Chapter 165 - 164: Master and Disciple Showdown

Situ Kong’s words brought a look of distress to Night Rose’s face. She lowered her eyes, not daring to meet his gaze.

"Master, I’m sorry."

Hearing her words, a flash of disappointment crossed Situ Kong’s eyes. His grip on his spear tightened, and he let out a long sigh.

"Night Rose, do you truly have not a single shred of regret?"

He addressed her as Night Rose instead of Ling’er, signaling a clear shift in his attitude toward her.

"Master, do you really think our leader will let me go? Even if we don’t count my tipping off Ye Xuan this time, just the fact that I left clues for him five years ago means he would never let me live, right?

"I am deeply grateful for your care and guidance, but I have never regretted my actions.

"Master, I will repay your kindness in my next life."

Night Rose had seen through the situation long ago. Even if she lowered her head and returned with Situ Kong today, the people of the Celestial Ranking would not spare her. At best, they would cripple her martial arts and leave her alive to exist like a dog. She wondered what meaning there was in living as an assassin if her martial arts were completely crippled.

"Very well. From this moment on, our bond as master and disciple is severed. I am no longer your master, Night Rose, but your enemy."

Situ Kong gently closed his eyes. When he opened them again, the last trace of tenderness had vanished. Night Rose had chosen her own path, and he would not waste any more words trying to persuade her. He only felt an immense sense of pity. If she hadn’t let her emotions interfere and betrayed the organization, she could have reached his rank in ten years at most. It was truly ridiculous that the disciple he had cultivated for over twenty years was going to die by his own hands. A hint of regret appeared on his face.

"Night Rose, why did you have to ruin your own future?"

"Master, I am simply repaying my debts. I spent twenty-five years risking my life for the organization and serving you, returning the favor of you raising and teaching me.

"I left clues for Ye Xuan and saved him to repay him for saving my life seven years ago."

Seven years ago, Night Rose had been severely injured during a mission, even though she had successfully completed it. By coincidence, Ye Xuan and his team were passing by on a mission of their own. When they saw the dying Night Rose, the others from the Cyan Dragon Hall wanted to kill her. However, Ye Xuan stopped them. He stated that an honorable man doesn’t take advantage of others in peril, and he casually tossed Night Rose some hemostatic medicine and food.

It was precisely that small amount of medicine and food that allowed Night Rose to push through her injuries and make it back to the organization. At the time, Night Rose had been wearing a skin-like disguise mask, so Ye Xuan had no idea that they shared such a past connection.

Yet, Night Rose had always kept this kindness in her heart. She had constantly sought an opportunity to repay Ye Xuan, but unfortunately, the Celestial Ranking was at odds with the Four Palaces. Their hostility had culminated in a massive battle five years ago. Seeing Ye Xuan being drawn step-by-step into their leader’s trap, Night Rose felt a pang of compassion. She secretly left clues for him, raising his suspicions and ultimately helping him escape the ordeal.

Hearing Night Rose’s explanation, Situ Kong sighed softly. It seemed there was no room left for negotiation. In that case, it was time for the master and disciple to settle things once and for all.

"Come, let me see how much you have improved recently."

With that, Situ Kong hefted his spear and charged toward Night Rose, his movements as swift and elusive as a phantom. Night Rose hid the flash of pain in her eyes, pressed her lips tightly together, and raised her sword to meet him.

The figures of the master and disciple intertwined in a fierce clash, neither able to gain the upper hand. The bystanders watched in stunned silence. Witnessing Night Rose’s terrifyingly formidable martial arts, they felt a chill run down their spines. If Situ Kong hadn’t shown up today, wouldn’t they all have died at her hands?

The battle raged on for over ten minutes. Gradually, Night Rose’s breathing grew heavy, and her footwork lost its previous agility and lightness. In contrast, Situ Kong appeared entirely at ease, handling the fight with effortless grace. His relaxed demeanor ignited Night Rose’s fighting spirit. Taking a deep breath, she accelerated her attacks, her moves becoming increasingly ruthless. She knew this was no ordinary sparring session between master and disciple. This was a battle of life and death.

"Your strikes are too slow.

"Not enough power.

"You lack decisiveness..."

Situ Kong instructed her as they fought. In normal circumstances, Night Rose wouldn’t have found this unusual. But in a life-and-death struggle, his behavior was nothing short of a blatant insult.

"Take this seriously!" Night Rose roared, unleashing a strike with all her might.

She had assumed this sword thrust would at least inflict a minor wound on Situ Kong, but to her shock, he dodged it with absolute ease. He even managed to execute a backhand thrust while evading, stabbing his spear directly into her abdomen. Night Rose let out a muffled groan of pain, forcibly enduring the agony as she rapidly retreated.

"Yield. I won’t kill you," Situ Kong said indifferently, looking at her pale face.

"I will never yield!"

Her face filled with stubborn resolve, Night Rose ignored her bleeding abdomen. With a fierce shout, she launched another attack. She had worked hard for so many years, training more desperately than anyone else, all for the day she could surpass him. She had thought she was finally strong enough, but now she felt like an absolute joke. She refused to accept this!

Seeing her in this state, a hint of seriousness finally appeared in Situ Kong’s eyes. He narrowed his eyes and advanced with his spear. Night Rose’s beautiful face was as cold as frost. Without flinching, she met his strike, letting out a sharp cry as she coiled her soft sword around the spearhead. With a forceful yank, she ripped the spearhead right off its shaft.

Situ Kong raised an eyebrow. Without sparing a glance at the fallen spearhead, he tossed away the wooden shaft and engaged her in hand-to-hand combat. Night Rose didn’t hesitate either. She threw aside her soft sword, and the master and disciple exchanged brutal punches and kicks.

The longer they fought, the more acutely Night Rose realized the massive gap between their skill levels. This realization filled her with intense frustration. As her emotions fluctuated, her movements began to turn chaotic.

Situ Kong’s gaze hardened, and he threw a heavy punch. Night Rose’s expression changed drastically. She hurriedly crossed her arms in front of her chest, forcefully taking the brunt of his blow.

BANG!

With a loud crash, Night Rose was sent flying backward, slamming heavily into a large tree. Her body violently shuddered. It felt as if she had been run over by a truck, her bones on the verge of falling apart. A metallic tang of blood welled up in her throat. Gritting her teeth, she forcefully swallowed the blood back down.

"I taught you long ago: an assassin must never let their mind fall into disarray. The moment you lose focus, you die.

"After all these years, you still haven’t grasped the meaning of those words," Situ Kong said coldly, looking at Night Rose as she leaned against the tree trunk.

Night Rose wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth, her gaze turning increasingly icy.

"Cut the nonsense. Let’s continue!"