17: CHAPTER 12: The Fight Between Ye Lin And Shadow: Part 02.
17: CHAPTER 12: The Fight Between Ye Lin And Shadow: Part 02.
Ye Lin’s laughter faded.
The smile that had decorated his face since the beginning of the battle slowly disappeared.
In its place…
Only seriousness remained.
The sword in his hand hummed softly, as though it had awakened from a long slumber.
Its silver blade reflected the sunlight, splitting the clouds around it.
A powerful aura spread across the heavens.
Even the people below, who could not clearly see the battle, felt an invisible pressure descend upon their hearts.
Inside the hotel courtyard, Sai looked toward the sky with trembling eyes.
“Big Brother…” Jiang Yi silently clasped her hands together.
She had never prayed before.
Yet…
At that moment…
She wished for only one miracle.
“The calmest sea often hides the deepest abyss; the brightest blade is not the one that shines…
but the one that returns silently to its sheath.” High above the clouds…
Ye Lin slowly pointed his sword toward Shadow.
“You’ve earned my respect.” “For years, no one has forced me to draw this weapon.” “I was going to make your death quick…” He lowered his stance.
“But now…” “I’ll make sure you remember this battle for the rest of your life.” Shadow looked at the blade for a brief moment.
Then…
He spoke in the same calm voice.
“A sword…” “…is only as worthy as the one who holds it.” Ye Lin chuckled.
“Still talking.” “Good.” “I prefer opponents who don’t beg.” The wind suddenly changed.
Clouds rolled across the sky as a strange energy gathered around the swordsman.
With one step— He vanished.
The sky echoed with a sharp metallic cry.
Shadow leaned slightly to one side.
The sword passed only inches from his neck.
The force behind the strike scattered dozens of clouds.
Without hesitation, Shadow reached into the Infinity Armory.
A ripple spread through space.
A plain-looking sword appeared in his hand.
There were no jewels.
No golden inscriptions.
No overwhelming aura.
It looked like nothing more than an ordinary blade.
Ye Lin laughed.
“You dare challenge my treasured weapon…” “…with scrap metal?” Shadow answered quietly.
“We’ll see.” The two figures crossed once.
Then again.
Each meeting sent waves of spiritual energy rippling through the sky.
Below…
The people could only hear distant echoes.
To them…
It sounded as though thunder itself had declared war.
Ye Lin frowned.
His attacks had become sharper.
Faster.
More unpredictable.
Yet every time…
Shadow found the smallest movement necessary to answer them.
Not once did he panic.
Not once did he lose rhythm.
His sword flowed like water.
Gentle…
Yet impossible to grasp.
Ye Lin felt a chill run through him.
“What kind of swordsmanship is this?” “There are no unnecessary movements…” “No openings…” “No hesitation…” “It’s as though every swing was perfected long before this battle even began.” For the first time in many years…
Doubt entered his heart.
Far below…
Sai stared blankly into the heavens.
“I…” “I can’t even follow them…” KING stood beside him.
His golden eyes never left the battle.
“They’ve already surpassed what ordinary eyes can perceive.” Sai swallowed.
“Can…
Big Brother Shadow win?” There was silence.
Then KING answered.
“He already has.” Sai looked at him in confusion.
“But…” “The battle isn’t over.” KING’s expression remained unchanged.
“It ended…” “…the moment Shadow understood his opponent.” Back in the sky…
Ye Lin refused to accept reality.
His pride…
His reputation…
His position as the city’s ruler…
Everything was at stake.
“No!” He poured every ounce of spiritual energy into one final attack.
The blade glowed brilliantly.
Even the clouds seemed to retreat from its light.
“This strike…” “…will decide everything!” With a roar, he swung.
The heavens trembled.
Shadow quietly raised his own sword.
There was no grand declaration.
No roar.
Only silence.
The two blades met.
For one heartbeat…
Time itself seemed to stop.
Then…
A clear metallic sound echoed across the sky.
Clang.
Ye Lin’s eyes widened.
A thin crack appeared near the hilt of his treasured sword.
Then another.
And another.
“No…” The cracks spread like spiderwebs.
His treasured weapon…
The sword that had accompanied him through countless victories…
Shattered into countless fragments that glittered beneath the sun like falling stars.
Ye Lin froze.
His mind went blank.
“Impossible…” “That sword…” “It was forged by the finest craftsmen…” “How…” “How could an ordinary blade…” Before he could finish the thought…
Shadow’s sword had already continued its path.
Instinct screamed.
Death was inches away.
With trembling hands, Ye Lin hurriedly took a bronze bell from his spatial ring.
The ancient artifact expanded instantly, surrounding him in a dome of golden light.
Shadow’s strike landed upon it.
A deep bell-like sound echoed across the sky.
The protective barrier shook violently.
Cracks raced across its surface.
Though it held…
The impact sent Ye Lin flying through the air.
Blood spilled from his lips.
His breathing became ragged.
He stared at Shadow one final time.
Not with arrogance.
Not with hatred.
But with fear.
For the first time…
He understood.
If he remained…
He would not leave this battle alive.
Without another word…
He turned.
And fled.
His figure disappeared beyond the distant clouds.
Shadow watched him go.
He made no attempt to chase him.
After a long silence…
He looked down at the plain sword still resting in his hand.
“…So.” “I underestimated the weapons within the Armory.” “It seems…” “…even the simplest blade among them possesses a history beyond my understanding.” The wind gently carried his words away.
Then…
Shadow began descending toward the city.
Below…
Two people waited with anxious hearts.
And neither of them realized…
That from this day onward…
Their lives had become forever intertwined with two brothers who walked the path of darkness…
toward a destiny that not even the stars dared to reveal.