Overlord of the Wilderness

The figure that struck Zhaang Ye as familiar was a slender, middle-aged man in a red robe with sharp eyes. He looked familiar because Zhaang Ye had once seen him from a distance.

This red-robed, middle-aged man was, in fact, the very person who had hunted Zhaang Ye before.

Months ago, after killing Zhou Yutao, Zhaang Ye had fled for his life. This red-robed, middle-aged man had nearly caught up to him near the Boundary River. Fortunately, Zhaang Ye had the Mysterious Blade Tip and managed to shake his pursuer by venturing across the Boundary River.

The man had been wearing a red robe then as well, which was why the image was etched into Zhaang Ye’s memory. Despite several months having passed, Zhaang Ye recognized him at a glance.

Just as Zhaang Ye spotted the red-robed man, the man suddenly looked up, their gazes meeting. Alarm flickered in Zhaang Ye’s heart, but his eyes remained calm as he nonchalantly looked away.

The red-robed man’s gaze lingered on Zhaang Ye for a moment before moving on.

Just then, the ferry began to move, slowly carrying a boatload of people toward the opposite bank.

With a placid expression, Zhaang Ye sat on the ferry, his gaze fixed on the distance. Secretly, however, his ears were trained on the red-robed man’s every move. While keeping tabs on him, Zhaang Ye thought, ’A few months ago, that red-robed man saw me once from afar. But when I was on the run, my face and body were smeared with a foul skunk’s blood, making my appearance completely different. He only saw me from a distance; he shouldn’t be able to recognize me. But he seemed to be paying close attention to me just now. What’s going on?’

The ferry soon reached the opposite bank. Zhaang Ye leaped off and strode away. After walking for a few dozen yards, Zhaang Ye noticed out of the corner of his eye that the red-robed man was, in fact, following him.

Zhaang Ye’s brow furrowed slightly as he thought, ’Judging by his aura, this red-robed man’s Cultivation should be at the Martial Arts Fourth Layer Middle Stage. If he’s determined to keep an eye on me, it’ll be a problem. I might as well find a way to take care of him and eliminate this hidden threat...’

His mind made up, Zhaang Ye pretended not to notice he was being followed, maintaining a steady, unhurried pace. The red-robed man also refrained from using any Body Technique, simply keeping the same leisurely pace behind Zhaang Ye.

Upon entering a dense forest, the red-robed man finally made his move. He suddenly accelerated, his entire body blurring into a streak of red. In the space of a few breaths, he vaulted over Zhaang Ye’s head and landed in front of him.

Zhaang Ye put on a look of surprise, took a step back, and demanded, ”Who are you? What do you want?”

The red-robed man’s sharp eyes bored into Zhaang Ye, as if trying to see right through him. After a moment, one of his gaunt hands shot out, reaching for the top of Zhaang Ye’s head.

The moment the red-robed man struck, Zhaang Ye knew the man had indeed grown suspicious. The grabbing attack was most likely a ploy to force him to use his Body Technique and Saber Technique.

Quickly analyzing his opponent’s motive, Zhaang Ye flicked his wrist. The Thick-Backed Saber appeared in his hand as he chopped toward the red-robed man’s palm.

Zhaang Ye used a move from the Basic Saber Technique. The slash carried a decent amount of power.

With a flick of his finger, the red-robed man easily neutralized Zhaang Ye’s slash. Then, with a slight movement of his wrist, he reached for Zhaang Ye’s head again. The entire sequence of movements was as fluid as running water, showcasing his impressive skill.

Under the red-robed man’s assault, Zhaang Ye seemed to be in a sorry state, flailing about as he barely managed to fend off the attacks.

Seeing Zhaang Ye’s performance, the red-robed man frowned. ’The killer’s Saber Technique was both light and fast,’ he thought. ’He cut my fourth junior brother in two with a single slash. This person’s Saber Technique is decent, but it’s not light or fast enough. Perhaps this young man isn’t the killer?’

This red-robed man was none other than Zhou Xingwu, the second disciple of the Zhou Family’s Third Elder, Zhou Dayuan. After Zhou Yutao was killed, Zhou Xingwu had been ordered to remain in the outer forests of the Barbaric Beast Mountain Range, tasked with both waiting for a certain medicinal herb to mature and searching for the killer.

Zhou Xingwu had remained in the outer forests of the Barbaric Beast Mountain Range for months, but he never found Zhou Yutao’s killer. Left with no other choice, he decided to leave the forest and return to his family first.

It was at this point that Zhaang Ye had boarded the ferry. Zhaang Ye’s age was similar to the killer’s, and he also used a saber, which immediately aroused Zhou Xingwu’s suspicion. However, Zhaang Ye’s Cultivation was at the Peak of Martial Arts Third Layer, a level far too different from the killer’s, so Zhou Xingwu couldn’t be sure. Thus, he had followed Zhaang Ye, attempting to determine if he was the culprit by observing his Body Technique.

But Zhou Xingwu’s plan came to nothing. Zhaang Ye had walked at a leisurely pace the entire time, never once using a Body Technique. With no other recourse, Zhou Xingwu could only strike personally to see if Zhaang Ye’s Saber Technique had any similarities to the killer’s.

But Zhaang Ye was already prepared for Zhou Xingwu’s probing attacks. After a few moves, Zhou Xingwu had learned nothing.

’Whatever! This kid has cultivated to the Peak of Martial Arts Third Layer at such a young age. If someone like him is left alive, he’ll definitely become a supreme expert one day. I might as well just kill him now!’ After a few probing attacks, Zhou Xingwu was unable to determine Zhaang Ye’s identity, and the thought of simply killing him surfaced in his mind.

The major powers of Cyan Mulberry City had never ceased their overt and covert struggles. Killing the promising and talented disciples of other powers was something Zhou Xingwu most enjoyed doing.

Just as he was about to deliver the killing blow to Zhaang Ye, the situation changed abruptly.

The saber in Zhaang Ye’s hand suddenly trembled, letting out a clear hum. Following this sound, the Thick-Backed Saber transformed into an incredibly brilliant flash of light, slashing straight toward Zhou Xingwu!

Zhou Xingwu’s eyes widened in an instant. He had never imagined that his opponent had been hiding his true strength all along, only to strike a lethal blow the moment he let his guard down!

Zhaang Ye’s slash was both unexpected and as fast as lightning. Although Zhou Xingwu’s Body Technique was excellent, there was absolutely no way for him to dodge it at such close range!

”AH—”

Utterly terrified, Zhou Xingwu let out a great roar and forced his body to turn.

SWISH!

The Thick-Backed Saber sliced through the air, trailing a long stream of Sword Qi, and instantly lopped off half of Zhou Xingwu’s arm. Glistening white bone was visible in the wound as fresh blood spurted out.

Zhou Xingwu cried out in agony. Ignoring his severed arm, he retreated hastily, his only thought to escape with his life.

Zhou Xingwu’s Body Technique was the one from the Zhou Family’s Secret Skill—the Lingbo Triple Extremes. He had already cultivated this Body Technique to the Minor Achievement Realm. It was incredibly fast, capable of covering several dozen yards in an instant.

Although Zhou Xingwu’s Body Technique was excellent, his speed was greatly diminished by his severe injury. He had just taken a single step when Zhaang Ye, using his Startled Swan Step, had already caught up. With a casual swing of his saber, a nearly two-foot-long stream of Sword Qi instantly sliced across Zhou Xingwu’s neck. Zhou Xingwu died under Zhaang Ye’s Thick-Backed Saber without even having time to say a word.