He frowned, gently covering his right arm, though the attack just now did not come from this arm, the aftershocks still brought a significant burden to it.
Ma Yi's battle intent had not completely extinguished, but he was not one to take advantage of another's peril.
"Alright, since you say so." His words carried a hint of regret, as if recalling something, he added, "But next time we meet, we must decide who is superior."
Asilia nodded with a bitter smile; this was the hardest part for him to understand about martial artists—they were overly forgiving towards those they favored, but showed no mercy to those they didn't.
He remained vigilant, tentatively asking, "Then, shall I take my leave?"
Ma Yi did not feel angered by his caution, instead revealing a look of regret, as if regretful that Asilia did not see him as a pure martial artist.
"Please go ahead." Ma Yi sidestepped to clear the path, leaving enough space for Asilia.
Asilia stared at him for a while, trying to read something from his face.
But Ma Yi stood there frankly, as if all things needed no concealment.
Suddenly, Asilia laughed: "You probably heard about that secret too, right?" His gaze became fierce because this secret had the power to change one's destiny, and could even allow people like them to regain their freedom.
Ma Yi seemed to understand his point: "Rest assured, although I heard it, I would never leak it."
"After all, the master I was loyal to is no longer here."
He showed a kind smile, but Asilia did not trust his statement.
"Ma Yi, we don't need to exchange pleasantries, do we?" Asilia's mouth curled into a cold smile.
Ma Yi's face showed a flash of anger: "I gave you a way out, why do you keep provoking me?"
Asilia's cold smile faded, replaced by his trademark gentle smile: "Ma Yi, you understand, in this world, no one feels they have too much money."
Ma Yi's expression gradually cooled; although he could find many reasons to prove he was not greedy for money, he didn't want to do so. Because Asilia had already decided he was after money.
"People like you, only money is in your eyes." He shook his head, his voice filled with hatred and anger.
At the end of his words, he suddenly swung a fist fiercely, faster and more ruthless than any previous one.
Asilia watched the approaching fist, sighed slightly, and with a flicker, swiftly dodged the strike.
"Actually, what I treasure more is the freedom I once lost." Asilia said with a bitter smile, his face showing a hint of desolation.
Meanwhile, another conversation unfolded elsewhere. Siphet looked expressionlessly at the frozen surveillance image, suddenly a playful voice sounded: "Did you really think you could pull off something under Asilia's nose?"
She turned her head to see a woman dressed in camouflage, her face covered in greasepaint standing there.
Though this woman seemed ordinary, Siphet knew she was anything but simple.
She only camouflaged herself due to physical flaws, not wanting others to see her ugly scars.
"It's been years, and you are still as beautiful as ever." The woman's voice carried a trace of sweetness.
Siphet's face showed a complex expression: "Didn't expect you to come today."
She knew that had she known Asilia was coming, she might not have shown herself so easily.
Asilia laughed lightly, interrupting her thoughts: "What is it? Doesn't my appearance surprise you?" Her words carried a hint of self-mockery, "These years, I still miss you, these two old friends." As she coldly mentioned Asilia's name.
Even though Siphet disguised herself as ruthless, she couldn't help but reveal a hint of apology in her words: "I'm very sorry, Asilia, you know..."
But Asilia cut her off: "Of course I know, ever since we chose that path, there was no more friendship, only manipulation, suspicion, doubt, and betrayal."
Siphet fell silent, not attempting further explanation. Because in that battle, the one most hurt was not her but Asilia.
She took a deep breath and regained her composure to ask, "Who are you here on behalf of?"
Asilia remained silent for a long time, then slowly said, "For the only one in my family willing to call me his lover."
At the same time, in another passage, Lin Beichen and Xia Luyao were embarking on an unknown journey.
This passage was long and deep, seemingly endless.
Lin Beichen couldn't help but ask: "How long do we need to walk this path?"
The greasy man ahead merely responded indifferently: "I don't know how long it'll take, anyway, it's still far—when you're about to arrive, you'll naturally know it."
This explanation naturally did not satisfy Lin Beichen, but he had no choice but to silently follow.
And Xia Luyao followed absent-mindedly, her mind still recalling that enchanting dance step.
Standing at the back, the soldier's face still exuded the unique firmness of the military, but vaguely, traces of cruelty could be captured hidden in his expression.
"Before coming here, the master knew nothing about the scale of Joseph's underground base." He spoke with a voice dripping with a chilling tone.