Augustine and Michael had already reached the stairwell on the first floor. They looked up, saw the group’s formation, and immediately let out a cold laugh, understanding their plan.
“Trying to split up and escape? Not a single one of you is getting away!” Augustine sneered, a cruel, predatory grin spreading across his face. He turned to Michael beside him and said, “I’ll go after the two women on the third floor. You take the two men on the second.”
“Fine,” Michael replied, his voice low and dripping with killing intent.
Neither of them bothered climbing the stairs properly. With a single powerful leap, they pushed off a point in midair and landed directly on the second floor in just two bounds. Though the West had no concept of qinggong like in the Chinese martial arts world, their speed and control of force were no less impressive.
That much was clear from how they’d gritted their teeth and jumped straight down from the fifth floor after Jiang Fei.
But just as they were about to continue their pursuit, a calm, slightly teasing voice rang out: “Hey, is chasing them really that interesting? Aren’t you afraid of losing your dignity as top-tier experts? I’m your real opponent, remember? I, Jiang Fei, am back.”
At the sound of that voice, Michael and Augustine froze mid-stride. They spun around simultaneously, eyes wide, staring at the hotel entrance.
A young man they knew all too well—his clothes tattered and stained with blood—was walking slowly toward them with a strange, knowing smile on his face.
It was Jiang Fei.
“You—why are you back?”
Both Michael and Augustine were stunned. They never expected Jiang Fei, who’d barely escaped with his life, to actually return.
Had he come back to throw his life away?
Sure, he was formidable, but the fight on the fifth floor had already made it crystal clear: Jiang Fei was no match for the two of them working together. Given enough time, they would have definitely cut him down.
That’s why, when he fled, they’d only felt rage—it had never even crossed their minds that he’d be foolish enough to waltz back into the lion’s den.
And it wasn’t just them. Even Jing Zhe, Lie Shou, and the other two Seven Kills members, who were fleeing ahead, heard that gentle yet far-carrying voice. They couldn’t help but pause in their tracks, momentarily forgetting to run.
“This guy… why did he come back?” The same question echoed in all their minds.
“Could it be… he saw we hadn’t made it out and knew we couldn’t escape, so he came back specifically to save us?” Jing Zhe and the others felt a surge of emotion—deeply moved, yet also frantic with worry.
“This idiot! Why is he so reckless!”
Jing Zhe snapped out of it, abandoning any thought of escape, and shouted urgently, “Jiang Fei, get out of here! Don’t worry about us!”
It seemed that was the only possible reason for his return. He’d risked his life, ignored the mortal danger—what else could it be?
It wasn’t like, in less than a minute, Jiang Fei could transform into a Super Saiyan or eat a can of spinach and turn into Popeye, suddenly gaining the power to crush Augustine and Michael.
That was obviously impossible.
Nobody could skyrocket in strength in under a minute.
“Hahaha! I can’t believe you’re dumb enough to come back! Since you’re here, how about you stay… forever?” Augustine and Michael, who’d been in foul moods, now burst into laughter.
With that, the two of them leaped back down from the second floor and immediately flanked Jiang Fei, making sure he couldn’t escape. As for Jing Zhe, Lie Shou, Shui Mo, and Dan Qing on the upper floors—they’d completely dismissed them. Sure, those four were strong, but in their eyes, they were just “small fry.” Now that the big fish—Jiang Fei—had returned, who cared about the minnows?
Their spirits soared. If they knew any classical Chinese poetry, they’d probably describe this moment as: “Where hills bend, streams wind and the pathway seems to end, suddenly, a village appears amidst willows and flowers.”
Ignoring the hotel staff still in the lobby, they drew their soft sword and crutch, their faces beaming with smiles while exuding a chilling murderous aura directed at Jiang Fei.
“I’ve seen plenty of fools in my time. But someone at our level of strength being this stupid? Honestly, this is a first. You came all the way back just to save these few people and throw your life away? With that kind of intelligence, how did you ever cultivate yourself to this point?” Augustine toyed with his soft sword, sneering.
Michael also wore a smile as he said, “It seems you’re a truly good person.”
Even the Vatican ascetic was handing out “good person” cards.
Watching the two of them abandon the chase and head back downstairs, Jing Zhe, Lie Shou, and the others heard the commotion. Without a moment’s hesitation—and without any relief or taking the golden opportunity to flee—they all grew even more panicked. They turned around without a second thought and rushed back down.
Jiang Fei had come back to save them. How could they abandon him and run?
All four reached the lobby and quickly took their positions beside Jiang Fei, eyes bloodshot, glaring at Augustine and Michael. Their actions spoke louder than words.
If none of them were going to run, then they’d fight together!
With Jiang Fei—a Dan Jin-level powerhouse—on their side, only slightly weaker than the pair, and now backed by the four of them, maybe they weren’t destined to lose. Maybe there was still hope.
Who knew? They might even turn the tables!
“Hahaha…” Watching this, Augustine and Michael laughed even harder.
Michael showed no fear whatsoever, completely unbothered by the addition of Jing Zhe, Lie Shou, and the others. At their level, fighters at the Hua Jin stage were nothing but bystanders.
When he and Augustine fought together, their combined power was greater than the sum of its parts—one plus one was greater than two.
But that didn’t mean Jiang Fei plus the four Seven Kills members would also see a boost in power!
In a clash between top experts, anyone weaker who recklessly jumped in was practically signing their own death warrant. A single stray sword strike or staff blow could easily take them out.
So if anything, their presence might not help Jiang Fei—it might just hold him back. By trying to save them, he’d be put in an even tighter spot.
Augustine sneered openly: “I didn’t expect all of you to be this stupid—not even knowing how to run! Do you really think that by adding the four of you—shrimp soldiers and crab generals—you stand a chance against us? If you’d run, at least two of you might have lived. Now that you’re all being so foolish, you can just die together!”
Jiang Fei, however, wore the same smile and shook his head with a sigh: “Am I really that stupid? Then I think I’ll kill you first later.”
“Kill me? That depends on whether you’ve got what it takes!” Augustine shot back angrily.
Jiang Fei casually waved his longsword, then turned to Jing Zhe, Lie Shou, and the other two, speaking seriously: “All four of you, step aside and watch.”
“But—” Jing Zhe’s eyes showed urgency, but Jiang Fei cut her off.
“Your master said earlier that you’re to follow my orders, right? If his word still counts, then step back,” Jiang Fei said calmly.
Jing Zhe was momentarily stunned. She stared at Jiang Fei for a long moment, hesitating, before finally conceding: “Fine, we’ll move aside!”
But in her heart, she made a silent vow: if Jiang Fei started to lose, they’d charge in, even if it meant certain death, to buy him a window of escape. They were Seven Kills members—they wouldn’t let someone else die saving them!
