My Computer Leads to an Instance Dungeon-Chapter 206 - 167: Understood My Spear Technique?

Fang Zhen's spear movements were minimal, and therefore incredibly fast.

Karen, on the other hand, had to move his entire body. Despite his solid footwork and combat skills, he still seemed slow.

Karen was stunned.

Karen did have real skill. He managed to forcibly exert himself at such a short distance, abruptly halting his forward momentum with a stomp of his front foot. At the same time, he brought his raised sword down to protect his chest.

Karen had barely avoided a fatal blow, but he had been forced onto the defensive.

Still, Karen's skills were truly solid. Even on the defensive, it seemed he might still have the ability to counter-attack.

However, that was only how it looked to the onlookers.

For Fang Zhen, who was in the thick of it, the instant Karen moved, he saw his opponent's trajectory a second into the future. It was a continuous, unending stream of foresight.

Fang Zhen saw Karen's halt and the retraction of his sword a full second before it happened.

Furthermore, Fang Zhen also saw what would happen in the next second: Karen would block his spear with the greatsword. Simultaneously, he would execute a risky maneuver—spinning along the spear shaft, using his back to pin it down, then rotating his body to close the distance and slash at Fang Zhen with his spinning greatsword.

It had to be said, Karen's pride was well-founded. The man's skills were incredibly solid, and his execution was imaginative. He didn't just rigidly follow learned forms; he could adapt on the fly.

'But how can adaptation on the fly ever compare to the power of foresight?'

In reality, Karen did exactly as foreseen. He first blocked the sideways thrust of the spear with his greatsword, then immediately moved to press his back against the spear shaft for the spinning slash.

However, at that very instant, Fang Zhen skillfully employed the Taking Rune Technique. The long spear, like a great snake retreating into its burrow, was instantly withdrawn.

The point of leverage Karen was aiming for on his back was suddenly gone.

Karen was in an awkward position and had to change his move yet again.

But after retracting the spear, Fang Zhen easily and naturally repositioned its tip directly in the path of Karen's intended spinning slash.

If Karen were to execute the spin, his armpit would be pierced first.

Left with no choice, Karen had to change his move yet again.

Fang Zhen's precognition showed him Karen using a stance similar to Su Qin's Back Sword. He would bend at the waist, spin the greatsword behind his back to block the downward smash of the spear, and then strike at Fang Zhen's abdomen.

Fang Zhen didn't even wait for Karen to execute the move. He took a small half-step forward and thrust his spear into empty air.

Karen's face instantly flushed crimson.

Karen had already prepared to exert his strength and was halfway through channeling his power when he realized his path of movement was once again blocked by the spear's tip. If he moved, it would pierce his neck.

Helpless, Karen was forced to change his technique once more.

As Fang Zhen and Karen fought, the onlookers grew increasingly bewildered.

At first, Gwendolyn, Tos, Laura, and the others could tell that Fang Zhen's foresight was incredibly sharp. He had anticipated two of Karen's moves, forcing him to change his technique.

But after that, their weapons never even touched. Every time it seemed Karen was about to make a move, Fang Zhen would make a minute adjustment with his spear. Without their weapons even clashing, Karen would somehow be defeated, forced to defend, retreat, and change his approach. Yet he could never touch Fang Zhen's spear and was continually forced to retreat and adapt.

After this repeated several times, Karen had been forced into a corner.

To the spectators, it was baffling and surreal. But for Karen, the one in the fight, it was utter misery.

Karen had never fought such a suffocating battle.

It wasn't that Fang Zhen's spear techniques were particularly exquisite. In fact, he was using nothing but the most basic spear forms, and he wasn't even moving that fast. But Karen simply couldn't execute a single complete technique. Every attempt was interrupted midway by the spear, and he had no choice but to change tactics, lest he be struck.

After repeatedly exerting himself to no effect, several of Karen's muscles were already sprained and strained—and he hadn't even managed to touch Fang Zhen's weapon.

Unspeakable shock and despair flooded Karen's heart.

Karen was forced back another step.

Suddenly, Karen felt his back hit something hard and solid.

Only then did Karen realize with a jolt that Fang Zhen had backed him into a corner.

He had been dragging his greatsword behind him, but because his attention was entirely focused on the imminent killing blow, he hadn't noticed the wall. As a result, the hilt of his sword struck the stone wall.

This was completely unexpected. Having repeatedly changed his moves and forcibly altered his exertion, his wrist muscles were already damaged. For a moment, he couldn't grip the greatsword. The muscles in his arm had reached their limit, and with a sudden numbness, the greatsword slipped from his grasp and fell to the ground.

The tip of Fang Zhen's spear stopped an inch from Karen's throat.

Karen's face was ashen.

Fang Zhen was suddenly overcome with the desire to show off.

"My spear techniques... do you understand them now?"

Fang Zhen didn't press the attack. Instead, holding his spear, he began performing a set of basic techniques right next to Karen's head and body, as if showing off.

Thrusts, sweeps, chops, shakes, blocks, seizures, and thrusts—each move was utterly basic, yet polished to absolute, unassailable perfection.

Karen's face was ashen. He didn't dare move an inch, fearing that if Fang Zhen's aim faltered, it would cost him his life.

Fang Zhen's display of basic spear forms showcased what seemed like a lifetime of practice. Finally, he suddenly turned his head away.

Just as Karen thought the Hell-like torment was over, Fang Zhen struck without even turning his head. A perfect Reversal Spear thrust into the stone wall just three inches from Karen's head.

He hadn't used the Power Mountain Seal for this strike, but its power, speed, and accuracy were all perfect. The spear plunged five inches into the stone wall.

Karen was so terrified his legs nearly gave out. He summoned his last ounce of fortitude to keep from collapsing to the ground.

Fang Zhen said nothing, merely glancing back at Karen indifferently.

'A little tribute to the Sword Saint just now,' he thought.

Karen's earlier arrogance was gone. He finally lowered his proud head.

At this moment, Karen's heart was filled with nothing but dead ashes.

Fang Zhen had defeated him in the one area where he took the most pride. It was a complete and utter rout—a straightforward, head-on defeat with no tricks and no chance of a comeback.

He had lost without being able to land a single blow, without their weapons even touching. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

This could only mean one thing: Fang Zhen's strength surpassed Karen's by several major realms. They weren't even in the same league.

It wasn't just Karen; everyone present felt the same way.

Fang Zhen's martial skill was beyond the comprehension of everyone there.

Gwendolyn, who had been watching the whole time, was also stunned. She muttered to herself, "So last time... Fang Zhen was letting me save face..."

Beside Gwendolyn, Red Viper Laura watched Fang Zhen, an extraordinary light dancing in her eyes.

"I lost," Karen said, his head hanging low. He was utterly dejected, like a completely different person. With a look of utter despair, he avoided everyone's gaze, picked up his greatsword, and stood there in bleak silence.

"I couldn't even touch his weapon..." Karen said, crestfallen.

Seeing this, Gwendolyn quickly stepped forward to smooth things over. "There's always a higher mountain, and it's the same with people. It's normal to lose a duel. Besides, Karen, it's not that your skills are poor—it's that Fang Zhen is just too strong."

"If I were to face Fang Zhen, I doubt I would have fared any better than you."

"And I dare say that no one here could defeat Fang Zhen."

Fang Zhen smiled. "So, when I said I could kill thirty heavily armored Guards in fifteen breaths... do you believe me now?"

Unexpectedly, Karen was the first to answer.

"I believe you."

"And I completely retract my accusation that you are a spy sent by the aberrations."

"Someone who has honed their martial skills to such a pinnacle of perfection must be filled with pride and self-confidence. A man like you could never be anyone's lapdog."

Fang Zhen gave Karen another look upon hearing this.

'This Karen might be annoying, but he's not without his merits,' Fang Zhen thought. 'At least he knows how to lose.'

'It's commendable that he can admit defeat. And when he was at a disadvantage, he didn't use a curse seal for a sneak attack. He honored our agreement.'

This made Fang Zhen's impression of Karen improve somewhat.

Suddenly!

"BANG! BANG! BANG!"

A series of rapid, heavy pounds echoed from the gate.

Mark, who had been enjoying the duel between Fang Zhen and Karen by the gate, jumped in fright.

Everyone in the courtyard turned their gaze toward the gate.

"Who is it?" Mark asked in a low voice, striding quickly to the gate.

"Uncle Mark, open up! It's me, Lotte! Something terrible has happened!"

"Emily was taken away by Count Ellick's Guards! I'm begging you and the master, please save her! If you don't, she's going to die!"

The boy's voice cried out from beyond the gate.

Mark looked surprised and glanced back at Gwendolyn, who immediately opened the main gate.

Lotte burst in, nearly crashing into Mark's arms.

Mark grabbed the recklessly charging Lotte, holding him from behind to prevent the boy from interrupting the discussion between Fang Zhen and the others.

Just then, Lotte caught sight of Fang Zhen in the courtyard. Overjoyed, he shouted, "Knight Fang Zhen! It's you!"

"It's so good that you're here! Please, you have to save my sister!"

Lotte was extremely agitated. He could no longer hold back his tears, his face streaked with them as large drops continued to roll down his cheeks.

"First, just tell us what happened," Mark said, a little exasperated. A child interrupting an adult discussion was disruptive. 'But what on earth happened?' he wondered.

Aside from Gwendolyn, no one else present knew Lotte, and some began to frown.

Fang Zhen, however, showed no signs of impatience.

He walked over and looked at the inconsolable Lotte, who was trembling with emotion and unable to stop the tears streaming down his face.

"Lotte, you're a man now," Fang Zhen said. "Men don't cry. Tears only make people look down on you, treat you like a child."

His voice wasn't loud, but it was perfectly calm.

A youth in such an agitated state would normally be difficult to console. For some reason, however, upon hearing Fang Zhen's words, Lotte suddenly felt a sense of peace. The panic subsided, as if a drifting dandelion seed had finally landed on a towering mountain, finding an anchor.

Lotte might not have known why, but hearing Fang Zhen's voice was like finding a source of strength. He quickly grew calm.

Lotte forcefully wiped the tears from his eyes, and his sobs ceased.

"Good. You've learned to control your emotions," Fang Zhen nodded.

"Now tell me what happened," he said. "Who, where, when, and what?"

"It's Ellick's heavy-armored elite Guard!" Lotte, his emotions now under control, had recovered his ability to think and speak clearly. "Count Ellick's elite Guard came down the mountain just now and announced that they were to begin the 'offering' immediately! And this time, the number they're taking is twenty times the usual!"

"They've already forcibly taken twenty women and children from the town, and my sister, Emily, is one of them!"