Chapter 29 – Sudden Attack

The next second, Mu Eunbi was launched backward after Tang Siyang smacked his hand into her abdomen. A green dragon that looked like a snake appeared and disappeared as soon as it came out, crashing into her entire front side before dissipating.

That was when Mu Eunbi attacked again as her blade once again clashed with Tang Siyang's guard as a pair of wings on her back flapped lightly. They emitted a special aura, but Leo couldn't tell what it was from this far away.

'Materialization of Qi element.'

It was probably a skill she learned from her Master. Each martial artist could use the element to attack and defend when they cultivated their Qi properly, depending on what kind of cultivation path they used.

Sharp-winds and flames were the most common elements utilized by martial artists during the fight since Mount Hua Sect and Wudang Sect were quite famous in this area. But that didn't mean there wasn't anyone capable of utilizing other elements like water or ice as well. They were just not popular.

Mu Eunbi was probably an expert of an ice element considering the type of sword she used and how cold it was even from this far away. A typical swordsmanship from Kunlun Sect.

The difference in their power level was clear in just a few moves from them as Mu Eunbi found herself overwhelmed by Tang Siyang's strength. She didn't give up though and continued to press on him with the help of her fast speed.

"It's useless."

Flaring his green poison Qi, Tang Siyang changed his strategy and dodged instead of using a defensive method that would wear her down over time. He ignored her blade as he fished hidden daggers from his sleeve.

"Hidden dagger technique: Dance of Jade Leaves!"

Rows of green leaves surrounded the stage and cut through the air like blades as they danced around. This wasn't just a Qi art, but a real knife art combined with an ability of Qi that could enhance the blade. They were covered in poison as well, causing Mu Eunbi to frown as she used her sword to defend and cut them down.

'Not bad.' Leo thought while analyzing their fighting style, 'But... something is off.'

The fight dragged on... Or felt like so.

'Mu Eunbi should be able to defeat Tang Siyang faster than this.' Leo thought while smiling. 'He's more skilled than her, but she's at least one step faster than him. If she makes a surprise attack...'

Then he realized. The fight was indeed dragged as if it was planned beforehand. He looked around the arena to find anyone acting suspiciously.

At the arena, Mu Eunbi was trying her best to block the flying daggers while trying to move closer to Tang Siyang to deliver a deathblow. Meanwhile, Tang Siyang waited for an opportunity to counterattack with another hidden dagger as she rushed toward him.

A fierce fight that caught everyone's attention. Cheers erupted as Mu Eunbi managed to get closer to Tang Siyang as she decided to sacrifice herself to land a single fatal blow while covering her body with Qi defense, taking the man in a surprise. She was a decisive person after all.

However, that never happened.

Boom!

Smoke spread throughout the whole arena as something exploded near the fighters, separating them. Green gas filled the air and blocked the view while shouts echoed between the spectators who panicked at the sudden event.

"Anya, respirator!"

Leo immediately commanded the Nanites in his body to change his bodysuit. A black mask covered his lower face, acting as a respirator at the same time, preventing him from inhaling the gas that covered the whole arena.

"I'm ready, Leader!" Anya shouted, her bodysuit already changed and gave her a similar mask. "That's poison gas. There must be an enemy somewhere."

"That's my thought too." He narrowed his eyes and said in a low voice, "Our priority is Tang Yao. If possible, protect our client. We have signed the contract with him after all."

"Roger." Anya jumped into the stage that was in chaos and disappeared into the cloud of smoke, heading toward their client's location.

Meanwhile, Leo pulled a google from his sling back and wore it. The red visor was transparent and allowed him to see through the green smoke that surrounded him.

'Heat signature.'

The goggle scanned the green gas and isolated the heat source in order to provide him with information. He saw many people headed toward a certain direction. Some were locked in combat already, others were trying to escape through the hole. Anya managed to reach Tang Yao. Strangely, none of the attackers were going in that direction.

Instead, they went toward Qin City Lord and Mu Eunbi.

'As expected.'

Tang Clan wanted to get rid of their competitors. But, those competitors were also Leo's potential client. 

In the novel, Qin City Lord was killed in this place along with his bodyguard. He guessed that Mu Eunbi was originally his bodyguard. But because Kim Min-Gu didn't enter the tournament, she managed to go into the final, allowing Tang Yao to pull this plan.

'My contract with Tang Yao is about annihilating Green Forest Bandit. If I act right now and protect the Qin City Lord in the guise of the 'free job' I provided, that wouldn't be strange.'

Allowing Tang Yao's plan to succeed here would harm his reputation. 

'They can use me and my group as a scapegoat if Qin Weiqi is killed, saying that we're not as good as we advertised.'

And he couldn't allow that.

With Nanites enhancing his body, Leo could sense his surroundings even better as he charged forward. Someone was rushing toward Qin City Lord at a fast speed. However, Leo was faster.

He landed in front of the confused Qin Weiqi and pulled out his photon sword. The blade hummed as it materialized with a pale light.

A flash of metal crossed his vision and Leo received an attack from an assassin, coming from the attacker's right hand. A quick move that caught everyone in surprise, but not him. He was able to see the attack in slow motion with his heightened senses due to Nanites.

Puchi!

Leo thrust his sword upward, cutting the man in half like butter.

"N-"

Before he could make a sound, the left half of his body separated from the right, falling into the ground with a loud thump. It wasn't until then that everyone realized what had happened, causing the crowd to scatter in fear.

Turning toward the Qin City Lord, Leo nodded and asked.

"Are you okay, City Lord?"