Chapter 18: Moonless and Windy, You're So Despicable

Chapter 18: Moonless and Windy, You're So Despicable

Li Mo’s lingering resentment remained unknown to Su Chen.

At this moment, Su Chen had already arrived at Lin Family Fortress.

The night was dark and stormy.

The fortress bustled with more people at night than it did during the day.

Su Chen entered a tavern, ordered a few dishes, and began eating while waiting for his target.

With no curfew in place, the Misty Rain Pavilion remained lively, its entrance crowded with patrons coming and going.

After an indeterminate amount of time, Su Chen’s eyes sharpened as he spotted Old Lin emerging.

Old Lin stepped out of the pavilion, appearing to shed a heavy burden as he strolled leisurely through the streets, eventually wandering into the Pleasure House.

Su Chen’s expression hardened slightly. This old fox was certainly enjoying himself.

Without hesitation, Su Chen followed shortly after entering. Fortunately, his speed was sufficient to avoid losing his quarry.

As he stepped inside, a group of gaudily dressed women in thin garments immediately swarmed him.

Though Su Chen’s face was masked, such attire wasn’t unusual within Lin Family Fortress. Some patrons were even stranger—these women had long grown accustomed to eccentricities.

Unmoved by their advances, Su Chen glanced sideways and saw Old Lin entering a room with three women clinging to him.

Pushing the women aside, Su Chen retreated to a secluded corner and barked at the madam, “Bring me some food!”

The madam’s face fell. She had assumed he was here for business, not just a meal.

“Who comes to a brothel just to eat?” she muttered but obediently signaled the waiter.

Soon, several more women attempted to serve him, only to be unceremoniously shoved away by Su Chen.

After repeatedly rejecting their attentions, the women exchanged annoyed glances and dispersed.

Ten minutes later, as Su Chen was still eating, he spotted Old Lin exiting a room, adjusting his undergarments.

Three women—this old man certainly couldn’t hold back. It was over far too quickly.

Shaking his head, Su Chen waited for Old Lin to leave the Pleasure House before paying for his meal and stepping out behind him.

“Sir, you’ve been following me for quite some time. What business do you have?”

Old Lin suddenly turned, as if sensing Su Chen’s presence, leading him through a maze of deserted alleys.

Su Chen stepped forward without pretense. He hadn’t been hiding much anyway.

Old Lin scrutinized him—tall, one-armed, a blade strapped to his waist. Strangely, the sword rested in a false sheath attached to his missing arm.

Was there such a thing as a swordsman with a prosthetic sheath? Old Lin’s mind raced, but he couldn’t recall any record of Su Chen.

“Who are you, and what do you want at this hour?” he asked, stepping back cautiously.

Clearly, this wasn’t a friendly visit.

Su Chen remained silent. Why waste words? He lunged forward like a cannonball.

Old Lin was prepared. As Su Chen closed in, his eyes flashed coldly.

A fist shot out, howling with fierce momentum.

Su Chen countered with a palm strike—seemingly ordinary but carrying overwhelming force.

Bang!

The collision sent Old Lin staggering backward, his face flushing crimson.

He stumbled over a dozen steps before steadying himself, his trembling arm staring back at Su Chen in shock.

The impact had felt like striking an iron slab, pain radiating as if his arm might snap.

This Iron Palm technique was terrifying.

Old Lin shook his arm, clenched his fist to regain strength, but Su Chen gave him no respite.

This time, Old Lin dodged, relying on agility rather than meeting force head-on.

“He’s strong, but I have two arms. If I’m careful, the advantage is mine!”

Weaving through attacks, Old Lin searched for an opening.

Suddenly, Su Chen’s palm snapped out, slapping Old Lin’s face like swatting a fly.

The blow sent him spinning into the air, crashing into a wall with a sharp crack, fissures spiderwebbing across its surface.

Old Lin crumpled to the ground, coughing up blood and broken teeth, his face half-swollen with fear.

“Don’t move!” Su Chen pinned him underfoot, his voice rasping.

“What have I done to offend you? Spare me for the fortress’s sake! Take anything I have!”

Su Chen crushed his foot down. “Now, I ask. You answer.”

“Y-yes, anything!” Old Lin whimpered.

“Who issued the assassination missions at Lin Family Fortress?”

“There are many—factions, individuals. My clearance isn’t high enough to know.”

“If someone completes a mission but faces retaliation, do you leak their identity?”

“Normally no… but… for enough money, anything’s possible.”

Su Chen’s face darkened. Another kick sent Old Lin howling.

“How much would you pay for your life?”

“Thirty taels! No, fifty! No, ninety! That’s all I have!”

“Where’s the money?”

“At my home. Let me take you!”

“No. Tell me the location.”

“No! What if you kill me after taking it?”

Old Lin shook his head violently, then suddenly froze.

His eyes widened. “You… you’re Iron Ox?!”

The realization struck him—Su Chen’s questions, the missing arm, the rumors of Iron Ox’s return.

“You’re the one-armed swordsman?!”

Su Chen instinctively glanced at his arm, but Old Lin seized the moment.

With a roar, Old Lin lunged, gripping Su Chen’s wrist while driving a fist into his chest.

The blow carried murderous intent.

“Die!!”

Crack.

Blood dripped, pooling on the parched earth.

Old Lin stared in disbelief as a second arm suddenly sprouted from Su Chen’s sleeve, gripping a blade that pierced his body.

“You… you despicable cheat!”

Old Lin spat blood, his face contorted with fury.

He’d thought the false sheath was just a trick, never suspecting a hidden arm—and a blade meant for it.

Slicing the sword free, Su Chen stepped back.

Old Lin collapsed into the crimson pool, eyes wide in death.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end