Chapter 285: Fierce Clash

As Zhang Qian and No. 1 approached the basement door, they heard a muffled groan from inside.

No. 1’s face darkened upon hearing the sound, and he immediately rushed to open the door. Just as he was about to, the door swung open from the inside.

Standing in the doorway was the slender No. 2, who, upon seeing his captain and Zhang Qian, quickly grabbed No. 1’s arm. “Captain, No. 3 and No. 6 are fighting with those two newcomers. You need to step in now!”

“You couldn’t even last a moment without me before causing trouble?” No. 1 snapped in anger, shoving No. 2 aside before striding toward the basement.

Zhang Qian, feeling a headache brewing, followed him. It seemed inevitable that those two would stir up trouble.

When they arrived at the basement, Zhang Qian was shocked to see No. 3 and No. 6 sitting against the wall, clutching their stomachs and chests while glaring furiously. Meanwhile, Nos. 4, 5, and 7 stood in a tense standoff with Ren, who stood relaxed and unbothered. Across the room, Masashi was casually sitting in a chair, legs crossed, sipping on a beer.

“Didn’t you all say you didn’t like me? Stop wasting time—come at me all at once,” Kuang Dao taunted as he nonchalantly cleaned his ear with his pinky finger and blew on it.

“Get ready to die, you bastard!” No. 5, known for his fiery temper, couldn’t hold back any longer and lashed out with a fierce kick aimed at Kuang Dao.

Kuang Dao calmly extended his left hand to grab the incoming ankle.

Despite his rage, No. 5 was no fool. Anticipating Kuang Dao’s move, he changed his attack midway, hooking his leg upward to target Kuang Dao’s jaw.

But Kuang Dao was unfazed. He casually stepped back half a step to avoid the strike. At the same time, his outstretched hand moved with astonishing speed, catching No. 5’s foot mid-air.

Seeing his left foot caught, No. 5 wasted no time. Using his right foot as a pivot, he launched a powerful kick aimed at Kuang Dao’s chest.

“No. 5, stop!” No. 1 shouted in alarm. He could tell this kick carried deadly force—if it landed, it would likely shatter ribs and cause fatal injuries. Though he wasn’t thrilled about the newcomers joining their mission, it would be hard to explain if one of his men killed one of them.

As the deadly kick approached, Kuang Dao sneered. With a sharp tug of his left hand, he twisted No. 5’s captured leg into a crossed position. Then, with a burst of force, he slammed the leg downward, causing it to collide with the incoming right foot. Not only did this block the attack, but it also sent No. 5 crashing heavily to the floor.

With a loud “thud,” No. 5 hit the ground, landing hard on his back and struggling to get up.

Despite having witnessed Kuang Dao’s prowess earlier, the remaining team members couldn’t help but feel shaken. The exchange with No. 5 had lasted only a couple of moves, yet Kuang Dao’s speed was so blindingly fast they barely understood what had happened. It was as if, in the blink of an eye, No. 5 had been ruthlessly thrown to the ground. The same had happened to Nos. 3 and 6, who had been taken down in mere moments. This level of skill was beyond anything they’d seen before.

Dusting off his hands, Kuang Dao smirked and said, “Pathetic.”

No. 5 struggled to his feet, his eyes bloodshot as he glared at Kuang Dao.

“Still not satisfied? Come on, come on. I’ll keep going until you learn your place,” Kuang Dao said, raising his chin provocatively.

No. 5 was about to lunge at him again when No. 1 grabbed his shoulder. “When it comes to close combat, you’re no match for him. Stand down.”

Turning to Kuang Dao, No. 1 said coldly, “Mr. Ren, you’re quite impressive.”

Kuang Dao shrugged. “Not really. The opponents are just too weak—it’s boring.”

The casual dismissal in his tone ignited a flicker of killing intent, not only in No. 1’s eyes but also among the other team members.

“My team specializes in special operations, not hand-to-hand combat. Would Mr. Ren care to test their true skills?” No. 1 said, his voice icy.

“Oh? Now that sounds interesting,” Kuang Dao replied, his eyes lighting up with a hint of excitement.

“This space is too small for a proper match,” No. 1 continued. “There’s an open field not far from here. Shall we take it there?”

“Anywhere’s fine as long as it’s fun,” Kuang Dao said with a grin.

“You’ll definitely enjoy yourself,” No. 1 said, a dangerous glint in his eyes.

As the tension escalated, Zhang Qian hurriedly intervened. “I’m the commander of this operation, and I forbid any private duels!”

No. 1 glanced at Zhang Qian and said, “Ms. Zhang, we’re not on a mission yet. Are you planning to control our personal lives too?”

“What do you mean by that, No. 1?” Zhang Qian’s expression was ice-cold as she stared at him.

“It means whatever you think it means.” With that, No. 1 walked off first. The rest of the team, accustomed to only following their captain’s orders, silently trailed behind him.

Furious, Zhang Qian shouted, “As the commander of this mission, I order—”

Before she could finish, Kuang Dao cut in, “Order, my ass! It’s just a fight. Why are you nagging so much? You’re so annoying.”

“You…” Zhang Qian was so infuriated by his crudeness that she couldn’t form a response.

Without sparing her another glance, Kuang Dao swaggered out.

Zhang Qian was about to stop him when she suddenly felt a hand on her shoulder. Turning around, she saw it was Lei Yin.

“Masashi, stop your friend! This could get very dangerous,” Zhang Qian said urgently.

Lei Yin replied lazily, “Let it be. Sometimes men need to settle things with their fists.”

“You don’t understand. These aren’t ordinary people. I’m worried for your friend,” Zhang Qian said anxiously.

Lei Yin chuckled. “That’s because you don’t know who that guy really is. Let’s go. It’s rare to get free entertainment at this hour. Got any peanuts? I’m used to having snacks and beer while watching the show.”

Zhang Qian glared at him but said nothing.

※※※

When they arrived at the open field, Zhang Qian, her expression solemn, addressed No. 1. “Since you’re insistent on this match, I’ll make an exception and allow it this once. However, this isn’t our territory. If outsiders pass by and see this fight, it’ll cause unnecessary trouble. I’m sure you understand this. Therefore, only one person from each side can fight. No matter the outcome, this ends here. If you refuse this condition, I’ll report to Mr. Yang immediately and request your dismissal from this mission. You’ll be sent back to the country alone.”

No. 1 nodded. “Fine, I agree. But I also expect you not to interfere in the fight.”

Zhang Qian glared at him angrily but said nothing.

At this point, Kuang Dao, looking impatient, said, “Hey, are you done talking yet? If this drags on any longer, I’m going to fall asleep.”

No. 1 sneered before stepping forward.

However, No. 3 suddenly stepped in front of him. “Captain, let me handle this. I won’t lose to him again.”

No. 1 regarded him for a moment, then nodded. “Do what you want, but don’t kill him.”

“Yes.” No. 3 responded eagerly, then turned to face Kuang Dao.

Seeing No. 3 stepping up, Zhang Qian’s expression turned worried.

When Kuang Dao saw who his opponent was, he frowned. “You again? Don’t disappoint me this time.”

No. 3 smirked. “You won’t be disappointed.” As he spoke, his eyes suddenly emitted a faint yellow glow.

Seeing his opponent’s eyes gleaming like a cat’s, Kuang Dao hesitated for a moment.

Sensing something unusual, he carefully observed his surroundings. Under the faint moonlight, he noticed small stones on the ground slowly rising into the air, hovering around No. 3 before stopping in place.

This bizarre phenomenon left Kuang Dao startled. He wasn’t foolish enough to think this was some magic trick.

“Is he an Esper too?” Lei Yin casually asked Zhang Qian.

Zhang Qian nodded. “Not just him. Most of the members of this special unit are Espers. Only a portion of them are here now, as others are on separate assignments. No. 3 possesses remarkable telekinesis and clairvoyance. His precision in controlling objects with his mind rivals my own. If he exerts himself fully, those stones can reach speeds comparable to bullets. He’s a dangerous opponent. Now you understand why I was so determined to stop this fight?”

Hearing her explanation, No. 3 smirked confidently, his eyes glowing even brighter.

Suddenly, one of the floating stones shot toward Kuang Dao at incredible speed.

Kuang Dao dodged to the right, narrowly avoiding it.

No. 3 sneered and sent another stone flying toward him, this one even faster. Not stopping there, he followed up with a second, third, and fourth stone in rapid succession, launching them in a seamless barrage.

Kuang Dao displayed incredible agility, darting left and right to dodge the onslaught of flying stones with jaw-dropping speed.

Seeing Kuang Dao’s remarkable movements, No. 3 dared not hold back any longer. Harnessing his full abilities, he manipulated the stones to launch an unrelenting barrage at Kuang Dao. Some of the stones, flying through the air with breakneck speed, even produced a faint whistling sound, making the attacks all the more terrifying.

Witnessing this, Zhang Qian was about to intervene when Lei Yin suddenly drew a black short sword from the belt at his waist and tossed it into the air about two meters from Kuang Dao.

Even amidst this “hailstorm” of stones, Kuang Dao somehow noticed Lei Yin’s action. With a swift leap, he grabbed the sword mid-air and landed on the ground.

Just as the sword reached his hand, another stone hurtled toward him. Without hesitation, Kuang Dao swung the blade and struck the stone mid-flight, sending it to the ground.

Without pausing for a second, Kuang Dao charged toward No. 3 with astonishing speed.

No. 3, startled, focused all his energy on intensifying the stone barrage, launching them at Kuang Dao one after another.

Kuang Dao zigzagged toward No. 3, dodging and deflecting stones with the short sword. With the weapon in hand, he didn’t need to evade every attack, allowing him to move much faster. In no time, he was less than five meters from No. 3.

Panic began to set in for No. 3, but he couldn’t retreat. Instead, he frantically increased the speed of his attacks. However, by now, Kuang Dao had adapted to the speed of the stones. While it wasn’t effortless, he was handling it with confidence.

“Who is this man?” Zhang Qian was stunned by Kuang Dao’s skill. She had thought that, apart from Lei Yin—Yan Yuxiao’s personal disciple—no one could hold their own against Espers using only martial arts. But Kuang Dao’s performance shattered her expectations.

She wasn’t the only one surprised; even the other team members were taken aback. They couldn’t believe Kuang Dao had forced No. 3 into such a desperate situation.

At this moment, Lei Yin spoke up. “Espers may have extraordinary abilities, but they’re not without weaknesses. When using their powers, they can’t do anything else. If their focus breaks, their abilities falter. That’s why No. 3 doesn’t dare retreat. Am I wrong?”

Zhang Qian didn’t respond, merely casting him a complex look.

As they talked, the battle took a sudden turn. Kuang Dao was now less than two meters from No. 3, and No. 3 could no longer rely on long-range attacks. At this critical juncture, No. 3 extended his palms toward Kuang Dao and let out a low shout.

The stones hovering around No. 3 abruptly dropped to the ground, and Kuang Dao felt as if an invisible wall of air had risen in front of him, forcibly separating him from No. 3.

“What the hell is this now?” Kuang Dao growled, enraged. He punched the barrier with all his might.

The punch was powerful enough to shatter bones under normal circumstances, but it felt as if it had struck an exceptionally thick tire. The force was absorbed, and his fist couldn’t break through.

Watching this, Lei Yin murmured thoughtfully, “This move… you’ve used it on me before.”

Zhang Qian smiled bitterly. “That’s called a Force Field. Simply put, it’s a telekinetic force field created when an Esper condenses their telekinetic energy within a specific area. It’s usually used to block most physical attacks. But for an Esper, maintaining this field drains significant mental energy. That’s why it’s rarely used unless absolutely necessary. The effective range and duration depend on the user’s own ability.”

Lei Yin quipped with an odd expression, “You must be pretty impressive, then. Last time, you maintained that damned field the entire time, and I couldn’t get within five or six meters of you. That fight was ridiculously exhausting.”

Zhang Qian shot him a glare. “So what if I’m strong? In the end, I still had to run all over the place with you chasing me. Are you praising me or yourself?”

Lei Yin smiled. “You’re overthinking it.”

Just as he finished speaking, Lei Yin’s expression suddenly turned serious. He shouted loudly, “Kuang! Don’t aim for his neck!”

Startled, Zhang Qian immediately turned her attention to the battlefield. She saw Kuang Dao, unable to close the distance, suddenly swing his sword horizontally, aiming directly at No. 3’s neck.

No words could adequately describe that slash—it transcended mere speed. To Zhang Qian and the other team members, it felt as though something invisible within the two-meter space before Kuang Dao had been cut open. Yet, none of them could say what exactly had been severed.

After delivering the slash, Kuang Dao stood motionless, his eyes locked on No. 3, who still held his palms outstretched.

No. 3 also remained still, staring at Kuang Dao with a strange, disbelieving expression.

Moments later, No. 3 suddenly clutched his chest with his right hand and slowly sat down on the ground.

The other team members rushed over to him immediately.

When they reached No. 3, No. 1 saw clearly that the chest of No. 3’s T-shirt was turning red. Alarmed, he quickly tore the shirt open, revealing a faint, almost imperceptible cut on No. 3’s chest. Blood was steadily flowing from the wound.

“Captain… how… how could he cut me?” No. 3 grasped No. 1’s arm tightly, his voice trembling.

“Don’t speak. I’m going to stop the bleeding. Someone, go get the stretcher from the basement! No. 2, help press down on the wound,” No. 1 commanded while removing his shirt and tearing it into strips.

At that moment, Kuang Dao walked over and, without a word, pressed several points around No. 3’s wound. He then said to No. 1, “I’ve sealed a few of his acupoints. The bleeding should stop for now. Don’t bandage him yet—stitch the wound closed first.”

No. 1 gave him a glance, then ordered No. 2 to fetch the sewing kit from the apartment.

Glaring at Kuang Dao, No. 3 snarled, “Don’t think that acting all helpful now will make me let you off. I won’t forgive you for this!”

Kuang Dao scoffed, “Why would I need your forgiveness? You lost because you’re not good enough. No matter how many times we fight, you’ll still lose to me. If you’re not convinced, we’ll fight again once you’ve recovered, until you admit defeat.”

No. 3 was about to retort when No. 1 interrupted, “Shut up! You’re the one who insisted on fighting. Now that you’ve lost, stop whining!”

Hearing this, No. 3 remembered that it was indeed his idea to step into the ring. Embarrassed, he fell silent.

As No. 1 inspected the wound, he noticed that the bleeding had indeed stopped. Inwardly, he couldn’t help but wonder who this man really was. Not only had Kuang Dao managed to break No. 3’s telekinetic force field with a single sword, but he also demonstrated mastery of the long-lost art of acupoint sealing. Such a remarkable individual couldn’t possibly be unknown.

While the others busied themselves, Kuang Dao turned and walked toward Lei Yin.

“Damn it, I can’t believe I owe you another favor, you bastard. It’s infuriating just thinking about it,” Kuang Dao grumbled, tossing the short sword back to Lei Yin.

After securing the sword back in his belt, Lei Yin said, “This sword is pretty convenient to carry. Want me to make one for you?”

“Can you make it a blade? I’m not used to swords.”

“I prefer blades to swords too, but blades are thicker along the back edge. If they’re bent repeatedly, they can deform. Swords, on the other hand, have thin blades on both sides, so they don’t deform as easily.”

“Whatever. Having something is better than nothing. By the way, what kind of weird power did that guy use just now?”

“Weird power? You still use such outdated terms. It’s an ability—a type of esper power. I’ll explain it to you in detail later. So, how was the fight tonight?”

“It was unexpected, I’ll admit. I didn’t think that guy was so capable. He even had me at a disadvantage at the start. I guess these esper powers really aren’t to be underestimated.”

“Did you hit your head? You’re actually saying something modest for once.”

“Bullshit! I know the difference between good and bad.”

As the two bantered, Zhang Qian looked at them with a complicated expression.

The image of Kuang Dao’s slash injuring No. 3 from a distance remained vividly in her mind. That strike was eerily similar to the one Masashi had delivered when he fought her. She still couldn’t understand how these two could break through the strongest defensive force fields of espers with a slash from afar.

She finally realized why Masashi had shouted, “Don’t aim for his neck!” earlier. If that slash had been just slightly higher, No. 3 would have been decapitated.

Thinking of this, she couldn’t help but look up in a daze at the two men as they talked.