Chapter 50 - 50 News of the Unmatched Swordsman

In Yu State City, streets crisscrossed, and eaves faced each other.

The cool autumn, with its sparse morning rain, freshened the air where dust particles, once congealed by the chill, now floated down with the fine drizzle. Yet, the long, ancient streets had already come to life.

Yan Er went for his usual morning tea, but when he arrived at the tea house, the normally quiet place was bustling, with every table fully occupied.

“What’s going on here?”

Yan Er glanced around and noticed that besides the wandering figures of Jianghu, there were also spies from various powerful factions discussing animatedly.

Something big had happened!

This was a jolt to Yan Er’s heart; something significant must have transpired in Yu State City to bring these people together.

“Brother He, what happened last night?” Thinking this, Yan Er approached a young man and asked softly.

“Yan Er, did you sleep through last night?”

The young man looked up at Yan Er, “You don’t know about such a big event?”

“What big event?” Yan Er’s brows furrowed at once.

The young man let out a cold laugh, “Last night, the Cao Gang made their move. Three of the seven Vajras acted, and the Poison Master himself took charge, killing that mysterious swordsman.”

“What!?” Yan Er was shocked, disbelief flashing in his eyes, “Is this true? The mysterious swordsman is dead?”

“Is there any doubt?” The young man sneered, “The news from the Cao Gang is absolutely reliable. Do you know who that mysterious swordsman really was?”

“Who was it?”

“Floating Blood Sword, Xue Chen!”

“It was him.”

…..

The tea house was abuzz with conversation, everyone discussing the big event of the previous night.

“I didn’t expect the Floating Blood Sword to be that mysterious swordsman. It’s truly surprising.”

“He debuted with great talent twenty years ago, and there has been little news of him in the past decade. I found it strange; his strength should rank higher than the bottom of the Tiger List.”

“Such a pity, the mysterious swordsman ultimately met his demise at the hands of the Cao Gang.”

“The Cao Gang is indeed formidable, eliminating the mysterious swordsman in an instant with the swiftness of lightning.”

“The Cao Gang’s methods are too fierce. I initially thought that peerless swordsman would be a tough opponent.”

“Tough? I don’t think he was all that.”

“By the way, I’ve heard that during the Ullambana Festival, the Cao Gang plans to display Xue Chen’s decapitated head publicly.”

“It seems the Cao Gang is set on using the name of this peerless swordsman to establish their authority!”

…….

The once-quiet morning was now full of clamor, all due to the news spread by the Cao Gang, making the entire Yu State City exceptionally noisy.

Nobody expected that the mysterious swordsman who had been the talk of the town just days ago was none other than the Floating Blood Sword, Xue Chen—and he had been killed by the Cao Gang.

For a moment, everyone was in awe of the strength and tactics of the Cao Gang; it hadn’t been long since the swordsman who killed the men of Tieyun Mountain laid dead.

The reputation of the Cao Gang had invisibly climbed another step in the hearts of many.

An Jing stood at the entrance of Jishi Hall, frowning.

I’m dead?

How come I didn’t know about it?

“Last night’s battle seems to have allowed the Cao Gang to trace down the hideouts of the two through some clues; indeed, there’s a reason why the Cao Gang has grown so powerful,” An Jing thought to himself.

Although rumors of the Cao Gang’s influence pervade Jianghu, one cannot fathom the extent of this vast syndicate’s power without experiencing it firsthand.

It was like a mighty hand, casting its shadow over the region of Jiangnan Dao, not to be underestimated.

Thinking this, a chill went through An Jing’s heart.

If the Cao Gang could find Jiang Sanjia and Mu Xiaoyun, one day they might also uncover my identity. No one can guarantee their secrets will remain hidden. Once exposed… Wait, I’m supposed to be already dead, right? Why worry about these things now?

“Son-in-law, what are you thinking about?”

Tan Yun, holding a little black pup, asked An Jing, who was frowning deeply.

The young doctor has worries too?

“Ao wu… Ao wu…”

The little black pup struggled incessantly, trying to escape from Tan Yun’s grasp.

An Jing stroked his chin, smiling and said, “I’m thinking about what delicious food the lady will make tonight.”

Tan Yun’s eyes lit up, eagerly saying, “Son-in-law, it’s been so long since I’ve cooked for you, how about I show off my skills again tonight?”

“No need, I won’t be hungry tonight.”

Thinking of that crab, An Jing quickly added.

“Son-in-law~!”

Upon hearing this, Tan Yun’s mouth puckered up like a teapot about to tip over, “You don’t trust me?”

An Jing with a serious face said, “I trust you, but I really won’t be hungry tonight.”

“I’ll cook at noon.”

“I won’t be hungry at noon either.”

“Son-in-law, I really want to cook for you. You have to believe me. I’ve learned quite a few new dishes lately, like ‘Emerald Willow and Crying Red’, ‘Jade Trees Hanging with Coins’, ‘Phoenix Welcoming Spring’…”

Tan Yun counted off on her fingers as she spoke.

I really want to cook for you, those words sounded very sweet.

But to An Jing’s ears, it was as if she was saying: Son-in-law, will you eat? I’ll personally poison you…

Just then, a cough came from the doorway.

“Tea… It’s Third Master, ah.”

Seeing the newcomer, Tan Yun’s smile froze on her face.

Was somebody here to try the poison?

An Jing, grinning, said, “Third Master is indeed the Third Master, not returning all night – the definition of growing old but ever vigorous, old yet increasingly crafty…”

Li Fuzhou let out a cold laugh, “Last night on the painted boat, that old Madame Zhao asked…”

“Third Master, you must be tired, right? Please, have a seat!”

Feeling a chill in his heart upon hearing this, An Jing quickly aided Li Fuzhou by the arm, saying, “Tan Yun, didn’t you see Third Master come in? Quickly go and pour a cup of tea to moisten Third Master’s throat.”

“Ah… I’ll go right now.”

Tan Yun, looking puzzled, hurried off to pour the tea.

Li Fuzhou watched An Jing with a half-smile, “You do have the poise of a scholar.”

He admitted that he had been rash in the past, having misjudged this ‘little doctor’.

Especially after recalling how last night, old Madame Zhao couldn’t stop praising An Jing, practically sparkling with admiration; without the silver in place, such a reaction would hardly be possible.

This man is not an ordinary character!

An Jing chuckled dryly, “Third Master, you flatter me. I’m just a little doctor, how can I compare to the noble character of a scholar like you?”

Li Fuzhou waved his hand dismissively, “No, I’m just an old thing, that’s all.”

That old rascal!

An Jing cursed inwardly, Tan Yun was right; scholars indeed are the most troublesome. He hadn’t expected the old thing to have caught him in a weak spot.

Pulling out the consulting fee he received from the Cao Family, An Jing said, “Third Master, I have some silver here. If you want to visit the brothels to listen to music tonight, please accept it.”

“This doesn’t seem quite proper, does it?”

Li Fuzhou blinked, his gnarled hand reaching for the silver in An Jing’s hand, then he weighed it mischievously, pretending to be surprised, “Isn’t this the consulting fee from the Cao Family? It must be ten taels, right?”

“Not more, not less, exactly ten taels.”

An Jing turned his head away, the money was his hard-earned cash, and now he could only use it to buy Li Fuzhou’s moral righteousness.

“Not bad, not bad at all.”

Li Fuzhou happily pocketed the silver, smiling, “Shall we go together to the brothel to listen to music tonight?”

“No, I won’t go.”

An Jing hurriedly shook his head; who knew whether this old man was trying to trick him?

“Then that’s truly a pity.”

Li Fuzhou gently sipped his tea, patted An Jing on the shoulder, and said with a smile, “Prepare the silver for me to go brothel-visiting the day after tomorrow, too. I know you’ll have it.”

“This secret, I’ll eat off of for a lifetime.”

……