Lin En sneered. That kind of lie might fool a child. If he went back with them, he'd be dead for sure. His stepmother probably couldn't wait for him to die and be buried.
"Young master, stay close!" Lin Rongfu shouted lowly. He slashed his longsword forward, sending a streak of Dou Qi flying toward Teddy.
Dou Qi projection! A hallmark of a Great Warrior. Despite his aged body, Lin Rongfu still carried terrifying strength.
"Hmph! Old man, if this were your peak, I might retreat. But now you're injured and far from your prime. Just how many more times can you pull off attacks like that?" Teddy mocked. Wrapped in his own Dou Qi, his knight's greatsword clashed head-on with Lin Rongfu's projected energy.
Boom!With a thunderous blast, wind roared as Teddy was forced back several steps. Though clearly shaken, he managed to block the strike completely.
"Go, young master!"Lin Rongfu didn't press the advantage. Instead, he seized Lin En's arm and made a sudden break to the side. His sword flashed in a deadly arc—two knights who stood in their way hadn't even reacted before blood spurted from their throats. A gap opened in the encirclement, and Lin Rongfu leapt out with Lin En.
He'd planned this from the start—force Teddy back and escape through the weakest point. Lin Rongfu knew he didn't have the strength to kill Teddy quickly. If surrounded again, it would be a brutal fight to the death.
"Trash!"Teddy cursed, furious as Lin Rongfu escaped with Lin En. He stomped the ground, launching himself over the courtyard wall in pursuit. The other guards scrambled after him.
Lin En was dragged at high speed, the sheer force making him feel weightless. Thankfully, after consuming the Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit—Phoenix type—his body had grown stronger. Without that, the strain would've torn him apart.
Though stronger than Teddy, Lin Rongfu's aging body and old injuries slowed him down. He'd just drunk a healing potion, but it only partially mended his wounds. Worse, carrying Lin En meant he couldn't outrun Teddy.
Teddy caught up and slashed out a meter-long blade of Dou Qi, aiming directly at Lin En's back. There was no hesitation—he meant to kill.
A deadly aura surged behind him. Lin En felt death breathing down his neck. Cold sweat broke out, and terror flooded his heart. Was he really going to die here?
At the critical moment, Lin En felt Lin Rongfu's grip tighten. With a massive tug, Lin En was yanked forward—landing in front of the old warrior just as Lin Rongfu turned and blocked the incoming strike with his sword. The hasty defense cost him; Lin Rongfu staggered back several steps, Lin En nearly falling with him.
Teddy pressed forward relentlessly, Dou Qi slashing again and again toward Lin Rongfu's vital spots. The old man parried each one, unable to escape.
"Old fool, carrying this waste around will only get you killed. If you surrender him and pledge loyalty to the Madam, your strength will be rewarded. Why risk your life for someone with no magic or Dou Qi talent? Hand him over—wealth and power await you."
"Shut your mouth. Unless I die, you won't touch a single hair on my young master," Lin Rongfu said grimly.
"Stubborn to the end. Then die!"Teddy's greatsword flared with Dou Qi, each strike a storm of cutting wind.
"Storm Slash!"
Teddy had lost patience and unleashed his signature technique. Blades of Dou Qi swirled like a storm, battering Lin Rongfu. Holding Lin En with one hand and fighting one-handed, Lin Rongfu struggled to block them all. Still, Teddy couldn't break through.
But the strain was showing. Blood trickled from Lin Rongfu's mouth. Worse still, more guards had surrounded them. They were trapped again.
"How long can you keep this up, old man?" Teddy sneered.
Lin Rongfu stayed silent, thinking furiously. If escape was no longer possible, he was willing to die—but Lin En must survive.
Lin En, protected behind Lin Rongfu, watched the encirclement tighten. His heart sank. Just awakened, and already a burden. All he'd done was eat the Phoenix Fruit and barely survive. He still couldn't fight—just dead weight.
He clenched his fists in fury. Someday, when I'm strong enough, I'll make them all pay.
"Still trying to escape? Give up, old man. I'll make it quick!" Teddy barked, sword strikes growing more vicious. "Surround them! Don't let that old bastard slip away again!"
The guards obeyed, closing in around them. A few rushed Lin En directly—dead or alive, they'd earn favor with the Madam and Second Young Master if they killed him.
"You're courting death!"
Enraged, Lin Rongfu knocked Teddy's sword aside, sweeping his own blade in a deadly arc. A surge of Dou Qi followed like a silver ribbon. The guards rushing Lin En were cleaved in half—blood and entrails splattering the courtyard. The others hesitated, horrified.
It was the first time Lin En had seen such gruesome death up close. His stomach churned. He fought the urge to vomit. He couldn't show weakness—not now. This world was cruel. Being transmigrated didn't mean he could skip the struggle. He had to adapt.
Teddy seized the distraction and struck from behind, carving a deep wound across Lin Rongfu's back. The old man staggered, pale, barely able to stand.
"Grandpa Rongfu!" Lin En cried, supporting him quickly.
"I'm fine," Lin Rongfu said, forcing a smile through gritted teeth. "As long as I'm alive, I'll protect you."
That smile cut deep. Lin En's vision blurred. His chest burned with guilt and helplessness.
"Die already, old man!"
Teddy raised his blade for the finishing blow.
"Huuuhh…"
Lin Rongfu exhaled slowly, as if expelling his very soul. His eyes lit up. His bent body straightened. A powerful aura surged from him like a rising tide.
He was no longer suppressing his old injuries. He was unleashing everything. He was going to fight to the death.
Lin En felt it immediately—Rongfu's stooped frame now seemed tall enough to hold up the sky. A sense of absolute safety surrounded him.
A blinding sword light burst forth. The Dou Qi was dazzling, tearing through the darkness.
Boom!Teddy's attack shattered. His greatsword flung back from the shockwave. He stumbled several steps, stunned. A second slash tore through the air.
Rippp!His armor cracked open. Blood sprayed from his chest as he was flung meters away, a deep gash marking where the sword had struck. If not for the armor, he'd have been sliced in two.
The power of a Great Warrior—terrifying beyond belief.
Teddy thought he was going to die.
But Lin Rongfu didn't follow up. Instead, he turned, cutting down more guards to clear another path. Grabbing Lin En, he escaped once more.
Dozens of meters ahead, he coughed up blood again. His face pale, but he said nothing—just kept running.
"Grandpa Rongfu!"
Blood sprayed onto Lin En's face. He knew Rongfu had paid dearly to unleash that final attack. He clenched his teeth and ran harder. They had to survive—only then could he take revenge.
Thanks to the Phoenix Fruit, Lin En had recovered most of his wounds and his body was stronger. He barely managed to keep up, easing Rongfu's burden.
Just then, a voice rang out through the night:
"Fireball!"
A flash of light lit the darkness. A blazing fireball the size of a basketball streaked toward them, heat warping the air.