Chapter 40: The Kucha Rebellion

Chapter 40: The Kucha Rebellion

The banquet had descended into chaos once, but a second disruption proved harder to ignite. After all, no one recognized Hu Tiehua’s Startling Dream of the Wandering Dragon technique, Li Chaofeng’s trio remained hidden in the shadows, and now there was an additional enigma—this mysterious “Liu Xiang” whose origins no one knew.

Even when the limping Du Huan returned to the feast, everyone pretended not to notice, carrying on as if nothing had happened. With strangers all around, the guests could do little but listen to the Pipa Princess’s enchanting pipa melodies, watch the Huji dancers twirl, and drink themselves into oblivion.

During the banquet, the King of Kucha, feigning concern, emphasized the Paradise Star’s importance and mentioned the rebellion brewing in his kingdom. Naturally, he added with smug satisfaction that while the gem was priceless to him, others would be lucky to sell it for 5,000 taels of gold. Stone Guanyin, he claimed, would never part with it.

Li Chaofeng had been content to watch the charade unfold until the King of Kucha’s exaggerated theatrics grew unbearable. But when the king mentioned Jianghu Martial World figures among the rebels, Li Chaofeng’s brow furrowed deeply.

The title “Eight-Armed Nezha” barely registered—it was likely just a martial artist skilled in hidden weapons. But the name “Divine Blade, Invincible” made Li Chaofeng pause. This wasn’t a figure from his memories but a legend he’d gathered since becoming the renowned owner of the Misty Waters Pavilion in the northwest. Unlike his days as a mere waiter at the Four Seas Inn, his new role required no eavesdropping; his suppliers’ idle chatter during transactions revealed far more.

The Divine Blade Hall, headquartered in the northern frontier, was infamous. Its leader, Bai Tianyu—known as “Divine Blade, Invincible”—was also Ye Kai’s father. Fortunately, Bai hadn’t yet been killed by his sworn brother Ma Kongqun, so the Hall still reigned supreme in the “Nine Border Regions,” even overshadowing the legendary Money Gang Sect.

The title “Divine Blade, Invincible” referred not only to Bai’s unmatched swordsmanship but also the Hall’s dominance. According to Li Chaofeng’s investigations, the Hall trafficked in military supplies, entangled in murky dealings with border troops.

The King of Kucha spoke vaguely, claiming only to know that a Jianghu figure near An Deshan had boasted the title “Divine Blade, Invincible.” But Li Chaofeng couldn’t ignore the implications. Was this self-proclaimed “Invincible” a mere disciple of the Divine Blade Hall, riding on its reputation? Or had Bai Tianyu himself arrived?

In this world, Bai Tianyu wasn’t even ranked sixth on the Weapons Chart. Shangguan Jinhong, who compiled the list, wasn’t powerful enough to recruit Bai directly. Even the legendary Heavenly Mechanism Sage—a top-tier Jianghu hermit—was placed above Bai merely to bolster the chart’s credibility.

Still, logic suggested it was likely some reckless disciple exploiting the Hall’s name. After all, Bai couldn’t possibly chase him all the way to Kucha to exact punishment.

Li Chaofeng had no intention of involving himself with Bai. As a mere tavern owner, he lacked the clout to rival someone who controlled the entire northern frontier’s arms trade. Warning Bai about assassination attempts was pointless—Bai faced more threats annually than he had bowel movements. And suggesting Bai’s own brother Ma Kongqun was plotting with his subordinates? That was a death sentence.

Li Chaofeng maintained a grim demeanor throughout the banquet. The Pipa Princess circled him repeatedly, whispering sweetly and urging him to drink, but he rebuffed her with icy indifference. Alcohol was out of the question—sober minds were the only defense against losing control. Especially for a reincarnator like himself, surrounded by characters from his past life.

He’d tested his tolerance—this body could handle a thousand cups without a wobble. But against a drunkard like Hu Tiehua, even his resolve might falter. The real reason he avoided alcohol? Hu Tiehua. One sip, and the man would drag him into a drunken duel of songs and drinks, ending only when both collapsed. Li Chaofeng shuddered at the thought of what reckless mistakes he might make in that state.

As the banquet ended, the King of Kucha insisted Peng Yi Hu’s group stay, citing hospitality. Meanwhile, Chu Liuxiang had already grown cozy with the Pipa Princess. Li Chaofeng, however, pondered how far the plot might unravel and whether his safety was still guaranteed.

He’d witnessed Chu Liuxiang and Hu Tiehua’s martial arts prowess, seen the Peng Clan’s Five Tigers Severing Gate Blade technique in action during their illusions, and observed Du Huan’s duel with Peng Yi Hu. In short, Jianghu figures like Peng and Du no longer posed a threat. Yet Hu Tiehua’s speed, that “Wandering Dragon” strike, still outpaced him. Without the Dragonflow Steps or his deep understanding of Startling Dream of the Wandering Dragon, even the Lightness Skill from the Five Supreme Arts wouldn’t have saved him from Hu’s ambush.

Though Hu Tiehua was undoubtedly a top-tier martial master, even he had rivals—Stone Guanyin, Jellyfish Yin Ji, or Xue Yiren, not to mention the Heavenly Mechanism Sage from another tale. The path to true invincibility was still long. When would he finally face a challenge worthy of his loneliness?

Peng Yi Hu, meanwhile, focused on drinking and feasting. He wanted to leave—their escort mission was over—but Hu Tiehua’s group still bore the Peng Clan’s name, and Chu Liuxiang showed no inclination to depart. Generous hospitality from the King of Kucha convinced Peng to stay one more day, though he warned his three Peng Clan juniors to remain vigilant.

A seasoned escort leader, Peng had sensed anomalies from the start. When lured to that water source, he’d been the last to drink—and the first to sober up, spotting Hu Tiehua immediately. Though he recognized Hu, the latter had vanished from the Jianghu for a decade, leaving his recent activities a mystery. Without Li Chaofeng’s antidote, Peng wouldn’t have dared sleep.

In the days that followed, Peng stayed alert, fearing Chu Liuxiang might expose his own impostor. While Chu had no interest in the Paradise Star, who was to say Hu Tiehua’s companion was truly him?

Only when the Paradise Star reached the King of Kucha’s hands did Peng relax, realizing Hu Tiehua’s group had no designs on the Peng Clan. Their desert rescue had been genuine, and in the Jianghu, debts of gratitude demanded repayment. Peng even shielded Hu Tiehua’s false identity, though Hu repaid him with another life-saving act.

Peng’s priority was leaving this trouble zone, but Hu Tiehua’s group showed no urgency. Bound by the Seven Tigers of the Peng Clan’s need to regroup, he agreed to stay one more day—no longer.

Later, as Ji Bingyan and Li Chaofeng gathered in their tent, Ji eyed the King’s pavilion and whispered, “Was the Paradise Star really stolen?”

Only Hu Tiehua’s group knew of Li Chaofeng’s supernatural sense of smell. Now, walking into this trap, Li concealed his ability. The Paradise Star was a diamond—odorless, or so it seemed. But Ji knew Li could detect its scent. After all, it had once been hidden in Peng Yi Hu’s shoulder, soaked in his blood. Even after wiping, the metallic tang lingered.

Li Chaofeng hesitated. He could reveal the truth. But doing so would expose Stone Guanyin’s ruse—the King and Queen of Kucha’s collusion to fake the theft. Once Chu Liuxiang learned the “truth” from him, the famed detective would abandon his pursuit of the ghost ship and Stone Guanyin, unraveling the plot forever.

No matter the path, the story was already breaking apart.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end