Chapter 45: Sorry, I Have a Bit of OCD
ROAR!!!
From deep within the Magical Beast Mountain Range came the howls of beasts—signaling that second- and third-rank magical beasts had discovered the wildfire and were beginning to emerge.
In the blazing forest, a group of black-clad figures slowly followed Xiao Yi Xian. It was clear—they were herding her, steering her escape path.
Xiao Yi Xian, her face pale but mind sharp, quickly realized the truth. She wasn't their target—they were using her to draw out Jiang Lin.
Understanding this, she suddenly stopped and turned to face the black-clad pursuers, her eyes burning with anger. "I am a physician of Wan Yao Zhai. What do you want?!"
The black-clad men remained silent. If they didn't have to, they clearly didn't want to harm her.
Thwip!
An arrow suddenly embedded itself into the ground at Xiao Yi Xian's feet. Her face went even paler, and she stumbled back, turning to see a black-clad archer slowly drawing a second arrow—this one aimed directly at her heart. The killing intent locked onto her; her instincts screamed that if she didn't move, the next arrow would kill her.
Still, she gritted her teeth and took a firm step forward, her gaze unwavering.
They wanted to use her to force Jiang Lin out? She wouldn't let them.
The archer sneered and began to release the bowstring—but suddenly noticed all the other black-clad men staring at him in silence.
"…."
After a moment, he lowered his weapon.
But at that very moment, his unprotected head exploded.
BOOM!
Only after his head popped like a melon did the sharp crack of a gunshot ring out!
The sudden change shocked everyone. The assassins instantly scattered and looked toward the source of the sound.
Step… step…
From the firelight emerged a black-armored knight, carrying a long, iron rod over his shoulder.
"Still wanna fight?"
Jiang Lin walked up to Xiao Yi Xian, gave her head a gentle pat, then turned his gaze toward the surrounding assassins who were closing in.
"So that's how it is…"
Looking at the man he had just sniped from 100 meters away with a specially-crafted magic core sniper round, Jiang Lin muttered, "Guess I got the wrong guy?"
Magic core weapons were toys—sure. But in low-level combat, they were hilariously effective.
"Our mission is to capture you. Dead or alive."
One of the black-clad men finally spoke.
"Tell me where he is, and we don't have to fight."
There were over a dozen of them, including several Dou Shi. Jiang Lin didn't want to waste time fighting them. These Dou Shi should've left for bigger cities by now with the Beast Mercenary Group.
"We complete this task and leave Qingshan Town."
Their position was clear.
"And then cover everything up with a wildfire?"
Jiang Lin chuckled.
BOOM!
While speaking, he suddenly rotated and struck a black-clad man sneaking up behind him with his greatsword. Then he grabbed the stunned Xiao Yi Xian and bolted downhill.
Among a crowd, there could be traitors. Jiang Lin didn't dare leave her alone.
CLANG! CLANG!
He swung his greatsword left and right, clearing a path while carrying Xiao Yi Xian down the mountain.
Despite being heavily armored, armed with a massive sword, and carrying a person, Jiang Lin moved with incredible speed and stamina—keeping pace with the fleeing assassins behind him.
Those assassins were stunned. How the hell is this big chunk of metal running faster than us?!
BANG!
Jiang Lin suddenly stumbled backward several steps. He slammed his greatsword into the ground for balance. Before him stood a group of black-clad men, led by a short, muscular man with Dou Qi armor—who had just sent him flying with one punch.
"Cough… So this is a Da Dou Shi's strength?"
Jiang Lin looked at the one-star Da Dou Shi Yan Hu, recalling Mr. Yao's warning. He acted like he was losing, dropped Xiao Yi Xian, and charged off in another direction.
Sweep! Smash!
He flung aside Dou Zhe, forced back Dou Shi.
Yan Hu coldly watched the black-armored Jiang Lin plow through his men. Then, with a glance at the pale-faced Xiao Yi Xian, he gestured for his trusted subordinates to take her down the mountain.
There would be blood tonight. Best not let a girl see too much of it.
The moment Jiang Lin saw Xiao Yi Xian taken away safely, he flared his Dou Qi.
BOOM!
His Flameburst Cleave Armor Sword ignited in roaring fire.
Gripping it with both hands, he spun and unleashed a flaming ring!
An eight-star Dou Zhe failed to dodge and was struck directly. The impact shattered his insides, launching him like a ragdoll.
Now at the Dou Zhe level, Jiang Lin could channel his Dou Qi through his weapon. Where once he had to ignite fire-element magic cores to get his sword to flame, now he only needed to will it.
The Flame Sword danced through the air. No black-clad attacker could get close.
CLANG!
A two-star Dou Shi, with a golden blade, lunged at him with another Dou Shi covering. He struck Jiang Lin's back, unleashing a burst of sparks!
Jiang Lin held his ground. His waist twisted, and his arms yanked the Flame Sword in a sudden reverse sweep!
The two-star Dou Shi, even protected by Dou Qi gauze, felt his arms go numb and jumped back.
But Jiang Lin spun with the motion, the greatsword arcing behind him before coming down in a powerful vertical chop!
The Dou Shi, unused to heavy weapon styles, panicked. He lifted his mid-grade Yellow-Rank golden blade to block, planning to deflect and counter.
CLANG! The weapons clashed!
BOOM! The Flame Sword's back erupted in a flash of fire!
With double-impact strength, the sword edge chipped but still cut clean through the golden blade—then tore into the Dou Shi's gauze shield and split his chest open from shoulder to sternum!
BOOM!
Yan Hu suddenly slammed a heavy punch at Jiang Lin. He blocked with his sword but was blasted back several meters.
"Father!"
A nearby Dou Zhe cried out and rushed over.
Jiang Lin, still recovering from Yan Hu's punch, paused at the cry. Then with a flash of thunder, he reversed direction and charged at the terrified young man.
"Fath—ugh!"
His punch landed like thunder, exploding against the youth's chest. The powerful dual-layered impact stopped the boy's heart instantly.
Jiang Lin took the hit from Yan Hu's armored punch just to deliver that strike. He rolled across the ground several times.
"Cough… cough…"
"Sorry… I have a bit of OCD."
Jiang Lin coughed, his body aching, but he stood. One hand clutched his greatsword. His black cloak was torn in places, revealing the cut-riddled Black Knight armor beneath—and a black straight sword sheathed at his waist.
(END CHAPTER)
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