"You are so much more powerful than your younger brother," Ricky told Martin as he steadied himself.
"But, there's one thing you need to know. Listen—I, Ricky, truly detest how you used innocent people to force me to appear before you." Ricky gave off an increasingly menacing aura.
He didn't know all the details of the conflict among the Golden Leopard Valley, the Golden Rhino tribe and the Nanchao Clan. He only heard about part of the story from Madeline's previous narration. From what he knew, he conjectured everything that Martin and his allies did to those innocent people was all because of him.
Ricky felt truly sorry for causing trouble to the Nanchao Clan. They shouldn't have been hurt because of unwarranted guilt. They were not acquainted with him and they certainly never conspired with him against the people of the Golden Leopard Valley. They were all innocent! He was enraged by the bullies, especially Martin.
To be honest, had Martin avenged his younger brother's death by attacking him directly, he would not have been so furious. The matter concerned him and Martin. The latter should not have involved innocent people's lives. He would never ever allow himself to let those people die for nothing.
Perhaps, that was what Ricky's righteousness was all about.
"Oh? Is that so? You detest me for doing that? Tell me, do you like it when other people rob your treasures? Tell me, do you like it when any member of your family get killed?" Martin scoffed at Ricky.
The former then raised his outstretched palm to caution Ricky from moving his lips. "Let me answer for you. You wouldn't like it and neither would I. If anyone dared to do those things, I would let him pay the price using any method possible!"
Martin's eyes gleamed with overwhelming fury.
"Well, I think you should also pay the price for hurting innocent people. Killing you is enough to them!" Ricky clapped back.
"Do you really think you can kill me? Others may see you as an ace genius, but I don't think your strength is enough. You are just a stepping stone to my advancement in the world of martial arts. You are not worthy enough to defeat me," Martin sneered.
"Just wait and see. Perhaps I can use you as my stepping stone!" Ricky said resolutely. Martin was just a common foe to him in the past. But right now, he was beginning to see him as a fierce competitor.
'It's exactly the right choice to become a member of the Oriental College. Indeed, there are countless dangers and enemies all the way through, but there are also geniuses that I can meet and compete against. The faster I make progress and become formidable, the sooner I can reach the base of the Phoenix tribe and rescue Grace, ' Ricky thought.
He was confident about facing all the difficulties that lay ahead.
Just as Ricky was about to exert his full power for the next fight, Martin spoke as if he knew Ricky had planned to go all out. "Yes, we need to have a fight and settle our former conflict, but not now.
I am not perfectly certain that I can take your life right now."
"Oh?" Ricky was startled. Martin's words just now were unexpected.
Meanwhile, Martin conveyed the same message to Duncan using his spiritual sense. Upon hearing Martin's advice, Duncan immediately stepped back and stopped midway through his fight against Terrence.
Duncan understood what Martin really meant with his words, since they had already made a deal beforehand.
Thus, he withdrew from the fight without any protest.
"Why did you say 'oh' as a response? Ricky, do you mean that you are capable of taking our lives now? Are you that sure of your abilities?" Martin questioned Ricky's startled expression.
"No, I am not even 'sure' at all," Ricky responded.
Ricky didn't even express all of his thoughts. He wanted to say that he was not merely "sure," but actually confident enough that he could slay them.
"All right. Let's stop fighting for today and step back. We'll settle our grievances next time," Martin said.
"Okay. I'll just assume you put off the fight to practice new skills so you can finally be able to kill me off. Am I right?" Ricky conjectured with a laugh.
"Well, you might think so. Now that you have taken our hostages, we'll be taking our leave. Don't try and get in our way. Since I said I decided to stop fighting today, I will talk the talk and walk the walk," Martin responded calmly.
"On the other hand," he added, "I can't deny that if I could, I would have killed you the moment you set foot here."
"Ha-ha. Now I know exactly what you mean. But, how sure are you that I will really meet you at the time and place that you've arranged? Are you sure I am foolish enough to dance with death?" Ricky taunted.
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