Chapter 80: The Dagger Revealed When the Picture Ends

Bai Shuangfei stared at Zhang He, his vigilance undiminished, having already tasted the lesson taught earlier. He was undoubtedly a quick learner, never repeating the same mistake twice. That meant there could be no peaceful resolution between him and Zhang He today—one of them must fall.

Zhang He’s eyes flickered. “I can tell your palm technique resembles the 'Breaking Clouds Palm' from the Qiongzhou region, supplemented by martial arts like 'Eagle Claw Strength,' 'Soaring Dragon Hands,' and 'Cloud-Dispelling Palm.'”

Bai Shuangfei watched him silently.

Zhang He continued, “These should be skills of the Hainan Sword Sect. The Hainan Sect always prioritizes swordplay, with few willing to master palm techniques since they’re exhausting. Yet even wounded, your 'Cloud-Dispelling Palm' can kill instantly. I doubt you’re beneath fourth advancement, so you must be fifth. If that’s the case, you should be an elder of the Hainan Sect.”

Bai Shuangfei gazed at him for a long while before suddenly smiling. “If you think such words will distract me, you’re mistaken.”

Zhang He replied, “If I believed that, I’d already be dead under your palm.”

Bai Shuangfei fell silent, recognizing that Zhang He was no ordinary opponent—his reasoning alone set him apart.

He pondered aloud, “If you hand the brocade box to me today, I’ll gladly call you a friend. Everything else is yours; I speak honestly.”

Zhang He said, “I believe you. But what if I refuse?”

Bai Shuangfei suddenly laughed. “Since you’ve already uncovered my identity, you should know the consequences of refusal.”

Zhang He also smiled, a strange chill at his lips that cast a shadow over Bai Shuangfei’s heart.

“I’ve said all this,” Zhang He declared, “just to make one point.”

“Which point?” Bai Shuangfei sensed a storm was about to break.

Zhang He sneered, “If you’re so much stronger, why haven’t you come over and killed me yet?”

Bai Shuangfei’s pupils contracted abruptly.

Before he could answer, Zhang He pressed on, “I’ve calculated that you won’t dare approach because you’re not confident you can kill me. So you speak at length to distract me, hoping I’ll hesitate to confront you.”

He paused, then continued, “But it doesn’t matter. Yan’s corpse has already returned to the city; I’ve timed it. In a few minutes, the spoils at my feet will be mine. I can pick them up at will, and even if you kill me in the end, you may not be able to claim them. So just stand there, focus on your breathing, and recover slowly…”

Bai Shuangfei’s face turned as pale as a corpse, knowing Zhang He spoke the truth—he could no longer wait.

With a wild roar, he dashed forward at incredible speed.

Zhang He was ready. He stomped hard, shattering the ground. The 'Rock-Breaking Foot' sent earth and glowing grasses flying, followed by the 'Flying Boulder Palm,' launching the luminescent grasses like needles toward Bai Shuangfei.

It was all a diversion; everyone knew Zhang He’s internal strength wasn’t enough to harm from afar.

But Bai Shuangfei couldn’t afford to be careless. His vigilance was high, and he couldn’t risk his body any further.

He dodged to the side, avoiding the grasses. That opening gave Zhang He’s Flowing Clouds Blade a chance to close in, sweeping forward like waves.

The blade’s chill bit deep, its edge trembling ever so slightly. Bai Shuangfei recognized the skill—this was no ordinary blade work. Most likely a feint; if he dared to meet it with his palm, the blade would shift and slice toward his throat.

His only option was to retreat, and Zhang He, no longer waiting passively, activated 'Song of Stepping,' drifting forward to match Bai Shuangfei’s speed.

Now, the true battle began. Though the room was awash in glowing colors, the radiance of the Flowing Clouds Blade outshone them all.

The blade flashed, shadows deepened, flowing like a waterfall, flickering like the Milky Way at night, shifting like clouds in the sky.

The relentless blade light made everything else in the room fade into insignificance.

The technique itself was not extraordinary, but Zhang He’s mastery of 'Basic Techniques' was so pure, bolstered by his experience fighting Peony House and Young Master White Horse, that he relied entirely on feints to force Bai Shuangfei to retreat—gambling that Bai Shuangfei would not risk everything.

Yet Zhang He was gambling too; if Bai Shuangfei countered with a genuine attack, Zhang He could not withstand even a single palm strike.

After more than twenty consecutive slashes, Bai Shuangfei was forced into a corner.

Zhang He’s feints finally turned real, channeling the power of 'Transforming Withered into Flourishing,' 'Heroic Spirit Filling the Four Directions,' 'Sword of Attack and Slaughter,' 'Flying Boulder Sword,' and the strength and internal power of the Initial Ascension stage, he hacked at Bai Shuangfei’s lower body.

Because the grade of the Flowing Clouds Blade was so low, the combined martial arts and cultivation made the strike emit a piercing, grating sound.

Bai Shuangfei, experienced, recognized it instantly—the sound of a weapon unable to withstand such intense internal energy, trembling from the force.

He knew this was Zhang He’s decisive, all-or-nothing blow. He dared not meet it with his palm; instead, he leapt, tapping the blade with his toe, and used 'Water Walker' to fly backward.

PK meant killing, and killing meant murderous intent. When that intent faded, the attack’s peak would pass. Bai Shuangfei knew if he dodged Zhang He’s lethal strike, the rest would be easier.

But he miscalculated. Zhang He’s attack to his lower body was meant to force him to use his movement skill.

As soon as Bai Shuangfei leapt, Zhang He tossed a handful of coins skyward. Bai Shuangfei, calm in midair, struck with both palms, sending the coins flying.

The rapid impacts echoed, coins scattering, and Bai Shuangfei’s body arced to land ten meters away.

Yet before he could steady his feet, he saw a flash of golden cold light from the opposite side.

The cold light expanded rapidly, and halfway through its flight, a faint click sounded. Bai Shuangfei’s heart jolted; he knew this hidden weapon was deceptive.

The mechanism inside the Golden Lotus Flying Blade loosened, petals burst open, filling the room with dazzling gold light, sparkling like fireworks, blossoming like a real lotus flower. The six blades traced strange arcs but converged from different angles.

Once again, he struck out with both palms, but two petals still hit his thighs.

Red damage values appeared:

“-51!”
“-51!”

Such sharp hidden weapons dealt only this much damage—Bai Shuangfei’s defense was at least over two hundred.

Yet he felt no pride, only dread, for amid the golden flashes, a streak of blue light came at him.

The Flowing Clouds Blade had left Zhang He’s hand, spinning vertically toward Bai Shuangfei’s face.

Only now did Bai Shuangfei truly grasp Zhang He’s terrifying nature. The low-level martial arts were not too hard to handle, but Zhang He unleashed them in succession, even going so far as to throw his blade in desperation. It looked reckless, but the timing was perfect—something even seasoned veterans rarely achieved.

He now realized Zhang He’s foundation was more solid than any master he’d ever encountered.

First, the blade attacked his lower body, forcing him to leap.
After leaping, he couldn’t dodge, only strike, and the coins were a decoy—the flying blade was the real threat.
After the flying blade hit his thigh, he paused for a second—precisely when he landed.
With unsteady footing, evading was nearly impossible.
The last thrown weapon was the true killing blow.
The sequence was so tight, the timing so precise, Bai Shuangfei almost wanted to cheer for Zhang He, but the dire situation allowed no such luxury.

The blade was already before him. With a sharp crack, Bai Shuangfei brought his palms together, catching the Flowing Clouds Blade between them, its edge barely two feet from his nose, the tip trembling and humming with energy.

After several seconds, the trembling ceased and the sound faded.

Bai Shuangfei opened his palms, and the Flowing Clouds Blade clanged to the floor.

He had broken the deadly strike with this dangerously simple method.

“How unfortunate!” Bai Shuangfei finally laughed, unable to resist. “What a pity—your technique is excellent, but the strength and internal power are too—”

His voice abruptly halted, his smile froze, and his expression intensified—mouth agape, eyes bulging.

He slowly lowered his head and saw a sword, shining white, embedded in his chest. What he couldn’t see was the hooked tip protruding from his back.

He had been stabbed to death by a sword in Dynasty more than once, but this time was different. His face twisted into an expression of disbelief—suspicion, uncertainty, and incredulity mingled with fear.

He could not believe—dared not believe—that he’d been killed from the front. Yet it was true.

“Indeed, a pity,” Zhang He smiled as well. “Had you dodged this move, it would be my turn to suffer. But you didn’t, so rest easy and go.”

He yanked the sword free. Bai Shuangfei convulsed as a critical hit appeared: “-694!”

This was the truly fatal blow. No matter your advancement, your defense, your strength, nothing could withstand the hidden second weapon.

“You killed me?” Bai Shuangfei never managed to say, but his expression as he fell told Zhang He everything.

Zhang He’s face was stained with blood from Bai Shuangfei’s heart, making him look like a demon from hell. He nodded grimly, his expression confirming the truth to Bai Shuangfei:

“Yes, I killed you—because you lacked imagination. Otherwise, I’d never have succeeded…”