Song Zhong's fist froze on Xu Ke's face, yet it caused him no harm whatsoever.

Why is Xu Ke's defense so terrifying? Song Zhong was horrified.

Even though Song Zhong specialized in body-hardening arts and had neglected the killing power of his strikes, he was still a martial artist at the peak of the Innate Great Perfection realm. How could a martial artist in the Innate Middle Stage possibly withstand his punch? For Xu Ke to be completely unharmed... it defies all common sense!

"You told me tonight that you practice a body-hardening art comparable to the Golden Bell Shield, which is why you're called Song Zhong," Xu Ke said with a slight smile. "But you don't know that the art I practice is even more formidable than the Golden Bell Shield."

His master had once told him that to become strong, he must first learn to take a beating. He had been chased all over the mountains by his terrifyingly powerful master, taking beatings for an entire year! This was also why he possessed such incredible regenerative abilities even after his cultivation was completely lost. His resistance to attacks and his recovery speed had long ago surpassed anything Song Zhong could imagine.

As Xu Ke finished speaking, Song Zhong's expression changed drastically. He tried to pull back and distance himself from Xu Ke, sensing a deadly aura of danger.

But it was too late.

Although Xu Ke moved after Song Zhong, he struck first. He clenched his fingers into a fist and lashed out.

BOOM!

The sharp crack of the impact shattered the silence of the night sky.

"Argh!" Song Zhong screamed.

He took the punch to his abdomen and was instantly sent flying several meters back, crashing to the ground. His Tang suit was immediately dampened by the dew on the lawn.

"How could you possibly break through my defense?"

Song Zhong's face was a mask of disbelief as the pain from his abdomen forced him to curl up involuntarily.

My body-hardening art is so formidable, yet it was broken by a martial artist in the Innate Middle Stage?! Impossible!

Xu Ke didn't answer. He simply smiled and approached. "I've returned the punch you gave me earlier tonight."

"Song Zhong, stand up."

Song Zhong looked terrified. He practiced a body-hardening art, meaning his durability and recovery were extremely high. Because of this, he wasn't afraid even when facing a long-established expert like Wang Wu. But now, he was afraid. It wasn't just fear; it was pure panic.

At this moment, he realized Xu Ke's punch had not only rendered his prized body-hardening art useless, but had also scattered his True Qi, making it impossible to concentrate. In other words, he couldn't use his techniques anymore!

"How did you shatter my power?" Song Zhong struggled to his feet, trying desperately to gather his True Qi, but it was all in vain.

"Continue."

Xu Ke still did not respond. He had simply struck Song Zhong's acupoints while throwing that punch. That was how he'd managed to break through his defense.

Xu Ke pressed forward relentlessly.

At this point, Song Zhong's will was on the verge of collapse. After being threatened by Ye Chen, consumed with worry for his wife and daughter, and now yanked from the hope of victory back into despair, he could no longer bear the torment. Now, temporarily unable to use his True Qi, how could he possibly be a match for Xu Ke?

"I... I surrender," Song Zhong said, trembling as he lowered his head.

Xu Ke stopped in his tracks.

Inside the villa, Wang Wu and Lin Qinghua exchanged a glance, both seeing the shock in the other's eyes. Just how strong is Xu Ke? To force Song Zhong to surrender outright...

Xu Ke looked at Song Zhong expressionlessly. "This is a fight to the death."

"But I want to go back and see my wife and daughter one last time," Song Zhong pleaded with a trembling voice, looking straight at Xu Ke. For him, this was the last chance.

Xu Ke looked at Song Zhong, watching as the man's eyes gradually reddened.

After a long moment, Xu Ke sighed and began to speak. "Why would you…"

Just then, Song Zhong suddenly lunged forward. A dagger, which hadn't been seen before, appeared in his hand as he thrust it straight toward Xu Ke's abdomen.

Faced with the sudden assault, it seemed Xu Ke had no way to dodge.

Seeing this, Wang Wu and Lin Qinghua's faces changed drastically, and both of them dashed out of the villa.

Song Zhong launched a sneak attack?!

That was right. From the moment he began to plead, Song Zhong had been resolved. If he could distract Xu Ke and buy enough time to recover his True Qi, he would seize him. To Song Zhong, surrendering was meaningless; capturing Xu Ke was his only remaining chance.

It worked! The moment Xu Ke stopped and looked at me, I knew I had an opening.

So, the instant his True Qi recovered and Xu Ke let out that sigh, Song Zhong made his move.

This is my last chance! Caught off guard, Xu Ke definitely can't gather his True Qi to form a strong defense.

Song Zhong's face was a mask of ferocity, the dagger in his hand gleaming with a menacing light.

Closer. Xu Ke's body was now within reach. Song Zhong could practically taste victory.

At that moment, Xu Ke's lips curled into a smirk. "Why do you refuse to see reason?"

Song Zhong was taken aback.

Instead of retreating, Xu Ke advanced. His left hand shot out like lightning, snatching the dagger from Song Zhong's grasp and, in a fluid reverse motion, plunged it directly into his chest.

SQUELCH.

Blood splattered.

Song Zhong fell to the ground, his body convulsing in astonishment. "How... how did you see through my plan?"

The dagger had pierced his heart. He wouldn't live long.

"Because I never trusted you," Xu Ke said. "My True Qi has been circulating the entire time. I never let my guard down."

Song Zhong stiffened. So that's how it was...

The blood from his heart soaked his Tang suit and seeped into the grass.

"Ping'er, I want to go home..." Song Zhong murmured.

He struggled to keep his eyes open, gazing at the night sky with a look of sorrow and despair.

Xu Ke's voice reached him then. "Your wife and daughter... if I have the chance, I'll look after them."

Song Zhong tensed, then turned his gaze toward Xu Ke, managing a pained smile. "Thank... you..."

His words trailed off. Song Zhong lay with his eyes open, his life extinguished.

Xu Ke was silent for a moment before closing the man's eyes.

"What are you thinking about?" Wong Qifu walked up beside Xu Ke.

"I'm thinking that Martial Artists have far more tenacious vitality than ordinary people. The fact that Song Zhong could hang on for so long after being stabbed through the heart with a dagger is quite telling." Xu Ke paused before continuing, "But if he weren't a Martial Artist, he probably wouldn't have died in combat at such a young age. Song Zhong was only about fifty, wasn't he?"

Wong Qifu smiled. "Well, if you weren't a Martial Artist, you would have died tonight, wouldn't you?"

Xu Ke was startled, then gave a wry smile. "Fair point."

"Young Master-in-law, Miss, may I ask how we should handle Song Zhong?" Lin Qinghua stepped forward.

When they first entered the villa, all of Wong Qifu's subordinates had been sent to patrol the perimeter. That meant the grunt work now had to be arranged by Lin Qinghua.

Hearing the term "Young Master-in-law," Xu Ke was taken aback. "Uh, Sister Wang and I haven't..."

"Shut up," Wong Qifu interrupted.

Xu Ke didn't dare say another word.

Wang Wu couldn't help but smile faintly.

"Have him buried and inform his wife and daughter," Wong Qifu instructed. "Remember to have someone settle them properly..." She paused before adding, "It's safer to bring them back to the country. Don't let anyone find out about the duel between Xu Ke and Song Zhong."

"Yes, Miss," Lin Qinghua nodded.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.