Delivering a Letter

Before his eyes lay only darkness, yet within Chen Wu's Concentrated Spirit, the space ahead was ablaze with a brilliant, almost scorching light that made his spirit ache.

The source of this radiance was a Jade Seal held in the palm of the dark-faced man in the distance.

"Stay where you are. Do not move."

With a grave expression, Chen Wu gave these instructions to Shopkeeper Qin, then picked up his cloth-wrapped sword and stepped into the darkness.

Shopkeeper Qin, a seasoned veteran of the underworld, sensed that something was amiss and hurriedly signaled his workers to huddle together by the campfire.

Chen Wu walked forward, his pace steady, neither fast nor slow. He seemed unaffected by the influence of the Jade Seal, walking straight toward the dark-faced man.

As he walked, the cloth wrappings fell away, slowly revealing the true form of his treasure sword.

The dark-faced man did not move, waiting quietly for Chen Wu to approach.

Suddenly, a west wind whipped up, snapping at Chen Wu's robes, and the man opposite him moved.

A blade of light, sharp as a cleaver, struck out first.

But to Chen Wu's Concentrated Spirit, this blade light was hidden within the glare of the Jade Seal, appearing and disappearing in a way that made his eyes and spirit clash, causing him immense discomfort.

Hum—

The sword sang. Chen Wu channeled his secret arts to stimulate his eyes, elevating his Concentrated Spirit until, finally, he caught the blade light amidst the chaos.

Clang—

Blade and sword met and parted in an instant!

The man followed up with another strike, shifting from a chop to a thrust, lunging forward to strike directly at Chen Wu's throat.

Chen Wu shifted his stance, blocking with his sword.

Yet, to his surprise, no impact came. The strike was a feint; taking advantage of Chen Wu's defensive posture, the man lightened his steps and retreated, widening the distance between them.

Seeing this, Chen Wu prepared to move, but the man spoke up.

"I bear no malice. Do not advance any further, sir!"

"Why?" Chen Wu halted his steps.

"If you advance any further, I shall have no choice but to flee!"

This response was entirely unexpected.

"Why would you flee?"

"I am afraid of being killed by you," the man replied with brutal honesty.

What the hell?

"If you are so afraid of me, why did you strike first?"

"I merely wished to confirm your identity," the man said. "Anyone would be wary of the 'Jade-Faced Killing God' Chen Wu, who killed Yang Yuchun and Li Changgeng in succession."

Jade-Faced Killing God Chen Wu? Why does that title sound like a villain's?

Wait, that's not the point—how did my identity get exposed again?

"Why are you so certain?"

The man opposite him replied, "I happened to see you strike in Yinchuan Prefecture."

"That doesn't prove I am Chen Wu!"

"Indeed," the man nodded. "The key is your physical peak."

"Before Li Changgeng died, he sent word that during your battle, you displayed the signs of a physical peak."

"I know those rafters; few of them practice martial arts, yet they are all strong. When they struck you with their clubs, it sounded like metal striking bronze."

"The protective qi of a master of hard-body techniques can deflect clubs, but the sound is different. I grew suspicious then."

Damn it, so that was the flaw.

When he fought, Chen Wu had intentionally taken a few blows to avoid revealing too much power, never expecting that to be a bigger giveaway to someone who knew their stuff.

Jianghu experience really is important!

"Gan Province is vast. I don't believe there are no others who have reached the physical peak. How can you be sure it's me?"

"You must be joking," the man seemed puzzled by the question. "Anyone who reaches the physical peak, regardless of their faction, is a genius. They would be courted by all; it is impossible for them to be reduced to a mere rafter."

"After much thought, the only one who fits is the Jade-Faced Killing God, who must hide his name after committing such great deeds," the man continued. "Besides, if one calculates the time, traveling by water from Jincheng Prefecture, one should arrive in Yinchuan Prefecture in these two days."

"I followed you the whole way, hoping for a chance to confirm it. The moment your sword sang, I knew I had guessed correctly."

What a formidable fellow!

"I am indeed Chen Wu!" Seeing that his reputation seemed to intimidate the man, Chen Wu stopped pretending. "You've followed me this entire way—what is your motive?"

"I wish to ask the Jade-Faced Killing God to deliver a letter."

"To whom?"

"The master of the Golden Wind and Drizzle Tower—the 'Dragon-Expelling Divine Sword' Wang Jiuyuan."

Damn, Old Ma only said the master was named Wang Jiuyuan; I didn't expect him to have such an imposing title.

The previous owner was called "Dragon-Expelling Divine Sword," yet when it came to me, it became "Jade-Faced Killing God." Isn't this discrimination a bit too much?

"Who are you?"

The man bowed: "This Humble One is Xu Songnian of the Wude Palace, School of Heavenly Principle."

Songjiang Prefecture, Shanghai County.

"Qiao Weisheng is dead—"

An official dressed in third-rank robes exclaimed in shock.

"He died by assassination; the Star-Pulling Sword asked me to inform you." The messenger had traveled day and night without rest, even taking the newly opened steam train from Nanzhili, just to deliver the news in such a short time.

"What else did he say?"

"Regarding matters at court, you have the final say; he will follow your lead in everything."

"There is only one condition: the new steamship technology that Qiao Weisheng funded must be used by the navy. This matter cannot be shaken just because Qiao Weisheng is dead."

"Very well."

With Guo Xuchu having stated his position, the official felt slightly relieved and took the letter from the messenger's hand.

"You've worked hard; go and get some rest."

The messenger gave a bitter smile: "I cannot rest now! I hold some shares in Zhong'an Bank, and I must clear them before the exchange closes."

The official rubbed his forehead: "Indeed. Quickly, go with the accountant from my mansion and have him sell my shares as well."

School of Heavenly Principle?

I just slaughtered two experts from the School of Heavenly Principle, and now another one shows up!

"I just killed your people!"

"This Humble One is from the Wude Palace, not the Crown Prince's Mansion." Xu Songnian smiled faintly. "If the Crown Prince's Mansion ordered revenge, I would naturally follow orders, but as of now... there are no such orders."

Good grief! He has a bit of a "non-stick pan" attitude.

"I will deliver the letter to the Master of the Tower; I understand. However, who sent it?"

"This matter is confidential; the Master of the Tower will know once he opens it."

"Then why did you seek me out to deliver it?"

"If I sought others, they might not be able to deliver it directly to the Dragon-Expelling Divine Sword. But if it is Your Excellency, you will certainly be able to see the Dragon-Expelling Divine Sword directly."

"Fine, give me the letter." Chen Wu thought for a moment and decided to deliver it.

He was quite curious why someone from the School of Heavenly Principle would want to correspond with the Master of the Tower. Even if they wanted to hire an assassin, they could just post a bounty; there was no need for such trouble.

Xu Songnian nodded. While his left hand continued to support the Jade Seal, his right hand reached into his robes and pulled out an envelope. With a light flick, the envelope flew toward Chen Wu.

Chen Wu reached out to catch it and tucked the letter away.

"The seal in your hand is quite interesting."

"You flatter me," Xu Songnian said with self-deprecating humor. "I am merely in the Circulation Realm. If not for this treasure that interferes with the Concentrated Spirit Realm, I would not dare to meet you alone."

Chen Wu found it amusing; his reputation within the School of Heavenly Principle had become a bit too terrifying, to the point where even someone in the Circulation Realm had to be cautious when meeting him.

"What is this thing? It can actually interfere with the Concentrated Spirit Realm?"