Chapter Forty-Three: Fierce Battle

This villa had a total of five floors, with the second floor serving as a spacious living room. The floors were entirely paved with marble, so polished one could see their reflection. Because Guowei Xiao preferred tranquility and was himself a master of internal martial arts, the entire villa was usually devoid of people. At this moment, the vast second floor held only Guowei Xiao and Cheng Xiao.

Cheng Xiao smiled nonchalantly at Guowei Xiao's words. While Guowei Xiao called him a man on the verge of death, Cheng Xiao certainly did not see himself that way. Since Guowei Xiao was willing to clear up his doubts, he saw no reason to let the opportunity slip by.

“The first question: The Xiao family has always treated you well, even letting you take charge of the entire Shanghai Xiao Pharmaceuticals at one point. Why were you still dissatisfied? Why do things that harm the family?” Cheng Xiao asked.

Guowei Xiao smiled slightly. “Treated me well? Why is it, when we all share the same blood, that those of us from the collateral branches are not allowed to inherit the family business?”

“Family business? And what exactly is that? As I recall, Shanghai Xiao Pharmaceuticals was founded by my uncle, so it hardly counts as the ancestral estate. On what grounds do you think you should take it for yourself?” Cheng Xiao retorted coldly.

Shanghai Xiao Pharmaceuticals had been built by his uncle before his death, and it had nothing to do with Guowei Xiao. Guowei Xiao was the son of Cheng Xiao’s granduncle, while his uncle was the son of Fusheng Xiao; there was a generation separating them. Even by the law, Guowei Xiao had no claim. Guowei Xiao’s claim was shameless beyond belief.

Guowei Xiao knew Cheng Xiao’s words made sense, so he did not argue further. Yet he noted with some surprise how much Cheng Xiao had changed. In the past, he could never have uttered such words.

“Next question: Is it really just because my cousin Yu took your power that you want to kill her?” Cheng Xiao pressed on. This was what puzzled him most. Did Guowei Xiao truly value Shanghai Xiao Pharmaceuticals enough to kill for it?

Guowei Xiao gave a cold laugh, glancing at Cheng Xiao as though finding him terribly naïve. Struggles such as these always ended in bloodshed; there was never any peaceful resolution. Still, he wondered how Cheng Xiao had come to know all this.

“That’s right. How could a woman take what rightfully belonged to me? Originally, I planned to marry her off, but you ruined that. So, I had no choice but to kill her. But how did you find out about this?” Guowei Xiao did not deny it.

Seeing that Guowei Xiao showed not a hint of shame, Cheng Xiao’s heart grew colder. What of being a woman? Fang Yujia was his uncle’s daughter-in-law; it was only natural for her to inherit everything. Yet Guowei Xiao shamelessly insisted it was his by right. His brazenness was appalling.

“Last question: What’s the story with Qiyi Wang? I’ve noticed his intentions are far from pure,” Cheng Xiao asked again, ignoring Guowei Xiao’s question.

Guowei Xiao froze for a moment. Wasn’t Qiyi Wang just the old man’s lackey? Could he have other designs while living in the Xiao household?

Seeing Guowei Xiao’s look of confusion, Cheng Xiao realized Guowei Xiao knew nothing about Qiyi Wang’s background either. It seemed he would have to investigate this himself. Cheng Xiao had lost interest in further conversation. As Guowei Xiao stood there in a daze, Cheng Xiao drew the three-foot-long Azure Blade hidden inside his coat and, using the Lingxu Step, charged at Guowei Xiao.

With Cheng Xiao’s movement, the Azure Blade rang out with a clear hum, its tip aimed directly at Guowei Xiao’s throat. Paired with his footwork, the speed of the strike was almost unbelievable.

Watching the sword dart towards him, Guowei Xiao was somewhat astonished. He had already estimated Cheng Xiao to be formidable, but even so, he realized he had still underestimated him. To achieve such speed—no wonder Xinghan Yuan died so easily. Yet he felt no fear. Quick though the sword was, it was nothing remarkable in his eyes.

Guowei Xiao reached out and struck the spine of the sword, his palm carrying a burst of internal force. Without direct contact, the sword’s direction veered off, missing its target. Still, he felt a numbness in his right hand, the shock quite substantial, and was inwardly startled: when had Cheng Xiao acquired such strength?

Having missed with his first strike, Cheng Xiao was left wide open. Guowei Xiao seized the opportunity, aiming a palm strike at Cheng Xiao’s chest—a blow that, if it landed, would at least leave serious injuries.

Yet, thanks to his spiritual perception, Cheng Xiao had already discerned Guowei Xiao’s intent. He extended his left hand, fingers joined in a specific mudra, and tapped Guowei Xiao’s palm. In a flash, he withdrew from Guowei Xiao’s range.

The instant Guowei Xiao was touched by Cheng Xiao’s three fingers, he felt something was wrong—his body suddenly weighed twice as much as before. Greatly astonished, he wondered at such a technique. Though he had never practiced cultivation methods, he knew a fair bit about them, but had never heard of anything like this.

It seemed he would have to use his full strength to subdue Cheng Xiao. The realization shocked him: when had Cheng Xiao acquired such prowess? In pure martial ability, Cheng Xiao was his equal—he’d even suffered a slight setback just then. Weren’t cultivators supposed to be physically frail?

Indeed, cultivators usually were, but Cheng Xiao was no ordinary cultivator. The immortal scripture he practiced enhanced him in every aspect.

He had not intended to kill Guowei Xiao with that first sword strike; rather, he used the opportunity to apply the “Mount Tai Presses Down” technique—a method only effective against cultivators of equal or lesser rank, but quite potent against non-cultivators.

His main disadvantage against Guowei Xiao was flexibility of movement; as long as he could restrain that, he no longer needed to fear him.

Having succeeded, Cheng Xiao swept his Azure Blade in a wide arc, the blade humming as it created a blue flash, and attacked Guowei Xiao again—this time, not with ordinary swordplay, but with the Fivefold Sword Technique.

The Fivefold Sword Technique was a pure killing art. Unleashed with full force, its speed was blinding, its trajectory unpredictable, sword energy erupting in all directions.

Watching the shifting sword in Cheng Xiao’s hand, Guowei Xiao felt a chill. He had never seen such swordplay; it was utterly beyond his understanding. Just moments ago, he’d dared to parry with his hand, but now, one misstep and he might lose it.

He quickly drew two long knives from his thigh and met Cheng Xiao’s attack with the Plum Blossom Knives, executed to perfection. But his movement was clearly hampered by the Mount Tai technique and he could only muster sixty percent of his full strength. Yet, even so, he was not at a disadvantage in their clash.

After finishing a set of Fivefold Sword Technique, Cheng Xiao immediately retreated, sweat beading on his brow. He knew that if this continued, he would not be Guowei Xiao’s match. The “Mount Tai Presses Down” technique would only last three minutes—once that time passed, he would be at a grave disadvantage.

“Hmph, impressive. You’ve truly surprised me, to possess such strength. Was everything before just an act?” Guowei Xiao now had a general sense of Cheng Xiao’s abilities. He didn’t know what level of cultivation Cheng Xiao had reached, but their combat prowess was not far apart.

His own skill was the result of decades of relentless practice; he refused to believe that Cheng Xiao could gain comparable strength in a mere half month.

He even began to suspect that all Cheng Xiao’s past misdeeds were but a cover—those tales of debauchery and lawlessness were entirely false. He knew something about the family’s secret manual; it was a technique for virgins. If Cheng Xiao truly engaged in such behavior, he could never have achieved this level of power.

In the past, he hadn’t cared about Cheng Xiao, for a notorious wastrel posed no threat. Only now did he realize how wrong he’d been. This only strengthened his resolve: if he did not kill Cheng Xiao today, there would be endless trouble in the future.

At only eighteen, Cheng Xiao already wielded power second only to his own—his future was limitless.

Guowei Xiao had no time to think further. He did not want to give Cheng Xiao a chance to catch his breath and once again slashed at Cheng Xiao, a violent wind bursting forth and even sending nearby newspapers flying. As he closed in, he was startled to see Cheng Xiao standing motionless, smiling at him with no intention of dodging.

Guowei Xiao did not hesitate—he crossed his blades and struck at Cheng Xiao’s head with his strongest blow, convinced Cheng Xiao could not withstand it.

Cheng Xiao watched Guowei Xiao charge at him, his eyes narrowed. He no longer wished to drag this out—if it continued, he would have no chance. He was only at the sixth level of Foundation Establishment, barely able to use sword techniques and earth escape arts.

But he did possess one advantage over Guowei Xiao: weaponry.

——————————————————————
[First chapter complete. There will be two more tonight! Please support this story!]