Chapter 30: Storm in the Jianghu

Looking for me?

Yu Zhen's gaze was very calm, yet Li Yuan couldn't help but feel a chill in his heart.

The trouble brought by that broken shoe hasn't been resolved yet?

Wasn't Nian Jiu already caught?

"Questioning?"

Longhu Longhu Dandan glanced at Qin Xiong, Tang Tong's eyelids drooped as he said:

"I recall that the Fuxiu Fuxiu Daoren don't seem to be constables of the imperial court, do they? Just barging in here to question people—is that not taking my Weapon Forging Shop far too lightly?"

Whooo—

A light breeze blew the accumulated snow down from the eaves.

The apprentices on the martial arts practice ground gathered one after another, all looking coldly at Yu Zhen, as if waiting for a single word from Tang Tong to swarm him.

Catching a sidelong glance at Qin Xiong's ugly expression, Yu Zhen frowned slightly, cupped his fists in a salute:

"Brother Tang, you misunderstand. Yu has absolutely no such intention. I merely happened to run into Guard Qin at the gate, and on his prompting, had him introduce me…"

That old coot is never in the inner courtyard all year round—how does he happen to show up today of all days?

Qin Xiong cursed inwardly, but could only brace himself and explain:

"Brother Yu came in pursuit of a criminal. My Weapon Forging Shop is a great household in this city, and naturally should assist. I hope Elder Tang will not take offense!"

"So that's how it is."

Tang Tong tugged at the corner of his mouth, only then turning his gaze to Li Yuan:

"You heard that?"

"This disciple understands."

Li Yuan first bowed in salute, then cupped his fists toward Yu Zhen:

"May I ask what this hero wishes to inquire about?"

Fuxiu Fuxiu Daoren—Li Yuan remembered now. He had heard people mention it before: it was a profession where one used one's own ability to capture criminals wanted by the government, then collected the reward silver.

In the words of his previous life, it was a 'bounty hunter'; in the words of the other apprentices, it was called a hero.

"I wouldn't dare call myself a hero."

Yu Zhen smiled and began:

"Half a year ago, Yu posted a notice at Zhilong Prefecture to capture the lone bandit Nian Jiu and bring him to justice. I chased him all the way to Gao Liu, then lost his trail…"

Yu Zhen was being very polite—these words were naturally spoken for Tang Tong's benefit.

"In the three months before the new year, Yu searched every nearby village and town, and am certain that after killing in Gao Liu County, he did not flee into Mount Fajiu Mountain or Bishui Lake. At this moment, he must still be in the city!"

"That murderous madman is still in the city?"

An apprentice cried out, and the inner courtyard immediately stirred into an uproar.

The family-annihilating murder case three months ago had once caused a huge sensation; Gao Liu County had even sealed its gates, forbidding entry and exit, only reopening a dozen or so days before the new year.

"Didn't the government office say…"

An apprentice blurted out, then immediately clamped a hand over his mouth.

"That Nian Jiu hails from Qianjun Cave and is a member of the unorthodox path. This time he's been on the run here, and even experts from the Divine Weapon Valley have been alarmed. If this man is not brought to justice, I fear he will commit more killings!"

Having said this, Yu Zhen paused briefly before asking:

"Little brother, from what I know, the last person Nian Jiu killed—you saw him, and even bought something from his stall?"

"Liu San? Reporting to you, hero—the day before Liu San was killed, I did indeed go to his stall to buy spices, but I only bought spices."

Li Yuan answered with his head slightly lowered.

"There's no need to be so tense, little brother. Raise your head."

Yu Zhen's voice was gentle. Li Yuan instinctively raised his head, only to feel his vision suddenly blur as an immense wave of drowsiness surged over him.

Is this… hypnosis?!

Suddenly, Li Yuan gave a start, yet he acted as if he hadn't noticed, staring blankly, while inwardly he couldn't help being shocked and angry.

This man looks kind but is black-hearted—he must have made his move before even asking the first question?

"Really? Only bought spices?"

Yu Zhen's voice rose and fell. Li Yuan heard it and felt dizzy and uncomfortable, yet didn't dare show the slightest reaction, merely nodding blankly:

"I-I also bought half a jin of cured meat…"

"Yu Zhen!"

Suddenly, Tang Tong roared in anger.

Li Yuan pretended to startle awake, only to see this clean-shaven old man erupt like a fierce tiger—in a single bound, he crossed over thirty meters of the martial arts practice ground,

the gale filling his wide sleeves, flapping loudly, his thrown fist like a war-spear wrapped in a banner on the battlefield!

Boom!

The clash between the two was too fast; most apprentices hadn't even reacted before Tang Tong had already returned to his original spot.

"So this is internal force?"

Li Yuan stood rooted to the spot, his eyelids twitching.

A single leap of thirty meters—damn, that's faster than a cheetah!

Yu Zhen aside—even this old man past seventy still has such explosive power?

"Fine fist, fine spear!"

Yu Zhen, meanwhile, retreated several steps, each one leaving a deep footprint. He clapped his hands in praise:

"I've long heard that the Weapon Forging Shop has the White Ape Hammer, Green Snake Spear, and Tiger Roar Blade. What Brother Tang used was the Green Snake Spear, wasn't it? Truly formidable!"

"The Five Poison Jade Blade lives up to its name."

Tang Tong's face was dark as still water.

"Tracking the culprit is a serious matter. My slight offense, Brother Tang, with your magnanimity, surely won't mind."

Yu Zhen cupped his hands slightly, then turned and left.

"Tang Lao…"

Qin Xiong's face turned green.

"Wang Ding teaches well indeed!"

Tang Tong, however, was not angry, nor did he even glance at him. He flicked his sleeve and walked into the courtyard:

"Yun Jin, Li Yuan, come in. The rest of you, disperse!"

Qin Xiong's face went a sickly blue-white as he fled in disarray.

"What Five Poison Jade Blade? Couldn't withstand a single blow!"

"The Green Snake Spear is actually this formidable? Master is too amazing!"

"Is this what a blade-bearer is? What hero, pfft…"

……

The group of apprentices instantly erupted, chattering away. Many flushed with excitement, looking proud as though they shared in the glory.

Only Yue Yun Jin and Li Yuan, one behind the other, followed into the courtyard.

"Master, are you alright?"

Yue Yun Jin's face showed worry.

"I'm not!"

Tang Tong flipped his hand over, his palm a sheet of blue-black:

"What Five Poison Jade Blade? It's a Five Poison Human Worm! Poison from head to toe, this old man almost suffered for it!"

"Teacher, are you alright?"

Li Yuan was somewhat alarmed.

That blue-black palm kept writhing, as if poisonous worms were struggling inside, gnawing at flesh and blood, trying to burst through the skin.

"A Detoxifying Pill combined with internal force can drive it out, but it'll take two or three months of rest!"

Tang Tong suddenly clenched his fist, producing a 'bang' of an explosion. Blue-black blood seeped out through the gaps in his fingers.

"That Yu Zhen was about to leave anyway. Why bother?"

Yue Yun Jin frowned.

"If he had just left like that, even if this old man died, I'd have no face to meet your Grandmaster in the underworld!"

Tang Tong snorted coldly:

"The jianghu's fame and fortune are a killing field. Sometimes you have to run fast, sometimes you can't retreat a single step! Remember today's matter, and one day, get it back yourself!"

The latter half, deafening and jarring, was directed at Li Yuan.

"This disciple has taken it to heart!"

Li Yuan gritted his teeth. Of course he had taken it to heart.

If his will had been weak, and he had spoken of the Soldier Dao Combat Killing Hammer, not to mention what Yu Zhen would do, even the Divine Weapon Valley would have killed him!

Yue Yun Jin asked: "Master, what Wu Gong did that Yu Zhen use? So bizarre…"

"That's called Mi Hun Fa. Calling it Wu Gong is flattering him. It's actually just a specially made hallucinogenic drug, colorless and odorless, impossible to guard against,

but if your mind is firm, you won't fall for it!"

Tang Tong grew angry as he spoke, glaring at Li Yuan:

"Given your background, you should have suffered hardships. How can your mind be so weak?"

"…I've disappointed you."

Li Yuan could only smile bitterly.

He truly hadn't expected Tang Tong, who was clearly wary of Yu Zhen, to suddenly strike.

"Enough."

Tang Tong, somewhat weary, sat down cross-legged, adjusted his breathing, circulated his blood and qi, and began expelling the poison.

"Let's go."

Yue Yun Jin's face was dark as still water. He pulled Li Yuan out the door.

On the martial arts field, the apprentices were still chattering, very lively. Yue Yun Jin loudly berated them and added extra combat drills.

"Forty-six steps, just under forty meters!"

Li Yuan walked from Tang Tong's armchair to the footprints Yu Zhen had left, his heart chilling.

In the four-odd months of martial training, his progress could be called god-speed. His blood and qi could cover half an arm, and his physical strength had grown tremendously.

Yet a leap of over thirty meters was still a tremendous shock to him.

"With that kind of explosive speed, he wouldn't even need any Wu Gong. He could just ram me to death!"

A great sense of urgency rose in Li Yuan's heart.

"Yu Zhen, Qin Xiong!"

Squeezing the Zeng Xue Dan in his bosom, Li Yuan gritted his teeth and turned around.

With the empowerment of a perfected Cloak Hammer technique, his progress was far beyond what other apprentices could compare to. As long as his blood and qi could keep up, he was even confident of quickly reaching Great Completion!

(End of Chapter)