Chapter 28: The Centaur’s Fury and a Calculated Escape

Just as Lu Chen prepared to escape, pressing down his wings, Ling Wei stood poised in the center of the arena.

Her eyes narrowed, scrutinizing the uninvited guest who had just crashed into their battle, and with a mental command, she addressed her familiar:

“Zero, this centaur gentleman’s magic is quite weak. The Mana-draining Vines couldn’t even draw much from him. What’s his background?”

Zero responded:

“‘Knight’ Vidian… Just a few months ago, he was merely one of Envy’s unremarkable subordinates, possessing mediocre combat prowess and will. Yet, somehow, he has recently been promoted to a trusted confidant.

“His magic is ‘Flesh Forging’. This spell lacks any offensive capability, serving only to temper the user’s physical body.

“Judging by his steel-like physique, this gentleman has clearly immersed himself in this art for over a decade. He would undoubtedly earn widespread acclaim if he were to cosplay Made in Heaven.”

The girl’s brow furrowed slightly.

“Your words contradict themselves. Is he a seasoned powerhouse honed by decades of training, or merely a lucky nobody?”

“It is rather peculiar. Perhaps he significantly enhanced his abilities in a short span? But such a feat defies all logic and seems utterly incredible. Shall I investigate further?”

“No need. Detailed intelligence isn’t required to deal with a mere minion. I will dispatch him swiftly while maintaining my cover.

“Zero, you should feign severe injuries and depart for now. Head back to Lu Chen’s home and slowly munch on earthworms, lest this violent fellow disrupt your dramatic exit.

“We’ll conclude here for today.”

“Understood. Enjoy yourself.”

The giant raven struggled to its feet, its entire body covered in horrifying burns, its massive wings trembling uncontrollably. It offered no reply to Knight’s query, instead stumbling as it flew over the wall, its silhouette vanishing into the sky.

Knight watched the departing raven, a look of displeasure marring his disgustingly handsome face.

“‘Gluttony’s’ minion, then? What an impertinent wretch. Next time we meet, I shall kill—”

The centaur’s arrogant declaration was cut short as a brilliant white rocket tore through the air, aimed directly at his brow. He hastily turned his head to dodge, yet the wild, furious flames still singed the side of his face.

Undoubtedly, the one who unleashed this strike was Ling Wei.

Compared to her recent battle against the colossal beast, the red-haired girl’s magical energy had diminished further due to depletion, now teetering on the brink of exhaustion. Her physical stamina, too, seemed to have reached its limit, her paper-white face utterly devoid of color.

Nevertheless, her expression remained composed, merely a slight furrowing of her brow. She appeared less like someone locked in a life-or-death struggle with an enemy and more like someone encountering an irksome salesperson.

Raising a slender arm, she drew a second rocket, burning incessantly, and once more aimed it at the centaur’s brow.

“What a pity. You won’t have another chance to see him.”

The girl’s voice was ethereal and calm, yet Knight’s face instantly contorted, filled with a rage hotter than any flame.

“Not only did you launch a sneak attack, but you dared to wound my peerless face… Fireworks, you are even more despicable than my great and benevolent master described!

“You ignorant fool, you incorrigible villain! Prepare to face judgment!”

The centaur let out a violent, high-pitched roar, his muscles instantly coiling and bulging, transforming him into a formidable fortress.

Ling Wei gazed at the grotesque figure, then whispered to Lily of the Valley beside her:

“Lily of the Valley, this creature will pause for a defenseless moment after it attacks.

“I will draw his attention. Seize the opening to circle behind him, and then, together, we will deliver a fatal blow. Can you do it?”

“I can.”

“Wait until my attack concludes before you strike, just in case he’s feigning an opening to counterattack.”

“Understood.”

Lily of the Valley darted away, circling into Knight’s blind spot.

“Die!”

Concurrently, the centaur leveled his spear, his four hooves striking the ground like heavy hammers. His colossal frame trampled the earth, surging forward with the force of thunder towards the red-haired girl!

Ling Wei observed the beast’s charging momentum for a moment, then, at the precise instant, she leaped two steps to the side. The devastating spear swept past her cheek, yet failed to sever even a single strand of hair, subtly deflected from its path by the girl.

Just as before, Knight did not halt his charge immediately after missing his target. Instead, he continued forward with overwhelming momentum, slamming violently into the wall, causing the roses encircling the arena to tremble incessantly!

The centaur showed no sign of discouragement. He raised his spear once more, preparing to turn and initiate his next charge towards the target—

However, in the moments before launching his charge, his back was utterly exposed.

The verdant figure seized the opportunity, striking at Knight’s back like a venomous serpent. The red-haired girl, meanwhile, notched an arrow, gauging the centaur’s maximum reaction speed, and loosed a perfectly timed, searing arrow.

The rocket whistled through the air, piercing directly towards the centaur’s occiput!

—But then, a flash of silvery-white luminescence suddenly streaked across Knight’s muscles.

As if sensing something, he erupted with a speed far surpassing his previous movements, spinning around in an instant. His spear swept out like a bolt of lightning, not only intercepting the rocket but also lashing out at Lily of the Valley, aiming to cleave her in two!

Thanks to Ling Wei’s warning, Lily of the Valley had not approached too closely, halting her steps at the last possible second to avoid a direct hit. Nevertheless, simply facing the gale whipped up by the spear, she was irresistibly blown back, staggering several steps before managing to stop, avoiding being launched into the vine wall once more to ‘cosplay Vegeta trapped in bedrock’.

Knight turned slowly and smugly, looking at the red-haired girl, and declared:

“You actually tried to ambush me! Such a foolish and despicable tactic could never work against—”

Ling Wei, disinclined to listen to his drivel, immediately interrupted him.

“You used the power of the Heart of the Moon. Where did you acquire it?”

As its creator, she could not possibly be mistaken. That silvery gleam just now… was undeniable proof of having received the Heart of the Moon’s blessing.

‘Judging by the hue and intensity of the gleam, the Heart of the Moon was not upon him. However, he must have come into contact with her precious creation several weeks or months prior, receiving a measure of its blessing. This, she surmised, was the reason for his rapid surge in power.’

‘This fellow is Envy’s subordinate, and this fellow has come into contact with the Heart of the Moon, yet Envy is also searching for the Heart of the Moon… What exactly is going on? How irritating.’

Knight sneered in response:

“Heh! You, a thief, dare to question me! Fireworks, stop dwelling on such distant matters, and first figure out how to overcome me!”

Ling Wei sighed softly.

‘Alright then. A lead delivered right to my doorstep is not to be missed.’

‘Though I might have to employ some powers Xia Shi doesn’t possess, and reveal some weaknesses… for now, I’ll grant his wish and beat him from a centaur into a reverse centaur.’

The girl lifted her eyes, the fiery glow in her pupils flickering on the verge of extinction, revealing a profound, lightless ink-black hue.

“Crack.”

However, a faint cracking sound suddenly reached her ears, interrupting her intention to unleash world-shaking power.

She looked towards the sound’s source in surprise, witnessing a fissure unfurl along one of the wall’s vines. Immediately after, the fissure rapidly stretched and spread, engulfing the entire wall in a flash.

“Boom—”

Amidst a dull roar, the dark green high wall collapsed with a crash, its sturdy vines snapping and shattering, scattering across the ground.

Lu Chen stepped over a broken vine, entering the arena, crimson blood dripping onto the ground, leaving a scarlet trail.

He offered a smile to the stunned red-haired girl, raising an arm that was scarred and bleeding profusely… yet simultaneously enveloped in a dazzling silver luminescence, pointing towards the slightly trembling Knight.

“It worked. Now, send this fool flying with all your might.”

Hearing Lu Chen’s provocation, Knight gritted his teeth, his eyes glaring at Fireworks.

“Even if the Mana-draining Vines are gone, you’ll still need time to recover your magic, won’t you? I’ll simply slaughter you in the interim!”

The centaur roared, raising his spear high, his muscles coiling around his body as he charged at the girl, his heavy hooves making the ground rumble ominously!

However, this time, before he could even approach the red-haired girl, the spear in his hand suddenly flared with light, melting into a puddle of scalding molten iron in the blink of an eye.

“Ugh…!”

Knight hastily swept away the molten iron splashing towards him, terror welling in his eyes as he looked at the girl. He forced himself to a halt, then spun around and bolted directly towards Lu Chen, his thick, powerful hand closing in on the young man’s neck.

“Fireworks! Do not approach me! Vanish to the ends of the earth at once! Otherwise, I will execute this man on the spot!”

Ling Wei forged a blade of fire, taking small steps towards Lu Chen, her pale face devoid of expression, as if utterly deaf to the threat.

Sweat beaded on Knight’s brow, and his deep voice began to tremble.

“Fine… fine! I’ll break his arm first, and show you the consequences of approaching me!”

The centaur stretched out his hand, intending to seize Lu Chen’s arm; yet before he could even touch the young man’s skin, his entire palm burst into roaring flames, instantly transforming into a charred heap of ashes.

He let out a tragic wail, his face contorting with agony, his massive body crumpling into a fetal position.

Light, calm footsteps grew closer. When Knight finally lifted his head again, the red-haired girl was already standing before him.

“Ugh… Uwaaaah!”

The centaur completely lost his composure. He shrieked, his four hooves pounding as he abandoned the sole hostage beside him, frantically rushing towards the city.

Lu Chen watched the departing Knight in surprise, asking the girl:

“Why did you let him run? Aren’t you going to deliver the final blow…?”

The girl did not reply. She extended her hands, reaching around the young man’s neck, and pulled him into a tight embrace.

A soft, warm sensation enveloped Lu Chen, causing his body to stiffen. A voice, tinged with both gentle reproach and deep concern, whispered in his ear:

“You’ve gotten yourself hurt again.”

“…Well, I couldn’t help it. But don’t worry, I’ll recover quickly.

“Thanks to the pendant you gave me, I’m currently…”

Before the young man could finish, the girl rose on her tiptoes and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek. She then leaned her lips against Lu Chen’s earlobe, whispering:

“I’m going to kill that monster now, and Lily of the Valley is still watching nearby.

“Once we’re home… you’ll have to explain everything to me properly.”