It's better if I say that.

The sky grew increasingly gloomy, with occasional snowflakes falling.

A large hole cracked open in the roof of the study, with countless wood chips, roof tiles and residual snow on the eaves falling into the inner room.

Although Liu Hu had initially used the smoke to rush to the roof at the start, unfortunately, he still hadn't managed to get into the room until now.

Just a moment ago, he had inadvertently allowed the inner force of the Life-Devouring Skill to enter his body. In order to regroup, he had no choice but to give up his original intention of a quick fight, and he released the energy flow of the Floating Brook Skill, allowing Kill Wolf and Li Xing to escape.

Bang bang bang!

With three consecutive loud thuds as they landed, the mist in the courtyard had already dispersed. Liu Hu's subordinates and the manor guards were locked in a deadly battle all around, while Liu Hu, Li Xing and Kill Wolf, who landed in the center of the courtyard at the same time, fell into a brief stalemate.

Kill Wolf and Li Xing once again felt the horror of the Small Heaven Rank.

Whether it was Zhang San, Xu Guo or this Liu Hu, although their injuries were not yet healed, just a glimpse was enough for them to be almost helpless. If it wasn't for the strange inner force of Kill Wolf's Life-Devouring Skill taking effect, they really didn't know what the consequences would be.

In just a moment, Liu Hu had forced the inner force of the Life-Devouring Skill out of his body. Then he raised his dagger and said coldly, "Even if I can't use energy skills, you two are still not my match!"

Liu Hu struck first.

Of the two, Kill Wolf was the strongest. Although his Wolf-Mark Silver Blade had fallen into the inner room during the earlier fight on the roof, his body flickered and he prepared to make the first move.

However, Li Xing stopped him and chose to attack first, whispering, "Your Life-Devouring Skill seems to have a miraculous effect on him! Let me try to create an opportunity for you. Even if there's only a one in ten chance, I still have to try!"

With a wave of his sword, Li Xing's swordsmanship was by no means weak. He immediately fought with Liu Hu, while the more powerful Kill Wolf constantly changed positions on the sidelines, waiting for a chance to attack.

Bang!

In the blink of an eye, another ten moves were exchanged, Liu Hu's dagger cutting open the flesh on Li Xing's left arm, blood flying everywhere. In the one-on-one match, Li Xing was undoubtedly at a disadvantage.

However, Liu Hu did not completely attack ruthlessly either, because he was still wary of Kill Wolf, who would suddenly appear from time to time, attacking with all his might each time.

The Small Heaven Rank means there are no opponents below Heaven Rank. Even if Liu Hu encountered a Grand Master, he could still fight for a few moves. What allowed Liu Hu to reach this level was his lightness skill and energy skill. Even if a Grand Master encountered him, without using his true skills, it would be difficult to kill him.

However, his weakness was that his bare-handed fighting ability was inferior to that of the Two Heishan Brothers of the Dark Tower. Therefore, he was ranked third on the standings.

Now, with his energy skills under threat from the Life-Devouring Skill, he would have to be careful if he wanted to use them again. But even without energy skills, it was only a matter of time before he prevailed. However, he didn't want to keep dragging things out.

If he allowed Lu Gaosheng to escape, not only would he lose 100,000 taels of silver, it would also be difficult to explain to Song YanShi.

Liu Hu made up his mind in his heart.

On the next move.

Liu Hu used all his strength and slashed at Li Xing with his dagger again, but this time, he targeted a crack that had formed on Li Xing's sword during their previous exchanges.

The sword broke!

Liu Hu's body lurched forward as he blasted out a palm strike at Li Xing's chest, severely injuring him.

Then Liu Hu immediately turned around, no longer paying attention to Li Xing and Kill Wolf on his left. His lightness skill flashed as he rushed straight towards the study!

However, exposing his back to two top masters was undoubtedly...

Li Xing's eyes flashed with the light of a final hope! He took a deep breath, using all his inner force, all his strength, to steady himself. His right hand threw the sword to Kill Wolf while his left leg fiercely kicked off the ground!

The tremendous force shattered his leg bone, but in exchange he achieved an arrow-like speed.

He slammed heavily into Liu Hu's back, his arms clasping together to lock Liu Hu's body in a death grip. His fingers even more cleverly sealed two main acupoints on Liu Hu's abdomen, temporarily blocking the flow of his inner force.

"Quick!" Li Xing shouted with all his might.

The sword he had thrown out earlier landed in Kill Wolf's hand. Sensing the opportunity, Kill Wolf leapt up and charged straight at Liu Hu.

But Liu Hu just laughed.

"I deliberately revealed a flaw and wanted to end this quickly, but I didn't expect you to use the ‘Arm Lock Acupoint Sealing’ move on me. Unfortunately, this move is completely useless against me."

With Li Xing's arms locked around him and his fingers sealing his acupoints, Liu Hu's condition could be clearly felt. Li Xing cried out in astonishment, "Shrinking bone and shifting acupoints! Isn't that a tomb raider technique?"

How could a famous expert like Liu Hu know such a despicable low-level skill that even the underworld looked down upon?

But there was no time to think further.

In the blink of an eye, Liu Hu not only broke free of the restraints, but also circled around to Li Xing's side. Then he slapped Li Xing's back.

Blood sprayed on the ground and Li Xing fell down.

He was defeated.

Liu Hu had not used full force in that strike, because Kill Wolf was who he really wanted to kill.

The broken sword stabbed through the air. Caught completely off guard midair, Kill Wolf had no way to evade. He could only pour all his inner force into this one thrust, hoping it would prevail.

But Liu Hu blocked the broken sword with his dagger. Then, with the full might of his Small Heaven Rank Floating Brook Skill, he slapped Kill Wolf squarely in the chest!

Struck in midair, Kill Wolf spat out mouthfuls of blood as his body crashed away.

He too was defeated.

Liu Hu roared with laughter. Li Xing was at his feet and Kill Wolf's life or death was uncertain, but for the moment what could be certain was that they no longer had the ability to stop him.

Seeing their leader victorious, the morale of the eight men in black also greatly increased.

As Liu Hu turned around, unexpectedly...

Despite a mouth full of blood and unable even to speak, Li Xing grabbed Liu Hu's trouser leg!

This scene greatly puzzled Liu Hu. Since that Lu Gaosheng was ruthless, why were experts like Li Xing willing to protect him at all costs?

However, Liu Hu wasn't interested in the answer. Looking down at the defeated man at his feet, he mocked:

"Weren't you thinking just now that you had a chance to win? But the cruel truth is that when your prey feels he has already won, little does he know that his death is on the way."

Having said that, he kicked Li Xing aside and strode forward.

Now without any worries, the tension that had kept his nerves taut also slightly relaxed. What else could stop him after his opponents had exhausted all their tricks and even their top masters had been defeated?

Then.

Someone moved.

The wind blew.

A snowflake landed on his shoulder.

A sense of mortal fear pricked at his nerves!

Liu Hu felt it.

He felt someone move, the wind blow, the snow land on his shoulder, but...

A dagger pierced his chest, an incredibly strong inner force tore his internal organs to shreds.

Spurred by the shock of death, Liu Hu exerted all his strength to throw himself forward, but the intense pain and heavy injuries prevented him from utilizing his lightness skill. He slammed heavily outside the study door, spewing blood from his mouth.

With all his might he turned to face his attacker.

Beneath the dark clouds, amidst the swirling snow, the masked figure in white was also watching him, with a gaze like someone looking at a dead man.

Zhang San smiled and said, "Despite being ambushed you could still react, that last strike was off your heart by a fraction. You're pretty good!"

Blood pouring from his mouth, Liu Hu recalled the previous scene. His slender "fox eyes" were filled with horror.

Because he clearly understood that ambush or not, caught off guard or not, his mastery of lightness skill was undoubtedly first among the few Small Heaven Rank experts in Dawu Country.

The moment the opponent was able to make a sound, he instantly appeared behind me and stabbed a knife through my chest before I could escape. This was despite me using the Floating Brook Skill to protect my heart veins. With even stronger inner strength, he shattered my internal organs.

This kind of speed, as fast as lightning, and unimaginable power, the opponent is undoubtedly...

"Grand Master!!" Fresh blood spurted out again as Liu Hu did not dare believe his own eyes.

There were less than ten Grand Masters in the entire Dawu Country combined. He had seen them all before, so where did this one pop out from?

However, Zhang San was too lazy to waste words with him. Step by step, he moved forward, his gaze seeming to laugh and not to laugh at the same time, saying: "When your prey feels like victory is at hand, little do they know, their death is on its way."

"What pretty words, like lines from a play. But I'm more suited to say them instead."

As Zhang San drew near, Liu Hu shrieked in terror: "Don't... Don't kill me! We can nego...tiate..."

Before he could finish speaking, Zhang San severed his head with one slash of the knife!

The guards protecting the surrounding manors had already been killed by the black-clothed masters Liu Hu brought along. But their leader met his end in just two exchanges, instantly striking fear and draining what little strength they had left. Where would they still dare to tarry, each madly running off in different directions.

What a pity.

In the face of a Grand Master of Lightness Skills, escape was meaningless.

Every slash of his knife harvested a life.

Finally, returning to the courtyard, Zhang San turned around to face the fallen Li Xing and the not too far away Kill Wolf, saying coldly: "Killed enough for now. You two... ready to be on our way?"

Zhang San's killing intent has been decided!