Chapter 55 Drawing Malice Into the Body

Han Wenxue's emotions were a chaotic storm. On one hand, she longed for Chen Yi to appear, to sweep through his enemies like a war god and rescue her from this nightmare. On the other, she prayed fervently that he would turn back, that he wouldn't come. She didn't know how powerful Chen Yi truly was, nor what extraordinary methods he possessed, but she knew that Ai Chu and his companion were far from ordinary men.

Even as Chen Yi slaughtered his way through his enemies, Ai Chu never once displayed fear. Though he had nearly strangled Feng Kun in a fit of rage, it was more out of grief and frustration over Jin Hu's death than panic.

As for Elder Ai, he remained as still as a mountain, tranquil and unmoved, not even sparing a glance at the carnage. To him, the deaths of these men seemed no more significant than the loss of a few chickens.

There were only two of them—no, three, if one counted the cowardly Feng Kun—yet they dared to brazenly await Chen Yi, who had just slain twelve men, in the open space of the plaza. Such confidence could only mean one thing: Ai Chu and Elder Ai's strength far surpassed Chen Yi's, so much so that they didn't even see him as a threat.

"Could he have run away?" Feng Kun asked nervously after waiting for ten minutes without any sign of Chen Yi.

Ai Chu crossed his arms, his expression disdainful as he cast a sidelong glance at Feng Kun. "If he wanted to run, he'd have done so long ago. Do you think he'd wait until now?"

Feng Kun, though chastised, showed no displeasure. "As long as he hasn't escaped, that's good."

He, too, hoped Chen Yi would appear—not out of concern for Ai Chu's plans, but for his own survival. If Chen Yi managed to escape, Feng Kun's life would be a living hell. Who knew when this god of slaughter might return to claim it?

Chen Yi had already wiped out twelve men in mere moments. What would one more matter to him?

The night sky above the abandoned building loomed oppressively, cloaked in an eerie silence. The faint sounds of the bustling city seemed to come from another world—a paradise of neon lights and lively chatter. Here, in this forsaken place, was hell itself: blood-streaked grounds, corpses strewn about, and the specter of death lurking in the shadows.

Elder Ai, who had been as motionless and silent as a statue, suddenly opened his eyes. His figure moved like a phantom, gliding sideways at an impossible speed.

Two hunting arrows whistled past where he had just stood, striking something in the distance with sharp, metallic clinks.

Elder Ai retracted his gaze, a faint smile playing on his lips. He spoke to the darkness, his voice calm yet carrying far. "Young friend, since you're here, why hide in the shadows? Why not come out and let us settle this properly?"

His words had barely faded when a pained scream pierced the air.

Feng Kun collapsed to the ground, a hunting arrow embedded in his thigh. He writhed in agony, rolling back and forth.

"Chen Yi! If you've got the guts, come out here! I'll kill you!" Feng Kun howled through gritted teeth, his face twisted in pain.

"Oh? And how exactly do you plan to kill me?"

Chen Yi emerged from the shadows, his bloodstained compound bow in hand, striding forward with deliberate steps.

His upper body was bare, revealing a muscular, inverted triangle frame, his physique taut and honed like steel cables wound to their limit. His skin was marred with wounds—slashes, arrow punctures, bullet holes—each oozing blood, painting his sculpted body with a savage, primal ferocity.

He stood tall and unyielding, utterly indifferent to the way his wounds tore further with every movement. He resembled a blood-soaked spear that had slain countless enemies, its tip aimed defiantly at the heavens. Each step he took left a trail of blood, yet every step was firm and resolute, as though he were treading not on the ground, but on the hearts of those watching.

Ai Chu and Elder Ai both narrowed their eyes, as if momentarily blinded by the brilliance of his presence.

Feng Kun, lying on the ground, forgot his pain and his cries in that instant.

Wu Pangzi's mouth fell open, tears glimmering in his eyes.

Han Wenxue's shoulders trembled as tears streamed down her face. She sobbed silently, overcome with emotion.

The wind stilled, the clouds parted, and even the distant clamor of the city seemed to fade into silence.

In that moment, all of heaven and earth had but one focal point: this towering, indomitable man.

Wu Pangzi tried desperately to hold back his tears, but his voice betrayed his choking sobs. "Brother Chen, leave now! I won't blame you. In our next life, we'll still be brothers!"

Han Wenxue cried out, trying to rush forward, but Ai Chu grabbed her and pulled her back.

"Go! Just go! Don't worry about me! I'm not worth it! You coming here is enough for me…"

Her voice was heart-wrenching, her sobs filled with despair. Even those who heard her could not help but shed tears.

Elder Ai's aged eyes flashed with a glimmer of surprise, perhaps even regret.

"What a man of courage and valor. Alone, he stands against ten thousand wolves," Ai Chu murmured, unable to suppress his admiration even as an enemy.

The spirit, the scars, the blood—each was a mark of what every true man aspired to embody. And in this moment, Chen Yi possessed them all.

Elder Ai glanced at Han Wenxue, then back at Chen Yi. A fleeting hesitation crossed his mind, a brief temptation to recruit Chen Yi. But he quickly dismissed the thought, his voice steady and clear. "Young friend, it pains me to kill someone of your talent. If you have any last wishes, speak them now. If it's within my power, I will see them fulfilled."

Chen Yi sneered, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. "I don't need last wishes. Killing you both will suffice."

"Haha, such confidence. But sometimes, confidence is the most useless thing of all."

"Is that so? Let's find out."

Chen Yi drew his dagger, gripping it tightly as he bent his body into a combat stance, ready for the fight to come.

Though his words were bold, his mind was on high alert. From the moment he stepped into this abandoned building, he had sensed the malice emanating from Jin Hu, Tu She, and the others. Ai Chu's aura was even more oppressive, but Elder Ai's presence had been a complete enigma. It wasn't until ten minutes ago that Chen Yi noticed him, lurking in the distance, observing.

The two arrows he had fired earlier were meant as a test, and the results had shocked him. Despite his full effort, the arrows had failed to even graze Elder Ai, who had clearly held back his true strength.

"Be careful!" Elder Ai shouted as he launched himself forward, his claw-like fingers reaching for Chen Yi's throat with the precision of a hawk diving for its prey.

Though Chen Yi had already braced himself, he realized in an instant that he had underestimated Elder Ai.

Elder Ai's movements were light as a falling leaf, yet his speed was nearly double that of Tu She's. He was so fast that Chen Yi barely had time to react, raising his arm to block at the last second.

Elder Ai's expression remained calm as his claw shifted mid-attack, redirecting toward Chen Yi's ribs.

Chen Yi quickly retreated, slashing at Elder Ai's wrist with his dagger.

Elder Ai withdrew his claw with lightning speed, spinning into a high roundhouse kick that struck Chen Yi's head, sending him flying.

"Young friend, your skills don't match your confidence," Elder Ai quipped, his tone mocking as he stood still, making no move to pursue.

Chen Yi staggered to his feet, shaking off the dizziness. "Old man, did you skip breakfast? That kick was weak!"

"Still so defiant in the face of death!" Elder Ai sneered as he lunged again, his claw slicing through the air with a sharp whistle.

This time, Chen Yi didn't dodge. Instead, he reversed his grip on the dagger and thrust it toward Elder Ai with all his might.

A trade of life for life.

Elder Ai smirked, accelerating his movements. Before Chen Yi's dagger could reach him, he crashed into Chen Yi's chest like a speeding car.

Bang!

Chen Yi was sent flying once more, his internal organs feeling as though they had shifted entirely.

"Young friend, you and I both possess the strength of inner force. But without a proper teacher, you've wasted your potential. It's truly a pity."

As he spoke, Elder Ai stepped forward, aiming a kick at Chen Yi's abdomen.

"Stop!" Han Wenxue screamed, her voice hoarse with desperation.

Elder Ai hesitated for a brief moment before continuing his attack.

At that very instant, Chen Yi's eyes flashed with determination.

This was the moment he had been waiting for.

With a sudden burst of speed, Chen Yi drove his dagger into Elder Ai's thigh, then sprang up, aiming another strike at his abdomen.

Caught off guard, Elder Ai managed to land a punch on Chen Yi's chest, but to his shock, Chen Yi stood firm, unmoving, as the dagger plunged into his stomach.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Elder Ai struck Chen Yi repeatedly, but Chen Yi retaliated with stab after stab.

Finally, Elder Ai collapsed, his eyes filled with disbelief. He couldn't comprehend how Chen Yi had suddenly gained such speed and strength.

Chen Yi, barely standing, his ribs shattered, grinned through bloodied lips. "Haven't you heard of 'Drawing Malice Into the Body'?"

"Drawing Malice Into the Body?" Elder Ai murmured, stunned. Then he laughed bitterly. "I lost… and I don't regret it. But you… you'll suffer a fate a thousand times worse than mine. Hahaha…"