Chapter Twenty-Nine: The Kitchen Knife

“Damn it! Damn it!” The clown man tenderly touched the mask on his face, heartbroken. This was a sub-divine artifact, and yet that woman had shattered it with a single punch!

With a thud, before the clown man could react, he was sent flying.

“What is that?” The middle-aged man was stunned as he watched the object that had smashed the clown man away. “A wrench?”

Seizing the moment before the middle-aged man could respond, Xiao Zhang charged forward!

Bang!

After all, Xiao Zhang’s body was now among the strongest in this world. With one collision, the middle-aged man was instantly thrown up and away!

Seeing the man fly off, Xiao Zhang inadvertently released Mo Xiaoxiao, who tumbled aside. Xiao Zhang immediately leapt through the air, catching her in his arms. “Who exactly are you people?”

At that moment, Zhao Bai somehow managed to find them, and seeing Xiao Zhang covered in blood, he rushed over in terror. “Xiao Zhang, are you alright! I couldn’t stop Momo—she ran out!”

Seeing Zhao Bai’s guilty and anxious face, Xiao Zhang felt an indescribable emotion. How terrified must the child be at this scene? If not for his wounds healing so quickly, seeing his earlier state might have scared Zhao Bai to death. “I’m fine, this blood isn’t mine. Take Momo away; I’ll hold off those two strange men!”

“No, Xiao Zhang—I…” Zhao Bai gripped the kitchen knife in his hand. Although he desperately wanted to run, he also wanted to stay.

“Stop talking! Take Momo and go! I’ll keep them at bay!” As he spoke, Xiao Zhang handed Mo Xiaoxiao over to Zhao Bai.

“You…” Zhao Bai took Mo Xiaoxiao, surprised at how heavy she was for her slight frame. No wonder she had once hospitalized her junior.

“Go, now!” Xiao Zhang shouted, brandishing the wrench at the returning middle-aged man.

Zhao Bai seemed to make a decision, placing Mo Xiaoxiao on the ground and picking up the kitchen knife. “Damn it, I’m staying with you. I’ve already called the police!”

The middle-aged man stripped off his torn clothes and wiped the blood from his mouth. “Kid, looks like you’re the new awakened one. As a newcomer, you managed to injure me—very impressive. If you hand over that woman, I’ll let you join our organization, and all resources will be yours.”

In his mind, Xiao Zhang had already proven himself with his strength.

Xiao Zhang narrowed his eyes and stared intently at the man, deciding to deliver a gift to that guy named Mod. “Who the hell are you? And do you know who I am?”

The middle-aged man was taken aback. “I am Oda Shinichi. And you are?”

“Hmph! I am the former captain of Team 5 from Shadow Isle, Team 4’s Ghost Lantern, and Mordekaiser is my disciple!”

Oda Shinichi was clearly stunned by this revelation. “Shadow Isle?”

“Exactly. If you know what’s good for you, hand the woman over to us!” Xiao Zhang glanced at Zhao Bai, noticing that the guy was holding a kitchen knife instead of his phone. Damn it, how could he bring that to a fight? That’s humiliating! He checked his system inventory and found, unexpectedly, a straight-bladed weapon resembling a short sword. He handed it to Zhao Bai. “Here, take this!”

“Our organization is determined to have this woman. I hope you—” Oda Shinichi was about to continue when he saw Xiao Zhang hand the sword to Zhao Bai, abruptly cutting himself off. He hadn’t believed Xiao Zhang was from Shadow Isle, but when he saw the weapon, he began to doubt. That was at least a sub-divine artifact. Such weapons were rare even for entire organizations, yet this guy gave it away without hesitation!

Xiao Zhang had no intention of convincing him—he was simply buying time. And since these men had already exposed themselves, he trusted the authorities would take appropriate action. “Not willing?”

“Baka, baka!” The clown, clutching half of his broken mask, returned crying. “I’m going to kill you all!”

Oda Shinichi sneered upon seeing him. Better to let this fool test the newcomer’s strength. He whispered to the clown, “Onryo, the knife in that guy’s hand looks like a sub-divine weapon. Kill him, and it’s yours.”

The man called Onryo grinned, delighted. His mask, which he boasted was a sub-divine artifact, was only an A- grade at best, useless in actual combat. “Alright, Oda, you’d better keep your word!”

From their exchange, it was clear their relationship was less than cordial.

Though their voices were low, Xiao Zhang clearly heard their conversation. “So you’re going to oppose Shadow Isle, then?”

Onryo was startled, wondering if Oda was setting him up.

“Onryo! He’s just a newcomer,” Oda Shinichi mocked. “Are you scared?”

“Scared? Baka, me? Afraid?” Onryo was clearly enraged. “Out of my way, kid! My target is the one with the knife!”

Xiao Zhang stepped in front of Zhao Bai, wrench in hand. “Give me the kitchen knife. Watch over Momo.”

“Won’t let me? Then I’ll cripple you first.” Onryo sneered, tearing off the last half of his mask and drawing his Spider Cutter. If he added the straight-bladed sub-divine artifact, he might even replace the organization’s vice leader.

What made Xiao Zhang’s heart skip was the sickly green, repulsive face beneath Onryo’s mask.

“See?” Onryo grinned. “Still think you can stop me?”

Xiao Zhang said nothing, beckoning him with a taunt. “Don’t think I’m scared just because you’re ugly!”

“Baka!” The short Onryo roared and charged, blade raised.

Clang! Xiao Zhang used the kitchen knife to block Onryo’s strike, then hammered him back several steps with the wrench.

“Am I… seeing things?” Zhao Bai stared at the kitchen knife in Xiao Zhang’s hand. Was it really that impressive?

…

Clang!

Xiao Zhang sidestepped, dodging Onryo’s sword. The strike left a deep scar in the ground.

But Xiao Zhang didn’t let the opening go to waste, swinging the kitchen knife at Onryo.

Onryo sneered, twisting to counter, blocking the blow. As the two blades met, sparks flew.