Simply Trading

The remaining Bodyguard did not hesitate. He ignored the death of his long-time companion and simply reached out to grab hold of the Second Ducal Prince instead. With more strength than Qin Feng had thought possible, he picked up the stunned Prince and hurled the fellow back over the lines at his rear, tossing him back inside the camp.

Clearly, he was determined to fulfill his mission, to keep Li Changhai safe.

That action was enough to make the purple-garbed fellow a little annoyed, judging from the frown that Qin Feng saw appear on his face. His hands didn't stop, and two more soldiers died as he continued to charge towards the Prince.

Only to meet with the Bodyguard, who had managed to turn back, and ready his weapon to meet the threat.

The second of the Bodyguards didn't even manage to last three exchanges. And crumpled to the ground with his throat torn out, just like his companion.

That left Qin Feng the only one standing between the man in the purple robe and the Second Ducal Prince, he realized. Without bothering to think, he jumped forward and unleashed the sword stance that he was most familiar with at once, trying to fend him off.

Four Seasons Sword: Shards of Winter Frost!

The sound of metal clashing against metal rang out at once, then the purple-clad man stopped, allowing Qin Feng to take three steps back.

"Four Seasons Sword? You are from the Heaven Sword School! Who are you?"

Qin Feng didn't bother to answer the man as he pulled back. So what if the purple-clad old man had identified the style that he was using. It wasn't going to make things any easier for him. He could barely defend against his iron-like skin! How was he supposed to fight someone like that?

Yet, from the fact that he recognized the style it was clear that he was no ordinary martial artist or someone from the Barbarian Tribes. No one who wasn't from jianghu would be able to identify the Heaven Sword School signature style so easily.

So, just who was this purple-robed old man?

"Not going to answer me? It doesn't matter! You will soon be dead like the rest of them!"

Qin Feng panted as he tried desperately to Breathe and circulate his zhenqi. This was taking too long and he could feel the strain on his meridians already. If he continued to channel his strength like this, he would soon run out of energy altogether! Not to mention suffering an injury because of over-exertion!

But how was he supposed to fend off this grey-haired man? He swung his sword again, this time choosing to stick to the defensive variations of the Four Seasons Sword as he did his best to shift away from his assailant.

Not that the old man was letting him get away.

Qin Feng cursed as the man with the metal gloves rushed at him again. Why was he being targeted? He wasn't the one giving out orders, or trying to rally the troops! The one doing all of that was Li Changhai! The Second Ducal Prince! Why wasn't he picking on him, while he was still down?

But the man in purple didn't seem to care about any of that, and continued to chase after him. And Qin Feng found himself forced to keep using his Flowing Wind Steps, just to keep out of his reach. And at the rate that he was using up his zhenqi, he wouldn't be able to keep this up for very much longer!

"Impressive! You have actually managed to escape without injuries from my Iron Blood Hawk Claw technique for so long. I'm surprised that the Heaven Sword School had bothered to send someone with such an outstanding achievement in controlling his zhenqi to support this petty little Kingdom. And to set you as the Ducal Prince's bodyguard? I daresay that I am shocked!"

Qin Feng didn't bother to answer, and took the opportunity to Breathe, as he backed out of range. The moment that the man in the purple robe started speaking, he had been looking around himself, ready for another surprise assault.

After all, why else would this one bother to speak to him?

"But enough! Let's see how you handle this! Iron Blood Hawk Claw: Diving Hawk Seizes the Throat!"

The old man's figure flashed, and Qin Feng retreated immediately, knowing that he didn't have the strength to fend off a determined attack.

He was still too slow, he realized, as a shadow fell over him at once. Desperate, he thrust his blade upwards as he drew his left arm over his own neck. The target of the attack was a little obvious, wasn't it? If he could keep his throat from being hit ...

But the sword in his hand was suddenly caught in an iron vise, and the old man's laughter drifted downwards towards him. "You are like the other fools, thinking that this move is meant to seize your throat! What would you do, had you known that I was after your sword?"

His gauntleted hand twisted then, and Qin Feng heard a distinct snap even as a sharp pain shot through his right wrist. But it was the sword that had shattered in the old man's grasp, and not his arm.

The zhenqi that flashed into his body however, once the purple-robed man's other fist smashed into his ribs, was enough to shake all the meridians in his body. The impact was enough to drive his blood up from his lungs and spraying out from his mouth and nostrils!

The old man laughed, and his silver-colored fist flashed once again, as it hammered yet another blow towards his face as Qin Feng flew back from the first blow. Qin Feng coughed up another mouthful of blood as he tried to raise his broken sword to block the attack. But even as he moved, he knew that he would not be quick enough. It looked like this was the end for him ...

A bright azure color flashed in front of his eyes then, and he felt a wave of air wash over him, pushing him back. Since he no longer had any strength left to stand, he barely managed to two steps to his rear before he fell.

"Luo Qingke!"

Who was that? Was that the name of the person who had been doing his best to kill him? Qin Feng didn't know. But he had the vague idea that there was someone there, between him and his enemy. Someone who had the ability to stop the old man.

A sense of relief flooded his brain at once. Then everything went black.

* * *