Commendation

"Right on time—"

Chen Wu thought, At last, you've fallen into my hands.

But when he saw a crowd of constables pursuing him from behind, Chen Wu didn't dare reveal his Concentrated Spirit Realm strength, and had no choice but to use the power of the Pulse-Opening Realm.

Swish—

Chen Wu couldn't help using the technique Wang Jiuyuan had taught him two days earlier. As he swung his sword, his wrist rotated slightly.

This time, no sword ring sounded. The strike was utterly silent.

To avoid drawing attention, Chen Wu had specifically bought an ordinary longsword from Master Li. He'd brought the inconspicuous weapon with him when he left.

Clang—

The man seemed to sense Chen Wu's movements in advance and blocked his longsword with a single stroke. But he didn't stop; he circled around Chen Wu and tried to charge ahead.

Then a series of sword rings rang out. They came from the longsword in the man's hand.

For a moment, Chen Wu was under the strange impression that this impostor was more Chen Wu than Chen Wu himself.

"Brave hero, don't let him get away!" the young constable behind them shouted.

Clang—

Chen Wu stuck close to the man, attacking as he used his lightness skill. Their swords met again. Chen Wu's wrist coiled like a spirit snake, winding along the other man's blade before thrusting straight at his left hand, the one gripping the sword.

The assassin hadn't expected this move. He hurriedly pulled his hand back and turned his sword sideways, forcing Chen Wu's blade away.

But that slowed his steps once more.

The Golden Wind and Drizzle Tower's lightness skill was no ordinary technique. Unable to shake Chen Wu, the man could only run along the eaves and walls while trading a few more blows with him.

Clang—Clang—Clang—

Although Chen Wu could only use the power of the Pulse-Opening Realm, the man was focused on escape and only defended, never striking back.

In these circumstances, Chen Wu felt as though he had divine aid as he wielded his sword techniques, one by one putting into practice what Wang Jiuyuan had taught him two days before.

Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!

Monk Lingming screamed inwardly, wishing he could kill Chen Wu on the spot.

Ever since he'd killed his senior brother from the Discipline Court and fled Chengtian Temple, Lingming had never felt so stifled.

If it weren't for that crowd of constables behind me, how dare a mere Pulse-Opening Realm martial artist block my way?

Pulse-Opening Realm indeed!

After exchanging a few moves, Lingming had already gauged Chen Wu's strength. There was something strange about him, but the true energy in his sword did not exceed the Pulse-Opening Realm.

As Chen Wu pressed him more and more tightly, Monk Lingming couldn't help regretting it. If only he'd fled that day!

He'd thought the constables were a bunch of useless fools who wouldn't find him anytime soon.

He'd planned to wait in Yan'an Prefecture for that important person to arrive, then leave with his entourage. After that, the whole world would be his oyster, and he'd enjoy wealth and glory.

He hadn't expected the constables to arrive so quickly!

For a moment, even his breathing grew labored!

Lingming knew why. He'd just taken the full force of a Great Stele-Breaking Hand, injuring his internal organs, and now he could no longer suppress the damage.

Clang—Clang—Clang—

With such a perfect target to practice on, Chen Wu grew more and more adept. In that moment, he tried out every odd idea that came to mind.

Chen Wu's swordplay flowed more smoothly with each move, while the man opposite him grew increasingly clumsy.

An opening!

Chen Wu noticed the gunshot wound on the man's right shoulder and understood. The man had originally wielded his sword right-handed, but had switched to his left because of the injury. That was why his swordplay lacked fluidity, allowing an opening to appear in the heat of battle.

Once he grasped the reason, Chen Wu immediately pressed the attack against the man's left shoulder. Having switched hands in a hurry, it was his least nimble side.

Slash—

Sure enough, after only a few moves, Chen Wu's sword cut across the man's left shoulder, slicing through the flesh.

The man grunted in pain!

"Ha—"

In desperation, the man let out a roar and stopped merely defending. Instead, he brought his sword down in a grand, forceful slash!

Chen Wu's swordplay had reached a new level. In his eyes, the other man's attack was a desperate gamble, with weak force and openings everywhere.

As their swords clashed, Chen Wu put his shoulder and elbow into it, twisting his longsword violently. At the same time, spiraling force surged along the blade, turning his sword into a high-speed drill.

Clang—

The man's longsword was knocked flying. Shock filled his eyes.

"You are—"

Swish—

Chen Wu cut off his words with a thrust, driving his sword straight into the man's throat. The tip pierced deep and emerged from the back of his neck.

"Kh—kh—kh—"

The man's voice sounded like a punctured leather pouch. He tried to speak, but nothing came out.

Smack—

Chen Wu pulled out his sword and flicked the blood from its tip. Lingming clutched his throat, but after a few seconds, he fell straight backward onto the street.

Seeing the utter confusion in Lingming's eyes, Chen Wu immediately leaped down and knelt beside him, nodding.

Lingming saw this and finally understood. His body relaxed, and he passed away peacefully.

"Brave hero! Are you all right?" The young constable was the first to arrive.

"This fiend has been brought to justice!"

With the longsword on his shoulder, Chen Wu walked forward with his back to the constable, Li Zheng.

"Brave hero, don't go!" Li Zheng called. "Would you be willing to leave your name?"

"I'm just a concerned passerby!" Chen Wu waved a hand, then pushed off and raced away along the eaves and walls.

"If everyone in Great Shun were like him, what would there be to worry about in this troubled world?"

Li Zheng watched Chen Wu's departing figure with deep admiration.

"He's dead?" Old Liu exclaimed. "That quickly!"

"It was mainly thanks to those constables!" Chen Wu said.

He then told Old Liu that the constables had pursued the man and that he'd simply gotten lucky.

After Chen Wu finished, Old Liu pinched the bridge of his furrowed brow and asked for the details again. Chen Wu answered each question.

Old Liu pondered for a moment. "Stay at Lingshan Temple for the next few days. Whatever you do, don't go wandering around!"

It had been three days since the Jade-Faced Killing God died.

Though Chen Wu heard the monks and laypeople at the temple discussing the matter, he didn't join in. He simply kept a low profile.

After breakfast in the dining hall, Chen Wu returned to his room and was about to do some training. Suddenly, a commotion erupted outside.

Chen Wu opened the door and was stunned.

Several constables and Old Liu had crowded together in front of his door, blocking it completely.

If they hadn't all been chatting and laughing, he would have thought Old Liu had betrayed him.

"Brave hero—"

The moment Chen Wu stepped out, the young constable leading the group lit up. He rushed forward, trying to grab Chen Wu's hand. Startled, Chen Wu hurriedly backed away and looked at Old Liu in confusion.

"Ahem—" Old Liu raised his eyebrows at Chen Wu and gave him a meaningful look. "This nephew of mine is naturally introverted. He doesn't much care for noisy crowds, so I arranged for him to stay at the temple."

"Ah, I was too forward," the young constable, Li Zheng, said, nodding repeatedly.

"What's going on...?" Chen Wu asked, puzzled.

"Even though you told me not to tell anyone, I thought it over. When we do good deeds, we shouldn't keep our names hidden! Haven't you heard how Confucius praised Zilu for accepting a cow?" Old Liu said. "So I told the authorities what you did. You may want to keep a low profile, but I'm going to make sure your name is known!"

"What?" Chen Wu was even more astonished.

"Look, just look!" Li Zheng said to his colleagues. "So modest and cautious—that's a model citizen of Great Shun!"

As he spoke, Li Zheng pulled out a thousand silver yuan in banknotes and pressed them into Chen Wu's hand.

"Young brother, the bounty for the Jade-Faced Killing God has been issued. The chief constable decided to award you a thousand silver yuan. He's also reported your deed to the court so you can receive an honorary commendation as a righteous citizen."

Only then did Chen Wu understand. Old Liu had reported what he'd done!

Though he had no idea what Old Liu was planning, all he could do now was play along.

"I... I only did what anyone should have done." Chen Wu awkwardly managed a smile.

Suddenly remembering something, Chen Wu took out five hundred silver yuan and handed it to Li Zheng.

"I just happened to be there. The Jade-Faced Killing God had already been badly wounded by all of you constables, and I only got lucky. I'd feel guilty taking the whole thousand. Please take this back and divide it among the people who were there that night!"

Seeing how considerate Chen Wu was, Li Zheng liked him even more. Even Old Liu secretly gave him a thumbs-up.