16: CHAPTER 12: The Fight Between Ye Lin And Shadow: Part 01.
16: CHAPTER 12: The Fight Between Ye Lin And Shadow: Part 01.
The hotel doors closed softly behind the twins.
For a brief moment…
Silence ruled the street.
Dust drifted lazily through the air while the morning sun cast long shadows across the empty road.
The citizens hid behind tightly shut windows.
No one dared to breathe.
No one dared to witness what was about to happen.
Ye Lin slowly observed the two young men before him.
One dressed in black.
The other…
Also dressed in black.
Both stood with calm expressions that seemed almost emotionless.
“…So you’re the ones.” His voice was low.
Almost disappointed.
“I expected warriors.” “What I got…” His lips curved into a mocking smile.
“…are two children.” Neither KING nor Shadow answered.
The silence irritated him more than insults ever could.
“Hmph.” “I heard you frightened my men.” “They even claimed you nearly killed them.” He laughed loudly.
“What a joke.” His laughter echoed through the deserted street.
“When I heard such rumors, I imagined old monsters hiding inside that hotel.” “But now…” He shook his head.
“You don’t even look worthy of making me unsheathe my weapon.” Shadow calmly met his gaze.
“And yet…” “…you’re still here.” Ye Lin’s smile froze.
“What?” “You’ve already spent more time talking than fighting.” “…Does that mean you’re afraid?” For the first time…
The smile completely vanished from Ye Lin’s face.
The pressure around him instantly increased.
The cobblestones beneath his feet cracked apart.
“…Careful.” “I don’t forgive disrespect.” Shadow’s expression never changed.
“I wasn’t asking for forgiveness.” “I was stating a fact.” BOOM!!
Ye Lin vanished.
The ground exploded beneath him.
His fist pierced through the air with terrifying speed.
A normal Warrior would have seen nothing.
Only death.
Shadow merely tilted his head.
The punch brushed past his cheek.
The violent shockwave continued for hundreds of meters before smashing apart an abandoned warehouse behind him.
Ye Lin’s eyes narrowed.
“He dodged…” Without giving him time to react…
Shadow answered with a simple punch.
Nothing fancy.
Nothing extravagant.
Just…
One punch.
Ye Lin instinctively crossed both arms.
BOOOOM!!
His body shot backward like a cannonball.
He crashed through three buildings before stopping.
The entire street trembled violently.
Dust swallowed everything.
The citizens hiding inside their homes stared with horror.
“…Ye Lin…” “…Got pushed back?” Inside the cloud of dust…
A laugh slowly echoed.
“Hahaha…” “Hahahahahaha!!” The dust dispersed.
Ye Lin stood there completely unharmed.
Instead…
His smile had become wider than ever.
“Wonderful.” “…Wonderful!” His eyes shone with excitement.
“It’s been years…” “…since someone forced me to block.” He slowly rolled his shoulders.
“I’ve changed my mind.” “I’m going to enjoy breaking every bone in your body.” Shadow calmly lowered his hand.
“You talk too much.” “…Let’s see if your fists speak better.” Veins bulged across Ye Lin’s forehead.
“Fine.” “You want a fight?” “I’ll give you one!” BOOOOOOM!!
Both figures disappeared simultaneously.
The next instant— Their fists collided.
The impact alone blasted away every cloud above the city.
The surrounding buildings shook violently.
Window after window exploded.
Neither moved an inch.
Their eyes met.
One filled with arrogance.
The other…
As calm as an endless ocean.
Then…
They attacked again.
Punch after punch.
Kick after kick.
Elbow.
Knee.
Palm.
Neither wasted a single movement.
Each strike flowed naturally into the next.
Like two rivers crashing against one another.
Yet…
One river was becoming turbulent.
The other remained perfectly calm.
Ye Lin frowned.
“…Impossible.” He increased his speed.
His fists became blurs.
The sound of explosions echoed without pause.
BOOM!!
BOOM!!
BOOM!!
BOOM!!
Shadow blocked every strike with the smallest possible movement.
Sometimes his shoulder shifted.
Sometimes his waist turned.
Sometimes only a single step carried him beyond the attack’s path.
It wasn’t flashy.
It wasn’t overwhelming.
It was…
Perfect.
Ye Lin gritted his teeth.
“What kind of martial art is this?!” He threw another devastating kick.
Shadow caught it effortlessly.
Ye Lin’s pupils contracted.
“…What?” Before he could react— Shadow twisted.
A sharp cracking sound echoed.
Ye Lin’s balance disappeared.
Shadow’s palm struck his chest.
BOOOOOM!!
Ye Lin was blasted high into the sky.
Without hesitation— Shadow bent his knees.
The earth beneath him shattered.
BOOM!!
He launched upward like a black comet.
The battle instantly moved above the clouds.
Far below…
Only streaks of black and white could be seen crossing the heavens.
…
Meanwhile…
Sai and Jiang Yi hurried through the streets, each carrying heavy baskets filled with vegetables and meat.
Sai laughed happily.
“Business is finally getting better.” Jiang Yi smiled gently.
“Mm.” “Father would have been happy.” Before Sai could answer— A deafening explosion shook the entire city.
BOOOOOOOM!!
The baskets slipped from their hands.
People screamed.
Someone shouted, “Run!” “Ye Lin is fighting!” “Near Jiang Yi’s hotel!” Jiang Yi’s face turned completely pale.
“No…” Sai clenched his fists.
“Big Brothers…” Without another word— Both siblings ran with everything they had.
They ignored the frightened crowd.
Ignored their exhausted lungs.
Ignored everything.
Please…
Please be safe…
…
Outside the hotel…
KING quietly stood with his hands behind his back.
His gaze remained fixed upon the sky.
As though…
Everything happening above had already been decided.
Sai finally arrived, breathing heavily.
“Big Brother KING!” “Where’s Brother Shadow?!” Jiang Yi’s eyes were filled with panic.
“Mr.
Shadow…” “…Is he alright?” KING calmly looked toward them.
“He’s fine.” Sai looked around desperately.
“But…” “I don’t see him.” KING slowly raised one finger toward the heavens.
“Look.” The siblings lifted their heads.
At first…
They saw nothing.
Then…
Two tiny streaks flashed across the clouds.
Black…
White…
Black…
White…
Every collision created another explosion.
Sai swallowed hard.
“They’re…” “…fighting…” KING nodded.
“Yes.” “He finally found someone…” “…who can entertain him.” Far above…
Ye Lin wiped the blood from the corner of his lips.
His breathing had become heavier.
His heart pounded violently.
Inside his mind…
Countless thoughts collided.
What…
What is this monster?
He’s younger than me…
Yet every movement is flawless.
His breathing never changes…
His stance never breaks…
His attacks carry no wasted strength…
Ye Lin clenched his fists.
It’s as if…
He’s become one with battle itself.
He stared at Shadow.
The calm young man floated silently before him.
No excitement.
No hatred.
No pride.
Only absolute focus.
Ye Lin suddenly laughed.
“…So that’s how it is.” “If fists aren’t enough…” “…then don’t blame me.” With a flash of light— A magnificent sword appeared in his hand.
Its blade shimmered beneath the sun.
Spiritual energy roared from its edge.
The surrounding clouds split apart merely from its presence.
Ye Lin smiled coldly.
“Now…” “…let’s see if you can remain calm.” He vanished— And the sword descended toward Shadow’s neck like divine judgment.