Lin Hao dodged the sword, something the youth in black didn't find the least bit surprising.
In fact, it was all part of the black-clad youth's calculations; he had even anticipated Lin Hao's retreat.
The moment Lin Hao sidestepped, the sword was already there.
Or perhaps, the sword strike was faster than Lin Hao's movement. It was as if by sidestepping, Lin Hao was about to impale himself on the youth's willow-leaf sword.
As Lin Hao's throat was about to meet the blade, the black-clad youth's eyes flashed, and his sword surged forward with even greater speed.
Lin Hao threw his head back and launched into a backflip, simultaneously kicking his rising left foot toward the youth's sword wrist.
The youth in black retracted his right hand and, forming a fist with his left, punched at Lin Hao's foot.
The retraction and the punch were a single, fluid motion.
BOOM!
The punch struck Lin Hao, launching him into the air.
