C15 This Is Not Your Responsibility

"Just leave it to me. I'll draw him out when the time comes. You all need to be ready to act on cue, got it?"

"You?"

Lu Xuanxin's frown deepened as she looked at Chen Fan with a hint of anxiety.

"No, you shouldn't have to deal with this—it's not your responsibility, and it doesn't concern you. I'll take care of it!"

Chen Fan couldn't help but laugh at her words, giving Lu Xuanxin a look of gentle exasperation. He shook his head and said, "It's not that I doubt your abilities because you're a woman. The simple truth is, you're no match for Feng Yuxiu. If you were to face him, I fear you wouldn't last a single round. How would you then manage to draw him out?"

He recognized that Lu Xuanxin had her strengths, such as her knack for piecing together the sequence of events in a crime.

Moreover, she had a keen eye for reading people. Ordinary folks couldn't keep any secrets from Lu Xuanxin.

But when it came to fighting, that was something Lu Xuanxin should steer clear of!

Lu Xuanxin turned to the person beside her, her mouth opening as if to protest, but she checked herself, closing her mouth without further argument.

Chen Fan's assessment was spot on. She was indeed outmatched by Feng Yuxiu. None of her people were up to the task of taking him on. To stand a chance against Feng Yuxiu, they would have to depend on Chen Fan and Xiahou Wu!

The realization was a bitter pill for Lu Xuanxin to swallow.

As time ticked by, the impasse dragged on. Xiahou Wu sized up Feng Yuxiu, paying particular attention to his stance. After observing Feng Yuxiu's feet, Xiahou Wu nodded in approval and said, "Impressive. To have honed such skill is commendable. You're truly exceptional. But do you understand what the essence of mastering leg techniques is?"

"It's not about competing or being the best in the martial arts world. It's about protecting others and ensuring a world free from violence. Do you get that?"

This approach was about fighting fire with fire. It wasn't ideal, but the most effective and straightforward way to end violence was just that.

Only then could their world be truly at peace. Yet, such a vision was something he could only imagine, for it had never actually come to pass.

At least, that's what Xiahou Wu believed.

Upon hearing these words, Feng Yuxiu couldn't help but laugh, his chuckles tinged with scorn.

Shaking his head in a mix of frustration and amusement, he gazed at Xiahou Wu and said with a smile, "If it's not for the sake of competition or to be the best in the martial arts world, why else would I be perfecting my leg techniques? Enough talk. If you're itching for a fight, let's get on with it. Spare me the pointless chatter—I'm not interested in listening!"

With that, Feng Yuxiu raised his hands in a traditional salute, cupping his fists towards Xiahou Wu, his expression turning earnest.

"Young Feng Yuxiu requests your guidance!"

He then launched a kick at Xiahou Wu's chest. Xiahou Wu quickly stepped back to evade, then reached out to grab Feng Yuxiu's leg, attempting to yank him to the ground.

Unexpectedly, Feng Yuxiu used the momentum to vault into the air, landing squarely on Xiahou Wu's shoulders, his fist poised to strike Xiahou Wu's face.

Xiahou Wu managed to dodge once more and flung Feng Yuxiu away.

Both combatants steadied themselves and charged again, faster than before. Their legs clashed fiercely before they separated and backed away.

This time, Xiahou Wu chose not to counterattack but instead began to retreat towards the prison cell, with Feng Yuxiu in hot pursuit.

Lu Xuanxin and the rest were about to intervene when Chen Fan blocked their path.

Confusion was written all over Lu Xuanxin's face as she turned to Chen Fan and asked, "What are you doing? Xiahou Wu is in grave danger. If we don't step in, what will become of him? Are we just going to stand by and watch him perish?"

Chen Fan shook his head and replied, "I've got this covered. Tell me where your trap is set up, and I'll draw him into it!"

Lu Xuanxin cast a quick glance at Xiahou Wu and Feng Yuxiu, then focused back on Chen Fan, exhaling a resigned sigh. "It's inside the cell where Xiahou Wu is. He knows the location. Just trigger the third iron rod, and the mechanism above will activate automatically!"

In reality, the design of the prison was intentional, not just for Xiahou Wu's cell but for all the cells. Xiahou Wu's cell, however, was the closest one. Moreover, the iron rod could only be turned by activating the main control mechanism. Without it, the rod was immovable, so this was a contingency that had been planned in advance. Yet, it was unexpected that it would come into play with Feng Yuxiu.

Upon hearing this, Chen Fan didn't hesitate and immediately dashed over. As he arrived, he saw Feng Yuxiu kicking Xiahou Wu out, slamming him against the cell door with such force that it nearly shattered. Feng Yuxiu relentlessly pursued Xiahou Wu, grabbing him by the collar and delivering a barrage of punches to his face, leaving him with a swollen and bruised visage.

After tossing Xiahou Wu to the ground, Feng Yuxiu glanced at the blood on his hands with a look of disgust. "I thought you'd be formidable, but this is just laughable," he sneered.

"Really?" Xiahou Wu lunged at Feng Yuxiu, seizing his collar and dragging him backward into the depths of the cell, where Xiahou Wu collapsed from exhaustion.

He turned to Chen Fan with a fierce command, "What are you waiting for? Activate the mechanism now!"

Mechanism? The word spurred Feng Yuxiu into action, and he made a break for the outside. Chen Fan, wasting no more time, kicked Feng Yuxiu back in and swiftly manipulated the iron rod that controlled the mechanism. With a resounding 'clank,' a massive iron cage descended, encasing Feng Yuxiu and Xiahou Wu within.

Chen Fan watched the scene unfold, his fists clenched, his face a mix of emotions. If only he had been quicker, or if he could have been of some assistance, things might not have turned out this way. Now, with Feng Yuxiu and Xiahou Wu trapped together in the cell, it was a matter of life or death for Xiahou Wu.

Chen Fan was wrestling with a sense of guilt. Had he not shown up, events would have unfolded as originally intended. In that scenario, Xiahou Wu wouldn't have met his current fate.

Xiahou Wu, as the protagonist of the movie, wasn't meant to die!

Yet...

Feng Yuxiu lifted his hand to the ground, using it to brace himself as he rose to his feet.