But the one who seemed to be their leader didn’t sound angry, “You defeated Kudo Kazuki in the Sakura Night Club, so you have reason to be cocky. I heard that Kudo Kazuki had reached the Transforming Strength Level. You should be stronger than him. I suppose you have reached the middle level of Transforming Strength? If you had not offended us, your chance of becoming Princess Nami’s guard would’ve been high. But you’re finished now.”
Xiao Bing shrugged and asked, “May I know who you are?”
“I’m Aso Taro. If anyone offends Mr. Osaka, I’ll make sure this man will cease existing.”
Xiao Bing grinned, “Well, I was just thinking that when your face is all swollen from beating, I can tell others who you are.”
Aso Taro smiled haughtily, “I’ll break your legs and make your face swell like a pig. Then I’ll hand you over to Mr. Osaka. Don’t worry, I’ll tell him that you are Aoki Ichiro.”
Then Aso Taro took two steps back, waved and commanded, “Take him!”
Aso Taro was not weak. Xiao Bing even deemed this man stronger at the middle stage of Transforming Strength, which was above Kudo Kazuki’s level. Besides, he was much more cunning than Kudo Kazuki. Because he commanded his man to fight first while he sought for opportunities to strike.
The men charged towards Xiao Bing shouting. They each had a knife in their hands. Xiao Bing sniggered and drew his saber. He shuttled back and forth and knocked them all down. The pedestrians ran away out of fear when they saw them fighting with sabers.
Suddenly, Xiao Bing felt a chill. He dodged sideways but too late, his back was slashed. He saw Aso Taro looking at him haughtily. Xiao Bing was going to charge towards his foe but he found several more man appearing in front of Aso Taro, who fled.
Damn. If I had not deliberately concealed my true power, I could have finished you within 2 or 3 strikes.
Even if that was the case, Xiao Bing’s mastery of saber was first class. That was because he was taught by Kang Zeli, a man who specialized in Country R’s saber art. Besides, his own skill was no less than that of an innate master’s.
Though Xiao Bing and Kang Zeli had been practicing with each other before, they were not fighting for their lives. And although he had a fight with Kudo last night, the number of fights he had been involved in was small. Xiao Bing had not adjusted to fighting while constraining his strength. Besides, there was another master who was shamelessly waiting for an opportunity to strike. But soon Xiao Bing found himself becoming better at it with his saber. The following strikes from Aso Taro all missed. Surprised and terrified, he even found his men beginning to fall one by one.
Finally, Aso Taro didn’t dare use the hit and run tactic anymore. He realized that Xiao Bing was stronger than him, which meant that he might have reached the pinnacle of Transforming Strength. He could not possibly beat Xiao Bing without help. He thought about running, but he was given this mission. So he had to accomplish it. Besides, the reason why Osaka thought so highly of him was that these men all obeyed his orders. If he ran, his men would not be that united again. Mr. Osaka had other powerful masters. If Aso Taro failed this time, he might not be able to maintain his high position.
So he would rather be defeated than run.
Aso Taro charged towards Xiao Bing with a long saber. Xiao Bing was impressed. If Aso Taro left his men and ran, Xiao Bing could also stop him and beat the crap out of him. But he had not expected this man to choose to fight with the rest of his men. Xiao Bing thought Aso Taro was at least brave man. So he decided not to humiliate him.
The power Xiao Bing showed now was at the pinnacle of Transforming Strength. These men were knocked down in the blink of an eye. The one who was still standing was Aso Taro, who was cut by the saber several times. Panting, he dropped his saber, seemingly unable to fight anymore.
Looking at this man, Xiao Bing withdrew his saber and said, “You are a tough guy. I won’t do anything to you. Take your men and leave. Tell your master he’d better leave me alone
Then Xiao Bing whirled around and left, sauntering out lazily. Aso Taro said in a loud voice behind him, “I’ll tell him that, but if Mr. Osaka asks me again to kill you, I will still do it without sparing any effort.
Xiao Bing grinned. Though this man seemed to be a villain, he was definitely not a hypocrite.
Xiao Bing didn’t answer. It took him a long time to find a pharmacy, where he bought a bottle of disinfectant, some ointment and bandages. Though the wound on his back was not deep, it needed to be bound up in case of infection. After he paid for the stuff, Xiao Bing called a taxi and returned to the hotel. There, he took care of the wound in front of the mirror. Afterwards, he went to bed and slept.
The match continued on to the next day. Xiao Bing didn’t know what Aso Taro told his master. But it was not his concern anymore. His priority was to accomplish his task. After he won the competition, it would become harder for them to bother him.
The matches in the morning weren’t intense. Soon the top 40 was decided. What disappointed Xiao Bing was that Nakamura Jiro still didn’t show all his power. Because the third saber on his back was never drawn. Xiao Bing didn’t believe that saber was merely an ornament. He was expecting the true might of the art of triple-saber.
In addition to Xiao Bing and Jiro, the other two warriors of Transforming Strength also qualified for the next round.
The lots were drawn in the afternoon and Xiao Bing knew that things would soon get interesting. Jiro’s foe was one of the masters of Transforming Strength, which meant he could not spare effort any longer. Xiao Bing believed he will finally see that man using three sabers.
The competitors who didn’t have any match for the rest of the day seated themselves among the audience. The first match was boring and Xiao Bing’s mind began wandering. He wondered why Princess Nami had not shown up at the competition for two days. Xiao Bing felt she ought to have a look at her candidates.
Though it was Xiao Bing’s main task this time. Yet it was impossible for him to deny that he wasn’t curious about how this princess looked like. Indeed he was impressed by a glimpse her beautiful profile through the car’s window.
But the final duel was tomorrow. This meant that it won’t be long before he could see her. So he was not all that impatient.
Soon, it was time for another master of Transforming Strength to fight. He won easily since his foe was not very powerful.
Then it was Xiao Bing’s turn. He walked lazily on to the stage and noticed many eyes gazing at him. He realized that news of what happened last night had spread far and wide. After all, people there were all in the big league. They all had their informants. Besides, a lot of blood was shed last night. It seemed that Xiao Bing had no choice but to show all his power now.
Then Xiao Bing showed his true force. His foe instantly cast him a glance of surprise. Because he found this man’s force much stronger than his.
Even the other competitors sitting among the audience looked at Xiao Bing in surprise. They had not expected Xiao Bing to also be a top master of Transforming Strength!
Jiro also shot Xiao Bing another unfriendly glance, like a viper targeting its prey, eager to devour it as soon as possible.
But Xiao Bing didn’t mind. Sooner or later he would have to fight with Jiro. It was inevitable. So it did not matter that this man was hostile to him.
Xiao Bing’s rival managed a wry smile, “So you were pretending to be weak all along. Well then, I shall use my most powerful sword skill.”
Holding the handle of the sword firmly, Xiao Bing said calmly, “To show my respect, I will spare no effort.”
Gratitude appeared on his face. For some martial artists, the biggest respect they could receive was their opponent being serious about their fight. He would feel ashamed if his rival constrained themselves. What moved him most was that he was the first who made Xiao Bing show all his strength.
But Xiao Bing didn’t think further. His rival bellowed and shot towards Xiao Bing. The sword in his hand transformed into thousands of sword light as it aimed for Xiao Bing. Xiao Bing gave a languid smile, “I’ve seen through that.”
Then he drew his long saber and delivered a strike with the pointed end as if he was using a sword. Clang! The innumerable sword light disappeared, the saber and the sword clashed and his eyes were filled with disbelief, never imagining even for a moment that Xiao Bing would be able to see through the sword light so easily. Soon his sword broke in two and dropped to the ground. He looked at them, bewilderment plain in his eyes. “I lost.” He sounded upset but very certain
