AST 2073 - A Woman’s Mind, Back to the Northern Blue Domain (1/2)

Once one of them was injured, Qing Shui no longer had any desires to continue fighting. Besides, he had more or less achieved his own objective. The battle had proven to be very effective for his own hardening and the Golden Battle Halberd in his hands was able to pierce through its target.

The charm of Iaido was now translated into the use of the Golden Battle Halberd. Qing Shui used to practice the art of Iaido for decades and had never forgotten about it even after many years. Now that his realm had increased tenfold from what it used to be, the power of a single blow had naturally increased in proportion.

A stroke of a Large Golden Dragon Palm Imprint was delivered from the Golden Battle Halberd, holding the last man in its clutches.

Using the Golden Battle Halberd to summon the Dragon-capturing Hands, he was able to lock down his opponents in just a moment. In additions, Iaido was used with the Golden Battle Halberd to land its mark on the man’s chest. Its impact sent the man flying backwards with blood and organs gushing out from the wound.

While it wouldn’t have finished off his opponent, he would never regain his cultivation in this lifetime either. At best, he could recover up to half of his current capabilities. Qing Shui would show no mercy to those who aided tyrants. At times, these people were pitiful but where there was sympathy, there existed factors to hate. For example, if Huo Lei needed women, the two men would capture one on sight for Huo Lei to abuse.

In smaller territories like the former Hundred Miles City, these people were just runners. However, at the Blazing Fire Land of the Haohan Continent, they were a part of a big clan. Hence, these runners had a high status here and were also very capable.

Qing Shui retracted his hand and looked back at Shen Huang, saying, ”Let's go!”

Shen Huang nodded and said, ”Let’s get out of here quick. I want to go back. There are still things I have to deal with.”

Qing Shui knew that Shen Huang was worried about the possibility of other Fire Manor members returning. The people who would arrive after this must be terrifying in strength so it was wise to leave now while they could. Even so, this woman wouldn’t allow herself to flee. She didn’t wish to leave here as if escaping.

”Mm. Now that I’ve beaten them up, it’s time to go. They won’t be able to catch up with us.” Qing Shui flashed a smile at Shen Huang.

Shen Huang was relieved, and a happy smile appeared on her face. This man was generous and open-minded, not at all petty and much less arrogant. He wasn’t pedantic either. This was nothing even for Qing Shui’s past life, but to flee during chaos was still embarrassing.

Qing Shui didn’t find it shameful. On the contrary; sometimes, one would be a fool not to run away.

With a reach of his hand to hold Shen Huang’s, he felt her pull.

From that gesture, Qing Shui understood immediately. The woman wasn’t the same as she was before. A person’s mind would broaden when at the brink of death; what used to be an impossible task would suddenly seem resolvable.

He was reminded of the previous life when a man—an ordinary man—who had an inferiority complex and never dared to confess to the girl he adored. Due to his low self-esteem, despite the many times he had attempted, he could never confess and was utterly convinced that she would never accept him. After all the effort he went through, he still couldn’t make himself confess.

Still, change was the only constant with life. The man had eventually been diagnosed with leukemia and without much time left in the world. When it happened, all his concerns seemed to have dulled and he didn’t care anymore. Even a confession to the girl didn’t seem like a difficult task anymore. It paled in comparison to the worries of life and death.

There was another case that was akin to this, except this person’s terminal illness and short prognosis were a mere lie. Hence, once he was declared healthy, his personality took a complete turn. He was a lot more cheerful than before. He became more positive, his skills had improved and he was more daring. He was a completely different person from the man who used to be afraid of speaking.

These incidents were also applicable to the martial world. Many would have an epiphany when tethering on the edge of life and death, changing the course of their fate in a split second. The fine line between life and death was also the easiest to break through. However, while escaping death was possible, the rate of success was less than 1 percent.

Therefore, going through a close call was a blessing in disguise. Whether it was the former technology world, or the current World of the Nine Continents, people who had survived a close call would gain a great deal in return.

What had just happened allowed Shen Huang to achieve so much more.

Qing Shui had planned to let go of her hand when he noticed Shen Huang's expression and understood how she felt. He didn't know what it would mean for him to let go but he didn’t want to put her on a difficult spot after witnessing her expression and the subtle reaction to his touch.