Chapter 117: The Battle Rages On
In the intense battle, the prowess of the young girl known as Cao Cao, or Keke, was indeed impressive. Her expertise in close combat techniques seemed formidable enough to challenge even Arya. However, her adversary was Lanbao, a woman hailed as the human fortress bane.
The initial skirmish was fierce. Keke immediately deployed her strongest move, attempting to use her petite arms and twin black ponytails to execute a judo chokehold, a technique seemingly impossible to escape. But Lanbao was no easy target. Despite Keke's initial success, Lanbao's overwhelming strength shook off the attack, bringing a smile to Zhang Fan's face. Victory was in sight.
"Continue!" In a surprising move, the stoic-faced opponent tossed a short-handled Qinglong saber onto the stage – Keke's weapon. Not to be outdone, Zhang Fan quickly threw Lanbao's weapon, a two-meter-long broadsword, to her. Its menacing appearance made Keke realize the enormity of her challenge, her spirits visibly dampened.
Sparks flew with each clash of their blades, but each encounter saw Keke pushed back, overwhelmed by Lanbao's fearsome might. In the face of such a force, Keke's pride in her combat skills seemed utterly futile.
"Spare her life, we concede!" Just as Lanbao was about to cleave Keke in two, Zhuge Jingxuan frantically shouted their surrender. Losing was one thing, but losing Keke was a price too high, a responsibility he couldn't bear.
"Lanbao, stop!" Zhang Fan intervened, knowing that Keke's demise would only worsen relations between Xiang Tianxiong and the Blue Gang. While it didn't directly concern him, he had to consider Lanbao's involvement.
"You're lucky I listened to Zhang Fan, or I would have split you in two!" Lanbao halted her blade inches from Keke's nose, her eyes flickering with contempt. Was Keke content to live at the mercy of her enemy, the descendant of Cao Cao?
"Not bad, but don't dream of defeating me in your lifetime," Lanbao taunted, though Keke's eyes burned with a promise of vengeance.
The second match, between Red-faced Guan Yunxing and Xiang Tianxiong's confidant Long Qi, ended in a stalemate after two grueling hours. Both were severely wounded, fortunate to survive.
"The final round, I, Zhang Tianshun, will take it up," Zhang Fan's opponent declared, stepping forward. Despite being dismissed as an insignificant figure, Zhang Fan was ready to prove his worth.
As Zhang Fan entered the arena, he unsheathed his Fengchang sword, and with a courteous gesture, signaled the commencement of their duel.
"An ordinary S-rank detective is no match for me," sneered Zhang Tianshun, finally cracking a smile, albeit an unsettling one.
His weapon, a long wooden staff with ancient carvings, suggested a mastery of magic rather than physical combat. As Zhang Fan contemplated this, Zhang Tianshun attacked, conjuring lightning from afar, revealing himself as a formidable thunder-controlling superhuman.
Despite the challenge, Zhang Fan dodged the lightning orbs with swift agility, ready to counterattack in this electrifying duel.