Chapter 23 - One Down, Five to Go

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Along the way, Bai Fuah explained to Arthur why that black-haired little girl recognized them as allies.

'So there are actually things like this, huh. It seems I have been slacking on my education a little bit.', Arthur thought wryly.

A couple of hours have passed and they finally reached the village.

It was already the darkest hour of the night and the villagers were sound asleep when they came. Only Heina and Darriel can be seen standing there.

Since it was very late at night and the activity of beasts gets livelier at this time. The two of them were a bit worried that something must have happened to Arthur. However, knowing that Bai Fuah is accompanying him, they relaxed a bit and instead just waited for them to return.

But now that they saw them running side by side, there must obviously be some kind of danger that the kid encountered which made them lightly sneer in their hearts.

'Hmph, the mayor must have been blind to let this hairless kid kill those beasts.'

'Even just scouting the area actually endangered him that he needed Bai Fuah's help.'

However, at the same time, they were also confused. Although they knew that it was Bai Fuah's first time gaining experience and coming out of the city, he was wise and quick enough to rescue someone like Arthur from whatever danger he faced.

So how come they have only arrived now?

Upon reaching the city's gates, Heina and Darriel immediately checked on Bai Fuah and Arthur.

"Are you two alright?", Heina asked.

"What have you two encountered that made you return this late?"

If they told the truth, the two doubted that they would believe them. Furthermore, the black-haired little girl faintly hinted from her words earlier that the event that occurred there must not be known or else their life would be lost.

And to top it all off, she was also an indirect ally of theirs, a very powerful at that, they could not bring themselves to suddenly betray her.

Hence, Bai Fuah chose not to spread any word of their encounter, "It's nothing, I'll tell you later. But first, little brother Arthur and I have to talk a little."

With those words said, Bai Fuah patted Arthur's shoulders lightly and tilted his head, signaling where they should go.

He was in a little daze when Bai Fuah patted him. The image of Nether Devouring Flower that was burned in his mind was still fresh.

In the eyes of the two middle-aged men in front of him. His reaction was no different from a traumatized little kid who has experienced something really bad. They snickered at their hearts.

Arthur followed Bai Fuah to the front of his own room. It was a far from Heina and Darriel's room so eavesdropping would not be possible.

With a quick turn look around, Bai Fuah faced Arthur with a serious expression, "Listen, little brother Arthur. The events that happened inside that forest—no one must know about it. Do you understand?"

Arthur nodded. He didn't know the magnitude of encountering someone as high as a core disciple of the strongest sect, and he didn't want to know, even now, so he could only agree to Bai Fuah.

"Senior Brother Bai Fuah, just before that Nether Devouring Flower disappeared. She said something about us, meeting again..."

Bai Fuah contemplated and said, "Then you have to be careful, extremely careful. Although she seems to be a good person, the people around her... we can't say the same about them."

After that, Bai Fuah bade farewell to Arthur and went to his own room. Now that he was discovered by Arthur, there was no need for him to act too low.

However, the fact that Arthur discovered him earlier was too great of an impact on him. He could not believe it, or it was safe to say that he already accepted it but he could not admit it.

Just a day with that good-for-nothing scion from the Vermillion Family, and so many things have already happened that went past beyond his horizon of understanding.

'I have a feeling... that soon, a powerful man surpassing even the City Mayor, will be born.'

Arthur sneezed. It seems that the continuous exposure of that black-haired little girl's aura made him sick. However, for a martial artist ordinary diseases such as these won't ever affect them so he wasn't worried.

Thinking along these lines, he remembered how he acted before meeting Nether Devouring Flower. He actually thought that there was a supreme treasure being born there.

How laughable.

He was too greedy, if they were greeted by someone else other than that black-haired little girl, then he wouldn't even be standing here.

This time, they were saved because both of their origins could be indirectly be interpreted as allies. But in the face of absolute strength, none of those trivial things matter. If she was a bit crueler, then she could immediately take their heads without batting an eye for their alliance or whatnot.

It has always been strength that decides a person's worth in this world. The weak obeys and the strong orders, it is a cycle that has been engraved throughout the hearts of the people.

A weak man being greedy is just that and nothing more. For him to become that kind of person earlier... he didn't like it.

A person held his life during that time, after all.

'I have to train harder.'

The closed eyes of Arthur greeted the rays of the sun. He was in a meditating position when morning came.

Through the whole night, he cultivated, only having an hour of sleep. He improved his comprehension of the 'Sable God's Movement Technique' and 'Immortal Body Holy Scripture'. Although he didn't really gain new things but only solidified his previous understanding.

Today, he would attempt to kill one of those six Green-scaled Lizard beasts.

He stood up and left his room. Then, he went straight to the gate of the village. However, upon realizing something, he stopped and said, "Senior Brother Bai Fuah, please don't follow me this time. I came here to temper myself and gain experience, so you, protecting me... it will defeat the whole point."

Suddenly, Bai Fuah stood right next to the gate of the village with his arms crossed, "You know I can't really do that, since the city mayor ordered me to protect you from harm,

"But sure, you're my little brother anyway. I trust you can defeat those lizards."

Arthur cupped his fists and slightly bowed, "You have my thanks, Senior Brother Bai Fuah.". Then he immediately went out with his fastest speed, seemingly afraid that Bai Fuah might break his promise and still continue to protect him from the shadows.

A fierce glint appeared in Bai Fuah's eyes after seeing the departing Arthur, 'His speed rose... after only a day had passed.'

Then, his lips curved into a meaningful smile and he vanished.

Not an hour has passed and Arthur finally arrived at his destination.

The six Green-scaled Lizard beasts stood there with their heads turning left and right from time to time, searching for prey they might encounter.

They seemed to have their own territories and they are quite far from each other which would make it easier for Arthur to kill one of them.

However, he has to be careful not to prolong the fight for too long lest the other Green-scaled Lizard beasts interfere, if that were to happen, he would be in grave danger. Therefore, he has to fight quickly and smartly.

There aren't any useful skills in his arsenal that could release explosive damage so killing one will rely solely on his fighting ability.

In this battle, he would probably rely on 'Sable God's Movement Technique' the most.

'Looks like I really have to learn an offensive cultivation technique as soon as possible.'

He took deep breaths and steadied his state of mind. The hilt of his dagger was already tightly gripped by him, ready to attack at any time.

The only thing he was looking at, for now, was a chance, an opening that the Green-scaled Lizard beasts would expose. As of now, he would not be able to face a Superior Body Stage martial artist head-on much less a beast one at that, so he could only resolve to this strategy.

At this moment, a Green-scaled Lizard beast closest to him suddenly moved, it was heading towards a wild rabbit that appeared and was approaching it steadily, it was only a matter of time before the Green-scaled Lizard beast reached it.

Arthur found an opening. The moment the Green-scaled Lizard beast launched an attack on the wild rabbit, he would take that chance and attack it.

Suddenly, the Green-scaled Lizard beast ran at an astonishing speed, his claws reaching the neck of the wild rabbit.

On the other hand, Arthur also moved, his speed much faster than the Green-scaled Lizard beast. His dagger was also reaching for the Green-scaled Lizard's throat.

The lizard beast also noticed the approaching Arthur and it immediately shielded his throat with both of its arms.

Slush.

Blood gushed out of the Green-scaled Lizard beast's severed right arm.

Arthur frowned, in terms of speed he was clearly much faster than the Green-scaled Lizard beast, however, it still managed to avoid a fatal strike.

Arthur rushed towards the Green-scaled Lizard beast again, this time he would not miss. The lizard beast also moved, its expression was distorted and it made high-pitched roaring sounds that showed his anger.

'This is bad. If this keeps going on, the other Green-scaled Lizard beasts will notice what's going on. I have to end this!'

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Dagger and claws clashed. It was just several exchanges of moves but it was already evident that Arthur was getting overwhelmed.

Even with a severed arm, Superior Body Stage beings would not go down that easily.

At this moment, the Green-scaled Lizard beast gathered momentum and charged towards Arthur at an extreme speed.

Arthur dodged but the distance between them is too close, and the claws of the lizard beast still reached Arthur's left shoulder.

The fight continued, with Arthur's speed he was able to avoid most of the lizard beast's attack. However, if he could not launch a counter-attack then as the fight continues, they would attract the attention of the other Green-scaled Lizard beasts.

That is not the outcome that Arthur wished for.

And that's not all the problem that Arthur faced. He was already getting tired. His body cannot sustain long fights such as these. If this goes on, then his speed would drop, losing the only advantage he has.

Arthur parried the lizard beast's attack and jumped backwards.

'There's no other choice', Arthur thought.

His goal was to activate the Sable God's Movement Technique' to the maximum.

He assumed a sprint position and holding his dagger with his right arm, he placed it beside his left chest.

The eyes of Arthur emitted a fierce gleam that closely resembled that of an unrelenting dragon.

Then, he moved. From the perspective of a mortal, it would seem that he suddenly disappeared, leaving nothing but dust behind.

The Green-scaled Lizard beast, who was known for its speed and agility, had also seen Arthur suddenly disappear. Only a fragment of Arthur's shadow could be seen by the lizard beast. Bewilderment immediately spread across its face.

In the next moment, the Green-scaled Lizard beast suddenly discovered that the head of the human boy he was staring at earlier was already beside him. It was surprised to discover that a cold sensation could suddenly be felt on its throat.

It was about to touch it, but it was already too late for him.

Plop.

The head of the Green-scaled Lizard beast came rolling on the ground.

"That's one down."

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