Chapter 18: A Day in the Jianghu Martial World

Chapter 18: A Day in the Jianghu Martial World

Three months later, the crisp autumn air hung clear and bright.

On the main road, a black stallion stood trapped between two groups of bandits. The rider, a young man with an earnest face, was none other than Li Chaofeng, who had parted ways with Hu Tiehua long ago. The Jianghu martial world thrived on endless separations and reunions.

After their split, Li Chaofeng had learned a new skill—Dragonflow Steps.

This technique wasn’t Hu Tiehua’s self-created Startling Dream of the Wandering Dragon, though the latter was a variation of his sect’s martial arts. Bound by tradition, Hu Tiehua refused to teach sect techniques to an uninitiated disciple. But having innovated his own style, he stripped away the sect’s internal energy traces and gifted Li Chaofeng the Dragonflow Steps instead.

During their two months together, Hu Tiehua had identified Li Chaofeng’s weaknesses. His offense relied on weapons—once he made contact, he could strike. Defensively, Hu Tiehua had sensed his raw physical strength during their sparring. Li Chaofeng’s body alone made him a powerhouse, and with Hu Tiehua’s guidance on meridians and pressure points, he could now evade critical strikes in combat.

Yet his speed lagged. Whether evading close-range attacks or enduring long-distance pursuits, he fell short of Jianghu standards. Dragonflow Steps filled this gap, granting him the mobility to survive the martial world’s dangers.

Hu Tiehua’s generosity stemmed from guilt. His Startling Dream of the Wandering Dragon owed its existence to the Marriage Robe Manuscript, which technically belonged to Li Chaofeng as spoils of war. Though Hu Tiehua had played no role in Jiang Biehe’s death—and nearly ruined things—he reaped the rewards while Li Chaofeng gained nothing. Bound by martial ethics, he compensated Li Chaofeng with this non-sect-specific technique.

After Hu Tiehua departed, Li Chaofeng practiced Dragonflow Steps relentlessly. Once mastered, he set out for his destination: Mount Emei.

Jiang Biehe’s ambush had nearly killed him, but it also revealed the timeline. At Jiang Biehe’s age, Little Fish would still be trapped in the Vale of Villains. The Five Absolute Divine Art, painstakingly created by the Five Absolute Masters, remained hidden in the underground palace beneath Ouyang Pavilion.

Li Chaofeng recalled that Little Fish’s escape route from the palace lay behind the statue in Emei Sword Sect’s sanctuary. Though deemed sacred, the site was merely a modest temple with flickering incense—its only rule forbidding bloodshed. Otherwise, Xuanyuan San Guang wouldn’t have gambled and killed there freely.

Now, Li Chaofeng faced no obstacles—least of all Xiao Mimi. She viewed the underground palace as a grand tomb, oblivious to its treasures. Even if he looted its riches, she’d still reign there, blissfully unaware. This knowledge emboldened him to burn the counterfeit Bridal Robe Divine Skill manual.

Yet his journey to Mount Emei wasn’t smooth. Halfway there, thieves plagued him—snatching his satchel, picking his purse, slicing his sleeves. It seemed every rogue in the realm targeted his belongings.

He caught a few, but they severed their robes to escape his grip or chopped off their own arms rather than be detained. Facing such desperation, Li Chaofeng hesitated to pull their hair.

Frustrated, he altered his route, feigning interest in the northwestern deserts. Coincidentally, a group approached from ahead, while another trailed him from behind.

In this era, only main roads allowed swift travel. Wilderness paths slowed even his horse. Thus, the group blocking him had indeed come from the front.

Surveying the dense, thorny forests flanking the road, he realized detouring through the mountains would mean battling brambles, scaling peaks, and risking ambushes on the other side.

Smiling faintly, he addressed the bandits ahead, “The road’s wide. Might you let me pass?”

His youthful, innocent face amused them, but their leader laughed, “We’ll let you pass—for a toll.”

Li Chaofeng turned to the group behind him, now sealing his retreat. “Even bandits usually target caravans or wealthy travelers. I’m just a lone wanderer. What’s there to gain?”

The leader shook his head. “We don’t want your money. Though I know Lord Jin Sizhe gave you tens of thousands in silver notes, we seek your blade.”

Li Chaofeng narrowed his eyes, anger simmering. Only Jiang Biehe knew both his wealth and weapon. Even in death, you haunt me?

“I carry three knives,” he said, feigning confusion. “A cleaver, a chef’s knife, and a paring knife. Which do you want? Take all three, if you wish. I’ll buy new ones at the next market.”

The leader sneered. “We want the knife you used to kill.”

Li Chaofeng’s face hardened. “I’m a cook. I slaughter meat, not men.”

“Then how did the Heavenly Gate Five Tigers die?”

“Oh,” Li Chaofeng said, glancing around. “Those were beasts. I’ve no qualms killing animals.”

Silence fell. The leader’s eyes narrowed. “We want your life, not your knives.”

“Take my silver,” Li Chaofeng said, “but not my livelihood.”

The leader smirked. “The Azure Dragon Society doesn’t ask twice. Surrender your life willingly, or we’ll take it.”

At the name, Li Chaofeng’s expression darkened. He’d never heard of the Azure Dragon Society.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end