Chapter 107: Genius Collision, the Will to Kill

The sudden voice made Ma Gu and the Leather Armor Youth both start in alarm.

Neither of them had sensed anyone else in the valley just moments ago.

They spun around sharply—only to see a figure standing calmly atop a large stone beside the waterfall, hands clasped behind his back.

"Lu Qing brother?" When Ma Gu recognized the silhouette, disbelief flashed across his face. "How... how did you end up here?"

Had he, in his panicked flight, somehow run straight into the vicinity of Jiu Li Village?

The thought flashed through Ma Gu’s mind—though he didn’t have time to ponder its logic. Seeing Lu Qing seemingly unaware of the danger, he shouted urgently:

"Lu Qing brother, run! This man’s vicious—don’t provoke him!"

Ma Gu wasn’t relieved to see Lu Qing. He knew full well that Lu Qing’s martial cultivation was only at the Qi Xue Jing stage. He was no match for the Leather Armor Youth even in a fair fight—let alone now, when the man had already proven himself deadly.

Interfering would only get him killed, without helping at all.

"Run? Too late," the Leather Armor Youth said coldly. "Rat, didn’t expect this, did you? Now not only can you not escape… you’ll drag your friend down with you. Tell me, does that pain feel worse than death?"

"Lu Qing brother, run!" Ma Gu ignored the taunt, struggling to rise to his feet, gripping his knife with one hand, eyes locked fiercely on the Cloth Armor Youth. "I’ll hold him off—find a chance to flee!"

"Unexpected," the Leather Armor Youth murmured, surprised by Ma Gu’s determination. "I didn’t think a rat like you had any loyalty."

"But do you really think you’re capable of stopping me?"

Ma Gu said nothing, his gaze unwavering, searching for the perfect opening.

"Say, you two—don’t you think I should have a say in this?"

Lu Qing, watching the two act as if he weren’t even there, finally spoke, exasperated.

Both men turned, stunned.

Especially the Leather Armor Youth—he couldn’t believe this kid still dared to interrupt him.

A flicker of caution stirred in his chest. He studied Lu Qing more closely.

But the distance was too great. He couldn’t sense Lu Qing’s qi or life force. Unable to gauge his cultivation, he remained uncertain.

"Ma Ye," Lu Qing said calmly, "what’s really going on here?"

"Lu Qing brother, you—" Ma Gu stared at Lu Qing’s composed expression. A spark of realization flashed in his mind.

Lu Qing had always been sharp. He must have understood the danger from Ma Gu’s warning.

Yet here he stood, utterly calm. That unnerved Ma Gu. He couldn’t fathom Lu Qing’s intentions.

"Let me explain," the Leather Armor Youth suddenly said.

"This rat—foolish enough to hide the Lady of the Wei Family and the Young Master from us—now dares to oppose us. Boy, are you sure you want to get involved?"

Lu Qing’s eyes widened slightly as he looked at Ma Gu.

He hadn’t expected Ma Gu to dare interfere in the affairs between the Wei Family and those mysterious warriors.

"Sir, you’re mistaken," Ma Gu said firmly. "I don’t know anything about the Wei Family’s wife or the young master. I was just hunting in these mountains. You attacked me without cause—you’re the one in the wrong."

"Keep denying," the Leather Armor Youth sneered. "I’ll enjoy breaking your limbs one by one, then watching you scream as I torture you slowly."

Regardless of whether Ma Gu was truly innocent, he had to die now.

The moment Ma Gu had evaded his killing arrow, the Leather Armor Youth had already decided: he would make him suffer before killing him.

Lu Qing, however, saw the truth—Ma Gu had stepped into the mud.

Though he couldn’t fathom why such a cautious man would involve himself in such a life-or-death situation, after knowing him for so long, Lu Qing couldn’t stand by and watch him die.

More importantly, in his vision, the Leather Armor Youth’s profile shimmered with an eerie white light.

[Tong Cang Lang: Disciple of the Northern Frontier Tian Cang Sect, student of the Xian Tian-level cultivator Wang Cangyi. Brutal, bloodthirsty, mood swings, enjoys tormenting opponents.]

[Cultivation: Post-Natal Sinew and Bone Stage, Small Achievement. Recently used a forbidden technique—exhausted, currently at less than 70% of full strength.]

This time, the information Lu Qing received was far more detailed than ever before.

It was a result of his recent breakthrough into Jin Gu Jing—something he’d only just discovered.

As his cultivation grew, so too did his abilities. His perception had sharpened—faster, more precise, revealing richer details than before.

Reading the profile, Lu Qing’s mind raced.

Every piece of information was valuable—Tong Cang Lang’s origin, his current condition—everything painted a clearer picture.

"Boy," the Leather Armor Youth suddenly said, "for some reason, I just can’t stand the way you’re looking at me."

A chill ran down his spine. Lu Qing’s gaze unnerved him.

"I’ve decided—you will be the first."

Ma Gu was already beaten—no threat. But Lu Qing’s true strength remained a mystery.

Still, he wasn’t worried. Lu Qing was younger than him, and even if he were a prodigy, he couldn’t possibly be stronger.

And besides—how could anyone in this remote backwater rival him, a core disciple of the Tian Cang Sect?

Seeing Lu Qing stand there, hands behind his back, staring at him with that infuriating calm, the Leather Armor Youth lunged.

No!

Ma Gu, eyes locked on the movement, reacted instantly—but too late.

Before he could even shout, the Leather Armor Youth had already closed the distance, a blur of motion.

With Ma Gu weakened and injured, there was no way he could stop him.

All he could do was scream: "Lu Qing brother, run!"

But it was too late.

In an instant, the Leather Armor Youth was upon Lu Qing—fists forming claws, wind tearing through the air as he struck for Lu Qing’s throat.

Ma Gu’s heart stopped. He saw it in his mind—the snapping of bone, the tearing of the trachea.

Even the Leather Armor Youth believed the kill was certain.

Ren Ding Wind Claw—one of his signature techniques. Even among core disciples of the sect, few could match his mastery.

A peasant boy from the countryside? This was no challenge.

The claw was mere inches from Lu Qing’s neck—when suddenly, a blade flashed.

A blade of light, sharp and deadly, slashed through the air—cutting straight for the Leather Armor Youth’s head.

It was fast—faster than thought. The blade arrived before the claw could land.

"What?!"

The sudden attack stunned the Leather Armor Youth.

Only then did he realize—Lu Qing had been holding a War Blade all along, hidden behind his back.

Damn you, clever little rat!

He snapped his head back—just in time to avoid the fatal strike.

But his body was already exposed.

Boom!

The blade struck full force against his chest.

The impact was brutal. The force sent him flying backward, crashing through the air.

"Ugh?"

The moment Lu Qing’s blade struck, he felt something wrong.

The impact wasn’t like hitting flesh—it was like cutting through thick, unyielding leather. Resistant. Difficult.

He remembered the man’s armor.

Without hesitation, Lu Qing exploded with qi, leaping from the rock, his feet kicking up dirt and debris. In three strides, he closed the distance, launching another attack at the airborne Leather Armor Youth.

Clang!

The Leather Armor Youth recovered fast, drawing his short blade to block.

He barely managed to parry the strike—but now, trapped mid-air, he had no leverage.

Lu Qing’s second blow drove him into the ground, sending him rolling like a barrel, kicking up dust and shattered stones.

But Lu Qing wasn’t done.

He pressed the advantage, charging forward with ruthless precision—another downward slash.

"Damn it! Is this over?!"

The Leather Armor Youth was furious. He’d never been humiliated like this.

When had Tong Cang Lang ever been forced to retreat?

Boom!

In a rage, he unleashed his inner qi in a strange, spiraling pattern.

A surge of power erupted from his body.

"Get out of my way!"

With renewed strength, he swung his short blade—blocking Lu Qing’s War Blade with a force that shocked even him.

The impact sent a jolt through Lu Qing’s arm. His fingers trembled. He nearly dropped the blade.

Heart racing, Lu Qing pushed back, retreating a few steps to regroup.

The exchange ended—though the outcome was clear: Lu Qing had the upper hand.

Ma Gu, frozen in shock, watched in disbelief.

From the moment the Leather Armor Youth charged, to Lu Qing’s sudden counterattack, to the man’s humiliating retreat—everything happened in less than ten breaths.

And yet, Lu Qing was already stepping back, breathing steadily.

Ma Gu’s mouth hung open.

He’d thought Lu Qing was dead.

And now, the tables had turned—the attacker was the one nearly cut down.

The contrast was staggering. If he hadn’t seen it with his own eyes, he’d never believe it.

One thought echoed in his mind: When did Lu Qing break through to Jin Gu Jing?

Of course, anyone with eyes could see it now—Lu Qing had reached Jin Gu Jing.

But Ma Gu was stunned. He knew Lu Qing had only begun his cultivation a few months ago.

Months—months—to go from beginner to Jin Gu Jing.

That kind of speed? Ma Gu had never heard of it. Not even in the provincial capitals.

He’d never heard of a prodigy like this.

What kind of demon cultivator is Lu Qing brother?

He stared at Lu Qing, utterly awestruck—so much so that even the pain in his shoulder faded.

Ma Gu wasn’t the only one shaken.

The Leather Armor Youth stared at Lu Qing, gripping his short blade, eyes wide with disbelief.

"Jin Gu Jing?" he whispered. "You’re… Jin Gu Jing?"

And not just any Jin Gu Jing—this was a powerhouse, nearly at the Small Achievement stage.

He remembered Lu Qing’s strength. That power… it far exceeded that of a mere beginner.

It rivaled even his own.

A boy—younger than him—had unleashed such strength?

He couldn’t believe it.

"Amazing armor," Lu Qing said, his gaze fixed on the Leather Armor Youth’s chest.

There, the man’s armor bore a deep crack—blood seeping through.

Lu Qing’s blade had struck—but the armor had held.

What kind of hide is this?

It had deflected a Jin Gu Jing’s full-powered strike.

The words were praise—but to the Leather Armor Youth, they cut like knives.

He knew the mockery in them.

Still, a shiver of relief ran through him.

Had it not been for his master’s gift, he’d be split in two.

This boy—so young—was already plotting like a demon.

A Jin Gu Jing cultivator, using such cunning.

So cold. So vicious.

"Boy," the Leather Armor Youth snarled, "don’t get cocky. That was your only chance. You failed to kill me—so now, your end is coming."

His eyes burned with murderous intent.

Now that he knew Lu Qing was a Jin Gu Jing cultivator, his hatred was even greater than for Ma Gu.

A boy so young, already this strong—soon to reach the Small Achievement stage.

In time, he’d surpass even the elders.

Once, the Leather Armor Youth had believed himself a genius.

Now, he felt nothing but jealousy—and fear.

This boy must not live.

If he did, not only would he be in danger—but the entire Tian Cang Sect could face ruin.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end