Chapter 5: Cutthroat Competition

Chapter 5: Cutthroat Competition

Jiang Biehe didn’t need to inspect the wounds to confirm—the moment he laid eyes on the short blade in the youth’s hand, he recognized it as the very weapon that had slain the Three Tigers of the Heavenly Gate Sect.

The only mystery was how this boy had managed to kill three martial cultivators, one of whom was a top-tier second-rate Martial Master, using nothing but an Eight-Inch Shortblade.

“An inch longer, an inch stronger,” Jiang Biehe mused. The Heavenly Gate Five Tigers’ sword techniques were notoriously fierce, and the Skyward Tiger’s Golden Ring Greatblade alone measured three feet five inches. By sheer length alone, it should have easily overpowered the youth.

More importantly, judging from the boy’s footsteps on the second floor, he clearly moved like an ordinary person. Could he be a hidden Martial Master, disguising his true cultivation? Jiang Biehe had heard of such trickery before—masters who could mask their strength so completely that even their footsteps betrayed nothing. He himself could do it, though he rarely bothered. After all, who would go to such lengths unless they were an assassin? Pretending to be ordinary meant faking every movement, every shift of weight. It seemed unnecessarily tedious.

Still, Jiang Biehe quickly dismissed his doubts. He clasped his hands in apology, first nodding to the innkeeper before turning to Li Chaofeng.

“No need for such formality,” Jiang said, his tone measured. “I’m simply curious—why didn’t you reveal yourself earlier, only to appear now?”

Li Chaofeng’s youthful face twisted into a petulant scowl, his voice tinged with exaggerated wronged.

“My family drilled this into me—repeatedly—before I left: Don’t seek fame, don’t seek fame, don’t seek fame!” He threw up his hands. “If you become famous for doing good, people will envy you and try to destroy you. If you gain a bad reputation, they’ll just kill you outright. The safest path? Stay invisible.”

He paused, gesturing dramatically from the upper floor. “But what could I do? Even cooking rice, I stumbled into villains preying on women and children. I ended up killing a few scoundrels, and now I’m infamous. But I couldn’t ignore my family’s warnings, so I asked the innkeeper to hide my deeds. Unfortunately, I hadn’t finished covering my tracks when you arrived, Jiang Daxia.”

Suddenly, Li Chaofeng’s eyes lit up as he turned to Jiang Biehe, his tone shifting to exaggerated admiration.

“When I heard your words upstairs, it was like a Revelation—sudden clarity! Doing good isn’t just about fame; it’s about deterring evil. If every righteous person stood up, the villains would fear us. And when villains fear us, they’ll stop their crimes!”

He leapt to his feet, raising a thumb. “Doing good means earning fame! That’s how you terrify the wicked!”

His hoarse, pubescent voice echoed through the inn. Even the innkeeper, accustomed to his theatrics, blinked in shock. Jiang Biehe himself nearly recoiled.

This kid’s act is laid on a bit thick, isn’t it?

The delivery—those wide-eyed expressions, the over-the-top gestures—was too youthful. A grown man standing at six feet tall shouldn’t be this… exuberant.

Still, Jiang Biehe merely rubbed his temple, his deep voice steady. “You mean terrify the villainous scoundrels, not ‘the small fry.’”

Li Chaofeng feigned innocence, his face a mask of mock confusion. “But aren’t petty villains called ‘small fry’ because they’re narrow-minded?”

At this, Jiang Biehe straightened, suppressing a sigh before speaking.

“You misunderstand, young hero. The Heavenly Gate Five Tigers have terrorized Jiangnan for weeks. I’ve pursued them for half a month, slaying only one. My skill should’ve ensured the rest met their end—but instead of fleeing into the mountains, they ran here, giving them the chance to strike first.”

He bowed slightly. “Earlier, seeing the four dead, I spoke carelessly in my joy, perhaps giving you the wrong impression. But I have no intention of stealing your glory. Please, don’t doubt my intent.”

Jiang Biehe’s mind raced, but Li Chaofeng simply scratched his ear, puzzled.

“Doubt what?”

Jiang Biehe steadied himself, then shifted topics. “No matter. You mentioned cooking earlier—what did you mean?”

Li Chaofeng flushed, suddenly sheepish. “Traveling left me penniless, so I took a job here. My cooking’s not bad, so I worked as the inn’s chef for six months.”

He quickly regained his swagger, turning to the innkeeper. “Under my wok, the Four Seas Inn’s reputation soared, didn’t it, Madam?”

The innkeeper chuckled, catching his game. “Indeed! Who knew such a talented chef would vanish today?”

Li Chaofeng nodded, grinning. “I’m not here to cook forever—I’m wandering Jianghu to make my name! But tell me, Jiang Daxia…” He hesitated, then asked awkwardly, “Does killing these Heavenly Gate scoundrels come with a reward?”

Jiang Biehe laughed heartily. “Of course! Lord Jin Sizhe has posted a bounty for the Five Tigers’ heads. Bring proof, and you’ll be honored as a guest at Wanfu Wanshou Garden.”

Li Chaofeng’s expression flickered at the name, though he kept his tone light. “Proof means… their bodies or heads?”

Jiang Biehe nodded. “Precisely.”

Li Chaofeng shot up. “Madam, how far is Wanfu Wanshou Garden from Annan?”

The innkeeper frowned. “I’ve heard of Lord Jin, but I don’t know the exact location—somewhere near Hangzhou, I think.”

Jiang Biehe interjected smoothly, “Two days’ hard ride. I’ve been tracking these five for weeks—many saw me. We could travel together.”

The distance—nearly four hundred miles—was daunting. For ordinary folk, such a journey was like crossing the world.

The innkeeper hesitated, but Li Chaofeng was already moving.

“Then we shouldn’t delay. Those corpses won’t stay fresh forever. We’d better hurry before Lord Jin tosses us out for rotting his garden.”

Jiang Biehe agreed. He’d rested well after his battle, and the youth’s eagerness to leave only sharpened his suspicion.

How did this boy see through my lie?

As the innkeeper teased, “Even if you’re eager for fame, at least eat before you go!” Jiang Biehe remained silent, his gaze sharp.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end