Chapter 26: Sensational News
Plop! Plop!
The unrestrained laughter still echoed in the wind, carried by the immense force of the slashes. The four severed heads, flung into the air, finally crashed to the ground, rolling like balls, leaving behind blood trails that sent shivers down the spine.
One of the heads happened to roll to the feet of a thug holding a laborer hostage. The thug stiffened his neck and involuntarily looked down.
The face of this severed head still bore the ferocity of the moment the saber was swung. Its eyes were wide with rage, staring blankly at him. Within its hollow, dark pupils, it seemed as though an abyss lurked, ready to unleash a vengeful ghost at any moment.
The thug felt a chill rise from nowhere, his limbs turning cold and his body going so weak that not a trace of strength remained. The steel saber in his hand clanged to the ground.
Others cried out in screams and collapsed to the ground, their crotches instantly soaked.
No one mocked him, or even paid attention to him. As if it were a signal, several more thugs lost their grip on their sabers. Even the bold ones were now swallowing hard, their faces filled with terror.
The thugs who could still stand were in a panic, their gazes turning to those who could make decisions.
Yan Tieshan stood ramrod straight, his eyes fixed forward, silent. A look of bewilderment remained on his face.
“Third Master…”
The five dark-skinned hunters also could not hide their shock. They were all seasoned hunters who, before pledging allegiance to Yan Tieshan, had spent their years hunting in the mountains.
In the wandering knight’s pounce and leap just now, they truly felt the terror of being alone deep in the vast mountains, facing a man-eating ferocious tiger with bare hands.
The speed of the pounce was too fast, like a bird in flight, leaving no opportunity to draw a bow and nock an arrow.
“That fellow… that person hasn’t gone far. Do we chase or not?” a hunter sidled up to Yan Tieshan and asked nervously.
Before he finished speaking, the hunter felt a coolness on his face. He reached out a finger to wipe it, and blood stained his fingertip.
He looked up abruptly, his eyes wide open.
*Ching!*
A long bloodline spread across Yan Tieshan’s neck, and foul-smelling blood spurted out. Yan Tieshan’s head then lowered, and a large head rolled from his neck.
“Ah!” The hunter stumbled back, crying out in alarm.
The many travelers and merchants at the wharf, people from all walks of life, finally reacted. A clamor erupted, and the crowd scattered like startled fish, in utter chaos.
Cries of alarm arose, one after another.
Some of the fainthearted had already covered their eyes, unable to watch. Others, suddenly witnessing such a stimulating scene, were so terrified their limbs went weak, and they gagged as if to vomit.
Even some wealthy gentlemen and rich merchants, who had traveled extensively, seen much of the world, and were surrounded by guards, were now dumbfounded and shaken.
Meanwhile, the laborers whose sabers were held by the thugs, taking advantage of the thugs’ panic, scrambled away using their hands and feet. Their faces showed both fear and a hint of vengeful satisfaction.
Several young men in tight-fitting martial attire, squeezed into the crowd, watched from beginning to end. They could no longer maintain their composure. A man with a saber at his waist stammered, “What… what in the world is going on?”
“What else could it be?” A man with a copper complexion and a full beard next to the swordsman said with a wry smile, “We all misjudged him. How could this be a rookie fresh out of the mountains? This is clearly an old hawk disguised as a sparrow. Such a swift saber, such a vicious strike. He hit his mark and immediately fled… Heh heh!”
As the bearded man spoke, admiration and reverence gradually appeared on his face. He murmured, “Ten steps, one kill. A thousand miles, no trace… This trip was truly worth it, truly worth it!”
On the other side, the slender He Xiaofeng completely ignored the panic of the thugs. With a wooden expression, he sheathed his curved saber and crouched down to carefully examine the severed neck of Yan Tieshan’s headless corpse.
After a moment, he shifted his gaze to the five ferocious bloody holes on Qian Xiucai’s throat, his expression so dark it seemed water could drip from it.
“Good! Good lad, you’ve even played a trick on He Xiaofeng!”
He muttered hoarsely, narrowing his eyes. He couldn’t help but recall the opponent throwing his conical hat to block the path of his curved saber.
Taking advantage of the slight pause in his curved saber, the opponent lunged forward, his saber flashing, and effortlessly severed Yan Tieshan’s head.
He Xiaofeng remembered the moment the conical hat shattered, wood chips scattering. What met his eyes were a pair of calm, indifferent eyes.
The brief exchange of blows passed by in an instant, and the dust obscured his vision, so he didn’t get a very clear look at the opponent’s face. But anyone who had seen those eyes once would never forget them.
The next time he encountered him, he would be able to recognize him immediately.
He Xiaofeng indifferently glanced at the group of thugs. Some were still groaning on the wharf, while others were like headless flies, all utterly lost.
Without Yan Tieshan, these people would be unable to establish a foothold at the wharf, and new gangs or noble family forces would soon intervene.
Some of these people might be kept to continue doing dirty work. As for the thugs whose bones had been crushed, no one would spend money to support them for no reason.
He Xiaofeng had no intention of plundering Yan Tieshan’s lair.
It wasn’t that he wasn’t greedy, but he knew that Yan Tieshan’s lair didn’t actually hold much surplus wealth.
Yan Tieshan was able to become the Third Master of the wharf, controlling the interests of the wharf and the surrounding Fish Market Street and Laborer’s Alley, because he had the support of the Great Families in the city.
Most of the wealth he obtained had to be shared, and he still had to support nearly a hundred thugs. How much could he have left in the end?
Precisely because the profits weren’t as high as others imagined, and the expenses were large, Yan Tieshan felt the pinch after investing in He Xiaofeng for only a few days.
Without saying a word, He Xiaofeng turned directly and strode away.
The autumn wind stirred the clear ripples.
On the Jade Belt River, on the deck of the Tao Family’s grand ship, an eerie silence had fallen.
After a long while, Master Jin finally shook his head with a wry smile and sighed deeply:
“Old Jin has traveled far and wide for so many years, priding himself on being an experienced Jianghu figure. My eyes have seen all kinds of people, yet I never expected to be blind today…”
“It’s not your fault, Master Jin. Even I didn’t see through him.”
The Young Man in Brocade gazed in the direction Hong Yuan’s figure had disappeared, his expression solemn.
“This person’s true objective was likely aimed directly at Yan Tieshan’s head. However, he didn’t want to risk entering Yan Tieshan’s lair. Thus, he disguised himself as a rash newcomer and then feigned a kind-hearted and soft-hearted demeanor to lure him out. Yan Tieshan died without injustice.”
Master Jin said, “This kind of scheming must be guarded against, but this person’s martial arts are even more formidable.”
“Indeed. With a flick of his finger, he parried four blades, severing four heads. This must have been a burst of True Force, right? Then he killed Yan Laosan and that old scholar. His blade technique was so fast that heads were cut off before anyone could see what happened. His claw technique, in one strike, tore open the old scholar’s throat!”
“With such martial arts, let alone among the younger generation, even many renowned masters in their prime would not be his equal.”
The Young Man in Brocade suddenly laughed again, “I never expected that this whim of mine to go out and explore would lead me to encounter such a formidable figure so quickly. The world is indeed vast, and heroes emerge in great numbers! Judging by the voice of that person, he is not old. With such careful planning and cunning, he might one day reach the ‘Microscopic Level’.”
“Microscopic Level…” Master Jin sighed, his eyes filled with envy and jealousy.
He came from a humble background and, with his martial arts skills, was appreciated by the Tao Family, becoming the martial arts instructor and guard for the young master and lady of the family. The Tao siblings treated him with considerable courtesy, always addressing him as ‘Master’.
However, he knew his place. The courtesy of the Tao siblings was merely the upbringing of noble scions, and it didn’t mean he could truly put on airs as a teacher.
To put it bluntly, he, ‘Master Jin’, was merely a highly valued senior servant of the Tao Family!
But if his martial arts reached the ‘Microscopic Level’, everything would change.
The Microscopic Level was already the realm of martial arts Grandmasters, individuals whose power could match dozens, or even more, of armored soldiers. They were truly ‘worth a hundred men’ and could found sects and dominate regions in Jianghu.
On the battlefield, clad in heavy armor, they would be unparalleled generals charging into the fray, unstoppable. Such individuals, while not necessarily on equal footing with ancient and well-established noble clans, would at least be given corresponding attention and courtesy.
Unfortunately, Master Jin lacked both talent and opportunity. The Microscopic Level of Force was merely a distant dream for him.
The Red-Clad Girl recovered from the shock of the bloody scene and said, “Since this person is so formidable, why doesn’t my elder brother try to find him and, before he reaches the ‘Microscopic Level’, recruit him to our Tao Family? That would be a great asset to us.”
The Young Man in Brocade pondered for a moment, then shook his head, “Forget it. Judging by this person’s decisive and unhesitating actions, if I were to rashly investigate his identity, I might end up backfiring and angering him…”
“My consideration was indeed lacking,” the Red-Clad Girl said, her expression becoming more serious.
Recalling the swift and fierce saber strike from before, she also felt a twinge of fear. At the same time, she couldn’t help but feel captivated, sighing, “I’ve read so many tales of chivalrous knights and practiced martial arts under Master Jin, believing I’ve gained some skill. Only today do I understand what true wandering knight spirit is…”
“Ten steps, one kill. A thousand miles, no trace. Affairs concluded, he brushes his sleeves and departs, deeply hiding his merits and fame.” She couldn’t help but chant softly, “What a wonderful poem! I wonder which great master penned it? Only such a fine poem could match such a breathtaking saber strike!”
The Young Man in Brocade stood with his hands behind his back, at the bow of the ship, watching the noisy wharf. Some were shouting about reporting to the authorities, while more, feeling uninvolved, were hurrying away.
He chuckled softly and said, “This matter will likely spread quickly. When the wandering knights of Jianghu hear of it, they will undoubtedly be ecstatic and revere this poem as their guiding principle…”
*Swish! Swish-swish!*
Hong Yuan moved like the wind, quickly leaving the vicinity of the wharf. After making several turns, he entered an unfamiliar alley and stopped in a secluded corner, regulating his breathing method to calm his slightly rapid breath.
His face was slightly flushed, a sign of Qi and Blood surging upwards due to multiple bursts of True Force in a short period.
At the wharf, Hong Yuan had unleashed True Force three times in total: first, to parry the sabers of four guards with one strike and then sever their heads!
Second, to gather force and dash to Yan Tieshan’s side to kill him.
Third, to erupt True Force from his feet, moving rapidly like the wind to escape.
If Yang Erhu were to do this, he would be dead after one burst. Hong Yuan, however, only had his Qi and Blood slightly scattered.
After slowly regulating himself for half an hour, Hong Yuan opened his eyes, appearing as usual, full of energy.
He unsheathed his saber and set off to find the contact of Meng Yue, the so-called ‘Mr. Cui’, and deal with the trouble.
An hour later.
Hong Yuan emerged from a dim alley, his expression somewhat displeased. He had missed his target; Mr. Cui was not in the house.
He had even lurked in the shadows, waiting quietly for over half an hour, but there was still no sign.
Hong Yuan possessed the ability of Clear Eyes and Penetrating vision, giving him observation skills beyond ordinary people. He was nine-tenths sure that Meng Yue had not lied when he was interrogated.
Therefore, either Mr. Cui didn’t trust Meng Yue very much and had multiple safe houses, or it was pure luck.
Regardless, Hong Yuan felt it would be difficult to track down Mr. Cui in a short period.
After all, he didn’t even know Mr. Cui’s specific appearance.
Once the events at the wharf spread, Mr. Cui would immediately become alert upon hearing of it, and Meng Yue would no longer be expected to arrive…
In fact, while Hong Yuan was hidden, waiting for Mr. Cui’s arrival, the shocking events at the wharf had already spread through several prosperous streets of the county town.
“What? Yan Tieshan, Third Master Yan of the wharf, was killed?”
“What? Third Master Yan’s strategist, Qian Xiucai, is also dead?”
“What Third Master? Yan San is now a headless dead dog, tsk tsk! You haven’t seen the scene, it was a horrific sight, blood everywhere!”
…
The wharf was originally a place where people came and went, gathering people from all walks of life and many merchants. Moreover, Yangquan County Town was not large. In just one hour, although it wasn’t enough to spread throughout the entire county, several of the most densely populated and bustling commercial districts were already in an uproar, lively as if it were a festival.
Wine houses and tea houses were filled with arguing crowds. Many of them had witnessed the scene at the wharf and had come specifically to spread the news, their faces flushed with excitement, gesturing wildly.
“Alas! It’s a pity you didn’t witness it with your own eyes. This is much more exciting than the storybooks told by the storytellers in the tea houses.”
In a certain teahouse.
The speaker was animated, one foot on a stool, gesticulating with his hands: “That wandering knight wore a conical hat, dressed in dark robes, and had a steel saber at his waist. Alone, he routed the more than a hundred men under Yan Laosan, leaving them dead everywhere. Then with another saber strike, so fast it was like lightning, my eyes blurred, and several heads flew into the sky…”
“The most laughable part was Yan Laosan. His head was already cut off, yet his subordinates thought he was still alive. When they went to touch him, *bang!*” the speaker clapped his hands in front of his eyes, tilting his head.
“His head fell off!”
“Good! Well killed! That Yan dog committed many wicked deeds, he should have died long ago! *Sob sob sob*…” Someone cried, perhaps having also been bullied by Yan Tieshan.
“Heh, the King of Hell of the wharf met the real King of Hell!”
“I heard that swordsman killed several hundred people alone, and the blood dyed the Jade Belt River red, blocking the river channel with corpses…”
“Ah! Such a grand scene, why don’t we go and see it now?”
“Forget it, forget it!”
“Has anyone notified the government?”
“Someone reported it to the authorities long ago, but what can the county yamen do? Jianghu matters are resolved within Jianghu. The County Magistrate will at most send people to collect the bodies…” someone muttered softly.
In a corner by the window of the teahouse, a middle-aged man with a plump face, wearing a jade thumb ring on his right thumb, was leisurely sipping his tea. At this moment, he frowned, put some silver shavings on the table, and hurried out.
However, after only a few steps out of the teahouse, he abruptly stopped, a thoughtful expression appearing on his face, and he turned back into the teahouse.
…
