Realizing the outcome of the murder, Lin Que broke into a wide grin, his legs taking staggered positions as his back arched.
His muscles tensed in an instant, transforming his body into a fully drawn bow.
He had diligently cultivated the family’s Mystic Panther Shape Cultivation Technique for twenty years, practicing every day without fail. At thirty, he attained mastery of Marrow Transformation, leaping into the ranks of the Startling Swan Gang’s top fighters. His twin blades were sharp and ruthless, striking terror along the Jinshui River.
This was why he took charge of a hall in his thirties.
“Secret Technique: Fang!”
Bang!
He shot forward like an arrow off its string, disappearing from the sight of ordinary people.
Chen Mu felt a dark shadow flicker before his eyes as two glimmers of bright blade light suddenly appeared in front of him.
The crossing blade lights, like a pair of silver shears carrying a chilling breath, aimed straight for his throat.
This strike was so fast it far surpassed the ordinary Marrow Transformation, giving Chen Mu no chance to release the Mesmerizing Divine Smoke.
In the blink of an eye, the fruits of countless grueling Shape Cultivation practice sessions became apparent.
The blade lights seemed to slow infinitely as Chen Mu’s figure danced like a piece of paper. His body drifted softly diagonally backward before his left leg powered up, propelling him sharply to the right.
Pfft!
The wooden cabin door suddenly split in two.
Chen Mu’s voice came from the edge of the deck, looking at the ruined door with lingering fear.
If he hadn’t dodged just now, his head would have been severed.
“Oh? You could dodge that? What a pleasant surprise.”
“It’s only interesting when there’s resistance…”
Lin Que’s hands skillfully twirled a knife flower.
“I love sashimi the most, and I’m good at preparing it because my knife is fast enough.”
“Do you know? I can not only slice transparent pieces of fish but also remove all the tender meat without killing the fish.”
“My knife is really very fast.” Lin Que’s eyes filled with malice as he looked at Chen Mu: “After I’m done, you won’t be dead either.”
“Secret Technique: Fang!”
Lin Que’s figure disappeared abruptly, materializing at Chen Mu’s side.
The twin blades, as precise as embroidery needles, targeted the gap between the ribs on the left side of the chest.
Once struck, the blades would cut open the flesh, pierce through the ribs, and slice straight to the heart!
Chen Mu instinctively executed the Red Falcon Evasion Technique.
His body, agile as a swift falcon, drifted back with the slicing wind of the blades.
Lin Que laughed heartily as his blades struck like lightning, each aimed to kill.
Yet Chen Mu was like a speck of dust in the sunlight, elusively dodging the clutching grasp at every turn.
And in these perilous moments, Chen Mu’s mind fell into an eerie calm, as still as a rippleless lake.
With Lin Que’s uninhibited laughter bearing down, Chen Mu felt as if someone had seized his heart.
This unadorned malice, this utterly vile gaze, sent shivers down his spine.
For the first time, he witnessed a true villain in the fullest sense of the word.
Those he had faced before were at most ruffians.
The man before him was a thoroughly rotten villain through and through!
To treat a person like fish, and then slice them alive?!
Could such people really exist in the world?!
Too horrifying!
He must be killed!
Like a runner hearing the starter’s gun, Chen Mu’s resolve solidified in a flash.
At that moment, all his skills were summoned forth.
Soul Strength rose from beneath his feet, adding speed to an already swift figure.
With a flash of cold light in his hands, two daggers appeared abruptly.
“Qiankun Strike!”
“Qiankun Strike!”
“Qiankun Strike!”
Ding, ding, ding…
Sword tip and blade edge collided, sending sparks flying in every direction.
Offense and defense switched in an instant.
Chen Mu transformed into a shadow, circling Lin Que continuously. The Sleeve Sword Technique emerged unpredictably, with the Nine Stab Combo!
Lin Que’s face drained of color.
He couldn’t have imagined that the seemingly meek lamb would suddenly turn into a ferocious wolf!
He exerted his utmost to maintain the frequency of his attacks. Read captivating tales at m v l e mpyr
Because just a fraction of a second too slow, and he would be struck by the sword tip.
Clang!
Sparks burst forth!
Lin Que’s heart skipped half a beat.
His blade, broken!
“Wait!”
“Qiankun Strike!”
“Qiankun Strike!”
“Qiankun Strike!”
Thud, thud, thud…
Countless wounds opened at once. Lin Que was instantly skewered into a sieve.
Chen Mu’s figure flashed back ten meters.
Taking a deep breath, he watched the figure that had fallen and did not get up, with lingering trepidation.
He frowned, “Did he just speak?”
“I must have heard wrong…”
“Ha! Another villain bites the dust!”
As he sheathed his Sleeve Sword Technique, Chen Mu wiped the fine sweat from his forehead with a look of satisfaction, “Nanyang Prefecture is safer now!”
…
On the deck, the remaining three helmsmen had faces full of horror.
The event had unfolded too quickly.
All three leapt up, simultaneously diving toward the boundless river surface.
Chen Mu’s smile faded as his right hand flashed.
Whoosh!
Three Iron Lotus Seeds shot out.
Bang!
Almost simultaneously, fresh blood blossomed in the air.
The Fourth Rank Iron Lotus Seeds, with their intense whirlwind, tore through half of each man’s neck, instantaneously claiming their lives.
Chen Mu turned his head to survey the bodies lying all around and suddenly realized a problem.
He couldn’t row a boat—how was he going to get back?
…
Inside the pitch-dark cabin.
Zhang Ye tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
He had always been on land before, and suddenly being on a boat, he felt very queasy, unaccustomed to the sensation.
Luckily, he didn’t suffer from seasickness, or else he couldn’t have been a small-time leader.
Compared to a gang leader in Qingshan County, leading thirty people as a small-time leader was quite a step down.
But Zhang Ye was filled with anticipation.
He had joined the White Tiger Hall on purpose because, not long ago, they had been hit by a rival force and lost two helmsmen. Wasn’t this his chance?
As long as he performed well and earned the trust of the gang leader, with his Bone Transformation strength, he could soon become a helmsman in charge of several large ships and over a hundred subordinates.
Imagine the prestige he would command cruising along the Jinshui River!
Back in Qingshan County, even though he was a gang leader, life was tough.
He was drugged frequently. Someone even managed to steal his Ghost Head Greatknife. It had been quite an embarrassment.
Now, things were different, even though adapting to life on a ship was a bit challenging.
At least he wouldn’t have to deal with that lunatic who kept drugging him.
Just as he was reveling in his choice, a familiar sense of drunkenness swept over him.
Zhang Ye: “…”
You’ve gotta be kidding me!
In his dying moments, Zhang Ye felt aggrieved, “I’ve made it all the way to Nanyang Prefecture… you lunatic!”
“What lunatic?” Chen Mu regarded the tightly shut cabin doors with suspicion, “That voice sounds a bit familiar.”
“Never mind, it was nothing.”
“How can someone resist the Mesmerizing Divine Smoke?”
Chen Mu walked up to the storeroom, heh heh, it was time for the enjoyable harvest.
…
Pottery Workshop
Within a courtyard of two halls.
Zuo Sheng sat in the dark room, squinting at the small-eyed man in the moonlight.
“Are you sure the White Tiger Hall made their move?”
He had been waiting for half the night and there hadn’t been a peep—could that be right?
“Umm… The White Tiger Hall’s large ship did indeed enter the Luo River…” the small-eyed man said with difficulty, “and their skilled fighters all disembarked in secret from a coded spot.”
Could it be that White Tiger Hall wasn’t after the Qingfeng Powder?
That was a thought he dared not voice.
Zuo Sheng’s brows tightened—he also sensed that something was amiss.
On reflection.
His nominal senior brother did have some strength.
But he had never had any dealings with a Pharmacist. Instead, he was renowned for his astonishing painting skills.
Qingfeng Powder, an advanced antiseptic medicine, was unlikely to have come from him.
He had been so focused on dealing with Lin Que that he hadn’t fully considered the cause and effect. Impulsive!
“Let’s go back,” Zuo Sheng sighed.
He had hoped to benefit from the dispute, but the whole premise had been wrong from the start.
White Tiger Hall had brought a large number of men into the city; they were probably up to no good. Too bad his own people misjudged the situation. Otherwise, even without Qingfeng Powder, they could have taken advantage of the situation to catch White Tiger Hall in the act and make them suffer for a while.
Zuo Sheng stood, leading the way out of the estate.
As he stepped out of the gate, he looked up to see a figure in gray approaching from around the corner.
It was deep into the night, with a clear moon and few stars. The stranger’s gait was relaxed, his footsteps silent, his entire presence exuding a chilling, eerie aura.
The moonlight illuminated his profile, and in his indifferent expression, a thread of killing intent was revealed. Zuo Sheng’s heart skipped a beat, and he froze in place, promptly clasping his hands in a gesture of respect, “Senior Brother Chen!”
Chen Mu: “…”
After wiping out a bunch of people, running into an acquaintance was the last thing Chen Mu wanted. He felt a flicker of dread inside, but his face remained expressionless as he stared at Zuo Sheng.
The atmosphere grew tense.
Noticing the bloodstains on Chen Mu’s shoes, Zuo Sheng’s eyelids twitched.
Which unlucky soul had fallen into this master’s hands now?
Zuo Sheng coughed softly, “I ate too much for dinner and came out for a walk. If Senior Brother has business, please don’t mind me, carry on.”
Chen Mu glanced at the bright moon. Out for a walk in the middle of the night with dozens of underlings?
Tsk tsk…
Without changing his expression, Chen Mu nodded and walked past Zuo Sheng.
As Zuo Sheng watched Chen Mu disappear at the end of the street, he let out a breath.
He couldn’t help scratching his head, “Why does this scene feel so familiar…”