Chapter 58: Hate

The two of them climbed back to the First Step and sat with their backs resting on the stone wall. They both needed some rest after experiencing that tormenting gravity so they could fight at full strength in their first and last duel.

They had reached an unequivocal decision that only one of them could get out alive from here.

Ye Chen looked at the dark ceiling and said, “Do you know why I hate your pathetic existence?”

“Jealousy,” Ye Jun shrugged.

“No! Not jealousy!” Ye Chen scoffed at his words. “You’re a waste, a person who deserves nothing. Yet you have gotten everything that should have been mine.”

“You did say that a lot,” Ye Jun nodded, finding it amusing that he was having a peaceful talk with a person he was going to kill in a few minutes.

But then again, he had done it before a lot in his previous life. He had even died doing that.

“Even before your birth, you stole my things,” Ye Chen continued, venting out his hatred. “My mother was supposed to wed Father, but your mother came out of nowhere and did that first. She became the matriarch, while my mother became a lowly concubine.”

Ye Jun could feel the rage and hatred in his voice, emotions he had been holding back until now.

“I was supposed to be the Young Master, but you took it away from me, even though you don’t deserve it. You say I’m jealous of you? Heh! No. I’m just pissed off at the world for being so unfair.”

He glared at him. “Everything you own should have been mine. No, they are mine. You’re just a parasite. Just like your whore mother who climbed onto my father’s bed.”

An inner part of Ye Jun raged at his words, but he suppressed it and turned toward Ye Chen. “You know, I gave you too much credit. You’re nothing but an idiot who curses the world for being unfair while not seeing the life you already have. You say it’s unfair, but you haven’t even seen a portion of what that unfairness truly brings.”

’Even I didn’t have that.’

“What the hell are you talking about?” Ye Chen shouted. “You don’t know anything about me or my life. You have gotten everything in your life just because you exist.”

“My assumptions are right. You’re an even bigger idiot than I thought,” Ye Jun pulled himself up and asked, “Do you know why I hate you?”

“Because I’m what you should have been,” Ye Chen scoffed in disdain. “A prodigy Young Master who lives up to his name and position. Oh, and also because I showed you your place so many times.”

“Far from it,” Ye Jun said, his voice turning ice cold. “I hate you because you represent the filth of humanity. You’re a coward who targets people weaker than you because you fear the strong.”

Ye Chen grew confused. “You’ve lost your mind. Is that how you advanced so fast? Practicing demonic cultivation?”

“I’ll beat the memories of them into you,” Ye Jun grinned and dashed forward. The gravity affected him less as he got used to it. It wasn’t much different from normal since it was just the first step.

Memories of Su Wan flashed before him. Her beautiful smile full of innocence as she called out for him. Her soft voice echoed as she fed him her rice cakes.

’Big Brother Jun needs to eat more. So many injuries. Why do you fight so much?’

’None of your business. Stop worrying so much.’

’It is my business. You’re my big brother, and you have to protect me. If you’re weak and injured, how are you going to protect me?’

’You’re so small. I can protect you even in my sleep.’

’Hmph! Bragging again. But it’s a promise?’

’Yes, I promise I’ll protect you.’

Ye Jun’s gaze hardened. ’I failed to keep the promise. I failed you. Now, the least I can do is take revenge for you. Rest in peace, Wan’er.’

His emotional mind took a back seat, still angry but aware of the importance of this battle. It understood the need for rationality in a fight like this.

Hence, Ye Jun’s mind turned clear and calm as he jumped from the First Step’s edge, leaping across the chasm between the two stairways. The gravity tried to pull him down, but he had already taken it into account and adjusted his speed.

Just as he landed on the other First Step, he rolled forward as a sharp blade came crashing down on him. His dagger flashed in his hand as he swiped at Ye Chen’s kneecaps but only managed to hit empty air.

’A movement technique,’ Ye Jun noted as he jumped to his feet and turned around.

Ye Chen stood there, a red-bladed longsword drawn in the Wind Stance, the signature mark of the Ye Clan. His body posture remained steady as he eyed Ye Jun from head to toe.

After a moment of silence, both lunged at each other. One wielded a sword, the other a sharp dagger. Both ready to kill each other.

Ye Jun reached first, but Ye Chen’s sword arrived at his neck earlier. He ducked down, swiftly evading it before trying to close in on the man.

But Ye Chen knew the advantage the sword provided and leapt back. He made several direct stabs at Ye Jun at incredible speed, each threatening to put holes in his body.

’He is good!’

Ye Jun acknowledged this as he used Stone Step Footwork. After leveling up, it had gotten better at providing stability even under the assault of such quick attacks.

Once the flurry of sword stabs ended, Ye Jun vanished right before him, leaving behind blurred mirages and appearing directly in front of Ye Chen.

True to his title as the Ye Clan’s genius, Ye Chen quickly reacted and pushed his sword backward, a barrier of shimmering green Qi forming behind him.

Ye Jun’s blade grew sharper as killing intent rolled through his veins. The dagger struck the barrier, cutting through it easily. But that brief second gave Ye Chen enough time to use his movement technique.

’Not so fast!’

Just before Ye Chen escaped his reach, the dagger drew a thin line across his back, turning red as blood seeped out from the shallow wound.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep