Chapter 58: Arrivals in Succession

Xiao Yu! If I don't kill you, I will never quell the hatred in my heart!

Suzuki roared furiously, his long blade flashing with ferocious power. Xiao Yu countered relentlessly with his sword, not holding back in the slightest.

At that moment, several figures raced swiftly from the distance. Before anyone could see clearly who was approaching, their voices reached the crowd first.

"Big brother, we can withdraw!"

Hearing this, Xiao Yu looked towards the distance even as he fended off Suzuki's assault. From the voices, he immediately recognized the newcomers as the group known as the Twelve Heavenly Dragons. On the back of Azure Dragon, a faint silhouette of a woman lay quietly.

"Shi Han!"

As the figures drew nearer, Xiao Yu finally saw clearly that the person on Azure Dragon's back was indeed Ye Shi Han, whom the people of Sakura Country had captured.

It turned out that when Xiao Yu led Tai Sui and the others to confront the Dual Blade School, he had also sent Wolf Shadow with Azure Dragon's group to the headquarters of the Yagyu Crescent School. Tai Sui and Liu He had both mentioned that their opponents included members from both factions. Xiao Yu couldn't be sure whether Ye Shi Han was held by Dual Blade or Yagyu, so he split his forces.

Unexpectedly, Ye Shi Han had been seized by the Yagyu faction. Now, seeing Azure Dragon and the others successfully rescue her, Xiao Yu was finally relieved. Yet, as he looked at their faces, smeared with blood, he knew how perilous their rescue had been.

Azure Dragon's arrival diverted part of Xiao Yu's attention. Masters, when fighting, can afford no distraction, for even a moment's lapse creates openings for their foes. Seeing Xiao Yu dare to be distracted during their duel, Suzuki realized his opportunity.

Seizing this rare chance, Suzuki's long blade flashed. By the time Xiao Yu regained his focus, the blade was already inches from his chest. With no other option, Xiao Yu brought his sword across his chest, but Suzuki's strike left a shallow wound.

Suzuki followed with a swift kick, smashing into Xiao Yu's arm. The blow hurled Xiao Yu through the air, but Suzuki was not about to let up.

As Xiao Yu was sent flying, Suzuki's figure vanished, only to reappear above him. With a domineering sweep, Suzuki aimed to strike Xiao Yu again while he was still airborne.

Suzuki believed that, no matter how formidable Xiao Yu was, he could not withstand this attack. A victorious smile spread across his face.

Just as Suzuki's sweeping kick was about to connect with Xiao Yu's abdomen, he suddenly felt his vision blur—a dark shadow had taken the blow and was sent flying. The figure who had appeared so suddenly was none other than Wolf Shadow, who had long been lurking in Sakura Country.

Seeing Xiao Yu in dire peril as he arrived with Azure Dragon's group, Wolf Shadow knew his strength was insufficient to defeat Suzuki. In desperation, he darted forward and shielded Xiao Yu, enduring Suzuki's fierce kick himself.

Wolf Shadow crashed heavily to the ground. Thanks to his intervention, Xiao Yu managed a few midair rolls and landed beside him, helping him up.

Supported by Xiao Yu, Wolf Shadow coughed up several mouthfuls of blood, his breathing chaotic and disordered. Clutching Xiao Yu's sleeve, his lips trembled as he tried to speak, only to spit up more blood.

"Wolf Shadow! Hang in there!" Xiao Yu pressed two points on his body, giving him slight relief.

"War King, to fight alongside you has been a great joy for Wolf Shadow. But this time, I'm afraid I must go ahead."

As he spoke, blood trickled endlessly from the corners of his mouth.

Xiao Yu stared at Wolf Shadow in silence, his face showing no overt grief. He knew from the moment he helped Wolf Shadow up that Suzuki's kick had shattered all his meridians. Unless the mysterious healer Yao Bugui was present, Wolf Shadow had no hope of survival.

"Wolf Shadow, loyal unto death!"

Suddenly, Wolf Shadow cried out with a strong voice, drawing the attention of Tai Sui and the others. After these words, his hand slipped from Xiao Yu's sleeve, and his eyes slowly closed. Wolf Shadow was dead, carrying his life's honor, dying on the road fighting alongside Xiao Yu.

There was no reluctance on Wolf Shadow's face, only a faint smile.

Xiao Yu gently laid Wolf Shadow on a nearby patch of ground, then slowly rose and bowed deeply to him. Turning, Xiao Yu faced Suzuki with eyes cold and dark, an aura of terrifying murderous intent spreading from him.

"Suzuki, how would you like to die?"

Xiao Yu's icy voice echoed across the empty space. Coupled with the chilling aura emanating from him, even Suzuki's brows twitched involuntarily.

It's you who deserves to die!

At that moment, an angry voice rang out. Azure Dragon and the others instantly sensed trouble, for they knew that voice well. Not long ago, they had fought this man at the Yagyu Crescent School. If not for the timely arrival of White Tiger and the others, Azure Dragon would have died at his hands.

"Yagyu Guard, if you wish for death, I'll oblige you!" Xiao Yu replied without the slightest hint of panic.

Meanwhile, several figures were speeding toward them from the distance, their presence as formidable as Suzuki's. These were the patriarchs of the top ten sects of Sakura Country, with Yagyu Guard among them.

Sensing their arrival, Suzuki breathed a silent sigh of relief. Now, only he and four guardians remained of the Dual Blade School. If they had to fight Xiao Yu and his group, destruction awaited them.

But things had changed. With the arrival of Yagyu Guard and the others, the advantage had shifted entirely to their side. No matter how powerful Xiao Yu was, even if they couldn't kill him, they were confident they could trap all Twelve Heavenly Dragons. Without them, Xiao Yu would be surrounded and killed.

Azure Dragon and his companions now stood beside Xiao Yu, faces grave as they regarded Suzuki and his men.

"Big brother, the situation is not in our favor," Azure Dragon said, frowning in thought.

Though Xiao Yu desperately wished to kill Suzuki and avenge Wolf Shadow, he was not blinded by vengeance. With Yagyu Guard and the others present, he knew their side had lost any chance of victory. Their ultimate goal in Sakura Country was merely to rescue Ye Shi Han, and now she was safe.

For the first time in five years, Xiao Yu contemplated retreat.