Chapter 7: Menace Unveiled

Chapter 7: Menace Unveiled

The night was thick with towering trees, their shadows stretching over two stallions tethered near the roadside. The horses tugged restlessly at their reins, lowering their heads to nibble at the grass beneath their hooves.

Nearby, a campfire smoldered in the forest clearing, its dying embers casting a faint glow before darkness swallowed the area entirely. Moonlight bathed the scene in silver as Jiang Biehe, who had been motionless with closed eyes, suddenly opened them. Across the extinguished fire, he studied the sleeping youth—Li Chaofeng—whose steady breathing filled the silence. A glint of cold calculation flickered in Jiang Biehe’s gaze.

This boy was dangerous.

Alone together, with Li Chaofeng seemingly unguarded, the moment was perfect.

Jiang Biehe didn’t care what the townsfolk in Four Seas Town whispered about who had slain the Heavenly Gate Five Tigers. A plausible lie would suffice—no one in the martial world cared about the fate of strangers.

Yan Nantian was the only one hunting him, and that was because he’d killed Jiang Feng, the kind-hearted “Jade Gentleman” who’d once given everything to help others. But justice was a myth in this world. Power decided truth.

As true qi surged through his veins, Jiang Biehe shifted to rise—only for Li Chaofeng to suddenly lash out a hand, snatching something from his satchel.

“Squeak!” A wild fox wriggled in his grip, caught stealing dried meat.

Li Chaofeng yawned, releasing the creature with a sigh. “A fox? Guess Big Hero Jiang won’t get a midnight snack tonight.” He turned to Jiang Biehe, eyes glinting with mock concern. “Need company for a midnight stroll? Afraid of ghosts?”

The Five Insect Blade Art heightened Li Chaofeng’s senses, letting him detect not just weather but killing intent itself. Jiang Biehe’s feigned sleep hadn’t fooled him.

Caught, Jiang Biehe lay back, voice smooth as silk. “A traveler’s caution. Hope I didn’t disturb your rest.”

“Hah! Thought you were just scared of ghosts,” Li Chaofeng chuckled, curling into his cloak. “Guess I’ll keep sleeping then.”

The forest fell silent again, save for the wind’s eerie wail.

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In the Wanfu Wanshou Garden, Lord Jin Sizhe surveyed the severed heads before him. His butler gave a confirming nod, and he bowed deeply to the two young men.

“Gratitude, sirs. The Five Tigers terrorized Jiangnan—now its people can breathe easy.”

Li Chaofeng studied Jin’s face, sighing inwardly. Jiang Biehe’s appearance defied logic—Yan Nantian himself had confirmed his transformation. Yet Jin Sizhe, too, felt oddly familiar. But familiarity meant little; he’d seen countless faces, even doppelgängers of movie stars, before this life.

Jiang Biehe bowed, humility etched into his tone. “The credit belongs to Brother Li. I merely assisted.”

Jin Sizhe waved a hand. “Your role was vital. Without your slaying of the Gatebreaker Tiger and relentless pursuit, Brother Li could not have triumphed alone.”

Li Chaofeng smirked silently as Jiang Biehe demurred. Servants brought forth two chests—inside, stacks of silver notes worth tens of thousands of taels.

Jiang Biehe declined his share. “I seek no reward. Let the silver aid the victims.” His voice trembled with feigned sorrow.

Li Chaofeng clutched his chest, as if fearing his own bounty might vanish.

Jin Sizhe observed them—the pious Jiang Biehe, a portrait of righteousness, and the wary Li Chaofeng, a fox-eyed schemer. Rumors confirmed Li’s solo slaughter of four Tigers, taking a fatal blow for his efforts. Jiang Biehe, meanwhile, had trailed them lazily, the Gatebreaker’s death suspiciously convenient.

“Your virtue honors us all,” Jin Sizhe said, dismissing the chests. He turned to Li Chaofeng. “My grandfather’s birthday banquet in two weeks—stay, meet the martial world’s finest?”

Li Chaofeng’s eyes lit up. Chu Liuxiang himself had attended such events!

Jiang Biehe bowed deeply. “With gratitude, we accept.”

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end