CHAPTER 14: WHO MADE ME WEAKER THAN YOU IN THE FIRST PLACE

"Ah…"

At this moment, many people in the audience couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

Because on the stage, faced with the sharp Katana coming down from Kurusu, Fang Li unexpectedly didn't dodge or evade his attack. He raised one empty hand directly and placed it in front of his head.

"————?!"

Kurusu was instantly shocked and hastily eased his strength without any hesitation.

The next second, the sharp Katana swept across Fang Li's arm that was protecting his head, and with a faint tearing sound of "Chī," it cut through the skin of Fang Li's arm.

A glimpse of blood appeared on Fang Li's arm, causing Kibito in the audience to widen his eyes, and the Bushis were also astonished and surprised expressions appeared on their faces one by one.

A sense of pain surged through Fang Li's nerves.

But at this moment, Fang Li suddenly took another step forward and pressed into Kurusu's embrace.

"You…?!" A trace of astonishment inevitably appeared on Kurusu's serious face when he saw Fang Li's action.

However, as that hint of astonishment appeared on Kurusu's face, an exceptionally cold sensation immediately spread on his neck.

Kurusu instantly understood what that cold sensation was.

It was the feeling of a dagger pressed against his neck.

Fang Li, who had pressed into Kurusu's embrace, had placed the dagger against his neck. He looked at Kurusu, who seemed somewhat shocked, and gradually smiled.

"Does this mean I've won?"

Silence.

A deathly silence filled the arena.

Everyone watched Fang Li on the stage with the dagger pressed against Kurusu's throat, and for a moment, they were completely dumbfounded.

"That… that kid…" Kibito also couldn't hide his surprise either.

There was no way.

No one had expected the battle to turn out like this.

The Wanderer, who was thought to be easily defeated, had actually subdued Kurusu.

How could people not be astonished?

And the first one to react was still Kurusu.

Looking at Fang Li's smiling face just inches away from his, and looking at Fang Li's still bleeding arm, Kurusu regained his composure. After a moment of silence, he spoke.

"If I were a Kabane, your hand would be gone."

Upon hearing this, Fang Li blinked but the smile on his face remained undiminished, and he gave only one response.

"If you were a Kabane, your head would be gone."

On one side was the loss of an arm.

On the other side was the loss of a head.

Which side was truly defeated? Did it even need to be considered?

"You…" Kurusu couldn't help but say, "Are you really willing to go to such lengths?"

"There's no other way. Since I was originally weaker than you, wanting to win against a stronger opponent without paying any price would be unrealistic, right?" Fang Li said calmly. "Moreover, didn't I say you would hold back?"

This was only a contest, not a life-or-death battle.

Therefore, the Mystic Eye of Death Perception, which could have given Fang Li an opportunity to win, couldn't be used here.

However, the same applied to the opponent.

This wasn't a fight to the death. It was only a contest. How could Kurusu continue knowing he would cut off the other person's hand?

This was the only method Fang Li could think of to guarantee victory.

It was a very dangerous method, but it wasn't far-fetched.

As a result, Kurusu was at a loss for words.

Seeing this, Fang Li urged, "So, what do you say? I did win, right?"

"…I'm not ready to admit my defeat yet," Kurusu said, but his eyes revealed a clear unwillingness to accept defeat.

After all, in terms of strength, Kurusu was still superior to Fang Li.

However, winning a battle is not solely determined by strength. It only increases the probability of winning.

If this were a real fight, Fang Li, who possessed the Mystic Eye of Death Perception and had become proficient in killing techniques during his previous battles against Kabane, would definitely have a greater advantage.

But this time, Fang Li had indeed emerged victorious.

"Completed B-RANK Side Quest, obtained 3000 Exchange Points."

When this system notification sounded in Fang Li's mind, he finally breathed a sigh of relief and removed the dagger from Kurusu's neck.

Kurusu felt the disappearance of the cold sensation on his neck and looked at Fang Li with eyes that were no longer as serious and focused, but filled with fighting spirit.

Then, Kurusu said, "Let's have another round."

Clearly, Kurusu intended to seek revenge.

Moreover, this time he was determined to go all out and not show any mercy.

Upon hearing this, Fang Li raised his still bleeding hand helplessly and asked, "Now?"

"…" Kurusu suddenly didn't know what to say.

Challenging someone when they were injured was not the behavior expected of a Bushi.

Of course, Kurusu was unaware that Fang Li had a bottle of Injury Recovery Potion in his leg bag, which could heal minor injuries.

After Fang Li lured the Kabane into the forest and returned, he used that potion to recover from his injuries.

If he consumed the potion orally, it would have a continuous healing effect. If he applied it only to the wounds, it could still heal minor injuries.

To avoid any unnecessary injuries, Fang Li wouldn't recklessly create wounds on his own body.

Not knowing this, Kurusu could only give up on continuing the challenge and looked at Fang Li, asking, "What is your name?"

"Fang Li, a Wanderer," Fang Li replied, extending his hand instinctively towards Kurusu.

Kurusu looked at Fang Li's hand and then at Fang Li's seemingly natural expression. He sighed and said, "You certainly have great courage."

After saying that, Kurusu extended his hand and shook hands with Fang Li.

"Clap! Clap! Clap!"

In the audience, applause broke out.

Kibito, with a smile on his face, was leading the applause.

Following Kibito's lead, some ordinary citizens in the crowd also applauded, and there were even cheers.

The Bushi looked at each other, and in the end, they reluctantly joined in the applause.

The resounding applause echoed in the air above the stage.

It must be said that only at this moment did the tension that had pervaded the air dissipate.

It was not the tension felt by the Bushi towards Fang Li, but the inevitable tension that existed in an era where tomorrow was uncertain.

To release this tension, the Yomokawa Family organized the Martial Fight Gathering.

And today, this Martial Fight Gathering clearly achieved the desired effect.

It even far surpassed expectations.

In such an atmosphere, Kurusu gave Fang Li a statement.

"When you've recovered from your injuries, let's have another match."

Fang Li was speechless.

It seemed that he had been entangled by an extraordinary person.