Brocade

The people of Luoxia City's martial arts world found the young man unfamiliar, having never seen him in Luoxia City before, likely a visitor from outside.

Martial artists without background knowledge of the young man's origins simply watched the unfolding events.

Youngsters from major sects or established families didn't rush to act, choosing to observe the situation.

Lin Qicheng, however, was impatient. Moreover, his Lin Family was a dominant force in Luoxia City; who would dare disrespect him, Lin Qicheng?

The final bid of five thousand taels was the price he had named. He had expected to secure it easily, never imagining someone would dare to bid higher.

In a private room on the second floor.

This was the VIP section specially set up by the Brocade Merchant Guild.

Lin Qicheng wore an ornate long gown, shimmering under the dim light, but his expression was somewhat sullen, lacking the demeanor of a refined young master.

He stood up from his seat and walked to the railing, looking down at the crowd. His gaze found the young man who had bid five thousand five hundred taels.

His eyes narrowed slightly, a fierce glint flashing within them. A smile curved his lips. "May I ask where this brother comes from?"

Lu Zhaojin met his gaze, not missing the hidden meaning in the other's eyes. "Mount Qi."

A stir went through the crowd.

Whispers erupted incessantly. Everyone was surprised that the young man hailed from Mount Qi.

Simultaneously, they pitied him for encountering the ruthless Lin Qicheng so soon after leaving Mount Qi.

Lin Qicheng chuckled lightly. "So, you're an ignorant country bumpkin from Mount Qi. No wonder you don't understand Luoxia City's customs."

He pointed at Cold Edge on the platform. "This sword, I, this young master, shall have it."

Then he pointed at Lu Zhaojin. "But you will pay for it. If you do, perhaps I can spare your life."

Lu Zhaojin felt this person was seeking his own demise, but his priority was to secure Cold Edge first.

Therefore, he didn't respond to Lin Qicheng's words. Instead, he looked at the middle-aged woman on the platform. "Five thousand five hundred taels."

This was considered his second bid. If no one else bid, Cold Edge would be his.

Hearing Lu Zhaojin bid again and seeing himself ignored, Lin Qicheng's face turned ashen. He felt a burning sensation on his face, as if he'd been slapped. "Elder Gou, kill him for me!"

Elder Gou behind him hesitated slightly. It wasn't because he saw Lu Zhaojin as particularly formidable, but because this was the Brocade Merchant Guild. Committing murder here would violate the guild's rules.

Seeing Elder Gou's indecision, Lin Qicheng's expression grew even uglier. He was about to act himself when the middle-aged woman on the stage intervened. "The Lin Family intends to kill someone here? Do you disregard the rules of our Brocade Merchant Guild?"

Lin Qicheng's expression flickered between anger and uncertainty, but he obediently retracted his foot from the railing, unsure if it was out of fear of the Brocade Merchant Guild or the middle-aged woman.

Lin Qicheng lost interest. With a flick of his sleeve, he turned and left in a huff, "Let's go!"

At this moment, Lu Zhaojin made his third bid. "Five thousand five hundred taels."

His voice was sharp.

A more ferocious look entered Lin Qicheng's eyes, accompanied by a cruel smile.

Lu Zhaojin was only interested in Cold Edge. He had no interest in the subsequent auction items. Thus, after acquiring Cold Edge, he left the Brocade Merchant Guild.

On his way back to the inn, he was intercepted by Lin Qicheng.

Lin Qicheng, with his cultivation at the Eighth Rank mid-stage, couldn't discern Lu Zhaojin's true cultivation.

Elder Gou, however, had Seventh-Rank early-stage cultivation. Knowing Lu Zhaojin came from Mount Qi, he saw no need to probe further. Mount Qi was a poor place, with few remaining cultivation techniques. How high could the cultivation of a country bumpkin be?

Lin Qicheng extended his right hand, sneering. "Hand over Cold Edge."

Lu Zhaojin glanced at him, then unwrapped the cloth binding Cold Edge, revealing a sword body of deep blue, its color like a gemstone, captivating the eye.

Lin Qicheng wasn't a swordsman, but the moment he saw Cold Edge, he fell in love with it. He wanted to buy it, even if just for collection. Seeing Lu Zhaojin reveal the sword, he mistakenly thought it was being handed over to him and puffed up with pride. "You have some sense. But your attitude at the Brocade Merchant Guild's auction displeased me greatly. So, even if you hand over Cold Edge, you won't be leaving Luoxia City today."

Lu Zhaojin gripped the hilt of Cold Edge. Just as the middle-aged woman had said, a chill emanated from the blade, seeping into his palm and body. However, it was quickly shattered by his Gale Sword Intent.

Boom!

The cloth binding Cold Edge was sliced into fragments by a surge of sword energy. Lu Zhaojin's entire being transformed, an endless sharpness radiating from him, as if he had become a formidable sword, causing both Elder Gou and Lin Qicheng's eyes to sting.

Lin Qicheng's face contorted in shock. He hadn't expected the seemingly harmless youth to possess Seventh-Rank Realm cultivation. He had truly kicked a steel plate this time. "Elder Gou, quickly apprehend him!"

Both being of the Seventh-Rank Realm, Lin Qicheng was confident Elder Gou was superior to Lu Zhaojin. After all, Lu Zhaojin came from Mount Qi, a place notorious in Luoshui Commandery for its poverty and lack of powerful techniques. Martial artists from Mount Qi were figures of ridicule. Lu Zhaojin would be no exception!

Sensing the shift in the situation, Elder Gou's first thought was to flee.

But Lu Zhaojin wouldn't give them a chance. He swung his sword, unleashing a blade of energy that streaked like lightning, slicing across Elder Gou's throat.

Blood gushed from the wound, staining a large patch of the ground red.

The blood also splattered onto Lin Qicheng's face and body. Terrified, he let out a scream and turned to flee.

However, he didn't get far before a cool breeze brushed against his neck. His head detached from his shoulders, rolling a considerable distance before coming to a stop at a pedestrian's feet.

This startled the pedestrian, who collapsed to the ground, unsure of what to do.

Lin Qicheng's corpse lay sprawled on the street. Pedestrians in the distance peered towards the scene but dared not approach, knowing how unruly and unreasonable these martial artists could be.

[Killed Seventh-Rank Martial Artist, EXP +5000]

[Killed Eighth-Rank Martial Artist, EXP +500]

[EXP: 10318]

Lu Zhaojin left without so much as a glance at the two corpses.

The onlookers parted to create a path, keeping their distance and not daring to provoke this God of Slaughter.

But upon recognizing the face in the severed head as the young master of the Lin family, their gazes towards Lu Zhaojin shifted slightly, filled with both respect and fear.

Judging by their expressions, Lin Qicheng's reputation in Luoxia City must have been terrible.

Lu Zhaojin didn't dwell on it. He had already killed them; what was the point of overthinking?

Instead of returning to the inn, Lu Zhaojin decided to find a blacksmith.

Although he could store the Cold Edge sword in his system inventory, it wouldn't be practical to suddenly pull it out in front of others.

Lu Zhaojin wasn't sure if storage rings existed in this world, but until he saw some form of storage, he would play it safe and blend in.

Therefore, he intended to commission a sword sheath from a blacksmith to house the Cold Edge.

Meanwhile, the news of Lin Qicheng's death at the hands of a mysterious swordsman spread like a stone dropped into water, sending ripples across the long-dormant surface of Luoxia City.