The sea wind howled like a chorus of ghosts. Waves crashed ceaselessly against the rocks, bursting into white foam under lightning that slashed the midnight sky.
Quang Minh gripped his sword tight, eyes fixed on the cave's narrow opening. Beside him, Bích Thủy lay pale and weak, her damp black hair clinging to her ashen cheeks.
Suddenly, amid the roar of the surf, a shadow swept into the cave like drifting smoke. A chilling aura swept in its wake. A hoarse voice rasped:
"Phạm Quang Minh, hand over the Long Tàng Secret Manual, or both you and that woman will die tonight!"
Before Quang Minh could reply, a blade-like gleam flashed. The intruder struck with blinding speed, a palm crashing down like an avalanche. Quang Minh clenched his teeth and parried with his sword, his Thiên Vân Spinning Wave forming a silver circle to block the incoming force. Yet the power behind the strike was overwhelming. He staggered back three steps as bits of rock tumbled from the cave ceiling like rain.
The masked man sneered, his laughter echoing through the rocky hollow:
"Such pitiful skills, and you dare guard the secret manual? You're courting death!"
A flash of lightning lit his face: wrapped in black cloth, revealing only a pair of narrow eyes gleaming cold as steel. A crimson scar slashed from his forehead down his left cheek, lending his gaze a fearsome intensity.
Quang Minh gasped for breath, sweat and rain soaking his back. He shouted:
"Who are you? Have the guts to give your name!"
The man gave a low laugh:
"Hmph! Why tell you my name when you'll soon be dead?"
He lunged forward, ten fingers clawing like eagle talons, shadows flickering as deadly force closed in. Quang Minh roared, his sword cleaving a brilliant arc like a rainbow. The two forces collided in a thunderous crash, the impact shaking the cave walls as if they might collapse.
Amid the clash of steel and shadows, Bích Thủy suddenly opened her eyes, tears shining yet glinting with icy resolve. She pushed herself upright and cried out:
"A man of the Black-Clad Sect dares covet the Long Tàng Manual? You'll have to face my blade first!"
Though still weakened, she flicked her wrist, sending a silver dart whistling through the rain. The masked man twisted aside, but the dart grazed his shoulder, splattering bright blood against the stone.
He let out a furious roar, eyes blazing with murderous intent:
"Wretched girl! I'll take your life first!"
He shifted his attack, lunging at Bích Thủy, his palm coiling with deadly inner force. Quang Minh cried out in alarm:
"Don't touch her!"
He threw himself forward, sword flashing to intercept the blow. Another tremendous bang shook the cave as blade and palm force collided. Stone fragments exploded, icy wind surged through the cavern, and the two combatants were hurled in opposite directions.