Illimitable Until Death - Chapter 13

“Ah…”

At this moment, many people in the audience couldn’t help but exclaim.

Because, on the stage, facing the sharp katana brought down by Konochi Kurusu, Fang Li didn’t back down, instead he raised an empty hand to protect his head.

“————?!”

Konochi Kurusu was instantly shocked, hesitated for a moment, and quickly eased his strength.

The next second, the sharp katana sliced through Fang Li’s arm that was blocking his head, producing a faint tearing sound.

Blood splattered, causing Araka Kibito and the samurai’s in the audience to widen their eyes in astonishment.

The sensation of pain rushed through Fang Li’s nerves.

But at this moment, Fang Li took another step forward, squeezing into Konochi Kurusu’s embrace.

“You…?!” Konochi Kurusu’s usually serious expression couldn’t help but reveal a trace of shock.

However, as the hint of astonishment appeared on Konochi Kurusu’s face, he immediately felt an exceptionally cold sensation on his neck.

Konochi Kurusu instantly understood what that cold sensation was —

It was the feeling of a dagger pressed against his throat.

Fang Li, who had squeezed into Konochi Kurusu’s embrace, had placed the dagger against his neck. Looking at Konochi Kurusu, who was somewhat shocked, Fang Li gradually smiled.

“Does this mean I win?”

Silence.

Deathly silence.

Everyone stared at Fang Li, with the dagger pressed against Konochi Kurusu’s throat on the stage. For a moment, they were completely stunned.

“That… that kid…” Araka Kibito couldn’t hide his surprise either.

There was no way.

No one could have anticipated that the battle would turn out this way.

They had thought that the wanderer would be easily defeated, but at this moment, he had managed to restrain Konochi Kurusu.

How could people not be astonished?

And the first one to react was Konochi Kurusu.

Looking at Fang Li’s smiling face so close, and seeing Fang Li’s arm still bleeding, Konochi Kurusu regained his composure, remained silent for a while, and then said:

“If I were Kabane, your hand would be gone.”

Upon hearing this, Fang Li blinked his eyes, his smile unchanged, and gave this response:

“If you were Kabane, your head would have been severed.”

One side lost an arm.

The other side lost their head.

Which side was the true defeat? Was there even a need to consider?

“You…” Konochi Kurusu couldn’t help but say, “Are you really willing to go to such lengths?”

“I have no choice. I’m weaker than you to begin with. If I want to win against a stronger opponent, it’s unrealistic to do so without paying a price,” Fang Li calmly replied. “Besides, didn’t I say that you would show mercy?”

This was just a contest, not a fight to the death.

So, the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception that could give Fang Li a chance to win couldn’t be used.

However, the same logic applied to Konochi Kurusu as well.

This wasn’t a fight to the death, just a contest. How could Konochi Kurusu continue knowing he would cut off the other’s hand?

This was the only method Fang Li could think of to ensure victory.

It was dangerous but not far-fetched.

Seeing Konochi Kurusu speechless, Fang Li urged.

“Well, what do you say? Did I win?”

“…I haven’t yet failed to acknowledge my defeat yet,” Konochi Kurusu said, but the look in his eyes clearly showed his unwillingness to lose.

After all, in terms of strength, Konochi Kurusu still surpassed Fang Li.

However, battles weren’t won solely based on strength.

If this were a life-or-death fight, Fang Li, who possessed the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception and had become proficient in killing techniques during his previous battles against Kabane, would definitely have a greater advantage.

However, in this contest, Fang Li was indeed the victor.

“Completed B-rank Side Quest, received 3000 Exchange points.”

The system prompt echoed in Fang Li’s mind, and he breathed a sigh of relief as he removed the dagger from Konochi Kurusu’s neck.

Only then did Konochi Kurusu feel the disappearance of the cold sensation on his neck. His gaze towards Fang Li was no longer as serious and focused as before; instead, it was filled with fighting spirit.

Then, Konochi Kurusu spoke, “Let’s have another fight.”

Clearly, Konochi Kurusu intended to seek revenge.

Moreover, this time he definitely wanted to go all out and would not show any mercy.

Upon hearing this, Fang Li raised his still bleeding hand with a hint of helplessness and asked, “Now?”

“….” Konochi Kurusu was at a loss for words.

Challenging someone when they were injured was not the behavior expected of a samurai.

Of course, Konochi Kurusu was unaware that Fang Li had a bottle of Injury recovery potion in his leg pouch, which could heal minor injuries.

After shedding blood in the forest to lure Kabane, Fang Li had used that potion to recover from his wounds.

If the potion was consumed in one go, it would have a continuous healing effect. If only a portion of it was applied to a wound, it could still heal minor injuries.

If it weren’t for this, Fang Li would not have mindlessly created wounds on his own body.

Not knowing this, Konochi Kurusu could only give up on continuing the challenge. He looked at Fang Li and asked, “What’s your name?”

“Fang Li, a wanderer,” Fang Li answered, extending his hand towards Konochi Kurusu almost instinctively.

Konochi Kurusu looked at Fang Li’s hand, then at Fang Li’s seemingly casual expression, and sighed, “You really have great courage.”

After saying that, Konochi Kurusu reached out his hand and shook hands with Fang Li.

“Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap!”

In the audience, applause erupted.

It was Araka Kibito, with a smile on his face, leading the applause.

Under Araka Kibito’s lead, some ordinary people in the crowd also joined in the applause, and cheers even broke out.

The samurai’s looked at each other, then reluctantly started clapping as well.

The resounding applause filled the air in the entire arena.

At this moment, the tension that had been pervading the atmosphere finally eased.

It was not the tension directed towards Fang Li, but rather the inevitable tension that existed in this era where tomorrow was uncertain.

To release this tension, the Yomogawa Family had organized the Martial Arts Competition.

And today, this Martial Arts Competition had clearly achieved the desired effect.

In fact, it had far exceeded expectations.

In such an atmosphere, Konochi Kurusu gave Fang Li a few words.

“When you’ve healed, we’ll have another match.”

Fang Li was speechless.

It seemed that he had been entangled with an extraordinary person.