The day had already entered dusk, yet the battle continued!
This primal, close-quarters combat left both men feeling exhilarated, but also inflicted not insignificant injuries on each.
During the fight, they rarely dodged, opting instead to absorb a blow from the opponent before retaliating with one of their own.
Trading injury for injury!
It was a contest of who would fall first, who would die first!
However, given their respective strengths and physiques, the ultimate outcome of such a struggle would likely be mutual destruction!
Ye Cangtian gasped for air, large beads of sweat tracing paths down his cheeks. Not a single inch of his body was uninjured, and he was certain his opponent was no different.
This Zhao Ziyang was truly formidable!
He was perhaps the strongest person Ye Cangtian had ever fought. He had encountered four Xuan-level experts from the Dark Association, but in his opinion, none of them could match Zhao Ziyang.
Of course, this excluded the Qingyi man he had encountered from the Hidden Group previously.
"You are strong!" Zhao Ziyang, also breathing heavily, echoed.
He shifted between moments of lucidity and bouts of madness.
Yet, whether lucid or deranged, his combat output was terrifying. However, Zhao Ziyang knew that neither he nor Ye Cangtian could definitively claim victory until the very last moment.
Ye Cangtian managed a slight smile. "As expected of the former top expert of the Dragon Group, you are also very strong!"
"But today, only one of us will walk away alive!"
Zhao Ziyang spoke, and then moved again.
In truth, their personalities and strengths were remarkably similar. Had it not been for their conflicting allegiances, they might have made ideal friends.
"Bang!"
Their fists collided, emitting a dull thud.
Despite both being severely wounded, they fought with increasing ferocity, their will to battle growing stronger.
At this moment, Zhao Ziyang's pupils again became unfocused, his entire demeanor turning almost frenzied. During these times, his fighting style became even more aggressive, as he had lost all reason.
Ye Cangtian was also filled with fighting spirit. With his strong regenerative abilities, he might not be the one to fall in the end!
"Boom!"
Another collision, and both men staggered back, spitting large mouthfuls of blood. Both had sustained another critical blow.
Suddenly!
Zhou Haiyue cried out in alarm, "Ruoyu, come back!"
Not far away, Zhao Ziyang, after spitting several mouthfuls of blood, was getting up to resume fighting. Just then, a piece of bread appeared before him.
"Uncle, won't you stop fighting? Have a piece of bread, and you won't be hungry!"
The little girl had somehow made her way between the two fighters.
With eyes of pure innocence, she looked at Zhao Ziyang, pressing the piece of bread into his blood-stained hand. "Uncle, please eat the bread!"
Zhao Ziyang's unfocused pupils gradually cleared, and the battle intent emanating from him began to recede.
He looked at the piece of bread in his hand, falling into a contemplative silence.
Then, Zhou Ruoyu turned and pressed another piece of bread into Ye Cangtian's hand, saying brightly, "Uncle, won't you both stop fighting? The uncle with the beard is sick, he'll get better after taking his medicine!"
Ye Cangtian found himself with a wry smile. People often said children spoke without reservation, but it was perhaps their pure hearts that were truly unfiltered.
"Ruoyu!"
Zhao Ziyang spoke, now completely lucid. Looking at the obedient and sensible Zhou Ruoyu before him, he was reminded of his own daughter.
He gently stroked the child's cheek, took a deep breath, and said, "Uncle will stop fighting!"
Zhou Ruoyu beamed. "Uncle is a good person, and good people don't fight!"
She happily ran back towards Zhou Haiyue, like a joyful sprite, skipping and telling her mother that the uncles had stopped fighting.
Zhao Ziyang leaned against a large rock, watching the carefree little girl, lost in his own thoughts.
Until a crumpled cigarette was offered to him.
Zhao Ziyang glanced at Ye Cangtian, then accepted the cigarette.
The two of them sat leaning against the massive rock, faces bruised and swollen, bodies covered in wounds, smoking their cigarettes in silent contemplation.
After a short while!
Zhao Ziyang flicked the cigarette butt away and said in a low voice, "You can take me back now! I can't kill you!"
Ye Cangtian smiled faintly. "Are you really not fighting anymore?"
Zhao Ziyang remained silent!
He had come to a realization. Although his objective was to kill Ye Cangtian, which would allow him to see his daughter, the sight of Zhou Ruoyu's innocent and pure eyes had made him hesitate. Was it truly appropriate to see his daughter in his current state?
To have her daughter witness her father as a bloodthirsty, demonized figure?
"Alright, you can go!" Ye Cangtian said suddenly from the side.
"Hmm?"
Zhao Ziyang frowned, giving him a deep look. "You're not taking me back?"
Ye Cangtian shrugged, dismissing it lightly. "No need to take back a madman!"
Logically, with the other party having given up resistance, all he had to do was clap on the handcuffs and take back this great demon who was so difficult for even the Dragon Group to capture.
Doing so would have been a significant contribution to the Dragon Group, bringing Ye Cangtian great recognition and reputation.
But Ye Cangtian simply didn't want to arrest him.
Not for any other reason than the fact that Zhao Ziyang, despite his occasional madness, did not indiscriminately kill innocents.
Zhao Ziyang grunted and said in a deep voice, "Don't think I'll be grateful to you!"
Ye Cangtian smiled. "I don't crave your gratitude. I just believe you can still be saved!"
Could Zhao Ziyang be saved?
Ye Cangtian didn't know. He had only heard from Xu Shian that Zhao Ziyang had once massacred over a hundred local bullies in a single night, but these individuals were notorious for their arrogance and wickedness.
Later, during the Dragon Group's pursuit, Zhao Ziyang had only severely injured his former colleagues, never taking their lives.
Based on these actions, Ye Cangtian felt that Zhao Ziyang was still a man of integrity.
Zhao Ziyang fell silent. He knew he could never go back. Neither the Dragon Group nor the Chinese military would ever let him go.
His notorious reputation as a killer would forever haunt him, preventing him even from searching for or seeing his daughter, despite knowing she was alive.
He tore open his clothing and retrieved a photograph from within.
He had preserved this photo meticulously, even trying to shield the part containing the photo from attacks during the fight.
The photograph showed a girl in a junior high school uniform, delicate and radiant, with a sweet smile on her face.
Zhao Ziyang gazed at the photo adoringly, then said, "I have a request for you. Help me find her. Consider it a great favor owed by Zhao Ziyang!"
Ye Cangtian glanced at the photograph and was stunned. "Who is she?"
"My daughter!"
For the first time, Zhao Ziyang revealed a hint of a smile. "She's still alive!"
Ye Cangtian suddenly understood. He finally realized why Zhao Ziyang had agreed to Yuwen Chengji's request to kill him.
This photograph had been given to him by Yuwen Chengji, and Yuwen Chengji knew Zhao Ziyang's daughter was alive.
Then, the reason Zhao Ziyang had abruptly returned to China a year ago was likely also a scheme orchestrated by Yuwen Chengji.
The objective was to capture Zhao Ziyang!