Chapter 150: Wang Ton vs. Shu Nan

Shu Nan swung her axe. Wang Ton ducked beneath it before bringing his hammer around and down on his head. She blocked with the pole of her weapon and tilted it away. She drew her axe back and shoved the axe head forward. He side stepped the thrust. Raising her axe, she brought it down to his head and with a spinning flourish, he blocked the blow and stepped back.

He recovered his stance.

Wang Ton swung his axe. Shu Nan ducked beneath it before brining her axe around and down on her head. He blocked with the pole of his weapon and tilted it away. He drew his hammer back and shoved the hammer head forward. She side stepped the thrust. Raising his hammer, he brought it down to her head and with a spinning flourish, she blocked the blow and stepped back.

She recovered her stance.

Zen was amazed that his father could keep up with her weapon with a much heavier weapon but it his long pole hammer did have its advantages.

“Your good.” Shu Nan said with a smirk.

“Let’s stop this.” Wang Ton said.

“No, let’s kick it up a notch.” Ther axe head burst in flame.

“Elemental infusion.” Wang Ton said.

“What that?” Shibi said.

“Elemental energy can infuse with any object to create Elemental Weapon Techniques.” Zen said.

“I knew you would be impressed.” Shu Nan said. “Aren’t you going to do it?”

“Already have.” He said.

“Hmm, your funeral then.” She swung the flaming axe. The C-shaped fire flowed forward for Ton and Zen.

Shibi leaned forward, prepared to take the brunt but Ton stepped before them and spun his hammer. The fire dispersed as it forced Ton back. All the fire vanished as ruins shined along the pole of the hammer.

Shu Nan rushed forward and the flaming axe head headed for Ton. He blocked with the pole and there was an explosion of fire. When the flames cleared, singing smoke rose from Ton. Sections of the carriage roof were still alight in flame.

“Impressive.’ She said. “This hammer is supernaturally resistant to flame.”

“I treated it.” he said. “I sometimes use this hammer to shape my weapons.”

“Then lets test its strength.” The flame of her axe increased. The heat spread red along the pole, almost reaching his hands.

He knocked the axe head away and spun it in a flourish, dispelling the heat. He tired to strike her but she moved back, out distancing his hammer. She dashed forward and so did he. Their weapons met at the heads and there was an explosion of fire that engulfed them both.

Zen had to crawl back to avoid the spreading fire. The fire cleared and there were holes bruned through in Wang Ton’s clothes.

“Tough old man!” she said as they resumed trading blows. “But what should I expect from someone who used to be a central member of the Brown Feather Guild!”

“I respect your father, Girl.” He said. “So I will give you a lesson in combat and not hurt you… much.”

“As if you could!” She said.

Zen was able to tear his eyes away from the battle and looked to the side. He saw a group of riders approaching them. He could tell from the bulky body of one that it was not one of his father’s men. It was Shu Bua and two other riders too far away for him to recognise.

“This is going to be trouble,” Zen said to himself before returning to the fight before him.

Wang Ton and Shu Nan were still battling. Shu Nan leapt back.

“Try this for size!” She swung the axe multiple times and and fire flew at Wang Ton in shape of a C.

Wang Ton spun his hammer, disrupting the shape of the fire. Shu Nan was throwing a lot of fire at Ton, so much so that the flames hid him Ton from sight. The fire grew and grew, threatening even her safety but she kept on pouring on the flames.

The fire suddenly dispersed, revealing Wang Ton who was closer to her, having gained ground while dispersing the massive fire. His hammer was pink with heat.

“H-How can you stand the heat?”

“I’m a blacksmith,” he said pulling his hammer back which went from pink to black, “I’m as resistant to fire as my tools are!”

She infused more fire into her axe and swung it.

Wang Ton swung his weapon too.

They met and there was another explosion of fire which engulfed them and spread out.

“Oh come on!” Zen said as he stumbled back, raising his hands to ward off the fire.

When the fire cleared, Wang Ton was standing tall ad alone with Shu Nan nowhere to be seen. Her axe was no longer an axe, the head had been smashed, with only a few pieces remaining clonging on the pole.

“Shu… Nan?” Zen said in worry.

He saw a pair of hands over the other end of the carriage. Shu Nan pulled her upper half over the carriage.

“Wow,” she said breathlessly. “That was cool.”

“Wang Tooooooon!” A deep gruff voice shouted.

Suddenly, they were all showered with a thick killing intent. They all looked up as Shu Bua sailed across the sky, earth forming around his hand like a gauntlet.

Wang Ton’s eyes grew in fear as he gathered all his ki and pulled his hammer back. He leapt up and met Bua’s fist with the hammerhead, with all his strength. There was a sonic boom that popped all of their ears and warped the carriage. Bua fell back and landed on his feet while Ton was smashed against the roof of the carriage, falling all the way through.

“L-Lord Shan, please forgive me.” Wang Ton said.

“Seems you attract a lot of trouble, Wang Ton.” Shan said with a bemused smile.

Ton got on his feet and jumped back onto the roof of the cart. Shu Nan had already climbed back up and she and Zen were watching as Shu Bua chased after the carriage, moving forward unsteadily.

“He’s come but its too late.” She said. “I’m already free of him. I know the truth.”

“What are you talking about?” Wang Ton said.

“You must know.” She turned to him. “You ust realise.”

Ton looked as confused as Zen.

“Our love of weapons and battling.” She said. “The fact thatI’m as old as you left the town the first time. How crappy my father has treated me. You mist know why.”

“I don’t.” Wang Ton said.

“Wang Ton, I am your daughter.”