Chapter Thirty-Two: Encounter

“No time to explain in detail,” Xiao Zhang said, having staunched his nosebleed and set his jaw right after Zhao Bai’s blow had knocked it askew. “Catch up to them, play it by ear, find Momo, grab her, and run. Whatever you do, don’t get caught up in a fight... I’ll stay behind to cover your retreat.”

“That’s... that’s too dangerous!” There was a trace of emotion and guilt in Zhao Bai’s eyes. If he’d known Xiao Zhang couldn’t dodge, he wouldn’t have hit so hard.

“Don’t worry, I’ve still got a trick or two up my sleeve,” Xiao Zhang replied with a wry smile. Damn it, I’m half-dead and still kicking—can you believe it?

...

“Are we really not leaving?”

The Grudge Ghost leaned against a tree trunk, eyeing Oda Shin’ichisuke coldly. “Are we just going to stay here?”

“We have no choice,” Oda replied with a snort. “I didn’t expect the Great Wall to act so decisively, wiping out all our pawns in S City in one fell swoop.”

“Damn it. If it weren’t for that meddling guy, we’d have taken the woman and gone home by now!”

“Fool! If you hadn’t made such a racket, would the Great Wall’s Hao Nan have intervened?”

“So you’re blaming me now?” The Grudge Ghost, dressed in black ninja garb, ran a finger along his straight blade, throwing Oda a challenging look.

Oda’s voice was icy. “You left a loose end, didn’t you?”

The Grudge Ghost stood his blade upright. “Impossible. Who could have tracked us?”

“Damn it, this place must not be exposed. If it is, we can forget about ever leaving Z Country,” Oda ground out. “Kill whoever comes.”

“Oh, don’t be in such a rush,” the Grudge Ghost said, licking the edge of his blade. “I just lost a clone. Those guys will do nicely to replenish my numbers.”

At the entrance to a cave, Xiao Zhang and Zhao Bai crept closer.

“Huh, this guy’s still alive?” Oda Shin’ichisuke looked at Xiao Zhang with interest. “And you even brought that ordinary fellow along!”

The Grudge Ghost curled his lip and stepped toward Xiao Zhang. When the two sides were ten paces apart, both stopped. “I’m surprised you’re still alive, kid. You must have a substitute puppet too, eh?”

“Which organization are you with?” Oda asked arrogantly, pulling out a pack of cigarettes and lighting one for himself before glancing at Xiao Zhang. “Want one?”

Xiao Zhang mimed smoking, and Oda tossed the whole pack his way.

After lighting a cigarette, Xiao Zhang casually tossed the pack back to Oda. “Your country’s cigarettes really have no flavor at all.”

Oda chuckled, inhaling deeply and then exhaling a thin stream of smoke. “I’m curious what kind of man you are. Even the Great Wall agents wouldn’t dare chase us alone, yet you came after us with only a burden in tow!”

Zhao Bai bristled at that. To show his indignation, he promptly decided to do a few handstand push-ups to intimidate the “little devils.”

“My name’s Xiao Zhang,” Xiao Zhang said, taking a deep drag. “There’s no way you’re getting away with that woman. Even if you escape my organization, can you outrun the Great Wall?”

Oda pondered, but couldn’t think of any group with a character like this man. “If you’re not with the Great Wall, I suppose you could take the woman... but you’ll have to prove yourself.”

“Oh?”

“Defeat my companion!”

“Oh? So if I beat him, I can take the woman?” Xiao Zhang pointed at the Grudge Ghost and asked Oda, “You won’t interfere?”

“Of course. In fact, if you kill him, I’d be even happier,” Oda said, squinting at Xiao Zhang. “What do you say?”

“Fine, fine. But can I see the woman first?”

“Follow me,” Oda said, leading Xiao Zhang into the cave.

Finding Mo Xiaoxiao still unconscious, Xiao Zhang hoisted her onto his shoulder. “Mind if I take her outside for some sun?”

Oda only smiled. This woman had been cursed by his forbidden spell—there was no way she’d wake up. “Suit yourself.”

With Mo Xiaoxiao slung over his shoulder, Xiao Zhang gave Zhao Bai a wink, signaling him to make a run for it with her.

Zhao Bai stepped forward and asked Oda, “Are you a man of your word?”

“Naturally. Or do you doubt me?” Oda said, a sly smile playing on his lips.

“I’ll fight!” Zhao Bai declared.

Oda looked at Zhao Bai and laughed. “Kid, don’t be ridiculous. You might have some strength, but—”

“Hmph. Are you man enough to return my sword?” Zhao Bai bit down hard, took a few steps forward, and barked, “Enough talk. Let’s fight! If I win, we take Momo with us.”

Oda laughed heartily and turned to the Grudge Ghost. “Well, what do you say?”

The Grudge Ghost tossed his blade at Zhao Bai’s feet with a sneer. “Come on, I’ll let you strike first. Let’s see if you can even touch me!”

“Want to try? Fine! Stand still!” Zhao Bai snatched the sword from the ground and swung it in a wide arc.

With the enhancement serum coursing through him, Zhao Bai’s body had already reached B-rank!

At that level of power and speed, Zhao Bai’s movement blurred in the Grudge Ghost’s eyes—completely unlike before. In just a few steps, only a short gap remained between them. The Grudge Ghost realized too late, yet still dodged Zhao Bai’s blade with ease.

“Is that all you’ve got, kid?” the Grudge Ghost taunted as he parried.

Seeing the gap in their skill, Zhao Bai knew his swordplay was no match. He stepped back, preparing to unleash a powerful overhead strike. “Watch the blade!”

The Grudge Ghost scoffed. “Is that it?”

Thud!

A dull sound rang out—the Grudge Ghost was stunned by a sharp uppercut from Zhao Bai!

It turned out the sword strike was only a feint, and Zhao Bai’s punch was so fast the Grudge Ghost hadn’t expected it.

Caught off guard, the Grudge Ghost was left dazed, and Zhao Bai threw aside the blade to close in with his fists.

Bang, bang, bang—a flurry of blows, ending with a heavy punch square to the Grudge Ghost’s face!

With a final thump, blood gushed from the Grudge Ghost’s nose as he fell to the ground, his face covered in crimson.

Xiao Zhang was genuinely surprised by Zhao Bai’s performance. All those years of boxing hadn’t been for nothing after all. Reflecting on how he’d beaten Zhao Bai in the past, even Xiao Zhang found it odd. Still, something worried him—though the Grudge Ghost seemed completely overwhelmed, he hadn’t uttered a single cry.