Chapter 21: I Am Willing to Offer Myself in Gratitude

Chapter 21: The Maiden Offers Herself

Inside the Mountain God Temple, Tian Boguang’s face was drenched in cold sweat. The searing pain from his left shoulder nearly caused him to faint.

“Who is this kid, really? How can he be so formidable? Even if he started training in his mother’s womb, it’s impossible to be this strong at his age!” Tian Boguang’s mind was in turmoil. He had always prided himself on his exceptional talent, but today, facing this little harbinger of doom, he knew he was truly in trouble...

“Tian, the infamous pervert, I bet you’re wondering who I am right now, aren’t you?” Zheng Jian said leisurely, utterly at ease. Defeating Tian Boguang meant Zheng Jian had now entered the ranks of martial world experts—at the very least, he was no longer on the same level as those so-called ‘Invincible Golden Blade’ types.

In other words, with his current prowess, Zheng Jian could now be considered equal to the ‘Three Elders of Mount Heng.’

“So what if I am! Brat, if you have the guts, tell me your name, so I can die knowing who bested me,” Tian Boguang gasped, his voice trembling with pain, but he gritted his teeth nonetheless.

“I won’t tell you! I won’t!” Zheng Jian laughed gleefully.

“Resentment value from Tian Boguang +199.”

Zheng Jian’s eyes sparkled—he’d gained something! Wonderful!

“You despicable little bastard, even if I die, Tian Boguang will haunt you as a ghost!” Tian Boguang roared in fury. He, ‘the Lone Wanderer,’ had roamed the martial world for years, but never had he met such an infuriating opponent.

“You couldn’t beat me as a living man, what makes you think you’ll succeed as a ghost? Sorry, but exorcism happens to be my specialty. Come visit again anytime!” Zheng Jian retorted. He didn’t mind this display of powerless rage at all—on the contrary, he wished Tian Boguang would stay angry longer, so he could rack up more resentment points. It would make all his effort worthwhile.

Tian Boguang: “...”

He realized now that he couldn’t match this youth in martial arts, nor could he outwit him in verbal sparring. It was as if this boy was his destined nemesis.

Meanwhile, Tian Boguang had quietly sealed the acupoint on his left shoulder to stop the bleeding. Though his face was pale, he managed to regain a sliver of strength. He chuckled low, “Fine, I admit defeat this time, but if you want to kill me, you’re not quite there yet!”

He’d barely finished speaking when he sprang up, his body technique unfurling as he dashed toward the temple entrance. If he couldn’t win, Tian Boguang refused to believe he couldn’t outrun his opponent!

Besides, the woman was still in the sack. Tian Boguang doubted this kid would ignore her to pursue him.

A righteous young hero, saving the damsel in distress—wasn’t the ultimate goal to win her heart and her hand?

As long as he escaped, he’d simply keep a low profile in the future. Where there’s life, there’s hope!

Thinking this, Tian Boguang felt a sudden lightness in his heart. But as he sped away, he saw Zheng Jian perched atop a tree, looking at him with a mocking grin.

“So, you want to run?” Zheng Jian chuckled.

Tian Boguang’s vision darkened; he nearly fainted. “You—you’re not worried about the woman in the temple? Aren’t you afraid she’ll be abducted or eaten by wild beasts?”

“Not at all. She’s nothing to me. Why should I be afraid?” Zheng Jian replied, puzzled.

“Oh my heavens! Aren’t you a righteous hero? Save the beauty, let me go, and when you rescue her, she’ll definitely offer herself to you! I never touched her, but she’s as beautiful as jade—a rare, peerless beauty. How about it?” Tian Boguang was sweating profusely, even beginning to plead.

Zheng Jian was all integrity. “Nonsense! Am I the sort to take advantage of others’ misfortune? Am I the kind to wait for a beauty to offer herself to me?”

“Aren’t you? Isn’t every man?” Tian Boguang asked, bewildered.

“I am not!” Zheng Jian declared righteously.

“You’re not a man?” Tian Boguang had an epiphany. “Ah, right, you’re still a little boy, not even grown, how could you understand the wonders of a beautiful woman…”

“Enough nonsense! Prepare to die!” Impatient, Zheng Jian thrust his sword toward Tian Boguang’s throat.

Tian Boguang was not one to sit and wait for death. He mustered his strength, raised his right arm—his twin blades now reduced to one—but still attempted to block Zheng Jian.

Alas, Tian Boguang was already spent. With a crisp sound, the sword parted his blade and thrust into his heart, the tip protruding from his back, piercing him through.