[{"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-32":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},2262337,4415,"Chapter 32: Fated Enemies","the-cursed-blade-s-walk-chapter-32",32,"\u003Cp>“Oh no, it’s this coward!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sha Lifei clearly saw him too, instinctively hunched his shoulders and drew in his chest, but then saw Li Yan standing tall, left hand gripping his blade’s hilt—his face twisted in dread as he straightened up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gentlemen, I’m back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Banzhu snorted and prepared to lead his men into the courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A fat man with his chest bare spotted the scene and laughed mockingly: “Oh? Brother Zhou, you really are a man of your word—we were just about to barge in if you didn’t show up!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Get out of the way!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the words were out, a hand shot out and shoved him off-balance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fat man opened his mouth to curse—but when he saw who it was, he clamped his lips shut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one who acted was Meng Haicheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stared at Li Yan, eyes bright with delight: “Good kid, fate really does bring enemies together! Damn it, I was just thinking about going to find you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan glanced at him coolly: “Unwilling to back down? Want to test your fists?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Zhou Banzhu was stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t expected the young man behind Wang Daochang to also have a grudge with the Iron Knife Gang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Test your fists? You’re not even worth it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meng Haicheng’s face flushed red as he shouted: “Look where you are—Xianyang! Brothers, take this brat down!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Big Brother Hai, got it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gangsters surged forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hey hey hey!\" Sha Lifei panicked and cried: \"Meng Haicheng, aren't you ashamed? Are you really going to beat him up with numbers? Do you even follow the ways of the Jianghu?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meng Haicheng sneered: “Rules? You don’t even deserve to speak of them!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*Shhh!*\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he finished speaking, a shadow shot forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Li Yan suddenly lunging, left hand thrusting forward, right hand diving low.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re using that trick again?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meng Haicheng’s anger flared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Last time, Li Yan had used this stance to land a solid elbow strike to his solar plexus, forcing him to drop his wheat harvesters and flee in disgrace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew he was finished in the wheat harvesting trade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only would fellow harvesters sneer at him, but even abandoning harvesters mid-job—no matter the reason—meant no one would ever work with him again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Li Yan thinking of getting Zhou Pan to intervene? Pure overthinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew his master better than anyone—punishing Li Yan was one thing, but if he found out Meng Haicheng had been humiliated, the consequences would be dire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he dared not speak of it, even feared the news reaching Zhou Pan’s ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After much thought, since he couldn’t make it as a blade-wielder anyway, he gritted his teeth and came to Xianyang to join his senior brother as a lackey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Li Yan charge, Meng Haicheng didn’t dodge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hunched his body, twisted his waist, and raised his right hand like a canopy—like a giant monkey crouched on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It looked ridiculous, but it was a lethal technique passed down by Zhou Pan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Li Yan kept using the solar plexus elbow, Meng Haicheng could counter with “Old Monkey Drops Branch,” flipping his foot to strike low and kick Li Yan into castration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the opponent switched to a side kick, he could follow with “Spiritual Monkey Entwining Silk,” clawing out the enemy’s eyes and tearing their face to shreds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In short, every level—low, middle, high—had a counter, each brutal and sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, prepared, he wouldn’t fall for the same trick again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Li Yan’s hand, reaching for his waist, suddenly gripped the blade’s hilt—and then abruptly changed tactics, jerking it sharply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*Clang!*\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blade flashed like cold light, slicing through the rain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Quick Blade of Guanzhong was no ordinary skill—before Meng Haicheng could react, a knife was pressed against his neck, the edge cold and sharp, already cutting skin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To the onlookers, it looked absurd:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meng Haicheng crouched on the ground, as if Li Yan were slashing at a monkey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Humiliated again, Meng Haicheng roared: “We were sparring barehanded—you drew a blade! That’s not fair!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan raised an eyebrow: “Fair? You don’t even deserve to speak of fairness.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meng Haicheng’s head buzzed with rage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could speak, his face paled as he staggered backward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan advanced with the blade, forcing him to retreat into the courtyard, then turned and said calmly: “Whoever steps past this gate, I’ll give him this head.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, the Iron Knife Gang outside wasn’t scared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These men weren’t blade-wielders who hung their heads on their belts, but they were all men with no tomorrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the previous dynasty, Daxing called them “Lahu”; the Golden Yurt Khanate called them “Unregistered Scum”; various groups labeled them “Society of the Deathless”—all outlaws.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like today’s Jinmen, “Guohuo” gangs would draw lots for death duels—jumping into boiling oil, three knives six holes, gouging out eyes—any flinch meant you weren’t a man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The people of Guanzhong were just as rough, stubborn, and unyielding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immediately, a man stepped forward, one eye large, one small, swaying his short knife as he glared: “Oh? You’re drawing blades now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pointed at his own neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come on, let the boy go—cut here. Kill me and you’re a real man. Brothers, watch closely!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahaha…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gangsters laughed uproariously, unafraid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’d seen plenty of blade-wielders—they knew how to handle them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The method? Cheat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Da Xuan legal code was strict—whether Jianghu or Daoist, all were treated equally; kill someone and you’d be hunted and bountied, especially in broad daylight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But they weren’t afraid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, the Iron Knife Gang backed them—they’d bribed officials.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second, they had IOUs, and they were just standing at the gate; even if taken to court, they wouldn’t lose. If they met a blade-wielder, their only thought was: if I die, it’s my bad luck—but you won’t live easy either. The authorities will hunt you, and the gang will put out a bounty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if I don’t die…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heh—heh—today’s the day I make my name!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To walk between light and dark, you need methods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing these thugs, Li Yan didn't bother to waste words; he let out a cold laugh and tightened his wrist—the blade sank deeper into the flesh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood gushed from Meng Haicheng’s neck, soaking half his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No no no!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meng Haicheng’s face turned ashen, scalp tightening as he screamed: “Don’t come closer! This guy’s insane! You want me dead?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Iron Knife Gang outside halted, but their gazes at Meng Haicheng were full of mockery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was the boss’s junior brother—his death would be hard to explain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who’d have thought the loudmouth, the one who always barked orders, was a coward at the crucial moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>!.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Faced with these brutes, Li Yan didn’t bother with them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their code of conduct was nothing like that of the Jianghu—they seemed brutal, but were just bullies, hiding behind the law to suppress martial folk and using fists to terrorize ordinary people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If this were a remote wilderness, with no law to protect them, he’d have slaughtered them all without mercy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The commotion had already drawn attention from within the courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the dilapidated mansion, a flood of people poured out—men, women, old, young—mostly ordinary folk with no martial skill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A plain girl with tear-streaked cheeks held a broom; an elderly musician trembled with a short knife; even a child clutched a wooden stick.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, there were many youths too, all glaring with fury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan saw at once why Zhou Banzhu, despite his martial skill, dared not resist these thugs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A shadow puppet troupe usually required singing, puppeteering, and music.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sometimes the singer doubled as musician, playing while singing; with two dedicated puppeteers, you could form a troupe for temple fairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, the Chunfeng Troupe was a large family unit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beyond the performers, they’d brought their families and children.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no choice—land consolidation had grown severe; the people of Shenzhou clung to their homes. Who would drag their whole family into the Jianghu unless they’d lost everything?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s fine, it’s fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though caught off guard by the sudden turn of events, Zhou Banzhu forced calm: “This is the Wang Daochang I invited. Everyone, go back inside—don’t get involved.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned to Li Yan, lips parting, then falling silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was helpless—his savior was also his curse. One word out of place, he drew a blade, and now he had a grudge with the Iron Knife Gang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When this fool’s done, he’ll just walk away, maybe hide for a while—but they’ll face the gang’s revenge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of this, Zhou Banzhu had no plan left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Daoxuan, seeing this, softened his gaze slightly and nodded: “Zhou Banzhu, rest easy. One thing at a time—I’ve taken your matter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this scene, his doubts had largely faded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This whole family—old and young—looked nothing like the kind who skinned people or dabbled in dark arts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even so, he still turned to Li Yan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan gripped his knife in one hand and formed the Yang Seal with the other, drew a deep breath, and instantly the scents within a hundred meters flooded his nostrils, then he closed them with the Yin Seal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The leather scent inside the boxes came entirely from livestock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The troupe carried no unusual yin or evil odors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He nodded to Wang Daoxuan, then suddenly kicked up a stone from the ground, caught it, and hurled it over the courtyard wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This skill of flying pebbles was known to everyone in the Jianghu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His family had once kept sheep for a while; he could strike their horns with a flick of his hand to herd them back, so he’d trained it well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ouch, you dumb fool!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stone flew over the wall, and immediately a scream echoed from the other side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some ruffians had tried to climb over the back wall to seize someone from the troupe and trade them for Meng Haicheng—but Li Yan spotted them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan chuckled, tapped Meng Haicheng’s face with the hilt of his knife, and said calmly, “Do you want to settle this today, or wait a few days?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meng Haicheng clenched his teeth. “What if we settle it today?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Simple!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan raised an eyebrow. “I’ll kill you first, then wipe out every bastard outside, get wanted by the court, and flee to some other place.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meng Haicheng swallowed hard. “And if we wait a few days?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan looked up. \"Then follow the martial troupe’s rules: after this job ends, I’ll fight you, and you can pick any opponent—for a life-or-death duel on the arena.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Faced with this, Meng Haicheng had no choice, but he still threw out a threat: “Fine. Don’t you dare run when the time comes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan sneered. “Li Hu’s son runs away on Zhou the Monkey’s turf? You’d be happy, but I’m not.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, he kicked Meng Haicheng out the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meng Haicheng, though skilled, stumbled upon exiting but quickly regained his balance, turned, and roared: “You little brat, I’ll come collect your corpse in three days!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s go!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saying this, he turned and led his men away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After they left, Li Yan turned and said, \"Uncle Sha, go spread the word: Li Hu’s son has arrived. They won’t be able to avoid this arena.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Got it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sha Lifei instantly understood and rushed out in a hurry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only after he finished did Wang Daoxuan nod and say to Zhou Banzhu, “The rain should stop tomorrow. Prepare everything quickly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tonight, we go to the graveyard!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1914,"2026-06-19T18:28:32.159Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","2d6bb11db7ba2ea2268833bcf417b234129a0f3db8c8ea4485365d402966b3c7","the-cursed-blade-s-walk-chapter-33","the-cursed-blade-s-walk-chapter-31",801,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-cursed-blade-s-walk-cover.jpg"]