Chương 31: The Rut of Blood — Part 4 & the Butcher vs the Handmaiden

Deciding to get a better view of the action, Galan entered Shuten Dooji's eyes as the next round unfolds, his expression reflecting a profound stillness. But the scene began to blur. The hall's vibrant lights dimmed, replaced by the cold silver of the twin moons. The image of the blue-skinned oni wavered and reformed, becoming Aurelia, her form tense in the Taijicuen stance, ready to redirect a storm.

"Now," Galan roared in Latin.

"Let's see if your days as a maid... have made you soft!" He launched forward and unleashed a punch packed with enough force to shatter her ribs. Aurelia pivoted, her hand meeting his wrist and guiding the power past her. His fist whistled by her cheek. She flowed around him like water, pushing his shoulder to throw him off balance. Galan spun with the momentum, bringing his elbow around in a brutal strike aimed at her temple. But she anticipated it.

She ducked, rolled forward, and planted her palm into his side, disrupting his center of gravity. Galan stumbled back, surprised and amused.

"Not bad, Yusyang. Guess being a maid gave you that extra touch of grace." She didn't falter, gliding forward with hands circling like a windmill. Galan met her flow head-on. He attacked relentlessly, following every deflected strike with a brutal counter. He slammed his heel into the ground, launching a knee at her ribs. She deflected it, stepping in close to deliver a rapid flurry of strikes to his abdomen. But Galan caught her wrist in an iron grip.

With a roar, he yanked her forward and drove his shoulder into her chest, sending her crashing to the ground. She gasped for air but rolled backward, rising to her feet in a fluid motion. Her breathing was ragged, her eyes filled with fear and determination.

"This is just like fighting our old master again, isn't it?" Galan teased. The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. Her eyes widened. Before she could process his words, he charged again. His Bajicuen stance brought a storm of elbow strikes and shoulder barges. She absorbed the blows like the tide, turning his aggression against him. She deflected a punch, sidestepped a knee, and finally saw her chance. She swept his leg, causing him to stumble.

Aurelia then channeled everything into a single, graceful palm strike to his chest. The impact sent a shockwave through the air, pushing him back for the first time. He caught himself and stood up, chuckling. He rubbed the spot where she had hit him, feeling that his shield had taken a hit stronger than anyone else had done with their bare fist before.

"Well done, Yusyang. Guess you're not so soft after all." Aurelia was breathing heavily, her wrist shaking from the impact. She tried to return to her stance.

"But this fight's over," Galan said, his face serious. In a blur of motion, he was behind her. His arm wrapped around her waist, locking her in an iron grip. She struggled, but it was useless.

"Let's see what you'll do next, Yusyang," he whispered in her ear. Time seemed to stop. Aurelia struggled to breathe, her mind racing. The familiar moves. The disregard for power. The listing of sins. A memory surfaced—stories her old master had told of a deadly dream visitor, the 'Child Judge of Fates.' She closed her eyes.

"An... Chuan..." Galan's grip loosened slightly.

"So you know my Chinese name. I'm impressed." He leaned in close.

"Now tell me... do you still wish to continue this fight?" Aurelia trembled. She looked at the crying Lucilla, her voice barely a whisper.

"I... I can't." Galan released her immediately.

"Aurelia!" Lucilla rushed forward, wrapping her arms around her mentor. Aurelia buried her face in Lucilla's shoulder, weeping.

"Please... spare him. Spare my master."

"It's okay, Aurelia," Lucilla soothed her.

"It's over. You don't have to fight anymore." Galan watched them, crossing his arms with a sigh.

"You should have known that deal was a ruse." Aurelia froze.

"What... What do you mean?"

"Well, uh," Galan scratched the back of his head, looking almost guilty.

"The thing is... I came here to distract you so you couldn't protect the noble. So..." The realization hit her like a physical blow. Her face contorted in rage and anguish. She turned, screaming.

"You... bastard!" She lunged at him, fists raised to strike him down. But her legs gave out. She collapsed at his feet, her body trembling, her sobs breaking under the weight of her despair.