghu, you were still—"
Pop—
Wu Changfeng's face suddenly changed as a crisp sound rang out, and a blast of wind rushed toward him, forcing him to retreat frantically.
"Hahaha… Wu Changfeng…"
"You're nothing more than a dying tiger… I'll put you down for good!"
The phoenix-eyed man's eyes were bloodshot and his right arm hung limply at his side. Nevertheless, he unleashed a storm of attacks with his left arm. It seemed like his speed was several times faster than before.
It turned out that the phoenix-eyed man had deliberately dislocated his restrained right arm to extricate himself and then quickly turned and launched a furious flurry of attacks on Master Wu.
Caught off guard by the man's decisiveness, Master Wu struggled to hold on.
Master Wu, borrowing the momentum from a heavy blow, found an opportunity during the frenzied exchange to retreat to a safer distance.
The phoenix-eyed man also took a step back, not pressing his advantage. He grabbed his dislocated right arm.
"Wu Changfeng," he intoned.
Pop—
The phoenix-eyed man popped his shoulder back into its socket and exercised his right arm as if nothing had happened to it at all.
"If this is all you’ve got… I'm tired of playing around. Are you ready to die?"
Master Wu did not reply, using the momentary lull to recover and settle his discordant internal energy.
He knew in his heart that the phoenix-eyed man was right.
Perhaps that was why he fought back so fiercely.
As an old man in his twilight years, although he seemed to have the upper hand in the previous exchanges, his stamina was rapidly depleting. If this dragged on, he would eventually be defeated.
The phoenix-eyed man looked at Master Wu condescendingly and said, "What? Do you need a break?"
"Hmph, come if you dare," Master Wu snorted as he picked up his trusty iron spear, shook the spearhead, and got into a battle stance.
"A cup of tea…"
The phoenix-eyed man extended a finger into the air as he charged toward Wu Changfeng.
"I'll kill you in the time it takes to brew a cup of tea!"
"Bring it on!"
Facing the charging phoenix-eyed man, Wu Changfeng suddenly turned his back and ran in the opposite direction!
He then spun around ferociously and performed an overhead backhand spear attack!
The iron spear extended from one hand and thrust toward the phoenix-eye man's face from a tricky angle!
"Wu Changfeng, that's too slow!"
The phoenix-eyed man tilted his head to dodge the spear thrust and extended his right hand to grab Master Wu’s right leg!
Master Wu quickly converted his thrust to a horizontal sweep while pulling his right leg back.
The phoenix-eyed man's leg grab missed as he ducked to avoid the horizontal sweep, but he followed up smoothly and grabbed the spear's shaft instead. He managed to grab it perfectly just as Wu Changfeng exerted his strength to the limit.
Wu Changfeng anxiously tried to withdraw the spear, pulling back with both hands.
Unexpectedly, the man tightened his grip, refusing to let go. He utilized the momentum of Wu Changfeng’s pull to crash directly into him!
While Wu Changfeng was tall and robust, the man was also tall but he was much leaner. He braced himself as he crashed into Wu Changfeng.
It would have been a hilarious scene, like a mother holding a large baby, if not for the fact that it was a life-or-death struggle.
As the phoenix-eyed man and Master Wu collided, Master Wu's body trembled all over. Muffled thuds echoed out, as if someone was striking leather repeatedly.
Master Wu clenched his teeth to prevent himself from spewing blood!
Master Wu grunted as he kicked the phoenix-eyed man off of him and raised the iron spear to smash down from above!
"Haha, Wu Changfeng!"
The phoenix-eyed man started gloating as he dodged the iron spear.
The spearhead missed and struck the ground, sending stones flying.
The phoenix-eyed man glided around the courtyard unpredictably like a bat, and grabbed the corner of Master Wu’s clothing!
"Accept it old man, you're done!"
Wu Changfeng spun around and hurled the spear toward the phoenix-eyed man!
The phoenix-eyed man narrowly dodged the spear, then grabbed the front of Master Wu’s clothing.
Wu Changfeng’s left hand blocked the phoenix-eyed man’s hand, which was grabbing towards his front, while his right hand strained toward the phoenix-eyed man's neck.
The phoenix-eyed man coldly snorted, "Such a useless struggle!"
He crouched down to avoid Wu Changfeng’s right hand, quickly grabbed the hem of Master Wu’s shirt, and pivoted behind him as he locked his arms around Wu Changfeng’s shoulders!
Wu Changfeng’s hands tried to reach back but he could only brush against the hem of the phoenix-eyed man’s clothing. He tried his best to break out, but he was suddenly lifted off the ground and found himself suspended mid-air!
Master Wu saw the world flip on its head, and then the ground swallowed him up. His head hit the ground… hard!
Boom!
Body slam!
Wu Changfeng was dazed and felt something warm trickling down his head. Blurry shapes appeared before him, and he instinctively tried to protect himself.
"Just accept reality!"
In his muddled state, Master Wu recognized the phoenix-eyed man’s voice and a sharp pain exploded from his arm. He vaguely saw that the phoenix-eyed man had viciously stomped down on his arm.
"Haha! Wu Changfeng, you’re old now, it's time for you to retire. I'm only helping you by crippling your arm!" cackled the phoenix-eyed man, "How will you thank me?"
"Master Wu!"
"Master!"
"Government dog, I’ll fight you to the death!"
Wu Changfeng was revered by everyone in the escort agency. Seeing the phoenix-eyed man disrespect their leader after the outcome of their fight was already determined, the members of the escort agency could no longer hold back their anger. Disregarding the consequences, they rushed forward to fight.
Guo Xiaoliu took the lead, charging straight at the phoenix-eyed man.
The phoenix-eyed man sneered, "Ignorant to the point of being suicidal!"
Guo Xiaoliu was kicked away before he could even touch the phoenix-eyed man's clothing.
The phoenix-eyed man drew a blade from the waist of an Imperial Guard nearby and approached the fallen Guo Xiaoliu. Pointing the blade at him, he said, "Let me ask… where is Ye Beizhi?"
Guo Xiaoliu’s eyes widened in shock… were they here for Hero Ye?
Guo Xiaoliu gritted his teeth and said, "I don’t know him!"
"Oh? You don’t?"
The phoenix-eyed man tilted his head and drove his knife into Guo Xiaoliu’s shoulder. Twisting the handle, he asked, "How about now? You still have no idea?"
Guo Xiaoliu’s eyes rolled back in pain, but he gritted his teeth and fought through the pain. Through his clenched teeth, he forced himself to say, "I… don’t… know!"
"Ha, so righteous."
The phoenix-eyed man smiled, then walked toward Master Wu, aiming the knife at the old man's forehead.
"How about now?"
Guo Xiaoliu’s pupils shrunk to a pinpoint.
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