Chapter 121: Giving Up

“Young one, this sword—Edgebreaker—has no sharp edge. If you want it, come and take it yourself!” The Steel Giant’s voice rumbled heavily, unusually calm and without his usual thunderous anger.

“Such generosity from you, Senior, how could I possibly accept? My mother says one must never take others’ belongings lightly... But since you’re so polite, I suppose I will take it?” Yun Fan said awkwardly. “Anyway, I’m not the only one after your sword. Brother Li Zhen and Brother Che Wuyou will come to seize it too. Since it’s going to be taken regardless, it’s better that I take it.”

“Enough with the nonsense. If you want to snatch it, just do it. Don’t be so wishy-washy,” the Steel Giant said impatiently.

“Then I really will snatch it. You’re the one inviting me to do so. If I succeed, you can’t go back on your word and demand it back,” Yun Fan said seriously, staring at the Steel Giant, fearing he might reject the proposal.

The Steel Giant’s intelligence was somewhat limited; he clearly didn’t understand Yun Fan’s words at first. After a moment’s pause, he replied, “If you snatch it, that means you’re more capable than me. Even if I regret it later, I can’t beat you, so what good would that do? But to be honest, you won’t be able to snatch my Edgebreaker. Otherwise, after all these years I’ve been here, it would have been taken long ago.”

Yun Fan nodded earnestly. “Senior, you have a point. But my mother says I’m an extraordinary genius yet to emerge into the world, that I carry great destiny, and she told me to always remember her words and follow my heart. I really like your Edgebreaker. Since I like it so much, maybe I can snatch it... Senior, you must understand, my mother’s words are never without reason.”

“Uh... Who is this mother of yours? Is she very powerful? Could she beat me in my prime?” the Steel Giant asked, puzzled.

“My mother is nobody special, but she is very powerful... She says people should be humble. If you met her and asked, she’d say she couldn’t beat you. But I think, even in your prime, you probably couldn’t beat my mother... Though she doesn’t like to fight, so if you meet, it’s better not to fight,” Yun Fan said thoughtfully.

“Enough noise! Are you two ever going to finish?” Li Zhen said, growing impatient. He had hoped to use Yun Fan to stall the Steel Giant while he stormed the Tower of Ascension, but these two were busy chatting.

“Hmph?” The Steel Giant and Yun Fan glared at Li Zhen simultaneously. “Mother says cutting someone off is very rude. Don’t you know that?”

“You’re Yun Fan, right, young one? Your mother’s words make a lot of sense and suit me well,” the Steel Giant said, about to get angry at Li Zhen but instead nodded in agreement after hearing Yun Fan.

Li Zhen looked at them both speechlessly. He knew he needed Yun Fan to keep the Steel Giant occupied, so unusually, he didn’t argue with Yun Fan. Instead, he snorted coldly and stood silently by.

“Senior, where were we? Let’s continue our conversation and ignore the others,” Yun Fan said, turning back to the Steel Giant, clearly wanting to chat some more.

“Uh... We were saying... I told you, young one Yun Fan, the passage to the second level of the Tower of Ascension is about to close. If we keep talking, you might never get through. Also, aren’t you going to snatch my Edgebreaker? If you don’t hurry, there won’t be time,” the Steel Giant kindly reminded.

“Ah, senior, you’re right. Then pay close attention—I’m going to snatch it now. Once I take it, it’s mine,” Yun Fan confirmed again.

“Of course. But my duty is to guard the Tower of Ascension and stop intruders from passing. So before you snatch my Edgebreaker, I want to clear out a few troublesome fellows nearby to prevent them from interfering... After I deal with them, then I’ll deal with you. How does that sound?” the Steel Giant asked gloomily.

“Hmm, senior, that makes sense,” Yun Fan said seriously after some thought, nodding in agreement.

Without warning, a shadow shot forward with alarming speed. Che Wuyou was still silently watching the conversation when the Steel Giant suddenly attacked. Without turning, he leapt back suddenly, a massive sword crashing down fiercely toward Zhang Qing’er, who was completely unguarded.

Che Wuyou lunged to protect her, but facing the Steel Giant, he was outmatched in speed. Halfway through the pursuit, the Steel Giant’s sword wind had already struck Zhang Qing’er, who stood like a wooden stake, powerless to resist. She was sent flying, crashing hard into a nearby patch of grass and rocks.

Che Wuyou pushed himself to his limit, speed at its peak. Fortunately, hearing the wind behind him, the Steel Giant seemed to slow down intentionally. When Che Wuyou finally shielded the unconscious and gravely injured Zhang Qing’er, the Steel Giant raised his giant sword again, bringing it down in a brutal cleave toward the two.

A faint grunt mingled with the thunderous clash of iron and stone as earth and rocks scattered, obscuring everyone’s view. When the dust settled, Che Wuyou and Zhang Qing’er had rolled into a heap. Che Wuyou’s clothes were torn along a long gash, faint blood seeping from exposed skin. His face looked pale and grim, no longer the honest man he once was.

Looking down at Zhang Qing’er in his arms, Che Wuyou realized he had taken the brunt of the blow. Though most of the attack was avoided, some force still struck him, and he felt grievously wounded. The Steel Giant was truly terrifying—no wonder even a master like Li Zhen feared him so deeply.

Zhang Qing’er still breathed faintly. Though badly injured and unconscious, Che Wuyou felt some relief. As long as she lived, there was hope for recovery. He had once saved her from the brink of death, and these injuries seemed far less severe. Besides, he was no longer the man he had been.

But glancing at the coldly indifferent Li Zhen and Yun Fan, then at the Steel Giant readying his sword for another strike, Che Wuyou’s heart sank. He could still call for retreat and save himself, but what about Zhang Qing’er? If he were teleported out of the Tower of Ascension, she would surely die under the Steel Giant’s slaughter.

Yet, sacrificing his life for Zhang Qing’er, his patient, seemed too costly. He had done all he could for her—what happened next was her own fate to bear...