The opponent's strength far surpassed his own. Fleeing would be a sign of weakness, revealing his trump cards and potentially leading to a swift, fatal strike.
However, if he could withstand the attack, he might hold out until the Old War God arrived, at which point he would no longer need to fear.
The Old War God's strength was undeniable; he could undoubtedly defeat the man before him. Capturing him alive, however, might prove difficult.
Yet, Chu Chen wasn't overly concerned about that. Capturing him wasn't the priority; the opportunity to fight such a master was.
After all, the three cultivators had already been acupoint-sealed and were immobilized. He could take them back for interrogation.
While letting this cultivator roam free seemed risky, Chu Chen didn't care.
By the time the opponent had another chance to assassinate him, he would have grown stronger, far surpassing the man's abilities.
"Chu Chen, surrender. You are no match for me," the great warrior sneered, effortlessly parrying Chu Chen's attack. "Return to the Xiongnu with me. Though your cultivation and combat power may not be top-tier in the future, your strategy and wisdom are unparalleled in the world."
"Our Chanyu greatly admires you. He wishes to become your friend. I wonder if you would grant him this honor."
Chu Chen chuckled lightly. "Just tell him directly: I won't grant him the honor. He needn't waste his effort."
"The Xiongnu are attacking Yun Yue Kingdom this time. We in Yun Yue Kingdom will not easily target the Xiongnu, but they must also learn to restrain themselves."
Chu Chen's words made the great warrior erupt in laughter.
"You speak quite amusingly, boy. Do you know that at least twenty percent of your Yun Yue Kingdom's former officials have been bought by our Xiongnu?"
"Once war breaks out, you can imagine what those officials will do. I don't need to elaborate, do I?"
Chu Chen's heart tightened, but he knew the man spoke the truth. Those who betrayed their country were the most detestable, utterly disgusting. Yet, these individuals often caused real harm to the nation's interests.
Chu Chen grinned menacingly. "I have already purged a group of people from the Yun Yue Kingdom's court. Yours are surely among them."
The great warrior sneered and shook his head. "Perhaps you have purged some, but they were all insignificant. Those truly deeply entrenched will never appear in your sight. How can you eliminate them?"
Chu Chen's heart clenched at this. If they didn't appear in his sight, they were either petty officials or those in relatively important positions.
Would such people also betray? It was hard to imagine.
Chu Chen sighed in frustration but then redirected his anger towards his battle with the great warrior.
"Even if you have so many people lurking, we will not fear you. At worst, it will be a fight to the death."
Chu Chen intensified his offense. With the aid of the Ascending Dragon Pill, his strength was still sufficient to contend with the opponent. He would not waste this precious moment.
In at most the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, his combat power would significantly decline, even weaker than before he took the pill.
He had to find a way to injure the opponent before then, or he would have no chance at all.
As he fought, he scanned the surroundings for any sign of the Old War God, hoping he would appear quickly.
However, it all seemed like a futile wish. The Old War God did not appear. Instead, he was steadily pushed back under the great warrior's onslaught.
His spiritual energy seemed to be reaching its limit. There was no point in continuing the fight against the opponent.
"Chu Chen, you're not still fantasizing about your so-called Old War God coming, are you? Let me tell you, he's gone off to enjoy himself somewhere. He never intended to protect you."
The great warrior continued to taunt Chu Chen, which only ignited Chu Chen's stubborn refusal to yield.
"Is it amusing to mock me? Do you think I'm afraid of you?"
Chu Chen continuously employed clever tactics to deflect the opponent's fatal attacks, while his mind raced for solutions.
Every path led to a dead end. The disparity in their combat power was too great. He couldn't ask the opponent to stop improving his strength and wait for him to surpass him, could he?
Even temporary cultivation required time.
Finally, the great warrior seemed to lose his patience.
"Chu Chen, I gave you a chance, and you didn't cherish it. So, you cannot blame me."
"From now on, I will kill you and hang your body on the city walls of Shuangyue City in Yun Yue Kingdom, to let them know that some people cannot be provoked. You cannot afford to offend them."
Chu Chen's heart was filled with anxiety, but it was useless.
He could feel his strength gradually fading. Although it hadn't collapsed yet, it was only a matter of time.
"Am I, Chu Chen, going to die at this man's hands?"
Chu Chen had simulated the possibility of his death at this man's hands, which was why he had specifically sought out the Old War God. Yet, at the most critical moment, the Old War God had left.
This was unforgivable, an act of betrayal!
Chu Chen continued to fight, determined to lose with dignity if he had to. He, Chu Chen, would fight to the last moment and never surrender!
As he saw the opponent's spiritual energy gradually tearing through his defenses, Chu Chen closed his eyes, feeling his strength ebb away, searching for a way to break free.
However, he found no solution. The opponent's strength far surpassed his own, and he was in peak condition. At this point, a head-on confrontation wouldn't last long. He had to find another approach.
Suddenly, Chu Chen had an idea. "Wait, you have already defeated me. But before that, I have a question I want to ask you."
Hearing this, the great warrior paused, unsure of Chu Chen's meaning.
He then sneered, "No matter what your intention is, boy, your strength is greatly depleted now. I can do as I please. Ask away."
Chu Chen sneered back. "You defeated me, so I must at least know your name. Otherwise, I'll die a confused ghost."
The great warrior almost burst out laughing.
"Remember my name? I think you're trying to play a trick."
The great warrior seemed to see through Chu Chen's intentions easily, but he didn't expose him.
"You have guts, boy. You haven't surrendered even now. It's fine to tell you my name."
Saying this, the warrior stopped his attack and said coldly, "Listen carefully, boy. My name is Jin Lun. You can also call me King Jin Lun, or Little Jin Lun. All are acceptable. I am the number one warrior of the Xiongnu."