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Chapter 498: Disagreement Means Death
Chapter 498: Disagreement Means Death
At the foot of Cuiyun Peak, by the shores of Greenwater Lake, resided the Divine Sword Xie family.
Ever since Xie Tian acquired the plaque of "Heaven's Number One Sword" two hundred years ago, the Xie family had produced many talented individuals. Yet, they never dared to bring up the plaque again, knowing they didn't live up to that title.
This continued until the generation's third young master of the Xie family defeated Hua Yukun, the Wandering Dragon Swordsman of Mount Hua, at the tender age of ten.
From then on, for a decade, he drank blood with his sword, never tasting defeat. All under the heavens acknowledged that the current third young master of the Xie family was indeed the true Heaven's Number One Sword!
Yan Thirteen's deadly Thirteen Swords were sharp and vicious, nearly reaching the pinnacle. None survived his blade, but everyone still regarded him as a challenger, and even Yan Thirteen himself didn't object.
Tie Hu was of a similar mind.
His mastery of the "Chain Whip" divine skill made him confident in his invincibility. Yet, when facing the third young master of the Xie family, he, too, was merely a challenger.
Thus, upon hearing the name "Xie Xiaofeng," a myriad of emotions flashed through Tie Hu's eyes—caution, solemnity, anticipation—before they settled into a battle-ready gleam.
"Is it really him?"
"It's him."
"How could it be him?" Tie Hu asked again.
"Why not?" Tie Kaicheng countered.
Tie Hu fell silent for a moment before nodding. "Indeed, anything is possible. I traveled from Liaodong to Jiangnan to hide my identity, so why can't the useless Aji be the renowned third young master of the Xie family?"
"Since that's the case..."
"...since that's the case, all of you get on the carriage," Tie Hu said, looking at the old Miao man's family and the two girls, Xue Keren.
Tie Kaicheng narrowed his eyes and asked softly, "Are you sending them out of the city?"
"Of course not." Tie Hu shook his head. "We're going to Madam Han's brothel."
Tie Kaicheng's eyebrows twitched as he realized, "You still plan to use them as hostages to disturb Xie Xiaofeng's state of mind?"
Tie Hu remained silent, and his silence was tacit consent.
Back when he was still known as Lei Zhentian, one of the Four Heroes of Wind, Cloud, Thunder, and Rain, he had already wanted to battle Xie Xiaofeng. He had waited for this fight for eight years, so upon learning that Aji was Xie Xiaofeng, he had no intention of backing down.
He would have a decisive battle with Xie Xiaofeng!
However, the manner of the battle was important. If it were an ordinary enemy, he wouldn't do such a thing, but Xie Xiaofeng was different.
Xie Xiaofeng was evidently an extremely tricky opponent. No matter how confident he was in his own abilities, no matter what form Xie Xiaofeng took, he would never underestimate him. That would be irresponsible to his own life.
He wanted a fair duel with Xie Xiaofeng!
But disturbing Xie Xiaofeng's peace of mind was part of the preparation for the duel, a scheme to be carried out before the battle. Thus, he felt no guilt about it.
It was similar to how Shangguan Jinhong wanted to see Li Xihuan's Little Li Flying Dagger, but before their duel, he made Li Xihuan travel back and forth for a thousand miles without rest.
A cunning prelude, a fair and just duel.
In the original story, when Tie Hu went to find Xie Xiaofeng, he didn't give him a chance to sober up either. Now that he knew ahead of time that Aji was Xie Xiaofeng, and he had hostages who could make Xie Xiaofeng reveal himself, how could he not use them?
The old Miao man's family looked at Tie Hu in terror, but Jin Lan Hua remained calm, and Xue Keren smiled. Regardless of what the two women thought, they didn't show any signs of panic on the surface.
The old Miao man tried to get up and fight again, but Tie Kaicheng's hand never left his shoulder, so no matter how hard he struggled, he couldn't move at all.
Tie Hu looked at Tie Kaicheng, his eyes indifferent.
Tie Kaicheng sighed, "If you want to find Xie Xiaofeng for a duel, I would absolutely agree and even cheer you on.
Iron Hu smiled faintly. "Although Tie Zhongqi's 132nd Wind Chases the Rolling Fast Sword is powerful, it's not something I fear. Is it Yan Thirteen's Deadly Thirteen Swords that give you this confidence?"
A flash of realization crossed Tie Kaicheng's eyes, and he asked abruptly, "Have you crossed swords with Yan Thirteen?"
In the original story, Xie Xiaofeng had said that Iron Hu should have died by Yan Thirteen's sword. Iron Hu neither denied nor showed anger at this, and when Tie Kaicheng had asked Yan Thirteen about it in the maple forest, he had also remained silent.
So, Tie Kaicheng could only seek the answer from Iron Hu himself.
"Indeed, Yan Thirteen is a formidable swordsman," Iron Hu acknowledged, a hint of respect in his eyes. "I haven't crossed swords with him because we had the same target."
Their target, of course, was Xie Xiaofeng. And right around the time Xie Xiaofeng faked his death, both Yan Thirteen and Lei Zhentian had also disappeared without a trace.
Tie Kaicheng nodded, now understanding.
Although Yan Thirteen had treated him well, his true nature was that of a cold and ruthless swordsman. Once he drew his sword, there would be no survivors—either his opponent died, or he did.
Tie Kaicheng had witnessed Iron Hu's skill, and while his hard work was impressive, he was no match for Yan Thirteen. And if Iron Hu couldn't defeat Yan Thirteen, how could he be so confident in challenging Xie Xiaofeng, especially when the latter was acknowledged as superior to Yan Thirteen by the entire jianghu?
So, Iron Hu and Yan Thirteen had met but never fought, and the rumors in the jianghu were just that—rumors.
"You've never crossed swords with him, yet you think you can beat him?" Tie Kaicheng inquired.
Iron Hu smiled slightly. "You don't understand. People of our caliber possess an otherworldly sense. I met Yan Thirteen once, and I knew that either of us could win."
Tie Kaicheng nodded, finally comprehending.
Iron Hu considered himself on par with Yan Thirteen, which was why he was also confident about defeating Xie Xiaofeng.
"So, you think you can beat me too?" Tie Kaicheng stated.
Iron Hu responded indifferently, "You're not Yan Thirteen."
If Iron Hu's attitude towards Xie Xiaofeng was cautious and towards Yan Thirteen respectful, then towards Tie Kaicheng, it was sheer disregard.
Even though he had seen the corpses that had fallen to Tie Kaicheng's sword, he still didn't view him as a worthy opponent.
Tie Kaicheng felt helpless. While he didn't mind tagging along with Iron Hu to watch the spectacle, he wouldn't allow him to hold so many people hostage.
"What if I come with you?"
"No."
"You want all of them to come along?"
"Yes."
"What if I disagree?" Tie Kaicheng asked.
"You will agree," Iron Hu replied.
Iron Hu turned to face Tie Kaicheng, his expression indifferent. "No matter what, the dead won't object."
"If I disagree, I'll die?" Tie Kaicheng questioned.
"The Deadly Thirteen Swords are formidable, but it depends on who wields them," Iron Hu said as he strode towards Tie Kaicheng. "If you know who I am, then you should know that if I want someone dead, they are as good as dead."
"I know," Tie Kaicheng nodded. "Lei Zhentian of the Wind, Cloud, Thunder, and Rain Four Heroes, master of the Chain Whip skill."
Iron Hu nodded. "So, will you still try to stop me?"
"If I disagree, I will die?" Tie Kaicheng asked again. "What if I ask you to spare my life?"
"No!" Iron Hu's voice was firm, his eyebrows raised, and the joints of his body seemed to pop like firecrackers. "If you want to be spared, then spare your own life!"
(End of Chapter)
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