Chapter 109: Blatant Humiliation

Jiang Chen sighed softly and said, "I never said I wanted to run away."

Zhao Sili drew his straight sword from his waist. Last time, he had set a trap to force Jiang Chen to surrender, but unexpectedly, the young man had escaped. Today, he was determined not to repeat that mistake.

As he drew his sword, thirteen of his men took their positions, each occupying advantageous spots from various directions, ready to strike on Zhao Sili’s command.

"Actually, you should know that no matter how far you run, I will find you!"

To him, Jiang Chen was the murderer of three officials at the Sili level; there was no way he would let him go easily. Moreover, this man surely had significant ties to the notorious criminal Han Yuyang!

Zhao Sili stepped forward with his left foot, placing it half a step ahead—this was the opening stance of his sword style. Though it appeared ordinary, it concealed the essence of a refined technique.

Thanks to this swordsmanship, Zhao Sili had survived countless battles unscathed.

At this moment, Jiang Chen was unarmed. He was still unaccustomed to using cold weapons. Apart from the fierce wind gun left by Old Wu, he had no other arms.

Yet, he had decided not to use the gun. Once Wu Qingshan arrived from Longjiang to the capital, he would consider passing on Old Wu’s marksmanship and this treasured weapon to its rightful heir.

"I really don’t want to fight, but since you keep tangling with me, we must settle this."

Saying so, Jiang Chen lifted his foot and kicked up a firewood stick lying by his side, holding it firmly in his hand.

The stick was half-charred, with only a third remaining, but Jiang Chen seemed quite satisfied, casually twirling it a few times in his hand.

Zhao Sili saw this as a blatant insult and provocation. Furious, he charged forward with his sword.

At the same time, the other thirteen men, unwilling to be outdone, surged toward Jiang Chen’s position, inspired by their leader’s boldness.

"A firewood stick!"

"Hmph, you’re asking for death!"

Zhao Sili had never fought Jiang Chen directly before. He had long puzzled over how a seasoned veteran like Wu Da, skilled and experienced, could have died at Jiang Chen’s hands.

And not just one, but three deaths—the other two were hardly ordinary either.

Yet, his doubts were completely dispelled in the first round of their confrontation.

His sword was sharp and longer than the firewood stick in Jiang Chen’s hand, but during their clashes, the stick felt unbreakable, stubbornly deflecting the blade.

How could this be?

Zhao Sili struck repeatedly, while the others closed in on Jiang Chen. Amid a dazzling flurry of moves, Jiang Chen withstood seven or eight sword attacks without a scratch.

His footwork was measured, advancing and retreating with perfect rhythm, making his moves unpredictable. It seemed every strike was anticipated, and his responses were impeccably precise.

Clang!

The sound of metal striking metal rang out as several swords clashed against each other, causing some of Zhao Sili’s men to lose their grip and drop their weapons due to violent recoil.

Jiang Chen smiled slightly and deftly stepped back a few paces, instantly creating distance between himself and his adversaries.

Zhao Sili was taken aback by Jiang Chen’s remarkable skills, but he was resolved to capture him today no matter the odds—even if it meant killing him.

After a brief pause, he launched a swift and fierce blade assault once more.

The firewood stick gradually broke under the relentless strikes. Jiang Chen had cleverly used his strength to make the ordinary stick as hard as refined steel, but that trick had its limits.

With his weapon destroyed, Jiang Chen appeared to be at a disadvantage. Encouraged, Zhao Sili pressed his attack, sensing his moment had come.

"Haah!"

"Who’s there?"

Screams erupted nearby as Zhao Sili’s men were cut down by another attacker besides Jiang Chen.

Zhao Sili paid them no heed and kept his eyes locked on Jiang Chen, unleashing a brutal offensive. As soon as Jiang Chen was taken care of, he would turn to deal with this unexpected threat.

The situation grew perilous. Jiang Chen retreated step by step, evading the sword strikes. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a fallen blade on the ground and pretended to reach for it.

Zhao Sili saw through the ruse and swung his sword fiercely at Jiang Chen’s waist. This strike embodied the essence of his two decades of swordsmanship—perfect in angle, power, and speed.

If Jiang Chen were hit, blood would spray, and he would surely die.

Yet, at this seemingly inescapable moment, Jiang Chen suddenly halted and lunged toward Zhao Sili.

He had feigned a weakness, baiting Zhao Sili into striking first. After the slash, Zhao Sili would find it difficult to retract his blade, leaving himself wide open.

Jiang Chen seized the chance without hesitation, delivering a fierce kick to Zhao Sili’s chest, sending his short but sturdy body flying far back.

"Ah!"

Zhao Sili’s sword plunged into the ground. Only with great effort did he steady himself.

As he looked up, the man he had been tracking from the northern border, Han Yuyang, appeared before him calm and unruffled.

"Who is this?" Han Yuyang’s sword dripped with blood. In just a short while, he had wiped out all thirteen of Zhao Sili’s escorts.

Jiang Chen explained the earlier events to Han Yuyang, who immediately wore a look of guilt.

"It was my doing that brought this trouble to you. Those three you killed should have died by my hand. Since we’ve met him today, I will be the one to finish Zhao Sili."

Han Yuyang stepped forward, intent on ending Zhao Sili’s life, and Jiang Chen had no objection.

Being pursued by this dog was already a great inconvenience. After the fight, this bloodstained wasteland would need proper cleaning.

Facing death, Zhao Sili laughed wildly. "Han Yuyang, do you think killing me will make you safe?"

"You have no idea how many people in the Great Qian Court want you dead!"

"Hahaha..."

Zhao Sili said, "Anyway, the one dying now is you, so spare the chatter."

Han Yuyang approached Zhao Sili, who suddenly raised his sword for one last desperate strike. He knew begging for mercy was useless—this battle was lost, no chance of escape.

With a crisp sound, Han Yuyang severed Zhao Sili’s sword, ending his life.