“Then I guess, death is what you seek!” Zhu Liu Shi snapped. As Master Hao narrowed his eyes, he slid into his stance. He channelled Qi into his sword, enshrouding the blade. A colourless glint flowed like steam, making the blade seem on fire, but Zhu Liu Shi’s nodded, approving his skill. Accentuation Realm, He thought calmly.
Zhu Liu Shi stopped swirling the Qi within his Mind Dantian and allowed it to flow into his Core Dantian. I’ll just overpower him, He mused.
He slid into his own stance, and flooded his Qi into his feet, solidifying his Stone Cloud Sword Style. The basis of the sword style was the solidity found in his feet and strokes.
“Old man, you’re no match for me. Move.”
“Assassin. I cannot move. You may think yourself the wind, but I’m the immovable boulder that lies in your path.”
Zhu Liu Shu chuckled wildly, considering the irony of the Taoist’s words. “Boulder, you say, I find that funny. Maybe my blade can show you, what a true boulder is!”
Zhu Liu Shi used an instantaneous step, appearing in front of the Taoist. He brought his sword up in an upward motion.
The Taoist bent his knees and brought his sword down, deflecting Zhu Liu Shi thrust, then he turned in a semi-circle, forcing Zhu Liu Shi to hit air. He spun left, bring his sword around his waist, blocking the Toast’s thrust.
A loud metallic clang rang out and Zhu Liu Shi skidded back five meters. He curled his lips in a smile and nodded, as if he approved the Taoist skill.
Master Hao spread his legs once more and pointed his sword at an angle, that made it him seem open on the right. Fine…you want to leave your right side open…I’ll abide.
Zhu Liu Shi darted forward attacking his right. Master Hao, turned, leaving his waist exposed. Zhu Liu Shi stepped in, flicking his sword left, toward the Taoist.
The older man turned his sword flat in hand, then slapped Zhu Liu Shi’s sword. He then stepped in, stalling Zhu Liu Shi momentum. He slid his hand left hand off his sword, feinted right and drilled his left, burying a palm strike into Zhu Liu Shi’s chest.
A loud clap echoed through the room, as if a wave hand smashed itself against the wall. It did in essence, but not in the way normal martial artist could comprehend.
Zhu Liu Shi stood there; Qi enshrouded around his hand as the clashed with Master Hao who tried to end this battle gracefully. “My apologies,” Zhu Liu Shi calmly, “Had I known Master Taoist was of the Wudang Sect, I would’ve greeted Senior appropriately.”
Master Hao smiled but shook his head, at first glance, Zhu Liu Shi thought it was pertaining to greeting, but the more he stared into the old man’s eyes, he knew that stare, disappointment.
He was very familiar with look coming from Zhu Mo Shi.
“You’ve seen the Exploding Palm Strike before…”
“I have not, but I have read about it.”
“I see…you only read about it, yet you can discern it by observation…you’re a genius.”
“Hardly,” Zhu Liu Shi said calmly.
“…with your prowess you could be one of the pillars that bring Wudang Sect out of seclusion. Drop your blade and repent before it’s too late.”
“It’s already too late Master Taoist…”
“A pity you think so,”
“Not in the slightest Master Taoist…”
“Don’t force me to kill you lad!”
“Can grass cut a sickle?”
“Such arrogance!” Master Hao snapped in return, vein snaking down his forehead, showing his annoyance.
“Such is life Master Taoist, such is life…” Zhu Liu Shi said coldly.
The warriors broke off their palm duels, separating themselves by six meters. As Zhu Liu Shi skidded back, he swirled the Qi within his Soul and Core Dantians, then flooded them into the meridians within his arms and legs, dashing towards Master Hao, not giving him a chance to attack first.
Master Hao stepped back, raising his sword, deflected the first to sword slashed, then pivoted right, blocking a wayward thrust aimed at his left leg.
The swordsmen exchanged a flurry of sword slashes, each move carefully calculate, as if they were playing a chess match. Each stroke Master Hao blocked and thrusted flowed as smoothly, as water. He used the well-timed attacks of Zhu Liu Shi to deflect and redirect him, using his footwork with persist timing.
Zhu Liu Shi shifted to his left on occasion, forcing Master Hao block his powerful strikes. His intention was to chip away at his guard and force him to make a mistake but the old man showed such prowess and patience, it made him think he was fighting his own master, Zhu Mo Shi.
Master Hao used the Wudang Sword Sect Style, one that was famed for its fluidity, from its long lineage the sword style was passed down for centuries, evolving over time making it one of the strongest sword styles in Huaxia, it frightens Zhu Liu Shi seeing efficient Master Hao was. If he was of the Qi Perception Realm…I would’ve died five times already, He mused bitterly. His swordsmanship is far better than mine!
“You fight well Assassin!” Master Hao chided, “They are some gaps in your swordsmanship…gaps you cover up with your power.”
“…My power is more than enough to deal with you.”
“That can be true, but not all battles are won through power!”
As Master Hao’s kept a composed expression, he deftly evaded a swift strike from Zhu Liu Shi aimed at his neck. He countered with a fluid motion aimed at Zhu Liu Shi’s left foot that sent him back in retreat.
The clash of their blades resounded in the air, creating a symphony of steel. They both pivoted and countered one another; their swords weaved a delicate dance of death.
Their footsteps emanating the fluttering sound of feints, quick steps, half-spins, and quarter spins. The tussle in their footwork kept their movements unpredictable, making the fight all the more breathtaking by the second!
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The Wudang Sword master was caught off guard by the sudden ferocity of the strike, but managed to parry the blow, the force sending him skidding back several feet.
Zhu Liu Shi, seizing the opportunity, lunged forward, his sword aimed straight for Master Hao’s heart. He flicked his wrist up, redirecting the strike, the tip of Zhu Liu Shi’s sword missed.
The two swordsmen locked gazes; their expressions different from each. Zhu Liu Shi gnashed his teeth whilst Master Hao kept a calm demeanour, then they exchanged swords for another round.
Their blades blur, as they lashed out at each with lightning-fast strikes, their precision echoing through the sound of clashing steel. It was unclear who had the advantage, they countered and parried each other with skill, which began to frustrate Zhu Liu Shi.
‘You can’t trump experience,’ His master always told him, and now he understood why. He was of the Qi Perception Realm…whilst this old man was of the Divination Realm, two stages lower than him, yet he fought with such Vigor that excited him.
Zhu Liu Shi knew that he needed to finish this fight quickly or risk losing the strength to complete his mission. With a final burst of energy, he drew upon his Qi reserves and unleashed a powerful attack aimed directly at Master Hao. I can’t keep this up, I have to end this…Zhu Liu Shi thought.
He swirled the Qi within his Mind Dantian and sent it through the meridians leading to his eyes. The light of the world thrummed around him, making it seem brighter, then he saw a ball of Qi circling around an area of his chest.
Zhu Liu Shi flooded more Qi than usual to his sword arm. He deflected Master Hao’s strike for his chest, making the old man flutter backwards from the power. Then, he charged towards him aiming for his throat.
The Wudang master barely deflected the attack, but the force behind the blow caused him to stumble, leaving him momentarily vulnerable.
Zhu Liu Shi quickened his steps and delivered a swift kick to Master Hao’s chest, sending him crashing to the ground. He tried raising his sword hand, but Zhu Liu Shi slapped the sword away with an overarching sword slash.
As he stood over Master Hao, like a giant does to an ant. He raised his sword once more, ready to deliver the decisive strike. “Tell me your name,” Master Hao asked calmly.
“Zhu Liu Shi,” He answered calmly. “…and your name, Taoist?”
Master Hao chuckled, shaking his head then nodded. “Hao Meng,” he said softly.
“I’ll remember it.”
Zhu Liu Shi brought his sword down and across Hao Meng’s neck. The blade sieved through his neck, like a hot knife through butter, ending his life in an instant.
The Taoist’s head dropped on the ground with a subtle thud, then his body sagged, spraying blood all over the wall. Zhu Liu Shi licked his lips, quelling his desiccation. He then inhaled deeply, tasting the metallic scent of blood wafting in the air and stared down the tunnel, watching as the Qi left by his targets twirled around a corner. “Prince Sheng…Prince Langeng…your next.”
Zhu Liu Shi ran down the tunnel, making a series of turns. As he darted as fast, he could, he inhaled deeply, trying to calm himself as he practiced his internal arts, hoping to alleviate himself from the strain of battle, but to also replenish his reserves. The battles hadn’t taken more than he’d anticipated. If he were if the Accentuation Realm, he would’ve died…just like Shi Jiu.
He made his way deeper into the labyrinthine palace, his heart pounding, anticipation but mostly frustration. Because Shi Jiu was dead.
Zhu Liu Shi wished they’d had a better relation, but he knew better. He did try to become more cordial with him, but Shi Jiu just didn’t care. He was too hellbent on gaining strength or finding ways to heal his face. “Maybe in the next life, Shi Jiu…maybe.”
The longer he ran, his sense began to heighten to levels before his tumultuous battles. Each step felt lighter, his breathing more controlled as he channelled his Qi.
The tunnels suddenly into three pathways, forcing him to stop. Zhu Liu Shi swirled the Qi within his Mind Dantian and poured them into his meridians.
The varying Qis split and flowed into the three tunnels. He sucked his teeth in annoyance, feeling the handle of his sword sooth his clenched grip. “Fine…you want to play games. I can play games too.”
He poured more Qi into meridians leading to his eyes and watched as the Qi left by the princes and their imperial guards grew thicker. He eyed the Qi pensively and allowed windmill within his mind began to churn, deciding on how to move forward.
As he inspected to the Qi, he noticed the thickness in majority of them, showing strength, they were two smaller Qi’s but one of them that didn’t have a steady flow. It looked flowed erratic, which meant who it belonged to…was weak.
Zhu Liu Shi ran down the middle, where the thinnest Qi line flowed the steadiest, which meant. He planned to kill the stronger of the princes.
He sped down the tunnel and after a series of turns, he gained on them. Four Imperial guards, following the prince, and it was he expected. Prince Sheng, the Crown Prince.
Two Imperial Guards looked back and saw Zhu Liu Shi following. “Prince Sheng, the assassin’s here!”
“Where’s Master Hao!?”
“DEAD.”
Zhu Liu Shi appeared in front of an Imperial Guard after using an instantaneous step. His sword was already arched behind and ready to kill. He brought it down with venomous err, but the meridians within his arms roiled as if they were on fire. Damn it, I’ve taxed myself too much!
The Imperial Guard deflected the attack, then half-spun left, leaving his sword trailing behind him. He whipped it around his waist, in upward slash barely missing Zhu Liu Shi.
The wind of the slash hissed pass his cheek, throbbing the cut he’d received from Shi Chen, but also angering him as he remembered he’d been cut. Zhu Liu Shi dodged the guard’s attack, then countered with a swift thrust of his sword, piercing the guard’s chest. The guard howled a gurgled cry before collapsing to the ground.
Zhu Liu Shi eyes traced left, noticing charging towards him, their spears working in tandem to keep him off balance. Zhu Liu Shi’s sword danced between them deflecting and parrying each spear stroke and ensured they couldn’t work together, something he failed to do with Shi Tong and Shi Chen.
He feinted an attack towards one guard, then spun and slashed the other across the throat. The guard flailed dropping his spear with a solid jingle on the ground.
Zhu Liu Shi turned back to the remaining spear-wielder and drove his sword through his heart, then spun left, ensuring the final guard couldn’t sneak up behind him.
The fourth and final guard raised his hook swords, the curved blades gleaming in the dim light of the tunnel, making them seem fearsome, but the fright in the wielders eyes, made Zhu Liu Shi think, they’re in the wrong hand.
The guard charged, swiping at his face, neck and chest. Zhu Liu Shi felt the wind as the hooks narrowly missed his flesh. The guard’s precise movements were aimed to ensnare his weapon, but he knew that, especially with hook swords.
Zhu Liu Shi twisted his wrist, then thrust his sword, point force and caught one of the hook swords with his own blade. He used the guard’s momentum against him and sending him crashing into the tunnel wall. He slid the blade into his neck, and dislocated his jaw from his throat, leaving slacked jaw.
Prince Sheng stood there, shaking, pants wet from pissing himself. He had no where to go, and no guards to protect him. “Why are you doing this?” He sniffed.
“Someone has to,” Zhu Liu Shi said calmly,
As exhaustion began to roil within him, he stood over the bodies of the fallen guards, his breath ragged and his body aching.
The prince began fluttering back, slid to the wall, but dare not turn around. He knew that if he did, Zhu Liu Shi would kill him instantly.
Resolved pulsed into the prince’s eyes, and the fluttering he did, withered away. It was as if the prince himself realised…he was an actual Prince.
He straightened his back and curbed his arm as if proper. Zhu Liu Shi scoffed inwardly and bit his inner cheek to stop himself from laughing.
The prince looked at Zhu Liu Shi as if looking down at an ant and raised his chin. “Well, if you plan to kill me. Get on with it!”
“With pleasure.”
Zhu Liu Shi charged towards Prince Sheng, blade gleaming vermilion in the dim light of the tunnel. The prince stood there, graceful as one should be and didn’t cower. Zhu Liu Shi was impressed.
A loud clash of metal rang out, and the candles within the tunnel dimmed for a second. A spear blocked Zhu Liu Shi attack at the last second.
The prince dropped to the ground, and the braveness that he held in that moment, withered away again.
“Apologies for the late arrival,” Shi Tong said calmly.
“We’ll handle it from here, now run!” Shi Chen snapped.
“Brother Tong, we meet again,” Shi Tong said in a mocking tone.
“Sadly,” Zhu Liu Shi grunted.
“Hooo…you’re not happy to see us?” Shi Chen chuckled.
Zhu Liu Shi took a deep breath, and watched as Prince Sheng disappeared from his sight, yet again. He then dragged his eyes to Shi Tong and Shi Chen. His lips curled into a devilish smile and he nodded, sliding into defensive stance, letting his intentions be known. “…I’m ecstatic.”