Chapter 34

Master's Tower's back door was not easy to enter. One needed a sufficiently weighty knocking brick to have any chance of opening that back door which seemed forever shut.

Seventy-eight taels were clearly not enough, and it was not even presentable. Naturally, it was even less likely to knock open Master's Tower's back door.

The man blocking the way had a purplish-red face, wore a dark robe, and let both hands hang at his sides. His gaze had already been cold, but now it was nearly frozen solid, like two awls stabbing straight at Ning Chang'an.

"Get lost!"

The purple-faced man squeezed out those words through clenched teeth.

Ning Chang'an narrowed his eyes. "How do I get lost?"

The purple-faced man snorted. "Don't you know how?! I'll be kind enough to teach you..." His previously lowered right hand suddenly rose, chopping down toward Ning Chang'an's shoulder.

Whoosh—the wind suddenly roared. That palm strike was indeed formidable. It tore through the air, explosions of force ringing out one after another.

Ning Chang'an's eyes lit up, and a faint smile appeared on his face. He suddenly raised his own right hand as well, striking toward the purple-faced man's shoulder.

The purple-faced man sneered. "You fool who knows neither the height of heaven nor the depth of earth. It seems you do not even have the chance to roll out anymore. You should be blasted out!"

What would be blasted out?! Naturally, flesh, bones, and blood.

The purple-faced man's palm flashed like lightning and abruptly struck Ning Chang'an's shoulder. The force behind it was unimaginably immense, driving half of Ning Chang'an's body downward. Princess stood nearby with her little mouth slightly open. She wanted to cry out, yet not a sound came forth. She had some goodwill toward this little fatty, and at this moment, she truly could not bear to watch. But she had no power to oppose the purple-faced man. She had seen more than enough of his prowess and viciousness. Opposing him brought no benefit at all; nine times out of ten, it meant death.

The purple-faced man was Iron Hand Ya Zi, the Iron Hand Ya Zi who held grudges to the utmost and repaid every enmity. Why was he called Ya Zi? Because he was a man who repaid every glare with vengeance. If someone glared at him once, he might dig out that person's eyes.

Princess was astonished, but Iron Hand Ya Zi was even more astonished. Only Iron Hand Ya Zi and Ning Chang'an knew what the result of that palm strike truly was. Ning Chang'an was completely unharmed. Half his body sank, his shoulder shook, and amid the shifting of his joints, he fully dissolved and neutralized Iron Hand Ya Zi's palm force. Iron Hand Ya Zi's palm was like one striking a spring. As Ning Chang'an's body sank to its limit, Iron Hand Ya Zi's hand was flung high into the air, forcibly knocked upward by Ning Chang'an's shoulder.

Iron Hand Ya Zi could scarcely believe his own eyes. Was this something a fatty could do?! He had thought that with this strike, the fatty's shoulder would surely split open, his bones shattered and tendons torn.

Unfortunately, that had merely been his own wishful thinking.

In that instant, Iron Hand Ya Zi's face turned as purple as an eggplant, and cold sweat emerged from his forehead. He already knew he had kicked an iron plate.

Crack!

Iron Hand Ya Zi's body sank as well, his waist twisting in a bizarre fashion. Ning Chang'an's palm had landed. Iron Hand Ya Zi gritted his teeth so hard they nearly shattered, but he finally managed to suppress his scream.

His shoulder had shattered, skin split and flesh torn, bones broken and tendons snapped, hanging limply at his side. Ning Chang'an's gaze turned cold. He sent out a flying kick, instantly kicking Iron Hand Ya Zi backward. He flew through the air, then rolled three or four zhang down the alley before stopping, leaving behind a glaring trail of blood.

Iron Hand Ya Zi's face had looked like an eggplant just now; now it looked like an eggplant struck by frost. One hand clutched his shoulder, where blood gushed steadily forth, while his eyes stared coldly at Ning Chang'an, filled with terror and hatred.

Ning Chang'an smiled. "I have learned much. Many thanks!" Ning Chang'an had seen such looks countless times, so naturally his heart did not pound in alarm. There were far too many people in the martial world who licked blood from knife edges. No one remained unstained by favors and grudges, no one avoided forging bonds of love and hatred. While alive, people always had a purpose. Moving forward for that purpose, collisions with others were unavoidable—either sparks would fly, or blood would be drawn. Besides, there was no way to stop those who suffered losses from breeding venomous resentment.

What Ning Chang'an had experienced was the "rolling" Iron Hand Ya Zi had spoken of! Since Iron Hand Ya Zi had wanted to teach him and had personally demonstrated it, Ning Chang'an naturally had to thank him for leading by example.

Iron Hand Ya Zi let out a cold shout. Humiliation and grievance had reached their utmost limit. He hated Ning Chang'an, who had played the pig to eat the tiger, but his skill was inferior, and there was nothing he could do. He could only glare fiercely at Ning Chang'an before running unwillingly toward the depths of the alley.

Ning Chang'an let out a soft breath as Princess's rhythmic applause rang out.

"You're amazing!"

Princess praised him, beginning to examine Ning Chang'an anew, her large eyes filled with curiosity.

Ning Chang'an said, "Who was that man?" He rather liked Princess's clear, lively voice and her spirited eyes.

Princess said, "Iron Hand Ya Zi!"

Ning Chang'an asked doubtfully, "Ya Zi? The kind that repays every grievance?"

Princess sighed. "One of his iron hands has already been crippled. What can he use to take revenge now? Bite with his mouth?!"

Ning Chang'an said, "If he bites with his mouth, I'm afraid he'll shatter his teeth." His eyes looked straight into the depths of the alley. Unknowingly, the stench of blood within the alley seemed to have grown heavier.

Princess asked earnestly, "Are you really planning to force your way in?"

Ning Chang'an shrugged. "I have no money, yet I absolutely have to go in. If I don't force my way in, what else can I do?!"

Princess asked curiously, "You absolutely have to go in? What are you going there for? To buy information or accept a mission?"

Ning Chang'an said, "Both!"

Princess pressed him to the root of it. "What mission have you taken a liking to? What information do you want to buy? Can you tell me?"

Ning Chang'an directly shook his head. "No!"

Princess tilted her head. "Maybe I know!"

Ning Chang'an smiled. "I still think Master's Tower is more trustworthy. I'd better ask the people there!" As he spoke, he had already started walking forward, as stubborn as an obstinate bull.

Princess stomped her feet in anger and shouted after Ning Chang'an, "You still owe me my candied hawthorn skewer..."

The alley twisted and curved as though it had no end. Ning Chang'an walked neither quickly nor slowly, his steady steps landing upon the cracked, mottled flagstones. Ever since Iron Hand Ya Zi had been defeated and fled, everyone in the alley seemed to regard Ning Chang'an as air. Some greeted Princess, yet they completely ignored Ning Chang'an walking ahead. No one looked at Ning Chang'an, not even with a glance from the corner of their eye.

Princess remained not far behind Ning Chang'an. She always looked so lively, innocent, and carefree, making people feel that she was like a ray of light amidst gloomy clouds, a spirited bird in an old forest, representing hope.

Little Strong and Xiaoxiao had long since stopped. The depths of the alley were not somewhere they could go.

"My name is Linglong! Little Princess Linglong!"

Princess suddenly said. She seemed determined to lay her cards on the table, finally revealing her real name.

Ning Chang'an stopped, and Little Princess Linglong stopped as well. Ning Chang'an turned around. Linglong stood with her feet together, slightly raised on her toes, both little hands tucked behind her back, gazing at Ning Chang'an with a smile that was not quite a smile.

Ning Chang'an said, "So you are not a real princess!"

Linglong said, "A real princess would not care about a candied hawthorn skewer. You really are stupid enough. Did you truly think I was a princess? If I were a princess, I would never lower myself to follow behind your backside. You should be the one acting as my tail!"

Ning Chang'an smiled. "That makes sense! Hmm, let me ask you something. Why have these people begun turning a blind eye to me? Could it be that I do not exist?" Ning Chang'an could not understand it. This was another situation beyond his expectations. In such circumstances, he was now somewhat at a loss, with an ominous premonition rising in his heart.

Linglong corrected him in a pitying tone, "It is not that you do not exist, but that you are about to cease existing! Though there is not much difference..."

Ning Chang'an's expression turned solemn. He said in a deep voice, "Is it that serious?"

Little Princess Linglong nodded repeatedly like a chicken pecking grain. "Behind Master's Tower lies Blood Stained Alley; one tune, one rule, enough to break a man's heart. If you have life but no money, do not enter. If you have heart but no strength, you will see the King of Hell. Do you know which kind you are?"

Ning Chang'an said, "The kind with life but no money!"

Linglong said, "Do you know what your end will be?"

Ning Chang'an shook his head.

Linglong sighed. "Death!"

Ning Chang'an narrowed his eyes and smiled. "I answered wrong. Actually, I am the kind with heart and strength, so not only can I force my way through Blood Stained Alley, I will not need to see the King of Hell. I must enter Master's Tower's back door!" He spoke with great determination. Though it sounded like a joke, Linglong did not doubt the resolve of the man before her in the slightest.

Linglong said regretfully, "I actually like you a little, fatty! Sigh, you still owe me a candied hawthorn skewer. I really do not want to watch you throw your life away..." Linglong appeared deeply conflicted. She paced in circles on the spot, her two thin brows knitted together, then suddenly said, "Turn around and leave now. At worst, there will be a bloody battle, but you will not have to face those monsters, and you will still have a great chance of survival. Oh, hurry and go..." The more Linglong spoke, the more anxious she became, stamping her feet where she stood.

"Who is a monster?"

A hoarse voice rang out. Before its owner arrived, a wave of killing intent came first.

Linglong shuddered in surprise and hurriedly shut her mouth, only to see that one of Ning Chang'an's hands had already gripped the Gloomy Cold Soul Severing Sword.

A man slowly emerged from behind the corner of Blood Stained Alley, carrying a longsword. The sword was long and broad. Rather than being bright and smooth, its blade was covered in mottled marks that formed an intricate, rough pattern. Yet its edge gleamed with cold light, appearing exceedingly sharp.

Blood still dripped from that sword.

Ning Chang'an had no doubt what kind of blood dripped from the sword. It had to be human blood.

The sword bearer was a tall, slender man who looked like a scholar. His face was pale, and he wore a sapphire-blue cloth robe. He appeared as though drifting on the wind, stopping three zhang away from Ning Chang'an and staring at him expressionlessly.

"Blood Drinking Scholar? You... why are you here?"

Linglong widened her eyes and cried out in alarm. She truly had not expected Blood Drinking Scholar to appear. Blood Drinking Scholar might not have been famous in the martial world, but he was very famous in Blood Stained Alley. Blood Stained Alley was very famous in Yongan Prefecture, and Yongan Prefecture was very famous throughout the Great Gan Dynasty. Thus, it was not difficult to imagine that Blood Drinking Scholar must be formidable.

Assassins did not need fame at all. It was best for them to remain obscure and unknown.

Blood Drinking Scholar was an assassin, one of the first-rate kind among assassins.

Blood Drinking Scholar's eyes shifted as he looked at Linglong. "Linglong, you have broken the rules. The people of Blood Stained Alley should not help outsiders evade the reality they ought to face. Those who have the courage to walk this far should have the courage to face everything. That door is not something cowards get to see."