Qin Jianghe shielded Zhao Qiushan behind him with one hand.
He carefully sized up the black-clad man who had made the move.
The man stood tall and straight, with narrow eyes and long brows. Though he spoke with a smile, there was an indescribable arrogance lurking beneath it.
Qin Jianghe said coldly:
"Centurion Li."
"Why has the Pacification Office come to my Broken Blade Hall to run wild?"
Li Wudang chuckled softly:
"You ask though you know the answer."
"All the martial world knows that Broken Blade Hall killed a court-wanted fugitive and colluded with Shen Yi. Do you still deny it?"
He waved away the black-clad men beside him.
Taking a step forward, he softened his tone:
"Just now, my subordinates merely barked a few words at random, yet this brother spoke rudely and said he wished to experience the Pacification Office's fine techniques."
"So naturally, I had my men oblige him."
"We are all martial artists. Sparring is inherently blind to blade and sword. I hope Hall Master Qin and this brother will not take offense."
Zhao Qiushan immediately flared with rage:
"You!"
"You were clearly the ones who were rude first!"
Qin Jianghe shot Zhao Qiushan a glare, instantly making him lower his banners and still his drums. Zhao Qiushan's temperament truly made him easy to provoke.
Which also made him the perfect target for fanning the flames.
Qin Jianghe calmed his tone and smiled faintly:
"In that case, it seems this was a misunderstanding."
"Did Centurion Li come for Shen Yi?"
"Shen Yi once used Chen Yu as an alias. He did indeed have dealings with my Broken Blade Hall some days ago, but now that he has been exposed overnight, he has already left."
Hearing this.
Li Wudang could not help cursing the Pacification Office's intelligence-gathering abilities inwardly.
They were actually inferior even to the scattered minor forces of the martial world. They still needed to obtain Shen Yi's whereabouts from the jianghu.
Having heard Qin Jianghe's explanation.
Li Wudang naturally would not let the matter go so easily.
His smile faded:
"I have long heard that Hall Master Qin values loyalty and righteousness. According to the rumors of the martial world, Shen Yi once showed you kindness. Could it be that you deliberately let him go?"
Qin Jianghe immediately waved his hand in denial:
"The one who showed me kindness was Chen Yu."
"At the time, I had absolutely no idea he was a wanted criminal with a bounty on his head. Otherwise, how would I dare associate with such a bandit?"
"Would that not be openly opposing the Pacification Office?"
Li Wudang narrowed his eyes:
"If that is so."
"Then Hall Master Qin should know where Shen Yi went. Please send someone with me to apprehend the bandit."
Qin Jianghe pressed his lips together:
"My apologies. I know nothing."
Li Wudang laughed in extreme anger and pointed at Qin Jianghe:
"Hall Master Qin, I think you harbor rebellious intentions and are deliberately opposing the Pacification Office!"
Clang!
Li Wudang drew his blade.
The Embroidered Spring Blade in Li Wudang's hand gave off a low hum.
The blade had yet to move, but its momentum had already risen.
An overwhelmingly powerful pressure slowly spread from him, mingling with the blade's intent as boundless sharpness swept straight toward them.
Qin Jianghe snorted coldly.
He stepped forward.
His broken blade pointed diagonally, and his inner force abruptly surged.
Blocking Li Wudang's peerless sharp intent outside his body.
"Centurion Li, what is the meaning of this?"
Li Wudang sneered:
"I have heard that Hall Master Qin's single broken blade suppresses all of Clear River, and that Chaotic Sky Yaksha died at the hands of you and Shen Yi working together."
His tone abruptly turned icy:
"Then I shall come and learn from you! Let me see just what skill you possess to defy the Pacification Office's orders!"
Qin Jianghe stared coldly at Li Wudang:
"Centurion Li, do not slander others out of thin air."
"Everyone in my Broken Blade Hall has never harbored any intention of defying the Pacification Office."
"Humph!"
"Words are useless. Let our hands reveal the truth!"
Li Wudang shot forward.
His body was like lightning, turning into a blurred shadow that nearly exceeded the limits of Qin Jianghe's vision.
The Embroidered Spring Blade cleaved downward.
Like thunder descending from the ninth heaven, it came whistling down.
Qin Jianghe's eyes suddenly widened round as he moved his arm in a flash:
"Good heavens!"
"What kind of monster is this now!"
After Shen Yi parted ways with Broken Blade Hall.
Instead of following the river, he crossed over the mountains, spending a full day and night reaching the other side of Mount Clear River.
He had already left Dong Commandery's borders.
And entered the Jianghuai region.
In the mountains, he had not let himself go hungry. Qin Jianghe had originally given him some dry rations.
The deep forest was full of tigers, leopards, wolves, and jackals.
He caught two wild rabbits and killed a wild boar.
He ate meat for two meals.
He did not take the rest with him, leaving it for the other carnivores lurking hungrily in the forest.
By evening, he gradually emerged from the deep mountains.
In the distant sky, wisps of cooking smoke could faintly be seen curling upward.
There was a market town there, with a clear stream flowing through it like a jade belt. From afar, it was a truly beautiful sight.
But he would not reach it today.
The sun was setting in the west.
Before long, the vast night arrived.
The light in the forest was swiftly swallowed by darkness.
One could not see one's fingers before one's face.
Shen Yi had intended to find a large tree and leap onto a branch to make do for the night. That was how he had slept in the deep mountains yesterday.
Suddenly.
A patch of orange lamplight in the distance caught his attention.
Was there a household there?
Then he might as well borrow lodging for the night. It would certainly be more comfortable than sleeping on a hard tree branch.
Shen Yi headed toward the dim light.
As he drew closer.
He discovered that an ancient temple stood where the light shone brightly.
"Dragon Tree Temple."
From the outside, the temple looked ancient and weathered, yet it was tidy. Clearly, monks cultivated here.
Without hesitation, Shen Yi went to the temple.
And hammered on the main gate.
As the saying went, monks delivered all living beings from suffering and accumulated virtue through good deeds. Surely taking in a passing traveler like him for one night would not be a problem.
Shen Yi waited at the entrance for quite a while.
With a creak, the temple gate opened a narrow crack.
A gleaming bald head poked out through the gap. After looking around, its owner spotted Shen Yi standing before the gate at once.
A handsome young man clad in fitted black clothing, with a broad-backed black saber still in its sheath at his waist. His half-long hair was casually bound by a forehead band.
At first glance, he was clearly someone who roamed the martial world.
"Benefactor, the temple has already closed."
"If you wish to offer incense, please return tomorrow."
The monk appeared rather old, but perhaps knowing that people of the martial world were not easily provoked, he spoke very amiably.
Shen Yi grinned:
"Master, I am not here to offer incense."
"I would like to stay the night."
The monk's eyes shifted, and he said ingratiatingly:
"My apologies, Benefactor."
"There are no spare monk's quarters in the temple."
Having said that, the monk withdrew his head and prepared to close the gate.
Shen Yi raised a brow:
"Master, I am willing to offer some incense money, in hopes that the Buddha might take me in for one night."
The monk's movement to shut the gate abruptly stopped.
He asked instinctively:
"How much?"
Shen Yi touched his money pouch. He still had some loose silver taken from the Pacification Office, and Qin Jianghe had also given him a little travel money.
Enough, enough.
He immediately took out a piece of broken silver and waved it before the crack in the gate:
"One piece of broken silver."
"Master, is that sincere enough?"
The monk immediately pushed open the mountain gate with his backhand, leaped out, and reached for the broken silver in Shen Yi's hand.
"Ah?"
"Master, you have not even let me in yet."
"And you already want the payment?"
Greed flashed through the monk's eyes. He then opened one of the temple's large gates and eagerly ushered Shen Yi inside.
"Benefactor, please come in."
Shen Yi tossed the piece of broken silver in his hand.
His tone carried a hint of amusement:
"Now there are monk's quarters again?"
The monk chuckled:
"I am on night watch and gate duty tonight. You can sleep in my room."
Shen Yi casually tossed the broken silver over. The monk used both hands, catching it in a fluster and clutching it tightly.
"Fine, Master. Please lead the way."
"Right away."
Before you continue