Infinity, The Arcade Age

On the vast river, a warship sped forward, its soldiers patrolling the deck in an orderly fashion. However, due to the intense battle the day before, murmurs and discussions inevitably spread among the ranks, as many were still uncertain about the current situation.

Of course, the chatter of ordinary soldiers was nothing more than idle grumbling and had no real impact on the bigger picture.

The key positions on the warship were now entirely controlled by Sun Ji's personal guards. Even if someone had thoughts of rebelling, they wouldn't be able to gather enough people to act on it.

Not to mention, for safety's sake, Qin Ming had personally armed Sun Ji's guards with weapons found in the ship's storage, significantly upgrading their equipment.

These women were already highly trained from years of following Sun Ji, making them elite warriors. Now, with enhanced gear, their combat prowess was on an entirely different level.

As the warship steadily advanced toward the Shu port according to plan, Qin Ming, for once, stepped out onto the deck to enjoy the sun.

Standing shirtless at the bow, he stretched his arms toward the sky and let out a long, satisfied breath.

After days of indulgence, even he was starting to feel drained. He needed to catch his breath.

After soaking up the sun for a while, Qin Ming stretched his limbs before turning to head back inside.

All he needed to do now was ensure the warship safely reached the port and deliver Liu A'dou into Liu Bei's hands. Once that was done, his promotion quest would be complete.

Once the pressure was lifted, he would have plenty of time to deal with the hunters who had infiltrated the world to kill him.

His mind ran through various calculations, carefully mapping out the next steps to ensure nothing went wrong. As he walked through the ship's corridors, his focus remained sharp—until his steps suddenly halted.

A sharp dagger had, at some point, silently pressed against his throat.

A cold chill spread from the blade's edge, making Qin Ming's eye twitch slightly as his muscles instinctively tensed.

Even though he had been rather lax lately, having indulged too much in luxury and let his guard down, he was still an A-rank martial artist. Ordinary people wouldn't have a chance of sneaking up on him unnoticed, let alone pressing a weapon against his neck.

For someone to approach him so silently and pin a blade to his throat—it could mean only one thing.

This person is a master.

Before Qin Ming could even process the situation further, the attacker behind him spoke in a cold voice.

"Don't move, unless you want to lose your head."

"...Who are you?" Qin Ming asked calmly.

"You don't need to know who I am. I'm the one asking the questions here. You answer."

The blade pressed closer to his skin, the edge almost breaking through. The voice behind him grew even more serious.

"You're the new captain of Sun Ji's personal guard?"

"Yes."

"That means you know where A'dou is, don't you?"

"Yes."

"Take me to him. And don't try anything funny—I don't want to kill anyone."

As soon as the words fell, Qin Ming suddenly felt a sharp pain in his back. Another weapon had been pressed against his waist.

The distinct sensation of cold steel at his spine made Qin Ming's face remain neutral, but his eyes sharpened.

I think I know who this is now.

Someone strong enough to approach him undetected. Someone concerned about Liu A'dou's whereabouts. Someone who had been hiding on the ship all this time…

"Zhao Zilong?!"

The moment Qin Ming spoke, the person behind him—who had been pressing a spear against his back—visibly hesitated.

That brief hesitation was all Qin Ming needed.

His previously still hands suddenly moved.

Grabbing the dagger at his throat, he clamped down on the blade with sheer grip strength and yanked it away from his neck.

Using the simplest and most brutal method to break free, Qin Ming twisted his body, flames coiling around his arm as he swung a powerful hook punch straight at Zhao Yun!

Hearing the rush of wind, Zhao Yun's pupils shrank. He was surprised that Qin Ming had the audacity to grab a blade barehanded, but he reacted swiftly.

Raising an arm to guard his head, Zhao Yun blocked the heavy punch with his forearm, absorbing the impact with brute strength. At the same time, he lashed out with a powerful kick, aiming directly at Qin Ming's chest!

But Qin Ming, having missed his punch, also launched a counter-kick at full force—his foot slammed into Zhao Yun's chest at the exact same moment.

With a loud bang, both men staggered backward.

They each retreated four or five steps before slamming a foot down, barely steadying themselves.

Locking eyes, they exchanged a brief moment of intense silence before Zhao Yun suddenly let out a sharp battle cry. He sheathed his dagger, switched weapons, and in a flash, thrust forward with his long spear—a deadly "Serpent Strikes" attack!

Qin Ming, whose arms were clad in armored bracers, quickly raised them to block. The sharp clashing of steel rang out as he met the incoming spear head-on, parrying it again and again in rapid succession.

Zhao Yun's spear moved with blinding speed, its tip flickering like lightning.

Qin Ming's arms blocked swiftly, his defense impenetrable.

The two fighters clashed fiercely within the narrow confines of the ship's corridor, neither able to gain the upper hand. However, Zhao Yun clearly held a slight advantage.

After all, Qin Ming was unarmed, while Zhao Yun wielded a two-meter-long spear. In terms of weaponry, Qin Ming was severely disadvantaged.

Even in normal combat, a single saber against a spear was already a near-suicidal fight—let alone bare hands versus a spear!

Qin Ming couldn't even close the distance. Every time he tried to get in close for hand-to-hand combat, Zhao Yun's spear technique would unleash a flurry of strikes, forcing him back. Realizing brute force wouldn't work, Qin Ming immediately changed tactics.

Seizing an opening, he sidestepped a spear thrust and grabbed hold of the shaft!

A sharp glint flashed in Qin Ming's eyes as his other hand swung in a powerful arc along the spear's length.

Flames wrapped around his fingers, spinning into a blade-like form—fire shot along the spear shaft toward Zhao Yun!

Forced to react, Zhao Yun had no choice but to release his grip on the spear, narrowly dodging the attack.

As he sidestepped, the fiery blade streaked past him, throwing off a shower of sparks before carving deep into the wooden wall behind him.

Seeing Zhao Yun let go of his weapon, Qin Ming immediately yanked the spear away, preparing to throw it out of reach and disarm him completely.

But before he could toss the weapon, Zhao Yun's foot slammed into the spear's butt-end!

A powerful shockwave traveled through the weapon as the Dragon Gallant Spear spun into the air, tearing itself from Qin Ming's grip.

Qin Ming's eyes widened. Without thinking, he threw out both arms, unleashing a massive Sonic Blade toward the airborne Zhao Yun, hoping to knock him back before he could reclaim his weapon.

But before the attack could land, Zhao Yun, having already caught hold of his spear, ignited its tip with a surge of fire and slashed downward like a raging dragon!

C-rank Skill—Three Kingdoms Split!

Boom!

A thunderous explosion echoed through the corridor as Zhao Yun's downward strike cleaved straight through Qin Ming's Sonic Blade, splitting it in half.

The force of the impact sent Zhao Yun crashing onto the deck, and as his spear struck the wooden planks, countless cracks spread across the floorboards.

But unfortunately, despite the sheer power of the attack, he had missed.

Qin Ming had retreated just in time, avoiding the strike and putting some distance between them. His narrowed eyes fixed on Zhao Yun, who was now standing firm, spear in hand.

Zhao Yun's expression was equally grim—he now understood that he had encountered a truly formidable opponent.

His grip on the spear tightened, veins bulging on the back of his hands from the sheer force.

The two locked eyes.

A moment later, both of them moved at the exact same time.

Zhao Yun's spear spun in a rapid whirl, flames exploding outward.

B-rank Skill—Nezha's Tempest!

Qin Ming's hands gathered immense force, a violent wind swirling around him.

A-rank Skill—Supersonic Blade!

Boom!