Chapter 80: This Young Master Gets Into A Fight

Chapter 80: This Young Master Gets Into A Fight

Phelps! Chen Haorans qi spun to life, and he sprinted to the newly made hole in the wall.

You dare! Xie Jin roared behind him.

Chen Haoran grabbed the splintered wood of the wall and crushed it with a white knuckle grip as he looked at the fallen form of the Eighth-Layer. Phelps!

A squeal came from the mans body. He slowly floated up and Phelps slipped out from underneath and floated in the air looking dazed but none worse for wear. Chen Haoran heaved a sigh of relief. Phelps must have instinctively used his power to lessen both their weights when he got hit. He was always quick on the ball.

Xie Jins grunt of pain came from behind and Chen Haoran turned around to find him skidding across the floor holding his gut. The Ninth-Layer wielded his sword, still in its scabbard, and stood unruffled.

Right. He had this asshole to deal with.

Phelps come here, he called before turning and facing the cause of this mess. His qi spiked with every step and he could feel it coursing through his meridians like blood. The Ninth-Layer walked toward him as well-no. Rather he was walking to the hole in the wall behind him. Hey asshole. This is the part where your supposed to apologize.

Dont interfere, came the cool reply.

The Ninth-Layer made no move to stop and was about to walk past him when Chen Haoran swung out his hand like a whip. The bastard quickly tilted his chin back and swung his scabbard into his chest only for Chen Haoran to block it with his arm.

Im not normally a violent guy, Chen Haoran said in a clipped, even tone. But even back in my hometown I would never let this slide. He raised his hand. A dragons furious roar echoed in his chest. He was really quite angry. Let me slap out of few of your teeth and call it even.

The Ninth-Layer coldly snorted. Get out of the way. He rushed in with light steps and swung his scabbard again. Chen Haoran stepped into the blow and raised his arm to block it.

The first indication something was wrong was when his arm was flung back. As he registered what happened he felt something heavy hit his head and send him sprawling. He was still thinking when the wooden floor splintered under his cheek. The Ninth-Layers white shoes were about to step over him when he grabbed his ankle and pulled him off balance. Chen Haoran rose up and struck at his groin, eliciting a hiss of pain from the white-clothed youth. It was a weak hit from an awkward angle however and so rather than be debilitated the Ninth-Layer brought his other knee up and slammed Chen Haorans head. This time he was ready, his qi cycling like a river, he caught the knee on his forehead and absorbed the force. At the same time he harshly yanked his hand to the left and threw the white-robed youth to the floor. He tried to leap on him then and grapple but was forced to roll away from a scabbard stab to his throat.

They separated. Chen Haoran tried to stand when his legs suddenly buckled. He cycled his qi to steady himself and held a hand to his head. The Ninth-Layer rose on unsteady feet of his own, his hand instinctively reaching for his groin before he stopped himself.

He felt heat bloom in his hand and the light burned red through his eyelids. There were various cries of pain from those brave enough to remain spectators in the inn. The loudest being in front of him. Chen Haoran locked his sense onto Wang Xiao and cycled qi to his fist. He felt his fist meet flesh and he roared as he followed through, punching Wang Xiao in the face and sending him flying.

He opened his eyes to find various people bent over with tears in their eyes. Xie Jin had fortunately heeded his warning in time and was fine. Wang Xiao was sprawled out onto the floor, hopefully knocked out but Chen Haoran wouldnt take any chances and he sprinted over.

His sense still being locked onto Wang Xiao is what saved him.

Wang Xiao burst into a flurry of motion, water rippling from his body as he spun up from the floor and flashed over to Chen Haoran. He stopped on a dime and threw himself backward as silver flashed before his eyes and a thin line of pain spread across his chest. Blood spilled and stained his silk robes, all the anger that hed built cooled in an instant as his mind kicked into overdrive. Wang Xiao held his vermilion scabbard in one hand, in the other was a beautiful silver sword tipped with blood.

His blood.

Hed been cut. What originally had been a nonlethal spat had escalated. No matter how angry he was it wasnt something worth putting his life on the line for. Should he de-escalate? Would Wang Xiao let him at this point now that he brandished his sword? He thought of Lan Fen. She wouldnt. If Wang Xiao was anything like her then just words wouldnt be enough at this point.

He grasped the hilt of his scimitar and pulled out a sliver. Long cuts appeared on the floor beneath him and Wang Xiaos face morphed into shock. Just as he was about to pull more of the blade out Xie Jins anxious shout reached him.

Brother Chen, theres a problem!

Chen Haoran twisted to see Xie Jin standing by the hole in the wall looking furious. There was a dull moment of incomprehension. Xie Jin was alone. What was the problem he was talking about?

His blood curdled. Xie Jin was alone.

Where was Phelps?

Wang Xiao cursed, and they both rushed over to Xie Jin. Chen Haoran spiked his qi and shot out of the inn and into the street.

The empty street.

Phelps and the Eighth-Layer were gone.