Age of Heroes (Age of Heroes Chronicles)

Chapter 144: The art of bluffing (3)

The girl approached him as the people of the Lishan sect seems to be debating.

'Are you alright?'

'Ah I'm fine my lady. Look at your Senior Brother. See if he is wounded'

'But this blood?'

Liao Bao stroke her hair. So cute. She blushed and she looked so demure.

'Your worries are unfounded. I am fine. Look at your Senior Brother. He looks like he is suffering.'

She alternates her glances and then she nodded. One of them approached Bai Daliang who is situated around a safe distance from me.

Liao Bao use his internal energy and direct it to his ear to listen to their conversation.  He had been getting better at directing the flow of internal energy in his body.

'Senior Brother, I think he is an expert exponent. When I touched him, I felt my body lost energy suddenly and his internal energy is no laughing matter.'

'Of course my internal energy is no laughing matter. It's his. I convert his internal energy to send him away.' Liao Bao thought to himself.

'Then why does he cough blood after being landed a strike.'

'Wouldn't that be because he is protecting the woman and didn't have time to strengthen his body?'

Bai Daliang nodded.

'His words make sense. Surely he is an expert exponent and he does not want to lower himself fighting with us and thus he asked you to fight with him.' one of them speaks

'No, he looks like a greenhorn.' Another chimed in

'Maybe he is hiding his technique. What if he is really a master from some sect and what if he is really a great master? Wouldn't we be an idiot to ask for death? His offer seems reasonable. Surely he is a great expert, and he did not want to be scoffed and insulted as bullying in the martial arts world that is why he offers such terms. If he is a greenhorn, why would he be so generous and so confident?'

'So should we accept?' Bai Daliang asked his men

'If we don't accept and he is really an exponent then wouldn't that make us his prey?'

'We can kill him. But he swore he wouldn't kill you. Even if he wins, he will not spread what we did today in the forest but if you win than we lost one witness and get two prisoners. It is an advantageous position.'

He nodded again. Then after discussing with great detail he agrees.

'Young hero Zhang, I accept your offer. How will be our fight?'

'We will punch each other in every turns, alternately until one of us is unable to continue or die.' Liao Bao lay the terms of the fight

Bai Daliang nodded as he is agreeable to the terms

'Would you like to attack first?' Liao Bao said

He looked confused. Seeing that he without objection give him the first strike

'You mean I can punch you?'

'Yes. You can, then I will punch you'.

'What if you die after I punch you?'

'That wouldn't happen. And I wouldn't want people to say I bully you, that I win because I take advantage of your deficiency. Please use your internal energy if you want to hurt me. Make at least, that I hurt' Liao Bao said arrogantly and mockingly

'Fine.' His face is red with embarrassment but he accepts the offer.

Then he rushed forward. He is gathering and concentrating his internal energy on his fist, determined to end this match in one round but Liao Bao have a secret.

If he just attacks him with normal attack then surely he will get hurt if not severely injured but if it's an internal energy attack, even though he attacks him with his strongest internal attack moves, he will just absorb it.

There is a smile he is trying hard to supress right now.

This action and acting will also help to establish his reputation in front of these men.

If they see that their leader's attacks do nothing to him, then surely they would believe him to be a powerful martial artist.

Liao Bao stand erect like a stone waiting for the fist to come and the moment Bai Daliang fist encountered his internal energy barrier it sucked the power from his attack, rendering his strength useless and Liao Bao body to regain vitality

The fist reached his stomach but instead of him being blown away, Bai Daliang finger bones seems to be broken.

The sound could be heard echoing in this small area.

Seeing this, his men, whispered against each other, distancing themselves against Liao Bao. Some of them rushed to Bai Daliang holding him up from his fall.

An expert of martial arts they whispered. Then Liao Bao said, his voice booming.

'Bai Daliang, the world is vast, surely just because I am young you underestimate me. But I have learned vast array of martial art and my internal energy is peerless and unmatched' he boasts.

He knows sometimes reputation is important in helping him.

The man distances themselves more while the young lady smiles this time and giving him encouragement from afar.

Now it is his turn. Liao Bao approached him slowly and calmly. Bai Daliang face is pale and full of fear.

'Do not worry I will do no harm to you' Liao Bao swing his fist and it hit but it felt almost like wind to him

He opens his eyes looked and sees

'What is the meaning of this young hero Zhang!'

Bai Daliang men also gasped. They must see that his swing is no more than a smooth push. Then he spoke to Bai Daliang with respect.

'I have no intention of harming you, Hero Bai. We are of the martial arts world must not divide ourselves like this and killing each other. Such sins! Such sins!'

His men nodded.

'I would be grateful if Hero Bai could let us go and be in our way.' Liao Bao said in pleading tone, but he knows he could not refuse.

Not when Liao Bao had shown him a great deal of respect when he can end him with one punch. Forbearance is a virtue in the martial arts world.

Not when he has not only lost but he also spares him his life.

But truth be told, why should he kill him and involve himself in more problems? He said he is the disciple of a sect leader.

If he really kills him wouldn't that be like a blood feud? They will hunt him for killing their young master and his mission will only get harder.

Why should he torment himself like that? Better to let him go and gain some respect in Lishan Sect.

He heard that in the martial arts world, everything must be paid. Hero Bai owes him his life, so someday if he met him again, he would surely remember the deeds he has done him.

It is not enforced but it is implied. Why should he make enemies when he can make him a friend?

'But our business with them is not yet settled!' one of them yelled.

Hero Bai held his hand up.

'Enough.' He said reverently and he cupped his fist and bowed lower.

'My eyes must be blind not to recognize a great expert of the martial art world. This hero has spared my life when he can end it. The least I could do is showing him the respect and gratitude he deserved.' He looked at the girl and the man.

'I will let them go because of you, Hero Zhang.'

'Your kind deeds will not be forgotten' he said.

'But...if I meet them again, I will not be merciful.' Stubborn. Liao Bao only smiles

'Then, let's hope that they never will meet you again.'

'Hahaha. You are right, hero Zhang. Let us hope that. Let's go home.' He gestured to his men.

'And Hero Zhang, will you keep what happen here a secret?

'Of course.' And he nodded.

"I will honour my promise.'

'Thank you.' He said and he and his men all withdraw and begin moving.

The young lady runs towards Liao Bao.

'Thank you, hero Zhang' the girl approached him after seeing the men of Lishan sect began clearing out from the forest.

'We're grateful that you have come to our rescue.'

So beautiful and innocent.

He remembered that the man yelled princess before. This girl is a Princess. Which one? Then the man introduced himself to him.

'My name Zhao Lu. Thank you for rescuing us, Hero Zhang.'

'Do not mention it. Are you alright my lady?' Liao Bao said holding her hand and checking if she gets hurts.

'I'm fine' she said, blushing again. He smiles at her.

'Where are you from?'

'We are from Chuguo.'

Chu? Then this is Princess Chu Zhengping?

'Ah, Chuguo. Long journey from home.' He commented

'Yes, we are going to Alan to discuss something with one of the families there.'

'Really?' And Liao Bao begins to take an interest in this topic.

'Yes. Where are you heading Hero Zhang?'

'I too, am heading to Alan.'

'For what?' The man said suspiciously

'On a personal matter. The Kingdom of Alan has been tolerant now that they have established a King, welcoming any talented people to come to make his kingdom a prosperous one. Even now, Anglais, Raxons, Loth, Etrushk, all have migrated to the Jewel of the Continent, the great city of Acro, a hub for trade and knowledge. I wish to find me some luck and wish to go there. If luck favours me, maybe I will get a job there' he said lying through his teeth

'Then we can go together!' the princess said excitedly

'PRINCESS!' The man said nervously. They are hiding something. That much is clear to Liao Bao

'It seems my presence annoy you' he said looking at the man.

'No, no' the princes said.

'Let us go together, Senior Brother Zhao' she said pleading to his Senior Brother.

Finally, he agreed. Liao Bao returned back to his horse and they followed him from behind.

'We are near Chun so we can rest there' He suggested

The Princess nodded.

'That is a brilliant idea.' The man said trying to placate the feeling of his mistress. The Princess smile at Zhao Lu and Zhao Lu seems to enjoy it

And that is how he is now accompanied with one girl and one man in his new journey as he is heading to Alan.

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Last part of this chapter. Hope you like it and see you on the next chapter. Don't forget to vote if you did not yet votes. And leave some gifst too. Maybe peopel dont give gifts on the comment anymore. Seems like webnovel is chnaging many of its feature. Oh, and don't forget to leave some reviews