https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-447-Inferring-the-Deadly-Fourteenth-Sword/12536687/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-449-The-Big-Boss-and-His-Three-Iron-Subordinates/12536689/
Chapter 448: The Cold Jade Swordsman and the Cloud Dual Swords
Chapter 448: The Cold Jade Swordsman and the Cloud Dual Swords
Tie Kaicheng lifted the carriage curtain, and before he could see who was speaking, Li Cheng and Master Li had already arrived in front of the carriage.
"Head Escort, the two people blocking our way are the Jackal and Wolf Fierce Duo from the Huainan region!" Li Cheng said, "Three years ago, they robbed a convoy but managed to escape with their lives from Master Tie. They are highly skilled!"
Jackal and Wolf Fierce Duo? What a cliche name!
Tie Kaicheng was speechless. However, judging from Li Cheng's tone and the reactions of those present, this formidable pair seemed to be quite formidable.
As Tie Kaicheng stepped down from the carriage, he heard Li Cheng continue, "In that battle three years ago, although Master Tie emerged victorious, he sustained serious internal injuries and had to recuperate for three months. You were on an escort mission to Sichuan and Xiang at that time, so you were unaware of this incident."
Tie Kaicheng nodded, and then his gaze fell upon the two men blocking their path.
One was slender and frail, clad in black, sporting a goatee, and wearing a wide-sleeved robe. At his waist hung two short willow leaf blades.
The other was burly and towering, his face contorted in a sinister grin, draped in a wolf pelt coat, and wielding a pair of wolf-tooth curved blades.
Despite their small number, they exuded an aura that intimidated the entire escort team into inaction.
"Are you Tie Kaicheng?" The man with the goatee, Jackal, questioned.
"Your father's debt will be repaid by you, his son. Are you afraid?" Wolf, the other man, asked with a malicious laugh.
Gripping the hilt of his sword, Tie Kaicheng thought to himself that these two, with their villainous appearances, were not worth his time.
It was no great feat to escape from Tie Zhongqi three years ago when he was already past his prime.
However, just then, a clear and resonant voice rang out, "How bold of you to rob us in broad daylight!"
As the voice fell, a sword beam shot out from the nearby trees, aiming straight for Jackal.
The sword beam was crisp and fierce, changing through three sword styles mid-flight. Illuminated by the sunlight, the sword beam shimmered with a rainbow glow as it reflected in Jackal's pupils.
"Wudang Nine Palace Linked Ring Sword!" Jackal exclaimed in surprise, "Who are you?"
Even as he cried out, the sword beam had already reached him. Startled, Jackal hastily drew the two willow leaf blades from his waist and swung them, creating a blade net that shielded him.
This blade net exuded a chilling frost and sharp aura. Just from this move, it was evident that he was indeed a rare expert in his own right.
"Hit!"
However, the attacker let out a light rebuke, and the long sword miraculously pierced through the blade net from an impossible angle, directly impaling Jackal's chest.
"Ah!"
Jackal let out a miserable scream and fell backward.
Seeing this, Wolf, who had been standing beside Jackal, did not even attempt to help or rescue his partner. Instead, he roared in anger and turned to flee.
However, before he could reach the trees on the other side, two more sword beams flashed out from the forest.
"Despicable thieves, you deserve to die!"
Although these two sword beams were not as fierce as the first, they worked in perfect harmony, creating a combined effect greater than the sum of their parts.
Wolf frantically waved his twin blades, but despite it being a duel of twin weapons, he seemed unable to block the relentless assault of the dual swords. In just a few exchanges, the dual swords breached his defenses, and his throat was slashed.
The Jackal and Wolf Fierce Duo perished on the spot!
Tie Kaicheng: "..."
As the sword beams faded, three young men appeared before the escort team.
One was a handsome young man in blue, with a face like a crowned jade and eyes like cold stars. He exuded an air of pride, and in his hand, he held an exquisite sword with a gem embedded in its hilt, sparkling brilliantly.
The other two were dressed in purple brocade, adorned with gold and silver, exuding an air of nobility. One had a slight mustache, while the other had red lips and white teeth. Their swords, which they had just sheathed, were clearly refined through countless temperings to become renowned blades.
"I've long heard of the fame of the Hongqi Escort Agency in the Central Plains. It's an honor to meet you today." The handsome young man bowed slightly, a hint of friendliness in his superior tone, "I am Cao Hanyu."
Li Cheng was taken aback and asked, "Are you the Cold Jade Swordsman Cao Hanyu, one of the Four Spirits and Dual Jade of Wudang?"
Cao Hanyu nodded in satisfaction, "Indeed, it is I."
"Yuan Feiyun (Yuan Ciyun)
greets Brother Tie!" The two purple-clad young men bowed to Tie Kaicheng, their demeanor much kinder than Cao Hanyu's.
Yuan Ciyun smiled and said, "We apologize for taking business away from you, Brother Tie. We hope you don't mind."
Li Cheng was shocked once again, "Could it be the 'Jinling Purple Clothes, Cloud Dual Swords' Yuan brothers?"
"It's just a minor reputation, but to have it recognized by a renowned escort master like yourself is our honor." Yuan Feiyun smiled, but a fleeting trace of disdain flashed in his eyes.
In the eyes of ordinary people in the jianghu, an escort master from the Hongqi Escort Agency was indeed a figure of high status, well-traveled, experienced, and skilled. However, to disciples of renowned sects or influential families like them, such escort masters were considered little more than commoners.
Of course, this did not apply to the true powerhouses within the escort agency, such as the head escort, the branch head escorts, and so on. For instance, "Iron Rider Quick Sword" Tie Zhongqi commanded respect wherever he went.
In the current Hongqi Escort Agency convoy, there was only one such figure—Tie Kaicheng.
However, Tie Kaicheng's gaze held a hint of amusement as he looked at the three of them. So, these friends had come to join him just a day after he had dealt with the five traitors?
Cao Hanyu of Wudang, the Yuan brothers of Jinling, they were all followers of Tianzun in the original story, and their paths had crossed with Tie Kaicheng's. Perhaps this was how they had become friends?
Tie Kaicheng glanced at Li Cheng, who seemed to be constantly surprised by everything, and thought to himself that he was too impressionable.
"Greetings, all of you." Tie Kaicheng smiled, "For those two scoundrels to die by your swords is an honor they could never have hoped for in this life, and it will be a great tale for them to boast about in their next life."
The escort team members turned to look at Tie Kaicheng, realizing that their new head escort had changed. Not only was he less stern than before, but he also seemed to have picked up the art of mutual flattery.
Even Cao Hanyu couldn't help but reveal a hint of satisfaction.
Yuan Ciyun and Yuan Feiyun exchanged a glance before stepping forward and saying, "Brother Tie, you're escorting goods for the Wang family to Jinling, right?"
"Indeed." Tie Kaicheng's eyes flickered, "The goods are meant for the Purple Brocade Shop in Jinling. Could it be..."
"The Purple Brocade Shop is one of our Yuan family's businesses." Yuan Ciyun smiled, "My brother and I were traveling in the Central Plains these past few days, and we're also heading back to Jinling now. It's a coincidence that we're on the same route. How about we travel together?"
In theory, escort agencies would never allow outsiders to join their convoys, not even the owners of the goods being escorted. This was to prevent any potential inside jobs or conspiracies, as such stories were not unheard of.
Thus, the escort team members looked to Tie Kaicheng for his decision.
However, Tie Kaicheng nonchalantly nodded, "Sure, why not? However, we only have one carriage, and there are ladies inside. You three will have to ride horses."
(End of Chapter)
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