Clang clang clang—!!
The heavy sounds of blacksmithing continued, accompanied by Chun Hei's increasingly excited exclamations.
Huh~
Huh?
Huh!
Each time their blades clashed, he sustained new wounds.
An inch longer, an inch stronger. Compared to Yuan Zhen's seven-foot cross spear, the three-inch Zi Ying sword seemed insufficient.
Often, before Chun Hei could even close the distance, Yuan Zhen's cross spear would slash across his arms and body.
That cross stab attack left him feeling utterly uncomfortable. The critical point was that he couldn't parry it; he could only dodge left and right, and a slight misjudgment would result in a hit.
The most annoying part was that he couldn't counter-attack, because the Zi Ying sword was truly too short against the cross spear...
"As a man, being too short is indeed a bit awkward."
Chun Hei pursed his lips, his expression aggrieved.
'?????'
'What kind of suggestive remark is that?'
'I feel like the streamer is subtly mocking me.'
'Subtly mocking? More like speaking his mind!'
'His proficiency is heartbreakingly familiar.'
'It's Super Pink 18+, what kind of nonsense are you spouting?'
'Streamer, cancel that!'
...
The viewers felt implied upon and voiced their protests, declaring they were not small radishes.
"Huh?"
As Chun Hei was about to interact with the viewers, a new skill prompt suddenly flashed before his eyes.
[Acquired: Discernment
Thrusting attacks cannot be defended against, only parried.
However, upon learning the martial skill Discernment, one can discern the timing of thrusting attacks, rendering them ineffective and inflicting more severe damage on the torso than a parry.]
"Wow, it's like a pillow arriving just when you're sleepy."
Chun Hei was instantly ecstatic after reading the prompt. "I was just saying there was no way to counter the cross spear's thrusting attack, and in the next moment, I unlocked a forgotten skill, one that specifically counters thrusting skills – [Discernment]!"
After closing his eyes and pondering for a moment, a feeling of enlightenment washed over him again.
Chun Hei found his thoughts clearer than ever. Facing Yuan Zhen before, he had tried sneak attacks with hidden weapons, fire attacks, and had even resorted to using the mechanical axe of the shield soldiers.
All of them yielded minimal results.
Besides the fact that his offensive opportunities were fewer and his weapon's attack range was shorter, it was mainly Yuan Zhen's integrated offensive and defensive thrusting attack that had no discernible weakness.
After learning [Discernment], he faced Yuan Zhen again.
Facing the incoming cross spear, the previously chaotic trajectory of the spear thrust now seemed to have a discernible pattern.
"It really works!"
Chun Hei was overjoyed, his Zi Ying sword moving faster and faster in his hands.
He needed to use practical combat to pinpoint the trajectory of the spear thrust. Once fully discerned, it would be the moment to switch from defense to offense.
Clang clang clang—!!
Clang clang clang—!!
The blacksmithing sounds grew more frantic, and sparks glittered brilliantly in the dark night sky, like fireflies.
"Now!"
Suddenly, Chun Hei roared. Facing a cunningly angled spear thrust, he lifted his foot.
*Snap!*
He precisely stepped on the tip of the cross spear. Then, Chun Hei revealed a cruel smile, sidestepped, and flashed behind Yuan Zhen.
"It's my turn!"
Chik chik chik!!
Leaping Forward Consecutive Triple Stab!
Blade light and sword shadows danced. Yuan Zhen's health was instantly depleted by one bar.
*Screech—*
The moment he landed, Chun Hei immediately used his Ghostly Shadow Step to create distance from Yuan Zhen.
Almost simultaneously, the tip of the cross spear arrived at the spot where Chun Hei had been a moment before.
*Whoosh!*
Don't get greedy for hits!
This phrase was almost etched into Chun Hei's genes. Every time he landed a successful hit, it would remind him not to be greedy, having learned from too many past mistakes.
Now that he had mastered the technique to fight Yuan Zhen, defeating this elite monster was only a matter of time.
Five minutes later, Yuan Zhen was successfully defeated.
Chun Hei wasn't overly excited. After the baptism of the Scarlet Ape, his excitement threshold had significantly increased.
After clearing the remaining minor enemies, Chun Hei ignited the Ghostly Buddha statue at this location.
Upon finishing his inventory of the spoils, he continued forward. A bridgehead appeared, and a stout man exuding a greasy aura guarded the side of the bridge.
After luring the stout man over, he circled him twice and successfully killed him, also taking down two shield soldiers in the process.
After crossing the bridge,
A distant courtyard was brightly lit... no, that wasn't right. A raging fire in the courtyard had dyed half the sky red.
"Huh?"
"Father?"
Chun Hei's gaze swept across the burning courtyard, finally settling on the man leaning against a rock, panting, in front of the courtyard.
This person was the Owl, who had drawn his katana across the boy's face at the beginning and bestowed upon him the name Wolf, also known as the Owl.
The Owl appeared much older than at the start, his beard completely white, and his back hunched due to injuries.
"Hoo... hoo..."
Wolf knelt before the Owl, "Father..."
"...It's you... Ah... hoo..." the Owl gasped, "Too careless... it seems I've also... grown old..."
Saying that, the Owl coughed violently, looking truly pathetic.
Wolf moved to tend to his adoptive father's wounds, but the Owl interrupted him, "No need to bandage... wounds like these... are beyond saving..."
"Ah?"
Chun Hei, observing from a God's-eye view, was slightly taken aback. Honestly, he didn't have much of an impression of the Owl.
Only the image of the Owl standing high and mighty, looking down at the young Wolf with a blade in hand at the beginning, occasionally flashed in his mind.
However, since the man had taken in the orphaned Wolf and taught him his skills, he deserved the respect due.
"I say, Wolf... take this..."
*Ding!*
[Acquired: Key to the Secret Buddha Hall
Key to the Secret Buddha Hall of the Hirata Residence
Obtained from adoptive father, the Owl
The Secret Buddha Hall is located in the deepest part of the Hirata Mansion
Attachment: The master is paramount; protect them with your life. If taken, there is no retrieving them.]
This last sentence...
Truly staring at the prompt that appeared in his vision, Chun Hei realized that his adoptive father was entrusting him to save the prince at the Secret Buddha Hall!
If nothing unexpected occurred, the Hirata Residence should be the prince's dwelling.
The person who abducted the prince was likely after the so-called immortality.
"This is..."
This question was asked by Wolf.
"...The key to the Secret Buddha Hall," the Owl struggled to explain, "The Prince... is in there..."
"But with this fire... going through the front is impossible."
"What if we go from the cliff?" Wolf replied.
"Correct..."
The Owl pointed to the northwest, "Go that way, outside, follow the cliff edge, and then circle around..."
"I understand."
"Wolf... stake your life... protect... ah... un... uwah..."
With a final exhale, the Owl's arm fell limply.
"Father..." Wolf called out softly, receiving no response.
Then,
Chun Hei's consciousness returned to Wolf's body. He bowed slightly to the Owl.
"Father, may you rest in peace."
Then, he looked towards the blazing backyard, "Regarding what happens next... Prince, you can rest assured, leave it to me."
Having said that, he resolutely walked towards the back door.
...
(I checked my liver, kidneys, and prostate; no issues found. Spent several hundred on ultrasound fees. The final conclusion: I sit for too long.)