Wounded by a Blade

Thousand Mechanism Hall, Kunlun Mirror.

Watching black blood engulf Luo Qiuzhen, Ning Ye breathed a sigh of relief.

This was Corpse Rot Poison from the Wood Puppet Sect, which he had specifically asked Wang Sen for. It corroded the essence and devoured the spirit; anyone struck by it was almost impossible to save.

After being poisoned, Luo Qiuzhen was all but certain to die.

With this trouble out of the way, Ning Ye could prepare to steal the Thousand Mechanism Hall Fragment.

But before that, there was one more thing he had to do: conceal his injuries.

Li Baidao's strike had been too vicious and too forceful. Its magical power had invaded his body, and there was no way the wound could heal in such a short time.

Fortunately, he had worn the Death Soul Mask. It had taken the blow for him, leaving his face uninjured, though the mask itself had been damaged.

Even so, his injuries still hindered his movements. Anyone observant enough would notice he was hurt.

He had to find a way to cover that up, and fast.

So, once he saw Luo Qiuzhen take the hit, Ning Ye wasted no more time. He left the Thousand Mechanism Hall and headed straight for Heavenly Collection Peak.

As a marketplace, Heavenly Collection Peak was always bustling. And where business and profit were involved, disputes were common; it was probably the most chaotic place under heaven. But Ning Ye had always kept a low profile, selling the talismans he made directly to shops at low prices, so he had never caused any trouble.

This time, though, was different.

When he arrived at the market, Ning Ye didn't waste words. He found an empty spot, set up his stall, and began selling talismans.

He had marked them at an exorbitant price: ten spirit stones for a single Ninth Grade Human Rank Talisman.

The price of talismans generally depended on their crafting difficulty and grade. An ordinary Ninth Grade Human Rank Talisman cost only one spirit stone. Something like a Light Escape Talisman was extremely difficult to make, and even at Ninth Grade it cost six or seven spirit stones.

But Ning Ye was selling ordinary talismans, yet had priced them at ten spirit stones each. A crowd immediately gathered to jeer at him.

One sharp-tongued passerby said outright, "Has this guy gone mad with greed? He's asking such an outrageous price?"

Ning Ye didn't hold back. "What's it to you? If you can't afford it, get lost."

"Fuck!" Someone flew into a rage at Ning Ye's brazen retort.

Ning Ye was ready for his opponent to attack, but to his surprise, the man's companion stopped him. "Forget it, forget it. Don't get worked up over someone like this."

And just like that, they dragged him away.

Ning Ye couldn't help feeling helpless.

He managed to offend several people in a row, yet the fight he'd been hoping for never came. Ning Ye was thoroughly bewildered.

Since when had the people of the Black and White Divine Palace become so mild-tempered?

Just as he was growing disappointed, a pair of thick legs stopped in front of him. "Hey, kid. You set up a stall here—have you paid the fee?"

"Hm?" Ning Ye looked up at him.

He recognized the man. It was the one he'd seen on the Trial Battlefield that day: a man who had performed well, with a cold, fierce gaze and a conspicuous hooked nose.

Ning Ye still remembered that the technique the man had obtained back then was a blade art.

Perfect. I need someone who uses a blade.

Ning Ye answered flatly, "Get lost!"

The Hook-Nosed Man was visibly stunned.

There was a protection fee in the market. It wasn't that he was trying to extort people; it was simply a long-established rule here. Any disciple in the Cang Xiang Realm had to pay something. Unless their sect had the backing of one of the Twelve Heavenly Dippers, even disciples of the Human Demon had to show a token of respect. After all, this territory belonged to several powerful figures and their subordinates. He was collecting protection fees on orders from above, and as long as he didn't go too far, people generally didn't resist.

Now that he'd finally run into someone with some backbone, the Hook-Nosed Man grinned. "You've got guts, kid."

As he spoke, he reached for Ning Ye.

Ning Ye had been waiting for exactly this. He was just about to make his move when a hand shot out beside him and stopped the Hook-Nosed Man. "Lv Yi, picking on newcomers again?"

Ning Ye recognized the man who had intervened as well: the broad-faced, big-eared fellow who had obtained the Golden Armor defense in the Trial Killing Field.

Unfortunately, although the man had stepped in to uphold justice, Ning Ye had no need for it. He could only curse inwardly. Who asked you to meddle?

Lv Yi's hand was stopped. He looked at the other man and snapped, "Zhang Dasheng, are you fucking sticking your nose in again? The Black and White Divine Palace has been collecting protection fees at the market for a thousand years. It's the rule, and I'm doing Senior Brother Kong's bidding."

Zhang Dasheng snorted. "Yes, I know the rule. But I also know you've always been throwing Senior Brother Kong's name around to throw your weight about. If you weren't overcharging people, why would they refuse to pay?"

Fuck, you only heard half the conversation. You don't even know what happened.

Lv Yi wanted to say he hadn't even had time to name a price before the other guy told him to get lost. But if he explained, he'd lose face. He glared at Zhang Dasheng. "Who the hell are you to interfere in my business? Get lost!"

Zhang Dasheng stood his ground and refused to move.

Ning Ye was nearly at his wits' end.

I just want to get slashed once. Is that really so hard? I pick a fight and someone still cuts in?

Zhang Dasheng was a decent fellow, but the last thing Ning Ye needed right now was a good person.

Everyone in the Black and White Divine Palace was his enemy. The more good people there were, the more unstable his killing intent became, and the harder it was to strike without hesitation.

So Zhang Dasheng's kindness wasn't a good thing for him; it was a shackle. Ning Ye was dissatisfied, but couldn't show it. As the two stood at daggers drawn, neither willing to back down, an idea flashed through his mind. Ning Ye paused, then lightly tapped his toe against the ground.

Every part of his body could become a blade with the Body Killing Blade. A pulse of blade energy shot out from his toe and struck Lv Yi's foot.

Lv Yi hadn't expected anyone to attack at that moment. Pain flared beneath his foot, and he let out a yelp as he leapt up, drawing the blade in his hand.

Ning Ye had acted so stealthily that Zhang Dasheng hadn't seen him make a move. He only saw Lv Yi draw his blade, assumed Lv Yi was about to attack him, and cried out as a golden shield sprang into being around him.

In that instant, as the two prepared to fight, Ning Ye rushed forward and shoved Zhang Dasheng away.

Whoosh!

The blade's light slashed into Ning Ye.

The strike was vicious and heavy. Blood splashed across Ning Ye's robe; not only had his old wound reopened, but he had suffered a new one as well. Even Lv Yi was stunned.

When had my Wind-Slaying Blade ever been this powerful?

Zhang Dasheng was also shocked. He rushed over and caught Ning Ye. "Hey, are you all right?"

Ning Ye's legs gave way, and he nearly collapsed to his knees. This time, he wasn't pretending. He managed a strained smile. "I'm fine. I won't die."

As soon as people saw someone had been attacked, a crowd came rushing over to watch.

Lv Yi felt a little uneasy, too.

There was nothing wrong with collecting protection fees, but actually injuring someone was another matter. If this got out of hand, he'd be in trouble as well.

Zhang Dasheng was still lamenting. "Are you stupid or something? I had the Golden Light Shield protecting me. His strike couldn't have hurt me. You don't have a defensive technique, so why take the blow for me?"

Ning Ye forced a faint smile. "That's my business. It has nothing to do with you."

Zhang Dasheng was taken aback, then looked at him with newfound respect. "You're a real man. Zhang Dasheng salutes you!"

Who asked for your respect?

Ning Ye couldn't be bothered with him. He glanced at Lv Yi and said, "Senior Brother Lv's Wind-Slaying Blade is indeed impressive. Ning Ye knows he's no match for you, so I'll pack up and leave."

As he spoke, he gathered up his talismans and left without another word.

Seeing that the other man had no intention of making trouble and was willing to accept his loss, Lv Yi breathed a sigh of relief.

Having accomplished his goal, Ning Ye was in high spirits.

He hadn't gone far when someone came running up behind him.

"Brother Ning Ye, wait!"

He turned around. Zhang Dasheng had chased after him.

What are you chasing me for? Ning Ye was at a loss.

"What is it?" he asked.

Zhang Dasheng stopped. "In any case, you took that blow for me. Take this bottle of healing medicine. It should help you recover faster."

Ning Ye looked at the medicine in Zhang Dasheng's hand, then at Zhang Dasheng. He thought for a moment, but in the end, shook his head. "Thanks, but no."

He didn't want to befriend anyone from the Black and White Divine Palace. He declined Zhang Dasheng's kind offer and left.

"Hey!" Zhang Dasheng called out. Watching Ning Ye walk away, he scratched his head. "That guy's a bit strange, all right."