Chapter 19: A Day of Conflict

Chapter 19: A Day of Conflict

There are twelve months in a year, three hundred and sixty-five days. The Azure Dragon Society has twelve Halls, three hundred and sixty-five Branch Altars.

Three Halls form a Division, each Division governing one of the four seasons. Each Division has six systems, corresponding to the twenty-four solar terms. Add another Hall with three sects…

In short, the Azure Dragon Society is a colossal organization in wuxia lore—vast, far-reaching, and shrouded in secrecy, with a history stretching back millennia.

Which is why Li Chaofeng understands it the least.

Because he can’t fathom one thing: How does such a massive group sustain itself? What do they eat? Drink? What’s their purpose?

Straightening his posture, Li Chaofeng sat upright on his horse, his frustration visible on his face.

“I’ve heard of the Azure Dragon Society. I know how powerful it is. But I still hope you understand—this blade is my life.”

His frustration gave way to sorrow.

“Even a child knows one thing: if someone demands your life, even the Jade Emperor himself couldn’t change that.”

Sorrow hardened into resolve.

“So, I truly want to respect you. But my life… I can’t give that up.”

Li Chaofeng’s words were reasonable, his tone humble. The Azure Dragon Society members blocking his path exchanged amused glances.

After all, if someone compared their organization to the Jade Emperor, wouldn’t anyone feel pleased?

But their leader wasn’t smiling. He’d come for the blade, not to hear Li Chaofeng praise the Azure Dragon Society. His gaze was icy, his voice firm.

“That’s not your life. It’s just a blade. You yourself said—lose a knife, buy another at the market.”

No more dodging the issue.

Li Chaofeng stopped arguing.

He dismounted, led his horse to the roadside, and tied it to a tree himself.

When he finished, he turned to the leader—a man whose title was Altar Master, though not a Hall Master—and hesitated before asking, “You won’t take my horse, right?”

The leader snorted, “We only want the blade.”

Li Chaofeng was curious. If Jiang Biehe’s hidden trap was the Five Insect Blade Art—a blade sharp enough to dull a Sea-Gazing Tiger’s fang—then the Azure Dragon Society’s obsession with it made little sense. After all, a few thousand taels of silver could buy a better weapon.

Curious, he asked, “To avoid misunderstandings, may I confirm the blade’s appearance?”

The leader answered bluntly: “Eight inches long, blue-black, and concealable on one’s person without detection.”

The leader was honest. And Li Chaofeng confirmed it—this was Jiang Biehe’s trap.

Because both the innkeeper and Hu Tiehua had seen a blade no longer than seven inches. The scabbard Li Chaofeng crafted fit only a seven-inch blade.

The only one who’d seen an eight-inch blade was Jiang Biehe himself. After all, only a longer blade, hidden skillfully, could inspire true fear.

Noting the leader’s emphasis on concealment, Li Chaofeng shook his head, trying to shift their perspective.

“If that’s your concern, you should forge a blade hidden in a fish’s belly. Like the legendary Yuchang Dagger.”

The leader shook his head. “Unfortunately, many dislike eating fish—and even dislike eating any dish that might hide something.”

Li Chaofeng was stunned. “So you’re saying you only want the blade… and you’re truly greedy.”

The leader didn’t respond. He simply stared at Li Chaofeng, unbothered by the accusation.

Glancing behind, Li Chaofeng spotted a familiar one-armed figure in the crowd—a ruthless man who’d once severed his own wrist to escape capture.

Knowing words were futile, Li Chaofeng sighed.

“Why must you be so stubborn?”

“You’re no less stubborn.”

By now, Li Chaofeng had reached the forest’s edge. He turned to face the trees, issuing a final warning.

“I’m a chef. I only want people to enjoy my food happily. I dislike killing—and I won’t kill. But I will kill beasts. And those who treat lives as nothing… are beasts.”

“Unfortunately, many humans are no different from livestock. I don’t bother distinguishing them. After all, I have no intent to kill. Killing beasts by mistake is tolerable, but killing humans… I’d regret it deeply.”

He looked to the sky, his expression hardening. “But this time, I’ll make an exception.”

“Those who leave the forest are human. Those who enter… are beasts. Farewell.”

With that, he moved. The Dragonflow Steps activated, and he vanished into the dense woods.

The Azure Dragon Society members watched him disappear in an instant, then surged forward on horseback—only to be halted by the leader’s raised hand.

Do Not Pursue Desperate Foes. Do Not Enter Forests.

“Altar Master, are we letting him go?”

The leader was Hua Ruyu, Altar Master of the Azure Dragon Society’s October 21st Branch Altar.

A mundane Branch Altar, neither the auspicious February Second nor the ghostly July Fifteenth. Their strength was modest, their peak being Hua Ruyu himself—roughly equal to the young Jiang Biehe.

They’d learned through channels that the “Little Gourmet God” Li Chaofeng possessed a Soulbound Dagger of exceptional material—one capable of dulling a Sea-Gazing Tiger’s blade.

Hua Ruyu, intrigued, had dispatched thieves and spies.

In the streets, by the roadside, in crowds, at inns.

They’d tried stealing while he dined, searched while he bathed.

Eventually, they confirmed: Li Chaofeng carried no blade.

Thus, Hua Ruyu realized this wasn’t a treasure blade, but the Yuchang Dagger.

Though he wasn’t Zhuan Zhu, and had no King Liao to assassinate…

This was the Yuchang Dagger.

Their intelligence claimed Li Chaofeng had no martial arts skill. Yet what they’d witnessed was a man skilled in lightness techniques and combat—competent, if not exceptional.

Hua Ruyu hesitated. The Azure Dragon Society rarely provoked the Jianghu.

But he decided to try. Glancing at the crowd, then at Mulanshan ahead.

“He can’t escape. The city beyond the mountain has our people.”

Reassuring his men, Hua Ruyu selected ten, including two Executioners, and issued orders.

“Enter the forest. See if he fled. Remember—stay close, don’t linger in battle.”

The Yuchang Dagger belonged to Zhuan Zhu, the epitome of assassins.

And in dense woods, an assassin could slaughter many.

The ten entered. Soon, screams echoed—of agony, combat, breaking blades, and desperate pleas. Branches snapped as someone charged wildly.

Then silence.

All ten died without revealing their fate.

The forest grew still, like a tiger’s gaping maw—once entered, never exited.

Hua Ruyu’s face was expressionless. He knew the stakes. He’d spoken the Azure Dragon Society’s name.

If he’d stayed silent, they’d be mere bandits—robbers who failed and fled.

But now, the Society’s reputation demanded results.

What the Azure Dragon Society desires, it must obtain.

To claim the Yuchang Dagger, they’d mobilized the entire Branch Altar. Now, with Executioners dead, retreat would spread the news.

Hua Ruyu trusted Li Chaofeng wouldn’t boast of his victory. But he couldn’t trust his subordinates to keep quiet—especially those who’d lost comrades.

“I’ll go.”

Behind him stood Xing Xuan, his final ally and the October 21st Altar’s finest warrior.

Brave, but not wise. For he didn’t grasp the truth:

The Yuchang Dagger was a weapon for assassins alone.

“A blade or sword—it matters not. We’ll enter together.”

Hua Ruyu steeled himself, staring into the forest’s maw. He knew many would die.

But the Azure Dragon Society… would prevail.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end