C22 Fight

Wenn Xuan had just mentioned he set up a timed release for the video. If the footage of Nie Feng killing Wang San got into police hands, Nie Feng would be in deep trouble.

Despite his confidence that no prison on earth could hold him, Nie Feng might soon be facing a life on the run.

With that in mind, Nie Feng reluctantly reached for his phone and dialed a number etched in his memory, "Hello, Jasmine, it's Blade."

"Blade?! Is that really you? Where have you been all this time? Why haven't we heard anything?" A woman's voice, laced with surprise, came through the phone.

"Listen, I need a favor from you," Nie Feng said, ignoring Jasmine's questions.

"What do you need? Just tell me!" Jasmine's voice held a hint of disappointment, probably because Nie Feng's rare call was just to seek help.

Nie Feng laid out his situation to Jasmine without holding back. She was his only hope now; if she couldn't assist, Nie Feng would have to think about fleeing.

"How can I help you if you don't even know the guy's email address?" Jasmine sounded troubled.

"Please, think of something. I know you can," Nie Feng urged, a smile in his voice.

"Fine, fine, fine. I'll break the rules just this once for you, the person I respect the most. Wait for my call—I'll get in touch once I've handled things here," Jasmine said before ending the call.

Nie Feng breathed a sigh of relief. With Jasmine on the case, there was no need to worry. Straightening his jacket, he made his way back to the Flourishing Age.

"Monkey, what's the update on Third Master? What's the word?" Nie Feng inquired.

"Third Master was burned to death. The police are calling it an accident. Manager Zhao stopped by earlier to say the head of security position is open. They're picking a new captain tomorrow based on merit," Monkey reported honestly.

Though he had his suspicions, Monkey didn't pry further. He was clear on what he needed to know—and what was better left unknown.

"Hey, Feng, have you seen Wenn Xuan around? Ever since Third Master passed away, the kid's been missing," Lee Erniu said, puzzled.

"You don't get it, do you? That kid was here for Third Master's protection, probably got himself into trouble. With Third Master gone, he's surely skipped town. Forget about him," Little Monkey said, casting a knowing glance at Nie Feng.

Nie Feng just offered a slight smile, staying silent. Little Monkey was sharp; there was no need for Nie Feng to spell it out.

"Ah, got it! Well, then, with the security captain election tomorrow, it's a shoo-in for you, Feng," Lee Erniu quickly put Wenn Xuan out of his mind and said with a burst of excitement.

"Absolutely. With Feng's skills, becoming the security captain will be a breeze," Little Monkey chuckled.

"Do you all really think he's that skilled?" At that moment, the security room door swung open, and Yaen Qing, clad in a black robe, walked in with purpose. "Nie Feng, here we are again. Isn't it time we settled our previous encounter?"

"How would you like to settle it?" Nie Feng asked, his smile unwavering. He hadn't expected this young woman to seek him out so directly.

"Come with me!" Yaen Qing said, and strode out of the room.

"Feng, do you need us to back you up?" Little Monkey and Lee Erniu asked eagerly.

Nie Feng shook his head and quickly followed her out. He pursued Yaen Qing to a secluded forest outside the villa complex, where she finally stopped and faced him with a frosty gaze.

Taking in the quiet, deserted surroundings, Nie Feng thought to himself that she had chosen the perfect spot for a private confrontation.

"You took my jade pendant, forced me to return my prize, and got me chased by Ling Xueqi. Do you have any idea how relentless that woman is? She hounded me for three days! If I don't reclaim my honor, the Swallow Sect will become a laughingstock," Yaen Qing fumed.

"So, how do you propose to restore your lost honor?" Nie Feng asked, still smiling, the picture of ease.

The Swallow Sect was renowned for its mastery of the Light-body Technique, and Nie Feng, as a cultivator, specialized in speed. His prowess in this area was on par with hers. Unable to best Nie Feng even in her area of strength, he was confident she wouldn't be able to save face.

"By the code of the martial world, the victor walks away, while the vanquished remains here eternally," Yaen Qing declared with gravity.

Nie Feng blinked in surprise. "Is that really necessary? Why must it be a fight to the death? I could just apologize to you. Would that suffice?"

Moments ago, Nie Feng had considered giving this young woman a lesson, but now he had completely abandoned that idea. Yaen Qing's readiness to fight to the bitter end meant it was wiser to yield to her.

"Hmph, if you're afraid, admit it. Let's get on with it!" Without waiting for Nie Feng to respond, Yaen Qing charged at him, her feet barely touching the ground.

As she advanced, Yaen Qing's palms transformed into blades, slicing through the air towards Nie Feng. Her speed was astonishing; she closed the distance in a blink. Nie Feng's pupils contracted as he stumbled back three steps to steady himself and fend off her assault.

Surprise flickered in Nie Feng's eyes. He had sorely underestimated her; her prowess was evidently no less than Wang San's.

Without giving Nie Feng a moment's respite, Yaen Qing sprang up, positioning herself above him and aimed a forceful palm strike at his crown. Channeling all her might into the blow, she was intent on ending his life with a single strike. Nie Feng merely smiled and countered with a punch.

Their hands met in a thunderous clash. The impact sent Yaen Qing hurtling backward like a kite severed from its string, slamming into a tree trunk.

"Pfft!" A sweet taste filled Yaen Qing's throat, and she coughed up blood, her gaze fixed icily on Nie Feng. Her internal organs were jumbled, and her right arm's bones were fractured.

Nie Feng was taken aback, momentarily at a loss. He hadn't anticipated Yaen Qing's strength to be so feeble that using merely 30% of his own power would send her flying. Had Nie Feng not pulled back in time, Yaen Qing's injuries would have been far more severe than just serious.

Yaen Qing had underestimated the situation. Speed was her forte, and she excelled in assassination, which meant her physical strength was significantly less. Yet, she had recklessly chosen to go toe-to-toe with Nie Feng, akin to an egg challenging a rock.

Struggling to her feet, Yaen Qing pushed off the tree behind her with a forceful kick. She launched herself at Nie Feng like an arrow released from its bow, a dagger now in hand, radiating a deadly aura.

Realizing the young woman was intent on killing him, Nie Feng couldn't afford to take her lightly. He swiftly sidestepped, anchored himself in a solid stance, and braced for Yaen Qing's onslaught.

In the moment of impact, Yaen Qing's dagger danced across Nie Feng's body, leaving a trail of cuts. But the wounds were shallow, thanks to the shield of Genuine Qi surrounding him.

Seizing the moment, Nie Feng caught Yaen Qing's wrists, tossed them upward, and spun mid-air, landing with Yaen Qing pinned beneath him.

Yaen Qing's hands were trapped under Nie Feng's legs, her own legs held down by his hands. Her prior injuries compounded her helplessness, rendering her immobile.

"Release me, you thug, you brute!" Yaen Qing's angry outburst came as her face was uncomfortably close to Nie Feng's crotch, her entire body flushing with embarrassment.

Nie Feng, comfortably seated atop Yaen Qing, found her well-trained, supple body a rather pleasant perch. "I'll let you go, but only if you promise not to come at me with lethal intent again."

"Let me go, or I swear I'll kill you!" Yaen Qing's voice was laced with desperation.

With a sigh, Nie Feng dismounted and kept a cautious eye on her. Yaen Qing rose slowly to her feet, and this time, she showed no signs of aggression. Nie Feng breathed a sigh of relief.

But in an instant, Nie Feng's recently eased nerves snapped taut again as he watched Yaen Qing lift a dagger to her own throat, poised to take her life!

Nie Feng was horrified. Snatching the dagger from Yaen Qing's grasp, he bellowed, "What are you thinking? Are you so eager to end your life just because you can't defeat me?"

"Give me back the dagger! I've been defeated! I've failed the Swallow Sect, failed my master. Death is the only way I can atone!" Yaen Qing cried out in anguish.

"Did you ever consider that you're the last of the Swallow Sect? If you die, the legacy ends with you. That's the true betrayal of your master!" Nie Feng exclaimed, gripping Yaen Qing's shoulders.

Yaen Qing paused, struck by the truth in his words. Her master had entrusted her with the future of the Swallow Sect; she couldn't just throw her life away.

"You can't beat me now, but you can still train! There's an old saying, 'A gentleman's revenge can wait ten years.' Whenever you're ready to fight, I'll be here. Isn't that fair enough?" Nie Feng offered.

Nie Feng couldn't fathom why he felt so compelled to keep this young woman alive. Perhaps it was guilt; he had, after all, stolen her jade pendant, coerced her, and even made her a target for the police. It was far from honorable behavior.

"Mark my words, I will come for you one day!" Yaen Qing glared daggers at Nie Feng, her words seething with venom. If looks could kill, Nie Feng would be nothing but ashes.

Nie Feng was baffled by the girl's deep-seated animosity. Was it really warranted? Weren't the folks of the martial world supposed to be open-hearted? It puzzled him to encounter such pettiness.

"Fine by me. Whenever you're ready to try and take me down, I'll be waiting," Nie Feng said nonchalantly.

Despite Yaen Qing's murderous intent, Nie Feng remained unfazed. He knew from the way she sought him out and challenged him to a duel that she wasn't one for underhanded tactics. If she were to attempt to kill him, it would be in a fair fight—a type of adversary Nie Feng deeply respected. Besides, Nie Feng was confident that in a direct confrontation, Yaen Qing was no match for him.

Yan Qing shot Nie Feng a piercing glare, then, using the trees on either side as footholds, she vanished from his view.

"Such a heroine," Nie Feng murmured, watching the direction in which Yan Qing had departed. He sighed and withdrew his gaze.