Chương 24: A Grudge Transcending Death (1)
A few dozen meters still lay between Zhang Baichi and the edge of the arena.
The spectators around the arena had long since noticed him and many of them started talking among themselves.
There were hundreds of people gathered to watch the match; Way more people than the ones who would usually watch these Life and Death Matches.
However, it was also understandable.
One of the two people fighting on the arena was a young master from the Ji family, Ji Jian, who was widely acknowledged to be one of the strongest disciples in the Outer Sect.
Moreover, rumours had spread that this wasn't a normal match, but a grudge match over the death of someone's whole family.
Naturally, the name Zhang Baichi had also spread quite far, especially since the rumours about his recent performance at the training fields were also added to fuel the fire.
"What an idiot. He really came to give his life away."
"What can he do? An Elder from the Ji family make a record of their match."
"Right, that guy has no way out of this."
"Isn't that obvious? I heard he was the one who issued the challenge."
"Young Master Ji will kill him without doubt."
"I agree. It won't even be a real match since the disparity is too great."
Many people gloated or sneered at Zhang Baichi, while others threw him pitiful looks and sighed.
There were also people who came to watch with high expectations for the match, as they had seen Zhang Baichi's performance at the training fields.
Some among them, who suffered from the suppression of Zhang Baichi's Sword Technique even thought that he would definitely win.
Still, no one dared to voice such an opinion, lest they cross the Ji family.
Zhang Baichi ignored the commotion entirely.
His gaze was fixated on Ji Jian and Ji Jian alone. No one else could grab his attention.
This wasn't because of sheer focus or because he was vigilant.
The only thing in Zhang Baichi's mind were the memories of the old Zhang Baichi that were constantly playing in his mind.
The helplessness, the fear, the hatred…
Everything dated back to two years ago.
In that fateful night, the Zhang family was eradicated by just three people.
Three cultivators slaughtered the ordinary, mortal family of 17.
Three cultivators slaughtered the three generations of the Zhang family without mercy.
And all three of these cultivators answered only to Ji Jian.
They had followed his orders, killed in his name, and reported back to him.
Zhang Baichi barely survived that night; His own parents had hidden him under their bodies, protecting him even in death.
He had seen the three cultivators slaughter his grandparents, his uncles and aunts, his cousins, brothers and sisters.
At only eleven years old, he had to witness these heinous crimes.
And yet, those same crimes were orchestrated by someone who was barely two years older than Zhang Baichi.
Someone who was so ruthless, so merciless, despite their young age.
Someone who dared to complain about the stench of blood after witnessing the scene himself, and that the thing he was searching for wasn't found.
To him, it was just an insignificant bunch of regular mortals, but to Zhang Baichi, his whole world had ended that day.
Today, two years later, he would make right for those that died. He would take vengeance in their name.
Zhang Baichi's face was calm and devoid of any emotion. He walked towards the arena with heavy steps, the anger and hatred in his heart raising with every step.
Finally, he stood across from Ji Jian, just a few meters away.
They faced each other and the surroundings quieted down.
"You both understand what it means to stand on this arena, yes?" A middle-aged man with streaks of grey in his hair asked them in a placid tone.
"Yes."
"Yes."
Both answered at the same time, one faintly smiling and one expressionless.
"Good." The man nodded and stepped back to the edge of the arena. He had his hands behind his back and his eyes fixated on the two youths. "This is a battle to the death between Zhang Baichi and Ji Jian. No one is to interfere, and any grudges shall be settled with this fight."
The man represented the sect and his words were equivalent to the words of the Sect Master and the sect itself.
There was no signal for the fight to begin. Everything that needed to be said had been said. And everything that happened from here on out was in the hands of the two youths.
"I'm really curious", the smiling Ji Jian opened his mouth and spoke in a peaceful tone. "Why do you insist on this battle?"
"Isn't it obvious? To bring justice to my family. To avenge them." Zhang Baichi spoke in a cold tone.
"How useless. Though, I guess I have to thank you, still." Ji Jian shook his head and sneered.
He turned his hand and a slender sword appeared out of thin air. "If it wasn't for this obsession of yours, I wouldn't have the chance to take 'that' inheritance from you."
There conversation wasn't loud and barely any people present were able to hear them.
"Do you not feel any guilt? No remorse for the dead?" Zhang Baichi spoke in the same cold tone, a sword appearing in his hand as well.
"Haha!" Ji Jian laughed out loud, then smiled at Zhang Baichi. "Do you feel guilt for every bug you step on? Remorse for every fly you swat away?"
"Bugs and flies, huh…" Zhang Baichi muttered and looked down. "Yeah… I won't need to feel any guilt over killing you. You're really beyond redemption."
"Feel guilt for killing me? Laughable." Ji Jian shook his head again. "You cannot defeat me. No one below the Qi Gathering Realm can. And soon, all you will be feeling is oblivion."
Zhang Baichi looked at him. Over the past two months, even he himself did not know how strong he had become, but he was at least superior to most Qi Gathering cultivators.
Not to mention Ji Jian, who was at the peak of the Body Forging Realm, he could probably kill Li Yao, who was at the 3rd Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm, with a single strike.
Zhang Baichi flashed him a mocking smile. "Right. That, or disappointment."
For the first time, Ji Jian's smile faded. Zhang Baichi actually dared to mock him? The killing intent in his eyes grew stronger. "Oblivion or disappointment? Good! Go ahead and flip that coin."
Ji Jian did not wait any longer and a powerful Qi burst out of his body.
His cultivation at the Peak of the Body Forging Realm was in full display and the surrounding cultivators drew in breath of cold air.
They saw Ji Jian's true strength for the first time and the disparity between him and themselves was truly too great.
Zhang Baichi's aura didn't change. He didn't bring out his Qi, nor did he sway from Ji Jian's display.
His eyes were simply locked on to the young man that killed his whole family and showed a terrifying calm, like a silent, bottomless ocean.
Suddenly, Ji Jian moved, in a manner that Zhang Baichi had never seen before. His steps were difficult to follow and his speed was much higher than when someone simply charged.
'A Movement Technique? And a good one at that.' Zhang Baichi's analysis was cold and precise. His eyes didn't linger on Ji Jian's shifting figure, but his sword instead.
No matter what Movement Technique he used, the attack would ultimately come from his sword, anyways.
Moments later, Zhang Baichi's conclusion would prove to be true. With a turn of his waist, Ji Jian slashed out with his sword, aiming for Zhang Baichi's side.
Zhang Baichi finally moved as well. He took a step forward with his right leg and his right hand, which held his sword, followed suit. He turned his body and clashed against Ji Jian's sword with a diagonal upwards slash.
Both of them held their positions for a moment and surprise flashed through Ji Jian's eyes. He hadn't expected Zhang Baichi to block his attack – and he had done so easily, at that!
He used the rebound of the clash to move half a step backwards, leaned forward and thrust out toward Zhang Baichi's neck.
The latter pulled his sword up to parry Ji Jian's attack. Their swords clashed against each other again and Zhang Baichi smoothly stepped to the side.
The second attack was easily blocked again!
Ji Jian's expression grew serious, and he brought some distance between Zhang Baichi and himself.
After taking a deep breath, he once again shifted back and forth and closed in on Zhang Baichi, displaying his Movement Technique again.
'The same trick again.' Zhang Baichi sneered and moved forward; He wouldn't stay passive this time.
His eyes never left Ji Jian and he skilfully slashed out with his sword, disrupting Ji Jian's rhythm and forcing him to block the attack.
Ji Jian staggered and moved half a step back to stabilize himself, then slashed out with his sword to disrupt Zhang Baichi.
This third attack was once again blocked by Zhang Baichi and both of them moved back.
The surrounding disciples cheered at the spectacular fight, while the older members of the Ji family tried to hide the shock in their hearts.
They naturally noticed that Ji Jian was being suppressed from the start! Zhang Baichi hadn't used a single Sword Technique thus far, but he easily blocked Ji Jian's attacks that combined Sword and Movement Techniques!
Many powerful figures hid in the shadows and all of them were just as surprised as the Ji family's members, though their reactions were much more mellow.
On the stage, Ji Jian had a solemn expression on his face and his eyes shook, if only for a moment.
He naturally understood that he was being suppressed and that Zhang Baichi hadn't used any Sword Techniques.
His focus peaked and he took a different stance, waiting for Zhang Baichi to make a move this time.
Across from him, Zhang Baichi was still as expressionless as before.
"It's 'disappointment' for now." He observed Ji Jian for a moment and the corner of his mouth raised. "I guess it's my turn, then."
SUY NGHĨ CỦA NGƯỜI SÁNG TẠO 
Yozuka
Yozuka Are you excited yet? I am for sure!
Tomorrow will be the second part of the fight! (2/2)
I wonder how many of you understood the reference hidden in this chapter? Let me know in the comments if you did!
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