[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-cursed-blade-s-walk":3,"chapter-the-cursed-blade-s-walk-the-cursed-blade-s-walk-chapter-18":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Cursed Blade's Walk",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2262323,4415,"Chapter 18: The Past of the Sick Tiger","the-cursed-blade-s-walk-chapter-18",18,"\u003Cp>“What do you mean?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan rarely spoke of his father Li Hu’s death, for it was somewhat shameful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His nickname, the Sick Tiger of Guanzhong, also made him a notorious womanizer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This life’s mother was an ordinary peasant woman; under his grandfather’s strict control, his father had been relatively stable—besides practicing martial arts, he lived a life of farming and weaving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until the year after his birth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A great drought struck Guanzhong, locusts ravaged the land, and plagues broke out everywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That same year, the Maitreya Sect also stirred up chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His mother fell ill and died; with the household unable to afford food, his father picked up a knife and left home, surviving by the ways of the Jianghu, earning Jianghu money, and gradually building a reputation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But once he did, it was like a tiger escaping its cage—no one could hold him back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He not only killed indiscriminately but also left behind a trail of romantic debts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Li Yan was young, he had seen several beautiful women storming into their home, wailing and weeping, fighting at the door, driving his grandfather to refuse meals for days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The year he died, it was in a brothel in Chang’an City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to the constables and the brothel’s madam, he died of “horse wind”; the coroner and his grandfather personally examined the body and confirmed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since then, his grandfather rarely mentioned his father and grew even older.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Previously, Li Yan had assumed Sha Lifei was lying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But since learning of the curse, he felt this matter was not so simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the killing intent flare in Li Yan’s eyes, his dragon-like pupils radiating cold light, Sha Lifei grew fearful and quickly smiled apologetically: “I heard… ah, I only heard… a few months after the incident, that brothel had trouble.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What kind of trouble?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“People died! Several courtesans were killed!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What does that have to do with my father?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I just like to gossip—I happened to know those who died were all old lovers of yours.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go on!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Normally, no one in officialdom cares about a few courtesans dying, but back then, everyone was unusually tense—Zhou Pan even took the initiative to cooperate, leading his disciples to Chang’an City, searching everywhere.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You know what kind of man Zhou Pan is—a cunning old monkey who grabs every advantage and flees every trouble. His sudden enthusiasm? Something’s fishy!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Besides, he was the one who benefited most from your father’s death.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Sha Lifei spoke, he watched Li Yan’s expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, he felt a lightness in his chest, looked down—and realized Li Yan’s short knife had silently retracted into his sleeve, unnoticed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sleeve Knife!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sha Lifei instantly remembered what that was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Li Hu was alive, there was a Jianghu legend: he not only mastered the Guanzhong Quick Blade but, based on the Robe Technique and Sleeve Hand, created a Sleeve Knife.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sleeve hiding a knife\" originally described someone who appears kind on the outside but is venomous within.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Sleeve Knife was the same—silent and invisible, it could kill without warning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hu had built his reputation precisely with these two blades, and now they’d passed to his son.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This boy was even better suited for the Sleeve Knife than his father.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Li Yan had retracted the blade, his gaze remained icy. “Uncle Sha, no beating around the bush—if my father’s death truly had secrets, I owe you a favor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But one thing at a time—what were you scheming against me for?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you don’t explain clearly, this isn’t over today!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan was called the “Troublesome Ghost” in the village for good reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having lived two lives, he had seen through too many things—he cared nothing for propriety, rules, or systems, and had no patience for pretense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What did Sha Lifei plan?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if he had to pull his teeth, he’d pry it out today!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking into Li Yan’s eyes, Sha Lifei felt his scalp prickle; he awkwardly scratched his bald head and said, “Young Master Yan, don’t be angry—you know me, I’m famous for my loyalty…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He choked off the boast, helplessly adding: “Actually, nothing much—I accidentally offended one of Zhou Pan’s disciples and had to come to Xianyang City.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I thought your family had grievances with him too—perfect chance to get a helper…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, I see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan nodded slowly, “Uncle Sha, you could’ve just said it outright. Look what nearly happened—don’t take it personally.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sha Lifei nodded quickly, “Not at all, we’re on the same side. Also, Master Wang’s matter—tomorrow we’ll handle it, but we must keep our movements hidden when entering the city.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Naturally.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan smiled in agreement, as if the near-draw of the blade had never happened, then turned and strolled away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did Sha Lifei exhale, drenched in cold sweat; he silently cursed: Damn it, this kid’s got a dog’s face—switches moods in a heartbeat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that this is over, I’d better keep my distance from him…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back near the shack, Li Yan found a quiet spot beside a large tree, hugged his knife, and prepared to sleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was already summer; the night was warm, so he hadn’t brought bedding—he’d just make do here until he found Wang Daoxuan, then leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took Sha Lifei’s words seriously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His father’s death didn’t stem solely from the curse’s bad luck—there was more beneath the surface.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether it involved Zhou Pan remained uncertain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But some instinct told him: this matter was tied to Jianghu sorcerers!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter what he did later, first he had to step into this path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, footsteps sounded behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan opened his eyes and saw Hei Dan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy held a water skin, hesitant, afraid to approach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan smiled easily: “What’s wrong? Did I grow horns?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This boy was the only one in the village who got along with him—he was loyal, so when Li Yan asked for help, he acted without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hei Dan scratched his head, grinned sheepishly, and offered the water skin: “Big Brother Yan, drink some water—you were amazing today!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not me—him. He underestimated me.” Li Yan’s expression turned serious as he recounted the duel in detail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Defeating Meng Haicheng seemed like a single move—but it wasn’t simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, he knew Meng excelled at Monkey Fist; he exploited Meng’s age to provoke him into overconfidence, creating the perfect opening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meng was older, with rich Jianghu experience—if he’d fought cautiously, it would’ve taken longer to bring him down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since they were close, Li Yan revealed all the subtleties without reservation—so Hei Dan would know how to guard himself if he ever faced a similar opponent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hei Dan stared, stunned: “So complicated?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan smiled. “The Jianghu is full of deceit. Strength is only used when faces are torn open—the real knives are hidden. Without a few extra wits, how can you survive?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, he didn’t say everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Defeating Meng Haicheng wasn’t just for show.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the moment he heard Sha Lifei’s provocation, he knew the old fox had ill intent—he used the victory to force the veteran to spill the truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>!.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And this sigh came from his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blade fights are just surface-level. The strange arts of the Xuanmen—if you don’t understand or guard against them, you won’t even know how you died.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hei Dan sat stunned for a long while, then spoke with dimmed eyes: “No wonder my father knew martial arts but made me till the soil—the Jianghu isn’t for me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice grew agitated: “Big Brother Yan, I can’t accept it. I don’t want to stay stuck in this village—teach me what to do.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan thought for a moment: “Learn a trade first. If you want to leave, you need a way to earn your keep—or you’ll end up like me, fighting with knives.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Learn a trade…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hei Dan thought, then nodded seriously: “Big Brother Yan, I’ll follow you. I have an uncle in Chang’an City who’s a leatherworker—if I say I want to learn the trade, my father won’t stop me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, hope lit his eyes, and he scampered off happily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan smiled wryly, then closed his eyes, hugging his knife.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his past life, he’d barely survived by learning auto repair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this life, he only felt his knife was more useful…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unnoticed, night deepened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The waning moon hung low, casting no light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the shacks beside the wheat fields, snores mingled with insect chirps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wheat harvesters had traveled for days; they’d rise before dawn to work, so they slept early to conserve energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Lu family mansion far away was equally silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet in several key areas, guards patrolled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu yawned, rubbed his face, feeling bored.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Li Yan suspected, they were all disciples of the Zhao Family Fist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Originally in Jinzhou, they escorted caravans for wealthy merchants—risky, but well-fed and clothed, a trade passed down generations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But once they met a tough opponent: they lost the cargo, lost several key members, their strength declined, and their business was stolen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were headed for collapse—until someone connected them to become bodyguards for this Lu Squire, coming to Guanzhong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to their nomadic days, life was far more stable now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet it was so peaceful it made one itch, not even a petty thief having been seen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Zhao Jiu glanced idly—and suddenly widened his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could sense, far off and blurred, what seemed to be a human shadow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who’s there?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu wasn’t afraid—he let out a cold laugh and dashed forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The estate guards had their own secret signals; no matter how dark the light, they could tell friend from foe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, if this were a Flying Bandit from the Rong Family of the Jianghu, he’d know the code: first throw a stone to test the waters, then exchange pleasantries—rarely would he fight to the death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The figure didn’t answer—likely just an amateur thief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t draw his waist knife, but gripped a rattan cane.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A rattan cane was tough and punishing—hurt like hell when swung, but if this was just a starving thief sneaking through walls and alleys, a good beating would suffice; no need to kill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet when he reached the corner, he found nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had he imagined it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Zhao Jiu puzzled over this, he suddenly felt a chill at his back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spun around—and turned deathly pale, every hair on his body standing on end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There, a blurred human shape loomed: hunched, short, face wrinkled like chicken skin—a crone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this crone had a bluish face, her feet hovering inches above the ground…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aaah—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scream of terror shattered the silence of the Lu family compound…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beneath a large tree at the edge of the wheat field, Li Yan suddenly opened his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sniffed, frowning as he gazed toward the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He smelled a strange, peculiar scent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t the icy, bloody stench of a Changbing, nor the peaceful incense of a Earth God shrine—it carried warmth and sweetness, like a delicious pastry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pastry?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan didn’t know why such a thought had surfaced in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But soon, he understood why.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The substitute deity statue in his dantian twitched eagerly, like a hungry cat spotting fish…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1875,"2026-06-19T18:28:32.159Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","88c0e212e48dbeadc494947b4e7f048708bde8c451d24d734e54826f07ba22a3","the-cursed-blade-s-walk-chapter-19","the-cursed-blade-s-walk-chapter-17",801,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-cursed-blade-s-walk-cover.jpg"]