Guanzhong Sick Tiger's Past

Chapter 18: The Sick Tiger's Past

"What do you mean by that!"

Li Yan rarely spoke of his father, Li Hu's, death, as it was rather dishonorable.

His nickname, the Guanzhong Sick Tiger, further cemented his reputation as a womanizer.

His mother in this life was an ordinary farm woman. Before his grandfather's strict supervision, his father had been relatively stable, living a life of farming and weaving, aside from his martial arts training.

Until the year after Li Yan was born.

Guanzhong suffered a severe drought, locusts ravaged the land, and plagues spread.

It was in that same year that the Maitreya Sect also stirred up trouble.

His mother fell ill and died. The family couldn't even afford to put food on the table, so his father took up his saber and went out into the Jianghu, earning a living and gradually making a name for himself.

But this was like a fierce tiger unleashed from its cage, and he could no longer be controlled.

Not only did he kill ruthlessly, but he also incurred a mountain of romantic debts.

When Li Yan was young, he had seen several beautiful "aunties" storm to their door looking for his father, crying and shedding tears, even fighting at the entrance. His grandfather was so angry he couldn't eat for days.

The winter he died, it was in a brothel in Chang'an City.

According to the constables and the brothel's Big Teapot, he had died of mǎshàngfēng (sudden death during sex). The coroner and his grandfather, who personally examined the body, confirmed this.

From then on, his grandfather rarely mentioned his father and grew increasingly frail.

If before, Li Yan would have dismissed Sha LiFei's words as lies, he now felt things weren't that simple, especially after learning about the curse.

Seeing the killing intent flicker in Li Yan's eyes, his Dragon Eyes radiating a cold glint, Sha LiFei felt a tremor of fear. He quickly plastered on a smile and said, "I heard... ah, I just heard... that a few months after it happened, something happened at that brothel."

"What happened?"

"People died! Several of the prostitutes died!"

"And how does that involve my father?"

"I'm just someone who likes to inquire, you know. I happened to know the ones who died; they were all old flames of your father..."

"Continue!"

"Normally, the authorities wouldn't care about a few prostitutes dying, but at that time, things seemed very tense. Zhou Pan even proactively cooperated, bringing a group of disciples to Chang'an City and searching everywhere."

"You know what kind of person that Old Monkey Zhou Pan is. He'll take any advantage and run from any trouble. If he was so eager, there must be something fishy going on!"

"Besides, he benefited the most from your father's demise."

Sha LiFei spoke while observing Li Yan's expression.

Suddenly, he felt a lightness in his heart and looked down. He realized the short blade in Li Yan's hand had silently returned to his sleeve, and he hadn't even noticed.

Sleeve Blade!

Sha LiFei immediately recalled what this was.

When Li Hu was alive, there was a Jianghu legend that he not only knew the Guanzhong Quick Saber but also developed a technique called Sleeve Blade, based on the Kasaya Skill and Sleeve Hand.

Hiding a blade in one's sleeve was originally a metaphor for someone who appeared kind but harbored malicious intent.

This Sleeve Blade was similar, capable of taking a life silently and without warning.

It was with these two "blades" that Li Hu had carved out a considerable reputation. He never expected his son to inherit them.

This kid was even more suited to the Sleeve Blade than his father.

Although Li Yan had put away his blade, his gaze remained icy. "Uncle Sha, let's be direct. If there's anything suspicious about my father's death, I owe you a favor."

"But we must settle things one by one. Why did you scheme against me?"

"If you don't explain clearly, this matter isn't over today!"

Li Yan wasn't called a difficult person in the village for no reason.

Having lived two lives, he had seen through many things. He paid no mind to etiquette, rules, or systems, and was too lazy for any veiled talk.

What were Sha LiFei's intentions?

Even if he had to pull out his teeth today, he would get the truth!

Looking into Li Yan's eyes, Sha LiFei felt his scalp tingle. He awkwardly touched his bald head and said, "Yan XiaoGe, please don't be angry. You know me, I'm famous for my loyalty..."

He swallowed half of his boastful words and said helplessly, "Actually, it's nothing much. A while ago, I accidentally offended one of Zhou Pan's disciples, and I had to come to Xianyang City."

"I thought your family also had a grudge against him, so it would be good to have an ally..."

"Oh, I see."

Li Yan suddenly understood and nodded slightly. "Uncle Sha, you can just say what you need to. Look at how this turned out, it almost caused trouble. Don't blame me."

Sha LiFei quickly nodded. "Not at all, not at all. We're on the same side. Also, regarding Daoist Wang's matter, we'll handle it tomorrow. We just need to be discreet when we enter the city."

"Naturally."

Li Yan smiled and agreed, as if the near-confrontation with the blade had never happened. He turned and ambled away.

Sha LiFei finally breathed a sigh of relief, only to feel his back drenched in cold sweat. He couldn't help but curse inwardly, Damn it, this kid's mood changes faster than a dog's face.

Once this is over, it's best to stay far away from him from now on...

Returning to the vicinity of the shed, Li Yan casually found a place with few people, leaned against a large tree, held his saber in his arms, and prepared to sleep.

It was already summer, and the nights weren't cold, so he hadn't brought any bedding when he left. He'd make do here for one night and leave once he found Wang Dao Xuan.

He had, of course, taken what Sha LiFei had said to heart.

His father's death seemed to be more than just the string of bad luck caused by the Yansheng Curse; there was another hidden reason.

Whether it was related to Zhou Pan, he couldn't be sure yet.

But some instinct told him that this matter was related to Jianghu sorcerers!

No matter what he did in the future, his first step needed to be entering this path.

Just then, he heard footsteps from behind.

Li Yan opened his eyes and saw Hei Dan.

The kid was holding a water skin, timidly, afraid to come closer.

Li Yan smiled casually, "What is it? Do I have horns?"

This kid was probably the only one in the village who had a good relationship with him. He was also righteous, which was why Li Yan had unhesitatingly helped him when he asked.

Hei Dan scratched his head, gave a simple and honest smile, and handed over the water skin. "Yan-ge, have some water. You were really amazing today!"

"It wasn't me who was amazing, it was him underestimating me."

Li Yan's expression turned serious as he recounted the previous duel in detail.

The duel with Meng Hai Cheng, which seemed to be decided in one move, was not that simple.

First, he knew the opponent was skilled in Monkey Fist. Also, because of his age, the opponent underestimated him. By provoking him with words, he managed to create the most favorable conditions.

After all, the opponent was older and had rich Jianghu experience. If it had been a cautious, drawn-out fight, it probably would have taken more effort to take him down.

Since the two of them had a close relationship, Li Yan taught him the intricacies without reservation, so Hei Dan could be prepared if he encountered something similar in the future.

Hei Dan listened, dumbfounded, "That complicated?"

Li Yan smiled, "People in Jianghu are complex. Martial arts are only used when you're ready to fight openly. The hidden blades are far more deadly. If you don't grow a few more wits, how can you survive?"

Of course, there were some things he didn't say.

Defeating Meng Hai Cheng in one move wasn't just to show off.

From the moment he heard Sha LiFei's instigation, he knew that guy had ill intentions. Only by leveraging the prestige of defeating an enemy could he force this old fox to reveal the truth.

And this sigh of emotion came from his heart.

Fighting with sabers was just the surface. If you didn't understand and guard against the strange tricks of the Xuan Gate, you wouldn't even know how you died.

Hei Dan was stunned for a long time before his eyes dimmed and he said, "No wonder my father knew some tricks, yet he made me farm the land. This Jianghu really isn't a place I can be in."

As he spoke, his emotions became visibly agitated, "Yan-ge, but I'm not resigned to it, and I don't want to be stuck in the village. Teach me what I should do."

Li Yan pondered for a moment. "Learn a trade first. If you want to go out and explore, you need a skill to make a living. Otherwise, you'll have to fight with sabers like me."

"Learn a trade..."

Hei Dan thought for a moment and nodded seriously, "Yan-ge, I'll listen to you. I have an uncle in Chang'an City who's a leatherworker. If I say I want to learn a trade from him, my father probably won't stop me."

After saying that, a flicker of hope appeared in his eyes, and he scampered away.

Li Yan chuckled speechlessly, then closed his eyes, holding his saber.

In his past life, he had learned a car repair trade, which barely allowed him to make a living.

In this life, he only felt that the saber in his hand was more useful...

Unconsciously, the night deepened.

It was a waning moon, and the surroundings were dim and lightless.

In the shed by the wheat field, snores mingled with the chirping of insects, filling the air.

The wheat harvesters had been traveling for many days and had to start working before dawn tomorrow, so they had all gone to sleep early to conserve their energy.

The Lu Family mansion in the distance was also silent.

However, in several important areas, bodyguards were patrolling.

Zhao Jiu yawned and rubbed his face, feeling a bit bored.

Just as Li Yan had guessed, they were all disciples of the Zhao Family Fist.

Originally, in Jin Prefecture, they had escorted caravans for a wealthy merchant's bank. Although it was risky, they had enough to eat and wear, and it was a livelihood passed down through generations.

However, one time on the road, they encountered a formidable opponent. Not only did they lose the cargo, but the sect also lost several pillars of strength. Their power declined, and even their business was snatched away.

They would have ended up scattered like leaves in the wind, but by chance, someone introduced them, and they became guards, following this Landlord Lu to Guanzhong.

Compared to the days of traveling north and south, it's much more stable now.

But it was so stable it made him itchy, he hadn't even seen a petty thief.

Just then, Zhao Jiu casually glanced over and suddenly his eyes widened.

He could feel that in the distance, vaguely, there seemed to be a figure.

"Who?!"

Zhao Jiu wasn't afraid, he shot out with a cold laugh.

Their security guards had their own secret signals, no matter how dark the light, they could distinguish if it was one of their own.

Besides, if it was the Flying Bandit from the Rong Family Gate in the Jianghu, they understood Jianghu rules. They would first throw stones to test the path, then have a conversation, rarely fighting to the death.

The person didn't dare to answer, most likely an amateur thief.

He didn't draw the knife at his waist, but instead held a rattan stick.

Rattan sticks were excellent for their flexibility, they hurt when hitting people. If it was truly a starving thief climbing walls and breaking into houses, beating them up would suffice, there was no need to take their life.

However, when he reached the corner, he found nothing.

Did I see things?

As Zhao Jiu was wondering, he suddenly felt a chill down his spine.

He spun around abruptly, his face instantly turned ashen, his body hair standing on end.

There, a vague figure stood, hunched and small, its face covered in wrinkled, chicken-skin folds. It was clearly an old woman.

But this old woman's face was pale green, her feet off the ground, floating in the air...

"Aaaah-!"

A scream of terror broke the silence of the Lu Family courtyard...

Under the big tree by the wheat field, Li Yan suddenly opened his eyes.

He twitched his nose, looking into the distance with some confusion.

He smelled a strange, special scent.

It wasn't the cold, bloody smell of rampaging soldiers, nor the peaceful incense of the Earth God Temple. Instead, it carried warmth and sweetness, like a delicious pastry.

Pastry?

Li Yan didn't understand why such a thought had crossed his mind.

But soon, he knew the reason.

The Substitute Divine Statue in his Dantian was actually eager to try, like a gluttonous cat encountering fish