Chapter 349: Damage Transfer

The garden maze was taller and denser than it appeared from outside. Between the long-untrimmed flower walls, there was only enough width for two people to walk side by side. The flower branches were tangled and intertwined, and the flower walls were at least two meters thick. Even hacking with knives or axes wouldn't get you through quickly.Furthermore, probably because no one had maintained the interior for a long time, there were some snake nests within the flowering shrubs.

The entire vast maze was just passages. After walking one-third of it, he still hadn't found any traces of digging.

At this point, Xu Huo was certain in his heart that the previously "vanished guests" were most likely not buried somewhere in the ancient castle.

Continuing further would be pointless, so he led the maid back the way they came.

"The rain has stopped today. Can people walk on that bridge now?" he asked.

"Mr. Xu, are you planning to leave?" the maid said in surprise. "But the appreciation banquet is the evening after tomorrow."

Xu Huo smiled. "I want to buy some things."

The maid smiled back. "You can just give me or another maid a list. We can buy them for you. It won't take much time to go and come back."

Xu Huo took out a list he had prepared in advance. "Just a few small things, but it might be a bit troublesome. I came in a hurry this time, so I didn't bring much cash. I only have a few pieces of jewelry on hand."

The maid immediately said, "There are pawnshops in the city. If you trust me, Mr. Xu, you can give them to me to handle."

The young girl became shy after saying this. "I won't cheat you."

Xu Huo smiled gently and handed her a diamond ring. "I won't make you run the errand for free. You can take one-tenth of whatever amount this ring is pawned for."

The maid looked slightly panicked, but Xu Huo said, "Consider it payment for helping me keep this secret. After all, being short on funds isn't a very face-saving matter."

Only then did the maid agree.

Returning to the main building area, Xu Huo asked her to send some strong liquor to his new room.

He paused in front of the door, but still turned the handle.

*Click!* The moment the door opened, his eyes were suddenly dazzled. Two hands reached out from the side, grabbing his arms left and right and dragging him into the room.

It was that pair of twin players.

With one punch and one kick, he shook the two off. Piano wire hooked around the neck of the person on the left, pulling them away, while the Crimson Sword continuously deflected three sleeve arrows shot from the right!

*Clang! Clang! Clang!*

Accompanied by three crisp sounds, the person on the left had already broken free from the piano wire's control. With a leaping pounce, both knees aimed to slam down on Xu Huo from mid-air!

With him holding a weapon, the other party engaging in close-quarters combat was very unwise. Xu Huo cautiously retreated, but the other twin moved to intercept from behind. The twin drew two fingers across the ground. "Chu River Han Border!"

Immediately, a barrier resembling flowing water rose up in front of him, behind Xu Huo!

With his retreat cut off, he had nowhere to escape. The twin who hadn't yet succeeded already wore a smile of certain victory. However, unexpectedly, Xu Huo grabbed the piano wire and instantly hoisted himself upward. The knees of the twin in front then slammed onto the water barrier.

His knees didn't actually collide with the barrier. Instead, from a distance of thirty centimeters, they released a golden arc-shaped shockwave that directly shattered the water barrier!

The twin behind took the impact. Chen Nan, who had launched the knee attack, couldn't help but shout, "Brother!"

"I'm fine!" Chen Tu retreated two steps, quickly signaling him to look at Xu Huo.

Chen Nan turned his head and saw red light emitting from the hilt of Xu Huo's long sword, followed by a burst of sword energy slashing toward him!

Xu Huo didn't go for a killing blow, so he aimed for Chen Nan's left arm. But after the sword energy's cutting surface disappeared, there was no wound on Chen Nan's shoulder. Instead, his own left shoulder erupted in excruciating pain. Glancing sideways, he saw a deep, bone-revealing wound stretching from his shoulder to his armpit!

Damage transfer?!

"Strike while he's down and finish him off!" Chen Tu used the momentum to rise, shooting several arrows at him. Simultaneously, Chen Nan charged from the front again!

Xu Huo deflected the sleeve arrows and landed, then without hesitation swung his sword at Chen Nan again. This time, he still aimed for his left shoulder!

The Chen Tu and Chen Nan brothers were both startled, seemingly not expecting him to dare swing his sword after being hit by damage transfer. Thus, one advanced while the other retreated!

In these few short seconds, Xu Huo had already understood the limitations of this kind of item. First, damage transfer had a limit on the number of uses or duration. At the very least, a second transfer couldn't happen in a short period. Second, the types of damage transfer were limited. The twins had taken punches and kicks earlier and had also been strangled by piano wire. That kind of damage hadn't been transferred to him. Of course, it was also possible the item needed time to activate.

Lastly, the reason for saying this was an item was because Chen Tu, who was charging over, also didn't seem afraid of taking a sword strike. He pulled his speed to the limit, with no intention of dodging at all.

Trying to seize an opportunity by enduring this one sword strike?

Xu Huo raised his sword without hesitation, still aiming for the left arm. However, Chen Tu, having insight into his intent, actually shifted his own position to the left!

The Crimson Sword could easily cut a person in half. Chen Nan's arm should have been severed, but the damage reflected back onto him wasn't that severe. At least two-thirds of the power was reduced. Since it wasn't yet a life-or-death moment, Chen Tu's action proved that even fatal injuries could be transferred.

Striking with this sword would serve no purpose other than adding another wound to himself.

Xu Huo kicked the chair by his feet, sending it flying in front of Chen Tu to take this sword strike.

Chen Tu was momentarily surprised, but his expression immediately turned resolute. He slid and knelt, passing under the shattered chair, then rolled over to land in front of Xu Huo and slapped the ground. "Draw the Ground as a Prison!"

A thin line of flowing water drew a circle around Xu Huo's feet. He tried to step out, but his feet felt as if nailed to the ground by heavy weights, completely unable to move.

Raising his hand, he flung out the "Tangle-Free Thread," ensnaring Chen Tu. Lifting his hand, he pulled the thread tight, strangling him. The moment Chen Tu's hand left the ground, Xu Huo's feet could move again. He delivered a kick to Chen Nan, who was charging head-on, directly kicking him to stick against the wall. Then he turned and gave Chen Tu a follow-up kick.

The two brothers wore pained expressions, but with their rich combat experience, they instantly regained their composure. Chen Tu took something and wiped it across his neck. Then, like a snake, he slipped out of the binding thread!

"I'll get serious if you come again," Xu Huo warned before they could act.

The two brothers paused for a moment, but the next instant, they still chose to attack.

This time, Xu Huo didn't meet them head-on. Instead, he turned and charged toward the other side of the room!

The twin brothers' expressions changed drastically. They immediately gave chase, but it was already too late. Xu Huo had already swung his sword down at the full-length mirror placed beside the dressing table!

*Crack!* The mirror shattered easily into pieces on the floor. Xu Huo frowned slightly. Turning his head and seeing the pained expressions on the Chen brothers' faces confirmed he hadn't targeted the wrong object.

"Chu River Han Border!" Chen Tu drew two fingers across, pulling up a water barrier. Then he and Chen Nan both fled toward the door.

Xu Huo couldn't possibly let them leave just like that. Flicking the lighter, Chen Tu's entire body burst into flames!

"Brother!" Chen Nan hurriedly rushed over to help tear off his burning clothes. However, by this time, Xu Huo had already circumvented the water barrier and arrived in front of them. Seeing him raise his sword, Chen Nan suddenly spread his arms wide, blocking in front of Chen Tu, and shouted loudly, "You are our substitute right now! Hurting my brother is the same as hurting yourself! Even if the item is destroyed, the effect still remains!"