Chapter 128: Retribution Approaches | Thanks to Baiyi Ranshuanghua Y

Han Zeng, acting as a shadow guardian for the trial, had his own agenda and understood the value of self-preservation. While he was capable of plotting against others in secret, he knew he could not do so brazenly. The rules of the military camp were far more rigorous than outsiders imagined; the severity of the punishment for exposure was something no one dared to test.

Helping someone in the shadows to gain a favor by eliminating an insignificant high school student was a trifle. However, doing so under the watchful eyes of others would lead to certain death, regardless of how many times his strength or status exceeded his current level. He had realized early on that Xiao Nan was wearing a badge on his chest as he ran toward him. While the trial students might have been oblivious to its nature, Han Zeng—a Blood Blade Guard who had served in the camp for eight years—knew perfectly well that it was a miniature surveillance device. Provided there was no obstruction, everything within dozens of meters was under constant monitoring. In such circumstances, how could he dare to strike?

That was why he had remained motionless when Lin Hao fired his arrow, and why he stayed still even when Xiao Nan ran to his side and tore through the branches that shielded him. He had been paralyzed by the indecision of whether to act or not.

But reality left him no time to hesitate. A flash of red light blinded him, and a massive blade, as wide as a door panel, came crashing down toward his head, accompanied by a tidal wave of violent wind.

...

The death of the priest had sent the Wolf Barbarian leader into a frenzy; he struck at everyone in sight. In truth, he was not entirely wrong—the man before him wore a military uniform, and as a human, he was undeniably an enemy. As the gale of the blade descended, Han Zeng attempted to dodge. A veteran of countless battles, he possessed the reflexes to potentially escape.

Yet, fate played a cruel trick. Just as Han Zeng pushed off with his feet to leap aside, the branch beneath him shuddered and swayed. The timing was disastrous; the movement of the branch perfectly offset the force of his jump, pinning him in place.

"Damn it..."

The wind of the blade hit his face. Despair washed over Han Zeng, followed by a sudden, chilling realization: men plot against tigers, and tigers plot against men. He had tried to sabotage Xiao Nan, and now Xiao Nan had returned the favor. *The way the branch swayed to drain my momentum—it was like the most exquisite martial art, fixing me in place to block the blade for him...*

With that final thought, his mind went blank, and his regret froze in time. The outcome was inevitable. A mere second-rank Blood Blade Guard, faced with a third-rank barbarian chieftain who had mastered battle qi and was currently in a berserk rage, was as fragile as paper. He was cleaved in two. Blood and viscera splattered onto the tree, but Xiao Nan’s form had already soared high into the air like a bird.

"Die!"

The barbarian leader, having killed twice, was now fueled by an even greater ferocity. The red light on his heavy blade flared as he lunged forward, swinging the weapon in a vicious upward arc. Amidst the sharp, howling wind, branches were pulverized into dust. The strike arrived like a thunderclap behind Xiao Nan, aimed at cutting him in half while he was still airborne.

After eliminating two enemies, the heavy pressure in Xiao Nan's chest had lifted, leaving his mind clearer than ever. He felt as though the world had opened up before him. Even with the barbarian leader chasing him so relentlessly, and despite the constant threat of being sliced in two, he felt not a shred of anxiety. He had died too many times in the Bronze Mirror space; compared to the sword intent of the suspected Grandmaster Jiang Hongbo, the attacks of this barbarian chieftain felt like a gentle spring breeze, failing to stir even a ripple in his heart.

After breaking through to the Embryonic Breathing realm, he found his mind significantly sharper, capable of deconstructing complex problems that had once baffled him. In particular, the essence of the Spring Sword of the Four Seasons bloomed in his heart. A flash of inspiration struck him, and everything became clear.

*So that’s how it is!*

Though the upward slash came like a raging storm, Xiao Nan regarded it with indifference. His consciousness expanded infinitely, as if he were witnessing the cycle of life and death in nature. As he moved, his sword light shifted to mimic the falling of petals. Sword flowers bloomed in layers around him, like a spring breeze sweeping through the jungle. Nine sword flowers merged into one—a return to simplicity and the essence of the path.

As the blade descended, the petals shattered, and a single, pure point of light emerged from nothingness, piercing toward the barbarian leader’s brow. It was fast—incredibly fast. While the nine layers of sword flowers were still crumbling, the sharpness of the blade had already reached the barbarian’s eyes.

The red battle qi on the barbarian’s face flickered as the tip of the sword struck it with a metallic clang. He let out a roar, throwing his head back and retreating wildly. The sword’s momentum followed through, drawing a line of blood. Amidst the leader’s howl of pain, one of his large ears flew into the air. However, the force of the barbarian's blade shattered the remaining sword flowers and slammed into Xiao Nan’s chest, sending blood spraying...

The pain of torn skin and fractured bones surged through him, but Xiao Nan let out a long, hearty laugh. Using the remaining force of the blow, he spun like a colorful butterfly and retreated through the air. Landing on a treetop, he tapped his sword tip against the branches, using the rebound to vault higher. He flew dozens of meters away, landed on the ground, and without pausing, dashed toward a scorched patch of earth in the distance.

That was the radiation zone.

The barbarian leader touched his ear, which was slick with blood. A thin, shallow cut had also appeared between his brows, trickling red. Watching Xiao Nan vanish into the radiation zone, a flicker of lingering fear crossed his face. He sighed and gestured for his dozens of tribesmen to halt their pursuit.

"Return."

Beyond this point, there was an unwritten rule that neither side would cross. Of course, this only applied to large-scale incursions. Otherwise, if one side sent a force to ambush, they risked the total annihilation of their tribe. Even if reinforcements arrived from the rear or the Royal Court sent an army, it would be meaningless if the tribe was already dead. It was a pity he hadn't avenged the elder by killing that human.

...

"Excellent! Killing the priest, slaying the savage, and even escaping the blade of a third-rank elite barbarian after wounding him... This is truly cause for celebration. We should have a jar of wine to mark the occasion!" Wang Yuanzhi laughed heartily.

"Commander, drinking is prohibited in the camp," a staff officer in a three-star uniform cautiously reminded him.

"I was only speaking figuratively," Wang Yuanzhi grunted, feeling rather annoyed. He was the one who had set the rules, and he had no intention of breaking them. But this officer was such a killjoy; he would have to find a way to replace him later.

He lifted his teacup, using tea as wine, and took a deep, aggressive gulp before letting out a long breath. A shadow of gloom crossed his eyes. "Who gave Han Zeng his orders? Why was he standing by watching the show? And the sudden collapse of the Yin Wind Valley entrance is highly suspicious... Zhichang, you are in charge of military law. Investigate this immediately. We cannot tolerate such treachery."

"Yes, Commander." The dark-faced officer beside him responded expressionlessly, saluted, and left the barracks.

Wang Yuanzhi’s brows remained furrowed, a trace of confusion lingering in his eyes. "Why did Number Three end up there as well? The arrow he fired from his Moon-Breaking Crossbow seemed highly suspect. It didn't look like an attack on the enemy, but rather an act of sabotage." He didn't remember the trial students' names, only their numbers, and this question was directed at Sun Zhongli.