Chapter 120 – The Worst Enemy

“Clang!”

A fierce metallic clash resounded sharply across the wilderness, directly announcing the start of the battle.

No words were needed, nor any questions or accusations. The irreconcilable conflict between the two sides was already deeply rooted, leaving no room for compromise.

Thus, the moment Xu Yanyan appeared, the current situation became clear beyond any doubt.

Xu Qianqian launched an opening attack against Xu Yanyan without hesitation, transforming herself into a gust of wind, her dagger becoming a cold gleam aimed straight at Xu Yanyan’s throat, showing not an ounce of mercy.

Yet, this straightforward and undeniably swift strike was blocked by the small knife Xu Yanyan raised.

As sparks burst fiercely from the point where the dagger and knife met, Xu Yanyan let out a light, mocking laugh.

“As decisive and direct as ever, my dear little sister.”

Xu Yanyan appeared completely at ease.

But Xu Qianqian had no intention of wasting any more words on Xu Yanyan. When her first strike failed, she immediately launched a fierce onslaught.

“Swish, swish, swish—!”

Cold glimmers flickered like starlight, enveloping Xu Yanyan like a dense net.

Xu Qianqian’s dagger had already turned into a blur, thrusting repeatedly to form a barrage of attacks.

“Clang, clang, clang, clang—!”

Faced with Xu Qianqian’s relentless assault, Xu Yanyan remained unflustered, holding nothing back as she wielded her small knife with frenzied precision. She carved out icy trajectories to meet the incoming strikes, accurately clashing with each cold gleam, igniting metallic clashes and scattering sparks.

The two beautiful young women engaged in fierce combat, transforming into two gusts of wind, colliding again and again.

“Charge!”

“Protect the Young Miss!”

From Xu Qianqian’s private army, two voices shouted out immediately.

It was Lie Heyin and Shadow.

At their command, the members of the private army rushed without hesitation toward the direction where Xu Qianqian and Xu Yanyan were locked in combat, intending to join Xu Qianqian in facing their enemy.

However, Xu Yanyan had also brought along many Family Hunters. Seeing the private army charging forward, they silently advanced to intercept them.

“Bam!”

“Clang!”

“Clank!”

In an instant, a series of collision sounds erupted.

The Family Hunters brought by Xu Yanyan and the private army under Xu Qianqian’s command officially clashed. Some wielded weapons, others fought with their fists, engaging in direct combat and stirring up countless commotions.

It was a chaotic battle.

A chaotic battle that ordinary Professionals simply could not intervene in.

Whether it was the private army under Xu Qianqian’s command or the Family Hunters brought by Xu Yanyan, none were ordinary Professionals.

The private army under Xu Qianqian was meticulously trained by the Xu Family as guards. Not a single one among them was a One-Star Professional; the lowest were Two-Stars, and elites like Lie Heyin and Shadow were even Three-Star Professionals. Their excellence was beyond question.

The Family Hunters brought by Xu Yanyan were also elites of the Xu Family. There were no controversial or mixed-ability One-Star Professionals among them; the lowest were similarly at the Two-Star level.

With two such forces locked in combat, how could ordinary Professionals possibly intervene in such an intense confrontation?Judging from the proficiency they displayed in the fierce battle, it was clear that this wasn’t the first time the two sides had clashed.

Back when Xu Qianqian accepted the mission to investigate the suspicious group and was ambushed, suffering severe injuries, the two sides had already crossed paths.

At that time, when Xu Qianqian was ambushed and left severely wounded, why didn’t her private army appear?

It was simply because they were intercepted.

The ones who intercepted Xu Qianqian’s private army back then were precisely these Family Hunters who had pledged allegiance to Xu Yanyan’s faction.

“So it was you!”

Lie recognized these individuals and instantly flew into a rage.

That incident had been the closest Xu Qianqian had ever come to death.

As Shadow Guards who protected Xu Qianqian and regarded it as their life’s purpose, Lie and all the other members of the private army present were both terrified and humiliated by that experience.

They had nearly failed in their duty.

And the consequence of that failure would have been Xu Qianqian losing her life.

Now it was clear that the ones who orchestrated that ambush were undoubtedly from Xu Yanyan’s faction, and the ones who carried it out were these very people.

Even on the night when Su Ming and Xu Qianqian raided Warehouse Street and attacked the underground mercenary group, the reason the private army wasn’t by Xu Qianqian’s side—leaving her in life-threatening danger once again—was to guard against these very individuals, who were highly likely to seize the opportunity to launch another ambush.

Thus, all the dangers Xu Qianqian had faced during this period owed part of their success to the efforts of these Family Hunters.

Understanding this, Lie erupted in fury.

“I’ll kill you all!”

The hot-tempered Shadow Guard charged forward angrily, taking on two Family Hunters single-handedly.

“Leave some here to hold them off! The rest of you, head to the Young Miss’s location immediately!”

Yin was equally enraged but far calmer than Lie. He clearly understood their true objective and issued precise instructions accordingly.

“Don’t even think about getting past us.”

“Your Young Miss will meet her end here.”

“The future of the Xu Family does not belong to you. It’s time for you to bow out.”

The Family Hunters on the opposing side no longer concealed their intentions, each emitting low, menacing voices filled with killing intent as they unhesitatingly blocked the private army, preventing them from advancing even a single step.

“Damn it!”

Lie growled in frustration as the number of Family Hunters before him inexplicably increased from two to three.

In terms of numbers, the enemy outnumbered the private army by roughly two to one—just enough to completely restrain them.

If someone called this a coincidence, Lie might believe it, but Yin absolutely would not.

“Did they assess our numbers and deliberately arrange this to counter us?”

Yin realized the truth.

However, since Xu Qianqian had anticipated Xu Yanyan’s ambush, she had naturally prepared some countermeasures.

“Stop holding back!”

Yin was the first to shout, pulling out a vial of alchemical potion and downing it in one gulp.

Seeing this, the others followed suit, each retrieving their own alchemical potions and drinking them.

In the next second, the entire private army seemed to receive divine assistance, their auras surging powerfully.

Their strength increased dramatically—their power, speed, and reflexes all elevated by a level.

“Let’s see how you stop us now!”

Lie, having finished his potion first, charged forward like a force of nature, roaring as he advanced.

“Breakthrough!”Yin Yi rallied everyone and charged at the encirclement formed by the Family Hunters.

For a moment, under the assault of the greatly strengthened Private Army, the numerically superior Family Hunters were actually forced into a steady retreat.

“Clang!”

Xu Yanyan clearly witnessed this scene. While parrying a dagger thrust at her throat, she suppressed her smile and cast a deep gaze at Xu Qianqian.

“As expected of the next-generation leader valued by the Family, the most outstanding Genius of the Xu Family—your resources are truly abundant.”

A hint of jealousy lurked within Xu Yanyan’s words.

None of the alchemical potions capable of directly enhancing one’s strength were ordinary. Even the lowest grade required a Three-Star Professional to carefully consider for a long time before daring to purchase one at a heart-wrenching price, keeping it as a trump card for critical moments.

Such precious alchemical potions were something even Xu Yanyan couldn’t carry with her at all times. Yet, Xu Qianqian had equipped every member of her Private Army with one. Such resourcefulness and financial power were impossible without the Family’s support.

“……”

Xu Qianqian paid no heed to Xu Yanyan’s jealousy, her expression remaining cold. Right in front of Xu Yanyan, she even took out an alchemical potion and drank it.

This action perfectly illustrated the saying: the damage may be minimal, but the insult is extreme.

“You’re asking for death!”

Xu Yanyan was successfully provoked, her entire strength surging dramatically. The speed of her Saber slash increased so much that Xu Qianqian’s pupils contracted sharply, her skin turning cold and her body breaking out in sweat.

This was Xu Yanyan’s true strength—a genuine Three-Star Hunter, undoubtedly far superior to Xu Qianqian, who was still studying at the Academy, not yet graduated and only a third-year student.

Fortunately, Xu Qianqian had consumed the precious alchemical potion a step earlier, barely managing to keep up with Xu Yanyan’s speed. She jerked her head to the side, narrowly avoiding the fatal Saber strike.

Even so, a small cut appeared on Xu Qianqian’s cheek, blood trickling from it.

Xu Yanyan deliberately targeted Xu Qianqian’s face, her malicious intent sending chills down one’s spine.

“Clang, clang, clang—!”

The dagger and small Saber collided several more times at breakneck speeds, slicing through the air and intensifying the battle.

Though it was a struggle, with the aid of the alchemical potion, Xu Qianqian ultimately managed to fight Xu Yanyan to a standstill.

Even on the Private Army’s side, despite being outnumbered and having two to three times fewer combatants than the enemy, they held their ground against the Family Hunters, with neither side able to gain the upper hand.

This situation, however, brought Xu Qianqian no joy. Instead, it weighed heavily on her heart.

Xu Yanyan naturally noticed Xu Qianqian’s increasingly somber expression.

“What? Worried about Mr. Gao?”

Xu Yanyan sneered.

Indeed, Xu Qianqian was concerned about Gao Xu’s presence.

She hadn’t forgotten who the most troublesome enemy was.

It wasn’t Xu Yanyan, nor the numerous Family Hunters, but the renowned ‘Qilin Blade.’

He was definitely nearby.

Or, given how Xu Yanyan and the others had set up an ambush here in advance, he must have made arrangements beforehand.

Perhaps the fact that Xu Qianqian’s squad had been assigned to this area was all the doing of that ‘Qilin Blade.’With his influence, combined with that of the Xu Family, they could place Xu Qianqian on this defense line, and naturally maneuver her into this area, stepping right into their carefully laid trap.

Given this, Gao Xu would not be absent from such a crucial operation.

And indeed, he was not.

“I’m not particularly keen on bullying the weak.”

A voice drifted over from afar.

Xu Qianqian and the members of the private army shuddered, whipping their heads around to look.

There, a figure had appeared without anyone noticing.

“Let me offer you some advice, Young Miss Qianqian.”

Gao Xu, carrying the Qilin Blade that had made him famous, spoke calmly.

“I advise you to surrender.”

The worst possible enemy had now made his entrance.

(End of Chapter)