Chapter 33 A Million Stars
Cyclops was really tactless. Jonathan naturally refrained from arguing with him. It was simply not his manner of doing things.
A cold expression flashed across Jonathan’s eyes as he scoffed. In the next instant, he took a big step forward. He stood before Cyclops in no time. At the very next moment, Jonathan struck Cyclops with a heavy blow across the face.
Cyclops saw a flash of light appear before his eyes. He then felt a burning pain on his cheek. He wailed in agony as he felt his cheek swell up. Cyclops was immediately infuriated. After all, he was the high and mighty King of Guards. Jonathan had no right to treat him with such disrespect.
Slap!
Jonathan gave him another slap on the face. Immediately after, Jonathan kicked Cyclops in the stomach. The impact of the blow knocked Cyclops off balance. He fell to the ground. Jonathan swiftly strode toward him. Before Cyclops could react, his face was smashed underneath the soles of Jonathan’s shoe.
Cyclops spat out a bloodied tooth.
It took some time for him to regain his senses. Anger and humiliation boiled up inside him, but there was nothing he could do about it. He glared at Jonathan. “Lawson, you jerk! I thought that you were a smart guy, but it seems like you’re a fool after all. I came here precisely to get beaten up. Just wait! Master Young will not let you off!”
Jonathan always had a fiery temper. He was indeed enraged this time round. First of all, Cyclops had interrupted Jonathan’s time with Jennifer. Furthermore, he had been deeply disrespectful toward Jennifer. Jonathan even noticed his lustful gaze toward Jennifer just now. Jonathan held Jennifer in high regard.
Anybody who tried to insult or hurt her was offending him as well.
Cyclops had caused all the trouble. Hence, Jonathan didn’t see the need to show mercy on him.
Jonathan sneered, “Cyclops, do you think I don’t know that Leonardo was the one who came up with this idea? He asked you to come and provoke me, didn’t he? Otherwise, you would never have the guts to do so. Luckily, I am kind enough to grant your wishes. Since you willingly came here to get beaten up, I shall do as you wish.”
Cyclops cursed, “Darn you!”
Jonathan launched another kick straight at his abdomen. Cyclops was sent flying three meters away.
Jonathan said coldly, “Get lost immediately. If you continue pestering me, I’ll kill you on the spot.”
Cyclops shuddered. He dared not squabble with Jonathan anymore. At the same time, Cyclops found it hard to understand Jonathan. Why did he rise to the bait if he knew this was Master Young’s ploy? It also seemed like Jonathan had no intention of killing Cyclops.
Cyclops couldn’t figure it out. Although he was badly beaten by Jonathan, he didn’t sustain any internal injuries. This meant that Jonathan had reserved much of his power when attacking Cyclops. He wouldn’t have been able to withstand Jonathan’s deadly attacks if the latter had used his full force. After all, Cyclops was no match for Jonathan.
Cyclops slowly stood up. He then walked back to his car and sped away.
Once Cyclops was out of sight, Jonathan returned to his house.
Jennifer had already left. She didn’t know much about Jonathan’s personal matters, nor could she get involved in his matters. Jennifer knew that there was no point in worrying about him. Besides, she had already made the decision to distance herself from Jonathan.
Jonathan sighed. He had missed a good opportunity. It’s all your fault, Cyclops!
At that moment, Cyclops was driving his Mercedes.
It was a silent night. Both sides of the road were lined with trees. The street lamps shed bright yellow lights upon the road.
The road cameras along the road all malfunctioned. Someone had tampered with them.
A young woman in black sturdy clothing stood in silence at the end of the road. Her hair flowed with the gentle breeze. There was a green sword in her arms. She looked like the gorgeous assassins that often appeared in ancient movies.
As the wind blew softly, she blended into the night like a ghost spirit.
Cyclops wasn’t driving too fast when he saw her blocking the way. He knew that she came for him and immediately felt an imminent sense of danger. As anxiety filled his heart, he stomped on the accelerator instead of slamming the brakes.
The car jumped forward and sped toward the young woman like a flash of lightning.
However, she remained calm and composed. Right before the Mercedes hit her body, she suddenly disappeared.
Cyclops gasped in amazement.
The car skidded sideways. Suddenly, there was a loud bang as the front tires punctured. The car went out of control and flipped over to the side.
Sparks flew as the car tires rubbed against the ground. The safety airbag inflated instantaneously. Cyclops’ body pressed against the airbag, preventing him from enduring most of the harsh impact of the crash. After the Mercedes came to a screeching halt, Cyclops shakily crawled out of the car.
As he wobblily got to his feet, he saw the young woman standing in front of him.
She still had the green sword in her arms. It seemed like it was never unsheathed all this while.
Her face was of exquisite beauty. She was just like the heroine that appeared in classic books. She stared at Cyclops coldly.
Cyclops immediately recognized her face. With an astonished look, he said, “You are one of Master Young’s Four Slayers. Are you Lily Mayer?”
Lily scoffed. “Since you know who I am, you can make a choice now. Do you prefer to end your life with your own hands? Or shall I help you do so?”
Cyclops’ body trembled violently.
He had heard about Lily before. Although she was only at the young age of eighteen, her swordsmanship was exceptional. With the green sword in hand, she could take on anyone. Lily came in second place among Leonardo’s Four Slayers.
Even Leonardo himself would have difficulty confronting her without a weapon in hand.
“Why does Master Young want to kill me?” asked Cyclops in confusion.
“You fool!” At that moment, a booming voice could be heard coming from the shadows. It was Jonathan.
As Jonathan walked toward Cyclops, he said, “Don’t you get it? So what if I’ve beaten you up? You are at fault for staying in Horington. Nobody will blame me for beating you up. If Leonardo comes to seek trouble with me because of this trifling matter, he will be laughed upon by the martial arts community. However, things will be different if I choose to kill you. In that case, if he seeks revenge on me, he will be deemed worthy of great honor and respect.”
Cyclops gasped. He now understood, with blinding clarity, what that was all about. Master Young wants to hold Jonathan accountable for my death! Cyclops finally understood why Jonathan attacked him despite clearly knowing that he was being provoked.
It didn’t matter if Jonathan beat Cyclops up or not. Since it made no difference, Jonathan found no reason to stop himself from venting his anger on Cyclops. It now seemed like Cyclops had got beaten up for no reason.
Cyclops knew that Jonathan was indeed a wise man. He had guessed everything correctly from the start.
Just then, Jonathan walked toward Lily, who was staring at him with a cold expression on her face.
Jonathan smiled. “Little girl, am I right?”
Lily replied, “So what if you are right? Do you think that you’re really that smart?”
“Am I not?” Jonathan rebutted.
Lily said, “Young Master has already anticipated that you’d come and save the day. He ordered to have both of you killed if you decide to interfere in this matter.”
Jonathan was slightly taken aback. He said, “Hmm. That works too. After you kill us both, you can spread the news about Cyclops’ death first, and later announce your plans to take revenge on me. That would show the world how savage and intimidating you are. At the same time, you can also preserve your reputation. What a great idea! You can kill two birds with one stone.” Jonathan then paused. He sighed softly and continued, “However, there’s a small issue here. Do you think you can kill me, little girl?”
Lily gave him a cold look. Suddenly, she leaped into the air and landed three meters away from Jonathan.
Cyclops widened his eyes in terror. “She’s going to draw her sword! We must stop her!” His life was tied with Jonathan’s now. He had no choice but to team up with Jonathan.
However, Jonathan paid no attention to Cyclops’ anxious warnings. Instead, he was still standing in the same spot with a carefree look on his face. Meanwhile, Lily had unsheathed her sword.
The sharp blade glistened under the streetlights, giving off a menacing aura.
One could have nightmares by just looking at the terrifying sword from a distance.
Cyclops couldn’t help but worry for Jonathan’s safety. However, Jonathan said indifferently, “So what if she draws her sword? Do you think my eyesight isn’t good enough to see that?”
Cyclops was rendered speechless.
Lily snickered. “You have merely accomplished Neutralizing Force. With my green sword in hand, I can defeat all martial artists who are beneath Nascent Soul.”
Jonathan laughed. “Little girl, you’ve just only achieved Neutralizing Force. Judging by how you are so obsessed with swords, it seems like you’ve already reached the limit of your cultivation.”
Lily spat, “It will be more than enough to finish you off.”
Jonathan chuckled. He then teased, “If you can’t kill me, would you be my mistress?”
“You are seeking death!” Lily’s eyes shone with hostility. She prepared to make her move. The ground shook and cracked as she took a step forward. Like a lightning flash, she charged toward Jonathan. There was a strong smell of rust and iron as her green sword sliced through the air. Ripples of airwaves began to form as the kinetic energy turned into heat.
The tip of the sword shimmered like a million stars. Its body twisted like a mystical snake.
One simply couldn’t make out the direction the sword was pointing at.
Lily indeed lived up to her reputation. Her swordsmanship was incomparable.
The swarm of flickering lights surrounded Jonathan. There was no way for him to hide.
Most martial artists would be terrified in such a dangerous situation. However, Jonathan was completely calm. He suddenly closed his eyes.
At that instant, all the menacing flickers of lights disappeared. Jonathan was certain that the blade of the sword was directed at his throat.
At the very last moment, he took a step backward and dodged the crucial attack. At the same time, he stretched out a hand to grab the sword.
He prepared himself to utilize the power of Heavenly Hook. That sudden burst of power could break the green sword into pieces.
It was evident that Jonathan was exceptionally skillful.
However, it was still too early to tell if he could tackle Lily’s unparalleled swordsmanship or not. The moment she felt her sword hit nothing, Lily immediately sensed that something was off. Thus, she turned her sword violently right when Jonathan’s fingers landed on it.
Jonathan instantly sensed danger. If he continued to touch the sword, his fingers would be severed.
Hence, he pulled his hand away. Then, he bent his body and aimed his blow at Lily’s chest.
He could win this battle through close combat!
Although Jonathan was in dangerous vicinity with the sword, it seemed like he was on the winning end.
Lily backed away. She racked her brains to think of ways to distance herself from Jonathan. Suddenly, she raised her sword high above her head. Then, she slashed it downward with full force.
A blinding flash of light appeared as the blade cut through the air. Her opponent would be severed within the next second.
