Shadow Kill Tower

The attendant leisurely picked at the broad beans on the plate with a silver skewer, his eyes occasionally flicking toward the group of martial men.

Su Fei chose an empty table and sat down, just about to order something to eat.

When someone among the martial men slapped the table and shouted.

"Boss, bring us another two jin of braised beef."

The old man tending the wok answered, and the rapeseed oil in the iron pan sizzled, its fragrance drifting over on the evening breeze.

"Sir, what would you like?"

The old woman came over carrying a stack of clean bowls and plates, set them down, and asked with a smile.

"A bowl of beef noodles, a few steamed buns, and a pot of hot tea."

"Coming right up!"

The old woman had barely turned away when someone at the martial men's table began laughing roughly.

"I say, pretty boy, is that fan of yours made of gold? You keep waving it around like you're afraid people won't know you're some rich young master."

The white-clad young master's hand paused on his folding fan. He said nothing, but the attendant's face flushed red.

"What my young master uses is none of your business!"

"This little attendant has quite the temper!"

A scar-faced man slapped the table.

"We're talking to your young master. Who gave you the right to butt in?"

Seeing that a conflict was about to break out, Su Fei lifted his hot tea, his gaze passing between the two groups.

Judging by their auras, the strongest of those martial men was only at the Second Level of True Qi Realm, while the seemingly refined white-clad young master was actually a Fifth Level of True Qi Realm martial artist.

Moreover, from Su Fei's observations, both the "white-clad young master" and the attendant were women in disguise.

Just then, the old man brought over a large bowl of beef noodles and tried to smooth things over with a smile.

"Guests, calm down. When you're away from home, harmony brings wealth!"

Only then did the two groups let the matter drop.

At that moment, Su Fei's horse, perhaps enjoying its feed, let out a long neigh.

The clear, ringing neigh startled the martial men at that table.

The scar-faced man stared at the horse.

"Fine horse. This must be a steed that can travel a thousand li."

"Brother, your horse is impressive. I'll offer eighty taels of silver. Will you sell it?"

Su Fei smiled.

A steed that can travel a thousand li, and you offer only eighty taels? You really are generous.

"It was a gift from a friend. It isn't for sale."

He had thought the matter would end there.

Unexpectedly, perhaps the scar-faced man had drunk too much and felt that Su Fei's refusal before so many companions had damaged his pride.

With his saber in hand, he walked straight to Su Fei's table.

He slammed the saber heavily onto the table and glared viciously at Su Fei.

"So your horse is valuable, but my silver isn't silver?"

Su Fei frowned slightly. Naturally, he had no intention of indulging such a bird-brained fool.

He extended one finger and casually pointed it toward the scar-faced man's chest.

Before the man could react, a Finger Flicking Divine Ability struck his Shanzhong acupoint.

The scar-faced man's eyes bulged wide, and his body crumpled limply to the ground, his breath cut off in an instant.

The change happened in the blink of an eye. The wine bowls on the table were still trembling slightly when the man's companions finally came back to their senses.

"Big Brother!"

"Big Brother is dead! Kill this brat!"

The remaining four martial men roared as they drew sabers and swords, flashing blades rushing at Su Fei. They showed not the slightest awareness that they were the weaker side.

Though they were only at the first or second level of the True Qi Realm, they had spent years scraping out a living on the edge of a blade. Their attacks were vicious, every move aimed to kill.

Su Fei remained seated. When the blades neared him, the Nine Yang True Qi within his body erupted.

His left hand formed a palm, and he pushed out Dragon Appearing in the Field. Golden dragon-shaped force roared forth and struck the back of the foremost man's saber.

"Crack!"

The steel saber snapped in response. Swept by the palm wind, the man flew backward like a kite with a severed string, coughing blood as he died.

The remaining three faltered, their assault stalling.

His right palm swept out, and the force of Hidden Dragon, Do Not Act descended like a great river, instantly blasting two men away. By the time they hit the ground, they had long ceased breathing.

The last man was so frightened that his soul nearly fled his body. He turned and ran.

Su Fei flicked his finger, and a Finger Flicking Divine Ability tore through the air, striking the man squarely in the back of the heart. He staggered a few steps, collapsed beside the horse trough, and never moved again.

In no more than a few breaths, all five martial men were dead.

The entire tea stall was silent as a grave, with only the iron wok on the stove still sizzling.

The white-clad young master abruptly rose to her feet. Her folding fan snapped open, concealing half her face, though her eyes were full of shock.

Though she had seen that Su Fei carried himself with uncommon poise, she had never expected him to kill five capable martial men so effortlessly.

Such strength was simply terrifying.

He was likely a powerful martial artist of the Xiantian Realm.

No wonder her family had always told her that beyond every person was another person, beyond every sky another sky, and that she had to be careful while traveling the world.

"Murder! Murder!"

The old woman was the first to react. She collapsed onto the ground, her voice trembling beyond recognition.

The old man's face also turned deathly pale. The spatula in his hand clattered to the ground as he looked at the corpses strewn everywhere, his lips quivering as he shuffled to the old woman's side.

He looked utterly timid and fearful.

Su Fei glanced at the terrified elderly couple, then at the shocked white-clad young master. Picking up the teapot from the table, he slowly poured himself a cup of hot tea.

"You've had your business disturbed. Take this silver as compensation for your losses."

He took out an ingot of silver from his robes and placed it on the table, his tone as calm as if he had merely crushed a few ants.

"As for these people, they blocked the road to seize my horse. They deserved to die."

With that, he lifted the teacup and leisurely took a sip.

Su Fei had just set down his cup, the warmth of the tea still lingering on his fingertips, when a sudden change occurred.

The old woman, who had been sitting collapsed on the ground with terror plastered across her face, suddenly sprang up like a wildcat. Her once-clouded eyes now flashed with vicious light.

A cold glint flashed from her sleeve, and a three-inch Water Splitting Thorn was already in her hand. Peak True Qi Realm true essence erupted from her body as she stabbed straight at Su Fei's right shoulder, her hoarse voice brimming with killing intent.

"The one taking your life is Heavenly Cripple, Black Rank Killer of the Shadow Kill Tower!"

Almost at the same instant, the old man who had dropped his spatula also moved.

His body was hunched, but his movements were swift as a ghost. He drew a soft sword from his waist, its blade taut and straight as iron, piercing toward Su Fei's left shoulder with a shrill whistle as he growled.

"Earthly Defect, Black Rank Killer of the Shadow Kill Tower!"

One on the left and one on the right, they worked in perfect coordination. The Water Splitting Thorn was insidious and tricky, while the soft sword was swift and fierce. They were clearly assassins who had partnered for years.

Their earlier cowardice and fear had all been an act.

The white-clad young master staggered back half a step, clutching her folding fan, her eyes filled with disbelief.

What? This elderly couple running the shop were actually assassins from the Shadow Kill Tower, the greatest assassin organization under heaven?

I hadn't noticed a thing.

They appeared to possess Peak Xiantian Realm strength. With their sudden attack, even an ordinary Grandmaster Realm martial artist would likely be injured.

How would this young master before them respond? Could he evade this strike?

The white-clad young master held her breath.

Yet Su Fei's expression did not change, as if he had long expected this moment.