Chapter 106: Three Strikes


    "Brother Guger, I beg you, please stop chasing. I have no choice in this matter. I''ll give you all three treasures, and if that''s not enough, I can offer more."


    Maren, seeing Han Ming risking his life to carry the leaf from the Tree of Life, couldn''t bear to watch the young man endure such suffering. Han Ming was repeatedly struck down, only to rise again and again.


    Guger, enraged, shouted, "You make it sound so simple! Don''t call me brother! You ungrateful old man! From this day forward, our bond is severed!"


    Maren froze, his eyes locked on Guger, and he stopped his attack.


    "You''re right, brother. I am ungrateful. But loyalty and righteousness have always been at odds. I must have that leaf from the Tree of Life. I owe you an apology, but I beg you not to harm young Han. I am willing to stake my life on his safety."


    Guger, seeing the determination in Maren''s eyes, suddenly panicked.


    Maren raised his right hand and slammed it toward his own head.


    "No!!"


    Guger cried out in alarm, kicking Maren''s hand away.


    "After all these years, I never thought you''d be so heartless, Brother Maren. You''ve broken my heart. Fine, if you want to save that boy, let him take three strikes from me. If he survives, I''ll let you all go!"


    With that, Guger vanished in a flash.


    "Brother, you..." Maren was frantic and immediately gave chase.


    Han Ming, carrying the leaf, barreled through the corridors, desperately recalling the escape route.


    "Who goes there? Drop the leaf!"


    Two War Madness guards, seeing Han Ming stumbling toward them with the leaf from the Tree of Life on his shoulder, moved to intercept.


    "Anyone who stands in my way dies!"


    Han Ming swung the massive leaf like a weapon, and the two guards instantly turned into desiccated husks.


    Almost there, almost there! Just ahead!


    Han Ming gritted his teeth and leaped through the castle gates.


    A massive ape spirit beast landed with a thunderous crash, blocking Han Ming''s path.


    "Anyone who stands in my way dies!" Han Ming''s eyes were bloodshot. In his mind, there was only one path—the path to Charles. Anyone who dared to obstruct him had to be eliminated.


    "No one can stop me!"


    "What an arrogant brat! Let''s see what you''re made of, daring to cause trouble in my domain!"


    Guger descended from the sky, landing firmly in front of Han Ming. Maren followed close behind.


    "Take this strike!"


    Guger swung his palm at Han Ming, and the giant ape behind him mirrored the motion. The combined force of the two strikes unleashed a devastating wave of energy.


    "Die! Anyone who stands in my way dies!!"


    Han Ming drew the Green Rainbow Sword, smeared it with his own blood, and slashed at the incoming strike.


    Boom!


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    A deafening explosion echoed as the red light from the sword was obliterated by the massive palm. The strike paused only briefly before continuing toward Han Ming.


    Han Ming, his eyes bloodshot, tried to coat the sword with more blood, but it was too late.


    The palm struck Han Ming head-on, sending him flying.


    "Young friend Han!"


    Maren cried out, wanting to catch Han Ming as he was flung through the air.


    "Brother Maren! If you interfere, this will become a fight to the death. If he can survive three strikes, I''ll let you all go!"


    Guger''s cold reminder stopped Maren in his tracks. He could only watch helplessly as Han Ming''s body was torn apart.


    Han Ming clung desperately to the leaf from the Tree of Life. He could no longer feel his body.


    I must survive. I can''t die here!


    "Ahhh!!!" Han Ming roared at the sky.


    The leaf from the Tree of Life frantically repaired his body.


    Han Ming experienced the cycle of life and death once more. Every inch of his skin cracked and healed, over and over again.


    The pain was unbearable, but Han Ming''s indomitable will kept him standing, trembling uncontrollably.


    To Guger and Maren, Han Ming''s condition was both horrifying and awe-inspiring.


    Han Ming stood like a bloodied specter, swaying unsteadily. His flesh tore and fell away, only to be pulled back by a green light. This cycle repeated for what felt like an eternity before finally slowing and then stopping.


    "You said... cough... two more strikes."


    Han Ming gasped for breath, his legs trembling. His once-bright eyes were now obscured by blood, making him look like a vengeful demon from hell, determined to achieve his goal at any cost.


    Guger had never seen anyone so reckless or so resilient.


    "Young man, you''ve got guts. No wonder Brother Maren speaks so highly of you."


    Guger looked at Han Ming and suddenly saw a reflection of his younger self.


    Once upon a time, he had been just like Han Ming.


    He was a bastard child, born into disgrace, scorned and hated by his family.


    But he had survived, clawing his way out of countless graves. He hated the world, hated the father who had abandoned him, hated the family that had abused him. He swore to one day exact his revenge.


    Then he met Maren, who shared a similar fate. The two bonded over their shared struggles, sparring and discussing life and martial arts.


    Once, his family had tracked him down and pursued him and Maren for a year. Maren was gravely injured and presumed dead, while Guger was captured and taken back to face execution.


    But Maren, despite being stabbed repeatedly, had bitten into the captor''s neck and refused to let go.


    Guger remembered carrying Maren''s broken body across the Wild Ancient Forest, the Wild Ice Plains, and the Wild Desert, searching for a rare herb to save his life.


    The two had lived in the Wild Ancient Forest for decades, consumed by their hatred. But when they finally gained the power they sought, they learned that Guger''s family had been wiped out by dragons. That same year, Maren met Vivian''s father, Emperor Veran, who had come to explore the forest.


    Memories flooded Guger''s mind, leaving a bitter taste in his mouth. His vengeance had been stolen, while Maren had found solace in human warmth, letting go of his hatred.


    What had driven the two brothers, once inseparable, to this point of confrontation?


    "Brother Guger, doesn''t he remind you of your younger self?"


    Maren''s eyes were also red, filled with deep sorrow.


    Cough! Cough!


    Han Ming''s bloodied eyes locked onto Guger, filled with unwavering determination.


    Guger saw no hatred or anger in Han Ming''s gaze.


    "No... he''s not like us. We were driven by hatred, but he... I don''t know what drives him. I can''t imagine."


    Guger realized that Han Ming was different from them. The only similarity was their unyielding determination and stubbornness.


    "Young man, no wonder Brother Maren admires you. You''re worthy. But I must tell you, the world isn''t fair. By now, you must understand that. If you want something, you must pay the price."


    "Understood... cough... bring it on!"


    Han Ming took a few steps forward, bending his knees into a defensive stance.


    "Put down the leaf," Guger said coldly.


    "Brother..." Maren started to protest.


    "Enough, Brother Maren. This is a world of survival of the fittest. No one deserves special treatment. Not even him. You know that if I truly wanted to kill him, not even the leaf from the Tree of Life could save him. I''m asking him to put it down, and I won''t use my energy either. Whether he lives or dies will be up to fate."


    Han Ming laughed heartily and tossed the leaf aside. He wiped the blood from his mouth with his sleeve and shouted, "Got any wine!?"


    "Bring me my long-cherished ''Tongue-Severing Wind'' liquor, aged for years!" Guger called to a servant watching from a distance.


    The servant hurried into the castle and soon returned with a large wooden barrel, handing it to Guger.


    Guger nodded and tossed the barrel to Han Ming.


    Han Ming stepped forward, spreading his arms to catch the barrel, but his battered body couldn''t handle the weight. He staggered back three steps.


    Guger watched Han Ming''s struggle with cold disdain. "You can''t even hold a small barrel now. Are you sure you want to take two more strikes?"


    Han Ming roared, lifted the barrel, and tilted his head back, pouring the fiery liquor down his throat. The alcohol burned his chin, mouth, and tongue, turning them bright red.


    "Refreshing!" Han Ming slammed the barrel to the ground, ignoring the liquor spilling down his neck and chest.


    "Enough talk! Bring it on!"


    "Good! A true man of steel! Take this strike!"


    Guger roared and swung his palm at Han Ming. The strike carried immense power, the air around it crackling with energy.