Xia Youqing watched, her heart trembling with fear.
She knew of Secret Arts and had seen others use them before. In her eyes, they were like magic. She knew a few Secret Arts Practitioners, but she herself was a regular person through and through.
Lu Yunze’s Secret Art was the most simple and brutal one she had ever seen—directly summoning a massive sword and swinging it with such ease.
‘As expected, Secret Arts Practitioners are all monsters.’
When the battle first began, she had been worried about Lu Yunze. After all, the Dilong Gang had strength in numbers, and every subordinate was armed.
But she soon realized she had underestimated him. Even against so many people, he was still able to win effortlessly.
Recalling what he had said earlier, she finally believed that those weren’t empty words.
He really could do it.
Xia Youqing pursed her lips.
‘He is from the Luo Family… but his last name is Lu?’
A few past memories flashed through her mind, causing her expression to freeze for a moment, but she quickly pulled her attention back to the battlefield.
‘It looks like it’s about to end… Can I take Sui’er and leave now?’
However, in the next instant, her heart nearly stopped.
Brother Scar appeared behind Jiang Sui and swung his blade down!
Immediately after, their weapons collided violently, and the shockwave spread outside the factory.
Dust billowed, and Xia Youqing choked on it, falling to the ground.
When she rubbed her eyes and scrambled up, she saw that Jiang Sui was out of danger and breathed a sigh of relief.
She didn’t leave but instead snuck back into the factory, quietly approaching Jiang Sui.
She failed to notice that when she fell, her mobile phone had slipped out of her pocket.
The screen lit up, showing a string of numbers for an incoming call.
***
Inside the factory.
Brother Scar clearly hadn’t expected his attack to be blocked. He froze for a second, then suddenly jerked his hand, sending Lu Yunze flying back with the force.
Lu Yunze crashed into a stone pillar and gritted his teeth against the pain.
“Young Master, are you okay?” Jiang Sui rushed over.
“I’m fine.”
“You better be. I clearly saw your shoulder being pressed down just now.”
As she spoke, she pulled aside his collar.
Then, she froze.
She had thought the impact would have fractured his bone, but the reality was completely different.
His skin had actually become somewhat rough and hard, as if covered by a layer of fine, dense scales.
“I said I’m fine. It just hurts a bit… but I’m used to it.”
Lu Yunze felt a bit awkward being touched by her, so he stood up quickly to face Brother Scar again.
The pain gradually subsided, and his condition recovered rapidly.
Meanwhile, Brother Scar pulled a purple potion from his pocket. He hesitated for a split second before injecting it directly into his arm.
‘The client said this was only to be used as a last resort… but for the money, I’ll risk it!’
The potion took effect quickly.
His blood felt as if it were boiling.
Only one word could describe it—refreshing!
The two clashed again.
Blade met sword, sending sparks flying everywhere.
Brother Scar sneered. “I didn’t expect you to also have an enhancement type Secret Art.”
His ability was simple—strengthening his arm muscles to unleash extreme power.
Back then, he had used this move to defeat all the surrounding gangs and become a local tyrant.
Later, things escalated, and he was sent to prison. When he was released several years later, everything had to start over.
But he wasn’t discouraged.
With his strength, building another gang was only a matter of time.
And Lu Yunze was the first person since his release who could rival him in strength.
However, Lu Yunze was equally puzzled.
Why hadn’t this blade been snapped by his Heavy Sword?
Both of them exerted force simultaneously, and their weapons were knocked back.
In the next instant, Brother Scar’s fist slammed into Lu Yunze’s chest first.
“I win!”
A smile appeared on his face.
But a second later, the smile froze.
Lu Yunze was still standing.
Not only did he not fall, but his expression hadn’t even changed significantly.
Taking advantage of his daze, Lu Yunze grabbed his arm and performed an over-the-shoulder throw, slamming him hard onto the ground.
Lu Yunze looked down and touched his chest.
It hurt a lot.
But it was only pain.
‘This hardness… what is it?’
Before he could think further, Brother Scar scrambled up again, charging forward with a roar.
“I don’t believe it! If a fist doesn’t work, this blade will definitely hack you to pieces!”
This large blade was a weapon he had seized after killing a Secret Arts Practitioner years ago.
It could cut through iron like butter.
Aside from Lu Yunze’s Heavy Sword, it had never met an opponent it couldn’t best.
The two fought intensely once more.
Jiang Sui stood to the side watching the battle, idly spinning a rhombus crystal in her hand.
Just now, she almost couldn’t stop herself from stepping in.
She knew Lu Yunze could take a beating, but she hadn’t expected him to be this durable.
‘Lu Yunze… you really surprise me every time.’
She murmured softly.
Just as she was about to change positions to continue watching, a hand suddenly grabbed her wrist.
It was Xia Youqing.
“Mom?”
“Let’s go, it’s too dangerous here!”
She pulled several times but found she couldn’t budge her daughter at all.
“Go now? Lu Yunze hasn’t…”
“It’s too dangerous! Do you know who those people are?”
“Secret Arts Practitioners.”
“…”
Xia Youqing was stunned. “When did you find out? I didn’t want you to have any contact with these things…”
“Mom, I’m not a child anymore,” Jiang Sui said as she looked at her. “Besides… my bastard father was also a Secret Arts Practitioner, right?”
Xia Youqing fell silent.
But she still wanted to take Jiang Sui away.
However, Jiang Sui shook off her hand.
“If I leave now, it would be a dereliction of duty.”
“What are you talking about? Have you gone crazy?”
“A maid shouldn’t flee the battlefield at a time like this.” The corners of her mouth curled up slightly. “Besides, Lu Yunze will surely be very weak after a fierce battle. If I want to become the most important person in his heart, I have to take care of him at a time like this.”
A flash of cunning crossed her eyes.
‘Luo Yao is probably sleeping at home right now, right? This is my best chance to overtake her.’
“Sui’er, aren’t you afraid of getting caught in the crossfire?”
“I’m not,” Jiang Sui smiled. “Because Lu Yunze won’t let me get hurt. Didn’t he already tell you that?”
She paused for a moment and added, “If the one over there was that bastard father, would you leave him and run, Mom?”
Xia Youqing was speechless.
She couldn’t convince her at all.
Jiang Sui turned her gaze back to the battlefield.
The winner was about to be decided.
Lu Yunze assumed a charging stance, gripping the Heavy Sword with both hands.
As he charged his power, his body and the blade both began to emit a faint light.
One layer, two layers…
The light grew stronger and stronger.
The ground beneath his feet began to collapse, and cracks spread outward.
It was that move again.
Excitement flashed in Jiang Sui’s eyes.
The last time she saw this move, she had almost lost control of her excitement.
However, this time was different.
Brother Scar also sensed the danger.
‘Is there… not enough time?’
Even if he successfully released it, he would likely have to tank a blade strike.
Trading injury for a life.
Lu Yunze was already prepared.
It wasn’t his first time going to the hospital anyway.
The third layer of charging began!
The Heavy Sword became incredibly heavy; he couldn’t even move.
And Brother Scar had already rushed in front of him, swinging his blade down.
Just then, a light suddenly exploded above Lu Yunze’s head!
It was blindingly bright!
Brother Scar was blinded by the glare and retreated while covering his eyes.
Lu Yunze also couldn’t see clearly, but he could feel it.
The enemy was still in front of him.
That was enough.
Brother Scar raised his machete to try and defend, but under that overwhelming disparity in power, the machete shattered instantly. He himself was swallowed by the light exploding from the Heavy Sword while he was still dazed.
In that instant, the earth shook.
The already dilapidated factory building couldn’t withstand such an impact. Rusted roof beams snapped, and the entire structure collapsed with a roar.
Xia Youqing, who had been the first to rush out, accidentally let go of her daughter’s hand in the chaos. By the time she escaped the factory, the building behind her had turned into a pile of ruins.
“Sui’er! Sui’er!”
Xia Youqing was completely stunned, tears streaming down uncontrollably. She didn’t know where to even begin searching for her daughter.
It was over, everything was over…
Just as she was sobbing alone, a movement suddenly came from the ruins.
In the next moment, Jiang Sui emerged from the rubble and scrap metal, carrying the now-exhausted Lu Yunze on her shoulder.
“You’re too foolish…” Lu Yunze said with a bitter smile. “Shouldn’t you have run away first?”
“If I ran, who would take care of the Young Master?” Jiang Sui countered.
“…I suppose you have a point. As expected of you.”
Lu Yunze barely had the strength to even speak.
The dark clouds dissipated, and the bright moon appeared.
Moonlight fell upon their dusty bodies, reflecting the emotions in their eyes with extra clarity.