Zhang Yu was not particularly strong, and he looked like someone from an ordinary background. He didn't possess any ember remains, and even his weapon was nothing more than a B-grade alloy cane.
In terms of raw combat power, even Shao Han could have defeated him.
Not to mention that Zhao Mu was now fully equipped with eight ember remains.
This was the true fighting style of a talented Jinhai Master.
Zhang Yu had never expected that his attack would be blocked by a kid with only a Level 7 Combat Rating.
However, after a brief moment of shock, he gritted his teeth and charged straight toward Zhao Mu.
Instinctively, compared to the two pursuers behind him with Combat Levels 19 and 20, the Level 7 rookie standing in front of him seemed like the easier target.
Zhao Mu took a deep breath.
"Demon Clown... Seven Kills Battle Technique... Activate!"
Holding his Heavenly Halberd in reverse, he charged forward like a dragon emerging from the sea, showing no intention of dodging. Instead, he chose to meet Zhang Yu head-on.
"Yaaahhh!"
Driven nearly insane, Zhang Yu knew he had to defeat Zhao Mu as quickly as possible before the other two caught up.
His spiritual energy erupted violently, flooding his body with dazzling light as he unleashed a barrage of spiritual energy blades.
Zhao Mu remained calm.
A flash of light appeared in his left hand as a massive guardian shield materialized. Fueled by spiritual energy, it transformed into the phantom of a giant Wind Hou, standing firmly before him.
This was his second exclusive Ultimate-Grade ember remains—the Feng Hou Shield, crafted using materials provided by Gu Ningyuan.
Every spiritual blade Zhang Yu fired was swallowed by the enormous mouth of the Wind Hou phantom.
In a single exchange, Zhao Mu had already revealed three ember remains.
Not only was Zhang Yu stunned, but Sun Jiliang and Tian Lizhen were equally dumbfounded.
They simply couldn't believe what they were seeing.
After spending three years at Qingfeng Camp, they had only managed to exchange enough academic credits for a single Low-Grade First-Class Jinhai.
Yet Zhao Mu, who had been at the camp for less than two months, possessed so many high-quality ember remains.
One should never mistake Zhao Mu's abundance of ember remains as proof that they were common.
Every ember remains was an extremely valuable weapon that greatly enhanced the combat ability of a Spirit Power User.
Had it not been for the extraordinary ability of the Demon Clown, which allowed Zhao Mu to craft ember remains himself, a commoner like him would have struggled for years just to obtain a single Elementary ember remains.
Not everyone was born like Mo Guanguan, Shao Han, or Meng Qiuqiu, who all came from powerful noble families.
Even talented cadets like Zhu Meng, despite having an excellent family background and a B-rank Talent, still did not possess ember remains.
The expressions in Tian Lizhen's and Sun Jiliang's eyes gradually changed.
Their surprise slowly transformed into naked jealousy.
If they hadn't been assigned to the same mission as Zhao Mu, they might have seriously considered robbing him.
Meanwhile, Zhao Mu had already closed the distance.
Holding the Extinguish Ember in one hand and the Feng Hou Shield in the other, he charged directly at Zhang Yu.
Zhang Yu's alloy cane had already snapped in half and posed no threat whatsoever.
The Heavenly Halberd sliced through the air with overwhelming force.
Zhang Yu frowned.
As a Combat Level 18 fighter, he was confident in his physical strength. He even intended to use this clash to seriously injure Zhao Mu before escaping.
But the moment their weapons collided, his expression changed dramatically.
A terrifying force surged through his weapon and into his arm, penetrating deep into his bones.
A sharp pain spread throughout his body.
He was actually forced several steps backward by Zhao Mu's sheer strength.
Sun Jiliang and Tian Lizhen, who had been preparing to assist, froze in disbelief.
What had they just witnessed?
A Combat Level 7 recruit was overwhelming a Combat Level 18 fugitive.
Zhao Mu ignored their reactions.
From the moment their weapons clashed, he already knew Zhang Yu was no match for him.
Zhang Yu was merely a Level 18 fugitive with no powerful ember remains, only Elementary Battle Techniques, and a body weakened by days of fleeing without proper food or rest.
Against a fully prepared Zhao Mu, he had no chance.
Taking advantage of Zhang Yu's unstable footing, Zhao Mu pressed forward relentlessly.
The Heavenly Halberd and Feng Hou Shield struck repeatedly.
The Intermediate Battle Technique—
Hegemon's Formation-Breaking Halberd!
Its relentless offensive quickly shattered Zhang Yu's Protective Spiritual Power.
Seizing the opportunity, Zhao Mu swung his tough silk, tightly binding Zhang Yu before he could react.
He had no intention of killing him.
Although Zhang Yu had committed serious crimes—including robbing a jewelry store, injuring civilians, and attacking security officers—they were not crimes deserving of the death penalty.
"Come back with us and face trial."
Zhao Mu's voice was cold and firm.
Seeing Sun Jiliang and Tian Lizhen closing in from both sides, Zhang Yu realized all hope was lost.
He had assumed Zhao Mu was merely tagging along to earn easy academic credits.
He had never imagined that this Level 7 recruit would be the greatest threat among the three.
Filled with bitterness, Zhang Yu roared,
"What did I do wrong?
I bled for this Empire!
I earned countless military merits!
Yet I came home scarred and broken, only to become a nameless security guard.
I couldn't even protect my own daughter!"
His bloodshot eyes burned with grief.
"Tell me... was I really the one who was wrong?"
Then he glared at all three of them.
"And you elites of Qingfeng Camp!
One day you'll all be sent to the battlefield.
The Zhang Yu of today...
will become the future you!"
Sun Jiliang sneered.
"If you want to blame someone, blame your own incompetence.
If you couldn't protect your family and chose to point your blade at innocent people instead...
Then you deserve to die."
Without another word, he stepped forward and drove his blade straight into Zhang Yu's heart.
Zhao Mu watched as Zhang Yu's body collapsed to the ground.
His pupils contracted sharply.
He turned toward Sun Jiliang.
"His crimes didn't warrant the death penalty.
Why did you kill him?"
Zhang Yu had already lost all ability to resist.
Had he been taken back for trial, he would likely have received little more than ten years in prison.
Sun Jiliang casually patted Zhao Mu's shoulder.
"Junior Brother, you're still too inexperienced.
People like him should simply be killed. It's cleaner and avoids unnecessary trouble."
He shrugged indifferently.
"Dead or alive, we receive the same academic credits.
Why risk bringing him back?"
Zhao Mu stared at him with eyes as sharp as blades.
For the first time, Sun Jiliang instinctively took several steps backward.
"Hey... what's with that look?
Don't tell me you're trying to play the saint."
Zhao Mu's voice turned icy.
"Everyone should pay the price they deserve for their crimes.
Yes, Zhang Yu committed serious offenses.
But he was also a veteran who had fought for the Empire and was driven into desperation by life.
Treating him like this...
is going too far."
Zhao Mu could have accepted Zhang Yu dying in battle while resisting arrest.
But Sun Jiliang's actions had nothing to do with justice.
Zhao Mu had done most of the work during this mission.
Sun Jiliang feared Zhao Mu would expose that fact, so he chose to kill Zhang Yu and eliminate any possibility of dispute over the credit.
Even knowing Zhang Yu did not deserve execution, he still chose to end his life.
Was this not the arrogance of an executioner?
When someone possesses the power to kill, they begin believing they have the right to decide who lives and who dies.
It was truly...
Disgusting.
At that moment, Zhao Mu made up his mind.
After today's mission, he would never associate with Sun Jiliang again.
________________________________________
⚡ Enjoying the story? Don't stop here!
The adventure continues on Patreon:
👉 patreon.com/Obito_uchiha
🔥 Read up to 50 chapters ahead
📚 Get access to 20+ fanfics with a single membership
Be among the first to experience new chapters weeks before they're released publicly.
Join today and start reading ahead!