Chapter 38: Fierce Battle

Zhou Yi sneered and said, “You fancied that woman too, didn’t you? Too bad—she’s destined to be mine.”
Zhang Jinyi scoffed, “Are you awake yet?”
“Hmph!” Zhou Yi snorted coldly, his voice indifferent. “As nobles, a marriage alliance between our two families would make us stronger. Our family heads have considered it, so don’t get any ideas.”
Zhang Jinyi stared at Zhou Yi with icy eyes, replying slowly, “Then let me send you out of the secret realm right now, you useless thing who hasn’t even undergone the third Tide Transformation. From now on, keep your head down.”
Zhou Yi burst out laughing, his gaze icy as he fixed on Zhang Jinyi, “You really think you’ve got me cornered?”
What did this bastard take him for?
Again and again, he was forced into these situations!
He needed to consider the consequences, but that didn’t mean he was truly afraid of Zhang Jinyi.
If it really came down to a fight, he wouldn't necessarily lose. At the very least, he could safely withdraw.
Luo Yuxin watched the two with keen interest.
Fight, then!
It would be best if both ended up expelled from the secret realm, unable to undertake the third Tide Transformation.
“Who’s there?”
Suddenly, Luo Yuxin heard a noise, whipping around sharply, her gaze fierce as she fixed on the nearby underbrush.
“Damn!”
Zhao Junhong cursed inwardly.
Watching Zhou Yi get humiliated and embroiled in conflict felt satisfying, but he’d let slip a sound, and that brute had heard him.
The guy with muscles for brains was surprisingly alert!
After a brief hesitation, under the scrutiny of the three, Zhao Junhong strode out slowly.
“You?”
Both Zhou Yi and Zhang Jinyi were taken aback.
Zhou Yi’s voice was icy, “You dare come back?”
Zhao Junhong grinned, “You rogue, why wouldn’t I dare? You might look frightening, but let me tell you, you don’t scare me. I’ve seen uglier than you and even practiced my ‘Restore My Beauty Fist’ for it.”
“Want to try? It’ll be a lifelong solution for you!”
Luo Yuxin’s expression turned odd as she glanced at Zhang Jinyi, “You know this guy?”
Whatever else, his tongue was certainly sharp.
Zhang Jinyi replied, “Zhou Yi schemed against him, tried to use him as a shield, but he dodged it.”
“Oh!” Luo Yuxin shot Zhou Yi a look.
This one never does anything decent—always plotting against someone or other.
Zhou Yi snorted, stepping forward, “Zhang Jinyi, our matter can wait. I’ll deal with this guy first. Unless… you want to join him?”
“Nonsense!”
Zhang Jinyi’s expression was disdainful as he stepped aside.
Someone like Zhou Yi wasn’t worthy of teaming up with anyone.
Let alone the obscure Zhao Junhong.
The top talents of the Greenwood District all knew each other, or at least had heard of each other.
Who was Zhao Junhong?
Seeing this, Zhou Yi allowed himself a hint of a smile.
Zhao Junhong had shown up at just the right time.
Otherwise, he’d have had to fight Zhang Jinyi head-on.
Compared to Zhang Jinyi, Zhao Junhong was… child’s play!
Zhao Junhong chuckled, “You rogue, smiling so sweetly—do you think I’m easy to bully, so you don’t have to fight him?”
He pointed at Zhang Jinyi.
Zhou Yi’s sneer deepened, “Let’s hope your skills match your mouth…”
“To hell with you!”
Without another word, Zhao Junhong charged forward with his blade.
Life and death mean nothing—if you refuse to submit, fight!
Enough with the pointless talk!
He didn’t care if he lost the third Tide Transformation; he’d drag Zhou Yi out with him.
“Courting death!”
Zhou Yi’s face was full of disdain as he raised his sword.
Bang!
Zhao Junhong’s blade collided head-on with Zhou Yi’s sword.
Both were forced back two steps.
“You…”
Zhou Yi was a little surprised.
In raw strength, his opponent was not inferior to him.
Zhao Junhong grinned savagely, “You think I’m still wounded?”
He pressed forward again.
Zhou Yi remained dismissive, “Brute force is all well and good, but it’s meaningless!”
As he spoke, Zhao Junhong’s blade blurred, leaving afterimages as it slashed at Zhou Yi.
Zhou Yi was startled, his legs tensed, and he sprang backward several steps, barely avoiding the strike.
“You know martial techniques?”
The result shocked everyone present.
Normally, only noble families trained their children in martial techniques from a young age.
Ordinary folk could only learn them at Warrior University, if at all.
This was because martial techniques were difficult to master and could easily cause injury if handled badly.
At university, instructors guided students in their practice.
Luo Yuxin turned to Zhang Jinyi, “What’s his name?”
Zhang Jinyi frowned in thought, “I think it’s… Zhao something…”
“No need to say more.” Luo Yuxin waved her hand, “Zhao Junhong. I’ve heard of him—he’s a noble too.”
“How is that possible?” Both Zhang Jinyi and Zhou Yi were surprised. “Are there any nobles named Zhao in the Greenwood District?”
There were many nobles in the Human Empire, but scattered across the vast territory, there were very few in any given area.
The Greenwood District had fewer than ten noble families.
“He’s not a local noble.”
Luo Yuxin was calm. “He’s a noble from elsewhere, here for school.”
“Is that so?” Zhou Yi sneered, “So what? No matter where you’re from, once you’re in Greenwood District, you’d better behave. If you cross me, I’ll ruin you!”
“Get lost! I’ll cut you down, you rogue!”
Zhao Junhong swung his blade.
The two clashed fiercely.
To Luo Yuxin and Zhang Jinyi’s surprise, Zhao Junhong was able to hold his own against Zhou Yi, if only briefly.
“Though it’s sheer ferocity, it’s impressive.”
Luo Yuxin commented.
Zhang Jinyi added, “It’s because he’s injured. Otherwise, Zhou Yi might not be his match.”
“That’s not quite right.” Luo Yuxin shook his head. “Zhou Yi’s spiritual power should be close to forty—certainly more than that guy’s. If both were at their peak, he wouldn’t be Zhou Yi’s equal.”
He looked at Zhang Jinyi, “You can despise Zhou Yi’s character, but you must acknowledge his strength. All things considered, Zhou Yi is stronger than you.”
Zhang Jinyi gritted his teeth silently.
There weren’t many top talents in Greenwood District, but all of them were on the lists.
Luo Yuxin was clearly above the others, ranking near the top.
Since he said so, Zhang Jinyi, though unwilling to accept it, had to agree.
After all, Luo Yuxin disliked Zhou Yi even more and wouldn’t lie about this.
Bang!
At that moment, Zhou Yi struck out with his palm, hitting Zhao Junhong’s chest and forcing him back.
Zhao Junhong gasped for breath, his body shaking as he nearly collapsed.
Blood dripped from the corner of his lips.
“Hmph!” Zhou Yi snorted, “Useless!”
“You’re the useless one!” Zhao Junhong retorted with a cold laugh, leaving the blood untouched as he raised his blade. “Keep going—why stop?”
“You…”
Zhou Yi’s expression turned grim, yet his gaze involuntarily flicked toward Zhang Jinyi.
“What are you looking at?” Zhao Junhong shouted, charging at Zhou Yi once more, and the two fell back into fierce combat.