Chapter Fifty-Two: Bitter Struggle

Liu Feng watched the men rushing toward him, a look of disdain appearing on his face.

He formed his fingers into a sword, and several sharp sword lights shot out rapidly, as brilliant as the flash of a startled swan, reaching the men in the blink of an eye.

They swung their blades in desperate succession, but only the sound of metal clashing could be heard as the immense force drove them stumbling backward.

Liu Feng stepped forward with lightning speed, closing the distance in an instant. Sword light burst from his fingertips once more—dozens of dazzling beams, each carrying a shrill whistling sound, pierced toward the men.

A series of heavy impacts rang out as their weapons were shattered by the sword light, and wounds opened up across their bodies, robbing them of any ability to fight.

“You’ve gotten stronger in just a few days, kid. But don’t think you can take me lightly,” the young man sneered, drawing a long sword that gleamed with a brilliant light.

Pointing his sword at Zeng Lu, he said to the old man, “Old Liu, seize that boy for me. I want to make both of them suffer.”

Old Liu stepped directly in front of Zeng Lu. His aura grew oppressive and formidable, a fierce energy emanating from his body like a sword unsheathing, its sharpness on full display.

Seeing the change in the old man, Liu Feng’s expression became grave. He called out to Zeng Lu, “Brother Zeng, be careful.”

Zeng Lu nodded, a long sword of ancient elegance appearing in his hand. Its entire length exuded a chilling brilliance, as if it could rend the earth and sever rivers.

“Worry about yourself first, before you look after others,” sneered the youth. He drew his sword, and immediately a dragon’s roar sounded as fiery red light radiated from the blade.

He swung the sword straight at Liu Feng, unleashing a searing red energy that exploded forward with the sword’s motion.

Liu Feng formed his fingers into a sword, and a dazzling sword light appeared, gradually solidifying until it looked like a real blade.

He swept his finger forward, and the air itself split with a sharp hiss.

When the sword light collided with the young man’s blade, a ringing metallic hum resounded, as if two real swords had met in fierce contest.

On the other side, Zeng Lu drew his long sword, and at once a blinding golden light shot from the blade. A biting chill radiated outward, sending shivers to the soul.

Wielding his sword, Zeng Lu struck out—a sharp blade of energy flew with the sword, aiming straight for Old Liu.

Old Liu’s face turned serious as the sword came at him. He slowly pushed his palms forward, unleashing two raging torrents of energy that crashed toward Zeng Lu’s sword like twin mountains.

The sword struck the twin currents, as if sinking into a mire. Zeng Lu’s heart tightened, but he poured more strength into his arms. A sharp sword light burst from the tip, slicing through the two torrents and continuing toward Old Liu’s palms.

A brilliant golden glow burst from Old Liu’s hands as he struck the blade, causing the sword to tremble violently. He stepped forward, closing in on Zeng Lu, and struck at his arms with both palms.

Zeng Lu pushed off with his feet, his body leaping back to evade the forceful blow. He twisted his arms, sweeping his sword obliquely toward Old Liu’s wrist.

Old Liu spread his fingers and thrust his hands forward, as if forming a pair of massive iron pincers to clamp down on the sword.

Clang!

With a sound like clashing metal, Old Liu caught the sword between his palms.

Zeng Lu tried to pull his blade free, but it felt as though it were welded between the old man’s hands, refusing to budge.

A greedy gleam appeared in Old Liu’s eyes as he looked at the sword trapped in his grasp. He began to close his grip, wanting to seize the sword for himself, but the tip still pointed at his chest.

Seizing the moment when Old Liu relaxed his grip, Zeng Lu struck the hilt with both palms, driving the blade forward toward Old Liu’s chest.

Old Liu tried to dodge, but it was too late. Yet, his combat experience saved him; at the instant the sword grazed his body, he released his grip and leaped back.

Zeng Lu stepped forward, reclaiming his sword, and pointed it at Old Liu from a distance.

Old Liu glanced down at the slight wound on his chest and let out a subtle breath of relief.

“Impressive, boy. I underestimated you before,” he said, stepping forward again, his palms aglow with golden light as he launched another fierce attack.

Zeng Lu spun his wrist, whirling the sword like a windmill until it formed a golden disk that clashed with the golden palms, producing a thunderous sound.

“Blazing Strike!” the refined youth shouted, and his sword erupted in radiant red light, as if burning with flames.

He swung his sword repeatedly at Liu Feng.

“Rending Slash!”

Liu Feng raised his hand like a blade, striking forward in swift, phantom-like motions. Dozens of blades of energy appeared out of thin air, howling as they slashed toward the young man’s sword.

With a cold laugh, the youth swung his sword even faster, shattering the sword energies one after another. He stepped forward, closing the distance in a blink, and brought his sword crashing down at Liu Feng.

“Ha! Let’s see how you block this one,” the youth thought gleefully, certain he would cut Liu Feng down.

Clang!

A deafening crash brought the youth back to reality.

He saw that Liu Feng was now wielding a short sword, blocking his downward strike.

Liu Feng’s hand trembled with power, sending the youth flying backward with his sword.

“That was close,” Liu Feng thought. The strike had nearly landed on his head—thankfully, he had produced the mysterious broken sword in time.

“Is that rusty scrap all you’ve got? How shameful,” the youth sneered, never missing a chance to show off, even in battle.

Liu Feng ignored him. Gripping his sword in both hands, he channeled his energy into the blade. A massive sword light gathered, brimming with a force as wild and boundless as mountains and oceans, and he brought it crashing down on the refined youth.

The youth’s face changed. Gritting his teeth, he poured all his energy into his sword and met the giant sword light head-on.

Boom!

The two attacks collided, and the youth was blasted into the air by the overwhelming force. He spat blood several times mid-flight before crashing heavily to the ground.

In a flash, Liu Feng appeared before the youth and jabbed a finger at his lower abdomen, shattering his core.

The youth collapsed like a deflated ball, venomous hatred burning in his eyes as if he could kill Liu Feng with a glance.

Liu Feng spared him no further attention and walked over to Zeng Lu.

Zeng Lu was standing with his sword, blood at the corner of his mouth. Old Liu faced him from across the way, his palms lined with fresh wounds.

“Are you alright?” Liu Feng asked urgently.

“I’m fine, just a light injury,” Zeng Lu replied calmly.

“Rest here. Leave the old man to me.” With that, Liu Feng stepped up to face Old Liu.