Chapter 360 - Blood Fist Cassius

A black car with silver edges was slowly cruising through the streets of Mia City, like a slim black fish. The sun was already faintly visible on the horizon, half of it slowly emerging over the skyline. It resembled a runny egg yolk, with the surrounding clouds as the egg white.

The warm orange morning sun filtered through the car window, scattering over the plush brown-spotted blanket. It also cast upon the side profile of a young man, outlining his rugged features.

His eyes were lowered, arms crossed over his chest casually. However, his straight trench coat, wide-brimmed hat, gloves, and icy demeanor exuded a palpable sense of distance, making people hesitant to approach at a glance.

Buzzzz...

The car's engine vibrated almost imperceptibly as the tires turned right. After rounding a corner, it immediately entered the city's main road.

Cassius slowly opened his eyes in the back seat. His blue-black pupils turned toward the window, quietly observing the cityscape.

There were clean roads with rows of ornamental trees and street lamps. Buildings tens of meters high continuously blocked the sunlight on the car window, casting fleeting shadows. Some skyscrapers used tinted glass, reflecting sunlight like incandescent lamps at certain angles.

Wenxia County had developed well, and Mia City had developed even better.

Visible to the naked eye, black cars were parked along both sides of the street. Fashionably dressed pedestrians walked with heads held high, exuding a different kind of vigor. Especially the girls' attire—most were wearing the recently trendy stockings.

Light black tights outlined smooth and slender calves, reflecting slightly under the sunlight. It was a truly pleasing sight.

Compared to Beiliu City in Beiliu County, this place was more prosperous.

Cassius had been to Mia City before, and even to East Sea City. However, that was decades ago during his time-travel. In the real world, he had never even left the county. So, seeing the modern city's new atmosphere, Cassius couldn't help but take a few more glances. His gaze slowly swept across the streets. After a moment, the car accelerated.

At 7:30 AM in the old city district at an abandoned dojo, the low-key luxurious black car casually parked by the roadside. A key member of Ace of Spades waited in the driver's seat, constantly monitoring the surroundings. Cassius's figure in the back seat had disappeared.

Inside the dilapidated old dojo, a figure strolled slowly. The stone-paved paths were severely damaged, with weeds growing from the cracks that blocked the way. Broken stones and dust covered the ground; some wooden structures had rotted away, and decay was everywhere. Only a few brick buildings remained, but the red paint on their surfaces had peeled off under the wind, like eczema on the skin.

Cassius extended a hand, his fingertips brushing across the wall. Immediately, large chunks of plaster fell off, scattering like misty rain.

"Although this isn't the Red Falcon Fist... but..." He sighed softly, feeling inexplicably sentimental. Time had passed too soon. The illustrious reputation of Blood Fist Feng Liusi in the Eastern Covert Martial Arts community fifty years ago had long been buried in the river of time.

Even his Covert Martial Arts sect had been swallowed by the decline. His descendants were nowhere to be found. The name Feng Liusi was basically about to be completely forgotten.

Cassius lowered his gaze, not knowing what he was thinking. He had arranged to meet Amos at the old site of the Red Falcon Fist that morning so the other party should be arriving soon. Cassius slightly turned his head when his keen ears caught a faint sound. With a twist of his foot, he vanished instantly.

Not far away, amidst the weeds, an old woman dressed in gray entered through a hole in the collapsed wall. Leaning on a cane, she moved slowly, inch by inch.

Her figure was hunched, face full of wrinkles and eyes cloudy. Yet, her white hair was still thick, tied into a braid. At the end of the braid, traces of youthful green color remained. In her right hand, the woman carried a basket containing two freshly picked white flowers, still bearing dew.

Walking along, the old woman passed through the ruins and arrived at the backyard of the dojo. There was a sizable sandy practice ground there, beside which was a sparse ornamental grove.

The woman entered the woods and stopped at a clearing where there were two graves with tombstones. The surfaces bore no inscriptions, only the marks of wind and rain.

The old woman rested on her cane for a moment, catching her breath before stepping forward to take out the two white flowers from the basket. She placed one before the older tombstone on the left and the other before the tombstone on the right. Then, she made a praying gesture.

"Grandfather... Father..." She lowered her head, murmuring something. Due to her advanced age, it couldn't be deciphered. One could only hear that she seemed to be calling the names of two loved ones. As she spoke, a murky tear fell from the corner of the old woman's eye. Her gentle and kind face showed traces of sorrow.

Today was the grand occasion of the Evil Eye Fist. Banners welcoming the Eastern Martial Arts Exchange Tournament could be seen everywhere in Mia City, and many residents were enthusiastically discussing it. This made the Red Falcon Fist seem even more desolate.

Now, the Red Falcon Fist had only this one old site left. Moreover, in another six months, the Evil Eye Fist would renovate the last dilapidated dojo of the Red Falcon Fist into a base for training and cultivating young talents of the Evil Eye Fist.

The old woman mumbled indistinctly to the tombstones about all the recent matters concerning the Evil Eye Fist. As she spoke, she recalled the past when her grandfather was still alive and the Red Falcon Fist was in its prime. Who didn't know the name of Blood Fist?

Unfortunately, time is ruthless. Everything eventually fades.

Now in the Covert Martial Arts community, hardly anyone remembers the grandeur of that distant era as one generation replaces another. The Red Falcon Fist bloomed briefly like an ephemeral flower. In today's Wenxia County, for the past fifty years, the Evil Eye Fist had been the true ruler.

As for that Blood Fist Feng Liusi who once made the Evil Eye Fist apprehensive, who knows about him now? Just hearing his nickname sounds quite imposing; probably a somewhat famous expert of history. However, compared to the brilliant sect masters and elders of each generation of the Evil Eye Fist, he was far inferior. That was what everyone in the Evil Eye Fist thought.

After all, they have been the strongest sect in Wenxia County for half a century. The victors had the right to turn over the pages of history.

Swish...

Suddenly, the old woman felt someone pass by her side. Their clothing fabrics brushed slightly, causing her hem to sway gently forward.

She looked up in confusion and saw a handsome yet cold young man. His black trench coat was stretched over his broad and powerful shoulders, the fabric at the back outlining his straight spine. He wore white gloves on both hands, holding a bouquet of white flowers with fresh delicate petals.

The young man slowly bent down and placed the bouquet in front of the tombstone on the left. His facial expression appeared solemn and respectful. Afterward, he placed his hands over his chest in a gesture of praying. Then, he stood up and turned his head.

The young man looked at the old woman not far away. His gaze seemed to see through her aged features to the beauty of her youthful days fifty years ago. In a daze, the lively girl with green hair seemed to overlap with the gray-haired old woman before him. Time intersected at this moment.

Neve...

Cassius murmured a name in his heart. However, he did not speak. Instead, his face forced a stiff smile like an icy mask.

This was actually Cassius's way of expressing goodwill.

Though, his smile was somewhat eerie and seemed to frighten the old woman, causing her to unconsciously take two steps back. For a moment, the words she had intended to ask—"Who are you? What is your relationship with my grandfather?"—were forgotten.

Rustle, rustle...

As the morning wind blew, the fallen leaves rustled. Countless fragments of golden sunlight shone through the gaps onto the forest clearing, creating a shimmering, wave-like pattern. Seeing the somewhat frightened old woman, the young man took off his hat and bent down in a gentlemanly bow. His golden velvet-like hair shimmered luxuriously under the sunlight.

After the salute, the young man put his hat back on. With a speed akin to teleportation, he passed by the old woman.

"Please pay close attention to this year's Eastern Martial Arts Exchange Tournament." A deep voice resounded. "Evil Eye Fist of the Eastern Nine Sects will be completely destroyed in the coming days. The name of Blood Fist will once again sweep across the entire Eastern Covert Martial Arts community like a storm! The first generation Blood Fist was named Feng Liusi. The second generation Blood Fist is named Cassius. Farewell, Neve."

Startled birds flew up in the forest. It was a flock of black crows.

Caw... caw... caw

Prolonged bird calls echoed one after another.

Shriek!

Suddenly, a cry resembling that of a bird of prey pierced the sky, soaring swiftly into the high heavens.

The crows fell silent immediately, all returning to the branches. Their wings trembled lightly, not daring to fly in the air at all.

In the ruins of the dojo, a tall figure suddenly appeared in the center. The shadow below stretched into a long, narrow mark. Cassius glanced at his bare right hand, retracting the life vibration energy that had surged into his palm. The next moment, he put his exceptionally soft glove back on.

"Fortunately, my true body didn't cultivate the Black Demon's Hand. Otherwise, when transmitting life vibration energy to others, I would have to take a trace of vitality. I wouldn't even be able to touch others' bodies..."

He shook his head and glanced at the shadow behind him. "Come out. Since you're already here, why still hide?" Cassius slowly turned, facing the shadows not far away.

"

Heh heh

, your physical senses are truly keen..." A tender young voice sounded. A boy wearing a black and white tight butler uniform walked out with a harmless smile on his face. The lenses of his glasses reflected slightly, appearing white.

The two exchanged a glance and immediately walked toward a secluded corner of the Red Falcon Fist Hall, conversing as they moved.

"Now, we have some good news and some bad news, which might bring certain variables to the implementation of our plan..." The butler said.

"Speak."

"The good news is that the Evil Eye Fist has put unprecedented effort into promoting this Eastern Martial Arts Exchange Tournament. They've spent a lot of funds, manpower, and resources. It's a perfect stepping stone..."

"What's the bad news?"

𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

"The bad news is that our people have discovered traces of Gate organization's personnel activity in Wenxia County. Various clues vaguely point to Mia City. It's likely related to the Eastern Martial Arts Exchange Tournament..."

"What level are they? Is the Gate organization leader Xiadu involved?"

"How could that be? Xiadu hasn't appeared in five years..."

"Hmm, then it's not bad news." Cassius gazed ahead. "You've brought good news—two pieces of good news..."

On September 25 at 3 PM, all the invited sects from the six eastern counties of the Hongli Federation had arrived. They had already settled into their rooms at the hall by midday.

They were also guided to slowly tour the dining, bathing, and training facilities. Now, they all gathered at the Black Pupil Tower near the Golden Leaf Hall. It was a newly renovated combat arena with a modern feel after several months of reconstruction.

Everyone gathered in the second-floor hall, where there was a large stage similar to an opera house, set up in advance. It had three tiers of steps, a semi-circular platform, soft red carpets, and huge curtains on both sides. The backdrop props and multi-colored neon lights added to the scene.

Passionate and rhythmic music echoed in the air, with specially invited bands on both sides performing energetically. On the red carpet, a row of sexy ladies in bright rose-red dresses danced the fast-paced Flamingo. High heels tapped in sync with the music's rhythm. Skirts fluttered, revealing rounded thighs tightly wrapped in black stockings. Each lady was tall and slender with heavy makeup and a passionate smile on her face.

It gave people a feeling of youthful exuberance like red roses.

Below the stage, each Covert Martial Arts sect had its own exclusive area. Seated comfortably in café-like private booths, they enjoyed fruits and snacks on the table while watching the performance. Occasionally, they chatted excitedly, creating quite an atmosphere.

On the left side of the venue, in the frontmost position, was the Cloud Dog Fist.

Unlike the other dozen young disciples, the black-haired young man of the highest status in the middle showed no change in expression. He just leaned back in his seat with drooping eyelids, seemingly asleep. The enthusiastic dance on the stage, the catchy rhythmic music, and the heated atmosphere all had nothing to do with him.

Although he was among the crowd, the young man carried an aura of laziness, always isolating himself from those around him in his own world. From both sides, two gazes were faintly cast over. One was from the Soul-Breaking Sword Path, the other from the Star Ring Fist. However, the black-haired young man was oblivious to this.

The dance ended, and a new program began. It was a famous opera star from the Six Eastern Counties. A sultry figure dressed in a tight lace miniskirt with avant-garde fashion design spread her fair arms like flower petals, and her oriole-like singing voice resonated.

The audience applauded with shouts and whistles. Soon, it was evening. After a sumptuous dinner, there was another grand musical performance.

Halfway through the performance, a figure walked out of the Demon Eye Building, blending into the darkness like a ghost.

Five minutes later...

In Saka Park, in front of the slowly bubbling white stone fountain, the black-haired young man listened to the sound of water, walking along.

"I'm here. What about you?"

Swish...

A dark figure suddenly emerged from behind the fountain.

"I've been waiting for you for ten minutes, Simone..."