Desolate Devouring Art

Chapter 43 - Calm and Composed

No one in Azure Billow City dared to call the Wolf Fang Mercenary ignorant. Even the patriarchs of the four big clans didn’t dare to say that.

Hundreds of eyes turned to Liu Wuxie, who wore a faint smile on his bright face. His high nose bridge and slightly upturned lips accentuated his handsome features.

“Boy, do you have a death wish, calling us ignorant?” A mercenary jumped out from the group. He was at the fifth level of the Xiantian Realm and launched a hand chop at Liu Wuxie. This was the Wolf Fang Mercenary’s style. Their attacks were ruthless, and they wouldn’t allow their opponent to catch their breath.

Xu Yishan was taken aback by this turn of events and moved to intervene. Though he might not have liked Liu Wuxie, he couldn’t stand idly and watch him be killed.

But Liu Wuxie was quick to react, drawing his blade and swinging it down. No one could follow the path of his sword. By the time they realized what had happened, Liu Wuxie had already sheathed his blade, and the mercenary who had attacked him stood frozen in place.

In the next instant, blood spurted from the mercenary’s neck as he collapsed to the ground, lifeless. He had been killed with a single stroke of the blade!

Everyone who witnessed it gasped in shock, including members of the Tian and Wan Clans. They were left dumbstruck with their mouths agape. The eyes of the Xu Clan’s guards bulged in disbelief. They had been mocking Liu Wuxie as trash just earlier that day, so how could he have executed such a deadly strike?

Xu Yishan halted in his tracks, his emotions in turmoil, unable to put into words what he was feeling.

The experts from the Tian and Wan Clans were mildly surprised by Liu Wuxie’s sudden appearance, but they didn’t pay much attention to someone they considered to be garbage. In fact, it was better for them if he was there because then Master Huo couldn’t blame them if Liu Wuxie were to die. But Liu Wuxie’s blade had shocked them all. It was like a resounding slap in the face, not just for them but also for the Xu Clan’s guards.

This was because they had never held back their mockery of Liu Wuxie, hurling all manner of vicious insults at him.

“W-Who the hell are you?!” Tian Qihong pointed at Liu Wuxie with disbelief. He couldn’t believe that a garbage like Liu Wuxie could easily kill someone in the fifth level of the Xiantian Realm with one blade strike.

Everyone present, friend and foe alike, waited with bated breath for Liu Wuxie’s response. This was not the Liu Wuxie they thought they knew.

Wolf Fang narrowed his eyes when he saw this scene. Upon entering the camp, he had sensed a hint of danger, but he couldn’t pinpoint its source. Could it be emanating from this frail-looking youth standing before him? Wolf Fang had encountered countless people in his lifetime, but he couldn’t detect any threat from Liu Wuxie. In fact, Liu Wuxie made him feel rather at ease.

But Wolf Fang knew that the more beautiful a snake, the more poisonous it was. He could sense that this young man was exerting a great deal of pressure on him, but he forced himself to remain calm. He could feel an intangible weight bearing down upon his shoulders. It was a pressure that couldn’t be seen or touched, but it was undeniably there.

“Does it matter who I am right now?” Liu Wuxie mocked. His identity was of no consequence to these people, as they were enemies.

“I’m surprised that a piece of trash like you could make such a comeback. But this is perfect because now we can kill you today. So what if you managed to kill someone in the fifth level of the Xiantian Realm? You’re still going to die either way!” Tian Qihong took a deep breath to quell the rage boiling within him. Liu Wuxie had killed one of the Wolf Fang Mercenaries, and Wolf Fang would surely take revenge without them having to lift a finger.

Liu Wuxie ignored Tian Qihong and turned his gaze to Wolf Fang. For a brief moment, their eyes locked, but it was Wolf Fang who looked away first. Liu Wuxie’s gaze was deep and penetrating, and Wolf Fang felt as if he were falling into an abyss when he met his eyes.

Wolf Fang was perplexed and couldn’t understand how someone as young as Liu Wuxie could possess such a terrifying gaze. It was as if Liu Wuxie could see right through him, causing Wolf Fang’s palms to sweat and making him feel immense pressure.

“Wolf Fang, it’s not too much for me to kill one of your men for injuring ten guards of my Xu Clan, right?” Liu Wuxie asked coldly. There was no fluctuation in his emotions as though he was narrating something ordinary or negotiating.

Wolf Fang nodded in agreement. “No, it’s not.” As members of the Wolf Fang Mercenary, they often walked a dangerous path, and death was an ever-present possibility.

Liu Wuxie continued, “This conflict is between my Xu Clan and the Wan and Tian Clans. You had no business interfering, yet you did. However, since you didn’t kill anyone from my Xu Clan, I’m willing to show mercy. If every member of the Wolf Fang Mercenary cuts off an arm and leaves, I’ll let you go.”

Liu Wuxie’s speech was domineering, and it immediately caused an uproar. Not only did he want the Wolf Fang Mercenary to get lost, but he even demanded each of them to cut off an arm. Even Xu Yilin might not have dared to make such a demand if he had been present. Despite his calm tone, Liu Wuxie exuded an air of unyielding authority.

Tian Qihong burst out laughing. “Hahaha! That kid must be insane to demand that every member of the Wolf Fang Mercenary cut off an arm. Is he trying to make me die of laughter?” He looked at Liu Wuxie as if he were a fool, and so did everyone else, including the guards of the Xu Clan.

The Wan and Tian Clan’s disciples, including the Wolf Fang Mercenary, were sneering after hearing Liu Wuxie’s demand. No one had ever dared to make such a demand of the Wolf Fang Mercenary before. And if anyone had, they were already dead.

Xu Yishan’s forehead creased with worry as he frowned deeply. He couldn’t help giving a facepalm because he had initially planned on using the Xu Clan’s position to force the Wolf Fang Mercenary to retreat. But Liu Wuxie had intensified the conflict by killing a man from the Wolf Fang Mercenary, and both sides now have an irreconcilable feud.

But Wolf Fang wore a grave expression instead because his instincts warned him that this young man was terrifying. He grew up in a pack of wolves since he was young. A pack of wolves was invincible, but a lone wolf couldn’t fight alone. He felt like a lone wolf facing a tiger, and the pressure he felt was still increasing, with beads of sweat appearing on his forehead without him realizing it.

“I can back down, but it’s too much to ask me to cut off my arm,” Wolf Fang replied, leaving everyone stunned. They couldn’t believe that these words had come from his mouth.

Tian Qihong’s laughter died abruptly, and his face twisted into an ugly scowl as if he had eaten a lump of shit.

The Xu Clan’s guards were also shocked that Wolf Fang was willing to retreat because of what Liu Wuxie said. Deacon Hu and Xu Yishan exchanged glances, both seeing the surprise in each other’s eyes. This was beyond their imagination; they had no idea if Wolf Fang was insane or Liu Wuxie had lost his mind.

“No,” Liu Wuxie spat that word out coldly, and his voice echoed throughout the camp. He had given his verdict—they would have to leave behind an arm if they wanted to go. Otherwise, they would only stay behind...

Xu Yishan really wanted to strangle Liu Wuxie to death at this moment. If the Wolf Fang Mercenary could retreat, they wouldn’t have to worry about Tian and Wan Clan’s experts. He wanted to stop Liu Wuxie, but it was too late; he had already refused Wolf Fang.

“Young Master...” Deacon Hu called out softly, hoping to stop Liu Wuxie. There was a glimmer of hope in his eyes.

But Liu Wuxie ignored him and turned to Wolf Fang with a smile. Despite the smile on his face, Wolf Fang felt a chill run down his spine for some reason.

“Wolf Fang, what are you waiting for? Just kill them all! Why are you listening to this brat’s nonsense?!” Tian Qihong roared, urging Wolf Fang to act quickly and slaughter all the Xu Clan’s guards before occupying the Iris Gold Mine.

But Wolf Fang ignored Tian Qihong’s yell because his back was covered in sweat without him knowing. He asked, “Is there no room for negotiation?”

“No,” Liu Wuxie refused.

The atmosphere around them suddenly grew tense. Liu Wuxie and Wolf Fang were talking calmly, with no signs of aggression. But for some reason, everyone felt on edge, and the tension was palpable.

“Fine! Let me experience Young Master Liu’s strength then!” Wolf Fang thought that being killed was better than cutting off an arm. He couldn't agree to Liu Wuxie’s demand, and Liu Wuxie knew it. Right from the start, Liu Wuxie had no intention of letting anyone leave. It was as simple as that.

“If I can’t kill you within three moves, I’ll spare your life.” Liu Wuxie drew his blade, and everyone quickly backed down, clearing a space for Liu Wuxie and Wolf Fang to fight.

“Enough of this nonsense, get out of here!” Xu Yishan finally lost his patience and tried to stop Liu Wuxie from causing any more trouble. After all, Liu Wuxie had squandered their opportunity and angered Wolf Fang.

“Are you talking to me?” Liu Wuxie turned to Xu Yishan with a cold stare, causing the latter to flinch in fear. The sharp aura emanating from Liu Wuxie’s eyes nearly blinded Xu Yishan, and he froze on the spot, intimidated.

But Liu Wuxie ignored Xu Yishan and walked towards the cleared space. The situation had progressed too far for anyone to stop it now.

“Deacon Hu, take everyone and guard the exit. No one is allowed to leave the camp tonight.” Liu Wuxie instructed, turning to look at Deacon Hu. He wanted to ensure that none of the raiders could escape the camp that night.

Deacon Hu glanced at Xu Yishan before nodding and sealing off the exit with the Xu Clan’s guards. The Tian and Wan Clans didn’t stop them, including Wolf Fang. Anyone could tell that only one party could survive that night.

“Is the young master insane? How can he possibly defeat Wolf Fang in three moves? It’s impossible unless he’s in the high levels of the Spirit Cleansing Realm,” the Xu Clan’s guards whispered among themselves. They were torn between respect and resentment towards Liu Wuxie. After all, he had ruined their chance to reduce the number of their enemies.

Everyone thought Wolf Fang wanted to retreat out of concern for the Xu Clan, not Liu Wuxie. However, only Wolf Fang knew that his sudden desire to quit was due to Liu Wuxie, not the Xu Clan.

But Liu Wuxie didn’t bother to explain himself. Time would prove everything; the weak could only look up to the strong.

“Why did he have to drag us down if he wanted to die? In the worst scenario, we can surrender after his death. I just hope Wolf Fang can spare us.” Discussions sounded from the surroundings because no one was optimistic about Liu Wuxie. They could even foresee Liu Wuxie being chopped into pieces by Wolf Fang.

On the other hand, Xu Yishan was surprisingly calm. This was because the look in Liu Wuxie’s eyes earlier had made him feel like he was being watched by a powerful beast.

Wolf Fang’s weapon was a spiked club, and this was where his nickname Wolf Fang came from. His real name had long been forgotten by everyone.

A cold wind stirred up the dust on the ground as Liu Wuxie and Wolf Fang sprang into action. They both bolted forth and clashed together. Their exchange was so fast that their figures blurred, and everyone could only hear the clashing between their weapons echoing in the camp.

Simultaneously, a suffocating aura swept out, and the pressure nearly made the miners in the surroundings collapse. Tian Qihong’s face also became ugly because he could tell that Wolf Fang had brought out his full strength, but he couldn’t even touch the corner of Liu Wuxie’s clothes.

This was a strange scene because everyone expected Liu Wuxie to be killed. But instead, he calmly parried Wolf Fang’s attacks, biding his time as he prepared to strike back.