Chapter 33: Chapter 32: I’ll Just Quietly Watch You Perform
After twisting away from Li Kuang’s strike, Tang Yi stood his ground and watched him, his eyes filled with amusement.
It could have been ridicule or perhaps disdain. In any case, the look in his eyes made Li Kuang extremely annoyed.
"You’re courting death!"
Li Kuang was a notoriously fierce man. How could he tolerate some brat looking down on him?
He shot out his hand, grabbing for Tang Yi once more.
For the previous grab, Li Kuang had assumed that since his opponent was just a boy, it would be an easy catch. So, he hadn’t used his full strength, only three layers of his power.
This time, he used eight layers of power. His Speed was greater, his Power was stronger, and he brought the full advantage of a Battle Grandmaster to bear. He refused to believe he couldn’t catch Tang Yi.
But...
Just like before, as his hand was about to reach Tang Yi, the boy’s figure split into four phantoms that appeared in different spots. Then, with a slight shift, he dodged the attack.
His powerful grab, backed by eight layers of power, had failed once again.
Tang Yi came to a stop again, a broad smile on his face as he looked at Li Kuang.
’There’s something strange about this kid!’
"Kid, who are you?" Li Kuang asked cautiously.
If Tang Yi dodging his first grab was just a coincidence, then effortlessly evading the second one was enough to unnerve Li Kuang.
On the Saint Martial Continent, where the strong were revered, being unable to overpower someone meant your own Life was in danger.
This was precisely one of those situations.
Therefore, facing this strange young man of unknown origin, even someone as arrogant as Li Kuang had to be cautious.
Of course, this didn’t mean Li Kuang was afraid of Tang Yi. He was simply stalling for time.
Once his companions arrived, he was confident that with their combined strength, they could make Tang Yi fall, no matter how fast or strange he was!
"Who I am isn’t important," Tang Yi said calmly. "What’s important is that you shouldn’t have come looking for trouble with me."
If Li Kuang hadn’t charged at him, he wouldn’t have bothered with this stupid mess at all.
"Hmm?" Li Kuang glanced at Tang Yi, his eyes shifting as he spoke. "Young friend, I was forced to act just now. I apologize for the offense. Please, forgive me. I was being chased by villains, and you were blocking my path. I thought you were with them, which is why I attacked. I’m truly sorry."
"Heh."
Tang Yi chuckled but said nothing. Inside, he thought, ’Spin your tale. Keep spinning. If it weren’t for my Celestial Eye Technique, I might have actually fallen for it.’
However, Tang Yi didn’t expose Li Kuang right away. He wanted to see what other tricks the man had up his sleeve.
Just then, the members of the Nine Cities Mercenary Corps arrived. When they heard Li Kuang’s words, they were instantly fuming with rage.
Liuu Tian pointed at Li Kuang and roared, "Li Kuang! What bullshit are you spouting, you Demon who kills without batting an eye! Young man, don’t believe him! It’s true we’re here to capture him, but that’s because *he’s* the villain!"
"Young friend, don’t be fooled by my fierce looks. I’m actually a member of the Wolf Heaven Mercenary Corps. You can ask around about our reputation."
As he spoke, Li Kuang pulled a golden, wolf-head-shaped badge from his robes. The badge gleamed with a strange luster, and its engravings were remarkably intricate. Above the wolf’s head were four words: ’Wolf Heaven Li Kuang’. Beneath them was a tiny, pea-sized mark.
This was the mark used by the Mercenary Union to verify authenticity, which meant the badge was undoubtedly from the Wolf Heaven Mercenary Corps.
This gold badge was far more beautiful and dazzling than the Silver Badge of the Nine Cities Mercenary Corps. The Level of this Mercenary Corps must be much higher than theirs.
"This..." Liuu Tian was dumbfounded. The Wolf Heaven Mercenary Corps had an excellent reputation. She never imagined that Li Kuang could produce one of their badges. How could a villain like him possibly be one of them?
They were polar opposites, completely incompatible!
"How about that?" Li Kuang said with a smug smile. He then pointed at Liuu Tian and her group, continuing, "Young friend, don’t be fooled by that woman’s pretty face. In truth, she has a vicious heart and has murdered many good and innocent people. Their group is called the Nine Cities Mercenary Corps, and they’re all disciples from Noble Families. Relying on the backing of those families, they commit all sorts of atrocities without a shred of conscience. Now they want to harm me. I hope you’ll join me in wiping them out."
Li Kuang spoke with such conviction, it was as if he were the good guy and Liuu Tian’s group were the villains.
His performance was so good, Tang Yi almost believed him.
Hearing Li Kuang twist the truth so blatantly, the members of the Nine Cities Mercenary Corps were about to explode with rage. They all clenched their fists, wanting nothing more than to tear him limb from limb. But Li Kuang was incredibly strong, and now there was this unfathomable young man. If the two of them really joined forces, they might never leave the Wind Moon Forest alive. So, they all suppressed their anger and held back, merely glaring at Li Kuang with murderous intent.
If looks could kill, Li Kuang would have died ten thousand times over.
"Young man, don’t listen to Li Kuang! I don’t know why he has a badge from the Wolf Heaven Mercenary Corps, but he is truly a villain. Our Nine Cities Mercenary Corps lost four of our brothers because of him!" Liuu Tian explained, hoping Tang Yi would side with them.
"Just because you say I killed them, that makes it true? Where’s your proof?" Li Kuang said, squinting at Liuu Tian. He then put on a grief-stricken and indignant act. "Miss Liuu, you may be beautiful, but your heart is far too venomous. It was clearly my four brothers who were killed by you, yet you insist on twisting things around and claiming I killed your people. I must admit, I’m no match for your ability to call black white."
"You!" Liuu Tian’s eyes widened, and her face flushed crimson with fury. She was so angry! She couldn’t believe Li Kuang could be this shameless. Who was the one twisting the truth here?!
"Enough!" Tang Yi snapped, cutting off their argument. "I don’t care who’s right or who’s wrong. This has nothing to do with me. Settle your own grudges. I’m not interested!"
His stance was clear. He didn’t want to get involved and wouldn’t help either side. Everyone understood his meaning.
Liuu Tian nodded. She figured it was for the best. At least he wouldn’t join forces with Li Kuang, which left them a glimmer of hope for killing the man.
’As if you could change anything even if you did get involved.’
Li Kuang cursed inwardly. He felt Tang Yi’s words were arrogant. And after all that effort he’d put into persuading him, it had all been for nothing. The boy hadn’t fallen for his trap.
Li Kuang was extremely annoyed by Tang Yi’s attitude, but he didn’t let it show. After all, he still didn’t know the depths of the boy’s abilities and didn’t dare to fight him.
"Fine. Since you have no intention of joining me, young friend, I won’t insist. I shall deal with these villains myself!" Li Kuang declared righteously. "Even if I die, I will make sure they remain in the Wind Moon Forest forever!" He then drew a short blade from his waist, looking as if he were ready to face death.
"Hmph! You damned scoundrel! Even if every last one of us from the Nine Cities Mercenary Corps dies here in the Wind Moon Forest today, we will still bring you to justice!" Liuu Tian’s eyebrows shot up as she retorted sharply.