Chapter Forty-Nine: One Night

As Saeko's words fell, a murderous aura erupted from the elder's withered body, soaring to the heavens!

"You... who did you say you were going to kill?!"

Boom!

The dry, blue-purple arm moved with effortless ease, wielding the martial arts passed down through the Wu clan for a thousand years. The fusion of skill and strength stirred even the thick air itself! The tumultuous sound of swirling currents drew the solemn gaze of more than half the fighters on the beach.

Saeko faced an attack so swift she could not even see it, yet she stood motionless, locking eyes with Wu Huili, whose gaze brimmed with killing intent.

A sharp "pop" echoed, like bursting a balloon. The young man behind Saeko smiled wryly and raised a hand, catching the attack that had roiled the atmosphere! He did it with such ease, as if he'd popped a balloon without effort. Even the invisible, shapeless currents were forcibly dispersed by some unobservable power, leaving streaks across the sand in front of Saeko and even lifting the hem of Kanoryuin Shion's skirt nearby.

Baitang Jing had no desire to clash with the Wu clan—after all, the girl from their family had come running, boldly declaring she wanted to bear his children. Even he felt a little guilty! But he couldn't just ignore an attack aimed at Saeko's throat, so he could only step in, smiling bitterly.

Wu Huili's eyes twitched. This young man... was formidable!

The blue-purple arm was locked in the youth's jade-like grasp, unable to advance or retreat. The grinding sound of flesh and bone was relentless. The Wu clan, known as a "battle-specialized race," had its fighting spirit boiling within him, and the elder longed to engage in fierce combat with the youth behind the mad, overweight woman (referring to Saeko). Yet, his love for his granddaughter ultimately prevailed after a struggle. He suppressed his fighting intent, regarding Saeko with a gaze void of emotion, matching her own expressionless face.

"Little girl from the Dojima family, even your father wouldn't dare speak to me like this."

For the first time, Saeko shed her gentle, elegant façade, revealing a wild and domineering smile—even Baitang Jing had never seen it before.

"I don't care what that useless old man does! If his skills are inferior, then dying abroad is no big deal—such is the fate of a warrior! But as a woman, and the sole heir of the Dojima style, if you want to use the clan's power to force me away from the man I desire, away from Jing... then let's fight to the death!"

The violet-haired beauty's smile carried an indelible scent of blood—she was serious!

No one seemed to have expected the ever-composed Saeko to speak this way. For a moment, the crowd was utterly silent. This slightly neurotic temperament... truth be told, Baitang Jing found it somewhat appealing!

Wu Huili stared at Saeko for a while before letting the blue-purple veins and aura fade from his body. Seeing this, Baitang Jing released his palm, which had been channeling the power of dragon's blood.

"Surpassing the master, eh, Dojima girl. Compared to you, Dojima Yaoji really is more like a reckless brat. Rest assured: our Wu clan isn't so tasteless as to force marriage by pressure. But if Garuda gives her heart and is properly reciprocated, yet you fail to appreciate it..."

A fierce glint appeared in the elder's eyes.

"Then we'll just have to let the Dojima style die out!"

"If a woman clings desperately after losing her lover's heart, then that's only right."

Saeko, now calm, bowed slightly to the elder without humility or arrogance, then took the still-dazed Baitang Jing by the hand and left. Oppressed by the elder's undisguised killing aura, Shion and the young secretary also quietly withdrew. Only the Wu clan's patriarch and his bodyguards watched in silence as the people departed.

The sea breeze stirred the fine sand, adding a touch of bleakness. Behind the patriarch stood Wu Koryu, who had briefly faced off with Baitang Jing earlier, still dressed in a suit and plump as ever. Scratching his now slightly silly round face, he said,

"Master, weren't we here to keep that kid away from the young lady? But in the end... we've let her love him freely?"

The atmosphere grew oppressive. Even the flying sand seemed pressed against the beach by a ferocious aura. The other bodyguards quietly put distance between themselves and the "Wu Demon Bull." As expected—

Bang!

With no change in expression from the other bodyguards, the dry old man turned and punched that round face! The features were mashed together, and the two-hundred-kilogram body was sent flying!

"Why didn't you say so sooner! Idiot! I'm getting old, are you all losing your minds too?! Damn it!"

On the beach, only the elder's furious roar echoed.

~~~~~~

Saeko, still holding Baitang Jing's hand, led him ever closer to the island's guest rooms. Jing couldn't help but ask,

"Um... Saeko, are we going to..."

"Shut up, just follow me!"

The immense force on his wrist would have shattered the bones of any ordinary person. But for Baitang Jing, breaking free would have been a mere thought. Yet, observing Saeko's deep expression ahead, he decided against it.

She led him to her own room. With a swift motion, she threw him inside and locked the door with a click. At this point, even a fool would understand what was about to unfold.

After resolving the issue of spiritual energy with his Nen abilities, the youth no longer cared much about the training benefits of a virginal body.

Still, he was puzzled by Saeko's sudden impatience after a year of living together.

Perhaps sensing his confusion, the violet-haired beauty swayed her alluring figure and walked seductively toward the youth sitting at the bedside.

"Jing, I've thought about it—your extraordinary talent will, no, is certain to attract countless women craving your power."

Her eyes reflected his figure as her slender hand slipped the strap of her swimsuit from her shoulder.

"I've long noticed your attraction to the athletic, well-built bodies of female martial artists and fighters. You've suffered for it in many matches, haven't you? So I've anticipated your busy future and can accept it calmly."

Her radiant body, honed by countless hours of sweat, approached him slowly and honestly. Baitang Jing was certain that not even the greatest artists could reproduce the wild beauty of this physique!

"Ultimately, as those who walk the path of strength, obsessed with being 'strong alone,' our perspective differs from ordinary people. In our eyes, the strong deserve the best."

Her body, with curves that amazed the eye, pressed down forcefully.

Seeing Baitang Jing's nearly dazed face, Saeko smiled in satisfaction. Yet, soon, her smile was tinged with a... nearly pathological possessiveness.

"But no matter what twists and turns your future brings, Jing! Your heart should belong to me!"

Since entering the room, Baitang Jing had felt inexplicably weak. Now, he struggled to escape from beneath her mountainous dominance and met Saeko's slightly crazed gaze.

He didn't dislike it; in fact, he felt a childlike enjoyment—as if, indeed, he mattered greatly to her.

"So, is it Garuda's pure feelings that make you feel threatened?"

Saeko, radiating the dangerous aura of a predator, was stripping away Jing's defenses layer by layer.

Hearing the intimate "Garuda," Saeko suddenly looked up at him, her gaze even more dangerous.

And the youth, wisely, closed his mouth, smiling in silence.

Yet, the violet-haired beauty abruptly paused.

"Will tomorrow's match... be affected?"

"I've told you before," the youth replied helplessly, "In terms of strength, there shouldn't be anyone in this world worth my concern. Besides, among the old masters, there's a rumor that eating the forbidden fruit makes you stronger."

"In that case... I'll feast!"

Her jade hand forced the youth back down.

From dusk till dawn, not a word was spoken through the night.