"Qin Li, you're insane! How dare you commit murder in public! Today, I'll make sure to capture you and make an example of you!" Qin Yong roared, posturing as he lunged toward Qin Li.
Qin Yong's strength wasn't particularly high; he was only a third-rank Yellow Level Martial Artist and didn't even rank within the Qin Family. But dealing with a child like Qin Li, who had always been stuck at the first rank of the Yellow Level, was a simple matter.
In Qin Yong's eyes, Qin Li's recent killing of the Wu Clan woman with his sword was nothing more than a fit of madness. How could a child who had never even learned a combat technique or a Primordial Power Heart Method possibly be his opponent?
Therefore, Qin Yong didn't even use a weapon. He shaped his hand into an eagle's claw and reached for Qin Li's shoulder. It wasn't his place to decide if Qin Li should live or die. Although anyone dared to mock the mother and son, only one person in the entire Qin Family had the authority to decide their fate!
The moment Qin Yong's hand grabbed for him, Qin Li stumbled, his body swaying as he dodged the attack. To outsiders, it looked as if he had tripped and coincidentally avoided the grab.
At the same time, the sword in Qin Li's hand shot straight toward Physician Wu's chest. Petrified with fear, Physician Wu completely forgot to dodge, simply watching wide-eyed as the rusty iron sword plunged toward him.
Behind Qin Li, Qin Yong roared in fury. His claw became a fist, smashing viciously toward the center of Qin Li's back. The air whistled from the immense Power of the blow. If this attack landed squarely, Qin Li would be half-dead, if not killed outright.
Qin Yong was truly enraged. He never expected this little bastard to try and kill a second person after already murdering one! If he hadn't shown up today, it would have been one thing; he might have gotten a scolding at worst. But if Qin Li managed to kill two people right under his nose, he, the Steward of the Qin Family, would not only face severe punishment but would also lose all authority. Who in the Qin Family would ever listen to his orders again?
He steeled his heart. 'Everyone in the Qin Family has always despised this little wild seed anyway. I'll risk a harsh punishment from the master today and kill this little bastard to establish my authority!'
PFFT!
Qin Li's sword ran Physician Wu straight through. At the same time, he balled his left hand into a fist, spun around with incredible speed, raised his elbow, and threw a punch...
BANG!
With a dull thud, Qin Li stumbled back seven or eight steps, while Qin Yong merely swayed and took half a step back. But Qin Yong's eyes were now filled with terror, as if he'd seen a ghost. He stared at Qin Li, aghast. 'I put my full strength into that attack, and he only stumbled back a few steps after a hasty counter?'
"How is that possible?" Qin Yong was stunned. When he looked at Qin Li again, his eyes were full of cold light. He sneered, "Good. Very good! Excellent! I never thought a little brat like you would secretly learn the family's Martial Arts. You've hidden it well! Now I don't have to fear punishment from the master for killing you. Secretly learning the family's Martial Arts without permission is a crime punishable by death! Qin Li, prepare to die!"
Qin Yong shouted, and a faint yellow glow seemed to emanate from his body. He drew the saber from his waist and slashed at Qin Li.
Qin Li had killed two people today for the sole purpose of establishing his dominance. He was no longer the introverted, timid Qin Li who would rather cough up blood from anger than fight back. He was the decisive and ruthless Sect Leader Qin!
In his past life, the constraints of countless rules had always held him back. But after coming to this continent and understanding it was a world where strength reigned supreme, Qin Li had already made a decision: 'Whoever dares to bully me will be met with retaliation!'
Moreover, they had not only insulted him but also the only family he had in this world!
'In heaven or on earth, if anyone dares to insult my mother—even if it's the heavens themselves—I'll tear a hole right through them!'
After taking over this body and merging with all its memories, Qin Li had long since made up his mind. 'The Qin Family? To hell with them! Let's see if I'll starve to death without you!'
As for Qin Yong, Qin Li had no intention of killing him. Unlike Physician Wu and his wife, Qin Yong held some status in the Qin Family. Besides, one had to know where to draw the line; he had done enough for now.
As these thoughts crossed Qin Li's mind, he and Qin Yong exchanged six or seven blows in an instant.
Outside the crowd, several figures stood at the corner of a building. Among them was a burly old man with the white hair of a crane but the complexion of a child. His eyes were like lightning as he stood there, watching the fight between Qin Li and Qin Yong with rapt attention. The few people beside him appeared to hold him in high esteem, all standing respectfully behind him.
The gawking onlookers were so engrossed that, for a moment, no one noticed their presence.
"Grandfather, are you just going to let them cause this ruckus? Someone has already died!" Standing closest to the old man was a handsome youth of about fifteen or sixteen. He had red lips, white teeth, and clear features, with a tall, slender build. He was frowning at the fight. In his eyes, a battle between two Yellow Level Martial Artists was utterly amateurish. He couldn't understand what his grandfather was thinking, watching it with such relish.
'Grandfather has never watched me with such focus!' the youth thought, a hint of resentment creeping into his heart as he muttered a complaint.
"Qin Yong is no match for Qin Li," the old man mumbled, not answering the question. Then he added in a low voice, "He's never had the chance to train in combat techniques. How could he possess such a Body Technique? Truly strange!"
The youth retorted, unconvinced, "How is that possible? Qin Yong is a third-rank Yellow Level, while Qin Li... he's just a first-rank Yellow Level!"
The old man glanced at the youth and said coolly, "Why is it impossible? Feng'Er, don't assume a higher rank guarantees victory. You mustn't forget that courage and grit also exist in this world!" With that, he turned his head to continue watching the fight.
The youth pouted to himself and thought, 'Him? Grit and courage? If he really had any, how could he have let Second Brother anger him to the point of coughing up blood?'
Meanwhile, in the center of the yard, Qin Li and Qin Yong had already exchanged more than thirty blows!
Qin Yong's combat technique was wide and powerful, his Saber Technique ruthless, with every move intended to be fatal. In contrast, Qin Li fought like someone who knew nothing of Martial Arts, countering each move as it came in a series of perilous exchanges. The onlookers were so captivated they forgot this youth had just killed two people without batting an eye, and they began to worry for him. Steward Qin seemed determined to kill Qin Li; how long could the boy hold out? 'Even if he is an illegitimate son, that's not his fault...'
Humans are such strange creatures. Their minds are complex—sometimes angels, sometimes devils.
No one knew what Qin Yong was feeling at this moment. He was regretting his actions so much his guts were turning green. If he could choose again, he would never have come here!
'I can't believe this brat Qin Li is so devious,' Qin Yong thought. 'I don't know where he learned this combat technique. It looks completely random, but every single move perfectly counters my own, as if it were all choreographed in advance.' The frustration was so intense Qin Yong almost wanted to cough up blood.
Suddenly, Qin Li felt two gazes on him, sharp as needles. He subconsciously glanced in their direction and immediately spotted the imposing old man. An idea sparked in his mind. Feigning defeat, he allowed Qin Yong to knock the iron sword from his hand with a CLANG. He then retreated with hurried steps. Qin Hanyue, who had been watching her son's every move, was about to leap in front of him without a moment's hesitation, her eyes erupting with a murderous aura so tangible it was almost physical!
Qin Li shot out an arm, blocking his mother behind him and intercepting Qin Hanyue's deadly gaze.
At that moment, Qin Yong's saber came slashing down viciously in a diagonal arc! The blade cut through the air with a sharp whistle. Sunlight glinted off the mirror-bright steel, creating a blinding flash of light!
Just as it seemed Qin Li was about to be sliced in two, the onlookers couldn't help but cry out in alarm.
Just then, a voice full of authority boomed, "Stop!"