Every time he thought he saw an opening, a sword shadow would greet him, carrying a cutting intent that made his skin prickle and his instincts scream in warning.
Eve spoke lightly as her blades clashed against his hidden weapons and parries:
"Is this all, Tang San? You're too distracted. '
Another slash grazed Tang San's sleeve—cleanly slicing the fabric without touching his skin. Precision beyond belief.
Her swords suddenly crossed, forming a luminous X-shaped blade of light that hummed in the air.
"This is what happens," Eve said softly, almost playfully, "when you try to hurt me with poison."
Tang San's pupils contracted.
But before he could respond, Eve stepped in and her sword intent had already suppressed him.
Just when it seemed Eve would finally subdue Tang San, a desperate scream tore through the training field.
"HALT! HALT! MURDER!!"
Yu Xiaogang's shrill voice cracked as he stumbled forward, waving his arms like a madman. He couldn't bear to watch Tang San pushed into a corner he couldn't escape from. If Tang San were truly defeated here—under the eyes of students, and teachers—Yu Xiaogang feared the psychological blow would be irreparable.
And worse… if Tang San was forced to reveal a trump card in front of so many witnesses…
(Author Notes: Yu Xiaogang thinks that Tang san might release his Second martial soul in public in desperation)
Yu Xiaogang felt that he had to stop this no matter what.
Eve and Tang San both paused, as they turned toward the third person who had barged into the center of the spar.
"Teacher… you didn't have to come," Tang San whispered quietly.
There was gratitude in his eyes. He had narrowly avoided a disaster. If the clash continued.....he might really have to use a trump card.
Yu Xiaogang, breathing heavily, puffed out his chest and immediately slipped into his favorite role—self-proclaimed authority.
He jabbed a finger toward Eve and barked with theatrical outrage:
"Why are you using swords in a sparring fight?!"
Eve didn't even look at him at first.
She simply narrowed her eyes, exhaled softly, and slid her paired swords back into her spatial soul guide. Then, without a word, she turned away—her gaze sweeping across the ground as though searching for something.
To Yu Xiaogang, however, this looked like fear—like retreat.
And that illusion emboldened him.
"You are a teacher," he snarled louder, ensuring everyone could hear him. "Your job is to guide them, not cripple them!"
He took another step forward, imagining the entire training field backing him morally.
"This is a sparring exercise! Practical combat! You should be instructing. How could you raise swords against children!?"
He believed he stood on the moral high ground.
And yet…
Eve continued scanning the ground, barely acknowledging Yu Xiaogang's existence.
But the more she ignored him…
…the louder Yu Xiaogang became.
"She thinks she's above the rules!" he shouted."This attitude is unacceptable! I—"
He never finished that sentence.
Because Eve finally found what she was looking for.
A tiny metallic glint at the edge —Tang San's projectile. She crouched down, picked up the dart, and slowly, very slowly, turned her head toward Yu Xiaogang.
Just cold amusement flickering beneath serene eyes.
Yu Xiaogang's voice caught in his throat.
Yu Xiaogang blinked, confused. "W–what are you doing—"
His question died as Eve finally cut across his tirade with a voice as soft as a blade sliding from its sheath.
"Why don't you," she said, "feel the weapon used by your beloved disciple?"
Before Yu Xiaogang could even process her words—
Whoosh!
The dart disappeared from her hand as she threw the projectile towards Yu Xiaogang.
The next moment—
Shhk!
It struck Yu Xiaogang's wrist with perfect precision, which sharp enough to slice through skin.
"AHHH—!"
Yu Xiaogang yelped, stumbling backward as he clutched his wound. The spectators gasped. Even Tang San's expression cracked for a brief moment.
But Eve only approached him with a disappointed shake of her head.
"Don't scream," she said coolly. "You're a grown-ass man, terrified by a little scratch."
Then, with a smile that made several students shiver, she added:
"What you should be afraid of… is what comes after."
Yu Xiaogang's eyes widened as he stared at his wrist.
A faint purple hue was blooming across the skin.
He immediately understood the reason , it was Poison.
Eve raised her voice—not shouting, simply letting her calm tone cut more sharply than any accusation.
"Everyone, look closely."
She lifted Yu Xiaogang's trembling hand for all to see.
"This dart was laced with poison. And this—" she paused, letting the implication sink in, "—was used by your precious disciple in what was supposed to be a simple sparring match."
She let go of Yu Xiaogang's wrist. He staggered, paling rapidly.
"I believe," Eve continued airily, "that you are the one who has failed to teach your disciple proper conduct."
Murmurs erupted across the field.
Each whisper struck Tang San like a needle. His jaw tightened, but he said nothing. His eyes flicked toward the dart—he knew exactly what poison he had applied. And the events now ran contrary to his plan.
Yu Xiaogang swayed.
"You… Little San…" he whispered weakly, reaching toward Tang San.
Then his knees buckled.
His vision tunnelled, And the self-proclaimed Grandmaster collapsed into unconsciousness.
He hit the ground with a dull thud.
Tang San's face darkened.
Eve simply folded her hands behind her back, watching the scene unfold with serene detachment—like a teacher observing an especially disappointing lesson.