Chapter 79 - 68: Saber Slashes 2 Demons, Confronting Outer Gang!

Chapter 79: Chapter 68: Saber Slashes 2 Demons, Confronting Outer Gang!

"CLANG!"

The sound of clashing metal rang out as waves of air blasted back. Zheng Jun only felt his arms go numb. Just as he prepared to retreat, he saw the Inner Qi and Gang wind erupt around him. The blast sent him reeling backward; like being struck by lightning, he was launched flying through the air.

Zheng Jun flipped in mid-air, stumbling several steps upon landing before finally steadying himself. However, he was in a wretched state. His clothes were shredded inch by inch by the shockwave of the Gang Qi, and his body was covered in dense, fine sword wounds that oozed blood. In the blink of an eye, he had been reduced to a bloody mess.

"Outer Gang is this strong?!"

The exchange of a single Slash and sword thrust left Zheng Jun feeling utterly astounded. He had never felt such power from Cai Xun; Meng Xian’s strength was on a completely different level!

[Faced the Peak of Outer Gang head-on, crossed blades, and dodged a fatal sword strike. Wave-Treading Blade Technique repayment progress +1000. Current repayment progress: 5000/5000.]

[Wave-Treading Blade Technique (Great Success) repayment complete.]

"Peak of Outer Gang?!"

Seeing the small, ink-like text flash before his eyes, Zheng Jun’s face was filled with shock. He looked at Meng Xian before him as if gazing at an insurmountable mountain.

"You’re not dead?" Meng Xian was clearly surprised. He looked at Zheng Jun with a sigh of admiration and added, "With your strength, you must be one of the best among Qi Storage Martial Artists. An ordinary Outer Gang Martial Artist would have to go to quite some trouble to kill you."

"It will take some effort for you to kill me too, County Magistrate!" Zheng Jun scoffed coldly. At the same time, he screamed frantically in his mind, "Advance the Iron Sand Demon Suppression Skill! Advance the Iron Sand Demon Suppression Skill!"

[Do you wish to advance...]

"Advance, advance, advance!"

Zheng Jun was extremely anxious right now. Under the current circumstances, the only thing that could temporarily boost his combat power was the Iron Sand Demon Suppression Skill. Although the Dragon and Tiger Grappling was a Martial Art of the same tier, using it against Meng Xian in this situation was somewhat unrealistic. It was better to use the Horizontal Training of the Iron Sand Demon Suppression Skill to increase his defense. Perhaps then, he would have a glimmer of hope.

Fortunately, he had previously completed the Hard Qi Skill. Because the condition for advancing the Iron Sand Demon Suppression Skill (Minor Achievement) required a Horizontal Training skill at Great Success, the Hard Qi Skill perfectly fulfilled that prerequisite.

The moment the advance was completed, Zheng Jun felt as if his body was being scoured by iron sand. In the next instant, the dense, fine sword wounds across his skin miraculously began to heal at a visible rate.

"Hmm?" Seeing this, Meng Xian paused, confused as to why Zheng Jun’s wounds were suddenly healing. But it didn’t matter. It just meant exerting a bit more effort.

Thus, Meng Xian raised his Short Sword once again.

However, before Meng Xian could unleash his Sword Aura again, Zheng Jun let out a long roar, "Die!"

Zheng Jun charged forward, his steps as swift as the wind. His previous sluggishness had completely vanished. He erupted with an aura of absolute dominance as all the muscles in his body swelled, veins bulging beneath his skin. A flash of saber light, like a descending crescent moon, struck with fierce momentum.

"CLANG!"

The Short Sword slashed out. The webbing between Zheng Jun’s thumb and index finger went numb, and he sprayed a mouthful of blood. His body was once again covered in sword wounds, but this time, the injuries were much lighter than before.

"The Iron Sand Demon Suppression Skill... So you were hiding this move." Meng Xian smiled faintly at the sight. Without a hint of anger, he released his Inner Strength. The terrifying True Qi of an Outer Gang Martial Artist instantly gathered around him at a horrifying speed.

Seeing this, Zheng Jun felt his scalp tingle with dread. Because every single strand of that aura was Sword Qi. They hung suspended in the air like a sky full of Flying Swords, waiting only for Meng Xian’s command to rain down!

"Bring it on!" Zheng Jun gripped his Beirong Saber tightly, slowly channeling his Broken Jade True Qi.

The Broken Jade True Qi could unleash Gang Qi comparable to an Outer Gang Martial Artist, though it couldn’t be sustained for long. Still, if he used it to catch Meng Xian off guard, he could land a Slash and quickly flee. Unless absolutely necessary, Zheng Jun didn’t want to use the Broken Jade True Qi. But now, if he didn’t use it, he would lose his life.

His mind raced. He had already planned it out: after landing a Slash on Meng Xian, he would take advantage of the other Outer Gang experts in the county entangling the Magistrate to take his sister and brother-in-law and flee into Black Mountain to become mountain bandits.

He thought, "I, Zheng Jun, am a loyal subject of Great Chu!"

But just as Zheng Jun finished his preparations and was about to make a desperate struggle with the empowerment of the Broken Jade True Qi, a loud shout suddenly echoed from the horizon.

"Meng Xian, you dare to collude with Demon Fiends?!"

Zheng Jun focused his gaze and saw a black blur swiftly flash past the ceremonial gate. A figure was charging in from outside!

The newcomer was incredibly fierce. The man wore a Flying Fish Robe embroidered with cloud patterns, a jade belt around his waist, and a black gauze hat. Gripping an Imperial Saber, the aura he erupted with was in no way inferior to Meng Xian’s.

It was the Commander of the Garrison Command Government Office. Zheng Jun didn’t know his name, but it seemed Sun Bu’s message had been delivered, and this man had rushed over in time. Zheng Jun let out a long sigh of relief.

"Hmm?!" Meng Xian furrowed his brows. The sky full of Sword Qi hovering around him cascaded down, hurtling entirely toward the Garrison Command Commander. Obviously, he had no time to bother with Zheng Jun anymore.

"Great opportunity!" Seeing this, Zheng Jun’s eyes flashed. In the next moment, without a second’s hesitation, he lunged forward and delivered a vicious Slash at Meng Xian, the roar of a Flood Dragon echoing across the battlefield! His speed was blistering as he struck straight at his target.

"SLASH!"

With a flash of saber aura, Zheng Jun’s blade sliced Meng Xian’s back, causing blood to instantly spurt out!

"Little thief, how dare you sneak attack me!" Meng Xian never expected that after he had spared Zheng Jun’s life, the boy would dare to counterattack. Instantly infuriated, he waved his large hand. Rampant Sword Qi swept toward Zheng Jun like a torrential storm!

"Well struck!" the Garrison Command Commander laughed heartily before charging at Meng Xian. Seeing this, Meng Xian had no choice but to begrudgingly retract his Sword Aura and engage the Commander in close combat.

However, he only managed to retract half of the Sword Aura. The other half still slashed toward Zheng Jun!

Zheng Jun was struck directly by the Sword Aura. A shocking wound instantly appeared on his chest, and the immense force sent him flying. He tumbled across the ground, kicking up clouds of dust.

"HUFF, HUFF." Propping himself up, Zheng Jun panted heavily. He touched his chest, finding it covered in blood. Without hesitation, he immediately began to regulate his breathing, circulating his True Qi throughout his body to stop the bleeding.

[Took a begrudging half-strike from the Peak of Outer Gang. Iron Sand Demon Suppression Skill repayment progress +703. Current repayment progress: 1154/2500.]

Zheng Jun’s eyes widened in realization!

He thought, "I found it! I’ve found a shortcut to paying off the debt. Challenging higher-tier opponents is the fastest way to repay! What doesn’t kill me will only make me stronger!"

Overjoyed, Zheng Jun looked up and saw that the Garrison Command Commander and Meng Xian were already locked in a fierce battle. At that moment, however, another figure suddenly leapt from the direction of the Military Department, charging toward Meng Xian.

Taking a closer look, it was none other than County Captain Cai Xun.

"You traitor, I’ve arrived!" Cai Xun shouted loudly, immediately gathering his True Qi as he prepared to unleash his ancestral ultimate technique, the Qi Arrow Technique.

Meng Xian merely spared him a glance. With a wave of his sleeve, Sword Aura manifested as he roared in fury, "Where did this wild dog come from? Scram!"

The Sword Aura swept forward, causing Cai Xun to pale in terror. He could only throw up a hasty, disorganized defense. In the next second, he fell to the ground like a kite with a broken string.

"Huh?" Watching the entire sequence unfold, Zheng Jun was utterly dumbfounded.