Qianyuan City

In an instant, the bearded man's hairs stood on end, every muscle in his body tightening. He suddenly felt there was no retreat—no matter which direction he backed away, Jiang Dao seemed capable of killing him with a single strike.

With a furious roar, he raised his nine-ring broadsword and suddenly pounced wildly at Jiang Dao.

At the same time, the pale-faced scholar beside him let out a sharp shout, carrying a sinister, vicious aura as he charged swiftly at Jiang Dao. A poisoned needle gleaming blue appeared between his hands, stabbing viciously at Jiang Dao's vital points.

Jiang Dao's eyes turned cold as he instantly noticed the scholar's methods.

This scholar liked using hidden weapons to injure people!

Both his hands shot out like eagle claws. He neither dodged nor evaded. One claw seized the bearded man's blade, while the other flashed toward the pale-faced scholar's wrist like lightning.

Crack!

Crack!

Two sharp sounds rang out in succession. The long blade in the bearded man's hand was crushed into dozens of pieces by Jiang Dao's grip.

The pale-faced scholar fared even worse. Jiang Dao casually snapped his entire wrist, blood spraying as white bone showed through. He immediately let out a shrill scream.

But his scream had only just begun when Jiang Dao's Eagle Claw Art flashed toward his face. With a casual grab, there came a wet tear, and his entire face was ripped away.

The pale-faced scholar flew backward on the spot, dead beyond all doubt.

At the same time, after crushing the bearded man's blade, Jiang Dao's other claw shot viciously toward the bearded man's face.

Terror appeared on the bearded man's face. His reaction was extremely fast; almost the instant his blade shattered, he hurriedly retreated in a frenzy.

"Hero, stop! I'm from the Blazing Flame Sect..."

Splurt!

Jiang Dao's five fingers hooked like claws and still tore into his face, ripping it off on the spot. Blood sprayed everywhere, white and red surging in all directions.

The bearded man's corpse was hurled violently away, crashing down in the distance and no longer moving.

"Chief!"

"First Boss!"

"Run for your lives!"

The remaining bandits were all terrified. With a cry, they hurriedly threw down their weapons, turned, and fled at top speed.

Jiang Dao did not continue pursuing them. Instead, he frowned tightly.

The Blazing Flame Sect?

Had that bearded man just said he came from the Blazing Flame Sect?

Could the Blazing Flame Sect be a gang of bandits who robbed homes and plundered families?

How was that possible?

Over the past two days, Jiang Dalong had told him quite a bit about the Blazing Flame Sect. This sect was enormous, the true local tyrant of Qianyuan City. It controlled all manner of trades and businesses, with its reach spread far and wide.

In the martial world, it could also be considered famous for a time.

Even Qianyuan City's officials sought the Blazing Flame Sect's help in many matters.

Even if the Blazing Flame Sect did nothing, it would still receive a considerable income every day. Why would it lower itself to become bandits?

Jiang Dao bent down and searched the bearded man and the pale-faced scholar.

Before long, he found over a hundred thousand taels in banknotes, a thick stack that he stuffed into his robe. Then he turned and headed toward the convoy.

When the convoy leader saw the bandits scatter and their chief killed, he immediately let out a sigh of relief, though his heart was still filled with shock and alarm.

He hurriedly climbed down from the carriage and walked toward Jiang Dao.

"Thank you, hero, for saving our lives!"

The convoy leader hurriedly cupped his hands. "May I ask your esteemed name, hero?"

The others in the convoy also climbed down, their faces pale and their hearts still trembling as they repeatedly thanked Jiang Dao.

"My name is Jiang Dao. Shopkeeper, how much longer until we reach Qianyuan City?"

Jiang Dao asked.

"It isn't far. At most, we'll arrive in another half day."

The convoy leader answered hurriedly.

"Mm. Let's hurry on."

Jiang Dao nodded. He pulled out a silk handkerchief and gently wiped the blood from his hands, tossed it aside, and walked toward the carriage.

The convoy leader sighed in relief and immediately turned around, calling for his men to set off once more.

If he had known there was an expert like Jiang Dao among them, why would he have been so cautious before?

Jiang Dao's methods just now had truly been terrifying.

"Miss, that man's martial arts are so frightening."

Inside one carriage, a maid in goose-yellow clothes stared wide-eyed toward Jiang Dao's carriage.

Opposite her, a delicate young woman in a pale purple dress stared gravely at Jiang Dao and took a deep breath.

"Such martial arts are rare even in Qianyuan City."

"Doesn't even the Blazing Flame Sect have experts like that?"

The maid asked in astonishment.

"Of course it does, but people like that are not ones we can come into contact with."

The woman in the pale purple dress shook her head.

The convoy continued on its way.

Half a day passed quickly.

At last, a massive city appeared before them, towering high and majestic.

Its black city walls were imposing, its gates broad. People streamed in and out before the gates. Not far away, a wide river flowed in through a water gate, its surface crowded with boats.

Qianyuan City!

Jiang Dao lifted the curtain and looked toward the enormous city. He immediately sensed a rich air of prosperity. Before even entering the city, he could hear vendors crying out as they sold all kinds of food.

Rich fragrances drifted through the air, making one's appetite stir.

"Hero, we've arrived in Qianyuan City. We'll be stopping at Li's Shop. Where do you intend to go?"

After entering the city, the convoy leader quickly came before Jiang Dao's carriage and asked.

Jiang Dao slowly stepped out of the carriage. He wore a white sable-fur coat, his figure tall and slender, black hair cascading down his back. Jade hung at his waist, and he carried a silk bundle slung over his shoulder, with a long blade wrapped in animal hide tucked inside.

He was completely unlike his earlier fierce appearance.

At first glance, he even had something of an otherworldly air about him.

"I want to go to Weiyuan Wharf. Which way?"

Jiang Dao asked.

His distant cousin-uncle worked at Weiyuan Wharf. It was said that he managed the entire wharf, with several hundred sect members under his command. His status was far from ordinary.

"Weiyuan Wharf?"

The convoy leader was slightly startled. "It just so happens that two young ladies are also heading there. You can go with them."

"Where are they?"

"Please follow me, hero!"

The convoy leader immediately led Jiang Dao toward the two women from earlier.

The woman in the pale purple dress and her maid had just stepped down from their carriage.

The convoy leader immediately brought Jiang Dao over and carefully explained the matter to the woman in purple.

The woman in purple showed a strange look, then nodded lightly and immediately agreed to travel with him.

"By the way, what are you going to Weiyuan Wharf for, hero? Are you taking a boat?"

As they walked, the young woman in purple smiled.

"No, I've come to seek refuge with relatives."

Jiang Dao said.

"Seeking refuge with relatives?"

The woman in purple was even more surprised.

The maid at her side also looked rather strange.

Going to Weiyuan Wharf to seek refuge with relatives?

Could he be looking for their master?

"May I ask whom you are seeking? I am quite familiar with Weiyuan Wharf. Perhaps I can introduce you."

The woman in purple smiled.

"There's no need. I have a letter. Once I arrive, I can naturally go in."

Jiang Dao thanked her.

"Very well, then."

The woman in purple smiled, though her gaze remained somewhat strange. She said no more and continued forward.

They traveled in silence, and the atmosphere was somewhat chilly.

Fortunately, it did not take long for them to arrive.

Before them was a huge wharf, packed with sailing ships. The river was broad, waves occasionally rolling across its surface, while the crisp scent of water rushed toward them.

A great number of laborers toiled hard on the wharf.

Several magnificent towers had been built to one side.

Quite a few sect disciples in black clothing, broad and powerfully built, entered and exited with open blades and spears.

As soon as Jiang Dao arrived, he frowned and fell into thought.

His cousin-uncle managed the whole wharf, but how was he supposed to meet him?

This place was so vast that he did not even seem to know where the man lived...

"Miss, I am looking for Yang Xu. Do you know him?"

Jiang Dao could not help asking.

He had previously said he did not need her introduction, but now that they had arrived, he could not help speaking up after all. His face looked rather awkward for a moment.

The woman in purple immediately smiled. "Of course I know him. The relative you wish to seek refuge with is Yang... Yang Xu?"

"That's right. He is my distant cousin-uncle. I came specifically to seek refuge with him!"

Jiang Dao said.

"He is your cousin-uncle?"

The woman in purple looked at him strangely and smiled. "All right, I'll take you in!"

She directly led the way ahead, walking toward a courtyard in the distance.

The maid beside her also gave Jiang Dao a strange look.

Jiang Dao frowned, looking puzzled.

No way?

Could this woman be someone important to Yang Xu?