Blade Breaks Thorns

# Chapter 3: Saber Cuts Through Thorns

The reward silver and reputation from solving the herb theft case did not make Li Yifan relax in the slightest. He knew better than anyone that Zhao Hu would never sit idly by and watch him rise. That day in the hall, the cold glint that flashed through Zhao Hu's eyes had been keenly caught by him.

The calm before the storm was often the most oppressive.

Over the next few days, Zhao Hu seemed to change his strategy. He no longer assigned Li Yifan tasks that could easily earn merit or display ability. Instead, he dumped a mountain of tedious, time-consuming, and profitless duties on him—routine patrols, mediating neighborhood disputes—intending to bog down his cultivation progress with trivial matters.

At the same time, Li Yifan vaguely sensed that some of the colleagues in the County Government who had begun to show him goodwill were now acting subtly distant again. Clearly, Zhao Hu was pulling strings behind the scenes to isolate him.

[Skill: Detection (Beginner: 15/100). You have sniffed out the scent of conspiracy from the subtle shifts in your colleagues' attitudes and Zhao Hu's unnatural calm. Proficiency +5.]

Li Yifan sneered inwardly. He wasn't surprised by this, and was even glad for the peace and quiet. He simply used these seemingly boring patrol hours to silently circulate the Basic Breathing Technique. Though it wasn't as efficient as meditative cultivation, small gains added up, and his proficiency still grew slowly but steadily. He became more of an observer, carefully studying every street and every shop in Black Mountain City, applying the Detection skill to daily life and honing his observation and reasoning.

That evening, just as Li Yifan finished a long patrol in the southern district and was about to clock out and return to his small courtyard to cultivate, he was stopped by Zhao Hu's trusted man, a constable named Sun Er.

"Brother Li, Head Zhao asks that you come see him. Says there's important business to discuss." Sun Er plastered a smile on his face, but his eyes flickered uneasily.

Li Yifan's heart tightened. Here it comes. His expression remained calm as he nodded. "Lead the way."

Sun Er did not lead him to the constables' office. Instead, they left the county government, wound through several alleys, and entered a small tavern called "Yuelai" in a secluded lane on the west side of the city. This place was a den of mixed company, frequented by gang loafers and lowlifes.

Pushing open the door to a private room, Li Yifan saw Zhao Hu sitting alone inside. On the table were a few small dishes and a jug of wine. Seeing Li Yifan, Zhao Hu's face broke into a warm smile. "Yifan's here! Sit, sit! You must be tired after a long day, right? Your big brother here is treating you. Let's have a few drinks and chat."

The room's windows were shut tight, the air a little stale. Li Yifan's Detection let him keenly notice that, besides the smell of food and wine, there was a faint trace of sweat in the air that didn't belong to Zhao Hu. Though it had been deliberately cleaned, it couldn't escape his senses. Someone else had been in this room not long ago.

Alarm bells rang loudly in Li Yifan's mind, but his face remained impassive as he sat down as instructed. "Head Zhao is too kind. This subordinate is unworthy."

"Eh, you and I are brothers. No need for formality." Zhao Hu personally poured a full cup of wine for Li Yifan and sighed. "Yifan, your big brother knows I might have been a bit harsh with you these past days, but that was to temper you. Now that I see you growing so fast, I'm both gratified and... a little worried."

"Oh? What is Head Zhao worried about?" Li Yifan picked up the cup but didn't drink, merely rubbing his finger along the rim.

"The tree that stands out in the forest is the first to be felled by the wind." Zhao Hu lowered his voice. "You've been earning merits one after another. Your fame is too bright. Do you know how deep the waters run in Black Mountain City? The County Magistrate may seem hands-off, but above him are the Assistant Magistrate and the Registrar. Outside the city, there are gangs like the Fierce Tiger Gang and the Azure Garb Society—roots and branches tangled everywhere. A young man like you, with no foundation, sticking out so much—you're bound to invite disaster."

He spoke with earnest concern, as if he truly had Li Yifan's best interests at heart.

Li Yifan sneered inwardly. First a warning, then a recruitment? He lowered his head slightly and played along. "Then, in Head Zhao's opinion, what should this subordinate do?"

Seeing Li Yifan "take the bait," a flicker of smugness flashed in Zhao Hu's eyes. He leaned forward, his voice dropping even lower. "Simple. Your big brother has been in the County Government for years and still has some connections. As long as you settle down and follow me from now on, there will be no shortage of chances to earn merit. But of course, if the merit is too big, you won't be able to shoulder it alone—it'll draw too much envy. How about this: next time an opportunity comes, we'll split the merit between us brothers, and as for the reward silver, naturally I won't short you. With your big brother watching your back, I guarantee you'll rise smoothly in Black Mountain City!"

The cards were on the table. He wanted Li Yifan to be his stepping stone, to pave the way for Zhao Hu's own climb.

If Li Yifan were still the naive young constable he used to be, he might have been intimidated by this mix of coaxing and threatening. But the current Li Yifan had a proficiency panel and his sights set on the peak of martial arts. How could he be content to bow to another and serve as someone else's hound?

Li Yifan was silent for a moment, as if weighing his options. Just as Zhao Hu thought he was about to yield, Li Yifan slowly raised his head and met Zhao Hu's gaze with calm eyes. "Head Zhao, I appreciate your good intentions. But this subordinate believes that merit should be earned by one's own ability. What is mine is mine. What is not mine, I will not take a single cent."

The smile on Zhao Hu's face froze instantly, then slowly darkened. "Li Yifan, what do you mean by that? You refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit?"

"This subordinate is only speaking the truth." Li Yifan set down the cup and stood up. "If Head Zhao has no other instructions, this subordinate will take his leave."

"Stop right there!" Zhao Hu slammed the table and shot to his feet. The pretense of goodwill on his face was completely gone, replaced by a vicious snarl. "Li Yifan, don't be ungrateful! Do you really think killing one beast and solving one petty case makes you something special? Let me tell you, in Black Mountain City, if you're a dragon, you coil; if you're a tiger, you lie low! If you don't know your place, don't be surprised if you end up dead in the gutter one day!"

The mask was off completely.

Li Yifan stopped and turned to face the furious Zhao Hu. His eyes remained calm, but a cold glint of killing intent flickered deep within. "Is Head Zhao threatening me?"

"What if I am?" Zhao Hu let out a harsh laugh and clapped his hands.

The door to the private room burst open. Sun Er and three other men with fierce, thuggish faces rushed in, each holding a gleaming steel blade. They blocked the doorway. These men carried Sha Qi on their bodies—they were clearly killers who had seen blood, likely connected to the gangs outside the city.

"Li Yifan, I'll give you one last chance." Zhao Hu sat back down leisurely, crossing his legs. "From now on, do as you're told, and I'll pretend nothing happened before. Otherwise... heh, this Yuelai tavern is quiet enough. A blind constable dying here wouldn't be anything strange."

So it really was a Hongmen banquet. When soft tactics failed, they turned to force.

Li Yifan swept his gaze over the four armed men. Their auras weren't weak—at least mid to late Skin Refining experts. Add Zhao Hu at Body Refining, and it was five against one, with the advantage squarely on their side.

A few days ago, he might have been in real danger. But now...

Li Yifan suddenly smiled. There was a hint of mockery in it. "Zhao Hu, is this all you've got?"

Zhao Hu was taken aback. He hadn't expected Li Yifan to still be so arrogant with death staring him in the face. "You're asking for it! Take him down! Dead or alive!"

The four men charged immediately, blades flashing with a fierce wind, aiming straight for Li Yifan's vitals!

The moment the blades were upon him, Li Yifan moved!

The Basic Breathing Technique at Minor Success surged at full power, blood and qi roaring through his body! The full strength of late Skin Refining exploded! His footwork shifted, slipping nimbly through the gap between two blades—the essence of the footwork he had comprehended during his life-and-death battle with the demon wolf!

At the same time, the saber at his waist was already drawn!

"Five Tiger Severing Gate Saber—Hungry Tiger Pounces on Prey!"

The saber turned into a black shadow, striking first despite coming later, and landed with pinpoint accuracy on the wrist of the first man charging at him!

Crack! A crisp sound. The man screamed, his steel blade flying from his hand!

Li Yifan's body didn't stop. He was like a tiger charging into a flock of sheep! His iron ruler struck, poked, and swept with ruthless precision, targeting joints, throats, temples—all vital points!

[Skill: Five Tiger Severing Gate Saber Proficiency +15!]

A Minor Success-level saber technique, combined with late Skin Refining strength and speed, plus his extraordinary calm and insight, unleashed a terrifying combat power!

Bam! Ahh!

"My eyes!"

"Watch his ruler!"

Screams rang out one after another! The other three men, though fierce, had crude techniques and no coordination at all. Under Li Yifan's lightning-fast assault, they were beaten without any chance to fight back. In the blink of an eye, two had fallen, and the last one, his wrist injured, stumbled back in terror.

This all happened too fast—from Li Yifan making his move to finishing off the four men, barely a few breaths had passed!

The grin on Zhao Hu's face froze solid, replaced by sheer shock! He'd guessed Li Yifan might be hiding something, but he never imagined the man had grown this strong in such a short time! This was no ordinary late-stage Skin Refining!

"Your turn!" Li Yifan's gaze turned icy as he fixed it on Zhao Hu. A single drop of blood slowly dripped from the tip of his saber.

Zhao Hu, caught between shock and rage, let out a furious roar: "You little bastard, I'll kill you!" He was, after all, a Body Refining martial artist, his strength far beyond Skin Refining. He yanked out his waist saber and swung it in a cleaving strike—Splitting the Mountain—the blade tearing through the air with a sharp whistle as it hacked toward Li Yifan!

Before the blade even arrived, a gust of force pressed against his face! This was the gap in their realms!

Li Yifan dared not meet it head-on. Though his power had surged, his physical body still couldn't match a true Body Refining cultivator. He shifted his feet in rapid succession, narrowly dodging the heavy, brutal slash!

"Boom!" Zhao Hu's saber slammed into the table, sending wood chips flying!

A gleam flashed in Li Yifan's eyes—now!

He held nothing back, channeling all his strength into his right arm. The saber shot out like a viper striking from its den, aimed straight at the exposed gap under Zhao Hu's armpit, left open by the force of his swing. This strike was fast! Precise! Ruthless!

Zhao Hu never expected Li Yifan's counterattack to be so cunning and swift. He tried to pull his saber back to block, but it was too late—he could only twist his body in a desperate dodge!

"Thud!"

The saber was caught by his muscles, unable to sink too deep, but the immense force behind it still forced a grunt from Zhao Hu as he staggered back. Blood instantly soaked his clothes under his arm!

"You... you dare wound me!" Zhao Hu's voice trembled with shock and rage, but more than that, fear. Li Yifan's strength and brutality far exceeded his expectations!

Li Yifan pressed his advantage without mercy. He closed in again, his saber turning into a blur of black shadows as he unleashed the Five Tiger Severing Gate Saber at its minor mastery level to the fullest. Strike after strike pressed the attack, forcing the wounded Zhao Hu into a flustered scramble, barely able to defend, utterly unable to fight back!

[Skill: Five Tiger Severing Gate Saber proficiency +20! Cross-realm combat, immense pressure—your understanding of the saber technique has soared!]

The longer Zhao Hu fought, the more alarmed he grew. He realized that his proud Body Refining strength was nearly useless against his opponent's exquisite, ruthless techniques! The man's combat instincts were terrifying—he always found the most awkward angle to strike!

"Bam!"

Finally, Li Yifan seized an opening. With a clever twist of his saber, he deflected Zhao Hu's steel blade, then drove a vicious elbow strike straight into Zhao Hu's chest!

"Gah!" Zhao Hu took the blow like a hammer, spat out a mouthful of blood, and flew backward, crashing into the wall. He slumped to the ground, his saber clattering away.

Li Yifan stepped forward, pressing the saber's tip against Zhao Hu's throat, his gaze cold as frost: "Now, who's lying dead in the street?"

Zhao Hu's face turned ashen, his eyes filled with terror and disbelief. He had lost—lost to a lowly constable he'd never taken seriously, and lost so completely!

"M-Master Li! Spare me! Spare me, please!" Zhao Hu abandoned all pretense of pride, his voice trembling as he begged, "It was my fault! I was blinded by greed! Please, have mercy and let me go! From now on, I'll follow your lead! I'll give you all the savings I've hoarded over the years at the County Government! Just spare my worthless life!"

Watching Zhao Hu kowtow like a pestle pounding garlic at his feet, Li Yifan felt nothing. Mercy to an enemy was cruelty to oneself—he understood that truth in both his past and present lives.

But he also knew that killing Zhao Hu now would bring no small trouble. Prefect Wang would be hard to explain things to, and Zhao Hu's connections within the County Government and the city would retaliate.

His strength wasn't enough yet. If he killed Zhao Hu, he wouldn't escape either.

Li Yifan sheathed his saber and said coldly, "Killing you would dirty my hands."

Zhao Hu, as if granted a reprieve from death, kowtowed repeatedly: "Thank you, Master Li, for sparing my life! Thank you!"

"But," Li Yifan's tone shifted, "from now on, you know how things work in the County Government."

Zhao Hu's body trembled, and he quickly replied, "This lowly one will strictly follow Master Li's orders!"

Li Yifan searched Zhao Hu and found a money pouch with several dozen taels of silver, which he pocketed without hesitation. Then, his gaze swept over the four groaning men on the floor and the ashen-faced Zhao Hu.

"If even a whisper of today's events gets out..." Li Yifan's voice was low, but carried a bone-chilling edge, "you know the consequences."

"We wouldn't dare! Absolutely not!" Zhao Hu and the few who could still move hurriedly swore.

Li Yifan said no more. He straightened his clothes, as if he'd done nothing more than a trivial matter, and walked calmly out of the private room, leaving the Yuelai Tavern.

In the night, his silhouette stood straight as a pine.

After this battle, the sky over Black Mountain City's County Government had shifted. And Li Yifan's martial heart, tempered by real combat, grew only more unyielding. He could feel it—the bottleneck at late-stage Skin Refining that had trapped him for days seemed... to be loosening.

[After undergoing high-intensity cross-realm combat, potential has been stimulated. Basic Breathing Technique proficiency has greatly increased. Realm experience has greatly increased.]

[Realm: Body Tempering · Skin Refining (Peak!)]